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Tag: Tom Holland

  • Spider-Man 2’s Peter Parker Was ‘All In’ On Face Change, Says Fans Need To ‘Get Over It’

    Spider-Man 2’s Peter Parker Was ‘All In’ On Face Change, Says Fans Need To ‘Get Over It’

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    Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is out soon and looking very good, with a ton of hype surrounding the PS5 exclusive open-world superhero game. But now, even years after Sony made clear it would be giving Spidey a new look, fans keep grumbling about the loss of Peter Parker’s old face, last seen in the original PlayStation 4 version of the first Spider-Man game. And Peter Parker actor Yuri Lowenthal has a message to those fans: Get over it.

    Tears Of The Kingdom’s Newspaper Questline And The State Of Hyrulean Journalism

    When Marvel’s Spider-Man, originally released on PS4 in 2018, made its leap to the next-gen PS5 in 2020, it came with a bunch of changes and graphical improvements. One of the changes that got the most headlines didn’t involve ray-traced reflections or 4K textures. Instead, a lot of people got very upset that developer Insomniac Games decided to change the face of Peter Parker, making the character look younger and more like Tom Holland in the process. Since then fans have been talking about it a lot. And Lowenthal is “tired of talking about it after all this time” and just wants fans to move on.

    In an interview with ComicBook.com published Thursday, Lowenthal said that he got over the change as soon as Insomniac explained to him it would help improve Parker’s facial animation, telling the studio “I’m all in” after learning about why the change was being made.

    PlayStation / Insomniac Games

    “The performance was the same for me,” said Lowenthal. “I don’t care if he looks like a goblin, if my performance is better, then I’m in. I’m kind of tired of talking about it, to be honest, because I think everything that needs to be said has been said.”

    The Spider-Man actor acknowledged that it will take longer for some fans and players to get comfortable with the face swap. And he also admitted that he understands some people will likely “never” reach that point. However, he does see one positive to all the backlash and continued demands for the original face to return.

    “People connected emotionally so hard and so deeply in the first game that they’re mad when they feel that person changes,” said Lowenthal. “I can only be so mad about that because it worked—not the [face change]—but you connected with the character which is great.”

    But the actor did have a final message for those still struggling with the new face of Peter Parker: “Now, get over it!”

    Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 launches on PS5 on October 20.

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    Zack Zwiezen

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  • Everything Zendaya Has Said About Those Tom Holland Engagement Rumors

    Everything Zendaya Has Said About Those Tom Holland Engagement Rumors

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    Wedding bells are still not ringing for Zendaya and Tom Holland — at least not yet. On Sept. 21, Zendaya shared a selfie showing off her hat in a car window, but what fans took most notice of was the massive pearl ring on her hand, sparking another round of speculation that she and Holland are engaged.

    Zendaya got wind of the speculation immediately and followed up her post with a now-deleted Instagram Story video to shut the latest rumors down. “I can’t post anything you guys! I posted it for my hat!” she said, before pointing out that the ring wasn’t even on the engagement finger (the fourth finger on the left hand). “Not for the ring on my right finger, you guys. Seriously, you think that’s how I would drop the news?”

    This isn’t the first time Zendaya — or her mom, Claire Stoermer — have shut down Tomdaya engagement rumors. On Nov. 29, 2022, a Twitter account called Pop Tingz tweeted that the “Spider-Man” co-stars-turned-lovers were engaged. Although the tweet didn’t provide a reputable source, the claim took off, racking up nearly 7,000 retweets and quote tweets in total in a matter of days. Another unverified account called Pop Hive picked up the “news” and received even more engagement from thrilled Tomdaya fans, garnering 75,000 retweets and quote tweets altogether.

    The rumors were just “clickbait,” however. On Nov. 30, 2022, Stoermer posted text on her Instagram Story that read, “Clickbait typically refers to the practice of writing sensationalized or misleading headlines in order to attract clicks on a piece of content. It often relies on exaggerating claims or leaving out key information in order to encourage traffic. The term is generally used in a dismissive sense.” Based on the timing of her post, Stoermer was seemingly suggesting that those initial Tomdaya engagement rumors were just that, clickbait.

    Zendaya and Holland have long kept their relationship under wraps in the public eye. The actors first met after being cast in 2017’s “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” and the romance rumors started shortly after they began filming for the movie.

    Over the next four years, Holland and Zendaya appeared to only be friends as they pursued romantic relationships: the former romanced Nadia Parkes, and the latter started dating her “Euphoria” costar, Jacob Elordi. It wasn’t until July 2021 that things got serious between the two “Spider-Man” stars after they were spotted making out at a red light in Los Angeles. The photos reignited dating rumors, but the couple didn’t address the speculation until Holland’s November 2021 GQ cover story, telling the outlet they’d publicly confirm their relationship “when we’re ready to talk about it together.”

    Fans have always admired Zendaya and Holland’s sweet bond as they’ve supported each other in their professional and personal lives. In the past, each of them has shared cute birthday messages on social media. They’ve even supported one another on set and at red carpet premieres (in matching outfits, might we add) for any projects they weren’t starring in together.

    While this pair may not be engaged, Zendaya and Holland’s relationship is still the stuff of storybooks. So, considering Zendaya asked fans, “You think that’s how I would drop the news?” we can probably expect the pair to tell us directly when if they get engaged.

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    Njera Perkins

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  • Zendaya Shows Off Her Basketball Skills During School Visit With Tom Holland

    Zendaya Shows Off Her Basketball Skills During School Visit With Tom Holland

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    The actor was captured in an Instagram video posted on Friday throwing an assist to “Hustle” actor Elvin Rodriguez during a visit to a school in her hometown of Oakland, California.

    The Emmy winner’s boyfriend, “Spider-Man” star Tom Holland, also joined her for the event hosted by nonprofit organizations Hoopbus, Project Backboard, and local Oakland brand Oaklandish.

    In another video, Holland is seen learning impressive basketball spinning tricks from Harlem Globetrotter player Sam Diaz.

    Diaz posted the clip on his Instagram account, writing in one caption: “Who can say they taught Spider-Man some tricks.”

    Zendaya recently discussed her notoriously private relationship with Holland in an Elle profile published on Wednesday.

    “Parts of my life, I accept, are going to be public,” she told Elle. “I can’t not be a person and live my life and love the person I love. But also, I do have control over what I choose to share.”

    She continued: “It’s about protecting the peace and letting things be your own but also not being afraid to exist. You can’t hide. That’s not fun, either. I am navigating it more than ever now.”

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  • Zendaya Feeds Tom Holland Ice Cream During Sweet Stroll At London Park 

    Zendaya Feeds Tom Holland Ice Cream During Sweet Stroll At London Park 

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    By Melissa Romualdi.
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    Last updated:

    Tom Holland and Zendaya have the internet drooling over their recent ice cream date.

    The fan-favourite couple were spotted on a romantic stroll in London on Friday, and, in photos shared to Twitter, the “Euphoria” star, 26, was seen feeding her boyfriend, 27, a spoon of ice cream.


    READ MORE:
    Tom Holland Says Zendaya Sends Him ‘Hundreds And Hundreds’ Of Instagram Memes: ‘She Sends Me Too Much’

    The pair took their dog for a walk in the park and were dressed causally for the outing, with Zendaya donning all-black athletic wear and Tom — who held on to the pup’s leash — rocking a pink graphic T-shirt, blue jeans and a baseball cap. The adorable couple matched as they both opted for white sneakers.


