From its A-list leads like Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling down to cameos from the likes of Helen Mirren, Dua Lipa, and John Cena, Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” assembled one of the starriest casts of 2023. But according to Michael Cera, it could have been even bigger.
In a new appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Cera revealed that Ben Affleck was slated to make a cameo in the film for a key action sequence. When the “Good Will Hunting” star had to drop out to shoot “Air,” Cera was asked to step in and fight a crew of Kens doing construction work.
“I wasn’t even supposed to fight in the movie,” Cera said. “Am I allowed to say what it was supposed to be? It was supposed to be Ben Affleck. Am I allowed to say that? I think Ben wanted to do it, but he was directing his movie,...
In a new appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Cera revealed that Ben Affleck was slated to make a cameo in the film for a key action sequence. When the “Good Will Hunting” star had to drop out to shoot “Air,” Cera was asked to step in and fight a crew of Kens doing construction work.
“I wasn’t even supposed to fight in the movie,” Cera said. “Am I allowed to say what it was supposed to be? It was supposed to be Ben Affleck. Am I allowed to say that? I think Ben wanted to do it, but he was directing his movie,...
- 2/17/2024
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
With Life & Beth season two, Amy Schumer is no longer worried about spoilers. After all, this story is in the details.
The follow-up season to her semi-autobiographical Hulu dramedy, which launched all 10 episodes on Thursday, centers on the romantic relationship between Beth (Schumer) and John (played by Michael Cera), who — as the trailer revealed — get married early on in the new season. As the season progresses, Beth starts to notice certain behaviors in John and suggests that they check them out, together. Early in their marriage, John is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (Asd).
According to Schumer, talking about John’s diagnosis on the day that the new season launches will not ruin the viewing experience. “They really put everything in the trailer, which at first I was like, ‘Um, excuse me?'” recalls the creator, writer and director with a laugh. “And they were like, ‘Well, it will...
The follow-up season to her semi-autobiographical Hulu dramedy, which launched all 10 episodes on Thursday, centers on the romantic relationship between Beth (Schumer) and John (played by Michael Cera), who — as the trailer revealed — get married early on in the new season. As the season progresses, Beth starts to notice certain behaviors in John and suggests that they check them out, together. Early in their marriage, John is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (Asd).
According to Schumer, talking about John’s diagnosis on the day that the new season launches will not ruin the viewing experience. “They really put everything in the trailer, which at first I was like, ‘Um, excuse me?'” recalls the creator, writer and director with a laugh. “And they were like, ‘Well, it will...
- 2/16/2024
- by Jackie Strause
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck might work together in a new movie. The 51-year-old actress is in talks to star alongside Matt Damon in a new Netflix crime thriller called Animals.
Fans are shocked to know that Affleck will work with his ex-wife on a Netflix movie, while Jennifer Lopez revisits her relationship with the Caped Crusader actor in her recently released album. This news surprises fans, especially considering Affleck and Garner’s history.
Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck in a still from Elektra
They got married in 2005 but split up in 2015, right after being together for 10 years. Their divorce was settled in 2018. Rumors swirled about Affleck’s cheating and gambling issues. Garner is now dating businessman John Miller, while Affleck tied the knot again with JLo, whom he was with before.
SUGGESTEDMark Wahlberg Feels Left Out of Ben Affleck, Matt Damon’s Viral DunKings Commercial, Says He’s “Still...
Fans are shocked to know that Affleck will work with his ex-wife on a Netflix movie, while Jennifer Lopez revisits her relationship with the Caped Crusader actor in her recently released album. This news surprises fans, especially considering Affleck and Garner’s history.
Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck in a still from Elektra
They got married in 2005 but split up in 2015, right after being together for 10 years. Their divorce was settled in 2018. Rumors swirled about Affleck’s cheating and gambling issues. Garner is now dating businessman John Miller, while Affleck tied the knot again with JLo, whom he was with before.
