Black Panther director Ryan Coogler has officially confirmed that Denzel Washington will the cast of Black Panther 3, following Washington’s earlier revelation about his involvement in November 2024.

According to People, the confirmation came during Coogler’s recent appearance on the 7pm in Brooklyn podcast with host Carmelo Anthony, where the director discussed his long-standing desire to work with the Training Day star.

“Denzel is family at this point…I’ve been trying to work with him since day one,” Coogler said during the podcast. “I think he’s the greatest living actor, and in of what he means to our culture, forget about it. I’ve been talking to him about this for a long time.”

Washington’s projects and retirement plans revealed

The 70-year-old Washington had previously disclosed on Australian Today that Coogler was writing a specific part for him in the next Black Panther film. The actor also shared his plans to appear in Othello and King Lear before retiring from acting, expressing his desire to work with only the best filmmakers at this stage of his career.

Coogler itted being caught off guard by Washington’s public disclosure of their discussions but confirmed the truth behind the statement. The director has long ired Washington’s work, particularly his collaborations with Spike Lee, expressing excitement about their project together, Highest 2 Lowest, scheduled for release in August 2025.

The Black Panther franchise has seen significant success since its debut in January 2018, with the original film starring the late Chadwick Boseman, followed by Black Panther 2 in November 2022. The third installment is currently scheduled for release in February 2028, according to IMDb.

Meanwhile, Coogler’s latest directorial venture, Sinners, recently hit theaters, featuring his frequent collaborator Michael B. Jordan alongside Hailee Steinfeld and Miles Caton. The film tells the story of twin brothers facing evil upon returning to their hometown. Coogler shared an emotional moment about showing the film to his mentor Spike Lee, describing the experience as “surreal.”

We could be seeing Sadie Sink take the place of Zendaya in Spider-Man: Brand New Day as the Stranger Things star is rumored to be ing the MCU as a multiverse variant of none other than Gwen Stacy.

It’s been a tough few years for MCU Spider-Man fans. Can you believe it’s been nearly four whole years since we last saw Tom Holland’s web-slinging hero on the big screen? How the time flies. But at long last we’re seeing signs of life with Marvel gearing up for a fourth movie in 2026, and with the hype of a new Spidey instalment comes all the rumors and speculation we’re used to seeing.

The Sadie Sink rumor explored

The rumor has been attributed to Jeff Sneider, the same guy who claimed Robert Downey Jr. would be playing Doctor Doom two months before the announcement was made. If his source is right then that means we could be seeing Sink swing onto our screens as the new live-action Gwen Stacy.

While Sneider has proven himself to be reliable with leaks in the past he isn’t always spot on. Three months ago he was saying that Sink’s role in the MCU might be as an MJ variant. Prior to that he was claiming she was set to play Jean Grey. So let’s take what this guy says with a grain of salt. It certainly sounds like Sadie Sink will be appearing in the MCU in some capacity, but the exact details of her role are somewhat vague right now.

Fan reactions to the news ranged from excitement, with some saying she’s perfect for the role, to confusion, with one person noting that she has “been rumored so far to be playing 10 different characters.”

What does this mean for Zendaya?

We have plenty of questions about this casting of course. First of all, will Sink be playing regular Gwen Stacy or Spider-Gwen? If it’s the former then that would make her a potential love interest to Peter Parker. So what would that mean for Zendaya’s MJ? 

The truth is we just don’t know right now. It’s not even confirmed that this is 100% the role Sadie Sink will be playing in the Spider-Man film. In all honesty even if Sink does the cast as Gwen there will probably always be room for Zendaya/MJ. Her character is pretty much integral to every Spider-Man story and it’s hard to imagine Marvel giving us a Spider-Man story without Tom Holland and Zendaya. 

Let’s not forget the fact that the two are also engaged in real life making it even more unlikely that Marvel would keep them separate on-screen. Either way, it will be interesting to see how the dynamics of this iteration of Peter Parker and MJ shift with the potential addition of Gwen Stacy.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is poised for a significant shift in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. As the teaser trailer reveals, Baby Franklin Richards, a character often depicted as the most powerful in Marvel Comics, will appear.

