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Remaking the beloved animated version of Lilo & Stitch into a live-action movie presented a unique challenge for the new filmmakers. How would they go about creating their own project, while still finding a way to honor the original?

Chris Sanders wrote and directed the 2002 Disney classic, plus he voiced Stitch, the mischievous blue alien. It was a no-brainer for the live-action director, Dean Fleischer Camp, to bring Sanders back as the voice of Stitch, but that was just one way in which he crafted a love letter to the first iteration.

Read: ‘Lilo & Stitch’: Director Chris Sanders reveals the iconic blue alien’s surprising original design (exclusive art)

Certain scenes in the 2025 version were reenacted shot-for-shot from the original 2002 footage, including most notably the hula dance scene. See all the details above in Gold Derby's exclusive featurette above.

Lilo & Stitch dance, 2025 vs. 2002Disney

A key step in...

The Golden Bachelor announced an unofficial cast list for Mel Owens' upcoming season, and it proves that the producers don't care about their newest lead. Mel, a 66-year-old NFL player-turned-lawyer, and divorced dad of two teenage sons, faced a lot of backlash because of ageist comments that he made about the women of his season.

On the In the Trenches podcast, Mel revealed that, before he was cast as the star of The Golden Bachelor season 2, he informed the producers that he'd only date women aged 45 to 60, and he'd cut anyone over the age of 60 from his cast. Mel also stated that he didn't want any women with artificial hips or wigs in his cast.

The Golden Bachelor has announced an unofficial cast list for Mel Owens' upcoming season, and it proves that the producers don't care about their newest lead.

Bustle recorded information from a since-deleted Golden Bachelor Facebook...

Saul Williams and Carlos Niño will release their debut collaborative album, Saul Williams Meets Carlos Niño & Friends at TreePeople, on Aug. 28. The duo have previewed the LP with an expansive, 16-minute track titled “Sound Then Words.”

The improvised album, produced by Niño, was recorded live under black oak and walnut trees in Coldwater Canyon Park in Los Angeles on Dec. 18, 2024. The performance, set up by Noah Klein of Living Earth on the grounds of longstanding conservationist organization TreePeople, was the first of its kind for Williams and Niño, who have...

Anabel Alonso, Edu Soto y otros rostros conocidos se suman a esta película con mensaje ecologista. © Filmax

Filmax ha lanzado el primer tráiler y el póster de Campamento Garra de Oso, una comedia familiar de aventuras con corazón ecológico, dirigida por Sílvia Quer y escrito por Marta Armengol y Daniel González (La mujer dormida).

La historia sigue a Maia y Jan, dos niños de nueve años –ella, intrépida e imaginativa; él, urbanita y asustadizo–, que lucharán a contrarreloj para salvar el campamento de verano amenazado por el excéntrico constructor Sebastián Sebastián. Para impedirlo, buscarán sin descanso a un oso que creen que aún vive en el valle pero que nadie ha visto. Y no estarán solos: Fritz, una mofeta parlante divertida y gruñona, se sumará a la causa.

Protagonizada por los jóvenes debutantes Júlia Raya y Martín Abello, la cinta cuenta con destacados actores del panorama nacional como Anabel Alonso...

Meghan Markle’s jams, which cost $14 at the launch of her As Ever website, are sparking outrage among fans.

According to the As Ever website, the brand’s Apricot Spread, which is currently out of stock, costs $9.00, while the Apricot Spread in Keepsake Packaging costs an additional $5.

Another product that features these prices, respectively, and is out of stock is the Raspberry Spread and Raspberry Spread in Keepsake Packaging.

Fans immediately took to the comments section to slam Markle for the exorbitant price.

“Where it all began – this signature As ever Raspberry Spread is inspired by the recipe Meghan crafted in her home kitchen,” the product’s description states. “This signature blend delicately mixes the sweetness of raspberries with a hint of lemon, and is crafted with a fluid texture so it can be drizzled, spread, poured and enjoyed for so much more than your morning toast.”

The spread with packaging also features this description,...

Tom Francis and Maia Reficco are enjoying a night on the town!

The cute couple stepped out for the Vanity Fair and Carbone Fine Food Power Party on Monday night (June 30) in New York City.

Tom and Maia were seen meeting up with Gracie Lawrence and her brother Clyde, who form the band Lawrence.

Tom, 26, is currently starring in the Broadway revival of Sunset Blvd and he earned a Tony nomination for his performance. He’s leaving the show at the end of this week so he can prepare for his role in the upcoming Netflix movie The Mosquito Bowl. Also starring in the movie are Nicholas Galitzine, Bill Skarsgard, and Ray Nicholson.

Maia, 24, is best known for starring in Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin and the Netflix movie La Dolce Villa. She’s also a stage actress who was on Broadway in Hadestown.

The couple went official back in...

