In 2008, Tropic Thunder was released, a wacky comedy about a group of filmmakers experiencing a real war scenario in the jungles of Southeast Asia.

The film boasted a star-studded cast including Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black, Matthew McConaughey, and Ben Stiller, who also directed the film. However, many viewers were captivated by one actor in particular: Tom Cruise.

Other Role

Cruise portrayed Les Grossman, the head of a major film studio, who frequently berates an Asian drug cartel over the phone. Additionally, he features in several dance scenes.

This was a very different role for Cruise, who was primarily known for action films at the time (and still is). But he fully committed to the character, insisting on having "fat hands" and being able to dance in the film.

Early Footage

The result was impressive. Even in the makeup test for Cruise, which can be viewed below, the character comes to life vividly. The actor appeared to enjoy himself immensely.



Cruise still wishes to make a Les Grossman spin-off. In May, director Christopher McQuarrie (Mission: Impossible) revealed that he is considering the project. "We are having serious conversations about it," he said.

Disney's cinema year is progressing reasonably well overall. The 'House of Mouse' scored with Lilo & Stitch, being the only Hollywood studio to bring in a film that earned more than $1 billion worldwide.

The family film Lilo & Stitch stands out as the only truly convincing box office hit. The three Marvel films, with the latest being The Fantastic Four: First Steps, had mixed results, and Snow White and Elio must attempt to recoup their multi-hundred million investments through other means, if that is even possible.

Four To Go

In 2025, twelve films from Disney and its subsidiaries will hit theaters. We still have four to come this year, and the highlight is yet to be seen. Maybe even two.

First, we will see two risk projects. The third TRON film titled Tron: Ares debuts in October. Disney hopes to replicate the success of Tron: Legacy (2010), which earned a respectable $409.9 million. In November, Predator: Badlands will premiere. While high expectations surround this film, financial success is not guaranteed.

Highlights

In November and December, two almost certain blockbusters from Disney will release. At the end of November, Zootopia 2 arrives. The first film earned over a billion in 2016.

And in December, of course, Avatar: Fire And Ash is set to release. Following the first film ($2.9 billion) and the sequel The Way of Water ($2.3 billion), the third installment is sure to be a financial success as well.

Disney In 2025

Below is the list of all the films from Disney and its subsidiaries set to hit the big screen in 2025, including box office earnings and in chronological order of release.

1. Captain America: Brave New World $415.1 million
2. Snow White $205.7 million
3. The Amateur $96.0 million
4. Thunderbolts* $382.4 million
5. Lilo & Stitch +/- $1.050 million
6. Elio +/- $160 million
7. The Fantastic Four: First Steps +/- $525 million
8. Freakier Friday +/- $150 million
9. Tron: Ares: October 10
10. Predator: Badlands: November 7
11. Zootopia 2: November 26
12. Avatar: Fire And Ash: December 19

After the strong Alien: Earth, Disney+ will premiere the latest Marvel series next week, zooming in on Wakanda - the homeland of the Black Panther from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But what do you need to know before watching Eyes of Wakanda?

Eyes of Wakanda is an animated series within the Marvel Cinematic Universe that tells the story of the Hatut Zeraze, an elite group of spies from Wakanda. They travel through world history to retrieve stolen vibranium and protect the secrets of their kingdom. Each episode stands alone and offers a glimpse into a different era, connected by the mission of these warriors.

Black Panther

The series is created by Todd Harris, who also serves as director. He was previously active as a storyboard artist for various Marvel projects. The production is also led by Ryan Coogler, known for Black Panther and its sequel Wakanda Forever.

The voices in this animated series are provided by Winnie Harlow, Cress Williams, Anika Noni Rose, Steve Toussaint, Patricia Belcher, Lynn Whitfield, and Larry Herron. No major names from the film series.

Background

Eyes of Wakanda is clearly aimed at those who want to learn more about the world introduced in films like Black Panther. Anyone who enjoyed series such as What If...? or X-Men '97 is sure to have a good time.



The series consists of multiple episodes that will be released on a single day, allowing for binge-watching right away!

This week Ron Howard's brand new mystery-thriller Eden, based on a true story, arrived on the big screen in a lot of countries. But is this film worth a trip to the cinema? Critics don't seem to agree.

