#fred Hechinger the man you are

[miricuss]

If you guys see me with a 5'7 man, who happens to be 25 and from New York, with the most adorable smile, beautiful eyes, amazing hair, stunning looks, and incredible talent, leave me alone, I'm exactly where I need to be.

[djotime-allthetime]

Freaky Redheads

synopsis: interactions between you and fred hechinger at a red carpet event for gladiator ii.

wc: 2.5k+

rpf!!! don't like, don't read!!!

a/n: i love that soft, sweet, adorable man with all of my heart. my inspiration is how fred talks about sherry. the monkey. i'm down bad bro.

italics are supposed to be comments under tiktok clips of these interviews. i definitely have more in mind for these two, but we'll see how this goes. feedback is writer's fuel!

cross posted on AO3

next part>>

The flashing cameras and yelling reporters have started to become the new normal, which was so not normal for you. You couldn't believe how far you'd come.

Granted, your role in the movie was definitely more in the supporting cast territory, but you couldn't deny how massive the production was. But even as a supporting actress, you still had quite a bit of screen time as the unnamed favorite concubine to Emperor Caracalla.

The fans who knew you called out your name from behind the velvet ropes and you smiled and waved as you walked by.

"y/n! y/n! Over here!" A reporter called out. You nodded and smiled as you approached, indicating your acceptance of the carpet-side interview. Your agent had warned you that not every journalist might want to speak with you and that you should accept any interview you came by. Thankfully, as the start of your night would show, that wasn't the case.

"Hello!" You beamed, coming to a stop in front of the camera. The reporter greeted you back and handed you a microphone glued to a mini Romanesque column. "Oh, wow. I love the microphone!"

"Thank you," She smiled. With a quick glance at her blouse, you saw a name tag that said 'MTV UK: Claire'. "It was my idea, actually."

"Incredibly creative! They should give you a raise, Claire."

"If you wouldn't mind saying that directly into the camera..." Claire trailed off with a chuckle and a mischievous glint to her eye.

You shot the camera as serious a look as you could muster. "MTV, if you do not give this woman a raise, I will riot in the streets."

"Alright alright, enough of that." Claire laughed out loud with a few shakes of her head. "You look absolutely stunning!"

"Oh, this old thing?" You smiled bashfully, grabbing at your skirt to twirl it around. The styling department had made sure that all the gowns worn during press had some Roman inspiration behind them. The piece you were wearing was off white in color, representing your character's position in society. Even with your character in mind, your dress was still breathtaking. The gown was composed of yards and yards of fabric, giving it this dreamy, flowy silhouette. The neckline was so beautiful, in the cowl style and draped ever so slightly off your shoulders. To say that you loved it would be an understatement. "Thank you very much, you look amazing yourself."

"But you are on a different level!" Claire gasped, no doubt to return the topic to you. Just like you were media trained, the reporters were too. "What was the thought process behind your look tonight?"

Your eyes lit up as this was something you had wanted to talk about. "Well, the styling department and I actually workshopped this look together. Of course we wanted it to be glamorous, this is the red carpet after all. But we also wanted to show the character through the outfits, you know?" She nodded along.

"Right, your character was quite impactful even with the few lines you had." Claire added, and you smiled in thanks.

"Yeah, thank you." You felt your face heat up at the compliment. "We wanted to still be true to her, under all the glitz and glamour. So that's why we went with the understated color, to not only show her position in society but also her demeanor throughout the film."

"But your jewellery is anything but understated." She laughed.

"Yeah, I couldn't help myself." You laughed with her.

"Give us a quick tour."

You were almost dripping in gold, from your head to your toes. "We've got the hair piece." You brought a hand up to show the gold pins connected with chains littering your up-do. "Earrings upon earrings, all hoops." You pulled a strand back to show off your right ear clearly. Some were clip on earrings as you didn't have quite enough piercings to get them all. "The necklaces, of course. Some bracelets, some rings. But I think this cuff on my upper arm is my favorite."

"And these are all borrowed pieces from different brands?"

"Most of them are, yes." You confirmed with a nod. "But some are from my private collection. And some I might steal." You joked, getting a laugh out of Claire.

"Well, you really knocked it out of the park." Claire smiled, a tone of finality in her voice that showed you the interview was coming to a close. "And before we let you go, we've got one question we're asking everyone tonight. I think we can all agree that the cast of this movie is full of beautiful men." You giggled, a bit surprised at the turn in topic. "But people on the internet have separated them into two categories."

"Oh, have they now?" You asked, unaware of what she was talking about.

"Yes, they have. Gen Z has divided them into the brooding brunets and the freaky redheads." She explained, pulling up two little hand held signs. One with Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal, the brooding brunets, and the other with Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger, the freaky redheads.

You couldn't contain the surprised laugh that escaped you at the sight of their little printed faces. "Oh my goodness!"

"So, as the resident Gen Z-er on the cast, who is your pick?"

"Well, I wouldn't say I'm the only representation of Gen Z here." You mused as you grabbed both the signs from Claire. You lifted up the 'freaky redheads' sign and pointed to Fred. "My friend is right there with me in the Gen Z territory."

"Alright, as the representation of Gen Z women, which team is more your style?" Claire asked as you studied the signs. "People are saying they went into the movie for the brunets and came out converted to team redheads."

"That's actually really funny," You chuckled as you looked down at both signs. "This is hard." You mumbled. A small smirk found itself on your lips as you thought of Fred seeing this clip later. Someone no doubt showing it to him, as he wouldn't find it on his own. "I feel like- yeah." You nodded with determination. "I'm gonna have to go with Fred- I'm going with team freaky redheads." You nodded. "I think it would be treacherous otherwise."

"Good choice. You'd break Emperor Caracalla's heart."

"And then he'd have my head." You laughed, stepping back. "Thank you for your great questions."

"Thank you for your time." Claire waved as you walked away. "We're gonna have a tally going throughout the night, and we'll see who wins. Team brooding brunets, or team freaky redheads." You heard her say to the camera as you moved further down the carpet.

'She looks so pretty!!'

'i love the thought process behind the outfit, you can tell she really loved her character'

'the reporter asked y/n if she prefers lucius and acacius or geta and caracalla and this girl really said FRED 💀'

'i love seeing new faces in hollywood, give young new actors a chance!!' ↳ 'right?? im so sick of them recycling the same actors for every big budget movie'

'she mentioned fred, not caracalla, twice, unprompted. i see you, y/n. you're just like us.' ↳ 'have you seen his interviews? he's literally the cutest i cant blame her 🥺'

A few steps down, another reporter flagged you down. This time, the questions were more centered around the acting itself.

"And was it difficult? In a previous interview, you've said that your character's growth was significant, but she had almost no lines in the movie."

"Yeah, I think in the final cut she only has... three lines?" You winced, looking upwards as you tried to recall what was and wasn't cut. "Though I'm not sure."

"So there were scenes where she could've said more?"

"Oh yeah, for sure! There was a lot of experimentation with my character throughout filming. Ridley's a genius and he was kind enough to truly take in my suggestions. There were times where I felt like she would actually stay quiet during a scene, whereas other times I felt like she would speak up. But yeah," You breathed in and furrowed your brows in thought as you tried to focus your answer back to the original question. "It was definitely a challenge. I had to really work on my micro-expressions. Lots of research, lots of practice. And lots of trust, too. With a character like mine, I really relied on Fr- on my fellow actors in those scenes. So yeah, definitely challenging. But who doesn’t love a good challenge?"

