The epitome of cinematic excitement at its heart-racing best, the action–thriller genre has produced a plethora of iconic hits over the decades, ranging from bombastic and bizarre ’80s hits to daring and dashing gems of modern times as well. The nature of action cinema’s sheer spectacle means there is something of a trend of genre films becoming more sensational over the years, as the technology and resources available to filmmakers have evolved exponentially.

However, it isn’t always the case. Plenty of action-packed thrillers haven’t just endured over the years, but have genuinely improved, be it due to their slick sense of style, the momentous scale of their production, or just the pure joy of watching practical effects in this modern age of CGI. Ranging from defining blockbuster classics of decades long past to some more recent classics that have enshrined themselves among the most exhilarating movies of the 21st century thus far, these action-thriller masterpieces only get better with every year that passes.

‘Hard Boiled’ (1992)

Image via Golden Princess Film Production

Hong Kong has long been a heartbeat of action brilliance on the international stage, dating as far back as the martial arts movies of the 1970s and right up to the abundant, unbridled excess of modern-day gems. Hard Boiled is something of a classic of the region, a no-holds-barred blitz of balletic brutality that follows a vengeful cop and an undercover mole as they bring down a reign of violence on the crime syndicates that have turned the city into a warzone.

While it is anchored by strong character dynamics and an emphasis on ideas of brotherhood, duty, and conviction, Hard Boiled has earned its enduring brilliance through the precision of its practical action effects. Director John Woo captured the ultra-violence with long, steady tracking shots that revel in the majesty of the “Gun-Fu” style with gleeful abandon. Of course, this is also a significant feat of stunt co-ordination and physical performance. These elements conspire to make Hard Boiled an ageless triumph of action-thriller mayhem, and a true highlight of foreign film.

‘The Raid’ (2011)

Image via PT Merantau Films

Emblematic of action cinema at its bruising and brutal best, The Raid excels at operating with such violent ferocity, and yet such artfulness and precision, that it is awe-inspiring from beginning to end. When a police operation to take down a drug lord in a Jakarta apartment block goes awry, a rookie cop and his team must use their limited resources to fight off waves of gangster thugs while working towards their target.

Director Gareth Evans places a tremendous amount of trust in the martial arts mastery and physicality of his actors, operating with subdued shots and simple, invisible editing that allows the combative prowess of the stars and the choreography to take center stage. It is a treat of hand-to-hand combat action that all lovers of the genre are sure to enjoy, especially in today’s cinematic landscape dominated by special effects and CGI.

‘Kill Bill Vol. 1’ (2003) & ‘Kill Bill Vol. 2’ (2004)

Heavily inspired by everything from spaghetti Western cinema to Japan’s revenge dramas of the 1970s, Kill Bill is a medley of style and influence that unfurls as the most action-packed movie Quentin Tarantino has directed thus far. Utilizing everything from surrealist martial arts action to anime flashbacks, arresting and vibrant colors, and a trademark appetite for visually spectacular blood splatter, it casts a wickedly enchanting spell. It follows The Bride (Uma Thurman) in her vendetta to kill the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad, a team of elite mercenaries that she was once a part of.

Most notably, the Kill Bill movies have aged well because they excel as a propulsive vision of violence and vengeance. It’s all brilliantly supported by eye-popping action, memorable and exciting characters, and an adherence to practical effects that is perhaps even more palpably exhilarating today than it was in the early 2000s. The duology has achieved status as two of the most iconic pictures of the 21st century thus far.

‘V for Vendetta’ (2005)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

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Based on Alan Moore’s graphic novel of the same name, V for Vendetta is an enticing spin on superhero drama, following masked vigilante V (Hugo Weaving) as he rises against the authoritarian leaders of a futuristic and totalitarian Britain. In 2005, the film was an exciting and stylish action flick that handled its ideas with impressive care without ever sacrificing blockbuster spectacle. In today’s world of superhero excess, V for Vendetta is even more impressive.

Set in the midst of an oppressive regime’s reign of power, it holds a thematic might that most other movies in the genre lack. V for Vendetta explores confronting ideas of state surveillance, media manipulation, and societal control while still reveling in the superhero appeal of V’s mission. Interestingly, Moore’s original comic book was written as a critique of Margaret Thatcher’s tenure as the British prime minister, making it an eerie commentary on the cyclical nature of power and politics that is again so relevant in today’s world.

‘Casino Royale’ (2006)

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

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The James Bond franchise is one of cinema’s most interesting. It has often struggled to grasp a sense of true timelessness, with even the very best of its earlier classics still tinged with scenes of chauvinism and misogyny. However, Casino Royale presented a distinct turning of the page that modernized 007 with a grit that resonated with 21st-century audiences while still maintaining the franchise’s appetite for suave sophistication and style.

