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  • Amy Adams and Aaron Pierre Join ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’

    (Left) Amy Adams stars in 'Nightbitch'. (Right) Aaron Pierre star in 'Rebel Ridge'.
    (Left) Amy Adams stars in ‘Nightbitch’. (Right) Aaron Pierre star in ‘Rebel Ridge’.

    Preview:

    • Amy Adams and Aaron Pierre are among the new cast additions to ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’.
    • Ryan Gosling, Matt Smith and Mia Goth star.
    • Director Shawn Levy has the cameras rolling in the UK.

    Director Shawn Levy is ready to set his S-Foils to “direct” position.

    Okay, so we don’t know whether there will be actual X-Wings in ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’, but the cameras have started to roll on the new ‘Star Wars’ movie, and a fresh batch of actors have boarded.

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    Amy Adams (‘Arrival’), Aaron Pierre (‘Rebel Ridge’), Flynn Gray (‘Borderline’), Simon Bird (‘The Inbetweeners’), Jamael Westman and Daniel Ings (‘The Gentlemen’) are part of the cast.

    The movie, which stars Ryan Gosling, Matt Smith and Mia Goth, is in production now in the UK, and the first behind-the-scenes image (see below) of Gosling and Gray is online to prove it.

    Related Article: Star Wars: Starfighter’ Adds ‘House of the Dragon’s Matt Smith to Cast

    What’s the story of ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’?

    (L to R) Ryan Gosling and Flynn Gray on set for 'Star Wars: Starfighter'. Photo: Ed Miller/Lucasfilm.
    (L to R) Ryan Gosling and Flynn Gray on set for ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’. Photo: Ed Miller/Lucasfilm.

    With the official news out there, we now have a proper, if basic bit of detail for the movie. It’s described as “a standalone adventure taking place approximately five years after the events of 2019’s ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’. It is an entirely new adventure featuring all-new characters set in a period of time that has not been explored on screen yet.”

    Gosling is playing a character that must protect a young charge (Gray) against evil pursuers. Adams will be the boy’s mother.

    Smith will be hunting Gosling down and Goth will be on the villain’s scheming side. The other roles are unknown for now.

    Jonathan Tropper, who collaborated with Levy on films such as ‘This is Where I Leave You’ and ‘The Adam Project,’ has been working on a script for over a year. Levy is also producing the feature via his 21 Laps banner, joining ‘Star Wars’ steward Kathleen Kennedy.

    Shawn Levy talks ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’

    'Star Wars: Starfighter's director Shawn Levy at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Photo: Lucasfilm.
    ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’s director Shawn Levy at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Photo: Lucasfilm.

    Levy offered the following statement to mark the start of production work on the movie:

    “I feel a profound sense of excitement and honor as we begin production on ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’. From the day Kathy Kennedy called me up, inviting me to develop an original adventure in this incredible ‘Star Wars’ galaxy, this experience has been a dream come true, creatively and personally. ‘Star Wars’ shaped my sense of what story can do, how characters and cinematic moments can live with us forever. To join this storytelling galaxy with such brilliant collaborators onscreen and off, is the thrill of a lifetime.”

    When will ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’ be in theaters?

    ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’ is now due to arrive on May 28th, 2027. May the force be with it…

    (L to R) 'Star Wars: Starfighter's director Shawn Levy, Ryan Gosling, Dave Filoni and Kathleen Kennedy at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Photo: Lucasfilm.
    (L to R) ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’s director Shawn Levy, Ryan Gosling, Dave Filoni and Kathleen Kennedy at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Photo: Lucasfilm.

    List of ‘Star Wars’ Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy ‘Star Wars’ Movies On Amazon

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  • Movie Review: ‘Caught Stealing’

    (L to R) Yvonne (Zoë Kravitz) and Hank (Austin Butler) have a moment outside a New York bar in Columbia Pictures 'Caught Stealing'. Photo: Niko Tavernise.© 2024 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved. **ALL IMAGES ARE PROPERTY OF SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT INC. FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY. SALE, DUPLICATION OR TRANSFER OF THIS MATERIAL IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
    (L to R) Yvonne (Zoë Kravitz) and Hank (Austin Butler) have a moment outside a New York bar in Columbia Pictures ‘Caught Stealing’. Photo: Niko Tavernise.© 2024 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved. **ALL IMAGES ARE PROPERTY OF SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT INC. FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY. SALE, DUPLICATION OR TRANSFER OF THIS MATERIAL IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

    Opening in theaters August 29 is ‘Caught Stealing,’ directed by Darren Aronofsky, written by Charlie Huston, and starring Austin Butler, Zoë Kravitz, Matt Smith, Regina King, Liev Schreiber, Vincent D’Onofrio, Griffin Dunne, Carol Kane, and Benito Martinez Ocasio.

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    Related Article: Darren Aronofsky in Early Talks to Direct Guru Thriller ‘Breakthrough’

    Initial Thoughts

    Austin Butler stars as Hank in Columbia Pictures 'Caught Stealing'. Photo by: Niko Tavernise. © 2024 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved. **ALL IMAGES ARE PROPERTY OF SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT INC. FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY. SALE, DUPLICATION OR TRANSFER OF THIS MATERIAL IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
    Austin Butler stars as Hank in Columbia Pictures ‘Caught Stealing’. Photo by: Niko Tavernise. © 2024 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved. **ALL IMAGES ARE PROPERTY OF SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT INC. FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY. SALE, DUPLICATION OR TRANSFER OF THIS MATERIAL IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

    Known primarily for intense psychological dramas that often skirt the horror genre, director Darren Aronofsky has pivoted to a dark crime comedy with ‘Caught Stealing,’ from a screenplay by Charlie Huston based on the latter’s novel. Following the director’s last effort, the heavy, tragic ‘The Whale’ (2022), ‘Caught Stealing’ finds Aronofsky in a relaxed mode and even having some fun, while also returning to his hometown of New York City (setting of his first film, 1998’s ‘Pi’).

    While it’s nice to see Aronofsky go in a lighter direction, he doesn’t always successfully navigate some of the more abrupt tonal switches in ‘Caught Stealing,’ making the narrative a somewhat jarring and uneven experience. Still, he manages to keep the movie unpredictable and loose, aided immensely by great performances from Austin Butler, Zoë Kravitz, Liev Schreiber, Regina King and others.