    READ MORE:
    Tom Holland Talks Being ‘In Love’ With Zendaya, Says He Has ‘No Rizz’

    “I swear they get even more cute each time i see them,” one fan wrote on Twitter, while another needed a moment to “take in the cuteness.”

    The sweet outing comes two days after Tom and Zendaya visited London’s Soho Place to watch the Brokeback Mountain play, starring  Lucas Hedges and Zendaya’s “Challengers” co-star Mike Faist.


    READ MORE:
    Zendaya Shares Sweet Sea Snaps Of Tom Holland While Celebrating His Birthday

    In a video uploaded to Twitter, the two are seen leaving the theatre hand-in-hand Wednesday evening before getting into a vehicle together.

    Taylor Swift’s ex, Joe Alwyn, was also in attendance for the performance, seemingly supporting Hedges, whom he co-starred with in 2018’s “Boy Erased”.

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    Melissa Romualdi

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  • ‘Spider-Man 4’ Might Have Just Gotten a Release Date

    ‘Spider-Man 4’ Might Have Just Gotten a Release Date

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    It’s been a long time since we’ve seen Tom Holland’s Spider-Man on the big screen. Unfortunately, it might be longer than we’d like until he shows up again. The good news is, we have a potential release date for the next movie. One of the most exciting things about the next entry in the series is that it’s expected to take place in a street-level environment. Of course, Holland’s Spider-Man has historically been involved with bigger baddies than just those kinds of criminals. He’s worked with Tony Stark and the Avengers. He saved the universe. Now, it’ll be really cool to see what kinds of villains he gets involved with.

    Deadline recently reported that Sony has targeted two upcoming release dates for as-yet unnamed Marvel movies. They didn’t reveal their subjects, but it’s widely assumed these projects will be a third Venom movie with Tom Hardy and the fourth Spider-Man starring Tom Holland. Because of the writers’ strike, no work can be done on either movie (or any other pending Sony Marvel projects). So it could be a while before we know definitively one way or another.

    READ MORE: Why Across the Spider-Verse Is Better Than Into the Spider-Verse

    Tom Holland has been pretty tight-lipped about what the movie’s actually going to look like. The only real details he’s shared in interviews are that it “looks pretty good,” and that he’s “excited” by the “stuff going on” so far.

    “Whether or not it’ll come to fruition, who knows?” he told Deadline. “But right now it’s looking pretty good, and we’ll just have to wait and see.”

    Every Spider-Man Movie, Ranked From Worst to Best

    With great power comes great Spider-Man movies. (Sometimes.)

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    Cody Mcintosh

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  • Tom Holland’s Nod To His Relationship With Zendaya Will Make You Swoon

    Tom Holland’s Nod To His Relationship With Zendaya Will Make You Swoon

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    Tom Holland recently referenced his relationship with Zendaya, and our hearts are exploding.

    During an interview with BuzzFeed published on Tuesday, the “Crowded Room” actor sweetly nodded to his relationship with his former “Spider-Man” co-star, saying he is “in love.” (BuzzFeed and HuffPost share a parent company, BuzzFeed Inc.)

    Holland was asked about the secret to his “rizz” — that is, serious game or impressive swag when dating. (Think “charisma.”) But the actor declared he has no use for such a quality.

    “I have no rizz whatsoever, I have limited rizz,” he said. “I don’t know, I need you to fall in love with me, really, for it to work.”

    He continued: “So long game… probably making a movie with each other, definitely helps when the characters you’re playing are falling in love with one another, you can sort of blur the lines a little bit.”

    “I’m happy and in love, so I’ve got no need for rizz,” the actor added.

    Holland, was of course, alluding to his love story with two-time Emmy winner Zendaya. She and Holland played the teenage couple Michelle Jones-Watson and Peter Parker in three “Spider-Man” movies, most recently in 2021’s “Spider-Man: No Way Home.”

    Fans of Zendaya and Holland, who are famously private about their love life, have been invested in their off-screen romance for years.

    In 2021, paparazzi took photos of the two kissing in a car while stopped at a traffic light in Los Angeles.

    Months later, Holland and Zendaya both spoke out about the photos in a profile for GQ. The British star said he and Zendaya felt “robbed of our privacy.”

    “It was quite strange and weird and confusing and invasive,” said Zendaya, a native of Oakland, California. “I think loving someone is a sacred thing and a special thing and something that you want to deal with and go through and experience and enjoy amongst the two people that love each other.”

    The couple has since made more public declarations of their love.

    In September 2022, Zendaya told E! News that Holland was the first person she texted after her historic second win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for “Euphoria.”

    “I texted my boyfriend,” she said.

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  • Tom Holland describes ‘The Crowded Room’ as his ‘hardest’ and ‘most rewarding’ job so far

    Tom Holland describes ‘The Crowded Room’ as his ‘hardest’ and ‘most rewarding’ job so far

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    The words “Tom Holland” and “spoilers” can immediately illicit snickering. There are compilation videos on YouTube of the “Spider-Man ” star accidentally revealing too much about the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His slip-ups and near-giveaways have become a running joke among his co-stars and filmmakers. The actor found himself in familiar territory with his new twisty, surprise-laden series “The Crowded Room,” now streaming on Apple TV+ — and says by comparison, keeping quiet about Marvel is a piece of cake.

    “With Marvel… it’s all about the villain, the costume, the locations, the end result. They’re relatively easy to keep those things a secret,” said Holland in a recent interview. “I know that sounds stupid coming from me because I spoil everything, but with ‘The Crowded Room’ there are so many twists and turns in this show that people won’t be expecting. It really is a puzzle.”

    The limited-series takes place in 1970s New York with Holland as Danny, a young man arrested in connection with a crime. His accomplices are nowhere to be found and an investigator assigned to the case (played by Amanda Seyfried) conducts a series of interviews with Danny to piece together his involvement.

    Holland and Seyfried filmed their scenes — out of order — “for almost three weeks straight” in an interrogation room.

    “It sometimes was confusing. I needed to know exactly where I was in the process with Danny, how much we knew or how much the audience knew and how much (Seyfried’s character) Rya knew,” she explained. “It was tricky.”

    Holland credits Seyfried for keeping him on track as they “did over 100 pages of dialogue at that one table in that one room.”

    “Amanda is so talented, she’s so professional. She’s able to keep it light when it’s dark,” he said. “There were certain times in that room where we were both just losing our minds, just scenes after scenes, after scenes after scenes. We were just a great team.”

    Holland describes his work on ‘The Crowded Room’ as “the hardest job I’ve ever had, but equally probably the most rewarding.

    “Danny is an exhausting character. Going to those places on a daily basis, having that haircut, shooting on the streets of New York, it was tough. It was not an easy show to make,” but says watching the end result made him “happy that I dug my heels in and stuck with it.”

    “It was a really, really tough experience without a shadow of a doubt.” He says halfway through filming he “was counting down the days that I could take … off and have some time to myself.”

    He also served as a co-executive producer for the first time, which helped him to finally understand what the job entails.

    “I spent the first 15 years of my career on set being like, ‘What do all of these people do? They’re all just sitting there.’ But having been a producer now myself, it is one of the most stressful things I’ve ever done. You’re shooting in a car and the car breaks down and all of a sudden you’re trying to figure out how to get a new car or how to turn the scene into a walking scene and all that sort of stuff.”

    Since beginning his performing career at 11 in “Billy Elliott the Musical,” in London’s West End, Holland says his formal education has been “somewhat non-existent” so he appreciates the learning opportunities he gets from working.

    With “The Crowded Room” Holland says “I learned a lot about myself. I learned about my capabilities as an actor. I learned about things that I can put up with. I feel like I’m much more capable at dealing with adversities and fighting against things that are going wrong on set. I learned a lot about mental health. I learned a lot about the power of the human mind and the amazing things we can do to protect ourselves, to heal and to survive.”