As Daniel Craig’s debut in the role, Casino Royale is a groundbreaking new vision of the iconic character that fills its extensive 144-minute runtime with a seamless procession of captivating action, awe and smooth-moving storytelling. Even as ensuing Bond films have impressed, Casino Royale remains a timeless gem, a stunning example of what the franchise could be at its progressive best. It stands tall among the most energizing and extraordinary spy movies of all time.

‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’ (1991)

Image via Tri-Star Pictures

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35 years have passed since Terminator 2: Judgment Day first hit cinemas, and yet the thrilling James Cameron blockbuster remains a perfect example of how to incorporate new filmmaking technology into a major studio production. An amalgamation of sci-fi, action, horror, and thriller, the legendary sequel sees the T-800 (Arnold Schwarzenegger) sent back in time to protect a teenage John Connor (Edward Furlong) from the pursuit of an advanced Terminator machine, the T-1000 (Robert Patrick).

Its hybrid of practical effects and CGI is a marvel that hasn’t aged a day, while its sentimentality and heart give it an emotional pull that many modern action-thrillers foolishly neglect, if not avoid altogether. T2 remains one of the most exciting and entrancing movies the genre has ever seen, a glorious highlight of the blockbuster brilliance of yesteryear that flaunts action scenes that still engross and characters that still mean something to the viewers.

‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ (2015)

Image via Warner Bros.

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Only 11 years have passed since Mad Max: Fury Road first released in theaters, and yet the reputation and status of the movie has grown exponentially in that time to the point it’s already revered as one of the defining movies in action history. Directed by George Miller, this operatic chase through a post-apocalyptic wasteland sees roguish nomad Max Rokitansky (Tom Hardy) join forces with a fleeing warrior and a warlord’s brides to escape the clutches of Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne), his frenzied “War Boy” army, and the despair of the Citadel.

Ceaseless, propulsive, and relentless throughout its two-hour run, Mad Max: Fury Road is as high-octane as cinema gets, a thrilling non-stop fight for survival and freedom that marries efficient and energized storytelling with ravishing action filmmaking across the board. While several action blockbusters from the mid-2010s have already aged poorly due to their heavy reliance on CGI, Mad Max: Fury Road only grows more gorgeous with every rewatch, establishing itself as a true modern masterpiece of the genre and a defining highlight of 21st-century cinema at large.

‘The Dark Knight’ (2008)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Another example of an early superhero classic that has remained at the pinnacle of the genre courtesy of its thematic convictions and the confronting darkness of its story, The Dark Knight is arguably the emblematic blockbuster of 21st-century cinema so far. Following Batman (Christian Bale) as he struggles to protect Gotham from an anarchistic terrorist seeking to plunge the city into chaos, it endures not only as a heart-pounding and propulsive epic, but as a fascinating examination of the nature of symbols in society as well.

Its moral complexity and the web of ethics and responsibilities the Joker (Heath Ledger) ties Batman and Gotham City in makes for a sense of psychological tension that no other mainstream superhero movie has been able to match. In fact, there are very few action-thrillers that can rival The Dark Knight in terms of its visceral, nerve-rattling brilliance. Also bolstered by Sir Christopher Nolan’s insistence on ageless practical effects, Ledger’s unforgettably perfect performance, and the grounded realism it employs, The Dark Knight is a classic that only grows in stature with each passing year.

‘Heat’ (1995)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

A thrilling crime epic that also boasts some of the greatest action set pieces cinema has ever seen, Heat is a defining classic of ’90s cinema. Following two characters on opposite sides of the law, it unfolds as calculating robber Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) plans one final heist with his crew before retirement while Lt. Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino) sets out to thwart his plans of collecting one final big score.

While the entirety of the movie’s 170-minute runtime is masterful, few viewers will ever forget the famous shootout scene in the streets of downtown L.A., a ferocious battle of unrivaled tactical realism that stands as arguably the greatest action scene of all time. It is a great testament that the scene, and the other high-intensity moments of the film, almost eclipse the appeal of De Niro and Pacino acting alongside each other for the first time despite their decades-spanning career. Complimented by Michael Mann’s astute direction and immersive sound design, Heat presents a pulsating action spectacle that is impossible to forget.

‘Die Hard’ (1988)

Image via 20th Century Studios

Every Christmas seems to be the rewatch schedule for Die Hard in a lot of households, and it is easy to see why. It follows New York cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) as he finds himself embroiled in a nerve-rattling battle when terrorists take over the Christmas party of his estranged wife’s workplace. Die Hard is an enthralling and deceptively clever movie that grounded ’80s action excess in a more contained sense of tension, and transformed the muscle-clad, invulnerable hero into a relatable everyman.