    Story and Direction

    (L to R) Austin Butler, Matt Smith and Director Darren Aronofsky on the set of Columbia Pictures 'Caught Stealing'. Photo by: Niko Tavernise. © 2024 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved. **ALL IMAGES ARE PROPERTY OF SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT INC. FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY. SALE, DUPLICATION OR TRANSFER OF THIS MATERIAL IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
    (L to R) Austin Butler, Matt Smith and Director Darren Aronofsky on the set of Columbia Pictures ‘Caught Stealing’. Photo by: Niko Tavernise. © 2024 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved. **ALL IMAGES ARE PROPERTY OF SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT INC. FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY. SALE, DUPLICATION OR TRANSFER OF THIS MATERIAL IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

    Henry ‘Hank’ Thompson (Austin Butler) is a former California high school baseball star – his career cut short by injury and tragedy – and now a semi-permanently wasted bartender living and working in Lower Manhattan’s Alphabet City circa 1998. His patient girlfriend Yvonne (Zoë Kravitz) loves him but wants to know if he’s a man who can ‘keep his s**t together.’ Hank is put to the test when his punk rocker neighbor Russ (Matt Smith) asks him to watch his cat while Russ heads to London to see his ailing father – only for Hank to get a serious beating by two Russian thugs who come looking for Russ.

    But that’s only the beginning of Hank’s problems. After getting out of the hospital minus one kidney, Hank is harassed by the thugs again, this time with a drug baron (Benito Martínez Ocasio, aka Bad Bunny) in tow. Soon even more people are involved in whatever trouble Russ has landed Hank in, including detective Elise Roman (Regina King) and Orthodox Jewish gangsters Lipa (Liev Schreiber) and Shmully (Vincent D’Onofrio).

    Director Darren Aronofsky on the set of Columbia Pictures 'Caught Stealing'. Photo by: Niko Tavernise. © 2024 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved. **ALL IMAGES ARE PROPERTY OF SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT INC. FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY. SALE, DUPLICATION OR TRANSFER OF THIS MATERIAL IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
    Director Darren Aronofsky on the set of Columbia Pictures ‘Caught Stealing’. Photo by: Niko Tavernise. © 2024 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved. **ALL IMAGES ARE PROPERTY OF SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT INC. FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY. SALE, DUPLICATION OR TRANSFER OF THIS MATERIAL IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

    ‘Caught Stealing’ begins on a dark yet still humorous note, gets even more grim as it goes along, and finally takes a slightly more absurd turn as it barrels toward its conclusion. Aronofsky rides those tonal shifts the best he can, but one particularly shocking moment halfway through is a bit difficult to recover from. The plot also grows more convoluted as it goes along, with one exposition dump in the middle delivered so fast that it’s hard to sort out just who’s screwing over who.

    Yet the film, ostensibly a caper, also stays resolutely unique thanks to its eclectic characters – including Russ’s adorable cat, played by Tonic — the grainy throwback sheen given the film by Aronofsky and cinematographer Matthew Libatique, its authentically gritty and diverse late-‘90s NYC milieu, and a propulsive soundtrack from post-punk act Idles.

    Cast and Performances

    (L to R) Russ (Matt Smith) hands over the keys to Hank (Austin Butler) in Columbia Pictures 'Caught Stealing'. Photo by: Niko Tavernise. © 2025 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved. **ALL IMAGES ARE PROPERTY OF SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT INC. FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY. SALE, DUPLICATION OR TRANSFER OF THIS MATERIAL IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
    (L to R) Russ (Matt Smith) hands over the keys to Hank (Austin Butler) in Columbia Pictures ‘Caught Stealing’. Photo by: Niko Tavernise. © 2025 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved. **ALL IMAGES ARE PROPERTY OF SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT INC. FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY. SALE, DUPLICATION OR TRANSFER OF THIS MATERIAL IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

    Aronofsky has assembled a glittering ensemble for ‘Caught Stealing,’ but it’s still all tied together by the commanding work of Austin Butler. After a wasted performance earlier this summer in ‘Eddington,’ he’s got far more to work with, gradually peeling away the layers of Hank’s dissolution and lack of focus to get at the hurt, grief, and anger underneath. It’s a complex performance that showcases the actor’s rare ability to be both a leading man and a chameleon.

    The rest of the cast is up to the task as well, but come in and out of the movie in fits and starts. Zoë Kravitz does solid, sympathetic work as Yvonne in her relatively brief screentime, while Regina King is both tough and enigmatic, and Matt Smith takes a big swing as the annoying, histrionic Russ. But our favorites are undoubtedly Liev Schreiber and Vincent D’Onofrio, whose Lipa and Shmully threaten to steal the last third of the film away from Butler with their funny yet strangely menacing repartee.

    Final Thoughts

    Zoë Kravitz stars as Yvonne in Columbia Pictures 'Caught Stealing'. Photo by: Niko Tavernise. © 2024 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved. **ALL IMAGES ARE PROPERTY OF SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT INC. FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY. SALE, DUPLICATION OR TRANSFER OF THIS MATERIAL IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
    Zoë Kravitz stars as Yvonne in Columbia Pictures ‘Caught Stealing’. Photo by: Niko Tavernise. © 2024 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved. **ALL IMAGES ARE PROPERTY OF SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT INC. FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY. SALE, DUPLICATION OR TRANSFER OF THIS MATERIAL IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

    Thought we wished we could see more of those Hebrew crime barons – they really should be in more of the movie — ‘Caught Stealing’ gets by on the charm of its leading man and that darn cat. It’s also nice to see Darren Aronofsky play in a different field as a filmmaker, even if he doesn’t quite master the balance of absurd comedy and grittier melodrama. As with all the director’s films, ‘Caught Stealing’ is set in a reality that’s slightly off-kilter from ours, and while it’s not top-tier Aronofsky, it’s a welcome change of pace.

    ‘Caught Stealing’ receives a score of 70 out of 100.

