Andrew Scott at GLADIATOR 2 premiere

Andrew Scott at GLADIATOR 2 premiere

Andrew Scott at GLADIATOR 2 premiere

Maynooth native Paul Mescal was the star of the show last night as the world premiere of GLADIATOR II took place in London’s Leicester Square.

The Normal People actor, who plays the role of Lucius in the highly anticipated sequel, walked the red carpet alongside a host of his co-stars, including Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, and Pedro Pascal, as well as director Ridley Scott.

Mescal was supported at the event by his friend and fellow Irish actor Andrew Scott, known for his roles in FLEABAG and SHERLOCK. The two actors, who recently starred together in the film ALL OF US STRANGERS, shared a warm embrace as they made their way into the screening, highlighting their close on-screen relationship.

Last week, Mescal received a similarly enthusiastic welcome in Dublin, where the Irish premiere of GLADIATOR II was held at the Lighthouse Cinema. The actor spent an hour chatting with fans before the screening, admitting that he never expected the film to be “as big” as it has turned out to be.

Set decades after the events of the original 2000 Oscar-winning film, GLADIATOR II sees Mescal’s character Lucius, the grandson of the former Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, forced into slavery and fighting as a gladiator after his town is invaded by Roman soldiers.

Mescal’s performance as the lead in this highly anticipated sequel is sure to cement his status as one of the most exciting young actors working today. GLADIATOR II opens in cinemas worldwide November 15th.

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Farrell returns to THE BATMAN

Colin Farrell's THE BATMAN return

Colin Farrell's THE BATMAN return

Colin Farrell, star of HBO’s acclaimed series THE PENGUIN, has confirmed his return as Gotham’s crime boss in several scenes of the upcoming Batman sequel starring Robert Pattinson.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Farrell will appear in five to six scenes in THE BATMAN pt 2, potentially extending into a third film. This builds on his praised performance that began in 2022’s THE BATMAN, where he first transformed into Oswald “Oz” Cobblepot through extensive prosthetics and makeup.

Despite initially declaring, “I never want to put that fucking suit and that f**king head on again,” Farrell’s stance shifted after the show’s success. His complete transformation, requiring 4-5 hours of daily makeup application, has garnered widespread acclaim. Recently, he expressed interest in a second season, noting, “I do believe I know him better than anyone now.”

The eight-episode series, which follows Cobblepot’s rise in Gotham’s criminal underworld, has earned an 8.8/10 on IMDB and 95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. While Farrell’s performance anchors the show, the stellar cast includes standout performances from Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone, Deirdre O’Connell as Francis Cobb, and Rhenzy Feliz as Victor Aguilar.

Originally planned as a limited series bridging 2022’s THE BATMAN with the 2026 sequel, the show’s success has sparked discussions about continuation. Farrell’s dedication to the role included remaining in character throughout filming, even wearing a ski mask when not in makeup – a commitment that has resonated strongly with audiences who note how completely he disappears into the character.

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Paul Mescal’s GLADIATOR 2 premiere

Mescal's GLADIATOR 2 premiere

Mescal's GLADIATOR 2 premiere

Kildare native Paul Mescal was the center of attention at the Irish premiere of the highly anticipated GLADIATOR 2 at the Lighthouse Cinema in Dublin on Nov 7. The Oscar-nominated actor spent nearly an hour greeting fans and posing for selfies as he made his way down the red carpet.

Gladiator II, the much-anticipated sequel to the 2000 blockbuster Gladiator, marks a significant milestone in Mescal’s rising film career. In the new installment, he takes on the lead role of Lucius, set 15 years after the events of the original film. The plot follows Lucius as he navigates the deadly and violent world of the Colosseum, seeking revenge against the Roman Empire.

As Mescal steps into the spotlight of a global-scale production, he is surrounded by a stellar cast, including Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, and Connie Nielsen. Producer Douglas Wick acknowledged the challenge of creating a sequel that would captivate audiences, stating, “Whatever we created had to provide captivating new thrills – a true spectacle for the ages.”

While official reviews are still under embargo, fans are eagerly anticipating the response to Gladiator II and the continued success of Paul Mescal’s flourishing film career.

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KNEECAP leads BIFA nominations

KNEECAP leads BIFA nominations

KNEECAP leads BIFA nominations

The Irish-language rap comedy KNEECAP leads the British Independent Film Awards with an impressive 14 nominations. Set in Belfast, the film secured nominations for Best British Independent Film and Best Joint Lead Performance for its trio of stars – Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh, Naoise Ó Cairealláin, and JJ Ó Dochartaigh, who perform as Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí respectively.

The film, which features Michael Fassbender alongside the Irish-language rappers, received funding from both the British Film Institute and Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish language broadcast fund. Director Rich Peppiatt earned multiple nominations, including Best Director and Best Screenwriter, along with nominations in both debut categories.

