John Cena may not be putting on the Peacemaker helmet again anytime soon, but the actor appears perfectly comfortable waiting for James Gunn to call his number.

During a recent appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast with Josh Horowitz, Cena opened up about his future as Christopher Smith following the second season of Peacemaker and where the character currently fits within Gunn and Peter Safran’s expanding DC Universe.

When asked whether he had worn the Peacemaker helmet since finishing the second season, Cena gave a straightforward answer: “No.”

That doesn’t mean Cena is walking away from the character. The actor made it clear that he remains committed to Gunn and is willing to return whenever the DC Studios co-CEO needs him.

Cena explained that he has already had an opportunity to play a character who was relatively unknown to mainstream audiences and believes it is now important for Gunn to devote his attention to some of DC’s biggest characters.

“I got to step back.”

Cena pointed to characters such as Superman as examples of the massive pieces Gunn is currently responsible for establishing within the new DCU.

Peacemaker [dc studios]

The comments come as Gunn continues building an interconnected universe across film and television. David Corenswet’s Superman has become one of the central figures of the franchise, while projects involving Batman, Wonder Woman and several other major DC characters remain in various stages of development.

Cena’s comments shouldn’t necessarily be interpreted as the end of Peacemaker.

The second season left Christopher Smith’s story open for continuation, and Gunn has previously avoided giving fans a definitive answer about exactly when Peacemaker or the other members of the 11th Street Kids will return.

For now, Cena appears content to wait.

After helping turn one of DC’s more obscure characters into a major live-action fan favorite, Peacemaker may simply be taking a temporary backseat while Gunn continues putting the larger pieces of the DCU into place.

Former Girls Next Door star Holly Madison has entered the chat as Jessica Biel’s upcoming Playmates film continues to raise eyebrows.

“I can’t wait to see it,” Madison, 46, told TMZ on Saturday, October 10, sharing her support for Biel’s costar Lily-Rose Depp and the director and screenwriter, Lorraine Nicholson, amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the film and its subject matter.

In the upcoming coming-of-age movie, Elle (Indiana Elle) befriends Anna (Depp) as the duo vy to become the next Playmate of the Month for Playboy magazine. Lewis Pullman is set to star as the late magazine founder, Hugh Hefner, who died in 2017. Biel, 44, landed the role as a fictionalized version of Hefner’s wife. (Hefner was married to Mildred Williams from 1949 to 1959, to Kimberley Conrad from 1989 to 2010 and to Crystal Hefner from 2012 until his death.)

While Biel has not publicly addressed her involvement, her role has already drawn backlash from critics who argue the movie downplays some of the more serious allegations made against Hefner.

“Please reconsider playing Hugh Hefner’s ‘wife’ if this film intends to romanticize him or the Playboy world,” Crystal, 40, told Biel in a Thursday, October 8, social media post. “I was actually his wife, and I experienced sexual, emotional, financial and physical abuse in this relationship.”

Acknowledging other abuse allegations against Hugh, Crystal hoped the filmmakers made certain changes to the production.

“I hope everyone involved in this film takes the time to listen to the women who lived it before helping Hollywood turn it back into nostalgia,” she said.

Crystal has previously been outspoken about her time in the Playboy Mansion, which she alleged was “traumatizing” in her 2024 memoir, Only Say Good Things: Surviving Playboy and Finding Myself.

“Life in the mansion wasn’t the fairy tale I had once hoped it would be,” she wrote in one passage. “From the outside, sure, it had all the trappings of a fairy tale. But it wasn’t, and everyone who lived there knew it.”

Related: Every Former Playmate Who’s Spoken Out Against Hugh Hefner

The truth behind the fantasy. The Playboy Mansion is the stuff of pop culture legend, but former Playmates have been brutally honest about what life was really like there — and how the late Hugh Hefner treated them. Holly Madison was never technically a Playmate, but she did live with Hefner, who died in September […]

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Crystal later filed a complaint against the Hugh M. Hefner Foundation in February, expressing concern if Hugh’s explicit scrapbooks were to be made public.

