Collider Ladies NightGood news for Arcane fans old and new this week: Netflix and Riot Games have announced that the League of Legends-set animated TV show, which premiered on the streaming service earlier this month, has already been renewed for a second season that is currently in production. The news was unveiled at the ending of a fan event on Saturday night.
Arcane is a League of Legends prequel series set in the utopian region of Piltover and the oppressed underground of Zaun, and the story follows the origins of two iconic League champions and the power that will tear them apart. No further plot information has been revealed for Season 2 as of now, but Hailee Steinfeld, Ella Purnell, and Katie Leung are all confirmed to return for the second season, reprising their respective voice roles of Vi, Jinx, and Caitlyn Kiramman. The second season of Arcane will be executed produced by series co-creator Christian Linke, as well as Riot Games founders Marc Merrill and Brandon Beck, Jane Chung, and Thomas Vu.
Arcane Renewed for Season 2 at NetflixCollider Ladies Night2021-11-21 | Good news for Arcane fans old and new this week: Netflix and Riot Games have announced that the League of Legends-set animated TV show, which premiered on the streaming service earlier this month, has already been renewed for a second season that is currently in production. The news was unveiled at the ending of a fan event on Saturday night.
Arcane is a League of Legends prequel series set in the utopian region of Piltover and the oppressed underground of Zaun, and the story follows the origins of two iconic League champions and the power that will tear them apart. No further plot information has been revealed for Season 2 as of now, but Hailee Steinfeld, Ella Purnell, and Katie Leung are all confirmed to return for the second season, reprising their respective voice roles of Vi, Jinx, and Caitlyn Kiramman. The second season of Arcane will be executed produced by series co-creator Christian Linke, as well as Riot Games founders Marc Merrill and Brandon Beck, Jane Chung, and Thomas Vu.
For copyright matters please contact us at: legal@valnetinc.comAlycia Debnam-Carey Recalls Her Most Mortifying AuditionCollider Ladies Night2024-10-15 | It's time for Alycia Debnam-Carey's round of Dicey Questions!
In celebration of the release of It's What's Inside on Netflix, Debnam-Carey joined Perri Nemiroff for a Collider Ladies Night chat covering that film and looking back on projects like The 100 and Fear the Walking Dead. But, of course, Debnam-Carey also had to play a round of Dicey Questions!
Find out what she rolled in this video, and be sure to catch the main interview here: youtu.be/8TAzMRgCSag
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL twitter.com/collider instagram.com/collider facebook.com/colliderAlycia Debnam-Carey Interview: The 100s Legacy & Its Whats Inside Body-SwappingCollider Ladies Night2024-10-12 | It’s What’s Inside quickly became one of my favorite films of the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and I was beyond thrilled to get the opportunity to chat with director Greg Jardin and his ensemble while in Park City. But, one person was missing from the conversation and, if you’ve seen It’s What’s Inside, you well know that the film’s concept hinges on every single member of the cast being able to deliver top-tier work as a unit. Thankfully, Netflix scooped up the film at the festival for a whopping $17 million and now It’s What’s Inside is available to stream on Netflix. That meant the missing member of the group was busy promoting this massive genre storytelling feat, and you can bet I jumped on the opportunity to chat with her. It’s Alycia Debnam-Carey.
Jardin’s wildly impressive feature-directorial debut is a body-swap film. The night before Reuben’s (Devon Terrell) wedding, he reunites his group of friends for a little pre-wedding party. When an estranged member of that friend group, David Thompson’s Forbes, shows up, he has a mysterious suitcase in tow. He pitches they play a party game with its contents, a curious machine he helped design. They agree, hook themselves up to the device, and Forbes flips the switch. Suddenly, they all swap bodies. The game? Figure out who is in whose body.
The tension is high across the board and every single character in It’s What’s Inside rocks complex layers that are fascinating to explore via the body-swap scenario. But, one particular character’s situation comes with some especially high stakes because she’s got a lot to lose. On top of that, who she is and what she’s created has an especially heavy influence on quite a few members of the group. It’s Debnam-Carey’s Nikki, a hugely successful social media influencer.
While celebrating It’s What’s Inside’s release on Netflix, Debnam-Carey swung by the Collider Ladies Night studio to dig deep into Nikki’s predicament and break down how the cast prepared to complete some serious acting gymnastics and craft a seamless body-swap experience.
00:00 Introduction 00:23 Acting When She Was 8 01:30 Percussion 04:37 Lessons Learned After Moving to LA 07:51 Finding Her Voice in Hollywood 10:40 The 100 13:19 Fan Encounters 15:31 It’s What’s Inside 25:47 It’s What’s Inside SPOILERS 28:10 What Is Alycia Proud Of?
Check out her latest round of Dicey Questions right here and be sure to jump over to the main interview next to learn more about her journey from actor to director, and to find out how she reacted when The Life of Chuck won the People's Choice Award at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival!
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL twitter.com/collider instagram.com/collider facebook.com/colliderWhats Next for Kate Siegel? The Life of Chuck ... And More Directing?Collider Ladies Night2024-10-10 | During her third appearance on Collider Ladies Night, Kate Siegel laughed and said, “It's so cliché for an actor to be like, ‘Oh, what I really want to do is direct,’ but I think what I really want to do is direct.” With each and every interview I’ve done with Siegel, for Ladies Night and beyond, it’s become more and more clear that not only does she have a firm handle on her craft as an actor, but she also has a deep understanding of and enthusiasm for the entire filmmaking process. Now that she’s put that passion and skill set to use on her directing debut, the V/H/S/Beyond segment “Stowaway,” it’s undeniable. Siegel is meant to be a filmmaking multi-hyphenate.
Penned by Mike Flanagan, “Stowaway” features YouTube star, journalist and voice actor Alanah Pearce as Halley, a young mother who heads out into the desert in hopes of having and documenting an extraterrestrial encounter. After interviewing a number of locals, Halley does manage to track down a spaceship, but the thrill of discovery is short-lived. Halley’s eagerness to explore the unknown lands her in a nightmarish situation that forces her to confront what she’s left behind at home in pursuit of finding something out of this world.
Siegel has a wealth of experience in film and television. Not only has she starred in hits including The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass, and The Fall of the House of Usher, but she also headlined and co-wrote the 2016 gem Hush. How did those titles and more tee her up for success behind the lens as a director? That’s what we dug into during her third go-around on Collider Ladies Night.
00:00 Introduction 00:26 Finding Confidence in Herself as a Director 06:29 Lessons Adopted from Mike Flanagan 08:21 What Defines a “Kate Siegel Production”? 09:39 Making Found Footage Look Authentic 11:19 Josh Goldbloom’s Cameo 11:37 How Kate Directs Actors 15:20 Revisiting This Interview in 5 Years 16:34 Developing the Stowaway Story 18:36 Visualizing Stowaway 19:51 Bee Attack 21:38 Kate’s Body Horror Fear 23:22 STOWAWAY ENDING (Major Spoiler!) 25:17 Alanah Pearce 29:04 What Game Is Kate Best At? 31:33 More on Alanah Pearce 34:01 Adding an Alien & Designing the Ship 36:12 Filming in IR 37:12 How Much of Your Alien Should You Show? 38:31 Why Kate Didn’t Develop a Backstory for Her Alien 41:20 Why the Last Shot of Stowaway Changed 42:14 Will Kate Direct More? 44:39 The Life of Chuck 48:57: What Is Kate Proud Of?
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL twitter.com/collider instagram.com/collider facebook.com/colliderZoë Bell Interview: How Quentin Tarantino Reframed Her Approach to StuntsCollider Ladies Night2024-10-05 | Roughly 10 years ago, when I was in my early days of covering film festivals, I was thrilled to get the opportunity to sit down with the team responsible for a movie that spotlighted a group of women who were, and still are, utter forces in film and television. That team? The filmmakers behind Raze, led by prolific stunt performer and coordinator, Zoë Bell.
Well aware of her work in Kill Bill, Death Proof, Inglorious Basterds, Whip It, and then some, I was quite eager to see what Bell could do both in front of and behind the lens in new ways. Not only did she headline Raze, but she also produced it and heavily contributed to the development of the story and the action right from the start. It was a significant leap that suggested she’d continue to soar in film and television in a multitude of ways.
Sure enough, at the end of September 2024, there we were celebrating Raze 10 years after release, discussing her accomplishments working on blockbusters like Thor: Ragnarok and Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood, and teasing her upcoming feature directorial debut. Bell is a proven unstoppable powerhouse in this business, and it was a treat and honor to get to discuss how she found her craft and voice in such a high-pressure line of work, and how she continues to expand that skillset every step of the way, making a bigger and bigger mark on this industry with her art.
00:00 Introduction 00:39 Finding Stunts via Gymnastics & Martial Arts 02:29 Being Encouraged to Act by Quentin Tarantino 03:19 Xena: Warrior Princess 06:40 Speaking Up on Set 09:12 The Final Destination 11:05 Going from Stunt Performer to Coordinator 12:19 Once Upon a Time in Hollywood 13:49 How Much Money Is Too Much Money? 15:44 Marvel Movies 18:02 Making Movies in New Zealand 20:43 Raze 25:28 Her Directing Debut 27:11 What Is Zoe Most Proud Of?