"And did you take any inspiration from other people's work? Any source material that helped you out as you built your character?"

"Of course!" You smiled, a hint of humor in your tone as you thought of your response. "Yeah, I did. Actually, one of the biggest inspirations for my role, believe it or not, was Ferb. From 'Phineas and Ferb'."

"The- The children's show?" The interviewer questioned with a grin.

"Yeah, Ridley thought it was brilliant!" You laughed. "We watched compilations of Ferb scenes on youtube together. And I know that Fred- Fred Hechinger, who plays Emperor Caracalla-, he also brought up Sid Vicious with Ridley, as well as other sources like that. Sir Ridley Scott has great taste, there's no denying that."

'ferb as inspiration for a movie like this,,, gen z in the film industry really are the gift that keeps on giving'

'im just imagining y/n and ridley scott curled up on the couch watching phineas and ferb reruns. that man is 86 years old. this is brilliant.'

'bro didn't even have to say anything and y/n still brought up fred 💀'

'the gen z cast members making ridley scott watch cartoons is sending me'

'not her pretending she didn't mean to say fred when she talked about trust, we all heard you y/n'

Unbeknownst to you, Fred's interviews were going much like yours, only a few feet behind you on the carpet.

"You look amazing today!" Claire, the same reporter you spoke to, told Fred during his first interview on the carpet.

"Thank you, thank you." He replied bashfully as he tried to subtly look around for you, but he couldn't see you just yet. "Everyone looks so great, everyone."

She asked him a few questions and then came time for her ending segment.

"Alright, to close off, we've got a little game here."

"A game?" Fred smiled with raised brows. "I love games." He said softly, not realizing that the microphone would pick it up.

"Yes, a quick one. You just have to choose between team brooding brunets and team freaky redheads. We've asking everyone to join."

"Woah!" Fred exclaimed as he received the signs. "That's me." He pointed out his own face in the picture of him and Joseph. "What are we basing our choice on here?"

"Well, the internet is battling on who is more attractive."

"Oh my god." Fred chortled, not expecting that answer. "Who's played the game?" He asked, still examining the hand held signs.

"As of now, we've spoken to Joseph Quinn, Connie Nielsen, and y/n l/n." Claire recounted.

Fred's eyes lit up and his cheeks reddened at the mention of your name. "And what's the- what's the consensus so far?"

"It's two to one. Can you guess who's in the lead?" Claire asked.

"Let me think... Well, Joseph -my brother-, he definitely voted for us." He pondered aloud as he counted the votes off on his fingers. "Connie... I think Connie went for team brunets. I mean, it's her husband. She's gotta." He grinned when it came to you. "y/n chose me, right? We're in the lead?"

"Yeah, you're right on all counts! You really know your cast members." Claire laughed. "y/n didn't want to anger Emperor Caracalla."

"Oh, she couldn't. I’ve got too much of a soft spot for her." Fred shook his head emphatically.

"So, are you keeping team redheads in the lead? Or will you give us a tie?"

"No, I'm going team redheads!" Fred exclaimed. "I'm not helping out my competition, no way!"

'this man has bewitched me with his beautiful eyes and calming demeanor'

'he always calls joe his brother im CRYINGGG'

'did you see his face when they mention y/n, this man can't hide his crush for the life of him 🥺' ↳ 'neither can she lol'

'what do yall know about fred hechinger 🗣️🗣️🗣️'

'fred immediately knowing that y/n chose him, kill me right now.' ↳ 'mind you the choice was caracalla. she still said 'fred' and he said 'me'. can they be more obvious?'

'the way this man said 'i love games' protect him at all costs'

‘he said ‘i’ve got a soft spot for her’ is this the year of men yearning?’ ↳ ‘it’s just the paul mescal effect’

It was during his next interview that he saw you. He was talking about his experience building the character of Emperor Caracalla with Sir Ridley Scott as well as Joseph Quinn when he finally caught sight of you. You had spent a bit longer with a specific reporter down the carpet, causing Fred to catch up to you. 

“Of course, y/n was a great help as well.” He smiled, reaching over to brush against your elbow to catch your attention. At the perfect time, too, because you had just finished talking to the reporter in front of you.

“Oh, Fred!” You beamed, coming over to give him a hug. 

“Look at you.” Fred spoke against your shoulder. He pulled away from the hug and brought you into his side in front of the camera, almost like he was showing you off. “Look at her, isn’t she stunning.”

“Stop it,” you rolled your eyes as you tried your best not to show how his compliment affected you. “I’m sorry for interrupting, I just had to say hello.”

“No worries,” the reporter reassured you. “Fred was actually saying how you helped with the building of his character.”

“Yeah, we worked really closely during pre-production actually.” You nodded, acutely aware of Fred’s hands on you. He had one hand casually tucked into his pocket while his other arm draped across your waist, his hand resting against your hip. “My character was almost like Caracalla’s sidekick, so the motives for all her actions are really based around him.”

“I’d argue that she was more of a mirror, actually.” You turned to look at Fred, never passing up an opportunity to hear his view on these things. “She’s the complete opposite of Caracalla, but in a way she represents who he truly is under all the pressure of being in Geta’s shadow.”

“And under all the syphilis, of course.” You added, causing Fred to giggle.

“Yeah, and under the syphilis.”

‘he seems like such a sweet guy 🥺’

‘did you see his face when he saw her???  😫😫😫 theyre in love, your honor’

‘him showing her off like that is peak soft boyfriend behavior’

‘they just called me single in seven different languages’

‘his laugh is actually so cute, who is this man and why am i in love with him? 😍’ ↳ 'get in line' ↳'behind y/n, you mean?'

‘the way he’s touching her???? im just gonna go take a nap in front of an oncoming train’

‘im calling it, new hollywood it couple’

‘look at how he looks at her!!! may this love find me 🙏’

[gay-dorito-dust]

Finally doing something for this man at long, long last. (Whenever I watch Fred Hechinger in an interview dressed in a cute jumper, I wanna hug him, am I alone?)

This is mainly fluff and a little short, so ooc is to be expected in this.

It wasn’t often that Caracalla had a clear head but when he did it was mainly because you were the one to clear the fog from his mind, make him see you as you firmly grip the wrist that held the knife so close to your throat, see the concern within your eyes as you told him with a voice as calm as the cool breeze that caressed his cheek to break from this curse; this spell and come back to you.

You didn’t seem afraid whenever he got like this, when his illness took hold and have him desperately reach for the nearest object that could cause harm. You only looked calm, steady, levelheaded as you swiftly discarded the knife away from both of your reach and cradle him to your chest, making sure to press his head against your heart so that he could hear it and find peace in it.

You’ve seen him like this countless times, and will see him like this for countless more, but right now you could only pray that the next time won’t be for a long while as you pressed kisses into his head of hair. ‘You’re here my emperor,’ you’d whisper, ‘you’re here with me now and with me you shall stay.’

‘You make it sound as though you could command the fates to head your words, to head your silent warning beneath that would surface should you be not content with your reward.’ Caracalla says in a hoarse voice, having lost most of it when shouting until his throat was burning with a pain unlike any other.