    (L to R) Russ (Matt Smith) and Hank (Austin Butler) find the storage unit in Columbia Pictures 'Caught Stealing'. Photo by: Niko Tavernise. © 2025 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved. **ALL IMAGES ARE PROPERTY OF SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT INC. FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY. SALE, DUPLICATION OR TRANSFER OF THIS MATERIAL IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
    (L to R) Russ (Matt Smith) and Hank (Austin Butler) find the storage unit in Columbia Pictures ‘Caught Stealing’. Photo by: Niko Tavernise. © 2025 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved. **ALL IMAGES ARE PROPERTY OF SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT INC. FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY. SALE, DUPLICATION OR TRANSFER OF THIS MATERIAL IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

    What is the plot of ‘Caught Stealing’?

    Former high school baseball star Hank Thompson (Austin Butler) is now a bartender living in downtown New York City. When his punk-rock neighbor Russ (Matt Smith) asks him to take care of his cat for a few days, Hank finds himself caught in the middle of a motley crew of angry gangsters — and has to find out what they want and why he’s their target.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Caught Stealing’?

    • Austin Butler as Henry “Hank” Thompson
    • Zoë Kravitz as Yvonne
    • Matt Smith as Russ
    • Regina King as Roman
    • Liev Schreiber as Lipa
    • Vincent D’Onofrio as Shmully
    • Griffin Dunne as Paul
    • Benito Martínez Ocasio as Colorado
    • Carol Kane as Bubbe
    (L to R) Pavel (Nikita Kukushkin), Colorado (Bad Bunny), and Aleksei (Yuri Kolokolnikov) rough up Hank (Austin Butler) in Columbia Pictures 'Caught Stealing'. Photo: Niko Tavernise. © 2024 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved. **ALL IMAGES ARE PROPERTY OF SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT INC. FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY. SALE, DUPLICATION OR TRANSFER OF THIS MATERIAL IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
    (L to R) Pavel (Nikita Kukushkin), Colorado (Bad Bunny), and Aleksei (Yuri Kolokolnikov) rough up Hank (Austin Butler) in Columbia Pictures ‘Caught Stealing’. Photo: Niko Tavernise. © 2024 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved. **ALL IMAGES ARE PROPERTY OF SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT INC. FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY. SALE, DUPLICATION OR TRANSFER OF THIS MATERIAL IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

    List of Darren Aronofsky Movies:

    Buy Tickets: ‘Caught Stealing’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Darren Aronofsky Movies On Amazon

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  • Matt Smith to Play ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’s Villain

    (Left) Matt Smith in HBO's 'House of the Dragon.' Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO. (Right) (L to R) 'Star Wars: Starfighter's Ryan Gosling and director Shawn Levy at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Photo: Lucasfilm.
    (Left) Matt Smith in HBO’s ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO. (Right) (L to R) ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’s Ryan Gosling and director Shawn Levy at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Photo: Lucasfilm.

    Preview:

    • Matt Smith is joining ‘Star Wars: Starfighter.’
    • Ryan Gosling is aboard to star.
    • Shawn Levy will direct the movie.

    With Ryan Gosling aboard to star and ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’s Shawn Levy behind the camera, ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’ is truly starting to come together.

    Now, according to Deadline, Matt Smith, currently to be found appearing in ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel series ‘House of the Dragon’, will join the cast as the main villain.

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    The casting makes sense, since ‘Star Wars’ has often employed Brits as villainous characters, all the way back to the likes of Peter Cushing’s iconic, scowling, contemptuous Grand Moff Tarkin in the 1977 original.

    Related Article: ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’: Mia Goth Joins Ryan Gosling in the New Movie

    What’s the story of ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’?

    (L to R) 'Star Wars: Starfighter's director Shawn Levy, Ryan Gosling, Dave Filoni and Kathleen Kennedy at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Photo: Lucasfilm.
    (L to R) ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’s director Shawn Levy, Ryan Gosling, Dave Filoni and Kathleen Kennedy at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Photo: Lucasfilm.

    With the official news out there, we now have a proper, if basic bit of detail for the movie. It’s described as “a standalone adventure taking place approximately five years after the events of 2019’s ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.’ It is an entirely new adventure featuring all-new characters set in a period of time that has not been explored on screen yet.”

    Gosling is reportedly playing a character that must protect a young charge against evil pursuers.

    Smith will be hunting him down and we recently learned that ‘Pearl’ and ‘MaXXXine’s Mia Goth will be on his scheming side.

    What do Goth and Smith have in common, besides a propensity for playing quirky/threatening characters? Both born in the UK!

    Jonathan Tropper, who collaborated with Levy on films such as ‘This is Where I Leave You’ and ‘The Adam Project,’ has been working on a script for over a year. Levy is also producing the feature via his 21 Laps banner, joining ‘Star Wars’ steward Kathleen Kennedy.

    Where else can we see Matt Smith?

    Matt Smith in 'House of the Dragon' season 2
    Matt Smith in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2. Photograph by Theo Whitman/HBO.

    Besides his Dragon-riding, endlessly plotting character, Smith is probably best known for playing the Eleventh incarnation of The Doctor in ‘Doctor Who’.

    He’s also been seen in the likes of ‘The Crown’, ‘Morbius’ and ‘Last Night in Soho’.

    Coming up for the actor is the role of an unorthodox punk in Darren Aronofsky’s latest, crime drama ‘Caught Stealing’, due in theaters on August 29th.

    When will ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’ be in theaters?

    With ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ boasting a confirmed release date of May 22nd, 2026, we now have a second ‘Star Wars’ movie on the calendar.

    ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’ is due to arrive on May 28th, 2027, and is set to start the cameras rolling in the fall, giving Smith some time to perfect his sneer.

    (L to R) 'Star Wars: Starfighter's director Shawn Levy, Ryan Gosling, Dave Filoni and Kathleen Kennedy at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Photo: Lucasfilm.
    (L to R) ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’s director Shawn Levy, Ryan Gosling, Dave Filoni and Kathleen Kennedy at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Photo: Lucasfilm.

    List of ‘Star Wars’ Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy ‘Star Wars’ Movies On Amazon

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  • Matt Smith and Liev Schreiber Join Austin Butler in ‘Caught Stealing’

    (Left) Matt Smith in Columbia Pictures' 'Morbius'. Photo by Jay Maidment. Copyright: © 2021 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved.(Right) Liev Schreiber as Raymond "Ray" Donovan in 'Ray Donovan.' Photo: Showtime.
    (Left) Matt Smith in Columbia Pictures’ ‘Morbius’. Photo by Jay Maidment. Copyright: © 2021 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved.(Right) Liev Schreiber as Raymond “Ray” Donovan in ‘Ray Donovan.’ Photo: Showtime.