For these reasons, Die Hard has aged far more gracefully than many of its contemporaries. Its screenwriting precision, perfect balance of suspense and entertainment, and litany of faultless performances have seen it remain an unrivaled classic of the genre even after almost 40 years. It is still heralded as a defining benchmark of action-thriller cinema, and it seems that every December, when it is watched again, it only grows greater.

Blueface is turnin’ heads and leaving internet users wondering if he’s trying to shoot his shot with LisaRaye McCoy.

RELATED: Switchin’ It Up! LisaRaye Sparks Mixed Reactions Following Her Recent Wardrobe Refresh (WATCH)

Is Blueface Trying To Shoot His Shot With LisaRaye?

On Tuesday, June 9, Kia Todd, a talent agent, took to Instagram to share footage from her time apparently escorting LisaRaye McCoy at the 6th Annual Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards. Furthermore, the footage showed Blueface standing near McCoy as he seemingly told Todd he was going to “crash out.”

“Y’all think I’m playing. I’m not playing, bro,” he said before turning to look at McCoy. “If she’s me, I’ll stop cheating. I’ll stop cheating for her. I’ll stop cheating for her. You gon’ tell her after this?”

Ultimately, Todd captioned the clip, “Haha @bluefasebabyy was so serious bout my girl
@thereallraye1 😂😂😂 Yall believe him???! 😂🫣…”

Peep the clip below.

Social Media Is REACTING

Social media users slid into TSR’s comment section with a plethora of reactions to the clip of Blueface and LisaRaye McCoy.

Before The Clip Showed Blueface Alongside LisaRaye, He Turned Heads With THIS

Before the footage showed him alongside LisaRaye McCoy, Blueface was already turning heads at the 6th Annual Hollywood Unlocked Awards. As The Shade Room previously reported, when photos initially surfaced of Blueface at the event, they showed him donning a suit. Subsequently, social media users went IN with reactions in TSR’s comment section.

One person wrote, “THE TIE IS PISSING ME OFF”

While another added, “Looking like a public defender on the weekdays and a used car salesman on the weekends suit.. 😩😩🙏🏽”

RELATED: Hol’ On! Blueface Stepped Out Wearing A Suit & Social Media Users Can’t Stop Talkin’ About One Thing (PHOTOS)

By Jonathan Klotz
| Published 33 seconds ago

Comedy is hard to do right. Science fiction is hard to do right. A sci-fi comedy is nearly impossible. That’s what makes Resident Alien one of the best series of the decade. It’s a funny, well-written sci-fi comedy allowed to tell a complete story from beginning to end. After originally airing on SyFy, the series went to Netflix, and now, the final season has arrived for you to easily binge Alan Tudyk’s greatest performance. 

The Perfect Role For Alan Tudyk

Tuidyk plays “Harry Vanderspeigle,” or rather, the alien with a name humans can’t pronounce, impersonating the town doctor (also played by Alan Tudyk in flashbacks), whom he accidentally killed when landing in Patience, Colorado. Harry learns medicine by watching Law & Order, and slowly picks up on human emotions, customs, and social cues as the series goes on, all to further his mission to exterminate the human race. Early on, he realizes that a young boy, Judah, can see his true alien form. He tries to exterminate the witness, but fails, and ends up befriending him instead. Be a different series if the bone saw had worked.  

The first few episodes have the other residents of Patience playing the straight man to Harry’s quasi-murderous antics, before Resident Alien finds its groove and settles in. As the seasons go on, Harry finds an ally in Judah’s mom, Asta (Sara Tomko), and a new enemy when the government moves into Patience, which, as with Stranger Things, is represented by Linda Hamilton as a no-nonsense extraterrestrial hunting General. Hamilton isn’t the only sci-fi cameo. Resident Alien is filled with familiar names and faces having the time of their life on the show. 

Alan Tudyk’s Firefly co-stars, Nathan Fillion and Jewel Staite, turn up as a telepathic octopus and an FBI Agent respectively. Clancy Brown, Terry O’Quinn, George Takei, and Stephen Root all drop by while behind the camera, Star Trek Voyager’s Robert Duncan McNeill is often directing the big episode of the season. When the star of the show is one of the most beloved performers in Hollywood, it’s easy to get everyone to show up. 

Resident Alien Is The Decade’s Best Sci-Fi Series

Resident Alien is an absolute blast of a series. It’s a throwback to the old SyFy slate of Eureka and Warehouse 13, and the only show this decade to nail that vibe. It took a while to catch on. Season 1 flew under the radar with barely a million viewers for each episode. Once it was available on streaming, it became a social media hit, and viewership boomed. Now that it’s complete on Netflix, expect it to again experience a new surge in popularity.