“My focus is on how Hugh Hefner’s personal scrapbooks chronicle private moments that took place behind closed doors,” she said during a press conference at the time. “There are serious and unresolved concerns about the scope of what these books contain. The materials span decades, beginning in the 1960s, and may include images of girls who were underage at the time and could not consent to how their images would be retained or controlled.”

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Madison, who famously dated Hugh during her tenure as a Playboy Bunny from 2001 to 2008, stressed to TMZ that she’s keeping an open mind about the project.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.

Catherine Zeta-Jones has no plans to read Michael Douglas‘ memoir, but it seems he is way ahead of her.

Zeta-Jones recently admitted that she has not read her husband’s newly released book. Her tight schedule has been the major reason for not reading the book; however, she encouraged others to read the memoir regardless.

Michael Douglas and Zeta-Jones have been married for over 25 years. There is also a 25-year age gap between the couple. The veteran actor was previously married to Diandra Luker before their divorce in 2000. 

Michael Douglas Says ‘Ooh Yeah!’ To Catherine Zeta-Jones Not Reading His Memoir

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During an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” Douglas was asked about Zeta-Jones admitting she had not read his memoir. Kimmel mentioned that she had told an interviewer she was not planning to read it. He then asked Douglas if he thought that decision was probably for the best.

Douglas paused for two seconds and blurted out “Ooh yeah!” before pointing to the 25-year age gap between himself and his wife. He explained that he had opened up about his past, including his relationship with actress Kathleen Turner. The pair had an affair while making “Romancing the Stone,” years before Douglas met Zeta-Jones.

The actor noted that Zeta-Jones was only seven years old when the affair happened. The actor said Zeta-Jones “wouldn’t know her husband for, you know, 25 years ahead.” “So I think she’s had to accept the fact that with having this kind of age difference, you may have had a life before you ever saw her for the first time,”  he added.

Kimmel joked that Zeta-Jones might previously have believed Douglas was a virgin when they married. The actor responded that Kimmel knew she had said that, playing along with the joke. When asked whether he contacted the women he wrote about, including Turner, Douglas confirmed by saying, “I did.”

Zeta-Jones Highlighted Her Packed Schedule As Reason For Memoir Snub

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Zeta-Jones’ decision not to read her husband’s book was because of her demanding work schedule. She spoke with Willie Geist on “Today.” She explained that she had only recently finished filming the third season of “Wednesday.” She said she had spent seven months shooting the series in Dublin before moving straight into another project.

After wrapping “Wednesday,” Zeta-Jones flew to London to work on “Kill Jackie.” She then traveled to Spain before appearing on the morning show with Geist.  She said to him, “And now I’m here talking to you, [Willie Geist] on the fabulous Today show.”

The Welsh actress said she had “no intention” of reading about her husband when she was already tired at night. She encouraged other people to read the book. The Blast reported that she told readers to “hold onto their cowboy hats.”

‘One Helluva Of A Ride’ Is Filled With Michael Douglas’ Past Relationship Secrets

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In the “One Helluva of a Ride” memoir, Douglas wrote about past romances, including his affair with Turner during “Romancing the Stone.” He also wrote about his relationship with Jeanne Tripplehorn during “Basic Instinct.” 

The Hollywood actor also discussed his heavy cocaine use during the 1970s. He recalled one evening taking the drug with O.J. Simpson. He described drunkenly insulting Julia Roberts at the 1990 Golden Globes. The memoir also revealed an FBI threat connected to a possible needle attack at the 1992 Oscars.

Douglas explained his decision to become more candid about his past in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. “Your 80s may be a good time to share,” he said, reflecting on why he chose to tell these stories now. He also said that trying to do the right thing sometimes left him looking like “the bad guy.”

“One Helluva of a Ride” talked about Douglas’ relationship with his first wife, Luker. The former couple continued sharing their Mallorca home after their divorce. Douglas described the arrangement as “uncomfortable.” The actor and his wife eventually became the sole owners of the Mallorca home.

