Latest news with #MazeRunner
Tom's Guide
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Stephen King's 'The Institute' makes a compelling dark thriller series with enough mystery to keep you hooked
As someone who grew up reading Stephen King, I've always had a soft spot for the way his stories feel eerie but still deeply human. So when I heard 'The Institute' was being adapted into a series, I was curious (and, I'll admit, a little worried). Stephen King adaptations can be hit or miss, but "The Institute," now streaming on MGM Plus, had me hooked from the first episode. And honestly, that's a telling sign it's enjoyable for me, considering it usually takes me at least two or three episodes to feel intrigued. Set between a quiet town in Maine and a secretive facility hidden deep in the woods, 'The Institute' follows two seemingly unrelated storylines that start to intertwine in unsettling ways. There's a sense of growing unease throughout, and the show takes its time building a world where danger feels both immediate and just out of sight. If you're in the mood for something dark, suspenseful, and just the right amount of unsettling, 'The Institute' is definitely worth queuing up now that it's landed on MGM Plus. 'The Institute' follows 14‑year‑old Luke Ellis (Joe Freeman), a telekinetic prodigy who's abruptly kidnapped from his suburban Minneapolis home and wakes up in an eerie, government-run facility called The Institute. Inside, he finds other children endowed with psychic or telekinetic powers. Under the watchful eye of the cold and determined Ms. Sigsby (Mary‑Louise Parker), these youngsters undergo intense testing to amplify their abilities, promised tokens and safety in exchange for compliance Meanwhile, in a nearby Maine town, ex-cop Tim Jamieson (Ben Barnes) takes a low-profile security job but becomes drawn into the investigation when local children go missing. As his and Luke's paths converge, the two form an uneasy alliance. The idea of children confined and controlled by adults is a common theme in young adult fiction. You only have to look at stories like 'Maze Runner' and 'Hunger Games' to see it. However, Stephen King and series developer Benjamin Cavell bring a more compelling and thoughtful take on this familiar concept. Right from the start, the show makes it clear that Mary-Louise Parker's Ms. Sigsby and the other adults running this creepy Institute aren't the kind guardians they pretend to be, and it's a fact that Freeman's Luke quickly sees thanks to his sharp mind. These villains are fully fleshed-out characters rather than one-dimensional villains. One of the show's standout features is its worldbuilding, which delivers fresh and surprising twists that set it apart from similar genre stories. Rather than glossing over key dangers like the ruthless organization quietly eliminating people or hinting at sinister plans for the gifted children, 'The Institute' confronts these threats head-on, making it genuinely engaging to watch. Every so often, a show introduces a rising star, and 'The Institute' seems to have found one in Joe Freeman. Across eight episodes, he navigates a wide emotional range, balancing charm, intelligence, vulnerability, and defiance. He still knows how to be a kid without falling into the super-smart character trope. While several young cast members stand out (like Fionn Laird as the rebellious Nick Wilholm), the emotional core of the story's scenes at the Institute largely rests on Freeman's character, Luke. He brings genuine humanity to the role, helping the audience connect deeply with the reluctant leader's journey. Mary-Louise Parker also captivates as the series' cunning antagonist, often keeping her true intentions cleverly ambiguous. Her presence dominates every scene, even during moments of silence, likely a testament to her strong background in theater. At the center of it all is Ben Barnes, who plays Tim Jamieson, a former cop trying to lay low in a sleepy Maine town until missing children and strange coincidences draw him into something much bigger. I actually had the chance to speak with Barnes about the role, and he told me he was excited to step away from the string of villainous characters he's played in recent years. 'I was looking for a character with a real sense of decency or a moral compass, and Tim has this quiet, redemptive arc,' Barnes said. 'I've played a lot of untrustworthy, psychotic, or villainous characters over the last few years, so it was refreshing to find someone who genuinely wants to be a good man. I think he's searching for ways to prove himself, and that made him a really interesting character — one I haven't played before.' Barnes is exactly how I pictured Tim while reading the book, as he brings the right mix of quiet strength and determination that feels true to the character. Clearly, 'The Institute' boasts an impressively cast ensemble. Fans new to 'The Institute' should know the show leans more toward psychological thriller than traditional horror. It's not about jump scares or supernatural monsters; instead, the real danger comes from people. The most chilling moments come from the harm inflicted on vulnerable children by those in power. For those who have read the novel, the TV adaptation's changes might be a bit frustrating. But as with most adaptations, it's best to view the show and the book as separate experiences. Despite the differences, 'The Institute' remains true to the core plot, characters, and motivations, which should satisfy most fans of the original story. 'The Institute' joins the ever-growing list of Stephen King stories adapted for the screen, but this time it's been given the high-end streaming treatment. Drawn from his 2019 novel, it's also one of the more recent entries from King's catalog to make the leap to TV. The result is a smart, well-crafted thriller that hits the mark in all the right ways. This adaptation strikes a strong balance between psychological thriller and light horror, taking familiar elements and presenting them in a fresh, engaging way. The ending does leave the door open for more, and with such a strong setup and memorable characters, it wouldn't be surprising if MGM Plus considers a second season (I hope so, anyway). You can stream the first two episodes of 'The Institute' on MGM Plus now.
New Indian Express
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Dylan O'Brien to star alongside Mark Ruffalo and Ruth Madeley in Being Heumann
Dylan O'Brien, best known for the Maze Runner series, is the latest to join the upcoming film Being Heumann. He joins previously announced cast members Mark Ruffalo and Ruth Madeley. The film is an adaptation of the bestselling memoir from disability activist Judy Heumann, titled Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist. While Madeley plays the titular role, Ruffalo essays Joseph Califano, the U.S. Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare under President Jimmy Carter. O'Brien will play Evan White, one of the few reporters covering the San Francisco disability rights protests.