 
There’s a lesson to be learned here by studios about producing original sci-fi, or well, almost original, since it does adapt the comic book series by Peter Hogan and Steven Parkhouse, and then giving them room to grow, develop, and find their audience. Too often, sci-fi shows are canceled after one season before anyone even knows how great it is. Resident Alien did everything right, barely survived for four seasons, and is now going to be your new favorite series

On 90 Day Fiance, Mallorie prepares Rasit for life in the south by throwing a redneck party to welcome him. Edward Miguel Gomez arrives at Marissa Rubinetti’s house and quickly learns the rules. Ashia and her mom make the trek to Nigeria. Josh Atkins is hurt by Catie Norboe’s admitted indiscretions. And Mohamed “Mido” Fayed shows a dark side to Debby Rolando. Let’s break it all down in this recap of Season 12, Episode 5 Something Old, Something New.

90 Day Fiance: Mallorie and Friends Welcome Rasit

On 90 Day Fiance, Mallorie wants Rasit to feel comfortable in his new home in Alabama. But a visit from her friend Brandon leaves Rasit uneasy. Because at one time Brandon was a friend with benefits. Mallorie assures him that was in the past. But she’s not giving up Brandon as a friend. Because after her car accident he cared for her dogs. And supported her in her time of need. But Rasit doesn’t agree. And calls him Brandy.

Later Rasit battles for space in the bed with Mallorie’s dogs. He succeeds in getting them out of the bedroom so he can have alone time with Mallorie. In the morning the couple enjoy a coffee run in the rain. Mallorie gets emotional admitting that some of her friends have actually referred to Rasit as a terrorist. Because of his Muslim faith. She asked her friends not to include them at the welcome party for Rasit.

Mallorie’s friends are throwing a “white trash bash” to welcome Rasit to the south. It includes plenty of drinking and themed outfits. Rasit jumps right in donning a red, white and blue bandanna with attached mullet. He isn’t shy, shot gunning a beer and taking a shot with Brandon. He tells Mallorie he wants a word with him. And jumps on Brandon’s open truck tailgate. Brandon cites that as pure disrespect. And Rasit struggles for the right words. For now.

90 Day Fiance: Edward Learns the House Rules

Edward Miguel Gomez arrives in America and Marissa Rubinetti is eager to get him home on 90 Day Fiance. He’s impressed to see her house on a treelined suburban street. It reminds him of the house on Home Alone. He’s even more impressed with the inside. But wasn’t expecting Marissa to start rattling off rules. First, he has to remove his shoes. And she suggests he’s getting a privilege her ex-husband did not. Permission to use the master bedroom bath.

Edward Miguel Gomez is eager to show off his surgery down under. Marissa Rubinetti is pleased with the results. In the morning she serves up a protein shake and some packaged cold hard-boiled eggs. Edward is enthralled with the sink that turns on with a tap of the hand. During a power walk Marissa sets up what will happen later in the day when her ex-husband Michael will drop off the kids. She advises him not to go head-to-head with her ex.

Michael arrives with the kids who are happy to see Edward on 90 Day Fiance. Michael is aloof but polite, suggesting he thought Edward was shorter than he is. Edward takes this as a stab at him. But later when the two men talk alone, Michael warns that he will fight anyone over the kids. But also cautions Edward about Marissa’s wealthy parents. Who made him feel less than. Edward heeds the warning and assures Michael he’s not aggressive but can hold his own.

90 Day Fiance: Ashia Heads to Nigeria on a Mission

90 Day Fiance newbie Ashia is on a mission. After her fiance Maxwell was denied a k-1 visa due to “fraud” she’s determined to get to the bottom of things. Her mom is accompanying her on the trek. Her friend drives her to the airport. But she’s got plenty of questions and doubts. Ashia doesn’t appreciate the negative energy. She has faith in the lord and her relationship. But if there is a secret uncovered, she’ll bolt.

Mother and daughter make it to Nigeria. Maxwell is waiting with flowers. He’s put on a few pounds at Ashia’s request. He admits she films his bald spots while he sleeps. He’s working on his skincare too. Ashia is pleased with his beefier physique. But admits the skincare still has a way to go.

90 Day Fiance: Josh and Catie Get a New Place

Josh Atkins is a nice guy on 90 Day Fiance. He laughs often at his fiance Catie Norboe’s quirks. But some of her behaviors stress him out. Such as getting black out drunk and asking her friends to kiss her on the lips while he was there. Josh worries what his future will be like. The pair are packing up to move into an apartment she rented sight unseen. And Josh is concerned what they will be walking into. Catie’s OCD kicks in and she forces Josh to check every inch of the hotel with her.

The couple arrive to the complex and discover it’s spacious but the floors are concrete. Catie Norboe has prioritized packing an adult toy and Josh Atkins finds it funny until she suggests using it on him. A tiny twin bed with a nasty mattress makes Josh uneasy. Catie is less bothered citing differences in how they see things. But after she makes up the bed they cuddle together and realize there’s a loud noise to deal with every time the garage opens in the building.