Douglas Revealed A Surprising Affair He Had 

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Douglas’ memoir shed light on his relationship with Tripplehorn during “Basic Instinct.” Audiences had long speculated about an offscreen romance between Douglas and Sharon Stone because of their chemistry in the 1992 thriller. Douglas’ account revealed that his feelings were directed toward Tripplehorn, who played his therapist.

“The truth is, I fell very hard for Jeanne despite our nearly 20-year age difference,” he wrote. He also revealed how deeply he considered leaving his wife for her. “In fact, I was ready to officially leave my wife for Jeanne. I was crazy about her.” 

The Blast shared that the actor had separated from Luker, but they were still legally married at the time. Even after the relationship with Tripplehorn ended, he said, “But I will always think of her as an amazing actress and a truly terrific woman that I was very fortunate to spend time with.” 

Michael Douglas Never Gave Up On Catherine Zeta-Jones

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Douglas’ memoir also addresses the loving couple’s brief separation in 2013. Their relationship reportedly faced difficulties around that time. Douglas said his cancer was caused by HPV contracted through oral sex. Zeta-Jones was reportedly upset by the admission. 

The actor later admitted that he regretted causing her embarrassment. At the time, Zeta-Jones issued a statement saying the couple was “taking some time apart to evaluate and work on their marriage.” The Independent revealed that they reunited several months later. 

When Douglas was asked during an interview about how he won his wife back, “What, I won her back? It was a mutual… You know, we had our problems, but I love her dearly and, 25 years, you know,” he said. Douglas also wrote, “I never gave up hope that we would reconcile.” 

Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones’ 26th wedding anniversary approaches in November 2026.

Mike Ditka, the legendary Chicago Bears player and coach who became one of the most recognizable figures in NFL history, has died. He was 86.

Ditka’s family announced his passing on Friday, October 9. A cause of death has not been announced.

“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mike Ditka,” his family said in a statement. “While the world knew Mike as a Hall of Fame football player, legendary coach, and leader of the Chicago Bears’ Super Bowl XX championship team, we knew him as the heart of our family.”

The family added, “Mike will be missed beyond measure and remembered forever.”

Known throughout his career as “Iron Mike” and later simply “Da Coach,” Ditka built a legacy in Chicago that spanned generations.

The Bears selected Ditka with the fifth overall pick in the 1961 NFL Draft. The tight end immediately established himself as one of the league’s brightest young stars, recording 1,076 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns during his rookie season and earning NFL Rookie of the Year honors.

Ditka spent six seasons with Chicago before playing for the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys. He won an NFL championship with the Bears in 1963 and later captured Super Bowl VI as a member of the Cowboys.

His accomplishments eventually made him the first tight end ever inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, earning his place in Canton in 1988.

But for generations of football fans, Ditka will forever be associated with the 1985 Chicago Bears.

Ditka returned to Chicago as head coach in 1982 and transformed the Bears into one of the NFL’s dominant teams. The 1985 squad finished the regular season 15-1 before overwhelming the New England Patriots 46-10 in Super Bowl XX.

The championship team became a cultural phenomenon, with personalities including Walter Payton, Jim McMahon, William “The Refrigerator” Perry and Mike Singletary helping make the Bears one of the most memorable teams in NFL history.

Ditka coached the Bears for 11 seasons and led Chicago to seven playoff appearances. He later returned to coaching with the New Orleans Saints.

He also remained a familiar face to football fans long after leaving the sidelines, working as an NFL analyst and broadcaster while continuing to be closely associated with the Bears and the city of Chicago.

Following news of his death, the Bears paid tribute to one of the most important figures in franchise history.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of legendary and treasured Chicago Bear and Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka,” the organization said.

Ditka leaves behind a legacy few figures in professional football could match — an NFL champion as a player, a Super Bowl champion as an assistant coach and the head coach who delivered Chicago its only Super Bowl championship.