‘I just wish to have my emperor come back to me safely.’ You replied as you began to run your hands up and down his back as he clings to you with an iron grip, unyielding and strong of their own, desperately trying to prove that you were right there before him. ‘Safely so I can hold him like this and tell him that it’s okay, that I’m not hurt should he worry that he caused me harm in his outburst as tears appear within his pretty eyes.’ You add in a voice barely above a whisper as you looked at him, only to see that he was indeed tearing up, his cheeks were flushed red like cherries; and yet to you he looked ethereal.

Caracalla almost looks as though he has came out of a painting whenever he cried or looked in even the slightest bit distraught, like he had emerged from a mosaic crafted from the most skilful and delicate of hands. His fiery hair a mess, laurel crown slightly tilted to the side of his head as he looked upon you as one would a god, a being to be worshiped on hand and foot and he was more then kneeling at your very feet.

His beauty and his chaos captivated you to no end and you would gladly let him kiss the wounds he’d sooner inflicted upon you in a moment of rage, you’d let him drag the knife across your chest should it please him and let him lick the blood afterwards; for he was beauty in it’s most realest of form and you couldn’t help but want to admire it up close, even if means getting hurt in the process as you didn’t care, just as long as you got to see such a man of his caliber up close you could died happy.

‘Your words, they stay with me. I remember them all.’ Was all he says as you both remained within the other’s arms, content to a point as this was merely the beginning of your tragic love story with the emperor Caracalla.

[jamesmcalover]

cinematic

Fred Hechinger x afab!reader

Warnings: fluff, awkwardness???

Summary: reader works at the cinema and a really cute blonde man walks in one day

3.5k words

Tiny pearls of sweat were beginning to run down my forehead, which I quickly wiped away with the sleeve of my work uniform. It hadn't been a busy day at all, but it was hot.

"They still haven't fixed the AC," I mumbled to Nick, my co-worker, who only shrugged his shoulders. He was busy filling up a bucket of popcorn for the customers he was currently serving.

It wasn't even a hot summer day, but it still felt like a sauna behind the counter. All the machines designed to keep the food warm also kept us warm, turning our workspace into a humid, sticky mess.

"Excuse me," someone said behind me. I turned around quickly, ready to put on my best customer service voice, only to freeze mid-sentence. A very pretty blonde man was standing in front of me. He was wearing a blue shirt with the Metro Goldwyn Mayer logo – the one with the Lion – on it. He must have really enjoyed movies. His eyes were a really pretty shade of blue that made it hard for me to focus.

I blinked, trying to shake the daze from my mind. Get it together, I reminded myself.

"Hi, how can I help you?" I asked, forcing a professional smile.

"Hey," he said, smiling. I noticed a small gap between his teeth. "Could you point me to Theater 4?"

The request was simple, but something about the way he asked it made me stumble over my words for a moment. I could feel his gaze lingering, as if he was waiting for me to answer, but all I could think was how familiar his face looked.

"Uh, sure," I said, shaking myself out of the moment. "It's down the hall, to your left. You can't miss it."

"Thanks," he said, smiling at me again. My heart skipped a beat.

He turned to walk away, and I found myself watching him go, that same nagging feeling settling at the back of my mind. Where did I know him from?

"Well that was awkward to watch," Nick's voice startled me, snapping me out of my daze.

I turned to look at him, my heart still fluttering from the interaction. "What do you mean?" I asked, trying to sound casual, though my voice betrayed me with an edge of uncertainty.

Nick gave me an amused look. "You were staring at him like a deer caught in headlights."

I flushed, feeling both embarrassed and annoyed. "I wasn't staring," I muttered, half-defensive, half-embarrassed.

"Uh-huh," Nick said, his grin widening. "So, you don't know who he is?"

I blinked, caught off guard. "What do you mean? Should I?"

Nick's eyebrows shot up. "It's Fred Hechinger, dude. You seriously don't recognize him?"

I stared at Nick, confusion written all over my face. "Fred Hechinger?” The name didn’t ring any bells, and Nick could see my blank expression clearly.

"I thought you were a film nerd," Nick said, raising and eyebrow as I struggled to connect the dots. "His face is on every poster and screen in this building right now."

My gaze instinctively shifted towards the big infor screen advertising the newest movie, Gladiator II. The bold poster featured the man that I had just spoken to, alongside Pedro Pascal and Paul Mescal.

"You really didn't recognize him?" Nick asked.

I felt my cheeks heat up as the realization hit. "I… I mean, I thought he looked familiar, but I wasn't sure," I admitted, flustered. "No wonder I couldn't stop staring. I bet he thinks I'm some weird fan."

My stomach flipped at the thought. I'd been acting like an awkward idiot in front of a pretty well-known actor without even realizing who he was.

Nick smirked. "Well, if you're gonna act like a fan girl, at least do it when I'm not watching."

"Shut up," I muttered, rolling my eyes. I still couldn't shake the feeling that I'd made a total fool of myself. "I didn't know, okay?"

The rest of my shift dragged on in boring monotony after the brief encounter. Nick had already clocked out, leaving me alone behind the counter. With the last movie nearing its end, I began cleaning up, wiping down the counters and restocking the shelves with candy.

The quiet hum of the soda machine and the muffled sound of a movie playing in one of the theaters were my only company. I tried not to think too much about earlier, but Fred's face kept popping into my mind.

I was deep in thought, wiping down the popcorn machine, when the sound of footsteps startled me. I turned around quickly, half expecting it to be my manager reminding me to lock up. Instead, it was him.

He looked slightly sheepish but undeniably charming, his hands stuffed into the pockets of his coat. "Hey," he said, his voice soft and a little hesitant.

"Oh," I stammered, caught completely off guard. "Hi. Um… Can I help you with anything?"

He smiled, one of those soft, slightly crooked smiles, and shook his head. "No just... thought I'd come back and... I don't know," he said, his gaze flickering down for a moment, like he was gathering his thoughts. "It's quieter now."

I blinked, caught off guard, then glancing around the empty lobby. "Oh yeah. We're almost closed," I replied, trying to sound casual, "How was the movie."

He ran a hand through his messy blonde hair, and shrugged. "It was good. A little intense, but I like that kind of stuff."

I tilted my head. "So, you're a movie buff?"

"Something like that," he said with a small grin. I looked at the poster on the wall behind him again. He looked nothing like the character in real life, his face was much friendlier, much more approachable. I knew that he was an actor now – thanks to Nick – but I didn't want him to know I knew.

"Have you seen Gladiator II yet? I heard it's a pretty good movie," I said, trying to act cool.

"Yeah," he replied, a slight laugh escaping. "A few times, actually."

"Oh, so you're one of those people who rewatch movies over and over again?" I teased lightly, folding my arms across my chest.

He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "You could say that. It's, uh, kind of a special project to me."

"Special how?" I asked, tilting my head again, genuinely curious.

He hesitated for a second, his grin faltering slightly, before shrugging. "It's the biggest movie I've ever been in."

I blinked at him, momentarily thrown off. I wasn't expecting him to admit it so casually. "Oh. You're... an actor."

"Yeah," he said, his grin turning slightly sheepish.

"That's, um, really cool. I'm sorry, I didn't recognize you earlier. I'm… kind of bad at keeping up with celebrities. I, uh... I'm Y/N, by the way."

"Fred," he said, offering a slightly crooked smile. "Nice to meet you, Y/N. And don't apologize, honestly, it's kind of refreshing. Most of the time, people either freak out or start asking for pictures."

