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Remember when we all first met the kids from Hawkins, Indiana? It seems like just yesterday that we were watching Mike, Dustin, Lucas, and Will play Dungeons & Dragons in Mike’s basement. Who would’ve thought Stranger Things, which started as a small sci-fi show with a group of unknown child actors, would become a global phenomenon.

The series boosted Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, and the rest of the young cast into superstardom. From Eleven’s iconic nosebleeds to Steve Harrington’s evolution to everyone’s favorite babysitter, Stranger Things has given us countless memorable moments and characters we’ve grown to love.

Sadie Sink and Jamie Campbell Bower as Vecna in Stranger Things | Credit: Netflix

Now, almost a decade later, we’re gearing up for the final chapter of this nostalgic, horror-filled adventure. Netflix has officially confirmed that Stranger Things Season 5 will debut in 2025, and they’ve...

It’s not always the case that an actor can also sing, so when something like “O’Dessa” comes around, you might find yourself wondering: is that really Sadie Sink singing?

Now streaming on Hulu, “O’Dessa” is an original rock opera set in a post-apocalyptic future. It centers on a farm girl named O’Dessa (Sink), as she embarks on a journey to recover a family heirloom. Eventually, her travels lead her to a new, dangerous city where she meets her true love. But in order to save his soul, she must put the power of destiny and song to the ultimate test.

The power of destiny and song is always intertwined in something like this, is it not? And if you find yourself being wowed by Sink’s voice, we have got some good news for you.

Yes, that’s really Sink singing on the soundtrack. And yes, that’s...

After being delayed several months by the writers strike and the actors strike, season 5 of the hit Netflix series Stranger Things (which is also the last season of the show) finally went into production at the start of 2024 with a twelve month shooting schedule, wrapping at the end of December. Series creators the Duffer Brothers are working hard to get the season ready for release by the end of the year – and Netflix co-ceo Ted Sarandos told Variety he doesn’t think there will be a “dry eye” watching this final season.

Stranger Things has the following synopsis: A love letter to the ‘80s classic genre films that captivated a generation, Stranger Things is a thrilling drama set in the seemingly normal Midwestern town of Hawkins, Indiana. After a boy vanishes into thin air, his close-knit group of friends and family search for answers and are pulled into a high-stakes and deadly series of events.

Quentin Tarantino’s iconicKill Bill franchise will be heading to a brand-new streaming home for the month of April. Both Volume 1 and 2 were led by Academy Award nominee Uma Thurman as Beatrix “The Bride” Kiddo, who’s hellbent on seeking revenge against the members of the assassination squad she was once a part of.

Beginning on April 1, Kill Bill: Volume 1 and Kill Bill: Volume 2 will officially start streaming for free on Tubi. The franchise centers around The Bride, a vengeful former assassin whose chance to have a complete family gets taken away after her former squad, The Deadly Vipers, suddenly attacked her and her groom during their wedding rehearsal. After waking up from a four-year coma, she embarks on a revenge-fueled quest to hunt down the ones responsible for the wedding massacre and the loss of her unborn child. Prior to working on the Kill Bill films, Thurman...

Scarlett Johansson has once again reaffirmed her stance against social media, turning down a request from Universal Pictures to join Instagram as part of the promotional campaign for Jurassic World: Rebirth.

In a recent interview with InStyle, Johansson revealed that she was approached by the studio with an offer to create an Instagram account to coincide with the film’s release. “I mean, even today, I got an email from Universal, and they’re like, ‘Hey, would you consider joining Instagram in tandem with the release of Jurassic World: Rebirth?’ I get a lot of pressure to join social media,” she explained. However, Johansson quickly dismissed the idea, stating, “Is there a way I could do this and stay true to who I am? It didn’t feel like I could.”

The actress, who has largely avoided social media throughout her career, emphasized her belief that the success of a...

Social media may be important in today’s entertainment world, as Maya Hawke recently lamented regarding dynamics between follower counts and the casting process, but it seems that even a cemented veteran, Scarlett Johansson, is not immune to pressures related to the digital sphere.

In a recent cover story for InStyle, the MCU alumna shared that she is often asked by film studios or her team to join Instagram to promote her projects.

“I mean, even today, I got an email from Universal [Pictures], and they’re like, ‘Hey, would you consider joining Instagram in tandem with the release of Jurassic World: Rebirth?’ get a lot of pressure to join social media,” she explained, adding, “‘Is there a way I could do this and stay true to who I am?’ It didn’t feel like I could.”

She continued, “The work that I put out there is all based in truth....