Kai Cenat’s name has been trending on the internet streets! From different rumors to online speculation, it seems like the streamer can’t catch a break. However, Kai has been staying out of the way and enjoying himself. Since officially launching his clothing brand, Vivet, Kai hosted a pop-up shop at ComplexCon. Several fellow streamers and supporters stopped by to show love and purchase pieces from his collection. Kai has also been spending time with his AMP members. The group recently had a hilarious prank war and even enjoyed a group fair date. However, the drama continues as pregnancy rumors involving Kai and his ex-girlfriend begin circulating online. Now, Gabrielle ‘Gigi’ Alayah appears to be entering the chat amid the latest speculation.

RELATED: Gorgeous Doll Apologizes To Kai Cenat For Making Their Alleged Private Situation Public After Saying He Paid Her $150,000 To Abort Their Unborn Twins (VIDEO)

Video From Gigi’s Recent Vlog Sparks Pregnancy Rumors

On September 19, Gabrielle shared a vlog titled ‘An Unexpected Reunion’ after attending Kai Cenat’s Vivet fashion show.I n the video, she gave supporters a behind-the-scenes look at her preparations, including getting her hair and glam done. Also, in the description, she wrote, “Spend a few days with me. From shooting a special campaign, getting ready for fashion week, attending the show, and everything in between… definitely a full circle moment.”

However, a clip from the vlog later surfaced on TikTok, where a user suggested that Gigi was pregnant. The clip showed Gigi wearing a Balenciaga tracksuit with the caption, “Congrats to Kai Cents’ girlfriend Gigi as she shows off her new pregnancy.” As the video circulated, speculation about Gigi expecting a child with Kai began spreading online. Some even started sending the influencer congrats and asking about an alleged due date.

Gigi Enters The Chat To Shut Down Pregnancy Rumors

As the video began making its rounds across social media, users shared mixed reactions to the pregnancy rumors. One user wrote, “The stomach rub yea she’s pregnant.” Another added, “Aww, I don’t want her to be pregnant, just live and have fun. “While a third commented, “I’m listening to the internet this time cause Queen Straight up played in my Face.”

However, Gigi appeared to enter the chat with a comment of her own. She denied being pregnant and shared that she hasn’t been in a relationship for nearly a year.

Gigi wrote, “I am not pregnant ! and Ive also not been in a relationship for abt a year can we stop with these narratives..”

Social Media Reacts 

Folks quickly gathered under The Shade Room Teens’ post to share their thoughts on Gabrielle Alayah’s response. While some still believed she was pregnant despite her denial, others defended her and questioned why people were so invested in the rumors.

Instagram user @nakiyadeasia wrote, “Idk but what I do know is you said you haven’t been in a relationship in over a year but that don’t mean you ain’t been hunching Imaooo”

Instagram user @og.prettycee added, “she def rubbed her belly lol weird to do if you’re not preg or postpartum”

While Instagram user @rr.rred wrote, “Chile if the internet say you pregnant, then you pregnant 😭😭😭 They ain’t been wrong yet 😂🤦🏾‍♀️”

Instagram user @sheiladollxoxo wrote, “If you ever rub your tummy as a celebrity even for a sec they always claim you prego lol😂”

Instagram user @swayyoo added, “Kai can’t catch a break 😂😂”

While Instagram user @jaysopretti_ wrote, “So women can’t be bloated ?? I would be cussing yall out every day”

Instagram user @shaeee_shaeeee wrote, “My thing is, Why Deny it if we Can CLEARLY see that you are.. like who cares 🤷🏾‍♀️”

Instagram user @_shantel added, “Why do yall be caring so much?? So yall can say yall were right?? That just makes yall so happy to be right about somebody yall don’t know being pregnant”

RELATED: Kai Cenat Sets The Record Straight On Where He & Gabrielle ‘Gigi’ Alayah Stand Following Relationship Speculation (VIDEOS)

James Gunn isn’t wasting any time moving on to his next project.