This development raises questions about the future of Captain Marvel, another character often considered among the MCU’s most formidable heroes.

Baby Franklin: The MCU’s new powerhouse?

Franklin Richards, the son of Reed Richards (Mister Fantastic) and Sue Storm (Invisible Woman), possesses reality-warping abilities. Those include creating pocket universes and manipulating matter and energy on a cosmic scale. His powers have drawn the attention of cosmic entities like Galactus and the Celestials. Those baddies consider him on par with themselves, which says a lot.

In the film, Vanessa Kirby portrays Sue Storm, and early word suggests that Franklin’s birth and potential powers will be central to the plot. The introduction of a character with such immense capabilities could mean a new direction in the MCU’s power rankings.

Captain Marvel’s waning presence

Captain Marvel, portrayed by Brie Larson, was introduced as a major force in the MCU with her 2019 solo film, which grossed over $1.1 billion worldwide. However, her prominence has diminished in recent years. She was notably absent from several key MCU films and had a limited role in Avengers: Endgame.

The 2023 sequel, The Marvels, failed to replicate the success of its predecessor, earning just $206 million globally against a production budget of $374 million, making it the lowest-grossing film in the MCU. Factors contributing to its underperformance include a convoluted storyline only fans steeped in Disney+ MCU lore could understand, and limited promotional efforts due to industry strikes.

As for Larson, she’s noncommittal about her future in the MCU, stating she doesn’t “have anything to say” regarding projects. The Marvels’ poor reception, general controversy surrounding Larson and her character, and the introduction of her rival in the MCU power rankings, Baby Franklin, could further redefine Captain Marvel’s role in future movies.

However, as Marvel fans know, Captain Marvel and Baby Franklin aren’t necessarily in direct competition in the narrative sense.

A strategic shift in the MCU?

That said, and though it’s too soon to tell, the introduction of Baby Franklin could signify Marvel Studios’ intent to redefine the hierarchy of power within the MCU. By bringing in a character whose abilities sur those of existing heroes, the studio may be setting the stage for new narratives that move away from established figures like Captain Marvel.

This transition aligns with broader changes within Marvel Studios, which is reevaluating its approach following several underperforming projects. The studio is reportedly focusing on fewer, higher-quality productions and integrating new characters to rejuvenate the franchise.

No matter what, Baby Franklin’s debut in The Fantastic Four: First Steps marks a pivotal moment for the MCU, potentially heralding a new era of storytelling centered around characters with unprecedented powers.

This development, alongside the declining prominence of Captain Marvel, suggests a strategic shift in the franchise’s direction, aiming to captivate audiences with fresh narratives and dynamic heroes. Marvel Studios’ highly anticipated film, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, is scheduled to premiere in theaters on July 25, 2025.

In the multiverse anything is possible right? We’ve seen countless variants of heroes in the MCU over the last few years, sometimes we even get little nods to fan castings like John Krasinski in Multiverse of Madness. Well one fan casting involving Ryan Gosling might be deemed too controversial for the MCU, but is it actually being considered?

We’re talking about the Gosling – Black Panther casting of course. A fan casting which has been a bit of a meme for a while now. But now rumors are circulating about a new Black Panther and some think that The Fall Guy star could be in the running to play the Protector of Wakanda from another universe. 

So is there any truth to this whatsoever? And why has this rumor resurfaced now? Well to answer both of those questions we’re going to have to do a deep dive on the original meme as well as look at what’s going on in the Marvel Comics right now.

The original of the Ryan Gosling fan cast

The meme featuring Gosling as Black Panther has been around for a number of years now. An image with Gosling’s face photoshopped over Chadwick Boseman’s first appeared online in 2018 and subsequently became popular in the early 2020’s. The picture often features in discussions about race-swapping characters in movies.

In December 2023 it was reported that Gosling was in talks to play a character in the MCU which prompted a return of the meme. Many jokingly speculated we were really going to see Gosling take on the role, at least I hope these people were joking.

Why are people talking about this casting again?