    Preview:

    • Matt Smith and Liev Schreiber are the latest additions to ‘Caught Stealing’.
    • Darren Aronofsky is directing the new movie.
    • Austin Butler, Zoë Kravitz and Regina King are all aboard.

    As he prepares to get the cameras rolling on his latest, crime thriller ‘Caught Stealing’, director Darren Aronofsky is adding to its cast.

    With Austin Butler, Zoë Kravitz and Regina King already all part of the mix, the newest arrivals, per Deadline, are Matt Smith and famed enemy of spell-checking software Liev Schreiber.

    Related Article: Austin Butler to star in ‘Caught Stealing’ for Director Darren Aronofsky

    What’s the story of ‘Caught Stealing’?

    Austin Butler stars as Benny in director Jeff Nichols' 'The Bikeriders,' a Focus Features release.
    Austin Butler stars as Benny in director Jeff Nichols’ ‘The Bikeriders,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features. © 2024 Focus Features, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

    The film will be based on Charlie Huston’s novel, which follows burned out former baseball pro Hank Thompson (Butler).

    Hank’s neighbor, Russ, has to leave town in a rush and hands over his cat, named Bud, in a carrier. But it isn’t until two Russians in tracksuits drag Hank over the bar at the joint where he works –– and beat him to a pulp –– that he starts to get the idea: someone wants something from him. He just doesn’t know what it is, where it is, or how to make them understand he doesn’t have it.

    Within twenty-four hours Hank is running over rooftops, swinging his old aluminum bat for the sweet spot of a guy’s head, playing hide and seek with the NYPD, riding the subway with a dead man at his side, and counting a whole lot of cash on a concrete floor…

    Aronofsky has Huston aboard to adapt the book for the screen.

    Besides knowing who Butler will play, the rest of the cast’s roles are mysteries for now.

    ‘Caught Stealing’: The Director Speaks

    Director Darren Aronofsky on the set of 'The Whale' from A24.
    Director Darren Aronofsky on the set of ‘The Whale’ from A24.

    The new movie finds Aronofsky in business with Sony, which picked up the book package and got the director interested.

    Here’s what Aronofsky had to say:

    “I am excited to be teaming up with my old friends at Sony Pictures to bring Charlie’s adrenaline-soaked roller coaster ride to life. I can’t wait to start working with Austin and my family of NYC filmmakers.”

    And here’s what Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group president Sanford Panitch commented:

    “Darren is one of the most brilliant audiovisual storytellers in the world and adapting these wonderful books by Charlie Huston for Austin to star was too exciting an opportunity to not be a part of.”

    What else are Matt Smith and Liev Schreiber working on?

    Matt Smith in HBO's 'House of the Dragon.'
    Matt Smith in HBO’s ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

    Smith plays Prince Daemon Targaryen on ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel series ‘House of the Dragon’, which recently wrapped its second season and has been renewed for a third.

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    He was most recently seen on the big screen in horror movie ‘Starve Acre’ and has TV series ‘The Death of Bunny Munro’ on his to-do list.

    Schreiber was last seen in Wes Anderson’s latest ‘Asteroid City’ and will next be on TV screens as part of the cast for mystery series ‘The Perfect Couple’, which lands on Netflix on September 5th.

    When will ‘Caught Stealing’ be in theaters?

    The movie has yet to nab a release date, but we’d expect that information to arrive soon given that it appears to be ramping up quickly.

    Liev Schreiber as Raymond "Ray" Donovan in 'Ray Donovan.' Photo: Jeff Neumann/Showtime.
    Liev Schreiber as Raymond “Ray” Donovan in ‘Ray Donovan.’ Photo: Jeff Neumann/Showtime.

    Liev Schreiber Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Liev Schreiber Movies on Amazon

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  • TV Review: ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2

    Matt Smith in 'House of the Dragon' season 2
    Matt Smith in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2. Photograph by Theo Whitman/HBO.

    Arriving on HBO/Max for a second season with its first episode on June 16th, ‘House of the Dragon’ brings back much that worked about the first, but also comes saddled with some of the faults, including a baked-in issue of too many characters, not all of them interesting.

    Still, thanks to strong performances from Emma D’Arcy and Matt Smith in particular, the series still works and will effectively sate those after a weekly trip to Westeros and its sex/battle-happy occupants.

    Related Article: War Has Come to Westeros in the Trailer for ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2

    Does ‘House of the Dragon’ fly for Season 2?

    'House of the Dragon' season 2. Photograph Courtesy of HBO.
    ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2. Photograph Courtesy of HBO.

    HBO sent the first two episodes of Season 2’s 10-episode run to critics, so our assessment is based simply on those (we won’t, of course, spoil anything that happens in Episode 2). It’s entirely possible that some of our issues will be ironed out by the time the season has concluded, mostly because some of the more annoying characters might end up dragon food (or burned to a crisp or trodden on or… you get the idea).

    Since it largely kicks off directly after the dramatic events of Season 1’s finale (where, don’t forget, Prince Lucerys, played by Elliot Grihault, dies at the jaws of a dragon while engaged in a midair incident that goes badly wrong). With Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) grieving, a retaliatory assassination strikes deep at the heart of Alicent Hightower’s (Olivia Cooke) family, which causes almost as much trouble for Rhaenyra as her rival, since she never ordered the killing.

    Sticking to much of the same in terms of scheming, cursing and fighting, Season 2 will be a welcome return for many, even if some characters, such as Paddy Considine’s King Viserys Targaryen is as missed by the show as much as any of the characters.

    ‘House of the Dragon’: Script and Direction

    Olivia Cooke and Ewan Mitchell in 'House of the Dragon'.
    (L to R) Olivia Cooke and Ewan Mitchell in ‘House of the Dragon’. Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

    Episode 1, “A Son for a Son”, written by showrunner Ryan J. Condal, carries a lot of weight, though doesn’t feel too burdened by exposition to catch everyone up as to where the characters stand in the wake of the big death at the end of last season. It’s a relatively easy jump back into the story, though some might still want to have a reference tab open on their phone to recall who is loyal to who, and the names of the various children that Rhaenyra and Alicent have brought into the world as part of their plan to take the throne.

    Add to that a variety of aides, supports, hangers-on and side characters, and it’s a hearty stew of characters, some of whom still pop, and others feel like members of a boy band who have wandered in from some other show.

