How Jonah Hill convinced Susan Lucci to star in his new movie after she initially said no: 'Just ...

The &34;All My Children&34; actress explained she originally turned down the project because it arrived at a &34;raw&34; time in her life. How Jonah Hill convinced Susan Lucci to star in his new movie after she initially said no: 'Just not good for me' The &34;All My Children&34; actress explained she originally turned down the project because it arrived at a &34;raw&34; time in her life. By Emlyn Travis :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/EmlynTravisauthorphotocba6765b433b4f93b9398d18053153b1.jpg) Emlyn Travis is a news writer at . She has been working at EW since 2022.

The "All My Children" actress explained she originally turned down the project because it arrived at a "raw" time in her life.

How Jonah Hill convinced Susan Lucci to star in his new movie after she initially said no: 'Just not good for me'

The "All My Children" actress explained she originally turned down the project because it arrived at a "raw" time in her life.

By Emlyn Travis

Emlyn Travis is a news writer at **. She has been working at EW since 2022. Her work has previously appeared on MTV News, Teen Vogue, and *NME*.

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January 29, 2026 2:34 p.m. ET

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Susan Lucci in 2025; Jonah Hill in 2021. Credit:

Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty; Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

Susan Lucci is revealing how Jonah Hill changed her mind about joining the cast of his upcoming film after she initially turned the project down.**

The *All My Children *actress revealed on a recent episode of the *Soapy* podcast that she was offered an undisclosed role in the film *Outcome*, which was written and directed by Hill. However, she originally declined the opportunity because it arrived at a particularly "raw" period in her life. **

"I was told I was receiving this script from Jonah Hill for his movie, and it's for Apple [TV], and my name, 'Susan Lucci,' was watermarked," she said. "It was an offer. And I read this script, and it's not a big part, but it's pretty sizable, the scene, and very powerful. I remember thinking, 'This is really something. And this is challenging.'"

Jonah Hill at the press conference for the film 'MID90s' in 2019.

Christoph Soeder/picture alliance via Getty

Which is when the doubt started to creep in for Lucci. "It was gonna require me to go to a place I thought I was still too raw to go to," she explained. "Not that it's literally the same rawness — or same place that caused the rawness — but I was just coming out of being that raw."**

So Lucci went with her gut and decided to pass on the opportunity. "I thought, 'This is probably just not good for me to do,'" she continued. "'I don't know... It's good for my career to do, but I don't know. As a human being, it's probably not good.'"

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So she rang her publicist and explained why she wouldn't be turning down the project. But, as the day progressed, Lucci found herself unable to stop thinking about the role. **

"I couldn't help myself. I started working on this character," she said. "And I thought, 'Maybe I should read this again in the light of day. Maybe I should give it another go around because, God, I would hate to watch this and see some other actress take the challenge, and I didn't take the challenge.'"

It was then that Hill, who Lucci noted is an* All My Children* fan, personally rang her up to ask if she'd reconsider. "He really did have me in mind for this part," she said of the writer-director. "And he was so lovely and wonderful to talk to, and I could tell he was really invested in this. By the time we finished talking, I was like, 'Okay, we're gonna talk in the morning.'"

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.*****

When she hung up the phone, Lucci said that she experienced a wave of "enormous cathartic gratitude" that a project like *Outcome* had come her way.

"I was going to accept that challenge," she noted. "And I was going to do it the best I could. I love that feeling, so I did take it and I was so thrilled. I had a wonderful experience."

*Outcome* tells the story of Reef (Keanu Reeves), a Hollywood star who is forced to confront his past after he's threatened with video footage from his younger years. The film also stars Hill, Cameron Diaz, Matt Bomer, Kaia Gerber, David Spade, Laverne Cox, Roy Wood Jr., and more. A release date has yet to be set.

While speaking on the *Soapy* podcast, Lucci noted that Reeves was "spectacular to work with" on the film.

"A real actor," she added. "I mean, we did about four passes at it, just between ourselves. And he said, 'God, I wish we were doing this on Broadway.' And I said, 'So do I,' because you keep finding things."

Listen to Lucci talk about the outcome of *Outcome* in the clip above.