Following closely is LOVE LIES BLEEDING with 12 nominations. This bodybuilding noir, directed by SAINT MAUD filmmaker Rose Glass, stars Kristen Stewart and Katy O’Brian. Glass received nominations for Best Director and Best Screenwriter (shared with co-writer Weronika Tofilska), while Stewart and O’Brian are nominated for Best Joint Lead Performance.

Rounding out the top contenders is THE OUTRUN, garnering nine nominations. This Orkney-set adaptation of Amy Liptrot’s memoir features Saoirse Ronan, who received a nomination for Best Lead Performance.

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Keoghan on THE LOUIS THEROUX PODCAST

Barry Keoghan on THE LOUIS THEROUX PODCAST

Barry Keoghan on THE LOUIS THEROUX PODCAST

In a revealing interview on THE LOUIS THEROUX PODCAST, actor Barry Keoghan shared intimate details about his challenging upbringing and a harrowing medical emergency that almost derailed his role in The Banshees of Inisherin.

Speaking with Theroux on the podcast’s third season, Keoghan reflected on his complex childhood in Ireland’s foster care system, where he lived with 13 different families. The actor spoke warmly of his mother, who battled heroin addiction, describing her as “lovely” and “gorgeous.” He recalled the emotional toll of foster care transitions: “You don’t forget waiting on the social worker steps and waiting for the new family to come and play with you in the playground they have in the office and see if it’s going to work.”

The conversation took a dramatic turn when Keoghan discussed his brush with death in 2021. Just before filming THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN, he contracted necrotizing fasciitis—a severe flesh-eating bacterial infection—following what he described as “a disagreement in a pub” involving a bottle. The infection became so severe that doctors considered amputation of his arm. “That was quite a scary experience,” Keoghan revealed, noting that director Martin McDonagh visited him in the hospital, concerned about his ability to perform in the film.

The interview, featuring the star of THE BATMAN and the upcoming PEAKY BLINDERS film, is available on Spotify from November 5.

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Irish Film

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Colm Meaney chats THE PROBLEM WITH PEOPLE

Colm Meaney in THE PROBLEM WITH EPOPLE

Colm Meaney in THE PROBLEM WITH EPOPLE

Two estranged branches of a family – one in New York, the other in Ireland – attempt to mend a generations-old feud in THE PROBLEM WITH PEOPLE, starring Colm Meaney and Paul Reiser. The film centers on Irish undertaker Ciáran (Meaney), whose dying father Fergus (Des Keogh) has one last wish: to reconcile with their long-lost American relatives. When the distant cousins finally meet, their good intentions quickly unravel into comedy. Co-written by Reiser, the film delivers broad humor with an endearing charm.

In a recent Newstalk podcast, the stars of the film chat to Anton Savage about how the movie came to be and the joy of shooting in Ireland.

THE PROBLEM WITH PEOPLE releases in UK and Irish cinemas on November 8, followed by an Australian release on December 12.

PEAKY BLINDERS update

Barry Keoghan PEAKY BLINDERS update

Barry Keoghan PEAKY BLINDERS update

The PEAKY BLINDERS film, written by series creator Steven Knight, will continue the story of the Birmingham gangster family. The movie follows the BBC period drama series, which ran for six seasons from 2013 to 2022.

Cillian Murphy returns as Tommy Shelby, alongside series regulars Stephen Graham (who played docker Hayden Stagg) and Sophie Rundle (who portrayed Ada Thorne). Barry Keoghan, Rebecca Ferguson, and Tim Roth are joining the cast.

The original series was set after World War I and explored themes including the rise of fascism, Irish republican politics, and communist activities. The show earned a BAFTA for best drama series in 2018, and Cillian Murphy received a BAFTA nomination in 2023 for his role.

Barry Keoghan is known for his roles in SALTBURN and THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN, for which he won a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actor in 2023.

Brosnan joins CLIFFHANGER reboot

Brosnan joins CLIFFHANGER reboot


Brosnan joins CLIFFHANGER reboot

Pierce Brosnan is ready to rock with their reboot of CLIFFHANGER, following his role in the historical action film FAST CHARLIE (2024), in which he played a hitman seeking revenge.

Principal photography commenced in Austria for an updated take on the 1993 film of the same name that starred Sylvester Stallone. Jaume Collet-Serra directs the new movie that is planning a theatrical release and hails from Rocket Science, in partnership with Thank You Pictures and Supernix.

The CLIFFHANGER reboot centers on mountaineer Ray Cooper (Brosnan), who runs a chalet with his daughter in the Dolomites, a mountain range in Italy. When the pair are kidnapped, older daughter Naomi (James) — still dealing with trauma from a previous climbing incident — must overcome her past to save her family.

The original CLIFFHANGER hit theaters in May 1993 from TriStar Pictures and collected $255 million at the global box office. Stallone starred for director Renny Harlin as a mountain climber enlisted to help track down suitcases full of stolen cash in the Rocky Mountains.

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