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  • Tom Holland opens up about emotional toll filming The Crowded Room: ‘The show did break me’

    Tom Holland opens up about emotional toll filming The Crowded Room: ‘The show did break me’

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    Tom Holland, renowned for his role as Spider-Man, candidly shared his personal journey while filming the AppleTV+ series The Crowded Room. In a recent revelation, Holland disclosed the emotional toll the show took on him, admitting that it pushed him to his limits.

    A break from the breakdown for Tom

    “The show did break me. There did come a time where I needed a break and disappeared and went to Mexico for a week and had time on a beach and laid low,” Holland revealed in an interview. The grueling nature of the role compelled him to take a year-long hiatus to recuperate. Despite the challenges faced, Holland remains eager to witness the final outcome and believes that the hard work invested in the series was not in vain.

    Tom immersed in the darkness

    The Crowded Room is an exploration of the life of Danny Sullivan, played by Holland, who finds himself arrested for a shocking crime he maintains his innocence for. Throughout the ten episodes, the series delves into the intricacies of Danny’s past, unraveling a compelling web of mystery and leading to a life-altering revelation.

    ALSO READ: Tom Holland says he and Zendaya had a ‘great time’ during their first trip to India; Reveals he loved RRR

    Tom struggling to separate reality

    The intensity of the role and the weight it carried affected Holland deeply. He confides that he found it challenging to disentangle himself from the character even after filming concluded. “I would come home from work and I would see myself in the mirror and I would see him,” Holland shares. It took time and effort for him to separate himself from Danny Sullivan and regain his own identity.

    Throughout the demanding production process, Holland found solace in the unwavering support of his partner, Zendaya. As he takes a well-deserved break from acting, Holland looks forward to recovering from the emotional impact of The Crowded Room and rejuvenating himself. With his commitment and dedication evident, fans can anticipate Holland’s triumphant return to the screen, eager to witness the results of his transformative portrayal.

    ALSO READ: Tom Holland to take a year off from acting as he wraps up The Crowded Room; Read DEETS

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  • Tom Holland says he’s taking a “year off” after filming “The Crowded Room”

    Tom Holland says he’s taking a “year off” after filming “The Crowded Room”

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    Tom Holland said he’s taking off a “year off” after filming the new Apple+ TV series, “The Crowded Room.” 

    The “Spider-Man” star, who also served as an executive producer on the psychological drama, told Extra this week that he enjoyed playing both acting and producing in it, but acknowledged that it was a “tough time.”

    “We were exploring certain emotions that I have definitely never experienced before, and then on top of that being a producer dealing with the day-to-day kind of problems that come with any film set added that extra level of pressure,” he told the outlet.

    Tom Holland at the premiere of “The Crowded Room” held at the Museum of Modern Art on June 1, 2023 in New York City.

    Nina Westervelt/Variety via Getty Images


    The British actor, 27, said the show “did break” him and led him to take some time away from his craft. 

    “There did come a time where I was sort of like, ‘I need to have a break,’” he added. “I disappeared. I went to Mexico for a week and had some time on a beach. And I’m now taking a year off, and that is a result of how difficult this show was.”

    According to Apple’s description, “The Crowded Room” is set in New York City in 1979 as Danny Sullivan, played by Holland, is arrested for a shocking crime, and an investigator is trying to solve it. Sullivan is a character loosely based on Billy Milligan, who was the first person to successfully use multiple personality disorder as a defense in court. The 10-episode series premieres on Friday. 

    “I just was terrified by the idea of playing this character, and for me that’s a really good thing, so I said yes,” Holland said. 

    Last month, Holland told Entertainment Weekly he has been sober for over a year in part because of the project. The actor in the past has been vocal about his own mental health and said viewers will have “more respect and more sympathy for people who are going through mental health issues.” 

    Christopher Brito


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    Christopher Brito is a social media manager and trending content writer for CBS News.

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  • ‘Spider-Man 4’ Is Happening, But Work Is Currently on Hold

    ‘Spider-Man 4’ Is Happening, But Work Is Currently on Hold

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    While it appears to still be several years away, it does look like we will get a fourth Spider-Man film in the MCU from Sony and Marvel and starring Tom Holland. Amy Pascal, one of the producers on most of Marvel’s Spider-Man properties, recently sat down for an interview with Variety. She shared exactly why the film hasn’t been making many new strides in the last little bit.

    “Are we going to make another movie? Of course, we are. We’re in the process, but the writers strike, nobody is working during the strike. We’re all being supporters and whenever they get themselves together, we’ll get started,” she explained. Pascal also confirmed that a live-action Miles Morales movie and Spider-Woman are in the works.

    Sony

    READ MORE: Every Spider-Man Movie, Ranked From Worst to Best

    Holland separately confirmed early work on Spider-Man 4 in a separate interview, where he explained…

    I can’t talk about that, but I can say that we have been having meetings. We’ve put the meetings on pause in solidarity with the writers. There’s been multiple conversations had, but at this point it’s very, very early stages.

    While some may find the strike annoying since it slows down production on projects like this, it only serves to make the end project better in the end. If writers feel like they’re being taken care of by the studios they’re working with, it inevitably means that they’ll be more confident in their work and more stable.

    If Holland does return for another film, this would mark the first time any Spider-Man film series has made it to a fourth movie. Tobey Maguire’s franchise stalled out after Spider-Man 3; Andrew Garfield only appeared in two Amazing Spider-Mans. There was technically a fourth Sam Raimi Spider-Man movie in the works, but it never made it to theaters.

    The new Spider-Man film, Across the Spider-Verse, is in theaters now.

    Across the Spider-Verse: The Coolest Easter Eggs

    The best Marvel and Spider-Man references in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse you might have missed.

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  • Tom Holland reflects on mental health struggles

    Tom Holland reflects on mental health struggles

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    Tom Holland’s dream role as Danny, the main character of the upcoming Apple TV thriller series “The Crowded Room,” not only gave him an opportunity to grow professionally, but also forced him to take a careful look at his own mental health, he revealed in a new interview.

    The “Spider-Man: No Way Home” star reflected on the impact the challenging role has had on his personal life in an interview published Tuesday in Entertainment Weekly.

    “Learning about mental health and the power of it, and speaking to psychiatrists about Danny and Billy’s struggles, has been something that has been so informative to my own life,” Holland told Entertainment Weekly. 

    Holland’s character, Danny, is an anti-social teen who is arrested for a crime he may not have been involved in — a much more “vulnerable” role than he has played before, he said.

    “I’m no stranger to the physical aspects of the job doing the whole action-movie thing,” Holland told Entertainment Weekly. “But the mental aspect, it really beat me up and it took a long time for me to recover afterwards, to sort of get back to reality.”

    In the interview, Holland also opened up about sobriety, revealing to Entertainment Weekly that he has been sober for 16 months.   

    During filming for the 10-episode series, for which he is also credited as an executive producer, Holland found himself aligning personally with Danny’s character, unable to separate himself from his role.

    “I remember having a bit of a meltdown at home and thinking, like, ‘I’m going to shave my head. I need to shave my head because I need to get rid of this character,’” Holland explained. “And, obviously, we were mid-shooting, so I decided not to… It was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before.”

    Tom Holland at the premiere of his movie
    Tom Holland seen February 8, 2022, in Madrid, Spain.