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How Jonah Hill convinced Susan Lucci to star in his new movie after she initially said no: 'Just ...

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From Kratos to Thor, see the world of the video game franchise brought to life. God of War TV cast: See the actors sidebyside with their video game characters From Kratos to Thor, see the world of the video game franchise brought to life. By Nick Romano :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/NicholasRomanoauthorphotoadc9b60763e34711935cbf7b3d768d24.jpg) Nick Romano is a senior editor at with 15 years of journalism experience covering entertainment. His work previously appeared in Vanity Fair, Vulture, IGN, and more. EW's editorial guidelines January 29, 2026 4:47 p.m.

From Kratos to Thor, see the world of the video game franchise brought to life.

God of War TV cast: See the actors side-by-side with their video game characters

From Kratos to Thor, see the world of the video game franchise brought to life.

By Nick Romano

Nick Romano is a senior editor at ** with 15 years of journalism experience covering entertainment. His work previously appeared in *Vanity Fair*, Vulture, IGN, and more.

EW's editorial guidelines

January 29, 2026 4:47 p.m. ET

Ryan Hurst cast as Kratos in 'God of War'. Credit:

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty; Sony Interactive Entertainment

Amazon's live-action *God of War* TV series continues to forge its cast.

The adaptation of the mega-popular PlayStation video game franchise brings the characters of Kratos, Atreus, Thor, Odin, and various figures from myth to live-action. With a two-season order already in place, pre-production is currently underway in Vancouver ahead of a filming start later this year.

From showrunner, writer, and executive producer Ronald D. Moore, *God of War* will begin to adapt the storyline that began with 2018's game of the same name from Santa Monica Studio and continued with the 2022 follow-up *God of War Ragnarök*. Emmy-winning director Frederick E.O. Toye (S*hōgun*, *The Boys*) will helm the first two episodes.

Let's meet the cast.

Ryan Hurst, Kratos

Ryan Hurst will play Kratos in the 'God of War' TV series.

Justin Lubin/Prime

Ryan Hurst already has a connection to *God of War*. The veteran of *Sons of Anarchy* and *The Walking Dead* played the original Thor in *God of War Ragnarök*, released on the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 in 2022. Hurst will now play the lead role of Kratos in live-action form.

Though the show will begin with the events of 2018's *God of War*, the character arrives with a history that goes back to the original 2005 video game.

Kratos began as a Spartan warrior and a servant of Ares, the Greek god of war. After Ares tricked him into killing his family, earning him the nickname "the Ghost of Sparta," Kratos embarked on a mission to slay his tormenter and become the new war god. Across multiple games, he faced numerous figures — human, monster, and immortal alike — until he battled against Zeus himself and the full force of Mount Olympus.

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Meet the 'Mortal Kombat' cast and their video game characters

When we meet Kratos in the 2018 game, he's left the Greek world behind to live in Scandinavia with his new wife, Faye, and their son, Atreus. Upon Faye's death, the father and son set out to spread her ashes, a journey that will bring them into conflict with the Norse gods of Asgard, test Kratos' already strained relationship with Atreus, and dig up traumatic memories from his past.

Terrence C. Carson voiced Kratos in the games from 2005-2013, after which Christopher Judge took over, including *God of War* and *God of War* *Ragnarök.*

Max Parker, Heimdall

Max Parker cast as Heimdall in 'God of War'.

David Reiss; Sony Interactive Entertainment

After the cancellation of Netflix's *Boots*, for which he delivered a standout performance as Sergeant Liam Robert Sullivan, actor Max Parker joins *God of War* as the god Heimdall.

The deity and son of the All-Father, Odin, has the ability to anticipate what's about to happen, which makes him a formidable opponent. "Handsome and dynamic, he feels unappreciated by his father and underestimated by the rest of the family, and as a result, Heimdall is constantly looking for ways to improve his position in the hierarchy and increase his stature and power," a character description reads.

Heimdall appeared in *God of War Ragnarök*, in which Scott Porter (*Ginny and Georgia*, *Friday Night Lights*) played the part.

Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Thor

Ólafur Darri Ólafsson cast as Thor in 'God of War'.