While the wider world didn't know the name of David Hekili Kenui Bell, millions upon millions of people had seen his face.

He played the role of "Big Hawaiian Dude" in Lilo & Stitch, the live-action remake of the classic animated film that has grossed over $858.6 million worldwide so far. His scene was highlighted in the Lilo & Stitch trailer, when he drops a shaved ice in shock upon seeing Jumba (Zach Galifianakis) and Pleakley (Billy Magnussen) come through a portal to Hawai'i. But sadly, he passed away recently at the age of just 46.

The Lilo of Lilo & Stitch, Maia Kealoha, maintains an Instagram presence alongside her mom Brittney, and the two of them posted a touching Instagram post in tribute to Bell on June 16. He clearly meant a lot to them.

"Eh Uncle David, save some shave ice for me too k?! Maia is surely going to miss telling you that.

Aragorn is one of the most inspiring people in "The Lord of the Rings" (And hopefully someone we'll see in the upcoming "The Hunt for Gollum" movie.) The exiled king is the perfect servant leader. He puts others first, possesses deep wisdom, and is willing to suffer for the good of others. But what's up with the king moniker? Sure, Aragorn's character and personality are the hero gold standard, but what is it about the man wandering the wilderness around Bree that makes him worthy of a crown, too?

Aragorn's claim to power is actually pretty complex, and it stretches back tens of thousands of years. It includes mortals, immortals, and even a heavenly being tossed into the mix. The man also has connections to some of the most important people in all of Middle-earth history. I've gone through and gathered up the most important of those individuals, and let me tell you,...

Saruman is a key character in "The Lord of the Rings." He's the primary antagonist in "The Two Towers" and hangs around the edges of the story both before and after that point, threatening peace and stability across Middle-earth in the process. From the get-go, there's no doubt who Saruman is: He's a Wizard gone bad. And when I say "Wizard," I don't mean your average magic-wielder. This is one of Tolkien's five famous Istari -- angelic beings sent to protect the Free Peoples of the world from the threat of Sauron.

Saruman infamously fails in his mission, breaking bad and going after power for himself. In the "Return of the King" book, he dies differently than in Peter Jackson's extended edition of the same story. In the printed version, he is still stabbed to death by Wormtongue, but not on the tower of Orthanc. The violent event takes...

Meghan Markle is being slammed on Reddit over her latest post on her lifestyle brand account, As Ever.

In the post, she snapped a wholesome photo of her dog, Maia, sniffing a basket of vegetables and herbs she claimed to have picked from her garden moments prior.

Markle captioned the photo, “The unofficial quality inspector of this morning’s garden haul.”

Critics were quick to point out that the vegetables are suspiciously clean and out of season, suggesting that the duchess bought them at a produce store and placed them in the basket for an Instagram aesthetic.

In the photo, the vegetables do not have a single speck of dirt on them.

Markle was quick to turn her comments off, but critics have reverted to a subreddit called “SaintMeghanMarkle” to open the discussion.

Users also pointed out that it is highly unlikely to be able to grow sweet corn in Montecito,...

Disney’s live-action “Lilo and Stitch” looks set to dominate the box office for the third weekend in a row.

The film will hold off “Ballerina,” a “John Wick” movie, and it held off Tom Cruise’s “Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning.” When the film opened to a record $183 million on Memorial Day weekend, director Dean Fleischer Camp found it “pretty unbelievable. As you know, I’ve made smaller movies in the past, and this one breaking out in the way that way was so validating.”

The film was originally meant to be a direct-to-streaming title, set to air on Disney+, but things changed in 2024, and the film was given a theatrical release. Camp says of the shift, “I and the other filmmakers always believed that it could be a big, perfect summer blockbuster to go see on a huge screen. I’m proud of how hard it delivers on that.

Harvey Weinstein will not testify as part of his criminal trial, though the former mogul wanted to take the stand.

On May 29, Arthur Aidala, Weinstein’s attorney, told reporters Weinstein was “seriously contemplating” taking that stand, but that his team would make a “game-time decision.” The team confirmed Monday that he would not take the stand, as it opens up Weinstein to undue risk, but said that Weinstein had still wanted to share his side of the story.

“He’s not hiding, and we’re not shielding him. He wants to testify, and we respect that. But the courtroom isn’t just about truth — it’s also strategy,” Juda Engelmayer, a spokesperson for Weinstein, told The Hollywood Reporter.

Instead, the trial will move to closing arguments Tuesday, with the defense expected to rest their case that morning, a little more than a month after opening arguments began April 23. Jurors will then get the case.

Harvey Weinstein doesn’t plan to testify at his sex crimes retrial in New York City.

Weinstein’s lawyer Arthur Aidala shared the news on Sunday, the Associated Press reported. The trial is set to proceed with closing arguments on Tuesday, as the court does not hear the case on Mondays.