    JOSE OLIVA / Europa Press Entertainment / Getty Images


    The 26-year-old actor said thanks to the help and support of his co-stars, he was able to get through the struggles he faced while filming. Holland said he learned a great deal about himself from the role, including “recognizing triggers” and “things that stress [him] out,” like being on social media.

    Holland has taken breaks from social media in the past, explaining that it becomes difficult to read about himself on various platforms.

    “I find Instagram and Twitter to be overstimulating, to be overwhelming,”  the actor said last year. “I get caught up and I spiral when I read things about me online, and ultimately it’s very detrimental to my mental state.”

    He hopes viewers of “The Crowded Room” will learn the same lessons he did playing Danny — to be more sympathetic of others’ mental health issues, as well as understanding of their own personal struggles.

    “I hope that people will feel educated about the powers of mental health, the struggles, [and] our incredible abilities to survive.”

    Simrin Singh

    Simrin Singh is a social media producer and trending content writer for CBS News.

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  • Tom Holland Reveals He’s Sober, Learned His “Triggers” Filming New TV Show

    Tom Holland Reveals He’s Sober, Learned His “Triggers” Filming New TV Show

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    For a year and four months, Tom Holland has been newly sober and has learned some of his own “triggers” while filming the Apple TV+ series The Crowded Room, the actor told Entertainment Weekly in a new interview.

    In the upcoming series, which premieres June 9, Holland stars as a man whose sanity is questioned when he’s accused of crimes he did not commit. “Learning about mental health and the power of it, and speaking to psychiatrists about Danny’s struggles, has been something that has been so informative to my own life,” the 26-year-old, who is currently dating his Spider-Man costar Zendaya, explained.

    “I’m no stranger to the physical aspects of the job, doing the whole action-movie thing,” Holland continued. “But the mental aspect, it really beat me up, and it took a long time for me to recover afterward, to sort of get back to reality.”

    Nine months into filming the show, Holland said he struggled to separate his own identity from that of his character’s. “I was seeing myself in him, but in my personal life. I remember having a bit of a meltdown at home and thinking, like, ‘I’m going to shave my head. I need to shave my head because I need to get rid of this character,’” he revealed. “And obviously, we were mid-shooting, so I decided not to. It was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before.”

    After his experience meeting with psychiatrists for the role and getting sober in his own life, Holland said he hopes viewers “have more respect and more sympathy for people who are going through mental health issues,” adding, “I hope that people will feel educated about the powers of mental health, the struggles, [and] our incredible abilities to survive.”

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    Savannah Walsh

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  • Tom Holland and Zendaya Ball Out

    Tom Holland and Zendaya Ball Out

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    You may have heard that Spider-man can do whatever a spider can, so by the transitive property, that means that a spider can do whatever Tom Holland can do, right? It’s just science. 

    So a spider can be very bad at keeping Marvel plot points a secret. A spider can adopt and gently cradle a chicken named Predator. A spider can change the world with a dance to “Umbrella.” (Still wondering why a spider didn’t make a cameo in Rihanna’s Super Bowl halftime performance, but apparently a spider cannot be all things to all people.) 

    And now we know that a spider can take his girlfriend Zendaya to an NBA game. This feels right. 

    Holland and Zendaya hit game two of the series between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco Thursday night, where they watched the Warriors take a w in a 127-100 game. Zendaya grew up in Oakland, so the Warriors are something of a hometown team for her. Another hint: she wore a Warriors ball cap in some of the photos from last night. If the clothes make the man, the merch makes the fan. 

    The Spider-Man co-stars have reportedly been an item since 2016, but made it Instagram-official in 2021 with a birthday post on Holland’s account where he called Zendaya “my MJ.” Say it with me: Awwwww. 

    While Holland has been busy slinging one web or another, Zendaya also stars in the highly anticipated Dune 2, and has scooped up accolades (youngest double acting Emmy winner in history, who?) and praise for her body glitter-drenched work in TV’s Euphoria. 

    Last week, the duo was spotted in Vegas to see Usher perform during his residency there. (These are a spider’s confessions.) At the basketball game, they snacked on popcorn. What will a spider do next?

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    Kase Wickman

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  • 10 Marvel Actors Who Took Home Props From Their Movies

    10 Marvel Actors Who Took Home Props From Their Movies

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    Being an actor in a Marvel movie seems like a pretty sweet gig. You get to bring an iconic comic book character to life for millions of fans. And while the costume may not always be comfy — in fact, quite a few actors openly hated their ensembles — you sometimes get to take home a cool souvenir. Yes, that’s right. Some Marvel actors have been lucky enough to walk away from set with a piece of movie magic, whether it’s a prop, a wardrobe piece, or even a part of the set.

    In some cases, these tokens are given to the actors as presents to thank them for a job well done. But Marvel isn’t always so keen on handing props over to actors to keep for good. For example, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings star Simu Liu asked the producers if he could take home a pair of his character’s shoes, but his request was denied. That’s why some actors simply steal their desired prop and hope nobody notices. Many of them have even gotten away with it, too — until they confess to their stolen treasures in interviews. Of course, no Marvel actor has gotten in serious trouble from taking home a prop. After all, it’s quite hard to imagine an A-list actor such as Tom Holland or Ryan Reynolds getting in trouble for simply bringing home a bit of their character with them.

    READ MORE: 20 Actors Who Were Wasted in Marvel Roles

    Below, you’ll learn about all of the high-profile Marvel actors who currently have mementos from their movies in their homes.

    Marvel Actors Who Took Home Props From Set

    These actors commemorated their time playing a Marvel superhero or villain by taking home a piece of the production with them.

    Actors Who Turned Down Major Marvel Roles

    Not everyone wants to be a part of the Marvel universe. These actors all got offered high-profile gigs in Marvel movies and turned them down.

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    Claire Epting

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  • Fits Are Better When You Throw Them Together

    Fits Are Better When You Throw Them Together

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    We all know that one couple that refuses to tone it down and turn it off. I’m talking excessive PDA, feeding each other, and — heaven forfend! — chattering to each other in baby voices. I shiver and cringe every time I hang out with them. But when it comes to overly cutesy couple behaviors, there’s one thing I kind of respect: epic couple’s style.

    I’m not talking about matching Christmas pajamas or themed Halloween outfits. I’m talking about when a couple’s aesthetic melds exquisitely. They don’t have to match, but maybe they borrow each others’ clothes? It’s 2023 after all, gendered fashion is sooooo last decade.

    When a couple looks good together, they elevate each other’s individual style. It’s like a miniature version of the cheerleader effect, which occurs when a group of people seems hotter just by being in that group. By the same logic, two cool outfits are exponentially more impressive than one.

    Though the concept is simple, this occurs less often than you’d think. Good couple’s style is surprisingly rare. Everywhere I look, I see iterations of that one Ed Sheeran and Beyonce meme — one person is dressed to the nines, and the other must have dressed in the dark.

    This isn’t exclusive to straight couples. In so many instances, one person is the star, the other person lets them shine. And while that’s all well and good, I’m here to say it doesn’t have to be this way! We can all be the star! A teeny bit of effort goes a long way to take a twosome to the next level.

    And I can’t stress this enough: this isn’t about matching clothes or even being color-coded. It’s about each look complimenting the other, playing off each other like any solid relationship should. It’s about whimsy! Camp! Good old-fashioned sartorial fun!

    Luckily, some of our favorite celeb couples have been pulling absolutely excellent fits recently. I don’t know what’s in the air, but duo dressing has never been hotter.

    To inspire your other half — or even platonic pairing — to step it up, elevate your own fire fits, and — for lack of a better term — slay, here’s some inspo:

    All products featured are independently selected by our editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.