There's no one in our modern film landscape like Sydney Sweeney. In a culture where looks tend to dominate your level of success, Sweeney has devoured stereotypes -- because let's face it, she's stunning -- and ultimately has made a name for herself with the quality of her work both on and offscreen. Though she did her first TV and film stints way back in 2009, her career didn't truly start to pick up until nearly a decade later in 2018. Since then, she has completely taken the industry by storm as a performer and, even more recently, as a dedicated producer.

Sweeney doesn't have a ton of noteworthy credits to her name at this point in her career, but there's no denying she's already done some extremely memorable top-notch work, and there's even more in the pipeline with her upcoming turn as boxer Christy Martin in an upcoming biopic. From dramas to rom-coms,...

Stranger Things breakout Sadie Sink is getting caught in Sony‘s web as she prepares to join Tom Holland for the next chapter of the Spider-Man franchise. Sony isn’t commenting on Sink’s addition to the cast, but Deadline isn’t afraid to spill the beans. Tom Holland returns as Peter Parker in Spider-Man 4, while Sadie Sink’s role remains a mystery.

Destin Daniel Cretton, director of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, will direct Sony’s next Spider-Man movie, which Amy Pascal and Kevin Feige will produce. While Sink’s role is not confirmed, whispers around the Hollywood watercooler suggest she’s playing Jean Grey of Marvel’s X-Men. Is that because Sink is a redhead? Possibly. She could dye her hair and play someone else entirely, so don’t take the Jean Grey check to the bank. We know that Sadie Sink’s role in Spider-Man 4 is significant,...

Scarlett Johansson is going to continue to be among the rare Hollywood A-listers who don’t have social media, even when it comes to promoting her upcoming Jurassic World film.

In her InStyle cover story published on Tuesday, the actress revealed that she was asked by the film’s studio, Universal Pictures, to join Instagram amid the film’s July 2 release date. However, Johansson wasn’t interested.

“I mean, even today, I got an email from Universal [Pictures], and they’re like, ‘Hey, would you consider joining Instagram in tandem with the release of Jurassic World: Rebirth?’ get a lot of pressure to join social media,” she said.

She also pegged the question, “Is there a way I could do this and stay true to who I am? It didn’t feel like I could.”

Despite not joining, she does acknowledge the potential from a business angle, having appeared in her...

The Academy determined the most worthy films of last year at the 97th Oscars on Sunday. However, the number of awards for these films doesn’t necessarily give us a full picture of the films’ popularity with the audience. New data reveals the most streamed Oscar-nominated films and fans would be surprised to learn that some of the big winners at the Oscars are absent from this list.

Anora was the leading winner of the Oscars night and won five awards, including four wins for director Sean Baker. Adrien Brody’s The Brutalist won three awards, while Emilia Pérez, Dune: Part Two, and Wicked won two awards each.

Best Picture winner Anora isn’t one of the most streamed Oscar nominated movies | Credits: Neon

However, none of these top winners were the most streamed movies. In fact, some of the non-winners took the top spots on this list. Some of...

Netflix’s juggernaut sci-fi nostalgia series Stranger Things is wrapping up after an amazing run. The child stars have now become young adult actors as they’ve started to break out into newer roles, including Millie Bobby Brown fighting robots alongside Chris Pratt in the upcoming The Electric State. Finn Wolfhard recently commented that wrapping up the series was “incredibly emotional, obviously. It’s the last 10 years of my life. […] My whole childhood was there. It was sort of the Toy Story 3 moment of leaving your toys behind. It was really special. We had a long last year. We shot sort of ‘Lord of the Rings’ style with a year-long shoot. It was a great way to go out and very intense. I feel like it couldn’t have ended better.“

According to The Hollywood Reporter, his castmate Sadie Sink is all about crying for the end of this era.

Hollywood is called the land of dreams, but for some, those dreams are served with a silver spoon. The term “nepo baby” has certainly become a buzzword in recent years, and it does spark a debate about privilege. However, actors like Jack Quaid are lauded as some of the few who have truly earned their status.

Jack Quaid in The Boys | Prime Video

But he’s not the only one making waves in the industry, as other stars are also proving their mettle. From Stranger Things to Marvel, there are four other actors connected to influential families whose associations may open doors, but it’s their talent that keeps them in the room.

Jack Quaid: The nepo baby who’s earned everyone’s respect Jack Quaid in Novocaine (2025) | Paramount Pictures

Jack Quaid is the son of Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan and is often hailed as the gold standard when...

