Entertainment
Jon Hamm Names the 3 Pixar Movies That Leave Him a “Weeping Mess”
Summary
- Collider’s Steve Weintraub talks with Jon Hamm for Pixar’s Hoppers.
- Hamm discusses the animation projects he’s been a part of and his favorite Pixar films.
- He also shares his favorite films from Christopher Nolan and Steven Spielberg.
Emmy Award winner Jon Hamm is probably best known for his role as Don Draper in Mad Men, but lately, he’s found a new passion within the industry. While talking with Collider’s Steve Weintraub about Pixar’s new comedy adventure, Hoppers, Hamm was discussing the magic of animation and how he’s been fortunate to lend his unmistakable voice to several animated projects now. “I’ve been animated,” he says proudly, “and I like it.”
In Hoppers, Hamm voices Mayor Jerry Generazzo, who’s taken hostage by a group of animals on a mission, rallied by a 19-year-old animal-lover named Mabel (voiced by Piper Curda). Disney and Pixar’s latest takes audiences on a hilarious adventure when Mabel borrows a new technology to “hop” into the body of a robotic beaver, allowing her to infiltrate the animal kingdom. By doing so, she manages to convince King George (Bobby Moynihan) and the others to take a stand against a looming threat.
Check out the full conversation in the video above or the transcript below, where Hamm breaks down the animation process to turn him and fellow castmates, Dave Franco, Vanessa Bayer, Moynihan, and more, into their Hoppers characters, and which Pixar movies are his favorites. He also shares his favorite films from directors Christopher Nolan and Steven Spielberg.
How Does Pixar Always Leave Us All a “Weeping Mess”?
Jon Hamm shares his favorite Pixar movies.
COLLIDER: I heard you haven’t seen this yet.
JON HAMM: I have not. I’m looking forward to seeing it at the premiere in front of a ton of kids and a packed audience. I’m very, very excited to see it.
I’m going to give you a spoiler warning: the movie is incredible.
HAMM: Good.
It is easily my favorite Pixar movie in years. It is tremendous. You have no idea what you’re about to get yourself into.
HAMM: I’m very excited. I have some idea. I did make it and read it. I have a lot of trust in the people who had their hands on it, so I’m very excited to see what they’ve done.
I’ve been asking this of everyone at every Pixar junket, but do you have a favorite Pixar movie?
HAMM: It’s hard to pick one.
I know. The answer is Ratatouille.
HAMM: [Laughs] It’s hard to pick one. Ratatouille is great. Obviously, Patton [Oswalt]’s work in that was so spectacular, but also the message of the film and the idea of the critic is so… as you may or may not have an opinion on that yourself. I love WALL-E. I love how the story was told without, really, any voices, just sounds and images. It’s a really elegant, beautiful way to tell a story. Toy Story, my god. I mean, the amount of times I’ve sat on a plane and watched that movie, those movies, and am completely a weeping mess, to the point where stewardesses were getting worried. [Laughs]
What Pixar does, their history of doing this, is combine an incredibly well-told story with deeply, deeply funny, humorous elements, and really connect emotionally. All the movies that we mentioned do that incredibly well, and I think this is certainly worthy of that lineage.
By the way, I would also accept WALL-E as an answer for my favorite Pixar.
HAMM: Yeah, man. It’s great.
It’s incredible.
Jon Hamm Explains Pixar’s Animation Process
Have we seen Mayor Jerry somewhere before…?
So when they came to you to play Mayor Jerry, did the design always look like that, or when you got cast, all of a sudden he morphs to look a little bit like you?
HAMM: It’s hard to tell which is the chicken or the egg. But I certainly think that what the animators do incredibly is that as you continue, as you start laying down the tracks, and as you get through the scripts and as they get rewritten and as they get roughed in and animated a little bit, they definitely start taking all of the footage that they have of you in the booth and they start using that as a kind of guide track for the characters’ facial expressions, for their physicality, for sure. As you go through the movie and you start watching it, you really start to see Bobby [Moynihan] in King George, and you see Vanessa [Bayer] in Diane, and you really start to see Dave [Franco] in Titus. You really start to see these people. They kind of come out through the animation. It’s very cool.
So, I don’t know how. I think it’s magical. I cannot draw a lick, so I think it’s incredible what these guys can do. It’s very cool. I’ve been fortunate enough to be in quite a few cool animated films, whether it’s Shrek or Minions or now this, or even Grimsburg on Fox. I’ve been animated, and I like it.
Oh, I can’t imagine, truthfully.
Jon Hamm Discusses His Favorite Films From Christopher Nolan and Steven Spielberg
“Wait, what did I just watch? What just happened?”
I’ve been asking this of a lot of people I’ve been interviewing recently. Do you have a favorite Christopher Nolan movie?