"Guess I missed my chance to fangirl, huh?" I joked, trying to lighten the mood. He chuckled, and for a second I was distracted by how cute he was.

He tilted his head, his smile widening just a bit. "Well, since you missed your chance to fangirl, how about grabbing a drink instead?"

I blinked, not entirely sure I'd heard him right. "Wait… are you serious?"

"Yeah," he said with an easy shrug, though there was a hint of nervousness in his expression. "If you're free after your shift, of course. Unless you have better plans, like, I don't know, reorganizing popcorn buckets or something."

I laughed, shaking my head. "Reorganizing popcorn buckets is a pretty thrilling way to spend an evening, but I think I could make some time."

"Great," he said, his smile widening. "I'll wait."

"Wait, really?" I asked, startled.

"Yeah. Unless you'd rather bail," he teased, leaning back against the counter like he had all the time in the world.

Never in my life had I gotten things done so fast. I wasn't sure if it was the adrenaline of Fred watching me doing my work or excitement of knowing I was going to grab a drink with him – or both – but I managed to close up that cinema in record time.

As I grabbed my bag and headed toward the door, Fred straightened from where he'd been leaning against the counter, hands stuffed casually into his pockets. "Ready?"

I nodded, trying to suppress the nervous fluttering in my stomach. "Yeah. Do you have a place in mind?

He tilted his head, considering. "I passed a bar a couple of streets over on my way here. Looked low-key. How does that sound?"

"Perfect," I said, trying to sound nonchalant.

We stepped outside, and the cool night air was a relief after hours spent in the sauna-like heat of the cinema. The city felt hushed, the kind of quiet you only get after dark, punctuated by the distant sound of cars and the faint hum of streetlamps.

The walk was short, but I couldn't help stealing a few glances at him along the way. Under the soft glow of the streetlights, he looked so different from the posters plastered all over the cinema. Less polished, more real. And when he caught me staring, I felt a blush creep up my neck.

"You know," he said, a teasing edge to his voice, "I think you do recognize me."

I scoffed, looking away to hide my embarrassment. "I already told you I didn't."

"Mm-hmm," he hummed, clearly unconvinced.

"You don't mind hanging out with your local cinema employee, do you?" I joked after a brief pause, trying to ease the tension I felt rising in my chest.

Fred glanced at me, a small smile playing on his lips. "Not at all. You're better company than half the people I've met."

The bar wasn't crowded, which was a relief. The dim lighting and faint buzz of conversation made it feel intimate without being suffocating. Fred held the door open for me, and I thanked him, stepping inside and scanning for a spot to sit.

We slid into a booth near the back, and Fred leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. "What would you like to drink?" He asked, so I scanned the menu quickly.

"I think I'll just go for a beer," I replied to which he nodded and excused himself to go over to the bar and get our drinks.

The faint hum of a jukebox lingered in the background, and the soft glow of fairy lights hanging above gave the place a cozy, low-key vibe.

When he came back with two ice-cold bottles of Heinecken, I thanked him.

"I could've payed myself, you know?" I said, offering him a playful smile.

He waved his hand dismissively, setting the bottle in front of me. "Don't worry about it."

"Is this what you usually do after a movie? Find a random bar and invite strangers?"

Fred smirked, shaking his head. "Nope. This is a first, actually."

"Oh, so I'm special, huh?" I teased, leaning back against the booth.

"Something like that," he replied, his grin widening.

For a moment, we just sat there, sipping our beers, and the comfortable silence felt surprisingly natural. This wasn't something that happened to me, not in real life. Actors didn't stroll back into empty cinemas to chat with nobodies like me. And yet, here he was, smiling across the table like this was the most natural thing in the world.

"So," he said, leaning back against the booth, his gaze settling on me. "You still haven't told me your movie recommendation. What's something you think I have to watch?"

I tilted my head, pretending to think hard. "Hmm… depends. Are you looking for something fun or something that'll emotionally destroy you?"

He chuckled, raising an eyebrow. "Emotionally destroy me? Sounds intense."

"Sometimes you just have to sob hysterically over fictional characters," I said, almost laughing at myself for that weird comment.

Fred thought it was funny, though, and laughed, warm and genuine. "Okay, hit me. What's the most devastating one you've got?"

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the table, and listed off a couple of films, my enthusiasm growing as I talked. He listened intently, his gaze fixed on me, and it was only when I stopped talking that I realized how closely he was watching me.

"What?" I asked, suddenly self-conscious.

"Nothing," he said, a soft smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "You just… really light up when you talk about this stuff. It's nice."

I felt my cheeks heat up and took a sip of my beer to hide my embarrassment. "Well, you are talking to a cinema employee. Movies are kind of my thing."

"And here I thought this was just your day job," he teased, his tone light.

"Well, it is," I said, laughing. "But it doesn't mean I don't love it."

He nodded, taking another sip of his drink. "I get that. It's nice when work doesn't feel like… well, just work."

"Exactly," I said, smiling. "And you? What's the best part of your job?"

Fred hesitated, his expression softening as he thought about it. "I think it's when people connect with something I've done. Like, when they tell me a character or a story meant something to them. That's pretty special."

I nodded, leaning forward slightly. "That makes sense. And I guess playing an emperor probably didn't hurt, huh?"

He laughed, shaking his head. "So, you did recognise me!"

I felt my face getting red and hot immediately. "I'm sorry, I just- I didn't wanna seem like some weird fan. I've probably made it really worse now, though."

Fred's smile softened, and his eyes held mine for a moment longer than I expected. "I think it's cute."

My face burned even more, and I ducked my head, letting out a nervous laugh. "You're just saying that to make me feel better."

"I'm not," he replied, still grinning as he took another sip of his beer. "It's nice. Refreshing, even. You don't get that a lot in this business – people pretending they do't know you."

I groaned, covering my face with my hands. "To be fair, I actually didn't know at first!"

"Which is even better," he teased, his voice warm with amusement. "Honest confusion. It's a rare thing."

I peeked at him through my fingers before lowering my hands with an embarrassed smile. "Well, good. I'll just keep being 'refreshing,' then."

"If you had recognized me, what would you have done? Freaked out? Asked for an autograph?" He asked with a playful grin and I laughed, shaking my head. "No way. I probably just would've stared at you more than I aready did and made it even more awkward. You know, like a real professional."

He laughed too, the sound bright and genuine. "Well, I'm glad you didn't. I like this version of you better."

The way he said it, so casual but sincere, sent a flutter through my chest. I smiled, trying to play it cool. "You don't even know me yet."

He tilted his head, his expression soft. "Then let's change that."

And just like that, I felt the flutter again, stronger this time. I leaned back in my seat, trying to suppress the goofy grin threatening to spread across my face. "Alright, Fred. What do you want to know?"

"Everything," he replied simply, his tone light, but his eyes serious.

For a moment, I just stared at him, caught off guard by his answer, but I couldn't stop myself from smiling. "That’s a tall order."

He shrugged, leaning back with a playful smirk. "We've got time."

And somehow, sitting there in that dimly lit bar with a half-empty beer in my hand and Fred Hechinger watching me like I was the most interesting thing in the room, I believe him. There was something about the way he looked at me – like I wasn't just another face in the crowd – that made me feel seen, and it scared me how much I liked it.