The Whale actor Sadie Sink has shared what it was like to shoot the series finale episode of Stranger Things, after nearly eight years since joining the hit Netflix show. Sink will be reprising her fan-favorite role as Max Mayfied, who was first introduced in Season 3 as the new kid in town.

During a recent interview with THR, Sink recalled the cast’s emotional final day on the set of Stranger Things Season 5, revealing that she had to do a lot of crying during that day. "I haven’t seen anything from it yet. I’m very curious though. It’s going to be super emotional so I’m ready to cry with everyone," she said. "I had cried so much that my eyes were so puffy — they had never been like that before and there are some pretty embarrassing photos of me just with these giant puffy eyes." Other than Sink,...

Mikey Madison may have just won her first Best Actress Oscar, but that wouldn’t have ever come about if it wasn’t for Quentin Tarantino. That’s not hyperbole; Anora director Sean Baker even admitted this during his own acceptance speech after being presented the Best Director Oscar by Qt himself.

Mikey Madison appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! a few months back ahead of the release of Anora but considering Once Upon a Time in Hollywood just got a little push from her Oscar win, let’s take a look back at how she landed the role of Sadie, modeled after Susan Atkins. “I got this audition, I think I was 19 years old, and I was like, ‘This is my one opportunity to meet Quentin Tarantino’ so I was like, ‘I’m just going to go all out.’ So, I did a lot of research into the Manson family,...

[Editor’s note: This guide was published in fall 2021 and has been updated multiple times since.]

As Netflix’s library of films ebbs and flows, finding the right movie to watch can feel like bailing out an ocean with a spoon. And if you’re looking for a quality horror movie in particular, the search only gets harder. With the reality that Horror is one of the cheapest genres to produce, streamers like Netflix are cluttered with a veritable tsunami of bloody titles that sometimes seem indistinguishable from one another. Curating the 25 scariest movies on Netflix is then quite a process of selection and reduction.

If you’re looking for a good horror movie to watch on Netflix that will truly scare you, picking a final selection can prove a more daunting task than sitting through yet another “Haunting of Hill House” rewatch; with or without its beloved “Bly Manor” chaser. But while the streamer’s priorities seem to shift as quickly as its content selection grows,...

Inside Out 2 writer Dave Holstein is priming for a return to Riley's mind for a third installment. During an exclusive interview with The Direct at the 52nd Saturn Awards, Holstein confirmed wheels are turning on a potential Inside Out film franchise, despite still waiting for an official green light on a threequel.

Holstein asserted he had "no doubt that at some point a third" movie would be produced, revealing that early, albeit "minimal" development had started on Inside Out 3. His optimism extends beyond just one more movie, though.

In my opinion, four through six, seven, eight, Inside Out [movies] should happen.

Inside Out 2 Writer Reveals Franchise Plans, Potential Characters Two Deleted Characters Might Be Resurrected For Inside Out 3

Holstein also dished on potential plot points for future Inside Out movies, pointing to the evolution of Inside Out and Inside Out 2's human protagonist, Riley, as a wellspring for storytelling opportunities.

Some of Hollywood’s most recognizable stars stepped out to attend the Prada fashion show during Milan Fashion Week on Thursday (February 27).

The likes of Gal Gadot, Hunter Schafer, Simone Ashley, Danielle Deadwyler and Charli D’Amelio traveled to Milan, Italy for the runway show, and they delivered fashionable looks on the red carpet.

With more than 20 stars in attendance, we pulled together all of the photos so that you could easily see who was there and what they wore!

Head inside to see all of the photos…

Keep scrolling to see all of the photos from the event…

Gal Gadot

Maya Hawke

Simone Ashley

Charli D’Amelio

Hunter Schafer

Danielle Deadwyler

Tina Leung

Nara Smith

Caro Daur

Leonie Hanne

Sarah Lysander

Heart Evangelista

Anna Dello Russo

Juliette Binoche

Matilda Lutz

Xenia Adonts

Benedetta Porcaroli

Fai Khadra

Karina

Bach Buquen

Jessie Andrews

Lily Chee

Check out the newest teaser for Gal’s new Snow White remake.

When you think of Stranger Things, you probably think of its most popular main characters, like Eleven, Will, Steve, Hopper, and after season 4, maybe even Vecna. But you probably haven't thought about some of the Netflix original series' side characters in quite a while. Well, that might work to your advantage in the fifth and final season, as two likely forgotten characters have been recast.

We don't have to worry about any of the beloved main characters not returning for Stranger Things season 5. All of our favorites will be back for the last hurrah. However, a pair of younger family members of main characters will look a bit different when the show makes its long awaited comeback.

