PAUL RUDD

“Ghostbusters” Franchise: All 5 Films, Ranked Worst To Best

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The Ghostbusters franchise began as a goofy passion project from iconic ’80s comedians Ivan Reitman, Harold Ramis, and Dan Aykroyd. Since first premiering in 1984, the original Ghostbusters film has inspired millions of dollars in sales, merchandising, and Halloween costumes, and has launched a massive film franchise that spans five decades. Though the series saw a prolonged hiatus after the disappointing returns of Ghostbusters 2, Sony has rebooted the brand twice, with an all-woman cast in 2016 and a young cast of up-and-coming actors in 2021. With five films to choose from, here’s a definitive list of the highs and lows the Ghostbusters franchise has to offer, ranked from worst film to best film.

5. Ghostbusters (2016)

Paul Feig’s all-woman Ghostbusters reboot from 2016 is widely regarded as the franchise’s worst entry. The film has sufferred a flurry of critiques from fans and critics, with some highlighting genuine filmmaking issues and others making hollow complaints about so-called “woke” casting choices. Though the film has received a great deal of undue criticism, 2016’s Ghostbusters fails its most important task by simply not being funny.

The film, featuring a stellar cast of SNL alumni, including Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones, should have dominated the comedy scene. Unfortunately, the team just couldn’t bring it all together in the edit, with poor writing, obnoxious performances, and over-the-top slapstick that completely misunderstands the tone and vibe of the Ghostbusters franchise.

4. Ghostbusters 2 (1989)

Despite the palpable hatred that Ghostbusters fans hold for the 2016 reboot, 1989’s Ghostbusters 2 has the lowest Rotten Tomatoes score of any installment in the franchise, with a paltry 55 percent. The film doesn’t measure up to the 1984 original and suffers from behind-the-scenes drama that seeps into the final edit. Bill Murray alleges he was deceived into joining the project and largely blames his lackluster performance on his genuine disdain for the script. Murray’s ire for the production and subsequent falling out with Harold Ramis on the set of 1993’s Groundhog Day essentially eliminated the possibility of a third installment in the original film series, despite the best efforts of screenwriters Dan Aykroyd and Tom Davis.

3. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)

The latest installment in the Ghostbusters franchise just dropped last week and has already received mixed reviews. While the film seems to revive some of the magic from earlier installments, it also relies far too heavily on nostalgia to sell tickets. Luckily, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire pushes the boundaries of the franchise by introducing some bold new concepts and shifting the lore into unexplored territory for the first time in decades. Only time will tell how this film is regarded in the overall context of the larger series, but for now, we feel comfortable ranking it dead in the middle.

2. Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)

Ghostbusters: Afterlife surpassed all odds by expanding the lens of the original films while remaining true to the franchise’s roots. Director Jason Reitman set out to launch a legacy sequel that could introduce new characters while serving fans of the earlier installments, creating an excellent viewing experience. The film also stars a wide array of modern A-listers, including Paul Rudd, Finn Wolfhard, J.K. Simmons, Bokeem Woodbine, and Carrie Coon, with cameo appearances from the likes of Josh Gad and Olivia Wilde.

Most importantly, Ghostbusters: Afterlife succeeds where the 2016 reboot falls flat by bringing some warmth, charm, and humor to the big screen without relying on cheap topical gags and awkward attempts at fan service. While Frozen Empire doesn’t quite hold up to the 2021 installment, it seems clear that these new movies are establishing a modern Ghostbusters franchise that properly carries the torch of the original.

1. Ghostbusters (1984)

Despite four more recent attempts to revitalize the franchise, the original 1984 Ghostbusters is far and away the best of the bunch. It may seem anticlimactic to list the original film at No. 1, but sometimes classics are classics for a reason. The dream team of Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, Dan Aykroyd, and Ernie Hudson are unparalleled as the eponymous ghost-hunting quartet, and additional cast members Sigourney Weaver, Rick Moranis, and Annie Potts put the film over the top.

Ghostbusters maintains a perfect tonal balance that has never been perfectly replicated. It plays itself straight when necessary and pivots hard into comedic territory when appropriate. The film offers some genuine horror elements while still managing to be a classic, mostly family-friendly romp through New York City, culminating in one of the greatest giant monster fights ever committed to cinema.

The post “Ghostbusters” Franchise: All 5 Films, Ranked Worst To Best appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Paul Rudd Explains Why He Shouldn’t Have Been In The “Friends” Finale

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Paul Rudd is taking the world by storm with his role as Scott Lang in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Now, he’s reminiscing about his career. Before he became the household name that he is thanks to popular franchises like Anchorman and Ant-Man, Rudd was in Friends. During his time on the show, he played Mike Hannigan in seasons 9 and 10. Mike was Phoebe’s boyfriend and eventually her husband. He shared recently that he didn’t think the show should have included him in the finale of the show.

