Latest news with #WoodyAllen
Buzz Feed
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
15 Actors That Took Roles They Now Regret
We all have our career mistakes, and actors aren't immune to these either. Even major stars take roles they go on to regret. So here are 15 actors and the roles they regret: Viola Davis – The Help Viola's filmography is certainly nothing to be sniffed at. She's excelled in a number of roles and has become one of the best that Hollywood has to offer. But for all of her amazing, complex roles, she does have one regret; The Help. The film centres around a young white journalist who builds a relationship with two Black maids who are tormented by the white families they work for. While it received commercial and critical success, earning a Best Actress nomination for Viola, the movie was criticised for adhering to the white saviour narrative, and Viola, looking back, felt that the film didn't focus on Black voices. 'I just felt that at the end of the day that it wasn't the voices of the maids that were heard... They're invested in the idea of what it means to be Black, but…it's catering to the white audience." Timothée Chalamet – A Rainy Day in New York Timothée essentially disavowed A Rainy Day in New York, and it's director, Woody Allen, before it had even been released. After completing filming for the picture the year previously, in 2018 the actor posted on Instagram, expressing that the least year had 'changed the way I see and feel about so many things'.He went on to add: 'I am learning that a good role isn't the only criteria for accepting a job – that has become much clearer to me in the past few months, having witnessed the birth of a powerful movement intent on ending injustice, inequality and above all, silence."He then revealed that he would not be taking any of his salary for the role, and instead donating it to various charities: 'I have been asked in a few recent interviews about my decision to work on a film with Woody Allen last summer. I'm not able to answer the question directly because of contractual obligations. But what I can say is this: I don't want to profit from my work on the film, and to that end, I am going to donate my entire salary to three charities: Time's Up, the LGBT Centre in New York, and Rainn [the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network]." Zac Efron – High School Musical While the cheesy teen film rocketed Zac to stardom, he does not look back fondly on the film, or his role in it. While insisting that he has nothing but love for the cast and fans, he doesn't enjoy thinking about his character, or the fame he got from playing him. Speaking about playing Troy Bolton and what it did for his career, here's what he had to say:'I step back and look at myself and I still want to kick that guy's ass sometimes. "He's done some kind of cool things with some cool people – he did that one thing that was funny – but, I mean, he's still just that fucking kid from High School Musical." Channing Tatum – G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra Channing has pathed out quite the career for himself, particularly from his non-traditional route into acting. However, there is one particular role that he does not look back fondly on. It was the 2009 film, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, and despite turning it down seven times, they had an option on him so he had to agree to taking the role here's what the actor had to say: 'I was pushed into doing it. The script wasn't any good. I didn't want to do something that was, one, bad, and two, I just didn't know if I wanted to be GI Joe."In fact, he hated it so much that, for the sequel, he asked to be killed off in the first 10 minutes in order to rule him out of any subsequent continuations of the franchise. Sandra Bullock – Speed 2: Cruise Control Sandra made no attempts to hide her regret for Speed 2, and in an interview in 2022 said that she wished that she hadn't done it. Her main qualm with it was the plot itself, saying that it "made no sense." She described the plot as a "Slow boat. Slowly going towards an island," and explicitly said that she's embarrassed to have been in it. Her embarrassment was reflected in the sequels reception amongst critics and cinema-goers alike, with the film earning a string of negative reviews, and it's run at the box office barely making back the production costs. Matt Damon – The Bourne Ultimatum Even though The Bourne Ultimatum turned out to be a huge financial success, taking home over $440 million, Matt wasn't happy about the production, the script, or any of it really. Speaking about the initial script he read, he had some damning things to say: 'I don't blame Tony [Gilroy] for taking a boatload of money and handing in what he handed in. It's just that it was unreadable. This is a career-ender. I mean, I could put this thing up on eBay and it would be game over for that dude. It's terrible. It's really embarrassing. He was having a go, basically, and he took his money and left.'Matt also had problems with the chaotic, disorganised filming process, saying, "We had a start date. Like, 'It's coming out August of next year.' We're like, 'Hang on, we've got to figure out what the script is'.' Stanley Tucci – The Lovely Bones For some actors, it isn't the actual movie itself that they regret being in, rather it's the character they played that they found difficult to deal with. For Stanley, it was the role of George Harvey, the sadistic serial killer that struck fear into the eyes of viewers. On playing the role, he said: "I would not play George Harvey again in The Lovely Bones, which was horrible. It's a wonderful movie, but it was a tough experience. Simply because of the role. I asked Peter Jackson why he cast me in that role. I tried to get out of playing the role, which is crazy because I needed a job." Theo