According to Cbr, both Holly Wheeler and Sara Hopper have been recast with new young actors for the final season. In case you aren't able to remember who these characters are, Holly is...

It feels like we have been waiting forever for Stranger Things season 5, and we kind of have been. The previous season was released way back in summer 2022, if you can remember that far back, and it's been an excruciating wait ever since due to setbacks caused by the strikes. But we're finally going to be heading back to Hawkins, Indiana and the Upside Down sometime this year.

Don't get your hopes up too, too high just yet, but we might have learned when the highly anticipated final season of Stranger Things will drop on Netflix. A recent leak from a document that was connected to season 5's merchandising reportedly revealed the intended release dates. Similar situations arise rather frequently, though their veracity tends to remain in question.

So, what are these supposed release dates for Stranger Things season 5? Well, if the rumors are to be believed, the first part will...

Last week, Stranger Things and Do Revenge star, Maya Hawke made headlines after she revealed one of the biggest and worst ways that Hollywood is changing. The actress and daughter of Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke slammed casting directors and production companies for finding and seeking out talent based primarily on Instagram followers. As she explained to Josh Horowitz on his Happy Sad Confused podcast, she had been thinking about deleting her own social media accounts only to be told that production companies are beginning to base their funding of projects off the ensemble’s joint follower count. Of course, this isn’t always the case, but Hawke’s description of the current inner workings of the industry painted a bleak picture of who will get their projects made moving forward and whose work will end up on the cutting room floor.

When Sean Baker (Anora) won best director at the Film Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday, he took the opportunity to reflect on the current state of independent film and said the industry needed to change to keep that genre of films alive.

“Indie film is struggling right now, more than ever,” Baker told the audience in a lengthy speech. “Gone are the days of DVD sales that allow for greater risk to be taken on challenging films. That revenue stream is gone, and the only way to see significant back-end is to have a box office hit with profits that far exceed what any of our films will ever see, unless you are Damien Leone and strike gold with a franchise like Terrifier. But as we all know, that’s an extreme rarity for me, and I think for many of my peers. If we’re lucky, the average number...

Warning: Spoilers for “Stranger Things” Season 4 below

Matthew Modine is addressing an Instagram video he posted back in November suggesting Dr. Martin Brenner may return in “Stranger Things” Season 5, telling TheWrap he “might be the biggest troll on the Internet.”

Audiences will remember that Brenner died in Season 4 of the Netflix series after being shot and killed by a government official while trying to help Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) escape a top secret research facility in the desert and return to Hawkins. While Brenner has previously escaped death before, the Duffer brothers told the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast in 2022 that Brenner is dead “for real this time,” adding, “He’s toast.”

But on Nov. 27, the actor posted a video to Instagram of him sitting in a makeup chair with facial prosthetics laughing maniacally. You can watch Modine’s video, below:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Matthew...

Ethan Hawke finds it "crazy" that actors get cast based on their Instagram following.The 54-year-old actor is baffled by the idea that social media followers are considered by some casting directors to be more important than talent and experience.Speaking at the Berlin Film Festival, Ethan explained: "I really feel for these people. It’s really hard. Sometimes I’ll be setting a movie up and someone will say, ‘Oh, you should cast Suzie.’ I’m like, ‘Who is she?’ ‘She has ten million followers.’ I’m like, ‘Ok cool, has she acted before?’ ‘No, but…’ And you’re like, ‘Wow, so this is going to help me get the movie made? This is crazy.'"So if I don’t have this public-facing [platform], I don’t have a career? And if I get more followers I might get that part? What?"Ethan observed that so many young performers...

Just hours after it was announced that Amazon MGM is gaining total creative control over the James Bond franchise, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos is now outsourcing the casting process online. Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, stewards of the James Bond franchise for decades, have stepped aside from the franchise their family has overseen for 60 years. James Bond was one of the last franchises not owned outright by a major corporation, but now 007 will answer not only to M but also to Jeff Bezos. The new corporate owner is already making some moves on the franchise that likely won't go over well.

Jeff Bezos took to Instagram to share that Amazon MGM is now in control of the 007 franchise. The post, featuring a photo of previous James Bond actor Daniel Craig, was accompanied by a simple caption: "Who would you pick as the next Bond?" The post (see below) has already generated over 5,000 likes,...

The movie industry, like many other industries in the world, focuses on making money. But that doesn't always work in the favor of the project, especially if casting decisions are based on something other than talent.

Stranger Things actor, Maya Hawke, who is the daughter of Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, recently opened up about the fact that social media has a huge impact on the movie business. She previously revealed that several "smart directors" want a cast with a certain number of followers. Her father recently addressed the move at the Berlin Film Festival (via Variety), noting that the practice is "crazy."