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL twitter.com/collider instagram.com/collider facebook.com/colliderMackenzie Davis Interview: The Joy of James McAvoy & Her Hot Take on the Speak No Evil EndingCollider Ladies Night2024-09-14 | I’ve been a very big fan of Mackenzie Davis’ for some time. I quite enjoyed our very first interview for What If back in 2013 and, like many out there, absolutely adored the AMC series, Halt and Catch Fire. While my enthusiasm for Davis’ work continues, the more we talk, the more why I’m drawn to her work in general comes into focus. During this latest conversation, Davis noted, “I do really give a shit, and I'm not a good liar.” That right there sums up her vibe in all interviews. Her answers are always impassioned and honest. Not only does that make her an especially wonderful Collider Ladies Night guest, but those qualities bolster every single film she’s in, including her latest, Speak No Evil.
Inspired by the 2022 Danish original, James Watkins’ Speak No Evil stars Davis and her Halt and Catch Fire co-star, Scoot McNairy, as Louise and Ben, a couple vacationing with their daughter Agnes (Alix West Lefler) in Italy. While there, they meet Paddy (James McAvoy), Ciara (Aisling Franciosi), and their son, Ant (Dan Hough). After enjoying their getaway with this far more free-spirited couple, it’s time for Louise and Ben to return home where they must face relationship woes and financial struggles. When they receive an invitation to visit Paddy and Ciara’s countryside home, they accept hoping that another day-to-day shake-up could be just what they need to put them on a better path. The trouble is, this particular getaway is destined to become a psychological nightmare.
The original Speak No Evil is an exceptional film, which left many wondering, why remake it, especially so soon after the original’s release? Admittedly, I was quite skeptical myself, but then I saw the new movie. Not only is Watkins’ Speak No Evil a hugely entertaining and effective thrill, but it’s also one that sparks a fascinating conversation about human connection and how far one is willing to be pushed. In particular, how far can Davis’ Louise be pushed before she’s had enough and must leave that house? The movie’s success hinges on Davis’ ability to get the audience on board with Louise’s internal struggle and, courtesy of her pursuit of truth in her work, she pulls that off exceptionally well.
With Speak No Evil now playing in theaters nationwide, Davis joined me for her second Collider Ladies Night conversation to recap how she developed her approach to her work as an actor, and how she applied it to Louise in Speak No Evil to ensure you’re with her every single step of the way throughout this extremely twisted vacation.
00:00 Dicey Questions 04:45 Introduction 05:50 How to Become an Actor 06:10 Studying Acting in School 08:09 Hollywood DO and DO NOT 10:27 Standing Up for Herself 11:49 Having a Meaningful Voice in Hollywood 13:25 Tully 14:51 Acting Techniques 16:34 Speak No Evil: James McAvoy 17:44 Speak No Evil: Aisling Franciosi & Scoot McNairy 20:05 Speak No Evil: Alix West Lefler & Dan Hough 21:36 What Does She Look for in a Horror Movie? 22:45 Mackenzie’s Recent Favorite Movies 23:32 Speak No Evil: James Watkins 24:32 Directing and Producing 26:57 Speak No Evil SPOILERS
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL twitter.com/collider instagram.com/collider facebook.com/colliderMy Old Ass Interview: Maisy Stellas Journey from Nashville to Hollywood StardomCollider Ladies Night2024-09-13 | Mark my words; one of the greatest discoveries of the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, or perhaps the year in its entirety, is bound to be Maisy Stella. Stella isn’t new to the industry. She was on the hit series Nashville for six seasons, but My Old Ass proves her talent in a new way. Not only does the movie mark her very first feature film, but she’s also the lead of it, cementing the fact that she’s a wildly talented actor, and also a certified headliner.
Stella plays Elliott in the film, a teenager gearing up to leave home for college. On her 18th birthday, she opts to celebrate by taking mushrooms with her friends and, while high, she’s visited by her older self, played by Aubrey Plaza. While her “old ass” is hesitant to reveal too much about the future, she does share a few thoughts about how Elliott could make the most of her limited time home sweet home.
My Old Ass was my favorite film of Sundance this year, and now it’s on track to crack my Top 10 Films of 2024. Writer-director Megan Park whips up a brilliant concept that highlights the beauty of growing up and forging forward in life, but also how there’s much to gain from remembering and appreciating the experiences of our youth, even the ones that aren't wholly positive. With My Old Ass now playing in select theaters, I got the chance to welcome Stella to Collider Ladies Night to recap her road to headlining her first film and making an indelible impression on cinema in 2024 in the process.
00:00 Dicey Questions 07:28 Introduction 07:59 Acting vs. Singing 09:37 Put Maisy in a John Carney Movie! 11:12 Manifesting 12:13 Movie Tattoo 14:12 Nashville 16:45 My Old Ass 37:15 Flowervale Street 42:54 What Is Maisy Proud Of
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL twitter.com/collider instagram.com/collider facebook.com/colliderNatalie Dormer Interview: Margaerys Death in Game of Thrones & Making The WaspCollider Ladies Night2024-08-31 | While Natalie Dormer’s filmography does rock quite a few standout projects and roles, when she first started her journey in screen acting, she quickly recognized the fact that there weren’t enough “three-dimensional, fleshed-out female protagonists." She explained, “You would be sent the script for ‘the girlfriend,’ ‘the wife,’ or ‘the antagonist,’ and the majority was so two-dimensional.” However, that’s changed considerably over the years. “Now when you're scrolling on whatever platform you're watching and seeing the amount of fleshed-out, three-dimensional, anti-heroic female protagonists … it's just night and day.” It’s night and day, indeed. You want some proof? Go check out Dormer’s latest film, The Wasp.
Dormer stars opposite Naomie Harris in the stage-to-screen adaptation as two estranged school friends, Carla and Heather, who reunite and get involved in some rather diabolical events. As Dormer put it, they’re “women who are both capable of profound darkness and profound vulnerability,” a combination that consistently tests your nerves and allegiance all through the film.
With the twisted psychological thriller now playing in theaters, Dormer joined me for a Collider Ladies Night conversation to discuss some influential moments in her career that paved the way to embracing the opportunity to portray such an angry yet vulnerable character in The Wasp.
00:00 Dicey Questions 03:51 Introduction 04:18 Early Inspirations 05:22 Stage vs. Screen Acting 06:40 The Importance of Editing 08:26 Studying Acting in School 10:57 The Tudors 12:10 Acting Techniques 13:59 The Hunger Games 16:03 Game of Thrones 22:37 Acting in a Two-Hander 25:07 Having a Meaningful Voice in Hollywood 27:51 The Wasp 35:43 What Is Natalie Most Proud Of?
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL twitter.com/collider instagram.com/collider facebook.com/colliderWilla Fitzgerald Interview: Strange Darling, Scream TV Show Cancellation & MoreCollider Ladies Night2024-08-25 | I walked away from Fantastic Fest 2023 calling Strange Darling my favorite film of the festival. Had it received a 2023 release date, it would have been one of my top films of the year. Now it’s August 2024 and nothing has changed. I’d be utterly shocked if Strange Darling didn’t land in my Top 10 of 2024, and I’d also be shocked if I didn’t close out the year calling Willa Fitzgerald’s work in the film one of my favorite performances of, not just 2024, but of recent years.
Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner headline the movie as The Lady and The Demon. It’s a story loaded with brilliantly crafted twists and turns from writer-director JT Mollner and the team, so we’ll keep the plot synopsis simple; the two have a one-night-stand and it kicks off a murder spree.
I’ve been itching to get Fitzgerald on Collider Ladies Night since Strange Darling’s world premiere screening in September 2023, and now the time has finally come. With Strange Darling now playing in theaters, she joined me for a Ladies Night chat which, yes, included some Scream TV Series talk, but also heavily focused on her exquisite work in Strange Darling.
00:00 Dicey Questions 16:01 Introduction 16:38 Titanic 18:13 Studying at Yale 23:51 Scream 33:33 The Fall of the House of Usher 38:18 Strange Darling 46:36 Stranger Darling SPOILERS 01:01:39 What Is Willa Proud Of?
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL twitter.com/collider instagram.com/collider facebook.com/colliderIncoming Interview: Loren Gray - I’ve Embarrassed Myself to the Highest DegreeCollider Ladies Night2024-08-24 | The entertainment industry has a habit of boxing artists in. Have your Hollywood breakout via a horror movie? I’m willing to bet you’ll see an influx of genre scripts. Make a name for yourself with a particular type of music? The business will come to expect more of the same. But what about a social media superstar eager to pursue more paths and art forms out in Los Angeles? Given the fact that the number of high-profile social media personalities is skyrocketing, we’re bound to see more and more explore other sectors of entertainment. Someone who’s already well on her way while pursuing that path? Loren Gray.