The DC Studios co-CEO has confirmed that he is already writing his next movie as work continues on Superman: Man of Tomorrow, although he isn’t revealing what the mysterious project will be just yet.

Gunn shared the update on Threads after a fan asked whether he was ready to begin writing another film.

“Already in it. I had to do something while I was waiting for the assembly!!” Gunn responded.

Gunn also confirmed that the assembly cut of Man of Tomorrow has now been completed, moving the highly anticipated Superman sequel further into post-production.

Production on the film wrapped in August.

For now, what Gunn is writing next remains a mystery. He has not revealed the title, characters or story for the project, leaving plenty of room for speculation about where the DC Universe could be heading after Man of Tomorrow.

Gunn currently serves as co-CEO of DC Studios alongside Peter Safran while also remaining heavily involved creatively in the growing DCU. His next screenplay could potentially involve another major DC character or continue building toward a larger crossover, but nothing beyond Gunn actively writing another movie has been confirmed.

[Warner bros. pictures]

Before Gunn’s mystery project arrives, audiences will see David Corenswet return as Superman in Superman: Man of Tomorrow.

The sequel will see Superman forced to work alongside his longtime enemy Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult, against an even greater threat in Brainiac, played by Lars Eidinger.

Rachel Brosnahan will return as Lois Lane, with Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner and Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific.

Milly Alcock will also return as Kara Zor-El following Supergirl, while Aaron Pierre is set to bring John Stewart to the big screen after portraying the Green Lantern in Lanterns.

Superman: Man of Tomorrow is scheduled to arrive in theaters on July 9, 2027.

Whatever Gunn is writing next, DC fans now know another movie is already taking shape behind the scenes.

A great movie needs a good story, and a good story needs a great character. Whether they’re flawed and embarking on a growth journey or strong individuals who save the day, an engaging protagonist is often the recipe for success. We love seeing a protagonist win, and sometimes victory comes through brains and intellect.

We are here to celebrate 10 of the cleverest leads. From literal geniuses to individuals who can adapt to any situation, these brilliant characters are exciting to watch because they are clever, ingenious, and even admirable. Though there are certainly many other films with brilliant protagonists, this list represents a smattering of characters on the clever spectrum.

‘A Beautiful Mind’ (2001)

Image via Universal Pictures

There are so many brilliant individuals who have played an impeccable role in shaping the world, including John Nash. His story was brought to life in the Ron Howard-directed A Beautiful Mind. Played by Russell Crowe, the film depicts the story of the brilliant mathematician as he develops groundbreaking economic theories alongside paranoid schizophrenia, suffering from severe delusions and visual hallucinations.

Showcasing Nash’s harrowing journey and ultimate triumph, A Beautiful Mind combines a compelling character study with an immersive, empathetic portrayal of mental illness. Structured like a psychological thriller, the film lets the audience experience the inner turmoil Nash faces as he makes extraordinary scientific and mathematical strides. From the revolutionary concept of the Nash equilibrium to his ability to break Soviet encrypted codes, Nash’s genius was on full display. A Beautiful Mind remains a profound film because it shows how complex brilliance can be.

‘Arrival’ (2016)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Denis Villeneuve‘s masterpiece Arrival is one of the greatest hard sci-fi dramas of the 21st century. It centers on linguist Dr. Louise Banks (Amy Adams), who, after 12 massive alien ships land in different locations around the world, learns a circular alien language to prevent a global war while discovering that the language changes her perception of time. A smart, language-focused alien drama, Arrival centers on grief, time, and human connection.

In a story with a plethora of smart individuals, it’s Louise who emerges as the smartest. Arrival depicts her journey through the lens of a massive global crisis using rigorous methodology, deep empathy, and linguistics rather than violence or brute-force code-breaking. Louise does not decode an alien language in a single “aha” moment; she builds a vocabulary word by word, tests hypotheses, watches them fail, and systematically revises her approach. Perhaps the smartest thing she does is choose empathy over fear, something our real world could all learn from.

