Movies

Michael Myers was not the original actor selected for the role of Shrek in the beloved animated film. In fact, the initial choice, Chris Farley, had already recorded approximately "85 per cent" of his lines prior to Myers being brought on board later in the production process.Chris Farley, an iconic comedian celebrated for his energetic performances on Saturday Night Live, had a distinctive comedic style and a unique voice that made him a favorite among fans.However, his battle with substance abuse loomed over his career. Tragically, Farley passed away in 1997 at the young age of 33 after overdosing on a combination of cocaine and morphine, leaving behind a legacy of laughter and unforgettable characters.Before his untimely death, Farley had begun working on Shrek, and his portrayal of ...

Aaron Taylor-Johnson has been the bookies’ favourite to be cast as the next James Bond for months now.However, in a huge shake-up the Kraven the Hunter star has been pushed back into second place.According to Gambling.com, Josh O’Connor is now the bookies’ favourite with odds of 8-11.This news comes after The Hollywood Reporter predicted that The Crown’s Prince Charles star will be cast as Daniel Craig’s replacement later this year.To clarify, this isn’t a rumour but an educated guess by the outlet based on a hunch.Also in the bookies’ race is Taylor-Johnson on 13-8, Theo James and Paul Mescal on 11-2 and Jack Lowden on 8-1.Further back are James Norton and Callum Turner on 9-1, Lucien Laviscount on 11-1 and Henry Cavill on 12-1.Additionally, Regé-Jean Page is on 16-1, Damson Idris is o...

Tom Holland is set to start shooting Spider-Man 4 this summer before release next year after Avengers Doomsday.During a new interview with Men’s Health, the 28-year-old star was given a lightning round of questions.When asked what his favourite movie of all time was, he replied: “I take no shame in saying Avatar.”The 2009 James Cameron 3D sci-fi epic with never-before-seen visual effects broke box office records.With $2.923 billion garnered, Avatar is the highest-grossing film of all time, a title that was briefly surpassed by Avengers Endgame before being retaken after a re-release.A couple of years ago, Cameron released a sequel called Avatar: The Way of Water, which made over $2.3 billion worldwide and is the third biggest movie of all time.Three more sequels at least are on the way ...

Back in 2020, Sir Sam Mendes released his World War 1 epic 1917 in the UK. The Oscar-winning movie, nominated for 10 Academy Awards, follows two British soldiers (led by George MacKay) on a mission to deliver a message to call off an attack the Germans were prepared for.Featuring cameos from stars like Mark Strong, Andrew Scott, Richard Madden, Colin Firth and Benedict Cumberbatch, the film was shot in a distinctly unique way.Acclaimed cinematographer Roger Deakins filmed the movie in long takes, making the two-hour spectacle look like two continuous shots.Now, the British war classic is on TV tonight, but can you guess which cameo star made the most mistakes out of the entire cast combined?Around 1917’s release, Express.co.uk attended the film’s press conference at the Imperial War Mus...

As we herald the arrival of 2025, Netflix UK subscribers can brace themselves for one of the most nerve-racking thrillers of the previous decade, now streaming without any additional cost.With the festive period behind us and the annual marathon of Yuletide flicks concluded, cinema enthusiasts are scouring for top-tier streaming content to captivate them through these lengthy winter nights.Your search ends with Netflix, as the streaming giant ushers in an extensive selection of fresh titles to kick-start the year.Whether it's Denzel Washington's masterful performance in the heist caper Inside Man or Austin Butler's Oscar-nominated portrayal of the King of Rock'n'Roll in 2022's biographical epic Elvis, viewers are spoilt for choice for their next movie night indulgence.Yet, those craving...

We’ve all heard of Saving Private Ryan and The Great Escape, but occasionally, some hidden gems from World War 2 movies that we might not be so familiar with pop up on TV.Today on BBC Two there’s a couple starting with The Heroes of Telemark at 4:15pm.This British war film stars Kirk Douglas in the true story of the Norwegian heavy water sabotage during the Second World War.The movie is based on Skis Against the Atom, the memories of Knut Haukelid, a Norwegian resistance solider played by Richard Harris.Meanwhile, there’s a 2014 World War 2 film on at twenty minutes past midnight.The late night film, which will presumably be on BBC iPlayer afterwards if you don’t wan’t to stay up that late, is The Monuments Men.George Clooney writes, directs, produces, and stars in this World War 2 flic...

Apple TV is set to launch a "genius" new initiative this weekend, with customers lauding the announcement.The streaming platform, which offers a range of original content, will be free to stream globally on the first weekend of the year (from Friday, Jan. 3, to Sunday, Jan. 5), on any device where the service is accessible.All that's required is an Apple ID and password to sign in for the complimentary two-day weekend promotional period. The initiative has been applauded by the public, with many suggesting it's a sure-fire hit for top-notch television and film.Some have hailed it as "the most cleve thing" a streaming service has done in years as everyone gears up for an exciting weekend.Numerous recommendations from Apple TV subscribers have since been shared on social media, with Twitt...

Following on from his Oscar-winning success in Gladiator, Russell Crowe returned with another period-set action masterpiece.Back in 2003, the Aussie starred in Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, adapted from three Patrick O’Brian novels.Set during the Napoleonic Wars of the early 19th century, the film follows Crowe as Royal Navy Captain Jack Aubrey opposite Paul Bettany’s ship surgeon Dr Stephen Maturin.The story sees the HMS Surprise ordered to hunt down and capture a French ship off the coast of South America.Shot on replica vessels in water tanks located at Baja Studios, Mexicos, the film was also captured on the Galápagos Islands.Critically acclaimed upon release 22 years ago, the movie was nominated for 10 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Peter We...

This week marks the 79th anniversary of the release of 1945’s They Were Expendable, a film set during the Battle of the Philippines which took place just a couple of years prior.The film’s cinematic debut was pushed back to late December 1945 since the Japanese had surrendered earlier that year.Yet despite good reviews, there was a low turnout at the box office with John Wayne later noting: “People had seen eight million war stories by the time the picture came out, and they were tired of them.”It’s well known that Duke didn’t manage to serve in World War 2 and so was constantly insulted by director John Ford on set.The filmmaker had commanded a naval photographic unit as a Captain and considered his star a coward for staying home.Yet despite good reviews, there was a low turnout at the...

Sean Connery and Michael Caine’s 1975 classic The Man Who Would Be King has many shocking stories from behind the scenes.Based on the Rudyard Kipling classic, the film saw the two stars play rogue ex-soldiers in the British Army during the late 19th century when one is mistaken for a god and made king.Director John Huston had attempted to make the movie in the 1950s, hoping to cast Clark Gable and Humphrey Bogart as the leads, but the latter died before it could be made.The filmmaker also considered the likes of Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, Richard Burton and Peter O’Toole.When Robert Redford and Paul Newman’s names were suggested, they recommended Connery and Caine.The pair soon signed on, although the James Bond star threatened to abandon the film when the producers almost dismissed ...