    Hailey and Justin Bieber

    The ultimate duo, Hailey and Justin have proven they don’t give AF about the rumors and TikTok beef swirling around them. Instead, they’ve made a series of appearances looking unbothered and, most importantly, delightfully co-ordinated. Their fits are tight and so is their marriage.

    Rihanna and A$AP Rocky

    Who can hold a candle to these two? Long before they were officially together — let alone had a child together with another on the way — they were some of the best-dressed celebs on the planet. I mean, people called Rocky the “male Rihanna” for years based on his daring dressing. While nothing can beat their pregnancy announcement pap pics, recent outfits have come pretty close. (Perhaps it’s simply the allure of this specific Loewe sweater.)

    Channing Tatum and Zoe Kravitz

    The absolute, coolest couple out there right now. Could it be because they remind us of like, every couple in Bushwick? This is a prime example of how the right partner can unlock fresh side to you. We’re living for Channing’s buzzcut and basement-boy style. And although their actual pieces are an assemblage of expensive items, the overall aesthetic is aspirational but accessible.

    Joe and Sophie Turner

    Joe’s come a long way from the skinny ties and skinnier jeans of the OG Jonas Brother days. His latest aesthetic is peak Notita Dirtbag — see: his recent guide to NYC. Essentially, he embodies one of those, trendy dudes you see waiting in line for a coffee at ALD on Mott St. And Sophie Turner? Looks like his even cooler counterpart.

    Brooklyn and Nicola Peltz Beckham

    The king and queen of nepo-babies, these two were born, bred, and swaddled in glamour since birth. So, it’s no surprise that they keep up the glamour in great, complimentary fits. And this one boasts a red herring: a surprisingly stylish, budget-smart H&M dress. We’ll be adding that to cart instantly.

    Tom and Zendaya

    Thanks to Law Roach, this dynamic duo has been running the runway from the instant they went public as a match — in fact, they were a formidable match before their relationship was official. Their endlessly iconic fits prove that complementary dressing can take each individual outfit to the next level. We’ll be talking about their style for eons.

    Timothee Chalamet and Taylor Russell

    Indulge me on this one: I know they’re not a couple, but these two know how to do a press tour. Their characters in Bones and All were a masterclass in peak dirtbag style but their red carpet looks are the epitome of elegance. This is what every fashionable couple aspires to — even if they’re not (as far as we know, right???) actually together. The best-dressed item that never was. (Plus: a bonus Luca)

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    LKC

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  • Your Favorite Celebrity Was Styled By Law Roach…Now What?

    Your Favorite Celebrity Was Styled By Law Roach…Now What?

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    Last week, the fashion world was taken by surprise as Law Roach noisily retired from styling. The famed stylist is known for saving the fashion careers of many celebrities, pulling them out of tone-deaf, trendless outfits and into the world of serving absolute looks. If you’ve loved what a celeb is wearing, Law Roach probably styled them.

    He’s the wizard who turned Zendaya into Cinderella for the Met Gala (
    who also styles her boyfriend, Tom Holland), he’s the maven who re-branded Celine Dion’s style. But the fashion industry is both cutthroat and rarely without drama. Law took to Instagram to announce he was retiring for good, and that the industry had seemingly “won.”

    But retirement can mean so many things. Tom Brady has retired from football twice now. So it’s safe to say that people have questions when it comes to Law Roach’s sudden retirement post.

    Is Law Roach Retiring?

    People love giving credit where credit is due – and as such, stylists have their very own fan bases.
    The Guardian likens this phenomenon to Rachel Zoe’s Zoe Bots, which spawned her own spinoff show and fame in her own right, and not just for styling Lindsay Lohan.

    This just means Law Roach will be fine if he’s not styling everyone anymore – he’ll be sitting on a million Instagram followers and a networking catalog that most would kill for. He has some of the biggest names in Hollywood behind him like Zendaya herself. In other words, Law Roach probably isn’t going anywhere.

    The dramatic, shady Insta post wasn’t Law stepping away from fashion altogether, as he told
    Vogue. And it most definitely isn’t due to the fact that Zendaya didn’t save him a front-row seat at Fashion Week this year – or that he asked Emma Stone to give up hers. Law Roach is taking his career into his own hands, far away from “the politics, the lies, and false narratives” that Roach credits for his retirement from celebrity styling.

    Law Roach told
    AP,

    “I just wanna breathe. I wanna fly. I wanna be happy,” Roach said. “I wanna figure other things out.”

    Who Has Law Roach Styled?

    His looks have been seen on Anne Hathaway, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ariana Grande, and Bella Hadid. Law has created a multi-million dollar empire styling clients for photoshoots and red carpet appearances, while collaborating with some of the biggest fashion houses in the world.

    This year’s Oscars showcased Megan Thee Stallion, Hunter Schafer, Kerry Washington, Eve Jobs, and Hailee Steinfeld, all dressed by Roach. Most of which ranked as the most talked about looks of the evening – so who’s going to style them now?

    Law Roach and Zendaya at the Met Gala 2019

    David Fisher/Shutterstock

    And while each and every look was a slay and a serve in their own respect, no two looks were similar. In fact, each look was praised in their own ways, for different reasons. It’s something Law Roach talks about with The Cut.

    “It’s always the narrative of, “Oh, he’s never gonna treat you the way he treats Zendaya. You’re gonna get what she doesn’t want.” And that’s not true, because none of my clients ever look the same. Like, I don’t use edits.

    I don’t walk around with suitcases of edits that Zendaya didn’t want and offer ’em to other people. It’s always those narratives, and I’ve lost a bunch of clients that I really care for and really wanted to work with because of the gatekeepers.”

    Law even styled Priyanka Chopra-Jonas, who told People that a stylist (seemingly Roach) informed her she wasn’t “sample sized.” While Law Roach told The Cut that this conversation didn’t happen in the way she framed it, it was an example of the false narratives he cited in his retirement.

    What’s Next For Law Roach?

    More recently, Roach was spotted making his modeling debut for Boss. Law Roach strutted the runway in good company amongst Pamela Anderson, Naomi Campbell, and Precious Lee. He told Vogue,

    “I don’t think I have any challenges. I’m a fucking diva! Even if they were to put me on a 10-inch high heel I would be walking that runway. The little gay boy in me—I’m living out a dream! The hair, the makeup, the look they chose for me: it’s literally a dream!”

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    Jai Phillips

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  • Tom Holland to play Spider-Man in the fourth installment? Kevin Feige answers

    Tom Holland to play Spider-Man in the fourth installment? Kevin Feige answers

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    The face of Peter Parker in the Spider-Man sequel is always a matter of question, as fans are always excited to find out who that one person will be. Since Tom Holland took on the role, fans have been waiting to see if he would reprise his role as Peter Parker ever since Spider-Man: No Way Home was released in 2021. At the time, Tom disclosed that there was no agreement in place for him to return. The idea to do a sequel Spider-Man trilogy starring Tom Holland was teased by producer Amy Pascal but Sony never confirmed anything.

    Now that Spider-Man 4 is being written, Kevin Feige has confirmed that Tom would absolutely reprise his role as Peter.

    ALSO READ: Spider-Man: No Way Home’s extended version set to release in India on THIS date

    Tom Holland’s success rate with Spider-Man: For the same reason, Kevin Feige will have Holland play the role of Peter Parker again:

    Spider-Man: Homecoming, which was released in 2017 and had a $175 million budget, grossed $880 million worldwide; Spider-Man: Far from Home, which was released in 2019; and Spider-Man: No Way Home, which had a $200 million budget and grossed $1.9 billion worldwide. This marked Holland’s huge success, and for the same reason Kevin Feige would not take a hit by replacing Tom Holland in the upcoming sequel.

