Hollywood has had its fair share of historically troubled productions and actors/actresses that were "hot" one minute and gone the next. Whether it was casting changes, actor deaths, fired directors, in-production rewrites, constant delays, budget cuts or studio edits, many films had such behind the scenes issues that we will discuss in our shows. We'll also delve into the lives of some Hollywood folk who seemed to have disappeared after striking it big at first. Either way, we have to ask: WTF Happened To....?!
WTF Happened to Julia Roberts? WTF Happened to this CELEBRITY?!
It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that Julia Roberts was one of the dominant Hollywood stars for a good twenty-year period. From her breakout role in 1988’s Mystic Pizza, Roberts skyrocketed to the top of the A-list when she starred opposite Richard Gere in Garry Marshall’s Pretty Woman. An unlikely Cinderella story about an escort that falls in love with a high-powered executive, it’s a movie that is definitely a Hollywood fairytale, but one that a lot of people loved in 1990, with it being one of the year’s top-grossing movies. From there, Roberts made a string of hits, including Flatliners, The Pelican Brief, My Best Friend’s Wedding, Notting Hill and many more, but respect in more heavy vehicles eluded her. Movies like Mary Reilly and Michael Collins were embarrassing for how miscast she was, and for awhile, it looked like she would be stuck doing lightweight but highly profitable rom coms.However, that changed in 2000 when she played the lead in Steven Soderbergh’s Erin Brockovich. Based on a true story, the movie finally won her the Academy Award that had long eluded her. It earned her serious cred, and her fame took on a whole new dimension, with roles in Oceans’ Eleven, Mona Lisa Smile and Eat Pray Love all big successes. Yet, as the business began to change, emphasizing tentpole movies, Roberts seemed to struggle more than contemporaries like Sandra Bullock to find her place. Eventually, she made a move into TV Prime Video’s Homecoming. Still, it’s notable how low-key the release of a show like Gaslit was despite the names involved. There was a time when Julia Roberts doing a TV series would have been an event.
5/3/2024 • 21 minutes, 41 seconds
Darren Aronofsky's Wolverine - WTF Happened to this Unmade Movie?
While Marvel fans got an incredible send-off for Hugh Jackman's Wolverine in James Mangold's Logan, another Wolverine movie was planned a few years earlier that would've taken the character in an edgier direction. Indeed, Darren Aronofsky was all set to reunite with his The Fountain star Hugh Jackman for the second spin-off sequel for the character, The Wolverine. In the end, Aronofsky left the project, with James Mangold taking over. While the finished film wasn't particularly well-loved by fans, it did pave the way for Logan, with Mangold arguably taking the franchise into an even darker direction than Mangold would have. In this episode of WTF Happened to this Unmade Movie, we look at Aronofsky's unmade Wolverine movie and try to figure out precisely what it might have been like. This episode is written by Bryan Wolford, edited by E.J. Tangonan, produced by Taylor James Johnson and narrated by Bronwyn Kelly-Seigh.
4/29/2024 • 11 minutes, 55 seconds
WTF Happened to An American Werewolf In Paris? WTF Happened To This Horror Movie?
Released 16 years after the original, this sequel feels like too little too late, or too much too late? It's hard to tell here because it's kind of both. Through a lot of twists and turns, most of them either nonsensical or uninteresting, we get to meet a gang of werewolves hosting parties for victims, a stepfather who searched for a cure, a tenuous connection to the first one, and ultimately, the last third that is just so 1990s, it almost hurts. So, what happened here? Let's find out WTF Happened To This Horror Movie?
4/26/2024 • 11 minutes, 40 seconds
WTF Happened to Robert Zemeckis? WTF Happened to this Celebrity?