I don't remember how long we sat there, lost in conversation. The bar seemed to dim around us, the hum of other patrons fading into the background until it was just the two of us, trading stories like old friends.

Eventually, the bartender gave us a look that said it was time to go. I glanced at my phone, surprised at how late it had gotten. "I should probably catch the last train," I said, half-apologetic.

Fred stood with me, pulling on his coat. "I'll walk you."

"You don't have to do that," I replied, but he was already waiting by the door.

Outside, the city felt different – quieter, softer, as if the night itself had been holding its breath for us. The walk to the train station wasn't long, but it stretched just enough to let the silence settle between us, comfortable and charged.

When we reached the stairs leading down to the platform, I turned to him. "Well… thanks for tonight. I had fun."

Fred smiled, hands shoved in his pockets. "Me too." And there it was again. The way he looked at me, steady and unassuming, like he wasn't in a rush to let the moment end.

He reached a hand out to my face. I noticed it slightly shaking. He carefully brushed a single strand of hair, I haven't even noticed it was in my eyelashes, out of my face.

"Sorry," he murmured, his voice softer now, almost as if he was afraid to break the quiet between us. His hand lingered for half a second before he pulled it back, tucking it into his pocket again. The corner of his mouth twitched into a sheepish smile, and I wondered if his heart was racing as much as mine.

I swallowed, my heart fluttering at the unexpected closeness. "It's okay."

I tried to find something to say, anything to fill the space, but my mind felt blank—too full of the way his touch had made my breath hitch.

The streetlamp above us cast a warm glow, and in its light, he looked almost unsure.

"I should–"

"I want to see you again," he interrupted, his voice gentle but firm.

My breath caught, and for a moment, all I could do was stare at him. He looked so certain, like it wasn't even a question worth hesitating over.

"I mean… if you'd want to," he added, the confidence faltering just slightly.

I couldn't stop the smile that tugged at my lips. "Yeah," I said softly, my pulse quickening. "I think I'd like that."

Fred's face lit up with a grin, one so genuine it made my stomach flip. "Good."

For a moment, we just stood there, neither of us moving. It felt like the kind of moment you didn't want to break, like holding onto it a little longer might make it last forever.

But the distant rumble of the approaching train reminded me that time didn't wait. I shifted, glancing toward the stairs. "I should probably..."

Fred nodded, his grin softening into something more thoughtful. "Yeah." He hesitated, then added, "Text me when you get home?"

Before I could respond, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled receipt from the bar we were just in. He smoothed it out awkwardly, then handed it to me. I took it, unfolding the paper to find his number scrawled across it in slightly messy handwriting.

I smiled, feeling a flutter in my chest. For some reason, this felt like the sweetest thing anyone had ever done for me. It meant he’d been thinking about giving me his number back at the bar. "I will."

He stepped back just enough to give me space, his hands back in his coat pockets. "Goodnight, Y/N."

"Goodnight, Fred."

I turned and descended the steps, the sound of the train growing louder with each step. At the platform, I glanced back one last time. He was still there at the top of the stairs, silhouetted against the glow of the streetlamp. He raised a hand in a small wave, and I waved back just as the train doors slid open.

As I sank into a seat by the window, the night’s events played over in my head like scenes from a movie, too perfect to feel real. But as the train pulled away, I couldn't stop the smile spreading across my face.

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁

let me know if you want a part 2 <3

[thcrns]

linked in the source is a completed gif pack (#282) of fred hechinger as danny in thelma (2024). these gifs were made from scratch by me so please don’t claim as your own, and read my rules before saving/using!! do not use to rp as fred himself, or to portray a minor. please give credit where credit is due, and give this post a like and/or reblog if you plan on saving/using!

keep in mind fred hechinger is a white (jewish) man born in 1999 (24) and was likely around 23 when the movie was filmed.

TW: eating (chewing), cars/driving

[henrycangelbaby]

hear me out: fred hechinger x writer! reader where he’s starring in a film reader wrote and he totally falls for her or something like that :3

He had hoped and prayed that she would be here tonight; he wasn’t a religious man by any means, but he would have to thank God at some point for putting him in the same room as the most stunning woman he had ever seen.

Or

Fred happens upon love at first sight.

Fred has a staring problem; the problem being that he shouldn’t be staring. He was raised better than that, but sometimes life throws something at you, and you can’t help but look. In this instance, that something was a person, in fact a woman, a beautiful, glowing woman who was contractually obligated to be on this set.  

Fred is admittedly not as engaged with filmmaking as he would like to be; perhaps if things were different, he would be, but frankly, his schedule is already somewhat packed, and his pay check, while generous, does not extend to getting to know all of the staff that work behind the scenes. That is just a silly suggestion. Until it isn’t.

Fred’s an optimist and maybe considering current circumstances a hopeless romantic as well. Y/N, he is told her name is the breath-taking woman whom he had seemingly fallen in love with at first sight. She had walked past him once and he had felt the need to do a double take, turning back around to catch a glimpse of her hair walking away from him. She was a writer he had found out after a bit of subtle snooping, casually dropping the question into a conversation with one of the PAs.

They don’t tell him much else, just her name, her reason for being on set (that she wrote the whole film that he is starring in, god damn it), and that she is here for some scene tweaks. It’s not much to go off, and unfortunately for Fred, none of his scenes end up needing to be changed. The day just seems to be bringing him regrets; why couldn’t his character be the one to need changes? Should he have performed worse to get said changes? Why hadn’t he engaged with the artistic process more? It’s such a silly thought that he would never dare to verbalize it; of course, he had never talked to any of the writers on his jobs before; he hadn’t had any reason to. 

But now as he peers over at an unassuming (unknowing of his existence) Y/N, he thinks that if all writers look like her, he may start investigating some of the work that happens off set as well. 

He doesn’t see her after that day; without a chance to even introduce himself, she disappears off set, likely to never be seen again. It’s not a writer's role to be on set, he reminds himself; this was all silly, and he should forget about it. And he does. 

Until the wrap party, it’s the usual suspects at the wrap parties: actors, directors, and producers, among all the other (and rather forgotten) staff that helped create movie magic. 

He chats amicably with people, laughing over silly stories and shared experiences, but his mind is elsewhere. Y/N was going to be here tonight; in fact, she was here, standing across the room from him, laughing about something with one of the producers. He had hoped and prayed that she would be here tonight; he wasn’t a religious man by any means, but he would have to thank God at some point for putting him in the same room as the most stunning woman he had ever seen.

He never had any trouble talking to people; in fact, he would consider himself somewhat of a social butterfly, his happy, cheesy smile a visualization of his feelings, happy and glad to be around, willing to have a chat with anyone. But now faced with the biggest threat of all (an unreasonably pretty woman), he finds himself at a loss; what would he even say? ‘Hey, thanks for literally writing the movie I just starred in. You actually just gave me a job, so that’s cool. By the way, you are so beautiful I’m pretty sure I turned religious for a night so I could pray that we would end up at this party together, hahaha.’.

Eventually, the forced proximity he had all but prayed for pays off. He turns around from a conversation to a tap on the shoulder; he has to stop his mouth from falling open when he turns around to see Y/N smiling at him gently. The producer he had seen her talking to earlier spoke quickly. 

“Fred!” He exclaimed, “Wanted you to meet Y/N; she was our writer for this.” He offered pushing Y/N towards Fred with zero explanation for the introduction. 