Gray started building her fan base on the music-driven social media app Musical.ly, a following that transitioned over to TikTok when Musical.ly merged into TikTok in 2018. At this point in time, Gray is the 24th most followed TikTok creator with a whopping 53.7 million followers. She also has nearly 24 million followers on Instagram and 3.66 million subscribers on YouTube where she shares vlogs and her own music, much of which is quite successful. While Gray is still very passionate about all of this work, she’s eager to pursue an additional path in entertainment, a path she dubs her first love — acting.
With the high school comedy Incoming starring Mason Thames now available to stream on Netflix, Gray swung by the Collider Ladies Night studio for an interview covering her journey from Musical.ly to professional actor. She ran through some of her earliest acting inspirations, discussed what it was like making the move to Los Angeles as a teenager, and pinpointed the highs and lows of breaking into Hollywood as a social media star eager to build a career as an actor.
00:00 Dicey Questions 06:52 Introduction 07:29 Loren's Favorite Films 09:22 Why Musical.ly? 11:08 Memorable Fan Encounters 14:47 Moving to LA 16:24 Navigating Hollywood 19:09 Finding the Power of Her Voice 21:49 Making Music Independently 24:01 Finding Representation as an Actor 24:56 Going from Social Media to Acting 27:09 Studying Acting 31:02 Incoming 38:25 Will Loren Continue Acting? 38:34 Loren's Acting Goals 39:58 What Is Loren Most Proud Of?
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL twitter.com/collider instagram.com/collider facebook.com/colliderMichelle Monaghan Interview: White Lotus Season 3, MaXXXine & Bad MonkeyCollider Ladies Night2024-08-17 | Michelle Monaghan is an all-time favorite. Not only was she one of the very first guests on Collider Ladies Night back in 2019, but she’s also an especially wonderful interview. She speaks of her work with great passion, and also deeply cherishes memories of her most influential scenes partners — and she has many of them. Yes, Vince Vaughn is on that list, but there’s another member of the Bad Monkey ensemble who made an indelible impression on her as well.
Based on Carl Hiaasen’s bestselling novel, the Apple TV+ series Bad Monkey stars Vaughn as Andrew Yancy, a detective who got the boot from the Miami Police Department and sent to the Keys where he’s further demoted to a health inspector. However, when a human arm is fished out of the water in the area, Yancy can’t help himself; he’s got to prove that this individual’s death was no accident, but rather, a murder. Trouble is, he no longer has the resources and support to crack the case, and must sort through a string of unusual personalities to find answers. Complicating matters further for Yancy is Monaghan’s character, Bonnie, a mysterious woman he had an affair with and keeps coming back to.
In celebration of Bad Monkey’s August 14 debut on Apple TV+, Monaghan returned to Ladies Night to dig into her collaboration with Vaughn and a few other past co-stars who heavily contributed to Monaghan’s confidence in her craft and goals for the future.
00:00 Dicey Questions 04:09 Introduction 04:56 Steel Magnolias, A Woman Under the Influence 06:11 Trucker 08:38 Robert Downey Jr. 10:29 Studying Journalism 14:58 Acting Techniques 17:59 Aaron Paul & Vince Vaughn 21:46 MaXXXine 26:27 The White Lotus Season 3 31:17 Bad Monkey 37:24 What Is Michelle Proud Of?
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL twitter.com/collider instagram.com/collider facebook.com/colliderHazbin Hotel Interview: Is Alastor Redeemable? Heres Amir Talais TakeCollider Ladies Night2024-08-15 | There’s no doubt that every single main character in Hazbin Hotel is a fan favorite. They’re all voiced by hugely talented individuals, rock wildly creative designs and personalities, and also well reflect a variety of shockingly relatable ideas and experiences. But, there’s no denying that there might be a little extra love out there for Amir Talai’s Alastor. It’s simply too much fun watching, and often rooting for, such a dangerous character, especially when that character is powered by such a deliciously sinister voice performance.
For those out there who’ve yet to watch Hazbin Hotel Season 1 on Prime Video, what are you waiting for? It rocks an 80% on the Tomatometer and an 87% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, it was the largest global debut for a new animated series on Prime Video, and trust me when I tell you, once you hear the show’s original music, you’ll be eager to take Hazbin with you everywhere you go. The show comes from the mind of one of the most exciting voices in animation right now — Vivienne Medrano. After developing certain characters, including Alastor, for much of her life, Medrano independently produced a Hazbin Hotel pilot that currently has 112 million views on YouTube. From there, A24 swooped in and teamed with Prime Video to turn the YouTube hit into a full-fledged series. Now, not only is Hazbin Hotel Season 2 in the works, but Prime Video has also ordered Seasons 3 and 4 as well.
The animated musical takes place in Hell where Erika Henningsen’s Charlie Morningstar is determined to help sinners earn forgiveness and gain access to Heaven. How does she go about doing that? By creating a hotel for rehabilitation called the Hazbin Hotel. The trouble is, very few believe in her idea. The hotel has a mere seven residents - Charlie, Vaggie (Stephanie Beatriz), Husk (Keith David), Niffty (Kimiko Glenn), Sir Pentious (Alex Brightman), Angel Dust (Blake Roman) and Talai’s Alastor. But can Alastor be trusted? While he seems loyal to Charlie and her cause, Alastor is an Overlord of Hell who’s in the midst of a power struggle. That begs the question, are his intentions pure or is he scheming behind the scenes?
During his Collider Forces interview, Talai recapped his journey in the industry thus far from his earliest acting inspirations to appearing on popular shows like American Horror Story and Ghosts, and ultimately scoring the role of a lifetime with Hazbin Hotel.
00:00 Introduction 01:20 Dicey Questions: Fan Art 05:50 Dicey Questions: Horror 11:19 Dicey Questions: Hazbin Live Show? 14:56 Dicey Questions: Audition High & Low 20:29 Early Acting Inspirations 22:04 College 24:25 First 5 Years Acting 25:34 Are More Doors Opening? 27:38 Campus Ladies 31:13 The Sims: Hot Date 33:06 American Horror Story 35:06 Ghosts 38:51 Hazbin Hotel: Audition 43:10 Hazbin Hotel: Finding Alastor 44:36 Hazbin Hotel: Evil Laughs 46:22 Hazbin Hotel: Songs 49:13 Hazbin Hotel: Is Alastor Redeemable? 52:03 Hazbin Hotel Season 2: 58:55 What Is Amir Most Proud Of?
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL twitter.com/collider instagram.com/collider facebook.com/colliderMelissa Barrera, Erika Henningsen & Katy OBrian: FULL San Diego Comic-Con PanelCollider Ladies Night2024-08-03 | We did it. We hosted our very first Collider Ladies Night live panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2024 and it went swimmingly in large part thanks to panelists Melissa Barrera, Erika Henningsen, and Katy O’Brian. Not only did the trio come to play when it came to using our comically large die for Dicey Questions, but they also didn’t hold back when dishing out real talk about the reality of being a working actor in film, television and theater.
All three have seen their stars soar especially high in recent years. Barrera has become a certified beloved scream queen via her work in the Scream franchise and Abigail, but she’s also an artist of great range, a skill she shows off big time in the stellar upcoming genre mash-up, Your Monster, which arrives in theaters just in time for Halloween on October 25th. Henningsen is a musical theater powerhouse. After originating the role of Cady Heron in Mean Girls the musical on Broadway, she scored a one-in-a-million opportunity. She voices the lead character in Hazbin Hotel, a series that posted the largest global debut for a new animated series on Prime Video and has amassed a wonderfully rabid fanbase since. Then there’s O’Brian who’s racked up a number of huge credits in a very short period of time. (And there’s no doubt there will be many more to come.) After appearing in the MCU and in the Star Wars series, The Mandalorian, she stars in what’s now one of the biggest box office hits of the year, Twisters.
Clearly there’s a whole lot to celebrate here but just as important as honoring all of the highs is acknowledging the journey one experienced to get them. During our hour-long Collider Ladies Night panel at San Diego Comic-Con in front of a 4,900-seat crowd, Barrera, Henningsen, and O’Brian took the time to peel back the curtain and offer unparalleled insight into what it takes to build a career as an actor.
00:00 Introduction 04:39 Dicey Questions 11:14 How to Become an Actor 14:11 Melissa: Going from Mexico to Hollywood 17:25 Erika: Going from Broadway to TV 21:14 Katy: The Pressure of Franchises 24:41 Having a "Meaningful Voice" in Hollywood 32:57 Twisters 37:09 Your Monster 48:50 Hazbin Hotel 53:08 Audience Dicey Questions 56:43 Outro
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL twitter.com/collider instagram.com/collider facebook.com/colliderThe Boys Season 4 Interview: Karen Fukuhara on That Ending for Kimiko & FrenchieCollider Ladies Night2024-07-18 | The Boys star Karen Fukuhara is a wonderful interview for a number of reasons. She’s a lovely person with a deep passion for her craft who’s got some stellar work to discuss. But, there’s another reason she’s such a treat to chat with. She’s got maximum respect for the press process because she once was a journalist herself — an entertainment journalist, in fact! While she’s clearly veered aware from that sector of the industry, her work in that realm has made a lasting impression so now, not only is she delivering big on screen, but she’s an ace at promoting that work too, so it was a true joy to get to welcome her to Collider Ladies Night in celebration of the Season 4 finale of The Boys.