HAMM: Favorite Christopher Nolan movie? I’ll go back to the source material and say Memento. I think that one showed his incredible attention to detail and the incredible acuity that he has with telling a very complicated story. And it was a story that I don’t think a lot of people were prepared for. It was almost like the first time you saw The Usual Suspects, and you’re like, “Wait, what did I just watch? What just happened?” It’s just so creative with the storytelling. I thought that was the one that really established him as someone to watch.
The other thing I’ve been asking everyone is what’s your favorite Steven Spielberg?
HAMM: Holy moly. That’s a tall order. But I guess if I’m going to go with one, I’d say Jaws.
That is a very common answer with a lot of people. It’s a masterpiece and flawless.
HAMM: Yeah. And the most amazing thing about it was Jaws was, what, ‘77, ‘76?
I almost want to say ‘75.
HAMM: Maybe it was. Maybe it was around there. To then kind of the next major thing be E.T. is such a genre shift.
I think he did Close Encounters.
HAMM: Close Encounters in between, but to tell a story, that deeply terrifying blockbuster that Jaws was, and then to come back on the other end of the spectrum and you tell E.T.? And you’re right, Close Encounters in between, but holy moly, what a what a gifted storyteller.
Hoppers is in theaters now.
- Release Date
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March 6, 2026
- Runtime
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105 minutes
- Director
-
Daniel Chong
- Writers
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Daniel Chong, Jesse Andrews
- Producers
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Nicole Paradis Grindle
-
Piper Curda
Mabel Tanaka / Mabel Beaver (voice)
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Entertainment
Jack Black gives update on Tenacious D reunion ahead of “SNL” hosting gig following Kyle Gass' Trump shooting remarks
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Gass previously alluded to the group reuniting after apologizing for his remark about an assassination attempt on Trump.
Entertainment
Andy Cohen Shares What Housewives Find Hard After Filming
Andy Cohen is detailing one major pitfall that many Real Housewives stars find themselves in after filming has wrapped.
The franchise’s executive producer dispensed his wisdom to the stars of the newest iteration, The Real Housewives of Rhode Island, on the Thursday, March 2, episode of Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen.
During the segment, Cohen pointed out that many Housewives find themselves reigniting cast drama after watching the show back, despite previously resolving their issues with their castmates.
“As this season plays out, you’re going to hear a lot in confessionals from the other women. Try to stay in the place you are right now with each other,” Cohen, 57, advised the ladies.
He continued, “This is the thing that a lot of veteran Housewives still have a really hard time with. This is a really hard thing. Just try to stay in the moment we’re in, in April of 2026.”
“But keep a list, and we’ll hash it out at the reunion,” he caveated his advice.
Cohen shared more sage guidance for the new Housewives: Alicia Carmody, Rosie DiMare, Ashley Iaconetti, Liz McGraw, Rulla Nehme Pontarelli, Kelsey Swanson and Jo-Ellen Tiberi. (The Real Housewives of New Jersey’s Dolores Catania also appears in the first season as a “friend” of the women.)
“Don’t believe the comments. Social media is not reality,” he said. “It’s never as great or as bad as it feels like online.”
Cohen went on, “Next, we love you for exactly who you are and how you are. Don’t change. We cast you all for a reason. Don’t change. Stay yourselves.”
“And don’t forget, as a Real Housewife, you are part of a chosen few. Enjoy this ride,” he said. “There are only just under 200 Real Housewives that have ever existed. You’re all famous around the world. You have been chosen. Enjoy this.”
Cohen gave the women one last piece of advice, quipping, “Maybe don’t start a podcast.”
The Real Housewives of Rhode Island premiered on Bravo on Thursday. The cast recently praised Housewives veteran Dolores, 55, with helping them adjust to life in front of the cameras.

“I think Dolores [is] like a mama bear,” newbie Jo-Ellen exclusively told Us Weekly recently. “Truthfully, anything that we needed — even even to this day — she will help.”
Jo-Ellen added, “She was just so kind and smart and caring. So it really was nice. It was a little cheat sheet to help us along the way.”
“When Dolores and I first met, we completely hit it off. We saw eye to eye. I felt her genuine vibe,” added fellow newcomer Rulla. “I love Dolores. I really do. I feel as though she’s brought a lot to the table. She’s been very candid. She’s been very genuine, speaking from experience.”
New episodes of The Real Housewives of Rhode Island air Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo and stream the next day on Peacock.
