Cate Blanchett is set to ride the dragons again, this time in the live-action sequel. The two-time Oscar winner, who is known for voicing the character of Valka, Hiccup's long-lost mother in the How to Train Your Dragon animated film series, has now officially inked a deal to reprise her character for the upcoming live-action, reported The Hollywood Reporter. How to Train Your Dragon follows the adventures of a scrawny misfit teenager, Hiccup, who happens to befriend an injured dragon (Nightfury), whom he calls Toothless. What follows in the rest of the series is how Hiccup and Toothless defy centuries of tradition, where Vikings and dragons are bitter enemies. The sequel is set five years later, focusing on a grown-up Hiccup and his friends as they come across Valka, teaming up with her to battle a madman who wants to conquer the world. The upcoming live-action film is expected to follow the storyline of the second animation, continuing the adventures of Hiccup as he manages to open up his village to co-existence with dragons. Dean DeBlois, who co-created the franchise and also wrote and directed 2025's first live-action outing, is back for the sequel. How to Train Your Dragon live-action was released in June 2025, making USD 636 million worldwide, as per The Hollywood Reporter. With a fresh casting of Cate Blanchett, she is set to join Mason Thames, Nico Parker, Gerard Butler, Julian Dennison, Gabriel Howell, Bronwyn James and Harry Trevaldwyn in the sequel. The film will be produced by Marc Platt under the banner of Universal-based Marc Platt Productions alongside Adam Siegel. The sequel is set to hit theatres on June 11, 2027. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
17 January,2026 10:02 AM IST | Los Angeles | ANIActor Emilia Clarke had a surprise during her New York visit when her former Game of Thrones co-star Jason Momoa dropped by her dressing room. Clarke took to Instagram to share her excitement, expressing gratitude for everything New York had offered her on the trip, and calling the unexpected reunion the perfect highlight. View this post on Instagram A post shared by @emilia_clarke The actor, best known for portraying Daenerys Targaryen in the epic fantasy series, shared a picture with Momoa, who played her on-screen husband Khal Drogo. In the image, Momoa has his arm wrapped around Clarke, as she smiles brightly at the camera and leans in close, capturing the easy warmth and enduring bond between the former co-stars. Referring to Momoa fondly as her “dragon daddy,” she wrote in the caption, “New York has given me so many things to be grateful for on this trip, and just when I thought it couldn’t be better…look who walked into my dressing room. #mydragondaddy.” This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
17 January,2026 08:11 AM IST | Los Angeles | IANSWill Smith has taken on an extraordinary journey of exploration with the new National Geographic original series, Pole to Pole. Five years in the making, the series follows the actor across seven continents, taking him from the ice fields of Antarctica to the jungles of the Amazon, from the Himalayas to the deserts of Africa, the islands of the Pacific, and the icebergs of the Arctic. Shedding light on the experience, Smith said, “This journey was unlike anything I’ve ever done. At times, I feared I might not make it home! It’s an exploration not just of the planet’s edges, but of some of the most extraordinary people living there. From the coldest ice to the deepest jungles, the beauty of our world inspired my every step with awe and hope.” As part of the adventure, the actor threw himself into incredible challenges for 100 days. In the primary episode of the documentary, he will be seen heading to the South Pole where he will ski and trek across giant ice fields. During the second episode, Smith will venture deep into the Ecuadorian Amazon in search of deadly creatures. In the final episode, he will be seen joining local Waorani elder Penti Baihua in the Amazon, in search of the world’s biggest snake: the giant green anaconda. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
17 January,2026 07:52 AM IST | Los Angeles | IANSActor Matt Damon recently reflected on his first experience working under director Clint Eastwood, recalling how he was discouraged from requesting multiple takes during the filming of the 2009 film Invictus, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Speaking on the Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend podcast, the Oscar-winning actor said he quickly learned Eastwood's distinctive directing approach on his very first day on set. Eastwood is widely known for preferring limited takes during filming. Damon, who portrayed South African rugby player Francois Pienaar in Invictus, said he spent nearly six months working with a dialect coach to perfect the challenging South African accent required for the role. "So I was playing a South