Fukuhara’s Kimiko has come a long way in the hit Prime Video series. She was introduced in Season 1 as a feral supe who’s especially violent. But fortunately, Tomer Capone’s Frenchie sees more in her, an inner truth that, with some warmth and kindness, could help her emerge from past trauma, find community, and become one of the most valuable components of The Boys in the process. Four seasons later, Kimiko remains a deadly force to be reckoned with, but one with a massive beating heart determined to do whatever it takes to keep her friends safe and make the world a better place by taking down Homelander (Antony Starr) and Vought.
With The Boys Season 4 finale now available to watch on Prime Video, Fukuhara took the time to swing by the Collider Ladies Night studio for a lengthy chat recounting how she went from an aspiring journalist to becoming an actor in one of the hottest shows running right now.
00:00 Dicey Questions 09:55 Introduction 10:41 Disney’s Movie Surfers 15:47 Finding the Courage to Act 25:47 Suicide Squad 31:06 The Wait Between Suicide Squad & The Boys 35:04 The Boys 47:33 The Boys Season 4 Finale 52:18 What Is Karen Most Proud Of?
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL twitter.com/collider instagram.com/collider facebook.com/colliderMaika Monroe Interview: Making Longlegs & It Follows 2 DetailsCollider Ladies Night2024-07-12 | I hope you’re ready for a one-two punch of horror icons on Collider Ladies Night. Last week we put the spotlight on Mia Goth for the release of MaXXXine, and now we’ve got Longlegs headliner Maika Monroe who is, hands down, one of the most exciting voices in the horror space right now — and has been for a decade.
It Follows completely changed the game for Monroe in 2014. The David Robert Mitchell-written and directed film featured a brilliant concept that was expertly executed, putting the project on the path to becoming a modern horror classic. That wasn’t the only 2014 release Monroe had that earned such high honors. She also starred in Simon Barrett and Adam Wingard’s The Guest, yet another beloved film festival gem that went on to be hailed as top-tier horror by the masses. And Monroe has not stopped excelling in the genre since. She consistently works with directing visionaries with bold and ambitious ideas, ideas that give Monroe opportunities to push boundaries in horror storytelling and challenge herself as an actor in that space. Not only is her latest in that department a big winner in every respect on screen, but the quality of the work seems to be paying off significantly. Longlegs is already setting records for its distributor, Neon, and is poised to take in $14 - $17 million for its debut weekend.
Monroe leads Longlegs as Lee Harker, a new FBI agent who finds herself working on an especially gruesome case. Given her unusually adept perception, FBI veteran Agent Carter (Blair Underwood) recruits Lee to help him track down a serial killer with ties to the occult.
In celebration of Longlegs’ nationwide release, Monroe swung by for a Collider Ladies Night interview to dig into how she carved out the perfect place for herself in Hollywood.
00:00 Dicey Questions 05:54 Introduction 07:10 One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest 08:54 Leaving Kiteboarding for Acting 10:20 Acting Advice 12:54 It Follows 15:50 Independence Day: Resurgence & The 5th Wave 19:09 Nick Robinson & Nicolas Cage 21:08 Music & Prep Process 22:20 Acting Coach 24:38 Finding Her Voice on Set & Producing 27:04 Horror Directors 27:58 Oz Perkins 28:46 Self Care While Making Horror Movies 30:20 Longlegs 41:54 They Follow 45:23 What’s Maika Most Proud Of?
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL twitter.com/collider instagram.com/collider facebook.com/colliderMia Goth Interview: Being a Scream Queen & Working Mom - MaXXXineCollider Ladies Night2024-07-05 | A lot has changed for Mia Goth since the release of X in March 2022. She’s seen her star skyrocket. After a steady stream of impressive supporting credits in films like The Survivalist, A Cure for Wellness, Suspiria, and more, X finally got Goth her very first lead role in a feature film. Now, thanks to the X franchise, she’s headlined three — X, Pearl and MaXXXine — and the industry’s taken notice. Not only does she have two highly anticipated new projects on the way in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein and the long-awaited Blade film with Mahershala Ali, but she’s essentially living Maxine Minx’s dream. She’s a certified Hollywood star and, finally, everyone knows her name.
In the third, but maybe not final installment of the X trilogy, Goth returns as Maxine Minx. Maxine is the sole survivor of the 1979 farm bloodbath in Texas, and now she’s busy trying to make it in Hollywood in 1985. Maxine has stuck with the adult film industry and found a good deal of success there, but she’s eagerly awaiting her chance to show off her acting chops on the big screen, and she finally gets that chance thanks to director Elizabeth Bender (Elizabeth Debicki) who casts her as the lead in the horror film The Puritan 2. Maxine’s eager to give the project everything she’s got and become a star, but a distraction comes in the form of a serial killer who strikes a little too close to home.
With MaXXXine now playing in theaters nationwide, Goth took the time to return to Collider Ladies Night and discuss how her career and craft have evolved since the making of X and Pearl, and how becoming a mother has changed her approach to the work as well.
00:00 Dicey Questions 04:15 Introduction 05:39 Evolution of Mia’s Acting 07:34 Nymphomaniac 08:33 Thinking vs. Feeling as an Actor 10:21 Is Mia Getting More Lead Roles Now? 11:59 What Does It Mean to Be a “Scream Queen”? 14:20 MaXXXine 21:18 Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein 22:59 What Is Mia Most Proud Of?
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL twitter.com/collider instagram.com/collider facebook.com/colliderMaXXXine Interview: Elizabeth Debicki on the Joys of Working with Mia Goth & Ti WestCollider Ladies Night2024-06-29 | MaXXXine may be the third film in a downright wild and blood-soaked horror series, but given the fact that the trilogy heavily pays homage to the evolution of cinema, there’s an abundance of very real connections one can make between the state of the industry depicted in these films and where things truly are at present. In fact, there’s one especially prominent one for Primetime Emmy nominee Elizabeth Debicki. In MaXXXine, she plays the only film director willing to take a chance on Mia Goth’s title character. As Debicki explained during our Collider Ladies Night conversation, finding filmmakers who believe in you is of the utmost importance to making it in Hollywood.
After the events of X, MaXXXine follows Maxine Minx to Hollywood in the 80s where she plans to become a star. Maxine is convinced she’s got the talent and determination to make it in the movies, but given her notoriety in the adult film realm, getting her big break has been impossible — until she meets Debicki’s character, Elizabeth Bender. Even though the producers of Elizabeth’s new movie would rather not have Maxine headlining the film, Elizabeth believes in her and insists on giving her the opportunity.
While many might be quick to highlight Baz Luhrmann as the person who took a chance on Debicki and sent her star soaring with The Great Gatsby, Debicki herself insists he’s not the only one. Yes, Luhrmann did give her her first lead role in a feature film, but Debicki insists directors taking a chance on actors never ends. “Yeah, you need to be good at your job, but it's also a real combination of timing and people believing in you enough to give you the job.”
#maxxxine #interview #actor #acting #a24
00:00 Dicey Questions 07:10 Introduction 07:47 Discovering the Dream to Act 10:06 Drama School 13:56 The Great Gatsby 15:55 The Maids with Cate Blanchett & Isabelle Huppert 17:08 The Night Manager 21:10 Ti West 22:36 Marvel 26:36 Having a Meaningful Voice in Hollywood 30:06 Overcoming Industry Hurdles 31:18 This Blue Is Mine 32:21 The First Filmmakers to Believe in Her 36:12 MaXXXine 41:21 What’s Elizabeth Most Proud Of?
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL twitter.com/collider instagram.com/collider facebook.com/colliderKaya Scodelario Interview: From Skins to Netflixs The GentlemenCollider Ladies Night2024-06-24 | Getting a breakout role in film and television is the dream for many aspiring actors, but just as important are the projects one chooses to take after that breakout gig. Given the business’ habit of boxing artists into the first thing the world sees them do well, it can be a great challenge to amass a diverse body of work. How does one steer clear of those limitations and carve a path forward with volume and diversity? Perhaps by taking a cue from Kaya Scodelario.
Scodelario’s star began to soar via her work as Effy Stonem in the hit British teen series, Skins. After doing four seasons of the show, Scodelario began to pick up other television and film credits, credits ranging from Hollywood blockbusters like 2010’s Clash of the Titans to Andrea Arnold’s Wuthering Heights, which celebrated its big debut at the 2011 Venice Film Festival before going on to other top tier fests like the Toronto International Film Festival and Sundance.
Over a decade later, Scodelario still enjoys a vast range of work. She headlined the 2019 horror gem Crawl, jumped into a popular game franchise with Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, and then did the Christmas romantic comedy, This Is Christmas. Yet another vastly different standout credit on her resume? The new Guy Ritchie Netflix series, The Gentlemen, a kinetic crime comedy that's enjoying a good deal of Emmy buzz this season.