Fred should feel guilty about abandoning the conversation he was just having, but he doesn’t; instead, he smiles at her brightly, putting his hand out for her to shake. 

“It's lovely to meet you,” he says kindly. “Your talent is incredible; we wouldn’t be here without it,” he jokes. 

He’s relieved when she laughs, beaming at him, her cheeks warming slightly. 

“Thanks so much; likewise, of course,” she responds. 

There’s a beat of silence that follows; neither of them looks uncomfortable, nor do they have something to say. 

“I’m terribly sorry if this is a little forward, but I just wanted to congratulate you; I’m actually a big fan of yours,” she spoke bashfully, getting quieter towards the end as her face heated up. 

If Fred were any lesser man, he probably would get down on one knee in this very second, but that would be rather abrupt and impolite, and his mother raised him better than that, so instead he smiles widely, grinning at her with every bit of elation he feels. 

“Thank you so much, lovely. I would return the favor, but I think it goes without saying that none of us would be here without you,” he says. 

She giggles, and the sound makes his heart do another leap; at this rate, she was going to send him to an early grave with a heart attack. Their bubble is broken when someone calls her name, pulling her attention away from him; he finds he misses it the second it’s gone. 

“I’ve got to go, but it was so lovely to meet you, Fred.” Y/N says her ever-bright smile persisting as she turns away. Fred mutters under his breath for a moment, Lovely, he thinks. She is lovely. 

“Wait,” he says, quickly rushing behind her; she turns around, eyebrows creasing together in confusion.

”Wait, I'm sorry, I just..." Fred starts unsure of where he really wanted the conversation to go. 

“Um,” he tries again. “Could I take you out sometime? Wherever you want, I promise.” He says firmly, finally digging his heels into the conversation. 

Y/N smiles at him wholeheartedly, the excitement of the situation brimming into her eyes. 

“Yeah, I would love that,” she starts. 

“Here I’ll put my number in your phone.” He hands it over gladly, gleaming with the brief moment of contact.

She types her number in quickly, leaving a pink heart at the end of her name. 

“I’ll text you, I swear,” Fred promises. 

She smiles widely, touching his hand gently. 

“I’ll be waiting for it,” she says back, turning to leave with one last wave over her shoulder.

His cheeks betray with the red that warms them.

He follows through; of course he was going to, but he has to hold himself back from texting her the second that she disappears. The next morning he is more than grateful to see a notification with a pink heart in the name pop up on his phone; he thinks he must have died and gone to heaven when she finishes off her texts with an exclamation mark and multiple x kisses. Fred isn't being dramatic when he thinks that this might actually be the first day of the rest of his life.

Thank you to the anon who requested this, this is kinda ass but don’t let that stop you from requesting my day is instantly better when I see messages in my inbox!!!!! Much love gang!

[cherrysweets-world]

absolutely obsessed with how u write caracalla! the paranoia! the obsession! he's a titty lover and ur so right about it too

i love that man so much its unfair actually and ur making it so much worse

Thank you! I’m thinking I’m going to be writing a lot of Fred Hechinger character fics eventually because there’s a world wide shortage😭

[rainjupiter4444]

Guys in horror I think deserve more hype

#1

Rory culkin

I think so many people hate him just because scream 4 is considered a new generation scream movie but I love scream 4 also I think Rory in scream 4 playing Charlie was amazing, the scene when he stabs Kirby was such a good reveal. I also think Rory is so hot and good at playing awkward people🤭

#2

any of the guys from the bowers gang from IT (2017)

Ok for this one heavy on Owen Teague and Nicholas Hamilton I think they both did such amazing jobs at playing their characters. There was a lot of stuff left out of the movies for good reason the book is very disturbing but I think they all did good at giving their characters personality. I think Owen Teague did a great job playing Patrick because people were so scared when they heard he was going to be in the movie because of how intense his character is in the book but I think he still gave Patrick his sense of psycho personality with facial expressions with what they could include in the movie. Also pretty much all of them are hot or cute in their own way💋

#3

 bill skarsgård

I think bill skarsgård is a phenomenal actor especially in horror he played pennywise so good in it 2017 and 2019. I think he really brings his characters to life and has a deep understanding of how to lure people in and then scare them such as how pennywise is so enticing in IT. I also think he is very cute and funny during interviews. He’s in #3 because I think he is pretty popular but he is perfect so🤷‍♀️.Theirs more reasons but I can’t think of them right now🤭

#4

Ashley zuckerman (in fear street)

I know this man is in his 40s but god damn is he fine that’s mostly why he is on this list but I think nick goodes character in fear street was very well thought out from the second movie where he is played by Ted Sutherland and in the rest of the movies when he is played by this lovely guy. IKNOW he is suposed to be evil but tbh he liked ziggy from when he was 16 in the movies to when he is around 40 that man is a keeper if I’ve ever seen one. I also like the fact that we really don’t know nick goode is the killer until fear street pt 2 and 3. Also I think the fear street fandom needs to come back because they are literally some of my fav movies and their is a new one coming out in 2025🤭🤭

#5

Fred Hechinger (in fear street)

I think Simon in fear street is so cute and quirky I think he shouldn’t have gotten killed off so fast he was my fav character the first time I watched it and still is. I think his character is supposed to be the comic relief person but I think him and Kate were the most relatable characters in the movie and ofc they were the ones to get killed off. He is so cute and funny in the movie and he feels like would be the best friend that would flirt with you or complement you all the time🤭

[justmeinadaze]

Ok so! Gladiator 2😁. I did enjoy it. I'm not upset I spent money on a ticket for it. Like I said Denzel did amazing but...

Spoilers underneath

I feel like his character was the only one to get any real character development. Paul Mescal is supposed to be the main character and someone we root for but I feel like where Russel Crowe stood out, his character was pretty forgettable.

Same kind of with the Emperors. Both Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger did really well with what they were given but alot wasnt explored with them. I wouldnt have minded more understanding on their relationship. It seemed like Geta always looked after him and cared for him deeply even when he was having an episode and Caracalla's mental state seemed to slowly be getting worse and worse but neither instances between the two are ever explored. We're just supposed to hate them because they're emperors.

With Joaquin Phoenix, you saw that decline and disrespect ooze from him through out the first movie and not only understood his motivations but hated him for it. With these 2, nothing was fully explored which also flowed to the other characters.

When Pedro and Connie's characters double cross them, to me, it was just "Oh ok well that happened." I wasnt worried for them because I hadnt seen any real brutality from them. Even if they had succeeded, it wouldnt have felt like the betrayal that was being displayed.

I cant help but wonder if it was the director himself or the writing as a whole. Because everyone shines when they get caught and Pedro's like "Torture me but please dont lecture me." And Joseph yells at him. That scene would have been more powerful if I fully understood their connection to him. Do they see him like a father? A doll? A friend? It seems like all the actors in the scene knew but the writing before didnt convey that or it was edited out.

That's my big thing with this film. The movies 2 and a half hours long yet everything was so rushed. We dont learn about the emperors, pedro and his relationship with his wife, the politics behind everything, Paul and his feelings towards his family and his turn of feelings when it came to pedro (this man who he was dead set on killing), the fights in general. Even the emperors taking over Rome in general was closed over with text on the screen at the beginning of the movie.

I just feel like this movie could have been another masterpiece but like I said either something within the writing or directing really took alot away and it shows.