Eric Charbonneau/Getty; Sony Interactive Entertainment

Known internationally for roles in *Severence* and *Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga*, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson will succeed Hurst in the role of Thor, the Asgardian god of thunder.

The character featured prominently in *God of War Ragnarök*. He's described as "a mountain of a man who has weathered many a battle in his time but whose actions in a war fought long ago now haunt his waking hours."

The show's character summary continues: "Once the loyal soldier of Asgard and his father's right-hand man, Thor is now but a shadow of his former self as he drowns himself in alcohol and tries not to think of the price he paid. Keeping his wife and children at arm's length has only deepened his isolation, but the power (and danger) of the god of thunder is still there just beneath the surface."

Ólafsson previously tangoed in the world of Norse myth with the animated Netflix series *Twilight of the Gods*. He also has some gaming credits from lending his voice to *Assassin's Creed: Valhalla*, *The Last Worker*, and *Total War: Warhammer III*.

Mandy Patinkin, Odin

Mandy Patinkin cast as Odin on 'God of War'.

Dia Dipasupil/Getty; PlayStation

Mandy Patinkin of *The Princess Bride* and *Homeland* fame will play the king of the Asgardian gods, known as the Aesir, on *God of War*.

Dubbed "the All-Father," Odin "is not physically imposing or particularly god-like, but looks can be deceiving," reads the character description. "He is the most powerful Aesir god, a patriarch who leads with an iron fist, and an unrivaled seeker of knowledge. When it comes to seeking out prophecy, Odin is paranoid, manipulative, and dangerous — he will do anything to try and prevent Ragnarök, the Norse end of days. He serves as a formidable antagonist to Kratos."

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

*This article will be as more casting is confirmed.*

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All about A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' Mad Targaryen: Finn Bennett unravels Prince Aerion's br...

&34;I really believe that monsters aren't born, they're made,&34; the actor tells EW. All about A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' Mad Targaryen: Finn Bennett unravels Prince Aerion's brand of cruel &34;I really believe that monsters aren't born, they're made,&34; the actor tells EW. By Nick Romano :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/NicholasRomanoauthorphotoadc9b60763e34711935cbf7b3d768d24.jpg) Nick Romano is a senior editor at with 15 years of journalism experience covering entertainment. His work previously appeared in Vanity Fair, Vulture, IGN, and more.

"I really believe that monsters aren't born, they're made," the actor tells EW.

All about *A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' Mad Targaryen: *Finn Bennett unravels Prince Aerion's brand of cruel

"I really believe that monsters aren't born, they're made," the actor tells EW.

By Nick Romano

Nick Romano is a senior editor at ** with 15 years of journalism experience covering entertainment. His work previously appeared in *Vanity Fair*, Vulture, IGN, and more.

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January 29, 2026 5:19 p.m. ET

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Finn Bennett as Prince Aerion Targaryen on 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms'. Credit:

Steffan Hill/HBO

- Finn Bennett unravels Prince Aerion's unique brand of Mad Targaryen on *A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms*.

- The actor discusses the benefit of watching *House of the Dragon* and how he couldn't see through the visor of Aerion's black helmet.

- Bennett also shares his reaction to a specific *Heated Rivalry*-esque social media response to a scene involving Ser Roland Crakehall.

**This article contains spoilers from *A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms* episode 2, "Hard Salt Beef."**

With every iteration of *Game of Thrones*, there's always someone you love to hate. On *A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms*, the honor falls to Finn Bennett's Prince Aerion Targaryen.

Son of Prince Maekar (Sam Spruell) and nephew to Prince Baelor (Bertie Carvel), who's the Hand of the King and next in line for the Westeros throne, Aerion arrives at the Ashford tourney among the Targaryen family procession. He quickly reveals himself to be the de facto "mad Targ" of the bunch. There's always at least one.

"On paper he really is all bad," Bennett tells ** in an interview. "I think there is canonically somewhere in the books that says he's a man with no redeeming qualities, and he is vain and cruel. So there's kind of nothing. You have to dig deeper to find something to cling on to. But I really believe that monsters aren't born, they're made."

Finn Bennet as Prince Aerion Targaryen on 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms'.