    Visually, the series is still superbly shot –– it’s clear the budget has been upped very slightly, even if a lot of interactions take place in rooms of the various keeps and castles. But with the promise of plenty of carnage to come, the premiere is well directed by Alan Taylor, who knows his way around Westeros and its people.

    ‘House of the Dragon’: Performances

    (L to R) Bethany Antonia and Phoebe Campbell in 'House of the Dragon' season 2.
    (L to R) Bethany Antonia and Phoebe Campbell in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2. Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

    With the focus very much on Alicent and Rhaenyra, it’s only natural that they would get the lion’s (or the dragon’s) share of good material. And we can still trust in Cooke and D’Arcy.

    Emma D’Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen

    Emma D’Arcy in HBO's 'House of the Dragon.'
    Emma D’Arcy in HBO’s ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Theo Whitman/HBO.

    D’Arcy brings all their ability to bear on playing Rhaenyra as a driven, but still conflicted woman. She’s mourning, but still able to figure out when people are lying to her, and D’Arcy can wrangle the character to life with just a flicker in their eyes. Their best work so far this season happens when they are verbally sparring with Matt Smith’s Prince Daemon.

    Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen

    Matt Smith in HBO's 'House of the Dragon.'
    Matt Smith in HBO’s ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

    Smith’s still one of the standouts of the show, fully embracing Daemon’s own inner conflicts. Far from the confident, even cocky character of Season 1, he’s darker and more withdrawn, but still capable of making rash decisions. Smith is great whether he’s riding a dragon or stalking around a room arguing with his niece (D’Arcy).

    Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower

    Olivia Cooke in 'House of the Dragon'.
    Olivia Cooke in ‘House of the Dragon’. Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

    If Cooke hasn’t enjoyed quite the same level of writing so far this season as D’Arcy, she still does and excellent job of conveying Alicent’s heartbreak and frustration, particularly as a woman so close to the throne and yet often denied a voice in this society.

    Rhys Ifans as Ser Otto Hightower

    Rhys Ifans in 'House of the Dragon'.
    Rhys Ifans in ‘House of the Dragon’. Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

    Rhys Ifans knows both how to command a room and how to be quietly threatening, and he does both well here. He’s definitely a highlight of the show, hissably plotting in some scenes, understandably worried in others.

    ‘House of the Dragon’: Final Thoughts

    Olivia Cooke and Fabien Frankel in 'House of the Dragon'.
    (L to R) Olivia Cooke and Fabien Frankel in ‘House of the Dragon’. Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

    It feels churlish to boil the show down to, “it’s more of the same!” but it really is. Though not every issue has been fixed (the kids, though not a fault of the actors, are mostly annoying) and those hoping for epic battles won’t get what they’re after –– yet.

    But with trailers promising big clashes ahead, this is an entertaining setup for the season to come. Does it sometimes try to cram in too much? Still yes, but the balance is becoming smoother.

    ‘House of the Dragon’ receives 7.5 out of 10 stars.

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    What’s the story of ‘House of the Dragon’?

    Continuing the story adapted from George R.R. Martin’s prequel novel, ‘Fire & Blood’, the show is set 200 years before the events of ‘Game of Thrones,’ and tells the violent story of House Targaryen.

    Season 2 picks up after the fateful events of the first as Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) and Alicent Hightower’s (Olivia Cooke) forces go head to head — well, dragon to dragon. But before all-out war, a tense series of tit-for-tat clashes affect both sides.

    Who else is in ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2?

    The rest of the returning cast includes Eve Best, Steve Toussaint, Fabien Frankel, Ewan Mitchell, Tom Glynn-Carney, Sonoya Mizuno, and Rhys Ifans. Additional returning cast includes Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, Jefferson Hall and Matthew Needham.

    Fans are also excited to see some new faces, including Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull, Jamie Kenna as Ser Alfred Broome, Kieran Bew as Hugh, Tom Bennett as Ulf, Tom Taylor as Lord Cregan Stark, and Vincent Regan as Ser Rickard Thorne. Previously announced new season two cast includes Abubakar Salim as Alyn of Hull, Gayle Rankin as Alys Rivers, Freddie Fox as Ser Gwayne Hightower and Simon Russell Beale as Ser Simon Strong.

    Emma D’Arcy in 'House of the Dragon'.
    Emma D’Arcy in ‘House of the Dragon’. Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

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  • HBO Launches Two New ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2 Trailers

     

    Preview:

    • Two new trailers have landed for ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel series ‘House of the Dragon’s second season.
    • Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke and Matt Smith are among the returning actors.
    • The new season launches on June 16th on HBO and Max.

    Have you chosen your side yet? No, not in the elections for later this year, this is for something far more important: the civil war that has ripped House Targaryen asunder in ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel series ‘House of the Dragon’.

    HBO has been making sure that we’re all aware that the new season of ‘Dragon’ is headed our way atop a roaring, fire-breathing dragon this coming June (so now might be a good time to buy a flame-retardant TV).

    The new season of the show, which chronicles the internecine chaos that befalls the powerful house years before we meet the ‘Thrones’ characters, promises to be even more full of war and big character speeches than the first.

    And to keep that in our minds, we’re all being asked which side we support by watching one of two new trailers for the show, which feature footage either focused on Olivia Cooke’s Queen Alicent or Emma D’Arcy’s Princess Rhaenyra, both of whom have claims to the throne. Don’t worry; you can watch both if you want to get the full effect.

    Related Article: War Has Come to Westeros in the Trailer for ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2

    What’s the story of ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2?

    Tom Glynn-Carney in 'House of the Dragon' season 2.
    Tom Glynn-Carney in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2. Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

    Continuing the story adapted from George R. R. Martin’s prequel novel, ‘Fire & Blood’, the show is set 200 years before the events of ‘Game of Thrones,’ tells the violent story of House Targaryen.

    Season 2 picks up after the fateful events of the first as Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) and Alicent Hightower’s (Olivia Cooke) forces go head to head — well, dragon to dragon.

    Alicent believes her son, Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney), born of the recently deceased King Aegon is the rightful heir to the big chair. Not so Rhaenyra, who is firmly of the opinion that her late father meant for her to take his place and bring order to Westeros.

    Who else is in ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2?