African rugby player, and that's a really tough accent to do," Damon remembered, adding that he "spent six months" working with a dialect coach to perfect the accent of his character, Francois Pienaar. "The coach would come in from 9 to 5, Monday through Friday, and we would work on this accent. ... It was a lot of work and fun and great," as quoted by The Hollywood Reporter. Recounting the incident, Damon said that after completing his first take, Eastwood immediately called for the shot to be printed and moved on. When the actor asked to perform another take, Eastwood responded, "Why? You wanna waste everybody's time?" "I realised we were moving on. And that was one take," Damon said, as quoted by The Hollywood Reporter. Despite the moment, Damon emphasised that Eastwood's tone was not harsh and described the veteran filmmaker as "a lovely guy." He explained that Eastwood's philosophy prioritised efficiency and respect for the crew. "Your crew will go to the ends of the Earth for you as long as you're not taxing them on every shot," Damon said, adding that Eastwood trusted professional actors to deliver strong performances while maintaining momentum on set. Invictus marked Damon's first collaboration with Eastwood and earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The two later reunited for the 2010 film Hereafter, according to The Hollywood Reporter. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
16 January,2026 11:41 AM IST | Washington | ANIFilmmaker James Cameron has said that Oscar-winning actor Michelle Yeoh will “definitely” appear in future Avatar films, provided the franchise continues beyond its third instalment. The filmmaker told an international publication, “Michelle is definitely going to be in Avatar 4, if we make it,” while acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding the franchise’s future. He added that if the franchise proceeds, the fourth and fifth instalments would be shot back-to-back, much like Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) and Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025), unfolding as “one big story.” According to the report, Yeoh will portray a Na’vi performance-capture character named Paktuelat, marking her long-awaited on-screen debut in the blockbuster’s universe. Cameron also praised the actor, calling her a long-time star who has become a “huge phenomenon”. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
16 January,2026 06:38 AM IST | Los Angeles | PTIHello, Sidney. Did you miss me? Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group unveiled the trailer and poster of the upcoming slasher Scream 7. When a new Ghostface killer emerges in the quiet town where Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) has built a new life, her darkest fears are realized as her daughter (Isabel May) becomes the next target. Determined to protect her family, Sidney must face the horrors of her past to put an end to the bloodshed once and for all. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Paramount Pictures India (@paramountpicsin) About Scream 7 Based on the characters created by Kevin Williamson, the film features Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Isabel May, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Anna Camp, Joel McHale, Mckenna Grace, Michelle Randolph, Jimmy Tatro, Asa Germann, Celeste O’Connor, Sam Rechner, Ethan Embry, Tim Simons and Mark Consuelos. Directed by Kevin Williamson, the film is produced by William Sherak, James Vanderbilt, Paul Neinstein. It is a sequel to Scream VI (2023) and the seventh installment in the Scream film series. Paramount Pictures will release Scream 7 in Indian theatres on 27th February, 2026. Matthew Lillaird on returning to Scream 7 Lillard last appeared in the franchise in Wes Craven's original Scream (1996) as high-school student Stu Macher, a horror-movie-obsessed friend of Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell). He is eventually revealed to be one of the killers behind the Ghostface mask, alongside Billy Loomis (Ulrich, 55). "I'm thrilled to be back," Lillard said. "I'm nervous, because at this point in my life, the only thing I can do is sort of ruin how people consider Stu," the actor said about his character. "Especially if I come back and I suck or I was lame." "I haven't seen the movie yet," he said. "I don't know if it works, but it's a risk. And it's a risk that I was excited to take." "At the same time, I'm nervous to see the outcome. I hope people like it," Lillard added, as quoted by People. Lillard previously expressed hope that the long-awaited sequel would live up to expectations during a September 14 appearance at Silver Scream Con in Worcester, Mass. "The movie's fantastic, and I'm really excited for people to see it," he said of Scream 7, directed by the franchise's creator Kevin Williamson. "It's not gonna ruin the franchise, that's the good news," reported People.