Recently the speculation surrounding Gosling and the MCU has started up again. Numerous outlets seem to be reporting on the rumor that the Drive star could potentially be a multiversal Black Panther variant. The reason for this particular fan casting being the subject of conversation once again is thanks to a recent Marvel Comics story.

According to Superherohype.com, Marvel Comics recently revealed the new Black Panther, a man by the name of Ketema. Marvel Knights: The World To Come #1 saw Ketema unmask himself and reveal to all that he is a white man with blonde hair, sound familiar? The revelation saw some backlash and naturally people instantly drew a connection to Ketema and the Gosling meme.

So now that white Black Panther is technically canon, all those controversial memes depicting Gosling as the King of Wakanda suddenly seem a bit more plausible. On X people responded to the news with a mixture of amusement and puzzlement. 

Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s likely to happen really. The people in charge of the MCU nowadays have made plenty of awful decisions over the years, but I don’t think even they would be foolish enough to go anywhere near this casting choice.

Horror fans sit up and pay attention, as your world just changed forever. Blumhouse Productions has dropped the bombshell that they’ve acquired the rights to the iconic Saw franchise from Twisted Pictures. Lionsgate will retain its 50% stake and remain a production partner.

This development, confirmed by Deadline earlier today, is a game-changing moment for the billion-dollar horror franchise and should breathe new life into it under the stewardship of a studio considered to be the modern masters of horror. As an added bonus, this move reconnects Saw with its co-creator James Wan, who’s best positioned to refresh or even fully reboot it.

Saw debuted in 2004 from Wan and Leigh Whannell, and rapidly dominated horror with its intricate traps, psychological depth, and the chilling presence of Tobin Bell’s Jigsaw. Ten films later and with over $1 billion grossed, its visceral horror and social commentary made it a true cultural phenomenon.

Blumhouse is acquiring the rights to the ‘SAW’ franchise, with Lionsgate remaining onboard as a partner.

James Wan will oversee the series moving forward.

(Source: https://t.co/V85lFh2oQ7) pic.twitter.com/0FBBKqexjC

— Cinema Wire (@CinemaWireNews) June 4, 2025

But in the last few years, even Jigsaw couldn’t put the pieces together. Spiral: From the Book of Saw (2021) underperformed, and Saw XI’s planned 2025 release was derailed by disputes between Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures. These setbacks left fans wondering if Saw was sputtering out like so many other sequel-heavy horror franchises.

Blumhouse to the rescue?

If Blumhouse really is set on fully rebooting the SAW franchise, at least Tobin Bell got the perfect send-off he deserved! https://t.co/NDTjbXi1oA pic.twitter.com/z7AZatMzjO

— 𝚁𝚘𝚋𝚎𝚛𝚝 𝙰𝚗𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚗𝚢 (@robanthonyeadon) June 5, 2025

But Blumhouse are now Saw fans’ knights in shining armor. The studio has built a well-deserved reputation as a horror powerhouse, with hits like Paranormal Activity, The Purge, and Get Out. On top of that, they’ve proved they can bring back classic horror from the dead, as seen with Halloween and The Exorcist.

This deal may well have saved Saw. Blumhouse’s track record of smartly sustaining franchises (see The Purge spawning sequels and a TV series) shows it can deliver the consistency and craft Saw demands.

However, the acquisition isn’t without skepticism. Horror fans still grit their teeth over Blumhouse’s Halloween Ends (which is not as bad as everyone says!) and The Exorcist: Believer. But, with Wan set to play a role in this new era for Saw, I think we should be confident that a new entry will be fast-tracked and hit the mark.

Here’s hoping we get a full-fat Saw entry that shows younger horror fans why Jigsaw has such a fearsome reputation in the horror pantheon. Sure, the previous movies have pulled apart characters in terrible and impossibly sadistic ways, but I’m betting there’s still some gasoline left in the tank.

Marvel Studios is desperate for another billion-dollar hit and all eyes are on Avengers: Doomsday. This boasts a star-studded cast that rivals Endgame, the MCU comeback of Robert Downey Jr as Doctor Doom, and more costumed heroes than you can shake a multiverse at.