Roughly twenty years after the finale aired, Paul Rudd was interviewed by The Heart’s breakfast show. There, he shared that he didn’t think he should have been included in the series’ final episode. It was the fifth most-viewed series finale of all time. Rudd spoke highly of the surreal experience of joining Friends toward the end of the show’s time airing. He explained that being a part of the last episode was incredibly overwhelming for him. Check out the part of the interview where he discussed this below:

Paul Rudd On Heart’s Breakfast Show

He said, “The whole thing was a bit surreal, I must say, to be a part of that — because I came on really at the end… I never knew that I was going to be in as many [episodes] as I was. But it also felt strange. I was in that last episode, and I just thought, ‘I shouldn’t be here. I’m getting a front-row seat to things I’m not supposed to see.’ They were all crying, it was all emotional, and I was just like, ‘woah!’”

While Rudd wasn’t on the show until its last two seasons, Mike Hannigan remains one of the series’ most beloved additions. He was a former attorney with negative views on marriage. Joey (Matt LeBlanc) introduced Mike to Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) after he forgot to find someone to set Phoebe up with. Mike responds to Joey’s random call for a “Mike?” in Central Perk, and the rest is history. Mike and Phoebe’s romance became one of the primary aspects of Phoebe’s character wrap-up on the show. Rudd is an iconic part of Friends, even if he doesn’t entirely think so.

[Via]

“Ant-Man 3” Almost Had Lucas Grant Play The Wasp’s Son

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Warning: Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania spoilers ahead.

Ant-Man 3 is already a smash hit at the box office. It is exceeding expectations in numbers. However, the story could have gone in an entirely new direction. Evangeline Lilly‘s character, Hope van Dyne, originally had a son in early stages of the project’s production. The mother of Lucas Grant (Five Nights at Freddy’s) posted some on-set photos on his official Instagram account. She also shared that his role was removed from the film’s final cut.

In the post, Grant shoots some scenes with Lilly and a second child. Lilly and the two kids are wearing civilian clothes in the middle of what would become a CGI location. Lilly also has long hair with highlights, different from Lilly’s dark pixie cut that we see in the film. From this, we can infer that Lilly’s character, Hope, was meant to have these children at some point in the film. Grant’s post did not mention who his character’s father was or who the second child in the photos is.

Lucas Grant In “Ant-Man 3”

Grant’s appearance in the film could have played out in a number of different ways. Hope van Dyne could have split up with Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) prior to Quantumania, with her character starting a new family. It also could have been a flashback to a hidden past of Lilly’s character. Additionally, the film’s ending could have been different, with Hope and Scott remaining trapped in the Quantum Realm after missing out on their chance to leave so they could defeat Kang the Conquerer. If that was the case, these kids could be Hope and Scott’s kids from their time in the Quantum Realm. That would explain the need for the CGI blue room. It would also explain the length of Hope’s hair, but not why the color changed.

The answer could have also been less complex. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania follows Hope van Dyne and Scott Lang as they fight Kang the Conquerer, the newest big bad of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He’s able to manipulate time and space. As a method of convincing the Lilly and Rudd’s characters to stop their fight, Kang could have shown and promised them an alternate, peaceful timeline where they were always together. It would explain the little girl in the photos. She could possibly be a young Cassie. These, obviously, are all speculations. It’s near-impossible to know the truth of Grant’s role in the film. Maybe we’ll find out eventually, but until then, Quantumania is available to watch in theaters.

[Via]

“Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” Box Office Expectations Revealed

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Paul Rudd is returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Ant-Man in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. The film is going to reignite things at the movie theater box office. Expectations are high for the third Ant-Man movie. The film has an estimate of $95 million to $100 million gross throughout the opening weekend in North America. Extending estimates to President’s Day on Monday brings the anticipated gross to $110 million. It will likely take the number one spot from Magic Mike’s Last Dance. Internationally, Quantumania estimates range from $130 million to $190 million, with an overall estimate of $160 million.

According to domestic box office estimates, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania will likely gross lower than recent Marvel titles like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness ($185 million), Thor: Love and Thunder ($144 million) and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever ($181 million). This isn’t uncommon for Ant-Man movies. However, Quantumania is getting a huge spike compared to the previous films centered around the micro-superhero. The original Ant-Man grossed at $57 Million. Its sequel, Ant-Man, and the Wasp, grossed $76 million domestically and $161 million on a global scale.

Quantumania Takes Off

Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly attend the “Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania” UK Gala Screening at BFI IMAX Waterloo on February 16, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)

In the film, Ant-Man, his daughter, the Wasp, and others are sent to a mysterious Quantum Realm, which defies the laws of space and time. Evangeline Lilly, who plays the Wasp, has returned for Quantumania. Additionally, Michelle Pfeiffer and Michael Douglass are coming back to the franchise. Jonathan Majors will star as Kang the Conqueror. Plus, Kathryn Newton will play Scott Lang’s daughter, and William Jackson Harper will play Quaz. The film is the 31st installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It will kick off Phase Five and introduce the true nature of Kang the Conquerer.