Steffan Hill/HBO

Bennett is known for a more benevolent HBO series role, that of Officer Peter Prior on *True Detective: Night Country*. It's a testament to the chameleon nature of this 27-year-old British actor, who can transform with just a simple bleach blond wig to give his *Game of Thrones* part such a punchable face.

Aerion, known as "Aerion Brightflame," as well as the more blunt descriptor "Aerion the Monstrous," was first introduced in George R. R. Martin's *The Hedge Knight*, the first of a trilogy of novellas about Dunk and Egg, played on *A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms* by Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell, respectively. His presence sows chaos at the Ashford tourney where Dunk hopes to earn money, and he contributes greatly to the drama to come in the later episodes.

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'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' co-creator explains opening poop scene

Bennett previously called *House of the Dragon*, the other *Game of Thrones* prequel, one of the greatest shows on television at the moment. That age of Princess Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy), Prince Daemon (Matt Smith), and Prince Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) was only an inspiration in the sense of learning about the lineage of the Targaryens, which he likens to the War of the Roses.

The absence of all that on *A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms* is his favorite part of this show.

Prince Aerion Targaryen (Finn Bennett) on 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms'.

Steffan Hill/HBO

"I try to situate myself in where the Targaryen dynasty is in history and what's going on at the minute," he says, describing the unique madness of his particular Mad Targaryen. "They don't have the firm grasp on power that they used to have, and I think he finds that embarrassing. The tourney they're at is beneath him and his family, and he is looking to gain back some fear and respect in the hearts of his subjects. So I suppose that was the thing I was clinging on to."

Aerion distinguishes himself on the jousting field through his black armor. That demonic face on the helmet, which is adorned with metal flames, is based off a 3D scan of Bennett's own complexion, he reveals. "They shaved off the chin and the nose and the cheek bones and stuff," he describes. "They presented me with my helmet. I was like, 'F---, I'm ugly!'"

The helmet, however, is not practical. Bennett's stunt double, Zach Roberts, had to perform much of the action-oriented scenes purely because the actor couldn't see through the visor. "He was riding completely blind and sometimes leaping from his horse," Bennett recalls of Roberts' standout moments. "I don't think there's any way insurance would've let me cover that."

Prince Aerion Targaryen jousts on 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms'.

Steffan Hill/HBO

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

Bennett is mostly unaware of the reaction to Aerion so far, which is by design. He purposefully avoids reading any reviews, knowing that he'll likely fixate on the one negative criticism, even it were to come with a sea of raves. He speaks with EW while in Ottawa, Canada, where he's visiting family, who will feed him "dribs and drabs" of what's being discussed online, he says.

This interview, however, is the first time he learns there are some memes already in the making, in particular a few X tweets and posts on Threads fan-fictionalizing a *Heated Rivalry*-esque relationship between Aerion and one of the knights of his Kingsguard.

It stems from a moment that follows Aerion's first scene in episode 2 of *A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms*. Ser Roland Crakehall (Wade Briggs) mentions to Dunk after a heated exchange with the prince, "The pretty ones are always temperamental," referring to Aerion. Some fans online took note of this exchange.

"I love that," Bennett says in reaction. After a beat, he adds, "That's really weird and specific. That's great."**

- Sci-Fi & Fantasy Shows

- Game of Thrones

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Margot Robbie wears stunning tribute to Elizabeth Taylor's legendary love life at Wuthering Heigh...

Richard Burton, Taylor's husband at the time, famously gave the star a diamond necklace for her 40th birthday during a getaway in Budapest. Margot Robbie wears stunning tribute to Elizabeth Taylor's legendary love life at Wuthering Heights premiere Richard Burton, Taylor's husband at the time, famously gave the star a diamond necklace for her 40th birthday during a getaway in Budapest. By Lauren Huff :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/PXL202501060627063092a245c0a56a194868af7b6a47af56223c.

Richard Burton, Taylor's husband at the time, famously gave the star a diamond necklace for her 40th birthday during a getaway in Budapest.

Margot Robbie wears stunning tribute to Elizabeth Taylor's legendary love life at Wuthering Heights premiere

Richard Burton, Taylor's husband at the time, famously gave the star a diamond necklace for her 40th birthday during a getaway in Budapest.