SUGGESTEDMark Wahlberg Feels Left Out of Ben Affleck, Matt Damon’s Viral DunKings Commercial, Says He’s “Still...
- 2/16/2024
- by Shreya Jha
- FandomWire
Beth’s got a lot of living to do, and as her relationship with John continues to grow more serious, a life with marriage and children is coming clearer into view — if she manages the eternal balance of keeping her other relationships alive and supporting her friends and family with their own problems. Amy Schumer stars in the series she wrote, directed, and executive produced opposite Michael Cera, Yamaneika Saunders, and Laura Benanti, among others, with an exciting lineup of A-list guest stars for the second season, including Jennifer Coolidge, Amy Sedaris, Big Freedia, and more. The 10-episode “Life & Beth” Season 2 will premiere on Hulu on Friday, Feb. 16. You can watch Life & Beth: Season 2 with a 30-Day Free Trial of Hulu.
How to Watch ‘Life & Beth’ Season 2 Premiere When: Friday, February 16, 2024 Where: Hulu Stream: Watch with a 30-Day Free Trial of Hulu. 30-Day Free Trial$7.99+ / month hulu.
How to Watch ‘Life & Beth’ Season 2 Premiere When: Friday, February 16, 2024 Where: Hulu Stream: Watch with a 30-Day Free Trial of Hulu. 30-Day Free Trial$7.99+ / month hulu.
- 2/16/2024
- by Ashley Steves
- The Streamable
In addition to all of the Barbies and Kens who lived in Barbieland, there was also Allan, who happened to be Ken’s best friend, played by Michael Cera. Allan also had his moments, such as the scene where he battled the construction workers in Barbieland’s entrance. Curiously, though, Cera revealed that this was not the original concept for that particular fight scene.
Ben Affleck was supposed to make a cameo appearance in the movie and thus had to fight the construction workers, according to the 39-year-old Ontario-born actor. Unfortunately, the former couldn’t take on the role in Barbie due to his commitment to the biographical sports drama film Air.
This gave Cera’s Allan the opportunity to show off his fighting prowess. But had Affleck been available to play the role, the scene would have been drastically altered.
Michael Cera as Allan
SUGGESTEDMichael Cera’s Legendary Film...
Ben Affleck was supposed to make a cameo appearance in the movie and thus had to fight the construction workers, according to the 39-year-old Ontario-born actor. Unfortunately, the former couldn’t take on the role in Barbie due to his commitment to the biographical sports drama film Air.
This gave Cera’s Allan the opportunity to show off his fighting prowess. But had Affleck been available to play the role, the scene would have been drastically altered.
Michael Cera as Allan
SUGGESTEDMichael Cera’s Legendary Film...
- 2/16/2024
- by Siddhika Prajapati
- FandomWire
Ben Affleck was supposed to appear in Barbie, Michael Cera has revealed. Scheduling conflicts meant Cera had to do Affleck’s fight scene instead.
Even on slick, multi-million dollar film productions, last minute changes can happen and sudden decisions have to be made.
Such was the case on last year’s box office juggernaut, Barbie, according to a new anecdote from Michael Cera, who stars in the film as the likeably awkward Alan.
One of Cera’s most memorable scenes in Barbie involves a fight with a bunch of construction worker Kens, in which Alan displays a surprising knack for martial arts.
Talking on the HappySadConfused podcast, however, Cera reveals that the scene wasn’t initially written for him, but rather Ben Affleck in a surprise cameo.
Read more: Barbie review | Crikey, they pulled it off
“I wasn’t even supposed to fight in the movie,” Cera said, as picked up by Deadline.
Even on slick, multi-million dollar film productions, last minute changes can happen and sudden decisions have to be made.
Such was the case on last year’s box office juggernaut, Barbie, according to a new anecdote from Michael Cera, who stars in the film as the likeably awkward Alan.
One of Cera’s most memorable scenes in Barbie involves a fight with a bunch of construction worker Kens, in which Alan displays a surprising knack for martial arts.