    (L to R) Bethany Antonia and Phoebe Campbell in 'House of the Dragon' season 2.
    (L to R) Bethany Antonia and Phoebe Campbell in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2. Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

    The rest of the returning cast includes Eve Best, Steve Toussaint, Fabien Frankel, Ewan Mitchell, Sonoya Mizuno, and Rhys Ifans. Additional returning cast includes Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, Jefferson Hall and Matthew Needham.

    Fans are also excited to see some new faces, including Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull, Jamie Kenna as Ser Alfred Broome, Kieran Bew as Hugh, Tom Bennett as Ulf, Tom Taylor as Lord Cregan Stark, and Vincent Regan as Ser Rickard Thorne. Previously announced new season two cast includes Abubakar Salim as Alyn of Hull, Gayle Rankin as Alys Rivers, Freddie Fox as Ser Gwayne Hightower and Simon Russell Beale as Ser Simon Strong.

    When will ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2 be on screens?

    The show touches down for its second season premiere on HBO (and streaming service Max) on June 16th.

    Matt Smith in 'House of the Dragon' season 2.
    Matt Smith in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2. Photograph by Theo Whitman/HBO.
    Harry Collett, Emma D’Arcy, and Oscar Eskinazi in 'House of the Dragon' season 2.
    (L to R) Harry Collett, Emma D’Arcy, and Oscar Eskinazi in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2. Photograph by Theo Whitman/HBO.
    Olivia Cooke in 'House of the Dragon' season 2.
    Olivia Cooke in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2. Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.
    Phia Saban in 'House of the Dragon' season 2.
    Phia Saban in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2. Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.
    Sonoya Mizuno in 'House of the Dragon' season 2.
    Sonoya Mizuno in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2. Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.
    Fabien Frankel and Ewan Mitchell in 'House of the Dragon' season 2.
    (L to R) Fabien Frankel and Ewan Mitchell in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2. Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.
    Steve Toussaint and Eve Best in 'House of the Dragon' season 2.
    (L to R) Steve Toussaint and Eve Best in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2. Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.
    'House of the Dragon' season 2.
    ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2. Photograph Courtesy of HBO.

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  • First Trailer for ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2

    Preview:

    • ‘House of the Dragon’ has a first Season 2 trailer online.
    • The ‘Game of Thrones’ spin-off follows the war within House Targaryen.
    • The series will be back in the summer.

    If the end of ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 1 teased that war was on the way, the trailer for Season 2 confirms that it has well and truly landed on big, scaly legs to roar in our faces.

    The first spin-off from ‘Game of Thrones’ follows the brutal events years before the original series’ storyline and is full of the sort of chaos we’ve come to expect from George R.R. Martin’s fantastical drama.

    And taking advantage of the fact that most of its cast are covered by British acting unions rather than SAG-AFTRA (and that its scripts were written before the WGA industrial action) to shoot during the strikes, the second season is closer to finished than some other shows.

    Which means we can expect plenty of dragon action so soar across our screens next year. Plus, there’s scope for more family in-fighting and weird sexy times.

    Related Article: TV Review: ‘House of the Dragon’

    What’s the story of ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2?

    Matt Smith in HBO's 'House of the Dragon.'
    Matt Smith in HBO’s ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

    Continuing the story adapted from Martin’s prequel novel, ‘Fire & Blood’, the show is set 200 years before the events of ‘Game of Thrones,’ tells the violent story of House Targaryen.

    Season 2 picks up after the fateful events of the first as Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) and Alicent Hightower’s (Olivia Cooke) forces go head to head — well, dragon to dragon. The trailer shows Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) suiting up in his impressive armor, knights on horseback, soldiers burning alive and several of the main characters riding their dragons into battle.

    Who else is in ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2?

    Olivia Cooke in HBO's 'House of the Dragon.'
    Olivia Cooke in HBO’s ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Theo Whitman/HBO.

    The rest of the returning cast includes Eve Best, Steve Toussaint, Fabien Frankel, Ewan Mitchell, Tom Glynn-Carney, Sonoya Mizuno, and Rhys Ifans. Additional returning cast includes Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, Jefferson Hall and Matthew Needham.

    Fans are also excited to see some new faces, including Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull, Jamie Kenna as Ser Alfred Broome, Kieran Bew as Hugh, Tom Bennett as Ulf, Tom Taylor as Lord Cregan Stark, and Vincent Regan as Ser Rickard Thorne. Previously announced new season two cast includes Abubakar Salim as Alyn of Hull, Gayle Rankin as Alys Rivers, Freddie Fox as Ser Gwayne Hightower and Simon Russell Beale as Ser Simon Strong.

    When will ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2 be on screens?

    Emma D’Arcy in HBO's 'House of the Dragon.'
    Emma D’Arcy in HBO’s ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Theo Whitman/HBO.

    HBO has yet to confirm an actual date, but we do know the show will be back in summer 2024.

    Ewan Mitchell in HBO's 'House of the Dragon.'
    Ewan Mitchell in HBO’s ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.
    Steve Toussaint in HBO's 'House of the Dragon.'
    Steve Toussaint in HBO’s ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.
    Rhys Ifans and Olivia Cooke in HBO's 'House of the Dragon.'
    (L to R) Rhys Ifans and Olivia Cooke in HBO’s ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.
    Matt Smith and Emma D’Arcy in HBO's 'House of the Dragon.'
    (L to R) Matt Smith and Emma D’Arcy in HBO’s ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

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  • ‘Doctor Who’ Specials Landing on Disney+ Next Month

    Preview

    • Long-running science fiction series ‘Doctor Who’ comes to Disney+ next month.
    • David Tennant returns for his second set of episodes as the character.
    • Ncuti Gatwa will inherit the role from Tennant after three new special episodes.

    Once the purview of either late night PBS broadcasts and BBC America airings in the States, UK science fiction series ‘Doctor Who’ took a big leap forward last year when Disney Branded Television hatched a deal with rights owners the BBC to boost the series’ budget considerably in return for the exclusive rights to show it outside of Britain and Ireland.

    And with the show’s 60th anniversary coming up (the show has aired, off and on, since 1963), returning show-runner Russell T. Davies –– who helped re-launch the series in 2005 and oversaw it until 2008 –– has crafted three big special episodes to celebrate.

    Both the BBC and Disney have been keeping quiet about when the specials will air, but the news has finally arrived via a new trailer, which reveals air dates of November 25th, December 2nd and December 9th (three consecutive Saturdays, for those keeping track).