On top of that, if it’s anything like Infinity War, the events of Doomsday will change the MCU forever. Almost anything can happen, though the characters played by actors at the end of their contracts may have to face the power and magic of one Victor von Doom. And now, courtesy of a morbid Instagram post, one hero has shot to the top of our death list:

Thor might die in Avengers: Doomsday

Chris Hemsworth’s latest statement carries a tone of finality. pic.twitter.com/az0KHLeSYE

— Mohammed Ihsan (@ihsan21792) May 29, 2025

Hemsworth discussing about playing Thor in the past tense certainly sounds ominous and though he almost certainly still has scenes to shoot in Doomsday, he may have received the plot outline containing his death early and felt the need to send a message to fans.

Thor dying in Doomsday also makes a lot of sense. Over the last 14 years, there have been four Thor solo movies and Hemsworth has made five appearances in ensemble movies – meaning he’s had to keep in God of Thunder shape for a long time. That takes its toll on an actor, and we’re betting Hemsworth is more than ready to ease off the superhero physical training regime and enjoy life a little.

Hemsworth’s health

More pointedly, back in 2022, Hemsworth revealed he’d discovered he has a gene that makes him eight to ten times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s than the average person. Discovering this made him reevaluate his life and career, telling Vanity Fair:

“It really triggered something in me to want to take some time off. … Now when I finish this tour this week, I’m going home and I’m going to have a good chunk of time off and just simplify. Be with the kids, be with my wife.”

Who can blame him for wanting to jump off the Marvel Studios superhero hamster wheel and kick back to spend some quality time with his family? Even so, if Thor’s days are numbered, we’re sure Doomsday will send him out with a bang – likely at the hands of Doctor Doom himself.

If you’re skeptical that Doom has the power to take out an Asgardian think again, Doom is at least as powerful as Doctor Strange, an incredibly talented physical combatant and a technological genius. Doom will know how to take down Thor, and he won’t hesitate to deliver a killing blow.

Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on Dec. 18, 2026.

According to the whispers making their way, Marvel Studios is reportedly eyeing Emma Myers to play Gwen Stacy in the MCU film Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is the highly anticipated fourth installment in the MCU’s Spider-Man series, with Tom Holland returning as Peter Parker and Zendaya reprising her role as MJ. The film is expected to pick up where Spider-Man: No Way Home left off, with Peter Parker essentially erased from the lives of everyone he loves. MJ has no memory of him, Ned is off living his best life, and Peter is left swinging solo, trying to figure out what his next chapter looks like.

This setup presents the perfect opportunity to introduce Gwen Stacy. With MJ no longer in the picture (at least romantically, for now), Gwen could enter as a fresh new presence in Peter’s life. And if Marvel decides to lean into the multiverse chaos introduced in No Way Home and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, there’s even a chance we could see the Spider-Gwen version of the character, which would be a game-changer for the MCU.

Casting rumors in the MCU are as common as Stan Lee cameos used to be: everywhere, all the time. But Myers has a few things working in her favor. First, let’s talk about her breakout role in Wednesday. Myers played Enid Sinclair, the bubbly, pastel-loving werewolf who won hearts as the perfect counterbalance to Jenna Ortega’s brooding Wednesday Addams. Her performance not only showcased her ability to shine alongside a powerhouse lead but also proved she could bring depth and likability to a role that could’ve easily been one-dimensional. This kind of charisma is exactly what a character like Gwen Stacy demands.

Myers has openly expressed interest in playing Gwen Stacy, particularly Spider-Gwen, the multiverse version of the character who dons her own web-slinging suit. 

Here’s where things get tricky. While Marvel has creative control over Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, Sony still owns the rights to many of the characters in Spidey’s world, including Gwen Stacy. And let’s not forget, Sony already has their own wildly successful Gwen in the form of Hailee Steinfeld’s Spider-Gwen from the Spider-Verse animated films. With Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and its sequel Beyond the Spider-Verse cementing Steinfeld’s Gwen as a fan favorite, Sony might be hesitant to let Marvel introduce another live-action Gwen Stacy into the mix.