Talking on the HappySadConfused podcast, however, Cera reveals that the scene wasn’t initially written for him, but rather Ben Affleck in a surprise cameo.
Read more: Barbie review | Crikey, they pulled it off
“I wasn’t even supposed to fight in the movie,” Cera said, as picked up by Deadline.
- 2/16/2024
- by Ryan Lambie
- Film Stories
Michael Cera fought when Batman couldn’t.
A Q&a for the Happy Sad Confused podcast revealed that Cera’s big fight scene in Barbie with construction worker Kens came about only because Ben Affleck dropped out of the film.
“I wasn’t even supposed to fight in the movie,” Cera said. “Am I allowed to say what was supposed to be? It was supposed to be Ben Affleck. Am I allowed to say that?”
Affleck had to drop out of Barbie because of his commitment to last year’s sports drama Air. “I think Ben wanted to do it, but he was directing his movie, but they didn’t find that out until the 11th hour.”
“They’re like, ‘Okay, Ben is out. Something has to happen here, so you’re gonna fight them,'” Cera recalled.
Cera was recoverng from Covid at the time, so doing a lot of activity was draining.
A Q&a for the Happy Sad Confused podcast revealed that Cera’s big fight scene in Barbie with construction worker Kens came about only because Ben Affleck dropped out of the film.
“I wasn’t even supposed to fight in the movie,” Cera said. “Am I allowed to say what was supposed to be? It was supposed to be Ben Affleck. Am I allowed to say that?”
Affleck had to drop out of Barbie because of his commitment to last year’s sports drama Air. “I think Ben wanted to do it, but he was directing his movie, but they didn’t find that out until the 11th hour.”
“They’re like, ‘Okay, Ben is out. Something has to happen here, so you’re gonna fight them,'” Cera recalled.
Cera was recoverng from Covid at the time, so doing a lot of activity was draining.
- 2/16/2024
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Allan was one of the runaway characters in Barbie. Introduced by Mattel as a bit of a supporting character to a supporting character — he was first labeled as “Ken’s buddy” — Michael Cera’s interpretation of him proved to be a scene stealer. But could Allan be the one most deserving of a Barbie spin-off? Probably not, but there might be an audience for Cera standing around awkwardly for two hours.
Appearing on The Tonight Show, Cera was asked about Allan being the lead in a Barbie follow-up, to which he replied, “I think it would be kind of a weird movie, but I’m there…He’s kind of like an inactive character. He kind of just stands [there].” This tied directly into Cera’s inspiration for Allan, an unlikely source from Springfield. “For me, the biggest inspiration for the character was Hans Moleman, that character in The Simpsons. He...
Appearing on The Tonight Show, Cera was asked about Allan being the lead in a Barbie follow-up, to which he replied, “I think it would be kind of a weird movie, but I’m there…He’s kind of like an inactive character. He kind of just stands [there].” This tied directly into Cera’s inspiration for Allan, an unlikely source from Springfield. “For me, the biggest inspiration for the character was Hans Moleman, that character in The Simpsons. He...
- 2/15/2024
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
In 2022, Amy Schumer starred in two different series. One was the long-delayed fifth season of her sketch comedy show Inside Amy Schumer, which had been absent for six years while Schumer focused on family and on other professional opportunities. The other was Hulu’s Life & Beth, a semi-autobiographical dramedy where Schumer played an unhappy woman who moved back into her childhood home in Long Island after the loss of her mother, trying for a fresh start to a life that hadn’t gone as she once hoped.
The return...
The return...
- 2/15/2024
- by Alan Sepinwall
- Rollingstone.com
Michael Cera would be up for a Barbie spinoff focusing on his character, Allan.
The actor stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Monday, where he discussed Greta Gerwig’s eight-time Oscar-nominated film and his now-beloved take on Ken’s best friend.