Weinstein is charged with two counts of committing a criminal sexual act in the first degree and one count of third-degree rape. The charges stem from accusations by former model Kaja Sokola, former TV production assistant Miriam Haley — the first accuser to testify in Weinstein’s retrial — and former aspiring actor Jessica Mann. He has pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Weinstein’s defense began calling witnesses last week, and according to AP, the former movie mogul had been weighing whether to take the stand. On Friday, May 30, the jury heard from witness Talita Maia through a transcript read aloud by court staff.

Warning: This article contains spoilers for 2025's Lilo & Stitch.Exclusive: The new Lilo & Stitch brought back a couple of stars from the beloved 2002 animated classic, one of whom is particularly in service of a main character's expanded arc. Lilo & Stitch is primarily about a recently orphaned Hawaiian girl, Lilo (Maia Kealoha), who adopts a havoc-wreaking alien with whom she forms a life-changing bond. However, a hugely important character in the story who gets more attention in Disney's live-action remake is Lilo's older sister Nani (Sydney Agudong), who has become her guardian after their parents’ deaths.

Chris Sanders returned to Lilo & Stitch to continue to provide Stitch's distinct voice, but the original voice actor of Nani also played a role. As Cobra Bubbles (Courtney B. Vance) is made only a CIA agent in the new movie, an original character is introduced as Lilo and Nani's social worker, Mrs. Kekoa, played by Tia Carrere.

Spoiler Alert: This interview contains details from Disney’s 2025 Lilo & Stitch

Even though it’s been two decades since the release of the original animated film Lilo & Stitch, the theme of Ohana is anything but left behind or forgotten. In the new live-action remake directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, who co-wrote and directed the Oscar-nominated Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, the meaning of sisterhood, found family, and not sacrificing your dreams in the face of hardships are at the forefront.

Mostly similar to the animated film, the story follows a quirky young girl named Lilo (played here by newcomer Maia Kealoha) who unknowingly befriends a manic fugitive alien named Stitch that inadvertently helps mend the relationship with her sister Nani (Sydney Elizebeth Agudong). In the 23 years between films, it’s...

On Wednesday May 21 2025, ABC broadcasts Good Morning America!

Episode 161 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Good Morning America” promises an exciting lineup that will engage and entertain. Actress Maia Kealoha will be making an appearance, bringing her charm and talent to the show. Fans of Maia can expect to hear about her latest projects and insights into her career. Her presence is sure to add a youthful energy to the morning program.

In addition to Maia, actress Kristin Davis will also be featured in this episode. Known for her iconic roles, Kristin is likely to share stories from her acting journey and discuss her recent work. Her experience in the industry makes her a fascinating guest, and viewers can look forward to her thoughts on current trends in entertainment.

The episode will also highlight the Strong Mama series with Robin Arzón. This segment aims to inspire and empower viewers through discussions about fitness and wellness.

The cast and crew of the forthcoming live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch are celebrating its upcoming release at the El Capitan Theatre on Saturday (May 17) in Hollywood!

Lilo & Stitch is the story of a lonely Hawaiian girl and the fugitive alien who helps to mend her broken family. Maia Kealoha plays Lilo, while Chris Sanders voices Stitch. The live-action reimagining of Disney’s 2002 animated classic opens exclusively in movie theaters on May 23 in Dolby Cinema, RealD 3D, Cinemark Xd, 4Dx, and premium screens everywhere.

Cast members attending the celebration included Maia, Chris, Courtney B. Vance, Zach Galifianakis, Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Billy Magnussen, Kaipo Dudoit, and Amy Hill. They were joined by director Dean Fleischer Camp, screenwriters Chris Kekaniokalani Bright and Mike Van Waes, producer Jonathan Eirich, executive producers Tom Peitzman, Ryan Halprin, and Louie Provost, composer Dan Romer, and soundtrack artists Iam Tongi, Nyjah Music, and Zyah Rhythm.

Other premiere guests included Allison Holker,...

Charlie Vickers didn't see his big twist coming.

“Going into the second season, it was really nice to have a real clear through line and to know exactly where the character was going,” says The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power star. Vickers explains that he shot several episodes of Season 1 without knowing that his character, Halbrand, was actually the dark lord Sauron in disguise. What a relief then, to have all of his cards on the table for Season 2. Vickers joined Gold Derby to discuss his portrayal of the fearsome J.R.R. Tolkien villain (watch the full interview above), including Sauron’s new form called Annatar.

Sauron holds the power to change his appearance, which affords Vickers the opportunity to play two starkly different iterations of the character. Halbrand feels distinctly human, a “low man” who works with his hands. By contrast, Annatar is ethereal, regal, and possesses...

The stars of the upcoming live-action Lilo & Stitch movie are stepping out in London!