    Kevin Feige’s response to Spider-Man Fourth Installment 

    When asked if Tom Holland’s character Peter Parker might appear in a future movie, Kevin responded in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly. The producer then declared that Tom is certainly involved in Spider-Man 4 and that it would surely happen. He teased in a way stating that: “All I will say is that we have the story. We have big ideas for that, and our writers are just putting pen to paper now.”

    The future of Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire’s involvement in the trilogy is presently unknown. Nevertheless, with the success of Spider-Man: No Way Home, both actors have indicated an interest in reprising their roles as Peter. Additionally, Miles Morales may accompany Peter Parker in Spider-Man 4 according to Amy Pascal’s hint.

    As of now, depending on the news, it is said that Tom Holland will be the first Spider-Man to officially get the fourth installment. 

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    1136909

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  • The 16 Hottest Male Celebrities Categorized by Type

    The 16 Hottest Male Celebrities Categorized by Type

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    You may not be able to define in words what exactly makes a person attractive, but you know it when you see it.

    Of course, there is a huge difference between what makes Justin Beiber hot and what makes Bill Nye the Science Guy hot (don’t judge, we don’t kink-shame in this household). For those of us who find men attractive—god help us—the question of attractiveness is particularly complicated. Why Matt Bomer is hot is a simple enough question (he looks like a naughty Ken Doll who has more than plastic beneath his trunks), but things get more nuanced when you consider why leagues of real human beings with eyes find Benedict Cumberbatch attractive or why women regularly throw their panties at Post Malone.

    To help you through the haunted, endless maze of human sexuality, Popdust has broken down all the types of hot a man can be. Chances are, every man you’ve ever been attracted to falls into one of these categories.

    “Want to Build a Life With Him” Hot

    Example: Paul Mescal

    This is the kind of guy you want to take home to your mother. Sure, the sex is only okay, but what does that matter when you wake up every morning to homemade pancakes? This isn’t the type of guy you fantasize about f**king on the kitchen floor, this is the kind of guy whose eyes you picture filling with tears when you buy your first home together. He’s not exactly a daddy, but he would make a great literal daddy.

    “Church Boy” Hot

    Example: Tom Holland

    Something about this guy’s small-town haircut and innocent, sunny smile makes you want to corrupt the sh*t out of him. He always looks a little shocked when you make a dirty joke, but you just know that with some intervention from the devil (you) you’d have that perfectly gelled hair mussed in no time. But also…some small part of you wants to let him make you a better person??? A very small part. Mostly, you just want to ruin his life.

    “Rearrange My Guts” Hot

    Example: Jason Momoa

    You don’t want this guy to take you to a nice dinner at a trendy restaurant—you want him to eat take-out off your ass and throw you around like a rag doll. Sure, he probably has thoughts in his head and a personality and interests and blah blah blah LOOK AT THOSE ARMS. This is the kind of guy you want to spend 72 hours in bed with every 4-6 months but otherwise never see. This is the kind of guy you agree to go camping with despite hating the outdoors because you just love watching him pitch a tent (yes, that was a double entendre, you filthy minx).

    “Got Your Teenage Sister Pregnant, but You Kind of Get It” Hot

    Example: LaKeith Stanfield

    Okay, not literally!!! (maybe literally). But you know that kind of smarmy guy who works at the gas station and says borderline-inappropriate things to you every time you see him? But for some reason, you just can’t summon feminist rage about it and instead sorta giggle and blush and wonder what his tobacco-stained fingers would feel like pulling your hair? Yeah, that guy. He’s a good-for-nothing, uneducated, creepy, grungy, loser…and that kind of works for you.

    “You Knew He Would Be Weird in Bed” Hot

    Example: Evan Mock

    So he’s super hot in all the traditional ways, from facial structure to swagger, but there’s also something a little…extra. Something about him that’s…unhinged. Some kind of mad twinkle in his eye that speaks of unexplored multitudes. In most cases, those multitudes are just daddy issues and a preference for foot stuff, but the joy is in the journey of finding out.

    “Burnout” Hot

    Example: Jeremy Allen White

    He’s not a bad-looking guy. Just a little limp-looking, with features that start seeming weird if you stare too long. But there’s something about him. The tattoos? The nicotine addiction? The greasy hair? Somehow, it’s working.

    “In Context” Hot (e.g. like a high school women’s lacrosse coach)

    Example: Nathan Fielder

    In most situations, this guy isn’t going to turn many heads. But put him on a public school field with 23 hormone-ridden 16-year-olds running laps, and you’ve got yourself an absolute sex magnet. Alternatively, put him in a political race populated by old, saggy, white people, and suddenly his ability to tuck in his shirt over his gut seems exceptional.

    “Ugly” Hot

    Example: Pete Davidson

    This is a broad but important category that this reputable publication has dwelled on seriously for quite some time. An ugly hot guy has an appearance that falls outside the boundaries of conventional attractiveness. Maybe he has a weird horse face or limbs that flail like a carwash’s inflatable man in heavy wind (think Pete Davidson). But if you take all of his objectively unattractive features and put them together, somehow, it just works.

    “Ascot/Take Me on a Yacht” Hot

    Example: Henry Golding

    This is better than just being rich—it’s looking rich. This is ascot hot. This guy’s actual God-given looks are largely irrelevant because money made him his own God. He has the money and time to ensure his hair, skin, and clothes are flawless in a “Who me? I just rolled out of bed like this…” kind of way. If this is your type, it’s fine, we get it.

    “Ready To Risk It All” Hot

    Example: Michael B Jordan

    This is the kind of hot you leave your husband for. This is the kind of hot you leave your wife for. This is the kind of hot you sell your house for. This is the kind of hot you pretend to like his DJ set for. Is the sex good? It literally doesn’t matter, just look at him.

    “Party Boy” Hot

    Example: Machine Gun Kelly

    Does he have a substance abuse problem? Probably. Is he reliable? Not at all. Do any of his values align with yours? Absolutely not. Is he a great f**king time? Oh yeah. This guy probably has one of those annoyingly hot side smiles, maybe a kind of hard-to-understand accent, and the sex is probably kind of like being mauled by a drunk bear but in a good way. He probably has an earring he doesn’t remember getting but kind of pulls it off. It goes without saying that your Dad hates him.

    “Baby” Hot

    Example: Timothée Chalamet

    This is a complicated category. He makes your uterus ache, but you can’t tell if that’s sexual arousal or your biological clock ticking. You can’t decide if you want to take a bath with him or give him a bath. Either way, you definitely wanna smooch that sweet lil face.

    “Retro” Hot

    Example: Aaron Taylor Johnson

    Something about him screams “traditional values.” Not in a scary, baby-Don’t Worry Darling way. More in a Ready For Marriage kind of way. And honestly … if he wanted a trad-wife, I’d be a trad-wife.

    “Artist/Vegan” Hot

    Example: Jaden Smith

    He is comfortable with his feminine side, and he wants you to know it. You wanna argue with him about the fallacy of placing the responsibility for climate change on the shoulders of individuals when a handful of corporations are ultimately responsible—but he has those puppy dog eyes, so you just give in and agree to give up plastic straws. His slam poetry competitions are cringe-worthy, but he just looks so good in ripped Levi’s and a beanie.