By Lauren Huff

Lauren Huff

Lauren Huff is an award-winning journalist and staff writer at ** with over 12 years of experience covering all facets of the entertainment industry.

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January 29, 2026 8:27 p.m. ET

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Elizabeth Taylor and Margot Robbie, both wearing the Cartier Taj Mahal necklace. Credit:

Robin Platzer/Getty; Unique Nicole/FilmMagic

Diamonds are forever — and so are some epic love stories.

At the world premiere of Margot Robbie's buzzy new adaptation of *Wuthering Heights*, the Australian actress paid tribute to Elizabeth Taylor's legendary Hollywood romance with Richard Burton by donning Taylor's iconic Cartier Taj Mahal necklace on the red carpet. Burton, Taylor's husband at the time, famously gave the star the diamond necklace for her 40th birthday in 1972, during a getaway in Budapest.

"There's something kind of Cathy and Heathcliff about Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor in my mind, so it felt appropriate," Robbie told *Access Hollywood* at the premiere Wednesday, likening Burton and Taylor's tumultuous relationship to that of her and Jacob Elordi's characters in the film.

Margot Robbie at the 'Wuthering Heights' premiere in Hollywood.

Araya Doheny/Variety via Getty

"It's crazy," she said of being able to wear the necklace. "I remember when I talked with Andrew, my stylist, about what I was going to wear tonight, he was like, 'I feel like you need to be wearing the equivalent of the [*Titanic* necklace] Heart of the Ocean, so anyways, I feel like this is the real-life equivalent of the Heart of the Ocean. And the history of the necklace is amazing."

Indeed, according to a press release from Taylor's estate, "The pendant's surface bears an inscription in Parsee that reads, 'Love is Everlasting,' along with the name of Nur Jahan, the first woman to receive the jewel as a gift from her husband, Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahangir. The diamond was then passed down to their son, Shah Jahan, who gifted it to his most adored wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Four years later, when she died, the emperor commissioned the iconic Taj Mahal mausoleum as a tribute to her. The monument inspired the naming of the diamond, which found its way to Elizabeth and Richard."

The release further notes that the jewelry "stands as one of the most historically significant pieces in Elizabeth Taylor's legendary collection" and is "steeped in centuries-old symbolism."**

Margot Robbie addresses audience concerns about 'Wuthering Heights' casting: 'Trust me, you'll be happy'

Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie are lustfully licking the walls in 'Wuthering Heights' trailer

Robbie completed her red carpet look with custom 38-carat Lorraine Schwartz diamond earrings made of vintage old-cut stones set in blackened bronze and gold; a Fred Leighton ring; and a dramatic, form-fitting Schiaparelli gown.

An adaptation of Emily Brontë's influential Gothic novel of the same name, *Wuthering Heights* depicts Catherine and Heathcliff's doomed romance, from their early days spent playing in the wily, windy moors of West Yorkshire to Heathcliff's dramatic departure from the estate and beyond.

However, director Emerald Fennell has cautioned that fans shouldn't expect a faithful adaptation per se — it's more her own reimagining of the classic tale. "The thing is that it's my favorite book in the world," the filmmaker told *The Hollywood Reporter* on the red carpet. "Like many people who love this book, I'm kind of fanatical about it, so I knew right from the get-go I couldn't ever hope to make anything that could even encompass the greatness of this book. All I could do was make a movie that made me feel the way the book made me feel, and therefore it just felt right to say it's *Wuthering* *Heights*, and it isn't."

Elizabeth Taylor wearing the Cartier Taj Mahal necklace.

Fairchild Archive/Penske Media via Getty

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

*Wuthering Heights* arrives in theaters Feb. 14, on Valentine's Day.

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John Leguizamo, Eva Longoria, and Jessica Alba are just a few stars who signed an open letter demanding better representation for Latino creatives amid the &34;Deep Cuts&34; casting controversy. Latino stars demand answers after movie whitewashing controversy that led to actress quitting John Leguizamo, Eva Longoria, and Jessica Alba are just a few stars who signed an open letter demanding better representation for Latino creatives amid the &34;Deep Cuts&34; casting controversy. By Emlyn Travis :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/EmlynTravisauthorphotocba6765b433b4f93b9398d18053153b1.