Inspired by Ritchie’s 2019 film, The Gentlemen series stars Theo James as Edward Horniman. After his father passes, Eddie inherits the family estate and becomes Duke of Halstead. As if all that isn’t enough to process, Eddie is soon made aware that his father secretly made an arrangement with Bobby Glass’ (Ray Winstone) weed empire. If Eddie continues to let them grow their product below ground on his property, he'll get large sums of money in return, money Eddie needs given the state of the family farm and his brother’s (Daniel Ings) habit of accumulating massive debts with dangerous figures. The person in charge of this weed empire while Bobby is in prison? His daughter, Scodelario’s Susie Glass.
In celebration of The Gentlemen’s successful Season 1 run, Scodelario joined me for an episode of Collider Ladies Night to retrace her steps from breaking out via Skins to starring in an acclaimed Guy Ritchie production.
00:00 Dicey Questions 05:50 Introduction 07:19 Discovering Her Interest in Acting 08:29 Still Not Feeling Like She “Made It” 10:18 Something Disappointing About the Film Industry 11:33 Something Promising About the Film Industry 12:34 Protecting Susie Glass 14:43 Picking Projects After Skins 18:34 The Maze Runner 20:54 The Gentlemen 28:08 The Gentlemen Season 2 30:08 What Is Kaya Most Proud Of?
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL twitter.com/collider instagram.com/collider facebook.com/colliderMelissa Benoist Interview: From Glee & Supergirl to The Girls on the BusCollider Ladies Night2024-06-19 | Melissa Benoist stepped into the Hollywood spotlight in a big way via Glee. Then she cemented herself as a bonafide star and headliner with Supergirl. Now she continues to broaden her range and her industry skill set by starring in and producing the hugely entertaining political drama, The Girls on the Bus.
Created by Amy Chozick and Julie Plec, The Girls on the Bus is inspired by Chozick's memoir, Chasing Hillary. It follows four female journalists played by Benoist, Carla Gugino, Christina Elmore and Natasha Behnam, who are on the campaign trail with aspiring presidential candidates. They all have vastly different backgrounds and goals, but find themselves supporting one another as they navigate career pressures, personal challenges, and frustrations with flawed presidential hopefuls.
As Collider’s Taylor Gates noted in her review, “[Girls on the Bus] handles serious topics, from sexism and racism to abortion and corruption, in a way that feels both raw and palatable while never taking away from the show’s watchability and enjoyability,” and I must agree. Powered by its perfectly assembled core four and their infectious charm, Girls on the Bus quickly earned my investment and heart. Given that, it’ll probably come as no surprise that the show’s cancellation was a massive disappointment. However, that’s not stopping Benoist from celebrating what she and the team achieved.
Benoist took the time to join me for a Collider Ladies Night conversation to recap her road to Girls on the Bus, to discuss her collaboration with her three top-tier co-stars, and to explain why the show’s cancellation will have zero impact on how she looks back on the experience of making it and the final product she and the team produced.
00:00 Dicey Questions 05:48 Introduction 06:14 Early Inspirations 08:35 Moving to New York City 11:09 Studying Acting in School 15:54 “Breaking Out” via Glee 17:47 Going from Glee to Supergirl 20:13 Supergirl Advice 21:24 Broadway 23:15 Producing 24:39 Speaking Up on Set 27:12 The Girls on the Bus
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL twitter.com/collider instagram.com/collider facebook.com/colliderHouse of the Dragon: Eve Best Is Most Proud of Rhaenys Final Scene of the SeasonCollider Ladies Night2024-06-15 | Eve Best is an acting ace. She’s got loads of impressive screen credits to her name and is a theater legend with two Tony Award nominations, a Drama Desk Award win and a Laurence Olivier Award win as well. Now she’s an absolute force on HBO’s House of the Dragon. It probably goes without saying, she’s always been a dream guest for Collider Ladies Night, but a recent Ladies Night guest skyrocketed Best to being a top priority. While chatting with Jessica Gunning for Baby Reindeer, a performance that appears to have put her on the path to snagging an Emmy nomination, Gunning pinpointed an actor who made a major impression on her during the early days of her career. That actor? Eve Best. Soon after chatting with Gunning, interview opportunities for House of the Dragon Season 2 popped up, and I jumped on it.
Best plays Rhaenys, the Queen Who Never Was, in the Game of Thrones prequel series. Despite having a number of qualities that’d make her an ideal leader, Rhaenys was passed over to succeed King Jaehaerys I for being a woman. She eventually comes to terms with the decision and attempts to serve Westeros valiantly as a dragon rider and as the wife of Lord Corlys Velaryon of Driftmark (Steve Toussaint). Despite Viserys (Paddy Considine) naming Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) his heir, Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney) takes the throne, solidifying the stark divide between the Greens, those who support Aegon, and the Blacks, those who continue to back Rhaenyra’s claim. As a member of Team Black, Rhaenys begins Season 2 doing what she can to keep her side safe while strategizing for all-out war.
With House of the Dragon Season 2 kicking off its highly anticipated run on Sunday, June 16, I recently sat down with Best for a Ladies Night conversation to discuss how she’s honed her craft over the years, and Rhaenys’ approach to being a strong leader with war brewing in Westeros.
00:00 Dicey Questions 06:10 Introduction 06:31 Stockard Channing 10:33 Jessica Gunning | Live Theater 15:08 Roles That Scare Her 17:39 House of the Dragon
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL twitter.com/collider instagram.com/collider facebook.com/colliderAdria Arjona Interview: From Emerald City to Hit Man & Star WarsCollider Ladies Night2024-06-08 | Adria Arjona has been showing off her impeccable craft and great range for years now, but Hit Man might be one of her most impressive performances of the bunch. She isn’t playing a femme fatale in the film, rather, she’s playing a woman playing a femme fatale to better suit what she thinks her new beau wants to see in a potential partner — which is exactly what he’s doing to her. It's a mighty complicated concept that demands the most refined screenplay and deft performances.
Glen Powell headlines Richard Linklater’s Hit Man as the title character, in a sense. Powell’s Gary isn’t a hit man, but rather, a “hit man.” He’s a college professor who moonlights for the New Orleans Police Department by posing as a hit man in attempt to catch people trying to off an enemy. It turns out, Gary is quite good at the gig, effortlessly adapting his image to the type of hit man he thinks his target would best respond to. However, one target throws him for a loop — Arjona’s Madison. Madison is struggling with an abusive husband and sees no way out, so tries to hire Gary, posing as Ron, to kill him. Trouble is, Gary winds up falling for Madison, and she winds up falling for him, too — but as Ron.
Hit Man is an utterly delightful and hugely entertaining neo-noir, one that required maximum precision to pull off. Powell isn’t the only one playing a person putting on a persona in the film. So is Arjona. Pulling off such a performance in a way that holds tight to the grounded challenges that put their characters in these positions is no easy task, but Arjona excels tackling the challenge. While Madison was likely a strong character on the page, there's no doubt that Arjona's work is what makes her soar.
How’d Arjona acquire the skill set to genre jump, entertain and craft a deeply human character all at once? That’s exactly what we discussed during our Collider Ladies Night interview in celebration of the release of Hit Man, which is now available to stream on Netflix.
00:00 Dicey Questions 06:07 Introduction 07:18 Early Inspirations 09:37 Studying Method Acting at Lee Strasberg 11:36 True Detective 13:19 Emerald City 16:43 Pacific Rim Uprising 19:36 Andor Season 2 21:55 Hit Man 25:50 Hit Man Spoilers 28:56 What Adria Is Most Proud Of
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL twitter.com/collider instagram.com/collider facebook.com/colliderHazbin Hotel Interview: Erika Henningsen on Playing Charlie (& Being Charlie)Collider Ladies Night2024-05-25 | There’s a multitude of reasons why Hazbin Hotel became Prime Video’s largest global debut for a new animated series. An especially big one, however? That voice cast. Creator Vivienne Medrano and her team hit it big casting every single character in the show, but there’s one in particular that’s a staggeringly perfect match; Erika Henningsen is Charlie Morningstar.
Hazbin Hotel is largely set in Hell where Henningsen’s Charlie, the daughter of Lucifer (voiced by Jeremy Jordan), is fed up with Heaven’s treatment of the souls in Hell. Due to overpopulation, once a year, an army of angels led by Adam (Alex Brightman) swoop down from Heaven and exterminate as many sinners as possible. In an effort to save her people and give them the second chance she thinks they deserve, Charlie creates the Hazbin Hotel, a place where sinners can be rehabilitated and then ascend to Heaven.
In celebration of Hazbin Hotel Season 1’s epic run on Prime Video, a run that sparked an enormous diehard fanbase and deserves some serious Emmy season love, Henningsen joined me for a Collider Ladies Night chat to revisit her road to Hazbin, to discuss her experience bringing Charlie to screen, and to tease what the future holds for the character.
00:00 Dicey Questions 08:25 Introduction 10:09 The Lion King 12:34 Does Erika Know How Talented She Is? 15:23 Fake Sneeze or Fake Vomit? 17:03 Studying at University of Michigan 21:42 Les Misérables 24:53 Mean Girls 27:33 Hazbin Hotel Season 1 41:34 Hazbin Hotel Season 2 45:21 What Is Erika Most Proud Of? 48:07 Extra Dicey Question!