Eden is set in the 1930s and follows a group of people trying to escape the pressures of society. They seek peace, freedom, and a new beginning on the remote and then-uninhabited Galápagos island of Floreana.

Peace Disturbed

The first to settle on the island are German doctor Friedrich Ritter (Jude Law) and his partner Dore Strauch (Vanessa Kirby). After some media attention, they are soon followed by war veteran Heinz Wittmer (Daniel Brühl), his young wife Margret (Sydney Sweeney), and their son.

Life together is rough, but trust and cooperation slowly develop, until peace is disturbed by the eccentric self-proclaimed baroness Eloise (Ana de Armas), who has grand plans for a luxury hotel on the island.

A Melting Pot

At the time of writing, the thriller holds a score of only 95 percent from 44 reviews, of which 26 critics have given the film a Fresh score and 18 have labeled it Rotten.



Most critics have pointed out that the film is, as Michael Rechtshaffen of The Hollywood Reporter describes it, a "melting pot of styles". "The film is neither satire, nor thriller, nor murder mystery," the reviewer states.

A Deep Low

"The more its characters engage in very bad things, the clearer it becomes that Howard may have been very miscast for the film. The film ends in a deep low," writes Benjamin Lee of Guardian.

Owen Gleiberman of Variety also did not mince words in his review, writing: "For Howard, the film is certainly different. But there’s another word for that: the word is terrible."

Campy

Fortunately, some were pleased that the film is "different". For example, Mark Asch of White Little Lies wrote: "Eden is at its best when it unabashedly tackles history and turns it into a dazzling campy movie."

LEGO is releasing a new Batman set within the LEGO DC theme early next month. The set LEGO DC 76300 Arkham Asylum will be available on September 9. Yes, it's a location we've seen often in films.

The design is based on the infamous Arkham Asylum from Gotham City and consists of 2953 pieces. The build is modular and features an impressive 17 minifigures, including a range of iconic DC villains and heroes.

Gotham In LEGO Form

LEGO DC 76300 Arkham Asylum is a detailed representation of the psychiatric hospital from the Batman stories. You saw Arkham Asylum in Batman Begins, Joker, and The Batman. The building is fully enclosed and sits on a 32 cm wide baseplate, measuring 32 cm in height and 25 cm in width. Each of the 24 bags contains a separate segment, making the set function like an advent calendar.

The style of the model is distinctly Gothic, with brown facades, black roofs, ornate gargoyles, and a corner design that aligns with other LEGO Modular Buildings. The interior is easily accessible through removable sections and includes functional cell doors, a fenced courtyard, and an entrance gate.

Minifigures

Among the 17 minifigures are ten classic DC villains, such as The Joker, Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, and Bane, all dressed in orange prison outfits with revamped prints. The heroes are represented by Batman, Batwoman, Batwing, and Robin (Damian Wayne). Additionally, there are two prison guards and a statue figure included. This impressive set can be yours soon for nearly 300 bucks.

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Disclaimer:

This article is not sponsored by LEGO or any other supplier and is written because the topic aligns with series and/or films.

After the second season of The Last of Us, the future of the HBO series seemed uncertain. Fan reception was mixed, and Neil Druckmann's decision to step down added to the uncertainty. However, there is now unexpected news: showrunner Craig Mazin confirms he is fully engaged in preparations for season 3.

Since the show's inception, Mazin collaborated with Druckmann, but he claims that the partnership was less intense than many assumed. While Druckmann focused primarily on his work at development studio Naughty Dog, Mazin managed the production independently in Canada. According to Mazin, his departure changes little regarding daily operations.

Quiet Time And Writing

In a recent conversation, Mazin explained that he is entirely immersed in the writing process. "This is actually my favorite time. It’s quiet, I’m behind my keyboard, and the pages just come to me. I get to be a monk for a while and just write. That’s the purest form of what I do," said the showrunner, confirming that the script for season 3 is already well advanced.

He also indicated that preparations for production will begin soon. "In a few months it’s going to be less quiet, as we enter a long pre-production period while I’m still writing. Eventually, we’ll start filming, even while I’m still writing," Mazin shared.

Long Road To Release

Despite this optimism, Mazin warns viewers to be patient. The extensive production and writing process means that The Last of Us will not return anytime soon. A third season is currently slated for release in 2027 on HBO Max.