90 Day Fiance: Debby Sees the Dark Side of Mido

Debby Rolando is frustrated with Mohamed “Mido” Fayed giving her the silent treatment. She rented a bigger apartment to keep him happy. Mido pouts that she didn’t capture him on video driving the moving truck. He trots downstairs and says good morning to a weepy Debby. Who says she didn’t sleep well after the argument. She suggests going out to breakfast so they can have a conversation.

Mido is aggravated and brings up how in his culture the woman should respect the man on 90 Day Fiance. He thinks since she hasn’t lived with a man in so long she has forgotten. But Debby is no pushover in spite of being head over heels with him. Mido is rude, self-centered and clearly not invested. He brings up his dream of acting again. Debby recognizes this as a red flag. But still asks him for a ring. Till next time!

More than 30 years after first suiting up as Buzz Lightyear, Tim Allen is still finding new adventures. This summer, the actor returns as the beloved Space Ranger in Toy Story 5, the latest chapter in a franchise that has become a touchstone for generations of families. Looking back, Allen is struck by the enduring success of the Pixar phenomenon, which premiered in 1995 as the world’s first fully computer-animated feature film. “It’s an amazing part of my life,” the 73-year-old actor tells Us Weekly. “Buzz has become such a part of me, and vice versa.”

In part five, Buzz, Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) and the rest of the gang compete against the allure of tech after their owner, 8-year-old Bonnie, acquires a tablet named Lilypad. The passage of time since the original wasn’t only reflected in the storyline — Allen admits he received some constructive criticism when he sat down to film the new installment. “In their nicest way, Pixar said, ‘Buzz sounds a little old these days,’” he says with a laugh. The actor worked with an opera singer from New York to learn how to relax his voice. “I’d never warmed up before, but the longer you do this, you just can’t start off; you have to do warm-ups.”

Buzz is just one of many iconic characters the stand-up comedian has portrayed during his impressive film and TV career. After starring as Tim Taylor in the hit ’90s series Home Improvement, he went on to do nine seasons of Last Man Standing and, in 2025, he struck sitcom gold again with Shifting Gears. (He portrays a widowed dad who owns a classic car restoration business — Allen is a car enthusiast in real life, too. Season 3 begins filming in July.) “The fact that Shifting Gears is a success… I don’t sit with that very often, because who cares, really?” he says, adding, “Looking in the rearview mirror is a recipe for disaster. I just love entertaining.”

The dad of two (he shares Kate, 36, with ex-wife Laura Deibel, and Elizabeth, 17, with his wife of 19 years, actress/producer Jane Hajduk, 59) chats with Us about family life, his offscreen bond with Hanks and the latest on a Home Improvement reboot.

Congrats on Toy Story 5! What can you tell Us about the movie?
When we did Toy Story 4, I said, “We need a little more Buzz in this.” I was kidding, so it was very startling when I saw the storyboards. I said, “OK, you took that seriously.” It was very challenging to be that many Buzzes, and then it got very confusing [as to] who’s talking to who, and I’m not sure exactly how they smoothed it out, but it was very funny to be part of that. [The film features a whole cargo container of Buzz Lightyear toys becoming part of the action.]

The first film came out in 1995. Why do you think the franchise has been able to span multiple generations?
Essentially, it’s a story about a wonderful friendship. Kids recognize it, and adults recognize it, and they’ve added a whole color palette with the other toys, so it’s like a little community. I think [if it were with] stick figures, it would still be very popular.

What’s the best part about playing such an iconic character?
Seeing a kid’s face when I say, “To infinity… and beyond!” Tom taught me this trick — we’ll have [kids] shut their eyes and turn around, and then we do Woody and Buzz, and to see the look on their faces… What these characters have done for them is what Mickey and Donald Duck did for me at a certain time in my life. I think it’s time to [do] a high-end Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse [project], because those two were Woody and Buzz for me when I was a kid.

Related: ‘Home Improvement’ Cast: Where Are They Now?

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Does everybody know what time it is? That was the famous phrase that came out of Home Improvement, the ABC sitcom that aired from September 1991 to May 1999. The 30-minute comedy followed Tim “The Toolman” Taylor (Tim Allen) as he hosted a home-improvement show titled “Tool Time,” even though he’s not at all a […]

Is it cool when young family members discover you’re Buzz?
My niece just had her second child, and it’s amazing when the kids realize their uncle is Buzz Lightyear. I try to explain I’m not actually Buzz Lightyear, but then it gets creepy, like, “How come you sound like him, and you look like this?”