Maia Kealoha and Sydney Agudong posed with a Stitch mascot at the photocall for their new Disney movie on Monday (May 12) held at the Corinthia Hotel in London, England.

Joining Maia, 8, and Sydney, 24, at the photocall was director Dean Fleischer Camp and producer Jonathan Eirich.

Keep reading to find out more…According to an official film synopsis, Lilo & Stitch “tells a story of the bond formed between a lonely human girl named Lilo and a dog-like alien named Stitch, who was genetically engineered to be a force of destruction. With nosy social workers and pursuing aliens banging on the door, the two bond over a shared sense of family and win the day.”

The cast also includes Zach Galifianakis, Billy Magnussen, Courtney B. Vance, and Hannah Waddingham.

Chris Sanders – the voice actor, filmmaker, and...

Tom Francis and Maia Reficco are Broadway’s hottest new couple!

The 25-year-old English actor and the 24-year-old actress cuddled up for some cute photos while attending a Met Gala after party on Monday night (May 5) at People’s, the intimate and iconic Greenwich Village destination in New York City.

The invite-only After Hours gathering featured stars across fashion, film, art, and music. We have photos of all the celebs who attended!

Tom walked the red carpet at the Met Gala earlier in the night. He just received a Tony Award nomination for his Broadway debut in the musical Sunset Blvd, which is running through July.

Maia recently wrapped her run on Broadway in the Tony-winning musical Hadestown and she can be seen in the recent Netflix movie La Dolce Villa.

After Tom shared his red carpet photos on Instagram, Maia commented, “...

This week on The Anime Effect: LeAlec, Leah and Nick are joined by recording artist mxmtoon (a.k.a. Maia) to discuss her love of Fortnite , the anime she grew up with, and more! In our audio-exclusive episode, we fill you in on the latest news in the anime world, including Steel Ball Run JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure being announced, a Mobile Suit Gundam deluxe edition manga coming soon, plus other headlines! Episode 60 of The Anime Effect is now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere else you listen to your podcasts! If you're waiting to watch the video episode, it'll be live on Crunchyroll and YouTube at 7 p.m. Et. Listen or Watch on: News Featured in Episode 60 - Audio Only Steel Ball Run JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Anime Announced The Ghost In The Shell TV Anime Reveals New Trailer, Visual Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin Deluxe Edition Manga Announced...

In the triptych “The Garden of Earthly Delights”, the Flemish artist Bosch depicts the Third Day of the Creation of the World – when the waters were separated from the land and heaven was created – along with Adam and Eve, hell, and an artificial paradise, plunged into the same lust as the neighbouring inferno. In Chinese mythology, however, it is the god Pangu who separates Heaven from Earth, his body transforming into rivers, mountains, plants, animals, and everything else in the world, including a powerful being known as Huaxu. Huaxu later gave birth to a twin brother and sister, Fuxi and Nüwa, two creatures with human faces and snake-like bodies.

Heaven and Earth screened at Mint Chinese Film Festival

Leopold Liu, the artist-father of the director, wants to plant a bodhi tree – the tree under which Siddhartha attained enlightenment – in the Garden of Earthly Delights, hoping it will give rise to...

Translating Tolkien's pointillistic imagery in The Lord of the Rings novels to the cinema is quite a complicated task – one that Peter Jackson and his crew pull off with exquisite sophistication. The world is built with near-perfect accuracy, from the sleepy-green Shire to the craggy charcoal of Barad-dûr, and everything in between.

However, there are a few characters whose book versions differ greatly from the movies — sometimes for the better, but not always. That said, it's unfair to expect everything to be perfect in artistic adaptations of pre-existing works because personalities depend on the actors as much as the screenplay.

Updated by Kennedy King on March 30, 2025: This list has been updated to reflect Cbr's current style guide and include even more Lord of the Rings characters to this list.

Characters That The Lord Of The Rings Films Ruined Ruined: Frodo's Arc Is Far Bleaker Than It Should...

Quick LinksDior Inherited a Legendary Artifact -- And it Led to His DemiseDior's Descendants Were Vital to Middle-earth's History

In J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, the Half-elven -- or Peredhil, as they were called in the Elvish language of Sindarin -- were some of Middle-earth's most important characters. From Elrond, who ruled the Elven realm of Rivendell, to his father Eärendil, who convinced the Valar to help defeat the Dark Lord Morgoth in the War of Wrath, they were instrumental to the history of Tolkien's legendarium. But this was not the case for Elrond's grandfather, Dior, the first of the Half-elven. Though he was born into a life of luxury and had the makings of a hero, his life was cut short by Galadriel's cousins.

Dior was the son of Beren and Lúthien, who were the first examples of a mortal Man marrying an immortal Elf.