James – Divergent After staring in Divergent and its subsequent sequels, Theo James felt as though he was stuck in similar roles, ones that he didn't particularly want to do. Speaking about being pigeonholed, he said: "You do a certain type of film and you sign contracts where you are beholden to those roles for a certain period of time and people see you in a certain light that you have to wrestle your way out of. That is a hundred percent the case with actors — and it was definitely the case with me."He went on to add that this rigidity within the industry was frustrating for him, expressing his discontent with playing those type of parts: "I felt I didn't have the fluidity to move in the directions that I wanted. You're very much in a certain type of role — and those roles can be pretty fucking boring." Jessica Alba – Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer Jessica was a rising star when she got the blockbuster role of Sue Storm, the Invisible Woman, in Fantastic Four. The movie's commercial success had the studio rush to release a sequel a couple of years later. It was this movie, Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer, that caused Jessica to consider leaving the industry all together, she hated it that much. Speaking about the experience of making it, she said: 'I wanted to stop acting. I hated it. I really hated it. I remember when I was dying in Silver Surfer. The director was like, 'It looks too real. It looks too painful. Can you be prettier when you cry? Cry pretty, Jessica''. Michelle Pfeiffer – Grease 2 Michelle admitted that, when she actually took the role, she was "young and didn't know better." Her main regret was to do with simply how bad she thought the film was, saying: "I hated that film with a vengeance and could not believe how bad it was."Even though it garnered a rather poor reaction, Michelle was at least pleased to find out that the movie has become somewhat of a cult classic! Colin Farrell – Miami Vice There are a number of reasons why Colin doesn't look back fondly on the 2006 movie, one of which was the personal turmoil that he was facing during the filming. It acts as a reminder of a particularly trying time for him, as he'd been feeling the effects of 16 years of being "drunk and high," and immediately checked himself into rehab after filming concluded. The film itself though is also something Colin's not proud of, with the actor saying that he didn't like it, calling it "style over substance." He accepted his fair share of the responsibility but also felt like they missed an opportunity, saying: 'It was never going to be Lethal Weapon, but I think we missed an opportunity to have a friendship that also had some elements of fun. ' George Clooney – Batman & Robin While the competition for "worst superhero movie" is stiff, Batman & Robin is certainly a contender, and it seems that George, who starred in the film, agrees. In fact, the legendary actor hates the film and his performance so much that he wouldn't let his wife watch it. Speaking about whether he'd reprise his role for The Flash, he simply replied, "they didn't ask me." He added, 'When you destroy a franchise the way I did, usually they look the other way when The Flash comes by'.On "destroying" a franchise, he doubled down on this, saying: 'Let me just say that I'd actually thought I'd destroyed the franchise until somebody else brought it back years later and changed it. I thought at the time that this was going to be a very good career move. Ummmmm, it wasn't.' Kate Winslet – Carnage and Wonder Wheel Kate was very frank about her regrets for these films, and in both cases it was the decision to work with the directors that she regrets the most, Roman Polanski (Carnage) and Woody Allen (Wonder Wheel). Speaking about working with both disgraced directors, she said: 'It's like, what the fuck was I doing working with Woody Allen and Roman Polanski? It's unbelievable to me now how those men were held in such high regard, so widely in the film industry and for as long as they were. It's fucking disgraceful.' She went on to add that it's something she has to face, and that there's no point shying away from it, adding; "I have to take responsibility for the fact that I worked with them both. I can't turn back the clock. I'm grappling with those regrets, but what do we have if we aren't able to just be fucking truthful about all of it?' Ben Affleck – Daredevil The critic and audience responses to Daredevil clearly suggest that no one was a big fan of this movie, and that's something Ben Affleck, wholeheartedly agrees with. He certainly didn't mince his words when talking about the film, saying, "I hate Daredevil so much." He spoke about why the movie didn't work, saying: "That was before people realised you could make these movies and make them well. There was a cynical sense of 'put a red leather outfit on a guy, have him run around, hunt some bad guys, and cash the cheque'.'In fact, Ben's feelings about the movie played a part in his accepting the role in Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice, saying, "Part of it was I wanted for once to get one of these movies and do it right – to do a good version." Sylvester Stallone – Judge Dredd Sylvester has had some major highs in his career, most notably the knockout success of Rocky. He does, however, have a number of notable regrets, the most severe of these is the 1995 comic book movie Judge Dredd. He called the movie "The biggest mistake I ever made." He also described the handling of the film as "sloppy." A lot of the regret comes from his idea of what the film could have been, saying: "It could have been a fantastic, nihilistic, interesting vision of the future – judge, jury and executioner. That really bothered me a great deal.' What other actor regrets have you heard about? Let us know in the comments below!