“[It was an] amazing thing to be a part of,” he told Jimmy Fallon of being in the biggest film of 2023. “I mean, I couldn’t believe that I had a chance to be a part of it. It just came out of nowhere for me. I think I was like a last-minute replacement of someone, the person they actually wanted.”
Cera was right. Barbie casting directors Allison Jones and Lucy Bevan revealed that Jonathan Groff was the first person they approached to portray Allan in the film. They explained to Vanity Fair that Groff couldn’t take the role because of scheduling conflicts. “Dear, dear Jonathan Groff was like,...
The actor stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Monday, where he discussed Greta Gerwig’s eight-time Oscar-nominated film and his now-beloved take on Ken’s best friend.
“[It was an] amazing thing to be a part of,” he told Jimmy Fallon of being in the biggest film of 2023. “I mean, I couldn’t believe that I had a chance to be a part of it. It just came out of nowhere for me. I think I was like a last-minute replacement of someone, the person they actually wanted.”
Cera was right. Barbie casting directors Allison Jones and Lucy Bevan revealed that Jonathan Groff was the first person they approached to portray Allan in the film. They explained to Vanity Fair that Groff couldn’t take the role because of scheduling conflicts. “Dear, dear Jonathan Groff was like,...
- 2/13/2024
- by Christy Piña
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Our year-end coverage continues with a look at the best performances of 2023. Rather than divide categories into supporting or lead or by gender, we’ve written about our 35 favorites, period. Find our countdown below and start watching the ones you’ve missed here and here.
35. The Cast of How to Blow Up a Pipeline
The hallmark of a great ensemble is one where each player feels precisely in-tune with the tone and goal of the film, willing to shine in their moment while sharing the spotlight. Perhaps the most even-handed, harmonious example this year is with Daniel Goldhaber’s nail-biting eco-thriller How to Blow Up a Pipeline. Featuring Ariela Barer (also co-writer), Kristine Froseth, Lukas Gage, Forrest Goodluck, Sasha Lane, Jayme Lawson, Marcus Scribner, Jake Weary, and Irene Bedard, it’s a feat of perfect casting, each performance feeling lived-in and an essential piece to the heist puzzle. – Jordan R....
35. The Cast of How to Blow Up a Pipeline
The hallmark of a great ensemble is one where each player feels precisely in-tune with the tone and goal of the film, willing to shine in their moment while sharing the spotlight. Perhaps the most even-handed, harmonious example this year is with Daniel Goldhaber’s nail-biting eco-thriller How to Blow Up a Pipeline. Featuring Ariela Barer (also co-writer), Kristine Froseth, Lukas Gage, Forrest Goodluck, Sasha Lane, Jayme Lawson, Marcus Scribner, Jake Weary, and Irene Bedard, it’s a feat of perfect casting, each performance feeling lived-in and an essential piece to the heist puzzle. – Jordan R....
- 12/13/2023
- by The Film Stage
- The Film Stage
(Editor’s note: The following article contains mild overarching plot spoilers for “Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.”)
After endless reboots, sequels, and revivals, fans of big movies and TV shows aren’t clamoring for more the way they once were. But with “Scott Pilgrim Takes Off,” Netflix and creators Bryan Lee O’Malley and BenDavid Grabinski show that a franchise reset doesn’t mean the death of creativity or more of the same; it can be a fresh opportunity for a beloved property like “Scott Pilgrim” to completely revamp itself and find a brand new audience — while still satisfying old fans.
With one general spoiler for the entire series ahead, “Scott Pilgrim Takes Off” is not the story of O’Malley’s six graphic novels, which wrapped up in the same year as Edgar Wright’s big-screen adaptation “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” — and it’s not that movie either. The animated series is a secret third thing,...
After endless reboots, sequels, and revivals, fans of big movies and TV shows aren’t clamoring for more the way they once were. But with “Scott Pilgrim Takes Off,” Netflix and creators Bryan Lee O’Malley and BenDavid Grabinski show that a franchise reset doesn’t mean the death of creativity or more of the same; it can be a fresh opportunity for a beloved property like “Scott Pilgrim” to completely revamp itself and find a brand new audience — while still satisfying old fans.