    “Wouldn’t Be Surprised if He Turned Out to Be a Serial Killer” Hot

    Example: Robert Pattinson

    He speaks, acts, and behaves like a robot who has heard about the behavior of human beings but never actually seen it. There’s something magnetic about his strangeness, and suddenly the legacy of Ted Bundy makes sense to you. Everything about him is subtly unsettling, but personality disorders aside….he could get it.

    “Prettier Than You” Hot

    Example: Josh Heuston

    He paints his nails, has a skincare routine, and posts thirst traps on Instagram. He doesn’t have a job, but he has thousands of followers on TikTok so he’s working on monetizing social media. Which makes all his hair products a business expense, I guess? Whatever, it’s worth it when he takes his shirt off.

    “Stoner” Hot

    Example: Donald Glover

    He only chuckles at your jokes but cries laughing when his gamer buddy says something about farts. He always needs a haircut, has stains on his shirt, and probably smells faintly of Doritos. Still, something about his anti-establishment, “being handsome is mainstream” attitude does it for you.

    “Garbage” Hot

    Example: Jack Harlow

    This one comes with a lot of justified self-loathing. Just do better.

    From Your Site Articles

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  • The State Of PlayStation In 2022

    The State Of PlayStation In 2022

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    An illustration of a PlayStation 5 is shown with a DualSense controller on top of it. The text "The State of PlayStation 5" is shown below it.

    PlayStation expanded beyond the console in 2022.
    Illustration: Angelica Alzona

    The decision-makers behind Sony’s console juggernaut spent a lot of 2022 putting down railway for 2023 and beyond, dumping money and time into growing the PlayStation brand beyond the funky-looking device in your entertainment center. The company wants the PlayStation name to be ubiquitous, and that has meant expanding not just in the form of video game acquisitions and new services, but bringing the PlayStation line into new mediums and markets. So, while Horizon Forbidden West and God of War Ragnarök bookended the PlayStation 5’s 2022 on the video game side, the brand was busy throughout the year.

    Drake and Sully are seen looking at something in an underground crypt in the Uncharted movie.

    Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg brought Nathan Drake and Sully (or people going by those names) to the big screen in 2022.
    Photo: Sony Pictures

    PlayStation becomes a movie and TV brand

    PlayStation Productions, Sony’s film and television subsidiary dedicated to putting out adaptations based on the company’s video games, released its first project this year in the form of the Uncharted movie. Featuring Spider-Man star Tom Holland as a vague amalgamation of Nolan North’s original interpretation of Nathan Drake and his own version of Peter Parker if he was slightly more stoic, the film also has Mark Wahlberg as a character who shares his name (and little else) with Nate’s father figure, Victor “Sully” Sullivan. The movie is, at best, aggressively fine. It took a critical beating, but did rake in over $401 million globally at the box office. Sony has plans to make Naughty Dog’s cinematic action game series into a full-blown movie franchise.

    While Nathan Drake put the PlayStation Productions logo in theaters, the company is spreading its brands out to several channels. Amazon is making a God of War TV show, Netflix is signed on for a Horizon series, and Peacock will stream a Twisted Metal show. (Yes, Anthony Mackie is set to star in a series inspired by a vehicular combat franchise that had its heyday on the PS1 and hasn’t seen a proper entry in over a decade.) The next project from PlayStation Productions is the upcoming Last of Us HBO show, which those involved with are promoting in very normal and sensible ways.

    Whether any of the above will be any good remains to be seen, but Sony is making deals to put PlayStation characters on more screens and subscription services. The company has clearly decided that PlayStation games aren’t enough, and that they can instead be the origin point for an expanded universe that ties into the games its first-party studios are putting out. Speaking of…

    Joel and Ellie are seen watching a group of giraffes walk through a grassy field.

    Sony and Naughty Dog released The Last of Us a third time with its PS5 remake.
    Screenshot: Naughty Dog / Kotaku

    PlayStation movies and TV get re-released tie-ins

    Putting an Uncharted movie in theaters and a Last of Us show on TVs is one piece of Sony’s new business model, but the company is also pairing these live-action adaptations with re-releases of the source material. Just a week before the Uncharted film launched, Sony released the Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection, which brought both Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy to PlayStation 5, a console they were readily playable on through backward compatibility. Oddly enough, this only included the last two games in the series, rather than the three games that preceded them. But it was an Uncharted product that people could buy after seeing the movie, or even before, as it included a free ticket to the film.

    The Last of Us Part I, a remake of the 2013 original, launched in September to both praise for the source material and the technical upgrade the release brought to it, as well as a slew of criticism surrounding its $70 price point. The remake carried a cloud over it after a Bloomberg report exposed internal politics at Sony surrounding the project, which began under a PlayStation support studio before gradually becoming a Naughty Dog product. The whole situation stinks to high heaven, but it did conveniently fit into Sony’s business model of making its games into an extended universe. Now, there will be a (near) full-price Last of Us game on store shelves when the HBO show premieres on January 15.

    Kratos and Atreus are seen sitting in a boat, with Atreus' expression seeming troubled.

    God of War came to PC this year, but its sequel only came to consoles.
    Screenshot: Sony Santa Monica / Kotaku

    PlayStation continues to expand beyond consoles and to PC

    Both of these re-releases were part of a PlayStation initiative to get more of its games on PC. Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves brought the series (again, just the last two games, rather than any of the foundational ones that came before) to PC for the first time in October, and The Last of Us Part I will bring Joel and Ellie’s story to a computer near you in March. But it wasn’t just Naughty Dog’s games that got PC love, as God of War, Sackboy: A Big Adventure, and Marvel’s Spider-Man and its Miles Morales spin-off also launched on PC in 2022.

    All that being said, we still have yet to see PlayStation release its first-party games on both its consoles and PC simultaneously. God of War launched four years late on PC this year, but its sequel, Ragnarök, only came to PS4 and PS5 in 2022. It’s been heartening to see Sony make more strides in the space, but hopefully in 2023 we see a more immediate commitment to bringing its games to those who play on PC.

    Key art for Destiny 2 shows three guardians geared up for battle.

    Sony paid a lot of money for Bungie, but Destiny 2 will remain multiplatform.
    Image: Bungie

    Sony acquires Bungie, Haven, and Savage

    All of these adaptations and ports were doubling down on PlayStation’s established brands, but the company also made its fair share of acquisitions and investments in the company’s future, as well. The most notable of these acquisitions was Destiny 2 developer Bungie, which PlayStation bought for a whopping $3.6 billion in January. However, it has no intention of making the shooter exclusive to its platform. The company also acquired the Jade Raymond-led Haven Studios, which hasn’t even released a video game yet.

    Outside of the AAA space, Sony also acquired Savage Game Studios, whose founders previously worked on mobile hits like Angry Birds and Clash of Clans, in an attempt to kickstart a new mobile gaming division. The studio is apparently at work on a new project for phones and tablets based on an established PlayStation IP.

    A render of the PlayStation VR2 headset shows the device alongside its dedicated controllers.

    The PlayStation VR2 will launch next year, but won’t be usable with old PSVR games.
    Image: Sony

    PlayStation VR2 seems like an upgrade, but with caveats

    Sony kicked off 2022 by announcing its second virtual reality headset, aptly named the PlayStation VR2. It sounds like a meaningful upgrade from the original PlayStation VR headset Sony released in 2016, with an impressive-sounding OLED, 4K resolution display, dedicated controllers so you won’t have to use your old PlayStation Move wands anymore, and a single-cord setup that will make using the whole thing more manageable. However, as news has come out about the device, things have gotten a bit more troubling.