John Leguizamo, Eva Longoria, and Jessica Alba are just a few stars who signed an open letter demanding better representation for Latino creatives amid the "Deep Cuts" casting controversy.

Latino stars demand answers after movie whitewashing controversy that led to actress quitting

John Leguizamo, Eva Longoria, and Jessica Alba are just a few stars who signed an open letter demanding better representation for Latino creatives amid the "Deep Cuts" casting controversy.

By Emlyn Travis

Emlyn Travis is a news writer at **. She has been working at EW since 2022. Her work has previously appeared on MTV News, Teen Vogue, and *NME*.

EW's editorial guidelines

January 30, 2026 11:44 a.m. ET

Eva Longoria; John Leguizamo; Jessica Alba. Credit:

Taylor Hill/FilmMagic; Manny Carabel/Getty; Pascal Le Segretain/Getty

John Leguizamo, Jessica Alba, and Eva Longoria, are among the more than 100 Latino creatives who have signed an open letter to Hollywood calling for more "accountability, intentionality, and equity in casting and storytelling."**

The letter, published Thursday, asks that casting directors, creative executives, writers, producers, and other higher-ups increase the number of Latino voices in the development and greenlighting stages, as well as the number of Latino actors attending auditions and being offered non-stereotypical lead roles. Deadline was the first to report the news. **

"We write to you with urgency, because storytelling is humanity's compass and Hollywood wields all the power," the letter said. "The stories you choose to tell, and how you tell them, shape public perception, cultural understanding, and who gets to see themselves reflected on screen. In these challenging moments that power comes with real responsibility."

Odessa A'zion at the 2026 Golden Globes.

Christopher Polk/Getty

The letter was released just one day after *Marty Supreme *actress Odessa A'zion dropped out of A24's upcoming romantic drama *Deep Cuts *following online backlash to her casting. The Actor Awards nominee was set to play a half-Mexican, half-Jewish character named Zoe Gutierrez in the Sean Durkin-directed film, which is adapted from Holly Brickley's 2025 novel of the same name. **

"Recent casting decisions around the character Zoe Gutierrez in A24's *Deep Cuts* have exposed a troubling pattern," the letter noted. "We acknowledge and commend Odessa A'zion for listening, reflecting and deciding to exit the project and become an ally. Yet how did this happen?"

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It continued, "The absence of Latina audition opportunities, and the choice to replace a clearly Latina character with a non-Latina actress, signals a broader, ongoing erasure of our community from the stories that define our culture."**

Still, the letter acknowledged that the problem is "not about any one actor or project," but rather "about a system that repeatedly overlooks qualified Latino talent even as our identities, histories, and experiences fuel the most enduring stories."**

"Latino communities are already underrepresented and misrepresented in ways that distort reality and harm real people," it added. "Casting decisions carry real weight: they influence who is seen as worthy of authentic storytelling and who gets to tell those stories with care, nuance, and authority."

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

It's why all of the creatives who signed their names are demanding more accountability and representation in the casting and storytelling process. **

"Authentic representation means more than casting a performer who looks like the character; it means involving the communities being portrayed not just in front of the camera, but in the decisions that shape these stories from their inception," it read. "Our stories deserve to be shaped with the input, guidance, and leadership of Latino creators, consultants, writers, and performers at every stage."

The cover of Holly Brickley's novel 'Deep Cuts'.

Their list of demands includes that Hollywood "audition and hire more Latino actors for a diverse range of roles," hire Latino executives, involve more Latino voices throughout the development process, and create mentoring and scholarship pipelines that will "expand access" across all levels of the entertainment industry. **

"The world is watching," the letter concluded.

Besides Leguizamo, Alba, and Longoria, the letter was signed by such stars as Marvel actors Danny Ramirez and Xochitl Gomez, as well as *Jane the Virgin *alum Gina Rodriguez and *Brooklyn Nine-Nine *star Stephanie Beatriz.