I wouldnt mind writing for Geta. As an angst writer I love exploring the love and dynamics of having feelings for a complex and complicated man. Things are never black and white especially with people and while I imagine Geta is absolutely someone to be feared, he also seems loyal.

Again...would have loved to have seen MORE of that in the film but lol

[miricuss]

[themosleyreview]

The Mosley Review: Gladiator 2

I believe the greatest burden of any sequel to an already successful original film, is the task of trying to make a successor worthy of the name that can surpass the original and meet all expectations. The all too easy trap of relying heavily on the nostalgia bait of reminding you that the sequel is connected while running through all the greatest moments and repeating their beats is prevalent in most. We all know that original Gladiator was a perfect film that is still used as a verb to gauge the quality of spectacle and storytelling and rightfully so. Like you, I asked the most important question once this film was announced: Why? Why make a sequel to a film that did not need one? Yes, there are more stories about the gladiatorial games and the many times Roman has fallen, rebuilt itself and fallen again, but is it necessary to frame this story in the confines of an already untainted legacy? Well I'm here to tell you that not only does this film fall into the trap formally mentioned, but it does show the fragility of the political landscape of Rome at the time. I just wish this film followed another path or different set of characters not related to the first film. It does deliver on what I've sorely missed in cinema and that is the epic feel of large scaled sword and shield battles that are dirty and blood soaked fun.

Paul Mescal stoically leads the familiar story branch of this multi-layered plot as Hanno. I liked his tenacity and raw intensity within the confines of the many fight sequences he expertly handles. He was a driven man and I loved his attitude and unwavering conviction. Paul brings the right amount of strength and compassion as the film progresses. Pedro Pascal delivers a great and more reserved performance in many ways as General Acacius. I loved that he was a reluctant combatant and leader in the Roman campaign to conquer all. There is a weariness in his eyes that was expertly explored many times and I loved that he got a moment of repentance with Hanno. Connie Nielsen continues to exude her regal and elegant nature from the first film, but now as a more seasoned and plotting Lucilla. She repeats the same plot again in this film, but there is a caveat this time around that has been seen many times in other stories. There is an emotional reunion in the film that I liked and Connie delivers a stellar performance in it. Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger were fantastic as the twin Roman Emperors Geta and Caracalla. Geta was the more unchecked ambitious one while Caracalla was more debaucherous brother that wasn't all there mentally. Their dynamic kept the tension of the political game alive and showed why they were never really fit for their roles as Emperors. Denzel Washington delivers his most slippery and slimy performance as Macrinus. It has been a long time since I have seen Denzel dive deep back into the villainous role and he was ever so riveting and playful. He was the pure definition of "taking advantage of a fragile situation and navigating how to come out on top". He was quick, efficient and devilish in his smile.

The score by composer and long time collaborator, Harry Gregson-Williams, was fantastic and as epic as it should be. It comes to life in the action sequences and especially in the more emotional moments. The gladiatorial fights are a highlight in the film as they provide story and spectacle, but also you see the many references to the original film. As I said before, I love the sword and shield genre of film and very few can handle it with grace like this director can. Where the film falters for me is the constant reminders of a better film that I just rebought on 4K Bluray Disc. The reunion story was a weaker part for me as I was more interested in how the politics of Rome were being executed. There are multiple vengeance plots happening and it all kind of felt clumsy in toward the end as we rush to the finish line. In the end, I was entertained by it, but not floored by it at all. Director Ridley Scott is a master at creating epics, but this is one film in his filmography that I wish he never touched. Let me know what thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

[manic-b10]

Speaking of Kraven: The Hunter, watching this to see these actors for the first time, through this is not recommended. I was watching Double Toasted; part of what I got from it was that the cast was great and that this was directed in a way to make them look bad. Here's a list of a few film's that you could also see them in.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson; Kick-Ass (2009), Savages (2012), Bullet Train (2022), Nocturnal Animals (2017), The Fall Guy (2024)

Gerard Butler; Gladiator (2000), The Nice Guys (2016), LA Confidential (1997), American Gangster (2007), 3:10 to Yuma (2007), Cinderella Man (2005)

Ariana DeBose; West Side Story (2021), Wish (2023), Schmigadoon! (2021-2023), The Prom (2020)

Fred Hechinger; Gladiator II (2024), Thelma (2024), Nickel Boys (2024)

Christopher Abbott; Poor Things (2023), Black Bear (2020), Sanctuary (2022), The Crowded Room (2023)

Alessandro Nivola; The Brutalist (2024), American Hustle (2013), Spin Me Round (2022)

AARON TAYLOR-JOHNSON in KRAVEN THE HUNTER (2023)

[news4usonline]

‘Gladiator II’ is one great film 

Gladiator II compliments the first Gladiator film well. The sequel has all of the hero swashbuckling action as in the initial Ridley Scott movie. The difference in the second Gladiator flick is the dominating presence of Denzel Washington. Washington owns the room in all of the scenes he’s in.  Washington’s character is Macrinus. As in all of his roles, Washington’s every move as Macrinus commands your attention in a way that recalls his dastardly underhanded character in “Training Day,” a role in which he was awarded an Oscar as the lead actor. 

Denzel Washington plays Macrinus in Gladiator II from Paramount Pictures This is what makes Washington the special talent that he is. Audiences are so used to Washington playing the good guy we all root for that whenever he flips the script as he does with Macrinus we are reminded of his greatness as a thespian. Washington can bring an undeniable presence to his character as he does with Macrinus whether he has a speaking part or simply serves as lord of the moment as he cunningly watches and quietly plots.  Meanwhile, Rome, led by its ruthless leaders Emperor Gets (Joseph Quinn) and Emperor Caracalla (Fred Hechinger) has gone about its business to conquer one territory after another.  The saying that to the victors come the spoils was not hype for Rome and its territorial soldiers. Eventually, this led to the downfall of the Roman Empire.

Connie Nielsen plays Lucilla in Gladiator II from Paramount Pictures Gladiator II touches on this narrative throughout as the first movie did. It is here amid all the chaotic growth and tumultuous times in Rome that the lives of the film’s power players become intertwined.  This would include the avenging Lucius (Paul Mescal), a loyalty-torn Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), and a war-weary general (Pedro Pascal) who entertains thoughts of rebellion.  That’s a lot of star power. Sometimes when a film has many high-profile actors chemistry can be thrown off or a project just doesn’t come together as well as it should. In Gladiator II, that is not the issue. Everything clicks. Under the direction of Scott, the stars make the film work.  And yes, we are entertained again.  The spectacle of Gladiator II makes the film worth watching. Then when you throw in the magnetic acting of Washington, the irreplaceable charisma of Nielsen aided by a solid performance by Pascal (Marcus Acaicus), and the hero swag of Mescal, you’re going to have something that equals out to a quality product.  Gladiator II is a lot more than substance. It’s why we go to the movies in the first place. Everyone likes a good show. Gladiator II provides this. Like in the first Gladiator, while there is a lot of dialogue, there are plenty of action sequences to balance the movie. 