Entertainment
Netflix’s ‘Peaky Blinders’ Sequel Series Gets a Stunning New Look
Soon. Viewers will be returning to the cobblestone streets of Victoria Square in Birmingham and, most excitingly, the Garrison Tavern. The Netflix crime thriller series, Peaky Blinders, which premiered in 2013, showcased Small Heath, Birmingham, in a way many were not familiar with from a historical context. After six seasons of a series that went on to become a pop culture phenomenon, the Cillian Murphy-led show ended its run. However, in March 2026, the franchise would return with a sequel film set during WWII in the years after the original series. Titled Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, the crime sequel brought down the curtain on the prime figure in the blood-soaked Shelby family tree.
Besides Murphy’s Thomas “Tommy” Shelby, the conflicted and complicated head of the Shelby family, with famous quotes. Peaky Blinders during its run, introduced a swath of other important members of this famous Gypsy clan. There’s the erratic, yet courageous Arthur Shelby. The eldest of the Shelby brothers, Paul Anderson’s character could be considered a loose cannon when out of Tommy’s control. The visionary Polly Gray (Helen McCrory), the matriarch of the Shelby family, helped chart the course for the family’s success and none could compare. Ada Shelby, played by Sophia Rundle, the fourth and only female Shelby sibling, created a life for herself separate from the family business. However, her family’s sins would eventually catch up with her in The Immortal Man.
By the time the sequel film, created by series creator and film writer Steven Knight, ended, the primary nucleus of the Shelby band had been taken off the board. This leaves us with a new generation seeking to write their own story. The BBC and Netflix, in collaboration with Knight, plan to expand the saga with two 6-episode seasons that will continue the Shelby family story. According to a new report from What’s On Netflix, production on the sequel series has already begun in the United Kingdom, with BAFTA-winning actress Lashana Lynch now heading to Birmingham. The new report also shows off images from the production set, even as the Shelbys move into the 1950s.
Party Down in Pawnee — Adam Scott Comedies Collide in Today’s Collider TV Quiz!
Whether you’re an innie or an outie, you’ve undoubtedly enjoyed the workplace comedies of Adam Scott. Let’s all cater to this state auditor.
What Lies Ahead for the ‘Peaky Blinders’?
Exact plot details for the sequel series remain under wraps, as well as Lynch’s role within the plot. Lynch, whose roles include The Woman King, Matilda the Musical, and, most recently, in Peacock’s hit thriller The Day of the Jackal, will star alongside
Cal O’Driscoll, Fintan Shevlin, and Jacob Wright. With The Immortal Man writing a concluding chapter to Tommy Shelby’s story, it would be interesting what the future of the Peaky Blinders holds in the sequel series. Given how things played out in the latest installment, Erasmus “Duke” Shelby will return to lead the family, with Jamie Bell taking over the role from Barry Keoghan. Rebecca Ferguson could return to her psychic role as well, and it’s an opportunity the Silo actress is absolutely open to.
Per the official synopsis, the new sequel is set in post-World War II Britain:
“Britain, 1953. After being heavily bombed in WWII, Birmingham is building a better future out of concrete and steel. In a new era of Steven Knight’s Peaky Blinders, the race to own Birmingham’s massive reconstruction project becomes a brutal contest of mythical dimensions. This is a city of unprecedented opportunity and danger, with the Shelby family right at its blood-soaked heart.”
Watch both Peaky Blinders and The Immortal Man on Netflix. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of the franchise’s expansion.
- Release Date
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2013 – 2022-00-00
- Network
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BBC One, BBC Two
- Showrunner
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Steven Knight
- Directors
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Anthony Byrne, Colm McCarthy, David Caffrey, Otto Bathurst, Tim Mielants, Tom Harper
- Writers
-
Stephen Russell, Steven Knight, Toby Finlay
Entertainment
Dave Filoni Wanted Star Wars’ New Series to Be a “Pulpy Noir” [Exclusive]
Maul — Shadow Lord, the newest Star Wars animated series, is headed to Disney+ this month. And even though he’s now got his hands full running Lucasfilm, Dave Filoni played a key role in the show’s creation. Collider’s Maggie Lovitt recently spoke to series producer Athena Yvette Portillo, writer Matt Michnovetz, and supervising director Brad Rau about the new show, which premieres + on April 6.
The three discussed the structure of the series, which Rau called “the most serialized show we’ve ever made, which brings its own set of challenges but is really rewarding and super fun.” Portillo stated the show, which they broke down into a three-act structure over the course of the season, had a structure that was “always based on the narrative.” Michnovetz says that serialized structure was both something they were consciously working towards and something the narrative ultimately demanded, per Filoni:
“When Dave Filoni had pitched it to us in the beginning, and the story he had, he had made it clear it should be sort of like this pulpy noir, and we developed it from there.”
You can see for yourself when Maul: Shadow Lord launches with a double-episode premiere on April 6.
Famous Small Screen Adaptations — The Collider TV Quiz!
These films went from 16:9 all the way down to 4:3 (proverbially). How many of these movie-to-TV titles do you know?