But there’s another angle to consider. If Sony and Marvel can come to some sort of agreement (as they did with Tom Holland’s Spider-Man), introducing Gwen Stacy in Brand New Day could benefit both studios. Marvel gets to expand its Spider-Man storyline, while Sony gets to keep the character relevant for their own projects. It’s a win-win—assuming everyone can play nice, of course.

Marvel Studios is bringing the Fantastic Four back with a fresh cast. There’s one lingering question fans can’t shake: is something — or someone — being left out of the picture?

If you’ve been following Marvel long enough, you know that “no” rarely means “no.” It usually means “not yet,” or “he’s in the post-credits scene, duh.”  In an interview with Empire, director Matt Shakman was asked point-blank if Victor Von Doom, the iconic Latverian ruler and all-around bad guy, would appear in the Fantastic Four reboot. And the answer, according to director Matt Shakman, is a resounding “Nope!” Or at least, that’s what we’re supposed to believe.

According to rumors swirling around test screenings, Doom might appear in a post-credits scene. Allegedly, Sue Storm (played by Vanessa Kirby) walks into a room to find Doom sitting beside her son, Franklin Richards, holding his mask ominously in his hands. It’s the kind of teaser that Marvel loves to use to plant seeds for future films — and if true, it would mean that Shakman’s comments are technically accurate. After all, a post-credits scene isn’t really part of the movie, is it? This rumor aligns with Marvel’s strategy of slow-burning major villain reveals.

Doom sitting out the main storyline is probably for the best. Fans of the Fantastic Four have been burned before — twice, actually. The villain was front and center in both the 2005 and 2015 adaptations, and neither version did him justice. Whether it was Julian McMahon’s oddly suave interpretation or Toby Kebbell’s cringe-worthy “hacker Doom,” the character’s cinematic legacy has been, well, less than fantastic.

By sidelining Doom, Marvel is avoiding the trap of rehashing old ground. Instead, The Fantastic Four: First Steps will focus on a fresh set of cosmic stakes, with Galactus as the primary antagonist and the Silver Surfer playing a pivotal role. It’s a smart move. Galactus is a larger-than-life villain (literally—he eats planets, after all), and his inclusion gives the Fantastic Four a chance to shine without being overshadowed by Doom’s towering legacy.

If you’re going to reboot the Fantastic Four, you need a cast that can bring Marvel’s First Family to life in a way we’ve never seen before. And Marvel isn’t holding back. Pedro Pascal, fresh off his star turns in The Mandalorian and The Last of Us, will play Reed Richards, aka Mr. Fantastic. His casting brings a level of gravitas and charisma to the role of the team’s stretchy, science-loving leader. Vanessa Kirby (Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning) is stepping into the role of Sue Storm, the Invisible Woman, while Joseph Quinn (Stranger Things) will light up the screen as Johnny Storm, the Human Torch. Completing the core team is Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear) as Ben Grimm, aka The Thing, who is sure to bring both humor and heart to the group.

We’re over half way to the second part of Wicked. The second act, AKA Wicked: For Good will see the cast return for the conclusion of the story. Images of Michelle Yeoh and Jonathan Bailey’s characters have already started generating buzz for the film.

For those who need a brief refresher, Jonathan Bailey plays Fiyero, the charming prince and love interest to Elphaba while Michelle Yeoh plays Madame Morrible, the heistress at Shiz University who takes an interest in Elphaba’s powers. Both characters had memorable moments in the first part but it looks like they could be even more important in the second part if these promo pics are anything to go by.

Fans were very quick to begin speculating on the character looks and what it could mean for both characters going into the second part. One person wrote, ”[Bailey’s] character seems to be taking a turn to the dark side from the looks of this still.”

It’s true, his costume looks significantly different compared to the first film. Given how the last film ended we can definitely expect a serious switch up in Fiyero’s personality in the next part, the same goes for Madame Morrible.

Others on X simply praised the costumes and the actors who look pretty great in their roles, “What a stellar cast! Jonathan Bailey looks delicious as always,” a fan wrote, it’s hard to disagree, that man is perfect. Another added, “Michelle serving per usual.” One thing the film adaptation can’t be faulted for is it’s perfect casting, these actors truly shine in their roles and it’s exciting to think about seeing them return for the second part.