Related'It's Easier': Maya Hawke Highlights the Difference About Working Harder as a Nepo Baby

With the ongoing conversation about nepo babies, Maya Hawke doubles down on her previous comments about her connection to her A-list parents.

During an interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Maya Hawke...

Maya Hawke, ‘Stranger Things’ star recently pointed out one issue that’s been on the rise in Hollywood – the issue of actors being cast based on social media followers. She explained that if she deleted her Instagram account, a director might be forced to cast someone else to make up for the lost followers.

She said she has wanted to delete her Instagram account, but she hasn’t been able to because, unfortunately, in this day and age, it could be the reason she doesn’t get cast in a film role.

The line between actor and celebrity has gotten extremely blurry. What I always wanted to be is an actor where the work is what the draw is, not the personhood. But the industry keeps changing, and you have to change with it and understand that all of these things are getting blurred.

Ethan Hawke recently spoke about his daughter Maya’s comments.

Ethan Hawke is reacting to his daughter Maya Hawke’s comments about certain producers wanting to cast actors based on the amount of Instagram followers they have.

The 54-year-old Dead Poets Society actor was in attendance at the 2025 Berlin Film Festival, where he addressed comments made by his 26-year-old daughter, whom he shares with ex Uma Thurman.

In an interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Maya revealed that she knows several “smart directors” who have been told by producers that they must cast actors with a certain amount of Instagram followers for their projects.

“I don’t care about Instagram. Instagram sucks,” she said.

“Right, well just so you know, if you have over this many followers you can get the movie funded. It’s a really confusing line to walk.”

Keep reading to find out more…

When asked by the press at the festival about her comments, Ethan...

Ethan Hawke is weighing in on his daughter Maya’s comments about certain producers wanting to cast actors based on the amount of Instagram followers they have.

In an interview on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast last week, Maya Hawke revealed that she knows several “smart directors” who have been told by producers that they must cast actors with a certain amount of Instagram followers in order for a project to move forward. “I don’t care about Instagram. Instagram sucks,” she said. “Right, well just so you know, if you have over this many followers you can get the movie funded. It’s a really confusing line to walk.”

When asked by press at Berlin Film Festival about his daughter’s remarks, Ethan Hawke said he’s encountered this phenomenon as well and it’s “crazy.”

“I really feel for these people. It’s really hard,” he said. “Sometimes...

Stranger Things star Jamie Campbell Bower opened up about the odd emotions he felt, after wrapping up his scenes for the fifth and final season of the hit Netflix show. Bower will be reprising his villainous role as Vecna/Henry Creel, who was first introduced as the show’s main antagonist in Season 4.

Per ScreenRant, during a recent appearance at MegaCon Orlando, Bower recalled what it was like filming his final Vecna scenes for Stranger Things Season 5. He admitted that he got weirdly emotional because he didn’t really want to say goodbye. "Somebody took a photo of me after we finished the last scene and I just looked like a man that's just been carrying so much weight for so long," he shared. "I was in tears, it was weird, I didn't want to say goodbye, but I definitely was ready to put down what I had been doing for some time.

Social media has had an unquestionable impact on Hollywood from heightened trailer exposure to global audiences and detrimental controversies that can go viral online in minutes or hours. Like with anything some of those advancements are good and some are bad, but a new development spotlighted by Maya Hawke sounds increasingly bleak for new acting talent trying to get their foot in the door.

The young actress recently had a chat with “Happy Sad Confused“ podcast host Josh Horowitz, where Hawke detailed a conversation she had where someone told her that “some producers” are casting actresses based on total social media follower counts and that deleting her Instagram account could be ill-advised for future work.

Continue reading Maya Hawke Told Deleting Instagram Ill-Advised As Some Producers Are Casting Based On Follower Counts: “Confusing Line To Walk” at The Playlist.

The actress behind fan-favorite Robin Buckley in Stranger Things has sparked a fresh round of industry debates thanks to comments made about how some movies are greenlit based on the Instagram follower numbers of their cast. Maya Hawke, who stepped into the spotlight on Netflix’s supernatural smash, recently offered a blunt take on how social media status can alter an actor’s career prospects.

The actress is set to return for the final season of Stranger Things later this year, and while the idea of social media and mobile phones is not something the kids of Hawkins have to worry about, it seems that those wanting to appear in Hollywood movies apparently have a much better chance of making it if they build up a social media following. During an appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, the actress said:

“I don’t care about Instagram. Instagram sucks. Right,...