What Is ‘Maul: Shadow Lord’ About?
Set a year after Revenge of the Sith, the new series sees Maul (Sam Witwer), once a Sith apprentice and now an aspiring crime lord with a cybernetic lower half, seeking an apprentice of his own on the planet Janix. That might just be Devon Izara (Gideon Adlon), a fugitive Twi’lek Jedi. However, they’ll both have to deal with the law, in the form of Brander Lawson (Wagner Moura) and droid partner Two-Boots (Richard Ayoade). The series also features the voices of Dennis Haysbert, Chris Diamantopoulos, Charlie Bushnell, Vanessa Marshall, David W. Collins, A. J. LoCascio, and Steve Blum.
Maul — Shadow Lord will premiere two episodes a week for five weeks, with the season finale falling on May 4, the unofficial date of “Star Wars Day.” Star Wars fans will barely have time to catch their breath until the first Star Wars movie in almost seven years, The Mandalorian and Grogu, rockets into theaters.
Maul — Shadow Lord will premiere on Disney+ on April 6. Stay tuned to Collider for future updates.
- Release Date
-
April 6, 2026
- Network
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Disney+
- Directors
-
Brad Rau
- Franchise(s)
-
Star Wars
Entertainment
This Protein Coffee Helps Keep You Full, Energized and Calm
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In addition to mold-free beans, this blend contains four other powerhouse ingredients that fuel your lifestyle — no crashes involved. Adaptogens like lion’s mane and chaga extract work to keep you calm yet sharp, perfect for tackling to-do lists and high-pressure meetings. You’ll feel as relaxed as you are alert.
Even better, this blend supports total-body health. Packed with antioxidants, adaptogens can also support the gut and immune systems. Combined with whey protein concentrate, which can keep you full, it’s truly an all-in-one blend. Some flavors even have organic A2 milk for added calcium and creaminess.
Shoppers rave about the ingredients, all-day energy and decadent taste. One wrote, “I’ve tried multiple other protein coffees and this is by far the best tasting! I got the vanilla and the cold brew one, and I’ll [get] the vanilla again! It’s a game changer.”
All it takes is a quick scoop and mix, and you’ll be out the door in minutes. This coffee simplifies your mornings while upgrading your ritual, so don’t be surprised if you’re obsessed. Not only do you get a.m. caffeine and protein, but also nutrients that help you feel your best.
Snag your favorite flavor at Target or below!
Get the Protein Coffee+ for $40 at Everyday Dose!
Entertainment
Disney Is Officially Rebooting the Best Sci-Fi Franchise of the ’90s
This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.
With a new version of The X-Files in the works, Ryan Coogler is working on reviving another beloved property of the 1990s. The recent Oscar-winner is tackling a series of YA science fiction novels that ruled the bookstores of America (and traumatized its preteens) long before The Hunger Games was a twinkle in Suzanne Collins‘ eye.
According to reports, Coogler is executive producing a new adaptation of K.A. Applegate‘s Animorphs novels for Disney+. The series will be showrun and written by Bayan Wolcott, who has previously written for American Crime Story, The Summer I Turned Pretty, and the Hulu science fiction drama Class of ’09; he is also writing for the new The Handmaid’s Tale spin-off The Testaments. The novel series ran from 1996 to 2001, and included 54 books and 10 spin-offs and specials. The books are well-remembered for their intense action and unflinching look at the realities of violence, as well as their distinctive David B. Mattingly cover art, which depicted one of the book’s characters morphing into an animal via a combination of traditional art and morphing software.
This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.
Entertainment
Legendary Star Ranbir Kapoor Says His Latest Film Is “Nothing Less Than Lord of the Rings” [Exclusive]
Summary
- Collider’s Steve Weintraub talks with Ranbir Kapoor for Ramayana.
- In this interview, Kapoor discusses Ramayana’s epic two-part story and the gratitude and responsibility of portraying Rama.
- He also talks about the movie’s Lord of the Rings-scale spectacle, six hours of grand visuals and action, filming for IMAX, and more.
From director Nitesh Tiwari, with an expansive story by Shridhar Raghavan, comes one of India’s most anticipated features of 2026: Ramayana. At an exclusive early preview, Collider’s Steve Weintraub had the opportunity to talk with the film’s lead, Ranbir Kapoor, who has the esteemed honor of portraying not only Lord Rama in the movie, but is pulling double duty representing Lord Parshuram, as well. In this interview, Kapoor talks with us about the responsibility of the role, why he initially turned it down, and why this is a must-see in IMAX.