As the foundation upon which practically all forms of high fantasy were written, The Lord of the Rings franchise has some absolutely iconic lines that, even those who have not read the books or watched the movies, know to this day. Of course, a good number of these lines come from the legendary wizard, Gandalf. As the quintessential wise guardian of the Fellowship, Gandalf's words take on a certain weight and depth that people can still debate about decades after his debut.

Looking over the course of his adventures, it is hard to select which lines were his best. From threats to his enemies to warnings to his allies, Gandalf has had a chance to offer his two cents on more than one occasion. Which lines deserve to be considered his best, though? It varies from fan to fan, but some of his dialogue has more staying power than others.

Quick LinksThe Swan-ships Caused One of Middle-earth's Greatest TragediesThe Tradition of Swan-ships Continued Into The Lord of the Rings

The Lord of the Rings was mainly concerned with events that occurred on dry land, but ships and other aquatic vessels were a crucial part of the Elves' history. In Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, some swan-shaped Elven boats make a brief appearance in Lothórien. Similar ships were featured in the first episode of Prime Video's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, when Galadriel and the other Elves made a voyage to the Undying Lands. The opening flashback from that series even showed Galadriel sending a small paper swan down a river.

These were all nods to a detail from J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings novel. In the chapter "Farewell to Lórien" from The Fellowship of the Ring,...

WhileJ.R.R. Tolkien's detailed history of his fictional world includes thousands of years of different cultures, one family is especially notable. Long before his birth, Aragorn's (Viggo Mortensen) family influenced Middle-earth. Not only do Aragorn's heroics forever change Middle-earth, but his family history plays a major role in The Lord of the Rings as he reclaims his ancestral title as the King of Gondor. Yet that is only the latest chapter in his family's significant history. His ancestry can be traced back to the First Age and spans three different races: Men, Elf, and even Maia.

The Maiar, of all the characters in J.R.R. Tolkien's legendarium, are perhaps the most fascinating and least expanded upon. The Maiar exist throughout Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings—Gandalf the Grey (SirIan McKellan), Saruman (Christopher Lee), and even the Balrog are all Maia that reside in Middle-earth—but you wouldn't be aware of this unless you've already thumbed through The Silmarillion, a companion and effective prequel to The Lord of the Rings. According to The Silmarillion, the Maiar were created by Eru Ilúvatar (the God of Tolkien's Middle-earth) to help the Valar shape the world. Similar to angels in Christian theology, the Maiar were spiritual beings that could take on physical forms as needed. Though they were created as lesser than the Valar, they were still influential in their own right, and the most powerful of the Maiar was Sauron (Charlie Vickers), the Second Dark Lord and Lord of the Rings.

Quick LinksThe Elves Were Gandalf's Most Trusted Confidants in The Lord of the RingsGandalf's Identity Did Not Remain a Secret Forever

At first glance, Gandalf from J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings seemed to be an ordinary old man, but those who spent enough time around him learned that he was a being of great wisdom and power. Tolkien’s later writings, such as The Silmarillion, revealed that Gandalf was a divine spirit known as a Maia, making him older than the universe itself. Specifically, he and the other Wizards -- Saruman, Radagast, and the two mysterious Blue Wizards -- formed the Istari, a group of Maiar who had taken on the forms of mortal Men to guide the Free Peoples of Middle-earth in their fight against the Dark Lord Sauron.

Terms like “Maia” never appeared in The Lord of the Rings,...

“La Dolce Villa” is a Netflix original romantic comedy that premiered on February 13, 2025. Directed by Mark Waters and written by Elizabeth Hackett and Hilary Galanoy, the film tells the story of a father who travels to Italy to dissuade his daughter from renovating a dilapidated villa, only to find himself entangled in the charm of the Italian countryside and a budding romance. The following article looks at the cast of “La Dolce Villa” and what part they play in it.

La Dolce Villa – Complete Cast & Characters Guide Scott Foley as Eric

Scott Foley stars as Eric, a widowed restaurant consultant from Columbus, Ohio. Concerned about his daughter’s impulsive decision to purchase a crumbling villa in Montezara, Italy, Eric travels to the picturesque town to intervene. Despite his initial reservations, he becomes enamored with the local culture and forms a connection with the town’s mayor. Foley is known for...

Scott Foley isn’t seen in public with his full family that often, but they all gathered to support his new Netflix movie!

The 52-year-old actor was joined by wife Marika Dominczyk and their three kids – daughter Malina, 15, son Keller, 12, and son Konrad, 10 – at the screening on Monday (February 10) in New York City.

In La Dolce Villa, a successful businessman (Foley) travels to Italy to stop his daydreaming daughter (Maia Reficco) from restoring a crumbling villa. Italy, however, has different plans for him as it delivers on its legendary promise of beauty, magic, and romance.

Scott was joined at the screening by Maia and their co-stars Violante Placido, Giuseppe Futia, Simone Luglio, and Jenny De Nucci, as well as director Mark Waters.