One does not simply walk into "The Lord of the Rings" movies. Wait, that's not the right quote -- or is it? The point is Peter Jackson's trilogy was a big deal around the turn of the millennium, and everyone wanted to be a part of Middle-earth. Well, almost everybody, since a number of actors turned down "The Lord of the Rings" franchise.

It's always a good time to look back at the casting process of major movies and consider the big what-ifs. More often than not, these films go through significant changes to reach their final form, and not every actor envisioned for a role lands up in the part. Look at the risky move replacing Stuart Townsend as Aragorn behind the scenes of "The Lord of the Rings," even though production had already commenced. It paid off in the end, since Viggo Mortensen's Aragorn is arguably...

Maya Hawke shed some light on some of the difficulty surrounding filmmaking, what she calls a “confusing” state in the industry nowadays in which some producers rely on social media follower counts to cast their movies.

The Stranger Things actress discussed the topic on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast recently, when she made the distinction between actor and celebrity, saying how she has always wanted to embody the former (judged on her work versus her personality).

“But the industry keeps changing, and you have to change with it, and understand that all of these things are getting blurred and there are wonderful, incredible actors I admire whose personalities we all know very well,” she began.

One of the rapid changes is the advent of online platforms like Instagram and TikTok that Hawke, whose parents are industry heavyweights Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, has struggled with in the past.

Maya Hawke discussed the blurring lines between being an actor and how celebrity and social media plays a factor in the mix during a recent Happy Sad Confused podcast. Hawke has considered deleting her Instagram, but apparently it matters big to some producers, and can influence whether or not a film will be made.

“It’s like, I don’t care about Instagram. Instagram sucks. Right, well just so you know, if you have over this many followers you can get the movie funded,” Hawke said during a recent episode...

The film industry doesn't work any differently than any other industry out there when it comes to nepo babies, they're just more visible. With a new wave of talented relatives of famous actors, the conversation about merit, talent, and nepotism has been stronger than ever.

Stranger Things' Maya Hawke, who is the daughter of former A-list couple Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke, has been very outspoken about her label as a nepo baby. Speaking with Josh Horowitz on a live taping of the podcast Happy Sad Confused, she further explained her journey with the film industry, but also how it affected her. At the same time, she denied that being a nepo baby means you have to work "harder."

Related'Reverse Nepotism': Andie MacDowell Says Daughter Margaret Qualley's Success Is Making Her More Popular

The actress has been in the spotlight for over four decades.

The actress pointed out that...

“Stranger Things” star Maya Hawke might have had an easier pathway into Hollywood than some, but that doesn’t mean that the actress has been immune to uncomfortable experiences with producers and directors on set. In an interview on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast published Thursday, Hawke said an unnamed producer had uncomfortable advice for her.

“A director told me — actually, I think it was a producer, but they were in cahoots — told me that I looked prettier with my mouth closed and that I should close my mouth after I speak more often,” she recalled.

Though Hawke said she is “kind of a mouth-breather,” she said the advice was especially frustrating because “I was playing a character that was distinctly unselfconscious.”

“That was a trait of the character, that they didn’t care about looking pretty and they were unselfconscious, and so it was clearly just a desire of the aesthetic of the thing,...

Maya Hawke gained recognition for her role of Jo March in the 2017 BBC adaptation of Little Women, and has starred in several critically acclaimed projects since. She's also Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke's daughter, as well as a singer and model, and the voice of Anxiety in 2024's hit Inside Out 2, and Robin on Stranger Things.

Despite having a long list of acting credits and an already-established fanbase, the actress reveals that it isn't always enough. During an interview with Josh Horowitz on a live taping of the podcast Happy Sad Confused, the actress explained how the film industry environment is constantly changing, and revealed some producers care about social media more and more. She also highlighted that having a social media presence is important when getting cast for some roles.

Related'We Would Still Buy the Movie Today': Netflix Addresses Backlash Against Controversial Oscar-Nominated Film

The Oscar-nominated film has drawn tremendous controversy,...

Maya Hawke says in some cases, the cast’s social media following plays a huge role in whether or not a film will be made.

“I don’t care about Instagram. Instagram sucks. Right, well just so you know, if you have over this many followers you can get the movie funded,” Hawke said on a recent episode of the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast. “It’s a really confusing line to walk.”

Hawke said she knows several “smart directors” who’ve encountered producers that demand a benchmark number of Instagram followers from their cast before moving forward with a project.