Reviews vary for the film. According to Rolling Stone, “An ant can carry 10-15 times its body weight, yet as the designated kick-off film tasked with setting up the next two-phase, multi-movie/TV arc, ‘Quantumania’ is still being crushed by having to bear way too much of a franchise burden.” However, in Variety’s review, chief film critic Owen Gleiberman praised the work of Jonathan Majors. He said, “With no motion-capture makeup to hide behind, Jonathan Majors holds you with the quiet force of his pensive scowl. You hang on his every word; he makes vengeance and genocide sound like the most hypnotically casual of propositions.” 

[Via]

Paul Rudd Was Delighted By Lizzo Mistaking A ‘Late Night’ Writer For Him And He Put Their Similarity To The Test

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Shortly before 2022 wrapped up, Seth Meyers and Lizzo spent some time together day-drinking for a Late Night segment. One of the many fun moments from that was when Lizzo saw Late Night writer Seth Reiss in a mask and thought he was Paul Rudd. Once he took his mask off, though, Lizzo exploded into laughter before changing her position and declaring the two don’t look anything alike.

Fast-forward to last night (February 14): Rudd was a guest on Late Night and he and Meyers discussed the Lizzo segment.

Rudd noted, “When I heard Lizzo say my name, I was like, ‘Ooh!’ I got all excited [laughs]. By the way, it’s a weird thing when you’re not expecting to hear that and you hear it.” He went on to call her “so funny” and “so charming.”

Meyers then cut to a clip of Lizzo confusing Reiss for Rudd, and when that ended, Rudd was wearing a mask, as Reiss was in the video. A masked Reiss then emerged to pose next to Rudd, and indeed, there was some definite similarity there.

“You know what? Not as bad as I thought,” Meyers proclaimed. “I owe an apology to Lizzo.”

Watch the Rudd interview above and revisit the original Lizzo segment below.

Lizzo is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Tonight’s ‘SNL’ Will Have A Limited Cast And No Live Audience Due To The Latest COVID Outbreak

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SNL Paul Rudd
NBC

A lot has changed in the last week. On Monday, society was largely back to normal, as it had been for months and months, all thanks to vaccines. People were gearing up for some holiday travel. They were going to in-person events, like movies and Broadway shows. In the back of everyone’s mind, there was the Omicron variant, far more transmissible but also — if you’re vaxxed — far less deadly. Then cases started spiking. New York City, once the epicenter of the pandemic, suddenly had days of record-breaking cases. Shows got cancelled. Events were postponed. (People are still flocking to the movies, or at least one of them.) And now it’s affected tonight’s Paul Rudd-hosted SNL, too.

As per Deadline, what was supposed to be a joyous occasion — last episode of 2021, host Paul Rudd’s acceptance into the “five timer’s club” — will still happen. It will just be dramatically scaled back.

“Due to the recent spike in the Omicron variant and out of an abundance of caution, there will be no live audience for tonight’s taping of Saturday Night Live and the show will have limited cast and crew,” a spokesperson for SNL announced on Saturday. “The show continues to follow all government safety guidelines in addition to a rigorous testing protocol.”

It’s a return to SNL in the pre-vaccine days of the pandemic, when the performers played to little or no crowds, doing their best to deliver laughs while social distancing and staying safe. At the early day of the pandemic, in spring of 2020, the show dramatically revamped itself, with performers doing everything from their home over their computers and assorted gizmos, with sometimes outside-the-box results.

SNL, of course, records in New York City, which has transformed from a largely reawaken mecca of culture and commerce into a place of long COVID testing lines, people scrambling to get results before boarding planes, trains, and automobiles. On Friday, New York State counted 21,027 new cases — a record, up from the original peak of 19,942, in January of 2021.

But the show must go on, albeit a modified version. Host Rudd will be joined by musical guest Charli XCX.

(Via Deadline)

Doja Cat Finds Out She’s Paul Rudd’s Soulmate In A Behind-The-Scenes ‘You Right’ Video

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It’s been about two weeks since Doja Cat dropped her astrology-inspired “You Right” video featuring The Weeknd, a track off her otherwordly Planet Her album. The singer has now shared some behind-the-scenes footage of the shoot where, true to the video’s theme, Doja researches her astrology sign. In doing so, Doja finds out that she’s apparently very comparable with Paul Rudd.

The behind-the-scenes footage opens with Doja calling up her mom to find out the exact time she was born, a crucial piece of information needed for finding out an astrology birth chart. Doja’s birth chart describes her as “committed and assertive,” to which she responds, “Oh. This is about me being a b*tch.”

Using the same app, Doja looks up Paul Rudd’s birth chart to see if they are compatible. Doja reads off the results: “Right away, Paul might have seemed familiar, like you two were close friends or family in a past life. This sense of shared history creates an ease of comfort between you and a deep sense of immediate trust. It’s like Paul’s the kind of friend you can let down you guard with, you can be yourself with.” The singer then mentions, “I’ve never met this guy, but that’s very weird because his demeanor is very much like my family, which is very strange.”

Doja then checks her compatibility with Beyonce, which is apparently her “strongest connection.” The app says the two musicians would make “incredible allies,” and Doja seems to agree.

Watch Doja’s “You Right” behind-the-scenes above.

Planet Her is out now via RCA. Get it here.