15 January,2026 02:25 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentHollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio took a moment to reflect on the culture of movie theatres, calling cinema "our most definitive art form." Speaking at the National Board of Review gala, where he won the Best Actor Award for One Battle After Another, DiCaprio recalled his childhood days when his father took him to the historic Vista cinema to watch the original King Kong. "As I kept on watching, something shifted in me,' DiCaprio said, as quoted by Deadline on Tuesday. He further added, "It was a place to escape my neighbourhood. A place where something larger than my own life seemed possible. At some point, each of us sat in a movie theatre, the lights went down, something on that screen rearranged how we saw the world and ourselves. As I became an adult, I began to understand that cinema is our most definitive art form. It expresses what it means to be human." In a nod to his One Battle After Another director, Paul Thomas Anderson, DiCaprio added, "Very few filmmakers consistently live up to that ideal. One of them is Paul Thomas Anderson. I waited 25 years ... to make a film like this. That is so topical. So pertinent. About extremism, about divisiveness. That says something about the world we live in. It was an absolute honour and a joyous experience." In his speech, the actor thanked his mother, who was also present in the audience. "She believed in me long before there was absolutely any reason to. Driving me to auditions every single day after school. Supporting the dream that started in the theatres... This moment only exists because of you," he said, as per Deadline. At the 2026 Golden Globes, One Battle After Another emerged as one of the biggest winners, taking home the Best Motion Picture (Comedy or Musical), Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actress for Teyana Taylor. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
15 January,2026 01:45 PM IST | Los Angeles | ANIRihanna seems to bring more good news for fans, hinting that she is ready for a fourth baby with ASAP Rocky, just months after the pop star gave birth to their daughter, Rocki, as reported by Page Six. Recently, Love Island alum Montana Brown took to Instagram to share a video of herself pondering whether to have another child. "Deciding to get hot and sexy or get pregnant in 2026," the reality star, who shares two children with her fiance, professional rugby player Mark O'Connor, wrote atop the clip. "Decisions decisions.... motherhood parenthood relatable," Brown, 30, captioned the post. Rihanna, who shares kids RZA (3 months), Riot (2 months), and Rocki (4 months), with Rocky, has similar thoughts. "Wait! So I'm not crazy then? Bet!", the Umbrella singer commented on Brown's post, according to Page Six. Fans reacted to the mom of three's remark with mixed reactions about her expanding her family while putting music on the back burner. "badgalriri need to be pregnant with an album sis," commented one user. Last September, singer Rihanna welcomed her third child, a baby girl with her longtime partner ASAP Rocky. The Diamonds singer took to her Instagram handle and announced that her daughter was born on September 13, 2025, further revealing the little one's name. In what appeared to be an adorable nod to ASAP Rocky, the couple named their daughter Rocki Irish Mayers. The rapper's real name is Rakim Mayers, who later took the stage name of Rocky. Rihanna and the fashion designer, born Rakim Mayers, also welcomed sons RZA and Riot in 2022 and 2023, respectively, according to Page Six. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
15 January,2026 01:08 PM IST | Washington DC | ANIHollywood's Zoe Saldana has become the highest-grossing actor of all time, beating Black Widow star Scarlett Johansson, reported Variety. The Academy Award-winning actor received the feat for her latest release, Avatar: Fire and Ash. Saldana has featured in the three highest-grossing films of all time, including 2009's 'Avatar' and its 2022 sequel 'The Way of Water', which hold the No 1 and 3 spots respectively. It is followed by 2019's Avengers: Endgame, which has been holding the No 2 position. With the addition of the 2018 Marvel film Avengers: Infinity War, Zoe Saldana has become the first actress to feature in four films that have collected over USD 2 billion globally. In addition to Avatar and her other MCU appearances as Gamora, Saldana's Star Trek trilogy also generated over USD 1 billion worldwide. Coming to Avatar: Fire and Ash, which was nominated for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement at the 2026 Golden Globes, has reached USD 1.23 billion at the worldwide box office, as per E! News, thus bringing the gross total of films starring Saldana to USD 16.8 billion. Scarlett Johansson previously held the record with USD 16.4 billion. Others in the top five were Samuel L Jackson, Robert Downey Jr., and Chris Pratt. On Tuesday, the actor expressed her gratitude on Instagram via a video message. "I just want to express my sincerest gratitude for the extraordinary journey that has led me to become the highest-grossing film actor of all time today. An achievement made possibly entirely entirely by the incredible franchises and the collaborators that I have been fortunate to be a part of. To every director who placed their trust in me, thank you. JJ Abrams (Star Trek), Joe and Anthony Russo (Avengers), James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy), and most importantly, thank you, James Cameron (Avatar), for believing in my potential for seeing something in me that I have not always seen in myself and for challenging me to always rise to the occasion. Your faith, your guidance, and your vision - they shape not only these films but me as an artist and to the fans around the world, thank you. Your unwavering support, passion, and loyalty are the true foundation of this milestone," Saldana said in the video. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zoe Saldaña (@zoesaldana) In Avatar: Fire and Ash, Zoe Saldana reprised her character as Na'vi warrior Neytiri, whose relationship with human soldier-turned-Na'vi leader Jake Sully remains the focus of the sequel. She is now expected to return for the fourth and fifth instalments of Avatar. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