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL twitter.com/collider instagram.com/collider facebook.com/colliderHow Many Hazbin Hotel Seasons Will We Get?Collider Ladies Night2024-05-22 | While celebrating Hazbin Hotel on Collider Ladies Night, creator Vivienne Medrano said she wouldn’t mind seeing the show run for six seasons, like her favorite show of all time, BoJack Horseman. “My favorite show went to six, so six would be cool!” However, she also noted, “The real answer is as many as they’ll give me, forever — forever and ever because there could always be more.” Given the monumental success of Hazbin Hotel Season 1, I’m a big believer Prime Video and A24 should defer to Medrano on this one, and give her whatever she wants!
Hazbin Hotel is something Medrano’s been working on since middle school. After years of honing the characters, she created an independently made pilot episode, after which A24 swooped in to help turn it into a series that Prime Video distributed in January 2024. Not only did the show premiere to glowing reviews, but it also became Prime Video’s largest global debut for a new animated series. But, perhaps most impressive of all was the fervent fanbase the show quickly amassed. Yes, Medrano and Hazbin already had quite the following via the pilot, which crossed 100 million views on YouTube in February, but the debut of Hazbin Hotel Season 1 on Prime Video undoubtedly increased that following exponentially.
The show puts the spotlight on Charlie Morningstar (voiced by Erika Henningsen), the princess of Hell. Due to overpopulation in Hell, angels swoop down from Heaven once a year to conduct a purge, wiping out as many sinners as possible. Charlie’s had enough of seeing her people perish and strives to change the system via her Hazbin Hotel, a hotel designed to rehabilitate sinners and get them into Heaven. Not only is Hazbin Hotel brimming with curious characters, wildly creative world-building and thematic heft, but it’s also a musical — and every single song on its soundtrack is a true banger.
The competition in the Animated Program category at the Emmys is fierce courtesy of iconic long-running series like The Simpsons and Bob’s Burgers, and new standout programs like X-Men ’97, but given the quality of Hazbin Hotel and the colossal passionate fanbase it's ignited, it deserves to be in the mix.
How exactly does one get from middle school doodles to spearheading an Emmy-worthy animated musical? That’s exactly what I covered with Medrano on her episode of Collider Ladies Night!
00:00 Dicey Questions 05:20 Introduction 07:25 Discovering the Dream to Work in Animation 10:56 Finding Her Animation Style 13:24 What Does “Making It” Mean? 15:29 Studying in College 21:07 Developing the Hazbin Characters 23:31 From Hazbin Pilot to Series 25:28 Working with A24 27:48 Prime Video Release Pressure 30:05 Finding the Right Voice Actors 36:35 Helluva Boss Ties & The Living World 39:06 What Happens When Demons Die? 39:31 What Did the Hazbin Characters Do That Landed Them in Hell? 39:58 Razzle, Dazzle, Keene & Fat Nuggets 41:39 Can Any Hazbin Character NOT Be Redeemed? 43:04 Why Send Sir Pentious to Heaven? 44:52 Hazbin Hotel Season 2 47:45 How Many Hazbin Hotel Season? 49:05 What Medrano Is Most Proud Of in Hazbin Hotel
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL twitter.com/collider instagram.com/collider facebook.com/colliderFallout Interview: Xelia Mendes-Jones on Danes Backstory & Season 2 GoalsCollider Ladies Night2024-05-18 | If you’ve seen The Wheel of Time and Fallout, there’s a good chance we had a similar viewing experience. The entire Wheel of Time ensemble is fantastic, but Season 2, which dropped on Prime Video from September 1 to October 6, brought in a new standout character, Renna, the Seanchan sul’dam responsible for making it an especially dark season for Madeleine Madden’s Egwene. As terrible as Renna is, you can’t take your eyes off her, and the credit for that goes to the actor in the role — Hollywood newcomer Xelia Mendes-Jones.
Cut to April 2024. Fallout hits Prime Video and becomes an instant sensation. The majority of the season puts the spotlight on Ella Purnell, Walton Goggins, and Aaron Moten, all of whom give powerhouse performances. With only eight episodes, a bunch of curious locations, a number of key factions to establish, and quite a few complex agendas unfolding, how does an actor with minimal screen time in just two episodes manage to make an impression? Ask Mendes-Jones, because that’s exactly what he does with his character, Dane, a member of the Brotherhood of Steel.
With screen presence like that, there’s no doubt in my mind Mendes-Jones’ star will continue to soar, so he instantly became a top priority guest for Collider Forces.
00:00 Introduction 00:51 Dicey Questions 08:11 Discovering the Dream to Act 10:25 Football vs. Acting 12:11 Studying at University 13:12 Carving His Own Path 15:45 Netflix’s Havoc 21:25 The Wheel of Time 30:40 Fallout
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL twitter.com/collider instagram.com/collider facebook.com/colliderBaby Reindeer Interview: Meet Martha Actor, Jessica GunningCollider Ladies Night2024-05-11 | We talk about the experience of “breaking out” in Hollywood a lot on Collider Ladies Night. There are many wonderful ways to have that moment in film and television, but Jessica Gunning has seen her star soar in an especially exciting way over the last month courtesy of the popularity of Netflix’s Baby Reindeer.
Based on his own personal experience which he adapted into an award-winning Edinburgh Fringe one-man play, the Richard Gadd-created series stars Gunning as Martha, Donny Dunn’s (Gadd) stalker. What Donny thinks is just a simple act of kindness, offering Martha a free cup of tea on a tough day, winds up being a life-changing exchange as she wedges her way into just about every part of his life. Not only does the relationship turn Donny’s day-to-day on its head, but the experience also challenges him to address some long-buried trauma.
Baby Reindeer isn’t some massive production with a significant monthslong promotional campaign behind it. It’s something that caught on in a big way, seemingly out of the blue, simply because it’s an exquisitely crafted and incredibly well-acted piece. While Gunning isn’t new to the industry by any means, the success of Baby Reindeer has instantly turned her into a highly recognizable name, one earning a good deal of Emmy buzz at the moment, and it’s inspiring many to check out her other credits, films like 2014’s Pride and the ongoing Prime Video series, The Outlaws.
In celebration of this extremely well-deserved game-changing moment, I welcomed Gunning to Collider Ladies Night to revisit her road to Baby Reindeer, to break down the nuances of Martha, and to discuss what it’s like becoming a bonafide Emmy contender.
00:00 Dicey Questions 04:13 Introduction 04:47 Getting Into Acting 06:13 Studying in School 08:41 Pride 09:57 The Outlaws 11:46 Baby Reindeer Audition 13:33 Figuring Out Martha 16:46 Martha & Donny’s Relationship 18:10 Why Did Martha Go to the Bar? 19:03 What If Donny Never Gave Her the Cup of Tea? 20:13 Martha’s Physicality 21:52 Is Martha More Honest Than Dishonest? 24:19 Baby Reindeer Ending 26:32 Emmy Buzz 27:29 What Jessica Is Most Proud Of
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL twitter.com/collider instagram.com/collider facebook.com/colliderFreya Allan Interview: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes & The Witcher Season 4Collider Ladies Night2024-05-09 | No role is easy, but at just 22-years-old, Freya Allan has already had to do a considerable amount of heavy lifting playing characters in dire situations with the weight of the world on their shoulders. After comparing the pressure The Witcher’s Ciri is under to the challenges her Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes character, Mae, faces in the film, Allan laughed and said, “Clearly they look at me and go, 'Yeah, she’s got a lot going on. She’ll do the job.’” Allan may have been humble about it, but roles like Ciri and Mae could never soar without an actor capable of capturing and giving an audience access to their complex internal worlds.
In Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, Allan’s Mae finds herself forming an unexpected bond with Owen Teague’s ape character, Noa. It’s hundreds of years after the events of War for the Planet of the Apes. Apes are now the dominant species while humankind struggles to find safety. Given Noa’s grown up in the confines of his village and knows little of the outside world, he’s shocked when he encounters Mae and she isn’t some feral creature, but rather, a brave being of intelligence with wants and a drive that isn’t so different from his own.
With Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes arriving in theaters nationwide on May 10th, I got the chance to have a Collider Ladies Night conversation with Allan to recap her journey in the industry thus far, and to dig into her experience finding Mae and conveying her complicated contributions to paving the way to a brighter future for humankind.
00:00 Dicey Questions 03:43 Intro 04:05 Testament of Youth 05:30 What Did "Making It" Look Like? 06:10 She Wants to Work with A24 06:41 Allan Did Not Study Acting in School 09:34 Joaquin Phoenix, Learning to Love Rehearsal 11:39 The Witcher Audition 15:51 The Witcher Season 4 19:34 Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes 25:47 KOTPOTA SPOILERS 28:06 What's Allan Most Proud Of? 28:56 Outro
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL twitter.com/collider instagram.com/collider facebook.com/colliderMelissa Barreras Career Goals: Then vs. NowCollider Ladies Night2024-05-01 | Melissa Barrera recently became the very first Collider Ladies Night three-time guest! She first appeared on the show in January 2022 for Scream, then again in March 2023 for Scream VI, and then again just recently for the release of Abigail.