“I’m talking about deleting my Instagram and [some directors are] like, ‘Just so you know when I’m casting a movie with some producers, they hand me a sheet with the amount of collective followers I have to get from the cast,'” Hawke recalled. “‘So if you delete your Instagram and I lose those followers,...

Maya Hawke has delivered some memorable performances in recent years, despite some questionable unsolicited advice along the way.

The Stranger Things actress recently revealed the insulting behind-the-scenes suggestion a producer once gave her about how she could “look prettier” on camera, which “really upset” her.

“A director told me — actually, I think it was a producer, but they were in cahoots — told me that I looked prettier with my mouth closed and that I should close my mouth after I speak more often,” Hawke recalled on the Happy Sad Confused podcast.

Admitting that she is “kind of a mouth-breather,” she explained, “I do often let my mouth hang open but depending on what character I’m playing, because I feel like jaw tension and mouth tension is so important to express what kind of person you are.”

Hawke added, “Where you leave that, I think, is really important. And I...

Leonardo DiCaprio, Scarlett Johansson, and a few other A-listers stay iconic by overlooking Hollywood’s obsession with Instagram. Most people love getting a few updates about their favorite celebs on Instagram from time to time.

Leonardo DiCaprio in Inception | Credits: Warner Bros. Pictures

However, it has recently come to light that the industry has seemingly exchanged talent for Instagram followers in the past few years. This has obviously concerned many people as this would mean that soon anybody with an appropriate amount of followers would be starring in the movies.

While others, no matter how hardworking or talented they are, would be shunned for the lack of it. However, there are a few stars who still let their work do the talking for them, instead of buying into the frenzy. If anything, fans seem grateful for it.

Leonardo DiCaprio, Scarlett Johansson, and a few others refuse to follow Hollywood’s...

It turns out Game of Thrones fans should’ve seen the Season 8 disaster coming from miles away, because one of the showrunners basically foreshadowed it years ago. David Benioff once shared his very strong (and kinda controversial) take on The Sopranos ending, admitting he’d gotten into plenty of arguments about it.

Daniel Weiss, David Benioff and Emilia Clarke on the set of Game of Thrones | Credits: HBO

Now, looking back, his thoughts on the HBO classic feel like an early red flag for what was about to happen in Westeros.

Game of Thrones showrunner’s take on The Sopranos finale warned us about season 8’s disaster A still from The Sopranos | Credits: HBO

When Game of Thrones crashed and burned in its final season, many fans felt blindsided. But maybe the warning signs were always there? especially in showrunner David Benioff’s past take on The Sopranos finale.

Benioff...

Maya Hawke is giving insight into a possible stipulation for actors when auditioning for roles and looking back on the harsh criticism she once received from a producer.

While sitting down for the Happy Sad Confused podcast, the Stranger Things star reflected on how “the line between actor and celebrity has gotten extremely blurry” in the age of social media and that some producers may cast someone based on their follower count.

“What I always wanted to be is an actor where the work is what the draw is, not the personhood. But the industry keeps changing, and you have to change with it and understand that all of these things are getting blurred,” she explained.

Though she noted that there are “wonderful, incredible actors” she admires and “whose personalities we all know very well,” many are left to just figure “out the footing in these changing times of social...

Social media isn’t just a way for actors to connect with fans as it’s now influencing their careers in ways many wouldn’t expect. Actress Maya Hawke, known for her role in Stranger Things shared that she considered quitting Instagram but was advised against it by directors who explained how much it mattered in Hollywood.

Maya Hawke in Stranger Things | Credits: Netflix

Hawke isn’t the only one who has faced this reality. One social media user, named Joe Russo, claimed that in 2020, a Game of Thrones actor was not cast in a movie because he didn’t have enough Instagram followers.

Why was Maya Hawke told not to quit Instagram?

For many actors, social media can feel exhausting, but deleting it isn’t always an option. Actress Maya Hawke recently shared that, despite wanting to leave Instagram, she has been convinced to stay by several well-known directors.

After Maya Hawke’s recent interview, it seems like Jennifer Aniston’s warning about Hollywood is becoming a dystopian reality day by day. The movie industry not only needs to match the rhythm of time but also needs to be ahead of it sometimes as the ultimate trendsetter.

Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley in Stranger Things | Credits: Netflix

As such, evolving at a breakneck speed is not only unsurprising but also expected. However, in its race to be one with the time, the old Hollywood glamor is slowly getting eroded. Or, that is what many actors have to say about the industry they have been a part of for so long.

Jennifer Aniston spoke about this years ago, but a recent interview with Maya Hawke is driving this point home that Hollywood’s current situation does not bode well for either actors or filmmakers of the future.