The rest of the ‘Wicked’ cast look great too

The pictures come from a short teaser which was released online on June 3rd. The video gives us a brief glimpse of all the main cast including Cynthis Erivo as Elphaba, Ariana Grande as Glinda, and Ethan Slater as Boq along with a handful of other very important cast .

The clip comes prior to the much anticipated first trailer which is due to be released on June 4th. As we draw closer and closer to the release of Wicked: For Good we can expect to receive more teasers and more information about the film that will no doubt get Wicked fans buzzing for the final part.

For now we’ll just have to make do with the character portraits until the trailer releases tomorrow. I don’t know about you, but I’m already pretty excited for the next film and we’ve still got five months to wait!

Wicked: For Good releases in theaters November 21st

Excuse us a moment because we need to pick our jaws up off the floor. We have your first look at Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in Wicked: For Good. And even though summer just started, we can’t wait for November.

On June 3, 2025, DiscussingFilm shared the dazzling first official images of the stars in their magical roles from the much-anticipated sequel Wicked: For Good. Fans are already losing it. The tweet racked up over 120K views in mere hours—and for good reason.

Ariana Grande, playing Glinda the Good Witch, stuns in a shimmering pastel gown, complete with ethereal puff sleeves and an ornate crown, holding a sparkling wand with regal poise.

Meanwhile, Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba returns with striking green skin, long, dark hair, a dramatic black witch’s hat, and fierce emerald nails, radiating power and intensity.

“Wicked for Good”: First Look

Wicked: For Good is the highly anticipated second installment in the Wicked film saga, based on the hit Broadway musical and Gregory Maguire’s novel. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the sequel follows the origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda as they navigate the political, magical, and emotional fallout after the events of the first film.

With spellbinding visuals and emotional storytelling, Wicked: For Good is expected to dig deeper into the characters’ destinies, relationships, and the line between good and evil.

Mark your calendars: Wicked: For Good hits theaters on November 21, 2025. But if you can’t wait that long, you’re in luck—the official trailer drops tomorrow, June 4.

Why This Sequel Matters

The new image contrasts Glinda and Elphaba, perfectly capturing the duality. Grande floats against a whimsical lavender backdrop, her expression confident and full of glamor. Meanwhile, Erivo’s intense gaze and strong posture hint at the internal strength and conflict her character carries. It’s a stunning visual promise of the emotional weight and spectacle to come.

The first film, Wicked, was a monumental success. It grossed nearly $1 billion globally and dominated both the box office and the awards season. Critics praised the powerhouse performances of Erivo and Grande. The lush production design and the faithful yet fresh take on the beloved musical also earned accolades. It reinvigorated the movie musical genre, attracting longtime fans and newcomers.

The Wicked musical itself is one of Broadway’s most successful productions of all time. Since its debut in 2003, it’s won three Tony Awards, a Grammy, and played to sold-out audiences worldwide. The transition to film was always a high-stakes move, but the success of Part One proved the demand is stronger than ever.

Stay tuned for the trailer

The hype is real, and with the Wicked: For Good first look, it’s just getting started. Universal Pictures will release the full Wicked: For Good trailer on June 4, setting the tone for what’s sure to be one of the biggest cinematic events of the year.

Stay tuned and don’t miss it—because this holiday season, the land of Oz is taking over the big screen once again.

When news of a live-action Legend of Zelda adaption first broke people were skeptical. In fact many still are, after all, how can you realistically adapt a world like Hyrule with its weird and wonderful characters without losing the essence of what truly makes the games special? Finding the right cast would be tough but fans think Hunter Schafer, who is being eyed for the role of Princess Zelda may be a perfect fit.

There’s simply no denying the fact that Schafer is a dead ringer for the princess. You’d be hard-pressed to find an actress with more Zelda-like features. Looking at the two side by side it’s easy to see why many think she’s perfect for the role.

Not everyone agrees with the potential Hunter Schafer casting

Despite the casting seemingly being as close to perfect as we could possibly get, not everyone was happy with it. Predictably the bigots and alt-right transphobes have come out of the woodwork to criticize the casting purely because Schafer is trans. 