    ‘Doctor Who’ explained

    David Tennant as The Doctor on 'Doctor Who.'
    David Tennant as The Doctor on ‘Doctor Who.’ Photo: Disney+.

    If the title has you furrowing your brow and exclaiming, “Doctor What?”, allow us to offer brief enlightenment.

    While it has been primarily a British series, ‘Doctor Who’ has scored a following in the States and elsewhere in the world thanks to its compelling blend of science fiction, history and adventure.

    The show follows the adventures of an alien Time Lord known as “The Doctor” who is able to regenerate (he –– and in his most recent incarnation, she –– has been played by 13 actors so far).

    The Doctor and companions journey through time and space in the TARDIS; a time-travelling ship disguised as an old-fashioned British police box, saving the universe with a combination of wit, bravery and kindness.

    Orbiting around them is the wider Whoniverse –– infinite galaxies and countless civilizations filled with incredible friends and dangerous foes.

    Debuting in November 1963, it ran until 1989 when it was effectively cancelled by the BBC. It returned in 2005 with Christopher Eccleston as the ninth incarnation of The Doctor, who was followed by David Tennant as the 10th.

    Several other actors, including ‘The Crown’s Matt Smith have tackled the role since then, and in 2022, Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor regenerated into a new 14th Doctor once more played by Tennant (Davies has said that this is a version of the character who will somehow share the face and personality of the 10th).

    The three specials are titled ‘The Star Beast’, ‘Wild Blue Yonder’ and The Giggle, and see The Doctor reunite with old companion Donna Noble (Catherine Tate), even though he wiped Donna’s memory to protect her when they parted the last time.

    They’ll be up against a new incarnation of an old villain called The Toymaker, here played by Neil Patrick Harris.

    Related Article: ‘Doctor Who’ Veterans David Tennant and Catherine Tate will Return to Guest Star

    Who else is in the ‘Doctor Who’ special episodes?

    Neil Patrick Harris in 'Doctor Who.'
    Neil Patrick Harris in ‘Doctor Who.’ Photo: Disney+.

    Additional new cast for the specials includes Yasmin Finney as Rose Temple-Noble, Miriam Margolyes as the voice of a small furry alien known as the Meep and Ruth Madeley as Shirley Anne Bingham.

    Returning performers are Jacqueline King as Sylvia Noble, Karl Collins as Shaun Temple, and Jemma Redgrave as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart.

    What’s the future for ‘Doctor Who’?

    David Tennant as The Doctor and Catherine Tate as Donna Noble on 'Doctor Who.'
    David Tennant as The Doctor and Catherine Tate as Donna Noble on ‘Doctor Who.’ Photo: Disney+.

    Following the specials, the mantle of the main character will be inherited by ‘Sex Education’s Ncuti Gatwa, who star alongside a new companion called Ruby (Millie Gibson).

    Quite what Gatwa’s 15th official Doctor (you can briefly glimpse him at the end of this new trailer) will be up to is a mystery for now, but he’s expected to debut at some point during the holiday season, setting up a new run of episodes next year.

    Special One: The Star Beast on 'Doctor Who.'
    Special One: The Star Beast on ‘Doctor Who.’ Photo: Disney+.

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  • TV Review: ‘House of the Dragon’

    Emma D’Arcy as "Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen" and Matt Smith as "Prince Daemon Targaryen" in 'House of the Dragon.'
    (L to R) Emma D’Arcy as “Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen” and Matt Smith as “Prince Daemon Targaryen” in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

    ‘House of the Dragon’, which just premiered on HBO and HBO Max, represents an attempt to draw back the ‘Game of Thrones’ faithful to the world of Westeros.

    How you respond to that attempt, will likely be impacted by your reaction to the final couple of seasons of the original show. There are those who enjoyed ‘Game of Thrones’ for its entire run, or those who felt it began to stumble as the end drew nearer, the pace ramped up and decisions had to be made that deviated from novelist George R.R. Martin’s books – especially as the show began to outpace the source material.

    And then there are those who have sworn never to return, claiming disgust at late-hour plot turns such as Daenerys Targaryen’s (Emilia Clarke)’s torching King’s Landing and various armies in her vengeful quest for power.

    This new prequel has something of an uphill batter to reclaim the hearts, minds and eyes of that last group, but for those still open to another round of pass-the-throne, ‘House of the Dragon’ should offer something attractive.

    Paddy Considine as King Viserys Targaryen in 'House of the Dragon.'
    Paddy Considine as King Viserys Targaryen in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

    Adapted from Martin’s 2018 tome ‘Fire and Blood’ ‘Dragon’s story is set 170 years before Dany and co. played their own game and kicks off with the crowning of King Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine), who become the heir to the throne mostly because in this medieval-based patriarchy, it is the men who rule, while women are mostly seen as royal baby factories, serving to pump out male heirs.

    Viserys’ sister, Princess Rhaenys Velaryon (Eve Best), denied her shot at the crown, choose instead to marry into influence with Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) and births her own male heir who could factor into the story down the line.

    Our sovereign, meanwhile, has a daughter, Rhaenyra Targaryen (Milly Alcock), but is desperate for a son, at least until tragedy strikes and he begins to think that perhaps his headstrong, dragon-riding daughter might just be the one to rule them all.

    Around this core group orbits any number of other lords, ladies and potential challengers for the king’s seat once he dies. Moving the story forward nine years from its start, we catch up with Rhaenyra and best friend Alicent Hightower (Emily Carey), who is the daughter of the King’s loyal right hand man Otto (Rhys Ifans).

    Olivia Cooke and Rhys Ifans
    (L to R) Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower, Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower in HBO Max’s ‘House of the Dragon.’

    And then there’s the monarch’s troublemaking younger brother, Prince Daemon Targaryen (a strutting, scene-stealing Matt Smith), who no-one in the court can quite figure out how to handle. Given control of the city’s watch, he enacts a brutal scouring of criminals, limbs and heads hacked with wild abandon). Yet he’s also fond of the local brothels, throwing parties full of writhing naked people as his troops celebrate.

    Oh, and he has a slightly creepy affection for his niece. Mostly, though, he’s lazy one moment ambitious the next, convinced that since he’s currently the main heir, that situation won’t change.