15 January,2026 12:59 PM IST | Los Angeles | ANIThe Bluff trailer, starring Priyanka Chopra and Karl Urban, is finally out, offering a glimpse into a high-octane action drama that centres on the survival of a family on an island. The film is directed by Frank E Flowers with a script he co-wrote with Joe Ballarini. The film brings an epic period thriller to life, set in the uniquely historical and culturally rich Cayman Islands, featuring stunning real-world locations, including the Skull Cave and the iconic bluff. The two-minute and thirty-second trailer begins with Karl Urban's entry, who is seeking a bounty which appears to be placed on Priyanka Chopra. Being a doting mother to her daughters, Priyanka navigates a treacherous battle against her violent past to protect her family. It is followed by the high-octane action scenes performed by Priyanka to hunt down the infiltrators at her house. Karl Urban also impresses with his swordsmanship, slashing the enemies in pursuit of her bounty. Prime Video shared the trailer on its Instagram handle on Wednesday. View this post on Instagram A post shared by prime video IN (@primevideoin) Siblings Anthony Russo, Joe Russo and Angela Russo-Otstot serve as the producers of the film under the production banner AGBO. The Russo Brothers are recognised for their projects like Avengers: Endgame and Extraction. The movie is slated to release on Prime Video on February 15. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
15 January,2026 12:19 PM IST | Washington DC | ANIThe first film of the franchise, 28 Days Later, rewrote the rules of the zombie genre. The quaternary film, 28 Days Later: The Bone Temple, does the same, pushing the boundaries of the genre by questioning whether the transformation of an infected person is reversible, exploring the collapse of order in society and tackling the idea of a false God. Though tonally different from the previous films, it is rich in visual splendour. Director Nia DaCosta moves away from hardcore horror but adds a couple of jump scares and scenes of stomach-churning carnage and gore. The powerful score by Hildur Gudnadottir beautifully builds tension. The film begins not long after the events of 28 Years Later. Spike (Alfie Williams) has been unwillingly taken in by ‘the Jimmies,’ a cult of seven bewigged, sadistic killers, headed by Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal (Jack O'Donnell), who models himself after Jimmy Saville. The Jimmies sneer at Spike as he quaveringly fights one of them. A sea of blood and a dead Jimmy later, Spike is admitted into their gang. This sets the tone for the rest of the movie, as a poor Spike must now witness the horrific ways of the Jimmies in close quarters. Meanwhile, Dr Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes), responsible for the ‘Bone Temple’, an ossuary erected out of skulls, tries to understand the nature of the infected. Samson (Chi-Lewis Parry), the Alpha specimen from 28 Years Later, develops a taste for the morphine darts Kelson shoots at him to subdue him, which leads Kelson to the breakthrough that the rage virus may only be clouding his mind, and may not have taken over it completely. Learning that Samson is capable of depth, Kelson treats him with tenderness and agonises over solutions to help him communicate and regain his memories. Their moments of pathos are interspersed between the violence of the Jimmies, providing narrative respite. The film poses a pertinent and unsettling question: Is isolation as dangerous and as erosive as the virus flowing through the veins of the infected? Jack O’Donnell is every bit as menacing as the figure he has sworn allegiance to. In the previous movie, we are introduced to little Jimmy, who watches his father, a vicar, willingly get eaten by the infected. This leads him to pervert his father’s faith, develop a psychopathic theology to justify his rule and crown himself the son of Satan. He kills any survivors who have the misfortune to cross his path. Even more disturbingly, he refers to his acts of violence as ‘charity,’ which recalls Jimmy Savile, whose crimes lay shrouded under the facade of charity. Jimmy’s brutality and depravity are far more terrifying – born not out of a rage virus but a warped view of religion. Ralph Fiennes' Kelson is bizarre as a man of science. He quips that he feels like Androcles when pulling out a tranquillizer from Samson’s body, peppers his conversation with Latin phrases, sings Duran Duran songs and breaks out into a rom-com-esque dance with Samson, but surprisingly, you feel that this is the approach to adopt when confronted with the end of humanity. Ralph delivers a stunning performance, adding layers of complexity to his character, which culminates in a blazing heavy-metal act of madness in the climax. The film is replete with biblical allusions besides the obvious invocation of Satanism. The alpha specimen is christened Samson. Samson from the Old Testament was bestowed with superhuman strength but misused his divine gift to kill out of impulse, pride and fury. The infected Samson is an echo of that story. Kelson’s compassion and desire to deliver him from his fate make him a Christlike figure. His darts trigger a change in Samson, helping restore his previous self. What will happen when Kelson and Jimmy Crystal cross paths? Will Samson destroy the Temple like his namesake? Watch 28 Days Later: The Bone Temple to find out.
15 January,2026 08:55 AM IST | Mumbai | Nandini ShahADVERTISEMENT