With one general spoiler for the entire series ahead, “Scott Pilgrim Takes Off” is not the story of O’Malley’s six graphic novels, which wrapped up in the same year as Edgar Wright’s big-screen adaptation “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” — and it’s not that movie either. The animated series is a secret third thing,...
- 11/17/2023
- by Proma Khosla
- Indiewire
Barbie.Michael Cera plays Allan, a milquetoast companion to Ryan Gosling’s Ken, in the recent billion-dollar blockbuster Barbie (2023). The film’s narrator, Helen Mirren, introduces Allan by stating he is “unique” and noting “there are no multiples of him.” The same could be said of the actor behind the mild-mannered doll. Cera’s status as a sometimes endearing, sometimes discomforting, but always awkward screen presence has made him a fixture of commercial cinema ever since his famed turn as a sexually naïve cross-country star in Jason Reitman’s teenage pregnancy drama Juno (2007). Sixteen years later, Cera’s complexion remains the same. Except, his baby face no longer represents innocence and childish sentimentalism. His recent credits have skewed toward portrayals of frustrated men, revealing unforeseen dimensions of his previously exhibited acting chops.Cera’s rise to stardom in the mid-'00s coincided with the release of films such as Napoleon Dynamite...
- 11/15/2023
- MUBI
(Welcome to Tales from the Box Office, our column that examines box office miracles, disasters, and everything in between, as well as what we can learn from them.)
Comedy occupies a pretty fascinating space within the movie world. Sure, comedies have been a part of mainstream cinema pretty much from the very start, dating back to some of the silent era's biggest stars like Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. But comedy isn't as easy to churn out as something like horror. Just about anyone can make a horror movie with a little bit of money and some people willing to get blood on their clothes. Good horror is another conversation entirely but even the worst of the worst horror films can gain cult status. Comedy, however, requires a bit more.
With that having been said, it is always pretty remarkable when everything comes together and a comedy manages to break...
Comedy occupies a pretty fascinating space within the movie world. Sure, comedies have been a part of mainstream cinema pretty much from the very start, dating back to some of the silent era's biggest stars like Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. But comedy isn't as easy to churn out as something like horror. Just about anyone can make a horror movie with a little bit of money and some people willing to get blood on their clothes. Good horror is another conversation entirely but even the worst of the worst horror films can gain cult status. Comedy, however, requires a bit more.
With that having been said, it is always pretty remarkable when everything comes together and a comedy manages to break...
- 8/20/2022
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
The making of "Superbad" was a blessed event. Everything from the heartwarmingly puerile script by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg to the hiring of highly underrated indie filmmaker Greg Mottola, seemed to go just right. The high school comedy about two affable, yet far-from-popular best friends (Michael Cera and Jonah Hill) who scheme to deliver a bounty of liquor for a year-end, senior-year bash perfectly captures the uncertain yearning of that strange pre-college summer. The film has since earned its place in the teen comedy firmament alongside the sacred likes of "Fast Times at Ridgemont High," "The Breakfast Club," and "Clueless."
While you can't ascribe the success of "Superbad" to one single factor, there are certain key elements that elevated the film to classic status. No disrespect to Emma Stone or the pitch-perfect soundtrack, but if we're going to spotlight one essential ingredient, we're slotting Christopher Mintz-Plasse's thunderbolt-of-overconfident-nerdery portrayal...
While you can't ascribe the success of "Superbad" to one single factor, there are certain key elements that elevated the film to classic status. No disrespect to Emma Stone or the pitch-perfect soundtrack, but if we're going to spotlight one essential ingredient, we're slotting Christopher Mintz-Plasse's thunderbolt-of-overconfident-nerdery portrayal...
- 8/17/2022
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
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