Did you have any idea the franchise would become so successful?
When we first saw Toy Story, everybody was in the room going, “I don’t know what to make of this.” [The] powers-that-be were very unsure it would [translate]. [They] thought, “Maybe we just go right to DVDs.”

This film pits the toys against tech. What did you think of that angle?
I’m amazed Pixar did this. They’re into tech, and yet they’re putting a light on their own tech. That scene where all the kids are on their phones in the houses, everybody got very quiet in the screening room. It was courageous to re-encourage kids to play.

Disney has said it plans to keep the franchise going. Where would you like to see Buzz go in the future?
I always thought it would be interesting if Buzz realizes where he was built. I love the indication that all of us can reinvent ourselves. I still have my girls’ stuffed animals. They throw them away for a while, but my daughter, every now and then, she still picks up this bear.

Do you remember watching your kids play with any toys for the last time?
I do. I got my daughter a lion rocking horse from FAO Schwartz when she was really little. She played with it, then she put it in a corner of her room, then it’s in the living room, then it’s just become [like a] sculpture. My daughter will watch the nieces, nephews and everybody’s kid play with it the same way she did. My mother — who’s really failing at 97, she can’t see or hear anything — [was over for] our big Thanksgiving dinner, and out of nowhere she goes, “That lion still looks at me.” I don’t know how she remembered it.

You’ve accomplished so much in your career. Do you ever have pinch-me moments?
Yes. There was a poster that said [I had the] No. 1 book, TV show and movie, and it all happened on a Monday. It’s funny, my publicist didn’t know it, Disney didn’t know it, ABC didn’t know it — but there was a Monday when Home Improvement and The Santa Clause were No. 1 and I’d done a book [1994’s Don’t Stand Too Close to a Naked Man]. I’ll always look back and be content with that. Some great high-profile actor who I know saw me at an event and said, “You just keep reinventing yourself,” but I never look at it that way. I love what I do, so opportunities come up, and I take them.

Are there challenges to working in the biz at this point in your life?
I’m getting too experienced. I’ve done so many things that when we start a new project, it’s challenging to hear new people tell me how the business works. I’m respectful because they’re either bosses or higher-ups, but the comic [inside me] wants to say something outlandish. There’s a point where you’re too mature for something [so you just say,] “You guys deal with this, and I’ll deal with something else.” There are moments where I lose my patience, but I don’t want to be rude. I don’t want to be like, “Don’t look me in the eye.” I’m a successful actor because of the people who watch and because of the people who do all the real work, from craft services to camera people.

Your daughter Elizabeth played your daughter in the Disney+ series The Santa Clauses. What was that like?
We did Zoom auditions for the other actors, and [the producers said], “Who’s that reading with you?” And I said, “That’s my daughter, but she’s in school, and I don’t even want to think about [that].” Eventually, they said, “Can she read for the big role?” and she ended up playing my daughter. She’s really good at school, and her mom and I wanted her to finish that. But there was a scene where she was very upset [and] dare I say, she’s a natural. I hugged her as Santa Claus, but it was Dad and daughter there, and I told her as I walked away [feeling] very emotional, “This is going to sit with me forever.”

You’re close with Tom Hanks and Jay Leno. How important are those friendships to you?
When I’m around all my showbiz friends, there’s a camaraderie because they know exactly what it’s like [to be famous]. So then it’s about, “What are your kids doing?” It levels [things] off.

How do you feel about fame?
I’m more of an introvert than I thought I was. I don’t really like crowds. Sometimes I just want to eat my lunch or go to the dry cleaners. It’s a pleasure to have people love what you do. I love doing stand-up, and I’m getting more authentic on stage, and I love that moment of connecting with people. It’s a paradox: I love entertaining crowds, but I don’t like being in crowds. When I get out by myself, I’m a pretty quiet person.

Before you had kids, what kind of dad did you think you’d be?
I never really wanted to be a dad. I joke about it on stage; I’ve just never been a real fan of children. As people have said many times about parenting, you go through all this [stuff] to get a driver’s license or a passport, but there’s nothing about [raising] children. It was a work in progress. My wife says we wish we’d had five kids because you learn on the first two. With Kate, I was gone a lot, so her mom did most of the raising. I come from [a family of] seven boys and two girls, and it’s a very different world to me with girls. I have a different view of what will make a strong woman. The girl stuff I have little interest in — clothing, looks, gossip, and all that — [I focused on] learning finances, learning how to take care of yourself, and that works for boys and girls.

Were you scared of being a girl dad?
No. My sisters are well-rounded because they were around a very strong mom, and these girls are around strong moms. There’s a connection between moms and sons that’s undeniable, and there’s a connection between fathers and daughters that’s undeniable. We communicate on a different level. I didn’t realize how much I got through to my older one [but] now and then she’ll say, “You used to say this all the time,” and I go, “You actually listened.” Both daughters are very creative and self-assured, [more] than I was. They have natural abilities I never had, and they’re very modest about it.