Ramayana, told in two parts, is a sweeping, timeless epic from producer and filmmaker Namit Malhotra. In the movie, Heaven and Earth are inching closer to chaos, and to restore the balance, the Trinity god Vishnu must descend to Earth as an avatar, Rama (Kapoor). Rama is a prince whose opposition is the formidable and immortal demon king Ravana (Yash). Unfortunately, Rama does not yet realize that his destiny is to confront this vengeful demon in a clash so catastrophic that the fate of the gods and mortals hang in its balance. In the movie, Kapoor leads a star-studded ensemble, including Sai Pallavi as Sita, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman.
Don’t miss the full conversation in the video above, or the transcript below, where Kapoor discusses the importance of the whirlwind global promotion of Ramayana, why he first declined the role, and the gratitude and responsibility he feels representing this story. Kapoor also talks about why audiences must see Ramayana in IMAX if they’re able, Indian cinema’s reach across the world since films like 2022’s RRR (and long before), and growing up among cinema royalty.
Ranbir Kapoor Shares His Favorite Fan Moments as a Movie Geek
He tells stories about Al Pacino, Bill Murray, Quentin Tarantino, and more.
COLLIDER: We’re in Los Angeles right now, and literally yesterday you were on set in India filming part two. What were you filming yesterday, and what is it like to just jump on a plane and fly around the world?
RANBIR KAPOOR: Well, I won’t lie, it is a bit hard and daunting, but moments like this and films like this come very rarely in a person’s life, and when you’re so proud of something, you’re so inspired, you want to travel the world and try and pass on the message that this film is coming out and what the movie’s about. So, yes, it is tiring, but the immense faith and intention that we have behind making this film, I think that just pulls us all together.
Can you tease what you were filming on set?
KAPOOR: We’re already halfway done filming part two, at least my portions. It’s even more exciting than what you guys have seen.
I won’t pressure you anymore. I like asking a few fun questions to actors, and this is my fun question for you: Have you ever asked for someone’s autograph?
KAPOOR: Absolutely. Much like yourselves, I’m a big geek of movies. I’ve been watching a film a day for the last 35 years. Apart from my local heroes, where I grew up in India, when I’ve traveled, I’ve been shooed away by Natalie Portman, Quentin Tarantino has shown me the finger, and I’ve met Bill Murray. Al Pacino was doing a reading of Salomé on Broadway; I was a student at that time, and I stood outside for three hours just to get a shout-out from him. Met [Robert] DeNiro in India. These are my screen idols, and just to meet them has given me immense joy.
Coming as a fan, how much has that impacted when you’re meeting your fans? How much has that changed you, knowing that you’ve been on the other side, where you stood in line for three hours wanting to meet someone? You have a lot of fans, so does that play a little factor with you?
KAPOOR: Absolutely. I feel a lot of gratitude. Sometimes it’s disbelief, like, “All of these people want to take my autograph or take a picture with me?” Also, I come from a film family. I’m fourth generation, so my family has been contributing to Indian cinema for close to 100 years. I’ve seen it around me while growing up. I’ve seen people with immense success, even with immense failure, and I think that really balanced me out very early on. So, I don’t get swayed by success or get disheartened by failure.
Ranbir Kapoor Says ‘Ramayana’ Is India’s Answer to the Greatest Global Epics
“It’s nothing less than Lord of the Rings.”
A lot of people in America who are going to be watching this interview won’t actually know the story, won’t know much about the history. What can you tease people about the movie? Why does it mean so much to you and so many people around the world?
KAPOOR: Well, it is the greatest epic to come from my country, India. Apart from the entertainment and every emotion that it will give you, there are a lot of life lessons that you can take from a film like Ramayana and the characters. I’m extremely excited that the West, the entire world, and the entire global audience will get to sample this story.
One of the things about being the main character in a movie like this is that it has to, as an actor, be very daunting. Your whole career has led to this moment, so what was it like for you in the months leading up to that first day of filming, to get your head around what you would be doing mentally and physically?
KAPOOR: Steve, if I can go back a year before filming is when I felt the jitters, when there was a lot of fear. But I think by the time it was a month before filming, I felt so much gratitude to get this opportunity. It was a blessing of Lord Ram that I got to play this — nobody can represent him, but to actually surrender myself to the character that I played.
A month before, if I can remember, I was chasing the director, Nitesh Tiwari, to try to take as much as I could about the story, about the journey of Ram. Because it’s limitless, right? There is not just a definite “this is it, and this is what you play.” So, I think really to truly surrender to the part, to make certain sacrifices about your life, make certain changes to really feel close to what you’re trying to engage the audience with, I think a month before shoot, I was all there.
In the new trailer that will be out by the time people watch this, there’s a shot of you swinging on a branch with a creature, and it reminded me a little bit of Legolas in The Lord of the Rings. It was just this massive spectacle. So, what can you tease people in terms of some of the spectacle and the cool things that you do in these movies?
