Ben Stiller recently opened up about the profound impact the failure of “Zoolander 2” had on his career and personal growth. In a candid conversation on David Duchovny’s new podcast, “Fail Better,” Stiller reflected on the unexpected commercial and critical reception of the 2016 sequel, which he wrote, directed, produced, and starred in. Despite the success of the original 2001 film, the follow-up grossed only $29 million domestically against its $50 million budget, a setback that led Stiller to question his comedic instincts.

Stiller shared his initial shock and subsequent self-doubt with Duchovny, revealing how the experience forced him into a period of introspection. “It was definitely blindsiding to me. And it definitely affected me for a long time,” Stiller admitted. This introspection, however, proved to be a creative boon. The space created by the film’s lack of success allowed him to explore and develop projects that were not necessarily comedic, diverging from the path he might have followed had the sequel been a hit.

This pivot led Stiller to direct the critically acclaimed crime drama “Escape at Dannemora” in 2018, earning him a Directors Guild Award and an Emmy nomination. In 2022, he continued to impress with his direction and production of the Emmy-nominated series “Severance.”

Duchovny’s podcast, set to premiere on May 7, promises to explore themes of failure and its influence on personal and professional lives, featuring guests like Sean Penn and Sarah Silverman. Stiller’s opening episode not only marks a reunion of the “Zoolander” stars but also sets the stage for in-depth discussions about overcoming setbacks and redefining success.

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It’s been two decades since ’13 Going on 30′ charmed audiences with its delightful spin on growing up too fast, and on Tuesday, April 23, the beloved cast reunited to mark the occasion. Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, and Judy Greer shared a heartfelt video chat titled “13 Going on Boomer” on their Instagram accounts, expressing gratitude to the fans who have cherished the film over the years.

The 2004 film featured Garner as Jenna Rink, who magically transforms from a 13-year-old girl into a 30-year-old magazine editor overnight, navigating the complexities of adult life with the innocence of a teenager. Ruffalo and Greer, who portrayed key figures in Jenna’s transformed world, joined in reflecting on the era of flip phones and how the film continues to resonate with fans across different generations.

During their nostalgic reunion, the trio discussed how life has changed since 2004, joking about the simplicity of technology back then and their surprise upon realizing Brie Larson was also part of the film. They even revisited the iconic “Thriller” dance scene that has become synonymous with the movie.

As they celebrated their enduring connection to the film and each other, Ruffalo, who has also gained fame as the Hulk in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, remarked, “There are two types of people in this world. There’s Hulk people, and there’s 13 Going on 30 people, and I get equal amounts.”

The reunion not only served as a thank you to the fans but also as a reminder of the timeless appeal of ’13 Going on 30,’ ensuring that Jenna Rink’s journey continues to inspire those dreaming of being “thirty, flirty, and thriving.”

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David Beckham is embroiled in a legal battle with actor Mark Wahlberg and the founders of F45, Adam Gilchrist and Rob Deutsch, over a fitness brand deal gone awry. The dispute has led Beckham to file a lawsuit, alleging fraudulent behavior that resulted in a significant financial loss of $10.5 million.

The controversy began when Beckham, initially joining forces with golf legend Greg Norman, was advised by a judge to pursue separate lawsuits. According to Beckham’s company, David Beckham Ventures Ltd (DBVL), the parties involved misled him into becoming a global ambassador for F45 in 2020 under the impression that he would receive shares early in 2022. However, these shares were not delivered until their value had significantly decreased, causing Beckham to suffer a substantial loss as their value dropped from around $12 to $3 per share.

Mark Wahlberg’s investment group, alongside the F45 founders, has vehemently denied the accusations of fraudulent conduct, calling for the dismissal of the lawsuit and arguing that the complaint lacks substantive merit.

This legal action marks a significant rift between Beckham and Wahlberg, who had previously formed a friendship when Beckham moved to Los Angeles in 2007. Their relationship has since deteriorated amid the unfolding legal drama surrounding the fitness brand. As the case progresses, the sports and entertainment worlds are keenly watching to see the outcome of this high-profile dispute.

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In a groundbreaking promotional stunt, Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry have taken the launch of their latest film, “Transformers One,” to new heights—literally. The first trailer for this highly anticipated animated adventure was shot into space, marking a cinematic first. This extraordinary event was live-streamed on Paramount Pictures’ YouTube channel, captivating audiences worldwide.

The trailer ascended 125,000 feet above Earth, providing a fitting backdrop for a film that explores the cosmic origins of some of the most iconic characters in the Transformers universe. In “Transformers One,” Hemsworth and Henry lend their voices to Orion Pax and D-16 respectively, two comrades on the verge of becoming the formidable Optimus Prime and Megatron.

The film’s plot delves into the transformation of these brothers-in-arms into archenemies, setting the stage for epic battles and deep-seated rivalries. Directed by Josh Cooley, the film also features an impressive voice cast including Scarlett Johansson as Elita-1 and Jon Hamm as Sentinel Prime.

Paramount Pictures continues to innovate with its latest installment, promising a deep dive into the Transformers lore. As Chris Hemsworth aptly puts it, “With this movie, the sky’s the limit.” Set for a theatrical release on September 20, “Transformers One” is poised to captivate both longtime fans and new audiences.

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Quentin Tarantino, the iconic filmmaker known for his distinct narrative style, has reportedly shelved his anticipated final project, “The Movie Critic.” According to sources close to the director, Tarantino has decided to abandon the project to explore other ideas for his tenth and supposed last film.

Tarantino, who has consistently stated his plan to retire after ten films, found inspiration for “The Movie Critic” from an unusual chapter in his own life—his teenage job loading porn magazines into vending machines. The film was set to delve into the life of a caustic yet humorous film critic writing for a pornographic magazine, a character that Tarantino described as a mix between early Howard Stern and a cinematic Travis Bickle.

Set against the backdrop of 1977 California, “The Movie Critic” was to spotlight a critic working for the fictional “The Popstar Pages.” Tarantino had hinted at casting a new leading man around the age of 35, sparking rumors that Brad Pitt might reprise his role as Cliff Booth from “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood.”

However, after a delay due to script rewrites, Tarantino has opted to go back to the drawing board. This is not the first time Tarantino has paused a project; he famously halted “The Hateful Eight” after a script leak, only to return and complete it later. As fans await his next move, the suspense surrounding what will truly be Tarantino’s final film continues to build.

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