What was it like for them to grow up with such a famous dad?
[With Elizabeth] it’s a double-edged sword. I’m able to be of assistance because I can put attention on things that can be helpful for her school, but it also gets in the way because I think people treat her differently to get access to me.

Are you in constant contact with your girls?
I adore my older daughter’s husband and they don’t live far away, and I see her all the time when we’re shooting Shifting Gears because she’s in the production office. Sometimes I’m in a crotchety mood when I’ve been working eight hours and I don’t want to deal with minutiae and she goes, “Just call me,” because she’s very good at that. She’ll stare me down [sometimes]. I tell her, “You’re the only one that ever talks to me like that.” My youngest and I love watching Avengers movies — I learned this from an old friend — make a movie night with your kid, along with a date night for your wife. Our joke is I’ll say, “I love you more than anything,” and she goes, “Well, I love you more.” It seems like the silliest thing, but we just did it about 25 minutes ago.

You lost your dad at a young age. [He was killed by a drunk driver in 1964.] How did that impact you?
I kind of turned into a different person after that. Trauma has that effect. I turned into my spiritual or metaphysical or religious self. My blood father was really involved in pruning the car [and] all the stuff I really like now. My dad got me into that. I really missed that connection. I didn’t have that with my stepfather, but he was an extremely wonderful guy.

When you were younger, you got off on the wrong foot — how would you say those experiences shaped you into the person you are today?
I’d lost focus after college, where I got into criminal stuff. [Allen spent two years in prison.] When I was incarcerated, I started reading books [about] men and women who had been successful out of nowhere, and I started focusing on where I wanted to be. I did not want to do that ever again. I humiliated my family and friends and myself. I did not want to make that mistake [again].

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Related: Kat Dennings Felt an ‘Immediate’ Trust With Tim Allen on ‘Shifting Gears’

Disney/Mike Taing It didn’t take long for Kat Dennings and Tim Allen to build a real-life bond similar to their Shifting Gears daughter-dad duo. “It clicked pretty fast. We had lunch after I accepted the role and I felt immediately like I could trust him for some reason,” Dennings, 38, exclusively shared in the newest […]

You and Jane will celebrate your 20th anniversary in October. What’s your secret to a successful marriage?
I think a sense of humor saves us so many times. We both struggle with golf, and [we were talking about how] Elizabeth will be a senior next year, and we’re going, “What’s that going to be like?” and then Jane sat in the golf cart and said something really funny. I’d forgotten how much I adore her sense of humor. We’re very different people. She’s a very good athlete and got me involved in training, and she’s a staunch Catholic, and I joined her with that. I’m not a Catholic, I don’t belong, so I don’t have to obey the rules, but I think she admires that I made that move. We both pull a bit on either side. We’re pretty good buddies.

How does faith fit into your life?
I’ve been a questioner most of my life. It’s been a long path to learn [how to] accept things as they are. If I look back at the horrible things that have happened to me or to others, am I supposed to be OK with that? Or is it none of my business? For a long time, I still enjoyed church services now and then, but underneath I was going, “I don’t like this creator because you can take anybody any time you want for no reason.” I remember one time a Catholic school bus fell off the road somewhere… I spent some time in behind bars, and there’s never a prison bus on the way to court that gets hit by another truck; it’s always a school bus. I’ve learned to stop asking.

How are you feeling about your youngest daughter flying the coop next year?
We’ve gone down to her room to say “good night” since she was a little kid, and now she’s up with glasses on and with her computer, finishing her math homework. She still says, “Are you guys coming down to say good night?” I told her I’m probably going to come down for quite a while after she’s gone. I’ll just sit in that room because I will really miss her presence.

You were 55 when you had Elizabeth. Did you set out to do things differently with her?
I was not sober for some of [Kate’s] formative years. I made amends to her. With the younger one, I see how much different it is when I’ve been sober almost 30 years. She never knew any of that guy. I’ve thought about it many times, and I’ve talked to Kate, and she doesn’t hold it against me.

How has sobriety changed you?
I’m still the same lunatic. I have a group of guys, we’ve been meeting for over 20 years; it’s all about honesty.

What can you share about season 3 of Shifting Gears?
My relationship with the grandkids is growing, and my son came back from the Navy. My question is — and we haven’t talked about it yet — but is [love interest] Jenna [Elfman] going to move in with me, or am I going to move in with her? I’d like to stretch it out where we’re just dating for a bit. A show I really like is Kim’s Convenience — it [split] out from the different apartments and everybody’s got their own life; our show has [the] capacity to [do that with] Kat [Dennings] and her kids if they move out. I don’t want them to because I love them, but you’ve got so many great people who can do a scene by themselves.