KAPOOR: Like you said, Steve, you know, it’s nothing less than Lord of the Rings. It’s our greatest epic spectacle coming from our country, and this was just a teaser. We have six hours of epic visuals and epic action sequences, emotions. It teaches you to be a better son, a better husband, a better brother. It’s the triumph of good over evil. There are so many different layers of storytelling happening with this film that I’m really excited for people to sample it.
There is significant buzz about you playing both Lord Ram and Parshuram. How are you using your body language and voice to differentiate between the two distinct divine entities, one representing calm and the other righteous fury?
KAPOOR: Well, you’ve done your homework pretty well. Just to give you a backstory, Lord Vishnu had different avatars. Lord Ram is one avatar; Lord Parshuram was an avatar before Lord Rām. And just to get the opportunity, like how I got to play Lord Rām, to also play Lord Parshuram was fantastic.
As an actor, apart from body language, if you deeply understand the spirituality, the emotionality of characters, I think everything starts from there. That’s what I did that year, leading to the shoot of Ramayana, was to really understand who these people are, who these characters are, what they stand for, what their motives are, and then everything just becomes easier.
Every generation has its Rām. How do you detach yourself from those legendary benchmarks to ensure your version feels fresh without being disrespectful to the core sentiments?
KAPOOR: Like I said, it’s a responsibility. It’s a responsibility that you’re carrying on your shoulders. Because, like I mentioned earlier, you can’t really play him. You are representing. You’re telling, as an actor, your version of Lord Rām. So, the responsibility, the intention, the faith, and the belief that I have as an actor, I have as an Indian, towards this story, towards Lord Rām, I think that’s where it all begins.
So, Rama is often described as the ideal man. After living in this character’s skin for so long, what is the one quality of Rama that has actually rubbed off on you, the person?
KAPOOR: I think the leading qualities which really stand out to me, apart from all there is, are his compassion, his courage, his ability to forgive, and righteousness. There is a saying in the scriptures, “Tara Maa protects those who uphold it,” and I think that’s something that really stayed with me.
How ‘RRR’ Impacted Indian Cinema’s Reach in the West
“Indian cinema has been a leading nation in making cinema.”
You’ve been working in Indian cinema for decades. How have you seen Indian cinema change over the last 20 years? And I’m curious, with the success of RRR in America, how much that may have opened the Western audiences for Indian cinema, from your perspective?
KAPOOR: Yes, of course. RRR made a huge impact, which was two years back, but I’ve always believed that a good story really translates and travels, irrespective of language, which could be a barrier. I think Indian cinema has been a leading nation in making cinema. My grandfather’s films, which were in the 1950s, traveled to Russia, to Japan, to different parts of the world. I think with every generation, we are taking giant steps, where a larger audience is sampling our movies and giving respect to our cinema. I think with Ramayana, the intention is to really take Indian cinema, take a giant leap, and really make a large audience sample our movies.
People don’t realize the long hours it takes to make a movie. Making one movie is an immense challenge, but you’re filming two, I believe, back to back. What is it like for you to maintain that stamina and energy when it’s such a long production?
KAPOOR: Again, it goes back to faith and belief, because you believe in it. The intention of all the makers, the cast, and crew is so positive, and everybody has this full energy to tell the story in the best way possible. I think that’s something which really keeps us going. Where the story starts and where it continues to go is a very exciting narrative for an actor just to be part of that.
‘RRR’ Director S.S. Rajamouli Teases His Most Ambitious Film Yet After James Cameron’s Praise
“We should concentrate on how to make that high higher or bigger rather than trying to recreate from the previous success,” says S.S. Rajamouli.
What was it actually like for you reading the script for the first time? Because it’s one thing to hear what you’re going to do, it’s another thing to actually read that script. What was something that you couldn’t believe was on the page? What was something that made you say, “How are we going to film this?”
KAPOOR: It was a journey because when Namit [Malhotra] offered me this part, he didn’t narrate the script to me. He just said, “Listen, I’m making this film. What do you feel about playing Lord Rām?” And out of fear, my instinct reaction was, “No, I can’t do it. I’m not fit enough for it.” But then, over a period of time, Namit took me through his vision and what he was doing with the film.
Then, when I met Nitesh Sir, and he narrated the story to me, I could not thank my stars that I was in the right place at the right time, getting the opportunity to be part of a film like this, to play Lord Rām. I still have to pinch myself to understand that I am playing Lord Rām, and that’s something which is probably a big turning point in my life and career.
Why IMAX Is the Best Way To Experience ‘Ramayana’
“It just blew my mind.”
I want to bring up the IMAX of it all. I can’t wait to watch this in IMAX. It’s my favorite format for the big screen experience, and more and more audiences around the world now understand what IMAX means. Can you talk about why you’re going to want to see this in IMAX, and what it is like making a movie that’s going to be on these massive, massive screens?