A'zion announced that she would be exiting *Deep Cuts* on her Instagram Story on Wednesday, claiming that she'd originally auditioned for a different role and was offered Zoe instead. **

"I'm so so sorry that this happened. It is SO important for me to let you in on how it all went down," she wrote. "I went in for Percy, but was offered Zoe instead and instantly said yes! I'm so pissed y'all, I hadn't read the book and should have paid more attention to all aspects of Zoe before accepting… and now that I know what I know??? F--- that! IM OUT."

Directed by Durkin, *Deep Cuts* follows the complicated relationship between music critic Percy (Cailee Spaeny) and songwriter Joe (Drew Starkey). A release date has yet to be announced.**

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Latino stars demand answers after movie whitewashing controversy that led to actress quitting

John Leguizamo, Eva Longoria, and Jessica Alba are just a few stars who signed an open letter demanding better representation...

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Little Rascals child star declares he's now a 'radical Catholic extremist' living off the grid af...

Bug Hall, who also described himself as a &34;medieval moralist,&34; said he left Hollywood following his arrest in June 2020 for allegedly inhaling air duster. Little Rascals child star declares he's now a 'radical Catholic extremist' living off the grid after giving away savings Bug Hall, who also described himself as a &34;medieval moralist,&34; said he left Hollywood following his arrest in June 2020 for allegedly inhaling air duster. By Lauren Huff :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/PXL202501060627063092a245c0a56a194868af7b6a47af56223c.

Bug Hall, who also described himself as a "medieval moralist," said he left Hollywood following his arrest in June 2020 for allegedly inhaling air duster.

Little Rascals child star declares he's now a 'radical Catholic extremist' living off the grid after giving away savings

Bug Hall, who also described himself as a "medieval moralist," said he left Hollywood following his arrest in June 2020 for allegedly inhaling air duster.

By Lauren Huff

Lauren Huff

Lauren Huff is an award-winning journalist and staff writer at ** with over 12 years of experience covering all facets of the entertainment industry.

EW's editorial guidelines

January 29, 2026 8:57 p.m. ET

Bug Hall in 'The Little Rascals' and Hall more recently. Credit:

Universal/Everett; Bug Hall/X

Alfalfa is all grown up, and he's now a self-declared "radical Catholic extremist."

Bug Hall, who famously played the character in 1994's *The Little Rascals*, opened up about his decision to take "a vow of poverty" and live off the grid with his wife and five kids in a conversation with *The Daily Mail* (per PEOPLE). Hall, who was born Brandon Barnett, told the outlet he plans to utilize a hydro-electrical dam, and special plumbing and electrical systems in order to unplug in rural Arkansas.

The former actor, who also described himself as a "medieval moralist," said that he left Hollywood following his arrest in Texas in June 2020 for allegedly inhaling air duster.

** confirmed at the time that an EMS call came into the Weatherford Police Department around 8:20 p.m. on the evening of Saturday, June 20, 2020 regarding "someone near the dumpster huffing" on the Fort Worth Highway, and an officer was dispatched.

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The actor was taken to Parker County Jail on charges of possession for use to inhale/ingest a volatile chemical, where he was booked on a $1,500 bond, which he posted by the following day. A rep for Hall at the time told EW the charges against the actor were being dropped. He did not have a formal statement at the time.**

The former child star told *The Daily Mail* that his arrest came after 15 years of sobriety, though he admitted to several relapses that were "brushed to the side" in the "high energy" environment of Hollywood. The arrest was a lightbulb moment for him, and he realized he didn't want to live a life of "manipulation, of other people, in how I speak to them, in the stuff that I make or produce… including myself, as an addict."**

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Hall continued, "I didn't want to go work some job that was basically meaningless, making widgets to entertain people or distract people."

Previously, the *Stupids* star explained the unconventional move in a YouTube video in April 2025, in which he also revealed that he had donated all of his savings and most of his material possessions.

"It was a hard realization, but it was something that I was pretty firm on, and I still am," he said of leaving Hollywood. "The irony was that I loved the work. I wasn't sort of disillusioned in terms of my love of work. I really, really loved it. I loved film and TV and the process of storytelling, more than any of you."

Bug Hall rowing a boat while looking at Brittany Ashton Holmes in 'The Little Rascals'.