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Woody Allen to publish his first novel
The first novel by the film-maker Woody Allen is due to be released later this year by independent publisher Swift Press. The book, titled What's With Baum?, is about a middle-aged Jewish journalist turned novelist 'consumed with anxiety about everything under the sun', according to a description from the publisher. Baum's 'turgid philosophical books receive tepid reviews and his prestigious New York publisher has dropped him'. Baum's third marriage is 'on the rocks', and 'in a moment of irrationality, he has impulsively tried to kiss a pretty young journalist during an interview that she is about to go public with'. Since the 1970s, Allen has written several books of short stories and essays, as well as a memoir, Apropos of Nothing, published in 2020. The memoir was dropped by its original US publisher, Hachette, after a staff walkout over allegations that Allen sexually abused his daughter in the early 90s, which have come to define his public image in recent years. The memoir was eventually published by Arcade. Allen's daughter, Dylan Farrow, has alleged that he sexually assaulted her in 1992, when she was seven years old. Allen has always denied the allegations, calling them 'a total fabrication from start to finish' in his memoir. Two investigations at the time did not lead to criminal charges. What's With Baum?, which runs to 160 pages, is 'a portrait of an intellectual crippled by neurotic concerns about the futility and emptiness of life', said Swift Press. Baum 'suspects his handsome and successful younger brother may have seduced his Harvard-educated wife. He is uneasy with her close relationship with her son, a more successful author than he, and suspicious of her closeness with their neighbour in Connecticut.' 'Is it any wonder Baum has started talking to himself?' states the publisher's description. 'Strangers shake their heads and walk around him on the street. Meanwhile he learns a startling secret that could cause havoc should he expose it. Should he keep it to himself or reveal it and blow up his marriage?' The novel is due to be published in September. Swift Press publisher Mark Richards said the company was 'thrilled' to be publishing the book. 'It is all we could have hoped – funny, clever, engrossing and wonderfully human. Woody Allen may have waited almost 90 years before he wrote a novel, but it's been worth the wait.' Swift Press was established in June 2020. In 2022, it launched an imprint, Forum, to publish 'thinkers who expand the realms of debate and aren't afraid to question contemporary orthodoxies', and has since published titles including Liberal Bullies: Inside the Mind of the Authoritarian Left by Luke Conway and Gay Shame: The Rise of Gender Ideology and the New Homophobia by Gareth Roberts.
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Woody Allen to publish his first novel
The first novel by the film-maker Woody Allen is due to be released later this year by independent publisher Swift Press. The book, titled What's With Baum?, is about a middle-aged Jewish journalist turned novelist 'consumed with anxiety about everything under the sun', according to a description from the publisher. Baum's 'turgid philosophical books receive tepid reviews and his prestigious New York publisher has dropped him'. Baum's third marriage is 'on the rocks', and 'in a moment of irrationality, he has impulsively tried to kiss a pretty young journalist during an interview that she is about to go public with'. Since the 1970s, Allen has written several books of short stories and essays, as well as a memoir, Apropos of Nothing, published in 2020. The memoir was dropped by its original US publisher, Hachette, after a staff walkout over allegations that Allen sexually abused his daughter in the early 90s, which have come to define his public image in recent years. The memoir was eventually published by Arcade. Allen's daughter, Dylan Farrow, has alleged that he sexually assaulted her in 1992, when she was seven years old. Allen has always denied the allegations, calling them 'a total fabrication from start to finish' in his memoir. Two investigations at the time did not lead to criminal charges. What's With Baum?, which runs to 160 pages, is 'a portrait of an intellectual crippled by neurotic concerns about the futility and emptiness of life', said Swift Press. Baum 'suspects his handsome and successful younger brother may have seduced his Harvard-educated wife. He is uneasy with her close relationship with her son, a more successful author than he, and suspicious of her closeness with their neighbour in Connecticut.' 'Is it any wonder Baum has started talking to himself?' states the publisher's description. 'Strangers shake their heads and walk around him on the street. Meanwhile he learns a startling secret that could cause havoc should he expose it. Should he keep it to himself or reveal it and blow up his marriage?' The novel is due to be published in September. Swift Press publisher Mark Richards said the company was 'thrilled' to be publishing the book. 'It is all we could have hoped – funny, clever, engrossing and wonderfully human. Woody Allen may have waited almost 90 years before he wrote a novel, but it's been worth the wait.' Swift Press was established in June 2020. In 2022, it launched an imprint, Forum, to publish 'thinkers who expand the realms of debate and aren't afraid to question contemporary orthodoxies', and has since published titles including Liberal Bullies: Inside the Mind of the Authoritarian Left by Luke Conway and Gay Shame: The Rise of Gender Ideology and the New Homophobia by Gareth Roberts.