Scandal actress Bellamy Young was also there to support her former on-screen hubby!

The new movie will begin streaming on Netflix on February 13. Watch the trailer now!

Two years after launch, Norway’s boutique production outlet Staer Film headed by Elisa Fernanda Pirir, is ramping up its activities by venturing into distribution and bigger budget movies.

With a focus on visionary new and established auteurs, regional productions and international collaborations, the new Tromsö-based distribution outfit led by Eleanor Debreu will offer a home for Stær’s most artistically challenging co-productions, that will benefit from tailor-made innovative marketing strategies.

The first release this fall will be Swedish pic “A Sweetness from Nowhere” by Ester Martin Bergmark, multi-awarded for his debut “Everything Must Go.” First clips of the playful exploration of lust via documentary essay, poetic facts, and evocative fable will be unveiled Jan. 31 at Göteborg’s Nordic Film Market works in progress, by Swedish producer Anna-Maria Kantarius of Garagefilm.

Next up are two titles partially shot in Northern Norway, that could find a home at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival.

Exclusive: You producer Alloy Entertainment has a new head of television.

Former HBO drama executive Maia Hollinger has been appointed to the role. It comes after former television chief Gina Girolamo exited last year and subsequently struck an overall deal with Amazon MGM Studios.

Hollinger will report to Leslie Morgenstein, President and Chief Creative Officer of Alloy, who himself renewed his deal with Warner Bros. Television last year.

She has been tasked with expanding the company’s slate into more adult-focused series in addition to the YA series that it is known for.

As VP, Drama Development and Programming at HBO, she managed the development and production of drama series including The White Lotus, The Gilded Age, In Treatment, The New Pope and The Undoing. She spent four years at the premium cable network between January 2019 and December 2022 and was consulting with NBCUniversal on drama programming last year.

Before joining HBO,...

Adjusted for inflation, a cinema ticket in 2025 is at its cheapest in more than a decade. So why do we all think it’s more expensive?

If you’ve not taken a trip to the multiplex recently, a ticket might cost less than you think.

Since 2010, the average price of a cinema ticket has risen consistently below inflation. According to the UK Cinema Association, which represents over 90 per cent of UK cinema operators, between 2023-24 it even went down. Yet if you ask the average person in the street about the state of the big screen, you’re hard-pressed to find one who won’t mention the price.

“The cinema always used to be a great option for a cheap day out,” says Maia, a student living in York. “I feel now, however, that it is being gradually priced out.”

“I used to have an annual pass and watch virtually anything,...

Gandalf is one of the most memorable names in The Lord of the Rings. Even those who aren't fans of Tolkien's works are likely to be familiar with the character. However, Gandalf isn't the wizard's only—or even first—name. He spent centuries of Middle-earth's history wandering the land and becoming acquainted with different kingdoms, regions, and people, many of which used a variety of other languages. As Gandalf did this, different titles and names began to stick. This is why names like Mithrandir, Olórin, Tharkûn, Incánus, and more are used to describe Gandalf throughout The Lord of the Rings.

Tolkien's Lord of the Rings books and Peter Jackson's movie adaptations are only the tip of the iceberg for Gandalf's character. He is seen to be an old wizard in Bilbo and Frodo's stories, but, in truth, he is a shapeshifting, angel-like being known as a Maia. Gandalf...

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power significantly changed a particular character, making it unlikely that their proper prequel story will ever be adapted. Of course, it would have been difficult for the Prime Video series to entirely avoid making changes to canon. Tolkien's works set before Frodo's story are written more like textbooks than novels, making a literal adaptation impossible. If Middle-earth's Second Age events were to be brought to the screen, changes are a must. Still, it's a bit disappointing that Rings of Power's adjustments have now limited potential future movies.

In the case of Rings of Power season 2, one of the most significant changes revolved around the wizard Gandalf. The series officially confirmed that the Stranger truly is the Grey Wizard—quite a surprise since Gandalf isn't meant to arrive in Middle-earth until the Third Age. Of course, if Rings of Power hadn't made this change,...

Several fantasy books have excellent villains that are just as compelling as the heroes. Fantasy is a broad genre with many compelling stories and complex characters, and there are even fantasy books where the protagonist is the villain. There is no limit to utilizing characters in a fantasy story, which is one of the reasons why it is such a great genre. Sometimes, the best part about a fantasy book is the side characters that boost the protagonist. Other times, the protagonist shines on their own.

Fantasy TV shows are usually defined by their villains, an example of how the antagonist is a critical part of any successful fantasy narrative. There are even several fantasy projects where the villain shines just as brightly as the heroes. That does not mean the heroes are less exciting; however, the antagonists are often so fascinating that they rival the heroic characters. Whether it...