Maya Hawke’s...

Directed by Mark Waters, La Dolce Villa, the 2025 Netflix rom-com, is the story of a father who turns up in Italy in pursuit of his young daughter, who wants to buy a house. With a close-knit cast, La Dolce Villa moves like a Tuscany romance, replete with vintage villas, charming medieval streets, wine and gelato, and a grand fresco. A new addition to the array of Valentine’s Day rom-coms, La Dolce Villa is surely going to make your heats a lot more merry.

Scott Foley as Eric

As the well-meaning but anxious father in La Dolce Villa, we get to see American actor and director Scott Foley. Foley has been a part of the slasher franchise Scream as Roman Bridger. He has also starred in multiple TV shows like Felicity, Scandal, and Scrubs. The 2014 American black comedy, Let’s Kill Ward’s Wife, is the sole directorial venture of Foley. As a misfit,...

Hollywood is not just about talent anymore—it’s also about social media numbers. Actress Maya Hawke recently revealed that some directors have told her that film producers set follower count targets when casting roles. This means actors with more social media followers have a better chance of being hired.

Hawke, best known for her role as Robin Buckley in ‘Stranger Things,’ shared an example of how this affects her. She explained that if she deleted her Instagram account, a director might be forced to cast someone else to make up for the lost followers.

She said she has wanted to delete her Instagram account, but she hasn’t been able to because, unfortunately, in this day and age, it could be the reason she doesn’t get cast in a film role.

The line between actor and celebrity has gotten extremely blurry. What I always wanted to be is...

While a sub-section of movie fans bark about nepotism in the entertainment industry, another aspect of the business could set your sensitivities aflame. According to Maya Hawke, the multi-talented actor, musician, and daughter of Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, some producers prioritize actors based on their social media followings. Like it or not, social media is the fastest way to hock your wares to droves of fans and passersby roped in by the almighty algorithm. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, BlueSky, and, to a lesser extent, Twitter bring millions of eyeballs to celebrities, influencers, up-and-coming bands, and lesser-known individuals with extraordinary talents. Sure, you could chase trends, perform the latest dance craze, or prank unsuspecting victims of your obnoxious clout chasing. Still, social media is a powerful entertainment tool and measuring stick for a person’s ability to command attention.

According to Maya Hawke, “so many smart directors” have talked her...

Don’t delete that Instagram just yet, actors.

“Stranger Things” and “Inside Out 2” star Maya Hawke says she has been talked out of leaving Instagram by “so many smart directors.” Because yes, social media is toxic, but a certain threshold of followers is what “can get [a] movie funded,” she said on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast.

She recalled thinking, “‘Well, I wanna make the movie…'”

Hawke says she has been told, “‘Just so you know, when I’m casting a movie with some producers, they hand me a sheet with the amount of collective followers I have to get [from] the cast that I cast. So if you delete your Instagram and I lose those followers, understand that these are the kinds of people that I have to cast around you.'”

“It’s a really confusing line to walk,” she acknowledged.

Hawke probably hits that “amount of collective followers” singlehandedly.

Maya Hawke appeared on the latest episode of “Happy Sad Confused” and says a famous Hollywood talent once called her out for leaving her mouth open too much during takes. The “Stranger Things” favorite was advised that she would look prettier with our mouth shut.

“A director told me — actually, I think it was a producer, but they were in cahoots — told me I looked prettier with my mouth closed and that I should close my mouth after I speak more often,” Hawke revealed. “I do often let my mouth hang open depending on what character I’m playing, because I feel like jaw tension and mouth tension is so important to express what kind of person you are.”

“Where you leave that, I think, is really important,” she continued. “And I was really upset about being told that I should close my mouth more to look prettier, because I...

Stars: Edward Norton, Jason Schwartzman, Jake Ryan, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Jeffrey Wright, Grace Edwards, Maya Hawke, Ruper Friend, Hope Davis, Steve Park, Liev Schreiber | Written by Wes Anderson, Roman Coppola | Directed by Wes Anderson

Wes Anderson has always managed to conjure up so much joy and wonder in his films, from his early days to his most recent work. There’s always an element of childish imagination and wonder to his films that always helps you fall in love with the characters and the worlds. Beneath that style, however, has always been a maturity to his storytelling, a sense of heartache and subtle sadness that lingers through the colourful worlds. Asteroid City is like so much of Anderson’s previous work, it has the joy and wonder, it has the wonderful colour pallet and style we’ve come to expect and perhaps has deeper meanings and messages than in any of his previous work.