    Only the first episode was provided to us, but we do know that the story takes a time jump midway through the first season, as Rhaenyra’s rise to power sees her age up to be played by Emma D’Arcy, while Alicent – moved into her own position of influence at the close of the initial outing – is later played by Olivia Cooke.

    But if this episode is anything to go by, ‘Thrones’ fans needn’t worry too much. ‘House of the Dragon’ has some issues, but it also boasts the expansive world-building of its parent series, and the budget to match. While ‘Thrones’ waited a while for the scaly beasts to reach their full potential, ‘Dragon’ lives up to the name with at least two fully grown examples in the opening salvo.

    Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower in 'House of the Dragon.'
    Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

    The world of George R.R. Martin is a brutal one, and ‘Dragon’ is, like its predecessor, unafraid to dive headlong into quite how brutal that can be. A savage clash on the jousting field is crosscut with the bloody birth of Viserys’ latest child, and the violent procedures inflicted on his wife Aemma Arryn (Sian Brooke). Show-runners Ryan Condal and Miguel Sapochnik (the latter a ‘Thrones’ veteran who also directs here) craft that scene with style and raw intensity.

    Unlike the sprawling ‘Thrones’, which would flit between kingdoms and visit various storylines, ‘Dragon’s focus on a few allows you to get up to speed with who everyone is and what they want (spoiler alert: to rule or just survive). Other houses with names familiar to longtime viewers (Baratheon, say, or Stark) are reduced to cameos.

    Yet that narrowed focus is also part of the problem with the show as not everyone is quite as compelling as perhaps they might be. It’s no dig on Considine, who ably plays Viserys as a man struggling to be as honorable as possible (one of the show’s themes is how hard that is as a choice when you’re a king in a place such as this), but the ruler does sometimes come across as a bit of a wet blanket.

    Milly Alcock as Young Rhaenyra, and Emily Carey as Young Alicent in 'House of the Dragon.'
    (L to R) Milly Alcock as Young Rhaenyra, and Emily Carey as Young Alicent in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

    There are times you’ll cry out for a Tyrion or Jaime Lannister to give the story a little extra wit or spice. Matt Smith can only do so much, and even he is sometimes burdened with petulant sulking in place of character development. The wigs are something of an issue too – you do catch yourself wondering if they spent all the budget on dragon effects or giant sets and had to run out to the local Spirit Halloween store for some of the less-than-luscious locks.

    The limited scope also doesn’t solve the fact that this initial installment has a lot of heavy lifting to do in terms of setting up the plot, which means that aside from one or two of the players here, everyone else gets a quick introduction or check in, coming across more as chess pieces than characters so far.

    Still, this is a worthy start for what shows signs of maturing into a great series, once the story really kicks into gear and we learn the nuances of more than just Viserys, Otto, Alicent, Rhaenyra and Daemon.

    ‘House of the Dragon’ receives 3.5 out of 5 stars.

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  • Comic-Con 2022: ‘House Of The Dragon’ Panel

    Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole in 'House of the Dragon.'
    Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Gary Moyes/HBO.

    ‘Game of Thrones’ was aways one of the shows big enough to break through to the massive Hall H at the San Diego Comic-Con.

    So it was not surprising that prequel series ‘House of the Dragon’ came roaring to the con to fill the same cavernous space.

    ‘House of the Dragon’, like its progenitor, is also based on George R.R. Martin’s books, this time the 2018 novel ‘Fire & Blood’, which chronicled the history of House Targaryen, the family seen via Emilia Clarke’s Daenerys Targaryen in ‘Thrones’. The series itself comes from Martin, ‘Colony’ co-creator Ryan Condal and ‘Thrones’ show veteran Miguel Sapochnik, who is an executive producer and director.

    The setting here is 200 years before the events chronicled in the original series.

    Emma D’Arcy as "Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen" and Matt Smith as "Prince Daemon Targaryen" in 'House of the Dragon.'
    (L to R) Emma D’Arcy as “Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen” and Matt Smith as “Prince Daemon Targaryen” in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

    ‘Dragon’s team kicked things off with some footage (it doesn’t do to show up at the Con with nothing) and then the panel got into full swing.

    Present were Matt Smith, Steve Toussaint, Paddy Considine, Olivia Cooke, Eve Best, Fabien Frankel, Emma D’Arcy, Emily Carey, co-creator Ryan Condal, Mily Alcock, and Martin. Showrunner Miguel Sapochnik, sadly, was diagnosed with COVID and sent his hello to Hall H through a statement read by D’Arcy.

    One of the highlights of the panel was the presence of several Brits among the cast, which meant that, like the ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ and ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ panels, there were some good jokes flying around.

    Asked what he wanted as a set memento, Paddy Considine had a quick answer. “My knife. I wanted to keep it,” he told the crowd. “Trying to nick one was hard. I thought they’d give me it at the end. If anyone from HBO is listening, give me the fucking knife!”

    Paddy Considine as King Viserys Targaryen in 'House of the Dragon.'
    Paddy Considine as King Viserys Targaryen in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

    He went on to admit he did take something, but wouldn’t specify, since no one had noticed it missing yet. If anyone sees a dragon in the vicinity of Paddy Considine’s house, please call the ASPD (the American Society for the Protection of Dragons).

    Matt Smith, meanwhile, complained about his long, blond wig. “It looks great but it’s a pain in the arse to put on. It takes an hour and a half,” he said. “I’d decree they could dye their hair.”

    With fan questions talking up coffee cups (following the infamous incident where one appeared on screen during ‘Thrones’ final season), Smith assured everyone that they were not banned from set.

    Martin was also god value, owning up to his inspirations – “‘Game of Thrones’ was based on the War of the Roses, this is based on an earlier period called the Anarchy. I pilfer freely from history,” he quipped – while admitting that he had yet to make a cameo on the new show because he’s been a bit busy working on a certain book. “It’s a little late,” he admits of the latest ‘Thrones’ novel.

    Though the new footage screened at the Con hasn’t shown up online, we don’t have too long to wait – ‘House of the Dragon’ launches on HBO on August 21st.

    Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower in 'House of the Dragon.'
    Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.
    Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower in 'House of the Dragon.'
    Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.
    Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria in 'House of the Dragon.'
    Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.
    Milly Alcock as Young Rhaenyra, and Emily Carey as Young Alicent in 'House of the Dragon.'
    (L to R) Milly Alcock as Young Rhaenyra, and Emily Carey as Young Alicent in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.