Even though there was just one short year in between each Collider Ladies Night interview, Barrera still managed to accomplish quite a bit during each gap, and those experiences impacted her priorities in Hollywood quite a bit.
Hear all about it in this video which tracks Barrera's career goals through the years from January 2022 to April 2024!
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL twitter.com/collider instagram.com/collider facebook.com/colliderElla Purnells Yellowjackets Theories: Would Jackie Have Forgiven Shauna?Collider Ladies Night2024-04-27 | Despite a slew of very thoughtful and creative theories that emerged after the Season 1 finale of Yellowjackets, Ella Purnell’s Jackie was indeed dead. But, even after her passing, Jackie’s presence was (and remained) strong in a number of ways. First off, of course, she fed her surviving teammates in Season 2, Episode 2, “Edible Complex.” On top of that, Jackie’s death sent Shauna (Sophie Nélisse) spiraling, and changed her forever. Not only did she just lose her best friend, but Shauna also contributed to paving the way to Jackie’s demise by sleeping with Jeff.
Given Jackie’s long gone, that means we’ll never get full clarity on one particular burning question; would Jackie ever have forgiven Shauna for what happened? Had she not frozen to death that night, could their friendship, or rather, sistership, ever be repaired?
While on Collider Ladies Night for the release of Fallout on Prime Video, Purnell indulged my Yellowjackets obsession to run through a few theory questions, one of which was, had Jackie survived, would she ever have forgiven Shauna? Find out what Purnell said in this Collider Ladies Night clip!
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL twitter.com/collider instagram.com/collider facebook.com/colliderChyler Leighs Emotional Discussion of Body Image & Self-AcceptanceCollider Ladies Night2024-04-24 | During a recent episode of Collider Ladies Night, host Perri Nemiroff posed a deeply introspective question to Chyler Leigh: "Nobody says good job to themselves nearly enough. I want to know something that you accomplished on The Way Home that you'll be able to look back on and say to yourself, 'Damn, I'm proud of what I did there.'" Leigh responded with a poignant and raw examination of her long-standing career and personal battles, offering a glimpse into the emotional landscape of her life in the limelight.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL twitter.com/collider instagram.com/collider facebook.com/colliderMelissa Barrera Is Happy with How Sams Story Ended In Scream 6Collider Ladies Night2024-04-20 | At the end of Scream VI, half-sisters Sam (Melissa Barrera) and Tara Carpenter (Jenna Ortega) walk away from yet another night of murderous madness after a trio of killers in Ghostface masks attempt to kill them. During her two-film arc, audiences watched as Sam grappled with the knowledge that she was the daughter of Scream’s (1996) original killer, Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich), with the storyline picking apart a sort of genetic stance on whether this connection meant that Sam was predisposed to have a thirst for blood. As Demi Lovato’s “Still Alive” begins to play, audiences witness Sam toss her father’s mask onto the concrete below, signifying that — even if others questioned it — she knew who she was.
Late last year, it was announced that Spyglass Media would be cutting ties with Barreradue to her pro-Palestinian stance, meaning that she wouldn’t be part of the already in-the-works Scream 7. The news came as a devastating blow to fans who had gotten to know and cherish Barrera’s character during the last two films. During an interview with Collider’s Perri Nemiroff for an installment of Nemiroff’s Ladies Night, she asked Barrera if the actress felt like Sam’s storyline was properly wrapped up and whether she carries a sense of closure now that her run with the franchise has come to an end.
During her chat with Nemiroff, Barrera confirmed that she’s feeling good about how things came to a close (albeit prematurely) with her character.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL twitter.com/collider instagram.com/collider facebook.com/colliderFallout Renewed for Season 2 on Prime VideoCollider Ladies Night2024-04-19 | On today’s episode of Collider Dailies, Perri and Maggie weigh in on Fallout’s Season 2 renewal. Season 1 of the hit series is now available to watch on Prime Video. It stars Ella Purnell, Aaron Moten and Walton Goggins.
After that, they each offer up a weekend recommendation, and then the full Collider Dailies team unites for a final thank you and sendoff.
To everyone out there who’s been supporting Collider Dailies during it’s run, thank you for loving and celebrating film and television with us!
#fallout #primevideo #abigail #movie #tvQuentin Tarantino’s The Movie Critic CanceledCollider Ladies Night2024-04-18 | On today’s episode of Collider Dailies, Perri and Steve share their thoughts on Quentin Tarantino calling off plans to make The Movie Critic. He still plans to call his 10th film his last, but that film will now be something different.
From there they weigh in on Zack Snyder’s recent comments suggesting he could make a total of “four or six” Rebel Moon movies. Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver is due out on Netflix on Friday, April 19th.
And then finally, they do a Trap trailer reaction. The movie is the latest from M. Night Shyamalan. It's about a father and teen daughter who attend a pop concert, where they realize they’re at the center of a dark and sinister event. Trap stars Josh Hartnett, Ariel Donoghue, Saleka Shyamalan, Hayley Mills and Allison Pill. It's due out in theaters on August 9th.
All of that with Steve and Perri on today’s Collider Dailies!
#quentintarantino #zacksnyder #rebelmoon #trap #mnightshyamalanMelissa Barrera Interview: Her Big Career Goals After Leaving Scream - Im Here to StayCollider Ladies Night2024-04-17 | Welcome to a very special edition of Collider Ladies Night. Not only does this episode feature a personal favorite, but that favorite just became the first Ladies Night third-timer — Melissa Barrera. It was immediately evident that Barrera is an ideal Ladies Night guest during our first chat in January 2022 for Scream, one brimming with enthusiasm and passion for her craft, and for the art of filmmaking in general. That became even more undeniable after connecting at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival for Carmen’s world premiere, and then again in March 2023 for a second Ladies Night in celebration of the release of Scream VI.
One of the greatest joys of having two Ladies Night conversations a mere year apart with Barrera? Seeing how much she manages to accomplish in that short span, and hearing about how deeply she considers those experiences and how that impacts her goals and perspective on the industry going forward. At that point, making the independent feature, Your Monster, which just premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, heavily influenced her priorities for herself in filmmaking. In March 2023 she explained, “I had a mentality of like, I need to do something big to make a splash and to make a name for myself so that I can green light projects.” However, after working on Your Monster and also The Collaboration, that switched to, “I just want to do projects that speak to my soul and that stretch me.”
Perspective shifts happen often, and should. What good are our experiences if we don’t grow and learn from them? Barrera, however, powered through a rather seismic one since our last Collider Ladies Night interview after she was shockingly fired from Scream 7 due to social media posts regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. During this new Ladies Night interview, Barrera detailed how that and other recent experiences in Hollywood have heavily impacted her understanding of what she’s here to do. From there we lean into yet another new release that solidifies Barrera as a horror genre powerhouse, and bonafide movie star, her latest collaboration with Radio Silence, Abigail.
00:00 Dicey Questions 07:29 Intro 08:35 Melissa’s New Career Goals 11:46 What She Looks for in a Director 15:22 Lessons Learned from Film Festivals 23:50 Her Newfound Love for Social Media 26:00 Having Opinions on Sets 29:53 Finding a Publicist 34:32 Scream 37:13 What Does “Moving Forward” Mean? 38:54 Abigail
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL twitter.com/collider instagram.com/collider facebook.com/colliderAriana Greenblatt, Justice Smith and Dominic Sessa Join Now You See Me 3Collider Ladies Night2024-04-17 | On today’s Collider Dailies, John and Perri talk about the news that Ariana Greenblatt has joined the cast of the upcoming Now You See Me 3, adding to her already impressive list of recent roles, including Barbie, Ahsoka, and Borderlands.
She will be working alongside additional newcomers to the series Justice Smith and Dominic Sessa, as well as original cast members Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco and Morgan Freeman.
Then, Perri will review Abigail, the latest horror film from Radio Silence starring Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens, Kathryn Newton, Angus Cloud, Giancarlo Esposito, and Kevin Durand, that hits theaters this friday.
All this and more on Collider Dailies!
#nowyouseeme3 #arianagreenblatt #justicesmith #abigail #reviewIs It Too Late For A #ShangChi Sequel?Collider Ladies Night2024-04-16 | On today's Collider Dailies, John Aljets and Mike Thomas spoke about the recent news from Simu Liu that Shang-Chi 2 is definitely still on the way. John and Mike debated whether too much time had passed between the first Shang-Chi film, and speculated on the soonest we could see the sequel, and where they imagined the future of the character within the MCU was going.
#simuliu #shangchi #mcu #marvel #shortsKeanu Reeves is Shadow in Sonic the Hedgehog 3Collider Ladies Night2024-04-16 | On today’s Collider Dailies, John and Mike talk about the news that Keanu Reeves is going to be voicing everyone's favorite edgy hedgehog in the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 3. How much will his role as the gun-toting John Wick help him portray this genetically engineered rodent with a chip on his shoulder?
Then, They'll touch upon Simu Liu reassuring fans that Shang-Chi is actually getting a sequel, after Marvel has been largely radio silent about the project.