Netflix has released first look photos for the upcoming romantic comedy La Dolce Villa!

Scott Foley stars in the new movie, which was directed by Mark Waters, who is well known for helming such movies as Mean Girls, Freaky Friday and Just Like Heaven, among others.

Keep reading to find out more…

Here’s a synopsis: Successful businessman Eric travels to Italy to stop his daydreaming daughter Olivia from restoring a crumbling villa. Italy, however, has different plans for him as it delivers on its legendary promise of beauty, magic, and romance.

“His initial determination — to save his daughter from making what he believes would be a huge mistake in purchasing property in Italy — turns out to be a sort of second chance at happiness for Eric, in so many ways!” Scott shared with Tudum.

Also starring in the movie are Maia Reficco, Violante Placido and Giuseppe Futia.

Scott and...

Quick Links Sauron Learned From the Original Dark Lord Sauron Had Nothing Holding Him Back Gandalf and Saruman Could Not Use Their Full Power

Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings films did not delve into the Dark Lord Sauron's backstory. They showcased that he was a being of unimaginable power, but they did not explain exactly what kind of being he was. For that, fans had to turn to the writings of J. R. R. Tolkien upon which Jackson's trilogy was based. Tolkien's novels revealed that Sauron belonged to a race of divine spirits known as Maiar. They were older than the universe itself, and they helped shape the universe alongside the godlike Valar. This certainly explained why Sauron was such a dangerous foe, but he was far from the only Maia in The Lord of the Rings. Gandalf, Saruman, and even Radagast were also Maiar,...

The Lord of the Rings has many incredible, strong female characters, but adapting the strongest for the screen may require a challenging dive into Tolkien's legendarium. J.R.R. Tolkien released his magnum opus, The Lord of the Rings, in three parts between 1954 and 1955. Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy adapted a part of the novel per movie between 2001 and 2003. But only a few of Tolkien's powerful women were in the novel and movie, with the majority packed into The Silmarillion, which was released posthumously in 1977. And adapting The Silmarillion is hard.

There are many reasons why adapting The Silmarillion is tough, as Prime Video's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power proves. The 2022 TV show adapts The Lord of the Rings' Second Age, which largely amounts to content from The Silmarillion, even though it only has the rights to The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.

Quick Links Wormtongue Betrayed Saruman to the Witch-king The Witch-king Enabled Saruman's Demise

The forces of evil in J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings lacked unity, which was one of their greatest weaknesses. Infighting abounded both within and between the various factions of Orcs, which gave their prisoners opportunities to slip away. Monsters like Shelob acted solely in their interests, and any help that they provided the Dark Lord Sauron -- such as attacking those who tried to enter Mordor -- was accidental. Even Saruman, the second greatest threat to the Free Peoples of Middle-earth during The Lord of the Rings, hoped to betray Sauron and conquer the world in his stead once their mutual enemies were defeated.

Because of this discord, there was surprisingly little interaction between The Lord of the Rings' major antagonists. This held true for both the novel and Peter Jackson's trilogy of film adaptations.

Quick Links Sauron Wanted to Make a Show of Isildur's Death Sauron Did Not Learn From His Mistakes

The prologue of Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring portrayed the War of the Last Alliance, which ended the Second Age of Middle-earth. Things were looking dire for the Last Alliance of Elves and Men. The Dark Lord Sauron killed King Elendil, and he had Elendil's son, Isildur, dead to rights. But as he reached towards Isildur to deliver the killing blow, Isildur used his father's shattered sword to slice the One Ring from Sauron's outstretched hand. Since the One Ring was the source of the Dark Lord's power, its removal destroyed his body, leaving behind nothing but ash and empty armor.

Sauron was an immortal spirit known as a Maia, so this did not truly kill him. However, he had to spend over...

The Rings of Power showrunners have confirmed that they're considering the Dark Wizard to be one of the Blue Wizards, which means the show will be interpreting one of Tolkien's lasting mysteries. With The Stranger finally being revealed as Gandalf in The Rings of Power season 2's ending, the identity of the Dark Wizard (Ciarn Hinds) has since become the show's biggest mystery. The character has a similar likeness to Christopher Lee's Saruman from The Lord of the Rings movies, but in a recent Reddit Q&a, show creators Patrick McKay and Jd Payne debunked that possibility, saying the following:

We know there are five wizards talked about in The Lord of the Rings . One of them is Saruman, one of them is Gandalf, one of them is Radagast, and then there are two others. It is our expectation that he will be one of those two others.

The...

After a short period on the road with her debut film — the tender, surreal coming-of-age story Chlorophyll — Italian director Ivana Gloria soon began to realize that the film festival circuit would only take her so far. Starring newcomer Sarah Short, the film concerns a girl called Maia, who discovers that she is not like other young people her age. But it’s not just her dyed-green hair that makes her stand out; when she moves to the Sardinian countryside to pick oranges for the lonely Teo (Michele Ragno), Maia begins sprouting blue flowers that give off a distinctive scent, and her biological clock goes haywire.