KAPOOR: I guess when you’re telling such epic stories, which are such big-scale event films, this is probably one of the biggest IMAXs I’ve ever seen in my life.
We should mention we’re in the AMC Burbank.
KAPOOR: AMC Burbank.
This is one of James Cameron’s favorite theaters.
KAPOOR: It just blew my mind. It’s like you’re immersed. You’re in there. And Ramayana is a story that should be sampled in IMAX. That’s where you really feel the experience of the movie.
Speaking of movie theaters, I love seeing movies in movie theaters. Do you have a favorite movie theater? It could be anywhere that you’ve been.
KAPOOR: Yes. There is a theater in India called Gaiety Galaxy. That’s where I grew up, going to watch movies. We have a system where there is a stall and a balcony. The stall is where everyone’s really having a party, like they’re throwing money on the screen and throwing papers all over. People in the balcony are a little bit more dignified, if I might say, looking down at all the people having fun. But my earliest memories of cinema and larger-than-life characters started from that place, Gaiety Galaxy.
Your family is essentially a royal family when it comes to cinema in India. At what point in your life did you realize, “Actually, I think I am going to want to be an actor. I do want to do this?” When did it hit you?
KAPOOR: Everyone in my family just took it for granted that “Probably, he’ll grow up to be an actor or a director.” But growing up in a film family, there was no sense of ego or, “This is a very easy thing for me to do,” because all people are successful in my family because they’re extremely hardworking, extremely passionate. Everybody had an individualistic approach towards their work, and that’s why they were successful. That’s the learning I got very early on in my life, that unless I have my own individual approach to my work, my own stories to tell, it’ll be hard for me. So, yeah, it was amazing to feel the passion, to feel that energy and madness towards cinema. That was very contagious growing up.
Ramayana: Part 1 opens in theaters and IMAX globally this fall, during Diwali 2026. Part 2 is currently in production and slated to debut globally during Diwali 2027.
- Release Date
-
November 8, 2026
- Director
-
Nitesh Tiwari
- Writers
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Shridhar Raghavan
- Producers
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Yash, Namit Malhotra
Entertainment
Jen Shah Breaks Silence On Death Of Mary Cosby’s Son
Former “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star Jen Shah recently broke her silence on where she stands with Mary Cosby. The pair feuded incessantly on the first two seasons of the Bravo reality series. However, their relationship stalled after Shah was imprisoned in February 2023. In her first interview since her release, Shah opened up about her reported crimes and her relationship with many of her former co-stars.
Jen Shah Reached Out To Mary Cosby Following Her Son’s Sudden Death In February 2026

Shah and Cosby have a complicated history, as documented in earlier episodes of “RHOSLC.” Despite the past, Shah recently told PEOPLE that she decided to reach out to Cosby privately after learning her son passed away at 23.
“I felt like that was the respectful thing to do, so I mailed her a card and just told her how deeply sorry that I was to hear about the passing of Robert Jr., and that she’s in my family’s prayers every day,” Shah said.
According to a report from The Blast, Robert Cosby Jr. was pronounced dead in Salt Lake City in February 2026 after police responded to a call of a potential overdose.
Jen Shah Shares Why She Reached Out To Cosby Privately Rather Than Speaking Out Publicly

Several “Real Housewives” stars publicly showed their support for Cosby. Shah, however, said that she reached out to Cosby privately for a specific reason.
“I wanted to write to her and let her know that even though I hadn’t talked to her obviously for a few years while I’ve been gone, that I care about her, especially with right now, what she’s going through,” Shah said. “And I chose to reach out privately because I didn’t want it to be a distraction. … I wanted it to remain about what Mary was going through and about her son and honoring his memory.”
Cosby confirmed her son’s death in an Instagram post, per The Blast, saying he had “been called home to the Lord.”
She added, “Though our hearts ache, we take comfort in God’s promise and in knowing he is finally at peace. We are grateful for your prayers and trust in the Lord to carry us through this time of sorrow.”
Jen Shah Opens Up About Life Behind Bars
Elsewhere during her latest interview, Shah spoke out about her experience behind bars.
For those unfamiliar, the former reality star was sentenced to nearly eight years in prison in the summer of 2022 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
US Attorneys claimed Shah was the mastermind behind a massive telemarketing scheme that defrauded elderly and other vulnerable victims.
In prison, Shah said she was required to walk around with a pink card, likened to a “scarlet letter,” informing others that she was a high-profile inmate.
“I had to carry it around and check in with officers every two hours,” she said.
Shah Said Being In Prison Was Like A ‘BravoCon Meet And Greet’

While behind bars at FPC Bryan in Texas, Shah said she met many fans of the “Real Housewives” franchise.