‘Catch Me If You Can’ (2002)

Image via DreamWorks Pictures

Listen, Frank Abernathy Jr. may have been a conman, but he did so with pizzazz, and you can’t help but be endeared to him. In Steven Spielberg’s crime dramedy, Leonardo DiCaprio stars as the brilliant teenage con artist who runs away from home, forges payroll checks to survive, and begins to be a master of deception, posing as a Pan Am airline pilot, a hospital doctor, and a state prosecutor, cashing millions of dollars in fake checks worldwide. FBI banking fraud agent Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks) makes it his mission to hunt Frank down.

Catch Me If You Can is a high-stakes globetrotting cat-and-mouse chase that explores themes of identity, family breakdown, loneliness, and the strange bond that forms between the fugitive and his pursuer. Though it may seem shocking that Frank achieved what he did before turning 21, that’s the story’s allure. His cleverness comes from using human psychology, quick thinking, and deep charm to beat the FBI. His ability to read people became his greatest feat. His quick thinking and adaptability are remarkable.

‘Good Will Hunting’ (1997)

Image via Miramax

While Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are the true geniuses for writing the film, Good Will Hunting is a story about a self-taught genius. Directed by Gus Van Sant, the film follows Will Hunting (Damon), a working-class genius in Boston who works as a janitor at MIT. After Will is arrested for a street fight, Professor Gerald Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgård) bails him out on one condition: Will must study mathematics with him and attend therapy sessions with Sean Maguire (Robin Williams).

Will is an incredibly accessible character, using defense mechanisms and arrogance to protect himself from past childhood abuse and the fear of abandonment, and watching him slowly dismantle these walls makes for a deeply cathartic journey. Then we have his quick-thinking mind: Will uses his quick mind and vocabulary to tear down pompous, wealthy people, mock professional therapists, and quote history or law to win arguments. He also has a photographic memory and genius-level math skills. He’s smarter than MIT, but he’s an example of how only the wealthy have the means to grow intellectually.

‘Home Alone’ (1990)

Image via 20th Century Studios

Let’s face it, we all wished we could be Kevin McCallister as a kid. In the iconic ‘90s classic Home Alone, 8-year-old boy Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) is accidentally left behind when his large family flies to Paris for Christmas. While having fun alone, he soon discovers two local thieves, Harry and Marv (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern), known as the Wet Bandits, plan to rob his house. Kevin must defend his home, rigging it with clever, painful booby traps like icy stairs, blowtorches, and paint cans.

Though his targets may be hilariously bumbling fools, Kevin shows quick ingenuity. Not necessarily an ideal role model, Kevin manages basic survival tasks like grocery shopping, avoiding stranger danger, and running a household. He transforms everyday household items into weapons and traps while using audio recordings from a fake 1930s gangster movie to trick the burglars into thinking an armed man is inside the house. Though it may not be the most realistic film, it remains a timeless classic that taps into our eternal childhood whimsy.

‘Iron Man’ (2008)

Image via Marvel Studios

The MCU is filled with some incredible characters, but none is more of a genius than Tony Stark. It all came to light in the first film in the franchise, Iron Man. The origin story follows Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), a billionaire genius and weapons manufacturer who, while being held prisoner, builds a miniature arc reactor and constructs a heavy prototype suit of armor, which becomes the basis of his new superhero identity, Iron Man.

A revolutionary superhero flick, Iron Man set the course for the entire MCU, establishing the titular character as the ultimate genius mentor. The combination of Downey Jr. and an iconic character was truly a perfect match. He gave him an enigmatic charisma and bravado, but backed it up with practical cleverness that diminished the arrogance. Tony relies entirely on his genius, engineering skills, and rapid problem-solving, giving the character a tangibility rooted in skill rather than magic or supernatural powers, pairing sharp, rapid-fire humor with a pragmatic approach to crisis management.