Paul Mescal plays Lucius and Pedro Pascal plays Marcus Acacius in Gladiator II from Paramount Pictures As in the first film, the formula works similarly with that same rah-rah, popcorn appeal. We see a family man driven into a dire situation before rising again through only one manageable escape route.  The pathway of a gladiator is not kind. It is brutal. And it is truly in this arena where the best of the best survives. We get a whole lot of this in Gladiator II. But what makes Gladiator II an outstanding film are the tender moments of intellectual conversations between Lucilla and a brooding Marcus Acaicus and the scheming deceptiveness of Macrinus.  Lucius, on the other hand, is a man fueled by anger. The only thing that can quiet his ongoing rage is getting even with those who brought it on. That would be the entire empire of Rome. And that’s a whole lot of pent-up frustration.   This is good. Every movie has to have a foil. Gladiator II has several. The film has its hero, too. Sometimes, the lines separating the good guys and the bad gets blurred. However, by the movie's end, it is starkly clear who the bad guys are and who is worthy to be redeemed. Led Photo Caption: Paul Mescal plays Lucius in Gladiator II from Paramount Pictures Read the full article

[themovieblogonline]

If you thought Marvel was done surprising us, think again! Enter Kraven the Hunter, the latest standalone origin story hitting theaters December 13, and Marvel’s first R-rated action-packed entry into the Spider-Man villain catalog. Aaron Taylor-Johnson steps into the shoes (or rather, the hunting boots) of Kraven, a brutal anti-hero who takes “daddy issues” to the next level. With gritty realism, complex characters, and enough intense action to keep you gripping your popcorn, this film promises a fierce new villain whose family drama rivals a mobster saga. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Z9cjuLfkuE In case you missed it, the new vignette, The Making of a Villain, gives us an inside look at Kraven’s journey from a conflicted young man to one of Marvel’s most feared hunters. Let’s dive into what makes Kraven the Hunter a must-see for Marvel fans and thrill-seekers alike. A Family Affair…with Fangs Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Kraven isn’t just any hunter; he’s a man with a bone to pick, and his father, Nikolai Kravinoff (played by Russell Crowe), isn’t exactly winning any father-of-the-year awards. Crowe, stepping into a rugged mob-boss role, plays a gangster who influences Kraven’s journey to becoming a bloodthirsty, justice-driven anti-hero. And we’re not talking the “loving, misunderstood” dad type here; Nikolai is ruthless, and Kraven’s complex relationship with him adds the kind of emotional depth that superhero flicks sometimes miss. The family tension at the heart of Kraven the Hunter sets it apart from the usual superhero vs. villain showdown. Think of it as The Godfather with claws and some serious daddy drama. It’s a unique setup that gives audiences a reason to root for—or at least understand—Kraven’s relentless quest. The Gritty Realism Behind the Madness Marvel took a fresh approach with Kraven the Hunter, leaning heavily into practical effects, which gives the film an immersive, raw feel. Even with a CGI jaguar (because no Marvel origin story is complete without a majestic animal), the emphasis on realism makes every punch, kick, and roar feel that much closer. Director J.C. Chandor and the production team chose to prioritize practical action over CGI spectacles, giving Kraven a unique edge. Aaron Taylor-Johnson, in a recent interview, shared that the raw, hands-on nature of the action sequences was a standout for him, saying, “The audience will feel every hit, every bruise. It’s intense, but it’s what Kraven is all about.” Meet the Fearsome Cast of Kraven the Hunter Alongside Taylor-Johnson and Crowe, Kraven the Hunter brings an impressive lineup. Ariana DeBose, known for her powerhouse performances, steps in as Calypso, a voodoo priestess with a mystical flair and an undeniable connection to Kraven. It’s always a pleasure to see DeBose on screen, and her role adds an extra layer of intrigue to the plot. Fred Hechinger joins the cast as Dmitri Smerdyakov, the Chameleon—a character that Marvel fans will know has plenty of tricks up his sleeve. This lineup of talent, combined with a villain-first storyline, makes Kraven a refreshing addition to the Marvel world. Hechinger’s portrayal of the Chameleon introduces a new element of deception, keeping us guessing who’s on Kraven’s side and who’s waiting to betray him. Why Kraven Is Marvel’s Grittiest Tale Yet What sets Kraven the Hunter apart is its unapologetically raw and visceral style. The film’s R-rating isn’t just for show; it dives into brutal violence, language, and some intense scenes that push it beyond Marvel’s usual family-friendly boundaries. Kraven’s character is complex, and his fight scenes are designed to make us feel the weight of every decision he makes and every blow he delivers. Director J.C. Chandor’s vision brings out the rugged edges of Kraven’s world, from the muddy forests to the backroom confrontations. This isn’t your average Marvel flick, and it doesn’t want to be. Kraven the Hunter is designed to break the mold, giving audiences a darker, more intense look at what motivates a man to become one of the world’s most feared hunters. Final Verdict: Kraven the Hunter Is a Wild Ride Worth Watching Whether you’re a die-hard Marvel fan or just in the mood for an action-thriller with some serious bite, Kraven the Hunter delivers. With a talented cast, a brutal yet relatable backstory, and intense visuals that hit home, this movie promises to be one of the most exciting releases this December. Kraven the Hunter isn’t just a villain origin story; it’s a family feud wrapped in vengeance and blood, a wild ride that shows us the making of a villain we’ll both love and fear. So, mark your calendars and get ready for Kraven the Hunter when it premieres in theaters on December 13. This isn’t your typical superhero flick; it’s a brutal, complex, and unforgettable look into the life of a man on the edge.

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The Denzil Washington Effect - What Did He Do This Time?

You could toss a coin and either side may fall on Denzil Washington. After more than six decades, this American still holds sway over the world, its people, and its culture. Yet, that was not how I pictured him as a young boy watching him move from TV's Wilma to the big screen's Carbon Copy (1981). Back then, we were overjoyed to see the young Afro-American stealing the show. Not even my dad, ever dreamed that Washington would reach this far. Once, when we were rewatching Glory(1989), we had to pause the cassette while my Dad took a call.  However, he did predict that "he's gonna take all the Grammys."

Denzil Washington - The Roman Arms Dealer

Recently, Vanity Fair released new updates on the upcoming sequel Gladiator 2, starring Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Fred Hechinger, and Joseph Quinn. There was not enough space for chatter. However, according to the Hindustan Times, the high point that garnered more comments was Washington's role as a wealthy, Roman trader who raised gladiators instead of horses. movie. The article stated that "even as fans enthusiastically reacted to the first images of Gladiator 2, it was one look at Denzel Washington's character that garnered the maximum attention." The actor's role in the upcoming film sparked an educative debate on Vanity Fair. Notably, the reaction came in response to director Ridley Scott stating, “Denzel is an arms dealer who supplies food for the armies in Europe, supplies wine and oil, makes steel, makes spears, weapons, cannons, and catapults. So he is a very wealthy man. Instead of having a stable of racehorses, he has a stable of gladiators.” As expected not everyone was supportive of the move with one user questioning black folk in Roman history.  “Black Roman Imperator? Ahshhahahahhah Great job woke historians,” read a comment. Another said, “What in the woke is that casting? Can you leave period movies out of all this please??” However,  another user was quick to defend Wahington, giving a short history lesson. “lol this comment section ain’t it: first, no Denzel is not even playing an emperor here, he’s playing a wealthy merchant, and secondly, for god's sake THERE WAS A BLACK EMPEROR: Septimus Severus. Google is free people.” Washington will continue to impress the world and its people. He'll always be there whether it be his healthy habit, humility, or the big screen. Read the full article