“Listen, it was like a BravoCon meet and greet when I got there,” she said. “Literally.”
“I didn’t know that there were so many fans there,” Shah continued. “I had people coming up to me, saying, ‘Hi, I’m the President of the Salt Lake City fan club out of Louisiana.”
When Shah first entered, though, the prison staff had to remove Bravo from the TVs because of the extra attention it drew to her.
“They had taken Bravo off all the TVs because it was drawing a lot of attention,” she said. “But after a few months, they put it back on… and it was just mayhem from then on.”
How Did Shah Find Herself Involved In The Alleged Scheme That Sent Her To Prison?
During her interview, Shah got candid about how she found herself at the center of the legal battle that sent her to prison.
“It’s a long and a very complex journey that brought me to this point,” she revealed about the matter. “And without re-litigating it, I became involved in the case because I made horrible business decisions and I disregarded huge red flags. I allowed the lines to be blurred between personal friendships and ethical business practices. And in essence, I trusted the wrong people at a very vulnerable time in my life.”
Entertainment
Why “The View” isn't on today and when it will return from hiatus with Alyssa Farah Griffin back on the air
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“The View” is on a break. Here’s when the talk show returns following a revolving door of conservative guest cohosts.
Entertainment
The Raunchiest Anime Of All Time Is Banned In China But Streaming On Disney+
By Jonathan Klotz
| Published

Whenever someone says they’re a fan of anime, a good follow-up is, “which anime?” Anime is a medium that simply means animated shows or movies from Japan, and within that are countless other genres including Shonen (One Piece, Demon Slayer), Isekai (Overlord, Sword Art Online), Romance (The Apothecary Diaries), Slice of Life (Your Name), and then there’s different styles within all of that, including the one that people bring up when they want to tear down anime as being mindless fanservice: ecchi.
Ecchi anime is incredibly suggestive. This is where you’ll find the gratuitous male gaze shots of every single female character, and plots with adult themes that are not mature because they also tend to have purposely juvenile comedy to them. That’s why it’s surprising to browse on Disney+ and find that 2010’s High School of the Dead is available for streaming.
High School Of The Dead Is The Most Famous Ecchi Series

High School of the Dead is one of the most infamous anime of all time thanks to its blatant, gratuitous fanservice that you’ll either love or hate within the first five minutes. The plot is about a group of high schoolers trying to survive the zombie apocalypse, and as with The Walking Dead, the real danger is the complete breakdown of society. Not only the support systems they took for granted, but their own morals and ethics, all of which get tested. Within a few minutes of his introduction, you’ll think that teacher Koichi Shido is among history’s greatest villains when his inner monologue reveals he wants to reshape society with himself on top.

The first few episode of High School of the Dead center around Takashi and Rei, both second-year students at Fujimi High School, who become the de facto leaders of the band of survivors. Some of the students get a chance to show off skills that’ve learned in clubs (kendo club turns out to be really useful), or studying abroad (the nerd who spent a month in America learned to shoot from a Delta Force member), while others quickly become fodder for the slow-moving horde.
There’s one sequence early on that says everything you need to know about High School of the Dead. Two girls are running form zombies, talking about how they will be best friends forever, when one of them is grabbed by a zombie. As she’s getting pulled into the horde, her skirt rides up letting you know that this is absolutely an ecchi, and at the same time, her BFF is yelling at her to let go, and even stomps on her hand, leaving her to die. Violence, language, fanservice, and a dark sense of humor. That’s the entire series in one 20-second scene.
The Most Banned Anime Of All Time

High School of the Dead is not for everyone. If you’re fine with the fanservice, you’ll discover it’s a decent zombie apocalypse anime with two good leads in Takashi and Rei, both of whom are allowed to grow and develop as society collapses around them. Getting to the good bits of the plot requires going through an awful lot of “plot” that should be listed in the dictionary right next to “male gaze.”
The sex and violence found in every episode of Highschool of the Dead was enough for the Chinese government to ban it from the country in 2015. The manga has also been banned from countless libraries and schools before staff learned that not all manga is for kids. Sadly, for those who enjoyed the series, creator Daisuke Saito passed away in 2017, and out of respect, the publisher quietly canceled the manga and anime, leaving it forever at only one season.

High School of the Dead is one of those anime that you’ll either love or hate, and a lot of it comes down to your personal sense of humor and how you like your horror. If you’re a fan of the 70s and 80s horror, you’ll find the series hits a similar tone, but if you’re not and you’re curious about it, think twice because the level of fan service can be hard to handle when you’re not on the same wavelength.
If you do want to check it out, fire up Disney+, scroll past Bluey, and the entire run of High School of the Dead is available for streaming.
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