‘Oppenheimer’ (2023)

Image via Universal Pictures

Starring Cillian Murphy as the titular character, Oppenheimer chronicles the life of the American physicist who led the secret Manhattan Project to build the first atomic bomb during World War II. Told through two timelines, Oppenheimer showcases Oppenheimer and a team of scientists building and successfully testing the nuclear weapon at the Trinity Site, as well as his testimony during a high-level security clearance hearing orchestrated by Lewis Strauss (Robert Downey Jr.) from the Atomic Energy Commission, driven by political motives and personal animosity.

Directed by Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer is a masterpiece that dives deep into Oppenheimer’s mind as he morally questions his actions and feels immense guilt years later. Nolan opted against a standard biopic that would read as a documentary. Instead, it’s a masterful mix of brilliance and psychological burden and how they interacted, depicted as a deeply complex, multi-layered vessel of both creation and destruction. Oppenheimer’s greatest feat isn’t solving an equation; it’s managing the Manhattan Project, successfully managing thousands of erratic, ego-driven, Nobel Prize-winning scientists, and keeping them focused on a singular goal under extreme military pressure.

‘The Imitation Game’ (2014)

Image via The Weinstein Company

Another example of real-life geniuses, The Imitation Game follows brilliant British mathematician Alan Turing. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, the Morten Tyldum-directed film tells the tale of Turing and his team designing an early electromechanical computer to break Nazi Germany’s Enigma code during World War II. Turing’s team must carefully manage their intelligence to alter the course of the war without letting the Germans know their code has been compromised.

Combining a high-stakes historical thriller with an emotionally resonant character study of a deeply misunderstood genius, The Imitation Game does a remarkable job of presenting a fascinating individual. Turing is more than just a mastermind: he’s a lone, misunderstood visionary who outsmarts both the Nazi military and his skeptical superiors. Long before AI inundated the world with power, Turing proved the Bombe could do what no human mind could calculate in time. He uses a complex calculus of war, figuring out not just how to crack the code, but how to strategically withhold victories so the enemy never realizes their code has been compromised.

‘The Martian’ (2015)

Image via 20th Century Studios

Based on Andy Weir‘s brilliant novel, The Martian is a space nightmare that becomes a survival thriller of epic proportions. Directed by Ridley Scott, botanist and mechanical engineer astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is struck by debris, separated from the team, and presumed dead. Stranded alone on Mars, Watney must use his scientific ingenuity and unique skill set to stay alive.

Damon makes Watney one cool dude who just happens to have a massive brain. His intelligence is rooted in practical, real-world science rather than convenient sci-fi tropes or unexplained genius. There are no MacGuffins here: Watney survives entirely by understanding his environment’s rules and systematically exploiting them; in short, he truly does “science the s—t out of this.” The story showcases immaculate human resiliency. While Weir’s other major protagonist from Project Hail Mary could have snuck in here, Watney did it on his own without the assistance of a beloved alien. ​​​​​​​

‘The Shawshank Redemption’ (1994)

Image via Paramount Pictures

To close our journey out, a protagonist whose cleverness was a long game: Tim Robbins as Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption. Based on the novella by Stephen King, The Shawshank Redemption tells the story of Dufresne, a banker who is wrongfully sentenced to life in prison for a murder he did not commit. Rather than let the institution break him down, Andy uses his banking and financial skills to help corrupt prison guards and the cruel warden, Samuel Norton, launder money. While forming a lifelong friendship with fellow inmate Ellis “Red” Redding (Morgan Freeman), Andy executes a secret, brilliant escape plan.

A unique individual, Andy uses his quiet patience, professional background, and a two-decade-long plan to outsmart a brutal prison system. Andy uses a tiny rock hammer to tunnel through his cell wall, hiding the hole behind posters while playing off the warden’s arrogance. By secretly playing the corrupt system by double-crossing the warden, Andy makes himself indispensable, earning protection and securing resources like the prison library. His psychological misdirection becomes his greatest asset, as he establishes a false identity that lets him walk out and become a whistleblower against the laundering.