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Dylan O'Brien joins 'Being Heumann'
Hollywood actor Dylan O'Brien, best known for his role in "Maze Runner", is set to star in "Being Heumann". The 33-year-old actor will appear alongside Ruth Madeley and Mark Ruffalo in the upcoming film, according to the entertainment news outlet Deadline. The film is an adaptation of the bestselling memoir from disability activist Judy Heumann, titled "Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist". The book chronicles the journey of Heumann's struggle for inclusion and mentions her role in the disability rights movement. She led the movement alongside Ed Roberts and Javed Abidi, in 1977. The movement lasted for 28 days. "Being Heumann" is directed by Sian Heder and will have O'Brien essaying the role of Evan White, one of the few reporters covering the San Francisco disability rights protests. Madeley plays the titular role in the film. Ruffalo will portray Joseph Califano, the U.S. Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare under President Jimmy Carter, who was initially doubtful to sign off on civil rights legislation affecting the disabled community. The film is produced by David Permut under Permut Presentations and Kevin Walsh through The Walsh Company. John W. Beach and Kevin Cleary are producing under Gravity Squared Entertainment O'Brien will next appear in a black comedy film, "Twinless". Directed by James Sweeney, the film is slated to release in September. PTI
Hypebeast
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
Nintendo Announces Delays on ‘The Legend of Zelda' Live-Action Film
Summary Nintendohas announced a delay forThe Legend of Zeldalive-action film, pushing its release from March 26, 2027, to May 7, 2027. This decision, confirmed by franchise creator Shigeru Miyamoto, stems from production reasons. The company has stated that the additional time will be utilized to ensure the film achieves its highest possible quality, reflecting a commitment to delivering a polished cinematic experience for fans worldwide. Originally announced in November 2023, the film is being produced by Nintendo and Avi Arad, withSony Pictures Entertainmenthandling distribution and co-financing. The project is directed byWes Ball, known for his work onThe Maze Runner, with a screenplay penned byJurassic World's Derek Connolly. While details on the cast and plot remain undisclosed, Ball has previously stated in an interview withPolygonthat the film will be grounded and realistic, aiming to capture the essence of the beloved franchise. The delay has sparked speculation among fans, with many wondering whether the extended timeline will allow for more ambitious world-building and visual effects. Given the high expectations surrounding the adaptation, Nintendo's decision to take additional time suggests a commitment to delivering a polished and immersive cinematic experience. With the new release date set, anticipation continues to build as audiences await further updates on casting, story direction, and production milestones. This is Miyamoto. For production reasons, we are changing the release date of the live-action film of The Legend of Zelda to May 7, 2027. It will be some weeks later than the release timing we originally announced, and we will take the extra time to make the film as good as it… — 任天堂株式会社 (@Nintendo)June 9, 2025
Tom's Guide
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Nintendo delays live-action 'Zelda' movie — here's when it'll now hit theaters
With the Switch 2 launch finally here, Nintendo fans have plenty to celebrate. But the wait is still on for the upcoming live-action "The Legend of Zelda" movie, and unfortunately, it just got a little longer. The film's been delayed until May 7, 2027, slipping past its initial March 26, 2027, release date that Nintendo announced earlier this year. Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto, creator of The Legend of Zelda franchise, cited "production reasons" for the delay, but didn't offer much detail. "For production reasons, we are changing the release date of the live-action film of The Legend of Zelda to May 7, 2027," Miyamoto said Monday on X (formerly Twitter). "It will be some weeks later than the release timing we originally announced, and we will take the extra time to make the film as good as it can be. Thank you for your patience." This is Miyamoto. For production reasons, we are changing the release date of the live-action film of The Legend of Zelda to May 7, 2027. It will be some weeks later than the release timing we originally announced, and we will take the extra time to make the film as good as it…June 9, 2025 Hollywood movies get delayed all the time, especially when we're this far out, so it's not surprising to see it get pushed back. And a few weeks isn't that long as far as delays go. The live-action adaptation of the "The Legend of Zelda" series is part of Nintendo's broader push to expand beyond video games into films and theme parks. The initiative saw huge success with 2023's animated "Super Mario Bros. Movie," which grossed over $1 billion at the box office. A sequel remains on track for April 2026. Much remains under wraps about the upcoming live-action "The Legend of Zelda" movie. It was initially announced in November 2023, and Nintendo's revealed precious little information since. Here's what we do know: The film is a co-production between Nintendo and Sony Pictures with "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" and "Maze Runner" director Wes Ball at the helm. Ball hasn't specified if the movie will be adapted from any particular game in the series, but he told Entertainment Weekly he's aiming for a look that's like "live-action Miyazaki." Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Miyamoto will serve as producer along with Marvel veteran Avi Arad. In March, Nintendo showed off a logo for the film with the previously scheduled premiere date. There's been no word yet on casting details, so who will be playing Link, Zelda, or any other characters who show up remains a big question mark. When it does hit theaters, it'll be entering a veritable golden age of video game adaptations, including shows like "The Last of Us" (which just wrapped up season 2) and "Fallout" as well as the "Sonic the Hedgehog" films. Here's hoping "The Legend of Zelda" live-action adaptation ends up among their ranks, and we don't have another "Borderlands" on our hands.