Chlorophyll made its debut at the Rome Film Festival last year, then travelled to the Karlovy Vary Film Festival (where it played in Proxima), and last week competed at the Leeds International Film Festival in the U.K. That was it as far as festival bookings went,...

The Rings of Power's showrunners hinted at the Dark Wizard's true identity in an interview, and the idea would heighten Gandalf's virtues. Amazon Prime Video's The Rings of Power introduced the Dark Wizard in season 2 as a mysterious antagonist who seems to be one of the Istari (Wizard). Given his likeness to Christopher Lee's portrayal in The Lord of the Rings films, many suspected the Dark Wizard would be Saruman, but showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay dismissed the idea in a Reddit Q&a.

The Rings of Power is set much earlier in The Lord of the Rings timeline, taking place during the Second Age of Middle-earth. The Istari were an order of Maiar sent to Middle-earth by Eru Illvatar for the purpose of pushing back against Sauron, typically known for their role in the Third Age. As viewers and readers know from Lotr, out of the five Istari,...

Sauron crying in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has been the topic of heavy debate, but this isn't a problem with Tolkien canon unless it continues to happen much later in the story. The Prime Video series has shown the Dark Lord of Middle-earth in a different light than screen audiences are used to, and Sauron seems to have rather human qualities throughout the series' first two seasons. This is a significant difference from his purely evil presence in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings, but there seems to be disagreement regarding whether this does or does not fit with Tolkien's version of the character.

Sauron is seen with tears in his eyes twice in Rings of Power season 2. The first is just after Galadriel turns down his offer to be his queen, and the second comes after Sauron murders Celebrimbor. Seeing such...

Sauron is The Lord of the Rings, literature's greatest villain and the namesake of J.R.R. Tolkien's masterpiece, but he was bested by a dog called Huan millennia before the Third Age story of the novel and movies. This astonishing defeat is an example of Tolkien's miraculous storytelling, with the little beating the large in David-Goliath standoffs that reflect one of Tolkien's key messages - hope, even in the darkest of times. Sauron is an immortal Maia, a Godlike race of superpowered beings, making him very hard to beat. This makes Huan's victory all the more astounding.

Huan followed his master, Celegorm, into exile from Valinor, and was thus doomed along with the Noldor. But Huan wasn't quite subject to the Doom of the Noldor, but another prophecy. According to Tolkien's The Silmarillion, "it was decreed that he should meet death, but not until he encountered the mightiest wolf that had ever walked the world.

This article contains spoilers for The Silmarillion and Rings of Power.It was rare to find a description of Sauron fighting someone directly in The Lord of the Rings, but there were a few characters to claim this dubious honor. Most of the fighting Sauron did in Amazon Prime Video's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power was made up by the show, including Sauron's fight with Galadriel. Meanwhile, watching the Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings movies, where Sauron is a giant, ghostly eye, it is easy to imagine that Sauron never fought anyone in person at all. The truth that Tolkien laid out is more complex.

High fantasy creator J.R.R. Tolkien published The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings in his lifetime, referring distantly to some of the stories that saw Sauron fight in single combat. It was only after he passed away that his son,...

Facing a Warg while imprisoned in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2, episode 1, must have triggered bitter memories for the Dark Lord Sauron. The creation of high fantasy genius J.R.R. Tolkien and literature's greatest villain, Sauron was actually holding all the cards in this episode, although it didn't look like it. Amazon Prime Video's TV series covers Sauron's Second Age rise to power, and season 2's first episode covered an original arc whereby Sauron handed himself in as Adar's prisoner to manipulate Adar into invading Eregion. This fit into a wider canonical storyline.

Although it played fast and loose with the details, The Rings of Power season 2 covered the start of The War of Sauron and the Elves, touched on by Tolkien in The Lord of the Rings. While the LotR appendices outlined this war and its initial Eregion siege, portrayed in season 2's last two episodes,...

The Lord of the Rings: The Ring of Power season 2 made multiple mentions of a specific point in Sauron's story, indicating that some never-before-seen moments will eventually be brought to the screen. This has been a significant draw for the Prime Video series since it is set during the Second Age of Middle-earth, a period typical Lord of the Rings adaptations don't cover. In fact, Sauron's entire character is far more conceptual than physical throughout Frodo's story. Now, Rings of Power has explored this villain in flesh and blood, but it seems the series will eventually take this even further.

Sauron's Second Age character is evil through and through, and this has been a great deal of fun to watch in Rings of Power. Rather than simply hearing about the Dark Lord's horrible deeds as in The Lord of the Rings, Prime Video's prequel series has shown...