Universal Pictures/Getty

As for his possessions, he described them as "a big pile of nothing."**

"It really wasn't all that great of a sacrifice compared to what our Lord had planned to give me in return," he said. "The fruits of that decision to live this radical lifestyle."

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Source: "EW Celebrities"

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Source: Celebrities

Published: February 01, 2026 at 09:38AM on Source: MARIO MAG

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byMario Satorik

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January 31, 2026

Little Rascals child star declares he's now a 'radical Catholic extremist' living off the grid af...

Bug Hall, who also described himself as a &34;medieval moralist,&34; said he left Hollywood following his arrest in Ju...

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Kristen Stewart wants to make movies outside of the U.S. and 'shove them down the throat of the A...

&34;Reality is breaking completely under Trump," she said. &34;But we should take a page out of his book and create the reality we want to live in.&34; Kristen Stewart wants to make movies outside of the U.S. and 'shove them down the throat of the American people' &34;Reality is breaking completely under Trump," she said. &34;But we should take a page out of his book and create the reality we want to live in.&34; By Lauren Huff :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/PXL202501060627063092a245c0a56a194868af7b6a47af56223c.

"Reality is breaking completely under Trump," she said. "But we should take a page out of his book and create the reality we want to live in."

Kristen Stewart wants to make movies outside of the U.S. and 'shove them down the throat of the American people'

"Reality is breaking completely under Trump," she said. "But we should take a page out of his book and create the reality we want to live in."

By Lauren Huff

Lauren Huff

Lauren Huff is an award-winning journalist and staff writer at ** with over 12 years of experience covering all facets of the entertainment industry.

EW's editorial guidelines

January 29, 2026 11:00 p.m. ET

Kristen Stewart attends The 2026 WWD Style Awards. Credit:

Amy Sussman/Getty

Kristen Stewart might be ready to flee the country.

When asked if she sees herself working in the U.S. long-term by the U.K.'s *The Times*, Stewart, 35, replied, "Probably not.

"I can't work freely there," added the actress, who currently splits her time between Los Angeles and New York. "But I don't want to give up completely. I'd like to make movies in Europe and then shove them down the throat of the American people."

Stewart, who recently made her feature directorial debut with *The Chronology of Water*, said she shot the film in Latvia because "it would have been impossible to do in the States."

The comments came about as the *Spencer* actress was discussing the tariffs President Donald Trump has said he plans to impose on the film industry, and how "terrifying" they are.

Kristen Stewart on set directing Imogen Poots in 'The Chronology of Water'.

Les Films du Losange

"Reality is breaking completely under Trump," she said. "But we should take a page out of his book and create the reality we want to live in."

For Stewart, that means continuing to make movies. "It's how I relate to the world," she said. "I'm always going, 'How are we going to make that into a movie?'"

In May 2025, Trump first announced in a post to his Truth Social platform his plan for a 100 percent tariff on all films produced outside of the United States.

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"The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death," Trump wrote. "Other Countries are offering all sorts of incentives to draw our filmmakers and studios away from the United States. Hollywood, and many other areas within the U.S.A., are being devastated. This is a concerted effort by other Nations and, therefore, a National Security threat."

Kristen Stewart in 2008's 'Twilight'.

Peter Sorel/Summitt

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

He continued, "It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda! Therefore, I am authorizing the Department of Commerce, and the United States Trade Representative, to immediately begin the process of instituting a 100% Tariff on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands. WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!"

However, the following day, the White House said it was still "exploring all options" regarding enacting tariffs on films made outside the U.S.

"Although no final decisions on foreign film tariffs have been made, the Administration is exploring all options to deliver on President Trump's directive to safeguard our country's national and economic security while Making Hollywood Great Again," White House Spokesman Kush Desai said in a statement at the time.

To date, the tariffs have yet to be implemented by the White House.**

- Celebrities & Creators

Original Article on Source

Source: "EW Celebrities"

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---

Source: Celebrities

Published: February 01, 2026 at 09:38AM on Source: MARIO MAG

#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle

byMario Satorik

in

January 31, 2026

Kristen Stewart wants to make movies outside of the U.S. and 'shove them down the throat of the A...

&34;Reality is breaking completely under Trump ," she said. &34;But we should take a page out of his book and cre...

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