Time Out
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
This is Paris's coolest flea market – here's why it's a must-visit
French style – whether it's fits, furniture or trinkety things – is the definition of chic. But you won't find the best gems in mega-chain stores or fast fashion shops: you'll find them with a good old rummage in a flea market. As you'd expect, Paris is full of flea markets, and it can be tricky to decipher which are the biggest, best and when they're all trading – that's why we've just updated our brilliant roundup. So, what's our favourite flea market in Paris? It's Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen! But calling it just a market wouldn't really be fair. As our Time Out Paris writer Alix Leridon puts it, 'Marché aux puces de Saint-Ouennot … is like a whole other world.' This place is pretty huge – and famous, too (it features in Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris). Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen actually comprises twelve covered markets and five different shopping streets, spread over no less than seven hectares. Dauphine Market is the biggest of the bunch, and is also arguably the prettiest and most eclectic (so head here if you're browsing and not after anything specific). It's nestled under the glass roof of the main hall, and to find it look out for Futuro House (the massive, orange saucer-shaped spaceship thing). This place has been open since 1991, and today is home to around 150 different sellers. You'll find seventeenth and eighteenth-century antiques alongside stalls selling vinyls, prints and clothes. If you're book-shopping, head to the Passage – that's the place to be for rare editions and retro copies of classic works and lovely art books, as well as enough postcards to fulfill your wildest collector dreams. But there's plenty more than that to explore at this super-flea. Have a read about it in more detail on our page here. Check out our roundup of the best flea markets in Paris.
Telegraph
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Zohran Mamdani offers a terrifying glimpse into the future of Left-wing politics
If it can happen in New York, it can happen anywhere. Last night, Democrats in the second most Jewish place on Earth, home to Isaac Bashevis Singer, Woody Allen and pastrami on rye, elected a Corbynite mayoral candidate who has defended the slogan 'globalise the intifada'. Zohran Mamdani, the proud 33-year-old socialist who was born in Uganda and worked as a rap music producer before turning to politics, pulled off a traumatic political upset when he beat the former state governor and moderate frontrunner Andrew Cuomo to win the nomination. Until recently, Mamdani, who only became an American citizen in 2018, was all but unknown to most New Yorkers. After all, this was the city of mayor Eric Adams, the pugnacious supporter of Israel whose popularity only collapsed after he was indicted on federal charges including bribery, fraud and soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations last year, all of which he denies. In hard-Left circles, however, the Mamdani was fast becoming a poster boy. The photogenic son of a professor of post-colonial studies at Columbia University ran on a platform of free universal childcare, free buses, a rent freeze and – you guessed it – condemning the Middle East's only democracy, which he has lavishly accused of 'genocide'. Predictably enough, the emetic Mamdani campaign has been fuelled by umpteen vacuous TikTok videos, together with endorsements from the usual coalition of socialist dinosaurs like Bernie Sanders and airhead celebrities like model and activist Emily Ratajkowski and comedian Bowen Yang (who once put his name to a 'queers for Palestine' letter). 'This is not just about New York, this is about the Democratic Party,' Ratajkowski said in a video with Mamdani. 'It's about the hope that we have that there is a belief that people can win elections, and not just money.' Pass the sick bag. Here was yet another expression of the unifying power of Palestine on the Left, which has somehow become the meeting-point of narcissistic progressive posturing, eyepopping sexual experimentation, race radicalism, petulant teenage rebellion, climate fanaticism, Cold-War era anti-capitalism, and amongst some the venomous cause of global jihad and the sheer hatred of Jews. With the murder of two Israeli diplomats in Washington DC in May, the adolescent rage turned deadly. With the invasion of RAF Brize Norton this month, it crept in the direction of terror. And on both sides of the Atlantic, from Leicester South to Manhattan, it is becoming increasingly political. There is no shortage of irony here. As one Jewish-American writer put it: 'I hope this puts to rest the notion that Jews control politics. We couldn't even elect a non-antisemite in the most Jewish city in America.' Clearly, if you thought the Democrats had begun to learn the lessons of their drubbing by Donald Trump last year, you were wrong. There could have been no louder howl of American rage at the ultra-progressive agenda than the 2024 presidential election. New York, that most liberal of cities, has turned itself into a battleground for the soul of the Democrats. Partly, of course, this is generational: many of Mamdani's voters were young zealots who took on the old guard and crucified them. But in the bigger picture, it is a battle between the ideologues and the pragmatists. And the ideologues are winning. Wherever you look in the West, the same pattern is playing out. A small number of hardened Islamists and their fellow travellers are reaching for the levers of power over the heads of the bovine silent majority. With the moderates on their own side unable to muster anything other than appeasement, the tide is turning by increments. History is not always written by the masses. It can be written by the fanatics. With our democratic traditions unable to compensate for the rampant radicalism and apathy muting our immune systems, we are watching our societies slip away.