You’ve mentioned doing a new version of Home Improvement. Where does that stand?
They keep talking about how it could move forward, but they get stuck [because] there are some personality problems right now with the boys. [Zachery Ty Bryan was arrested in November 2025 over a domestic violence violation; he was previously arrested for suspicion of DUI, felony assault and robbery; in 2024, Patricia Richardson said on a podcast that fellow alum Jonathan Taylor Thomas isn’t “interested in acting.”] They’ve got their own issues. I always thought it would be cool if it was a story about them. That’s a little challenging right now, to put it mildly.

You’re also doing stand-up again…
My younger brother encouraged me to be more ad-libby, so I spend 20 minutes [talking about] what’s going on in my life. It’s been amazing. I have my big block of material, but I’m opening up.

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What’s left on your to-do list?
My older daughter and I have traveled a bunch, we got close to Antarctica and the North Pole, but scheduling [didn’t work out]. I really want to do those. Those are on my bucket list.

Well, we have to get Santa to the North Pole…
That’s right!

For more on Tim Allen, watch the exclusive video above and pick up the latest issue of Us Weekly — on newsstands now.

She’s been to outer space in 3 Body Problem and to the future in Alita: Battle Angel, but Eiza González nearly found herself in a galaxy far, far away long before becoming a Hollywood star. Appearing on Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s Dinner’s On Me podcast last year, González recalled auditioning for what she initially believed was a mystery project before discovering it was actually Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

At the time, González was largely unknown outside of Mexico and didn’t have an agent, manager, or publicist in the United States. In fact, the opportunity only came about because her mother decided to take matters into her own hands. During a 2021 appearance on Collider Ladies Night, González explained that her mother created an IMDbPro profile for her and began submitting her for projects.

“She’s like, ‘Oh, some friend of mine told me something about this thing called IMDbPro. I think you have a profile. I think I’m gonna put your name and my email under it and just see what happens.’ And I [was] just like, ‘Sure, mom.’ And she knew that I was really depressed and sad at the time. So then she called me one day, and she’s like, ‘There’s this audition.’ I was like, ‘I don’t even know how to audition in America. I don’t have a rep.’ They’re like, ’They’re just telling you to go.’ So I did. I had no idea. I’d never auditioned in English in my life, but I just did it for shits and giggles, you know? I was like, ‘Okay, I’ll do it. It’s not going to happen!’ So then I did and then, it sounds very self-indulgent, but it really happened this way. I had a callback, and then I didn’t really know what I was auditioning for, and then I had another callback, and I was like, ‘What is happening?’ And then, long story short, it turned out I was auditioning for Star Wars, for The Force Awakens.”

González later revealed on Ferguson’s podcast that she went through several rounds of auditions before finally realizing what project she was reading for. “I didn’t know what I was doing. I had no idea it was Star Wars until I walked in and saw J.J. Abrams. ‘I was like, ohhh, this is big’.” The actor previously explained that she had never encountered a non-disclosure agreement before the audition process and had little understanding of just how closely guarded Lucasfilm’s upcoming sequel trilogy was at the time.

Did Eiza González Audition For Rey?

Image via Apple TV+

González has never publicly revealed which role she was auditioning for, and Lucasfilm has never confirmed any details about the casting process. While she ultimately didn’t land a part in The Force Awakens, the experience proved to be an early step in her Hollywood journey. Shortly afterward, she was cast as Santanico Pandemonium in From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, a breakout role that helped launch her American career and paved the way for projects including Baby Driver, Ambulance, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, and most recently In the Grey.

Like many of the actors who auditioned for The Force Awakens, González was reading for a project shrouded in secrecy. During the casting process, Rey was referred to by the production code name “Kira,” a holdover from earlier drafts of the screenplay before the character’s name was finalized. González was one of several young actresses considered for the role, alongside future stars including Saoirse Ronan, Elizabeth Olsen, Shailene Woodley, Jessica Henwick, Billie Lourd, and Jodie Comer, all of whom have publicly discussed auditioning for the film. The coveted part ultimately went to newcomer Daisy Ridley, who led a cast that also included John Boyega as Finn, Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron, Adam Driver as Kylo Ren, Domhnall Gleeson as General Hux, Lupita Nyong’o as Maz Kanata, Gwendoline Christie as Captain Phasma, and Andy Serkis as Supreme Leader Snoke. The film also brought back franchise icons Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, and Anthony Daniels, helping launch a new era of Star Wars storytelling.

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Release Date

May 13, 2026

Runtime

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98 minutes

Producers

Ivan Atkinson, Dave Caplan, Guy Ritchie, John Friedberg

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In the Grey is available to watch at home on VOD.