Usually these people will try to hide behind some other lousy excuse to criticize an actor or actress. For a recent example just look at the response to Bella Ramsey’s portrayal of Ellie in The Last of Us, there’s no question they can act the part, but a vocal minority of immature people (the same kind of people that complain about ”too much woke” in Hollywood) have gone after her for not looking enough like the character. 

They claim to only be upset over the changes to the source material but in reality it seems more like an excuse to justify bashing the lead actor who happens to be non-binary.

Outright transphobia

In Schafer’s case there’s really no excuse, the people who disagree with her casting are just outright transphobes. Unfortunately there has been a rise in transphobia in online spaces and in society as a whole thanks to a general shift towards right wing values in the U.S. However, most people would love to see her play Zelda because she embodies the character so well.

Others have put forward Sydney Sweeney as an alternative which, as a Zelda fan I have to say, I really don’t see it.

Been getting death threats over this but now the Republican men are using Sydney to push an anti trans agenda against hunter Schafer as Zelda, I told yall !!! pic.twitter.com/zpkGJJglUw

— kenzie (@pk_kenzie) May 31, 2025

Some have also raised doubts as to whether these people are even fans of the games. Do they really care about the live-action Legend of Zelda movie? Or are they just trying to shove their opinions down other people’s throats">

Right now we don’t even know if Hunter Schafer is genuinely being considered for the role or not, it’s just a rumor, but it does make sense on many levels. Most Zelda fans can see this and most sensible people could not care less that she is trans. As always it’s just a vocal minority making a bunch of noise and spreading hatred.

Danny Ramirez, the MCU’s new Falcon, has already proven he knows how to handle turbulence. And thank God someone around Marvel knows how to fly through a PR storm.

Avengers: Doomsday has been under fire after revelations that filming began weeks ago, yet some of its cast—including Kelsey Grammer—haven’t seen a complete script. Grammer, returning as Beast, dropped this tidbit during a podcast appearance. This wouldn’t be too concerning if the film weren’t already two weeks into production.

Marvel making things up as they go is hardly breaking news. Jeff Bridges, who played Obadiah Stane in Iron Man (2008), described the production as “chaotic” with an unfinished script and daily on-set scene revisions.

Meanwhile, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness reportedly underwent major rewrites during production to accommodate scheduling conflicts and evolving plotlines. Thor: Love and Thunder saw scenes and subplots cut or reworked mid-shoot, with Christian Bale later revealing that much of his character’s backstory as Gorr the God Butcher didn’t make it into the final film. Even Black Widow, which was delayed multiple times, had to rework certain elements to maintain relevance within the MCU’s timeline.

While the situation has left many scratching their heads, Danny Ramirez seems to be taking the chaos in stride. After his breakout role in Top Gun: Maverick, Ramirez has quickly established himself as one of Hollywood’s rising stars. When a fan directly accused the film of shooting without a script, Ramirez responded with a cryptic quip about “a cultural phenomenon called Fin De Semana” (Spanish for “weekend”). It was cheeky, it was vague, and it was 100% Marvel-level trolling.

In a roundabout way, Ramirez is suggesting that maybe people should take a breath and step away from the rabbit hole of baseless rumors. 

While the actor is busy shutting down rumors, speculation about Avengers: Doomsday’s cast continues to swirl. Paul Rudd is confirmed to return as Scott Lang/Ant-Man. Evangeline Lilly might reprise her role as Hope Van Dyne, though she’s reportedly stepped back from acting in recent years. Whether she’ll make a full-fledged return or simply pop in for a cameo alongside Rudd is anyone’s guess. Another name making headlines is Kat Dennings, who plays Darcy Lewis. Recent photos of Dennings holding Captain America’s shield have sent fans into a frenzy. 

But for every confirmed or rumored name, there are just as many glaring omissions. The absence of key players like Brie Larson (Captain Marvel) and Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange) has fans wondering whether Doomsday will focus on introducing new heroes rather than relying on old favorites. With 18 months to go before the film’s release, there’s still plenty of time for Marvel to announce surprises—but for now, the uncertainty is only adding fuel to the rumor fire.