    The most egregious drawback Sony has confirmed is that original PlayStation VR games won’t be compatible with the PSVR2 headset. Senior Vice President of Platform Experience Hideaki Nishino said on the PlayStation Podcast that this is because “PSVR2 is designed to deliver a truly next generation VR experience,” citing much of the new headset’s tech as being incompatible with old PSVR games. Regardless of whatever explanation Sony has to offer, it’s a bummer that the PlayStation 5 seemed to be developed with more future-proofing in mind and now we’re dealing with backward compatibility issues again. So if you want to keep playing your old PSVR games, don’t throw your old headset out.

    Oh, and the device will cost $550 when it launches on February 22 of next year, making it more expensive than the console it’s played on.

    The PlayStation Plus logo is shown with the service's three tiers listed below it: essential, extra, and premium.

    PlayStation Plus now has tiers, and whether you’ll get much value on them depends on where you live.
    Image: Sony

    PlayStation Plus launches new tiers with new problems

    PlayStation Plus, Sony’s long-running subscription service for playing games online and collecting a vast array of “free” games, saw a revamp this year that put it more in-line with Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass. It doesn’t seem like it’s gotten the same resounding love as its direct competitor, though. PlayStation Plus now has multiple tiers, which each have different included features and perks.

    The cheapest is Essential, which is basically just what PlayStation Plus has been for years: online play, sales, cloud storage, and a few free games each month. The second tier is called PlayStation Plus Extra, which includes all of the above, as well as an on-demand library of PlayStation 4 and 5 games. The most expensive tier is PlayStation Plus Premium, which adds a streaming library of classic games from across all the PlayStation consoles, and even the PlayStation Portable.

    Compared to Xbox’s native backward compatibility, streaming old games isn’t exactly an ideal alternative, especially for those who live in rural areas where internet download speeds can’t keep up.There’s a lot of potential in what PlayStation Plus offers right now, but it sounds like it’s having a retention problem following the big relaunch, with millions of subscribers canceling their membership in the months since.

    The PlayStation 5 is (somewhat) easier to find

    The PlayStation 5 is two years old now, but the console is still relatively difficult to find due to supply chain issues that are expected to last well into 2023, if not longer. But as we get further away from the original launch and demand starts to calm down, it’s become marginally easier to track down and buy a PS5 of your own. Brick-and-mortar stores are still hit or miss, but Kotaku had a bit more luck finding the box on digital storefronts. So hopefully by the time Spider-Man 2 launches next year, those still looking for a PlayStation 5 won’t face a massive ordeal.

    A PlayStation 4 is shown with a DualShock 4 controller next to it.

    The PlayStation 4 is nine years old and still got most of Sony’s big games in 2022.
    Image: Sony

    The PlayStation 4 hangs on a little bit longer

    That being said, Sony still wasn’t quite ready to let go of the PlayStation 4 in 2023. The company’s biggest games this year, Horizon Forbidden West, Gran Turismo 7, and God of War Ragnarök, all launched simultaneously on the PS4 and PS5 and were pretty alright experiences on the last-gen console. You know, if you’re cool with your PS4 sounding like it’s ready to take off on a flight across the Atlantic.

    But looking forward, it seems 2023 will be the year Sony really starts to leave the old system behind. That’s a respectable ten years of service since its original 2013 launch, and PlayStation Studios now seem squarely focused on the PS5. Spider-Man 2, the VR spinoff Horizon Call of the Mountain, and Insomniac’s take on Wolverine were all announced as PS5 exclusive, so hopefully as this transition takes root, the PS5 becomes more readily available next year.

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    Kenneth Shepard

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  • The Best Celebrity Memes of 2022

    The Best Celebrity Memes of 2022

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    By JC Villamere.
    Published:

    From big events like the Super Bowl and the Oscars to big stars from Nicole Kidman to Jack Harlow, there were plenty of moments worthy of the meme treatment this year. Here, we look back at some of our faves.

    Back on Feb. 13 at the Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show featuring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige, and Eminem, 50 Cent treated the crowd to his 2003 hit “In Da Club” and recreated the video’s opening by hanging upside down. Cue the kick-off for many a meme:

    The hip-hop mogul also got in on the game with a few memes of his own:

    In a now-deleted Instagram post from November, Vin Diesel called for WNBA athlete Brittney Griner’s release from Russian prison, writing “I need Brittney Griner home before Christmas,” alongside a photo of himself at a basketball match. Following Griner’s release in a prisoner exchange for arms dealer on Dec. 8, social media users jokingly thanked the actor for his part.

    Some users believed the actor singlehandedly infiltrated the Russian prison by himself.


    A meta meme was born when Spider-Man stars Tom Holland, Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire suited up to recreate the Spider-Man pointing meme.

    Spider-Man was hot meme fodder beyond the triple-point pose, too:

     

    The Acade-meme Awards


    The Oscars is a perennial feast of memes, and this year was no different. While reliable meme star Nicole Kidman pulled her weight, there was obviously a new source of inspiration for meme-makers at the 2022 ceremony.

    This reaction shot was initially thought to be in response to The Slap, but it was later revealed that it was shot before the show got underway. It makes you wonder what her slap reaction looked like.

     


    Cameras caught a catty chat between Caitlyn Jenner and Lady Gaga outside the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s 30th annual Academy Awards Viewing Party.

    Jenner: “Are you spending time around Malibu anymore?”
    Gaga: “Yes.”
    Jenner: “I haven’t seen you at the Starbucks in a while.”
    Gaga: “I’ve switched baristas.”
    Gaga abruptly exits stage right.

    Prestige Memes Courtesy of the Royals


    Let’s start off with the smallest and cutest of them all.


    The four-year-old appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony with his fam, but he was not a fan of the sound of the Royal Air Force fly-over.

    Elsewhere, royal watchers were identifying with Prince Harry’s priorities.

    And folks were feeling King Charles III’s anxiety level as he prepared to ascend to the throne:

    And now, let’s move on from royalty to The King.


    This sweaty shot of “Elvis” star Austin Butler as the icon in the ’70s was too hot not to meme:


    After the nearly-finished, $90-million “Batgirl” movie was suddenly cancelled, fans used the meme medium and the hashtag #HBOMaxJustCanceled to theorize what else might be on the chopping block:


    Martha Stewart, 81, maintains that Davidson is like a son to her, but that didn’t stop creators from speculating about her relationship with the BDE originator.


    The star received a  muted reception for his performance at ‘College GameDay’, and meme-makers had a field day.

    His chat with the ESPN panel didn’t do him any favours:

    Meanwhile, on the basketball court, NBA refs had questions about — and for — the star:

    Harlow offered a mythically-minded response:


    A negroni sbagliato with prosecco in it = stunning! This interview clip discussing drink choices was seized on by fans:

    @hbomaxI’ll take one of each. #houseofthedragon♬ a negroni sbagliato w prosecco l hbo max – hbomax

     


    On the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, Julia Fox was asked if she was then-boyfriend Kanye “Ye” West’s muse.

    She replied, “Yeah. A little. I mean, I was Josh Safdie’s muse when he wrote ‘Uncut Gems’, you know?” But her elaborate pronunciation of “Uncut Gems” was catnip to TikTok users, who garnered millions of views with their imitations of “Unka Jhaaaams.”

    Over on Reddit, the most popular celebrity memes of the year featured the beloved Dwayne Johnson:

     


    It’s bad enough to be caught up in an Instagram cheating scandal. It’s even worse when the world makes fun of your (lack of) DM game.

    Here’s hoping that 2023 brings an equally mind-blowing meme harvest. That’s our one Christmas wish. It’s the toast we’ll be making on New Year’s Eve. It’s our biggest hope for the holidays. Feel free to meme it.

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    JC Villamere

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