They'll also discuss X-Men '97 directors Chase Conley and Emi Yonemura's desire to be a part of the MCU's first live-action adaption of the X-Men.
All this and more on Collider Dailies!
#sonicthehedgehog #keanureeves #shangchi #xmen97 #mcuDo We Need A #JusticeLeague 2 and 3?Collider Ladies Night2024-04-16 | On today's Collider Dailies John Aljets and Maggie Lovitt spoke about the recent quote from Zack Snyder saying he would be interested in creating animated sequels to his Justice League movie. John and Maggie discussed whether this was something we really needed as fans, or whether everyone should move on and see what James Gunn will be bringing us with the new DCU.
#justiceleague #warnerbrothers #dc #zacksnyder #shortsDeadpool & Wolverine Is Not Deadpool 3 According to Shawn LevyCollider Ladies Night2024-04-15 | On today’s Collider Dailies, John and Maggie take a look back at the most recent weekend's box office performances, and run down the numbers and milestones. How did Alex Garland's Civil War do during it's opening weekend? Are previous box office leaders such as Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire still holding strong?
Then, They'll talk director Shawn Levy's recent statements regarding the upcoming MCU film Deadpool & Wolverine, including the idea that it isn't a direct sequel to Deadpool 2.
And they'll touch upon Zack Snyder wanting to finish up his original Justice League plan, perhaps via animation.
All this and more on Collider Dailies!
#boxoffice #deadpool #wolverine #zacksnyder #justiceleague#SpeakNoEvil Trailer: Does It Reveal Too Much?Collider Ladies Night2024-04-14 | On Friday's Collider Dailies, Perri Nemiroff and Maggie Lovitt spoke about the newly released trailer for the upcoming film Speak No Evil, which is a remake of a Danish film of the same name. Perri and Maggie both wonder whether the trailer potentially gives away too much of the story, or if their prior knowledge of the events of the film from having seen the original version is coloring their perception of it.
#speaknoevil #jamesmcavoy #universal #blumhouse #shortsElla Purnell Interview: Fallouts Lucy MacLean & Yellowjackets TheoriesCollider Ladies Night2024-04-13 | If you’re a frequent Collider Ladies Night viewer/reader/listener, you’re likely well aware of my Yellowjackets obsession. I’ve been lucky enough to welcome many Yellowjackets cast members to the show, including Christina Ricci and Jasmin Savoy Brown, but there’s a certain someone who I was extremely disappointed to have missed out on while she was on the show — Ella Purnell. However, the time has finally come. Not only did I get the opportunity to talk a little Yellowjackets with Purnell, but we also got to celebrate yet another exceptional show of hers, Prime Video’s Fallout.
Purnell plays Lucy in the series adaptation of the hugely popular Bethesda game. She’s a vault dweller living safe and sound in Vault 33. They’ve got food, water, and a kind community with a neighborly vibe. Above ground, however, it’s the exact opposite. 219 years since nuclear bombs decimated the surface, everyone else is just trying to survive in an apocalyptic wasteland with little to no rules or morals. In an effort to find her father (Kyle MacLachlan), Lucy opts to do the unthinkable, leave the comfort of sheltered vault life behind to venture out into the ruthless outside world.
In celebration of Fallout’s big debut on Prime Video, Purnell joined me for a Ladies Night conversation to recap her journey in film and television thus far, and discuss how her career priorities have changed over the years.
00:00 Dicey Questions 06:28 Introduction 07:07 Discovering She Wanted to Become an Actor 08:19 Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children 09:39 Her Favorite Tim Burton Movie 10:07 Playing Kiera Knightley, Angelina Jolie & Margot Robbie 11:37 Sweetbitter 12:55 Moving to New York 14:31 Finding the Power of Her Voice 17:41 Yellowjackets 23:22 Letting Go of the Need to Be Liked 26:53 Fallout
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL twitter.com/collider instagram.com/collider facebook.com/colliderFallout Season 1 Review: Worth Firing Up Your Pip-Boy For?Collider Ladies Night2024-04-12 | On today's Collider Dailies, Perri Nemiroff and Maggie Lovitt talked about the new Prime Video series Fallout, which premiered a day early with all episodes available to stream immediately!
Perri gave her spoiler-free review of the show, which is about how In a future, post-apocalyptic Los Angeles brought about by nuclear decimation, citizens must live in underground bunkers to protect themselves from radiation, mutants and bandits.
Fallout stars Ella Purnell, Walton Goggins, Kyle MacLachlan, Aaron Moten, and Moises Arias.
#fallout #primevideo #review #series #spoilerfreereviewBlumhouse Is Making a New Blair Witch Movie: Yay or Nay?Collider Ladies Night2024-04-12 | On today’s episode of Collider Dailies, Perri and Maggie share their thoughts on Jason Blum’s plan to make a new Blair Witch movie with Lionsgate. Can Blumhouse and Lionsgate recreate the magic of the 1999 original that helped spark the found footage craze?
After that, Perri does a Fallout Season 1 review. Does it mark yet another video game-to-series winner after the success of The Last of Us?
And then finally, Maggie and Perri weigh in on the Speak No Evil trailer. Can this new James Watkins-directed version starring James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Aisling Franciosi, and Scoot McNairy compare to the wildly disturbing and unforgettable Danish original?
Catch their thoughts on all of that on today's show!
#movie #film #speaknoevil #fallout #primevideo#XMen97: This Love Triangle Is InTENTs!Collider Ladies Night2024-04-12 | On Today's Collider Dailies, while discussing the latest episode of X-Men '97, John Aljets and Maggie Lovitt got to the most important point, and that is discussing of Rogue, Gambit and Magneto are in a Love Triangle, or, as it is apparently known in the fandom, a "Love Tent".
#xmen97 #xmen #marvel #ships #shortsX-Men 97 Episode 5 Recap: An Incident In Genosha!Collider Ladies Night2024-04-11 | WARNING: This video contains spoilers for X-Men '97 Episode 5!
On today's Collider Dailies, John Aljets and Maggie Lovitt recapped the most recent episode of X-Men '97, titled "Remember It". This episode was fraught with events that could potentially have far ranging implications should the events remain canon and unchanged, and John and Maggie discuss that, Love Triangles, and everything else!
X-Men '97 is releasing weekly on Wednesdays on Disney+.
#xmen97 #xmen #marvel #disneyplus #recapFive Nights at Freddy’s 2 Is Finally Confirmed to Be HappeningCollider Ladies Night2024-04-11 | On today’s Collider Dailies, John and Maggie talk about the news that a sequel to the successful Five Nights at Freddy's movie adaptation starring Josh Hutcherson and produced by Blumhouse and Universal Pictures, is officially happening.
Then, they'll talk about the superhero show Heroes getting a somewhat unexpected reboot in the not too distant future, and finally they'll take a look at the most recent episode of X-Men '97 and give their thoughts on all the biggest moments from this dramatic entry in the series.
All this and more on Collider Dailies!
#fnaf2 #joshhutcherson #blumhouse #heroes #xmen97#FNAF Sequel On The Way? Jason Blum Tweets A Major Tease For A Five Nights At Freddys SequelCollider Ladies Night2024-04-10 | On today's Collider Dailies, John Aljets and Nate Richard discussed a tweet from Jason Blum at the Jim Henson workshop, where a picture of something under construction has been catching keen-eyed fans of the Five Nights At Freddy's franchise's interest. A character named Mangle from the video game series seems to be under construction, which suggest we'll be seeing them in a follow-up film to the massively successful first outing of the franchise.
#fnaf #fivenightsatfreddys #blumhouse #manglefnaf #shortsFirst Joker: Folie à Deux Trailer Introduces Us to Harley QuinnCollider Ladies Night2024-04-10 | On today’s Collider Dailies, John and Nate give their thoughts on the first trailer for the Joker sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux, which gave us our first proper look at Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn, who is joining Joaquin Phoenix's Arthur Fleck in the musical sequel that is set to delve into the two character's shared mental illness.
Then, They'll talk about Kit Harrington's comment on Marvel's plan, or lack thereof, for his character Dane Whitman/the Black Knight, as well as Jason Blum's social media post that appears to have been teasing at a future Five Nights at Freddy's 2.
All this and more on Collider Dailies!
#joker2 #ladygaga #harleyquinn #mcu #fnaf2Lets Fancast a Live-Action X-Men 97!Collider Ladies Night2024-04-09 | On today’s Collider Dailies, Maggie and John continue to obsess over X-Men '97 in their own nerdy way, by coming up with their own fancastings of the main cast of characters for a hypothetical live-action version of the show!
All this and more on Collider Dailies!
#xmen97 #marvel #mcu #fancasting #mutantsGodzilla x Kong: The New Empire and Dune: Part Two Continue Box Office ReignCollider Ladies Night2024-04-08 | On today’s Collider Dailies, John and Maggie discuss the latest weekend box office numbers, as Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire and Dune: Part Two continue to reign supreme, as Monkey Man and The First Omen both debuted with modest numbers.
Then, They'll take a look at two trailers that were released earlier; Fly Me to the Moon and MaXXXine, and give their thoughts on them.