Robert Zemeckis was one of the most prominent directors of the eighties and nineties. His string of hits is almost unmatched. Think about it - Romancing the Stone, the Back to the Future Trilogy, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Forrest Gump, Cast Away, What Lies Beneath, etc. This is why it’s so bizarre that a live-action Disney Pinocchio movie directed by Zemeckis and starring his best favorite leading man, Tom Hanks, was essentially dumped to streaming. It came and went without much fanfare, while it would have been a cinematic event fifteen years ago. WTF Happened?In this episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity, we dig into Zemeckis’ career, which began with the underrated pair I Wanna Hold Your Hand and Used Cars before Romancing the Stone made him an A-lister. We dig into how he was actually fired from Cocoon because the Fox brass thought Romancing the Stone would flop, leading to him making Back to the Future with pal Steven Spielberg. We dig into the then-impossible idea of mixing live-action and animation in Who Framed Roger Rabbit, show some love to Forrest Gump, and examine some underrated gems like Death Becomes Her.But WTF Happened to Robert Zemeckis? In the 2000s, Zemeckis became a proponent of Motion Capture technology, leading to The Polar Express and Beowulf, movies which are a little uncanny valley if you revisit them today. Even if he’s not quite the mega-watt hitmaker he once was, with films like Welcome to Marwen being disastrous, he’s still capable of making gems like the fantastic Denzel Washington movie Flight. In this episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity, which is written (with Mathew Plale), narrated and edited by Taylor James Johnson, we dig into the director’s life, legacy and future.
4/22/2024 • 22 minutes, 15 seconds
WTF Happened to Beavis and Butt-Head Do America? WTF Happened to this Movie?!
If you weren’t alive in the nineties, it’s hard to do justice to just how popular Beavis & Butt-Head were. Their MTV show was cutting-edge stuff, notably, because the two Mike Judges creations often mocked the very same artists the network had only years earlier played to great success (just ask Kip Winger). In the show, Beavis and Butt-Head’s adventures were intermingled with them providing commentary on music videos, something which would eventually be phased out as the brand grew in popularity beyond MTV. It was all part of MTV’s strategy to branch out beyond music videos, with its launch coinciding with The Real World and the start of MTV Films. The latter, of course, wanted to turn the teenaged animated phenomenon into a movie. After years of prodding, Mike Judge finally agreed to make Beavis and Butt-Head Do America. A Christmas of 1996 release, the film was a sizeable hit, grossing $63.1 million domestically. Still, oddly enough, it took decades for there to be a sequel, and even then, it was a streaming premiere tied to a new series rather than a full-feature. Perhaps it was due to Mike Judge being busy with King of the Hill and his features Office Space and Idiocracy. Whatever the case, in this nostalgic episode of WTF Happened to this Movie (written by Brad Hamerly, edited by Cesar Gomez & narrated by Mathew Plale), we look back at how the film came together and how the power couple of the moment, Demi Moore and Bruce Willis, ended up being part of the voice cast.
4/19/2024 • 17 minutes, 15 seconds
What Happened To John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars? What Happened To This Horror Movie?!
Today, we focus on one master of horror in particular and one of his final movies in his incredible filmography. Try to count how many cross-dissolve shots are in this thing as we dig into John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars and find out What Happened To This Horror Movie?
4/15/2024 • 10 minutes, 52 seconds
WTF Happened to Billy Bob Thornton? WTF Happened to this Celebrity?!
Billy Bob Thornton is an unlikely but enduring movie star. He blasted onto the scene as a character actor in movies like One False Move and Tombstone before his 1996 passion project, Sling Blade, earned him a best screenplay Academy Award while also netting him a Best Actor nomination. Made for just over $1 million, it was a solid box office hit, grossing 30 times its budget, and from there, Thornton’s career went into high gear. While his directorial career went on the back-burner after Harvey Weinstein cut his Cormac McCarthy adaptation, All the Pretty Horses, to shreds, his acting career was white-hot, earning a best-supporting actor nomination for Sam Raimi’s A Simple Plan and leading movies such as Monster’s Ball, Friday Night Lights, The Man Who Wasn’t There, and netting high profile supporting roles in Armageddon, Primary Colors, Bandits, Love Actually and so many more.His career really gained momentum when he signed on to play the lead in perhaps his most iconic film, Bad Santa, which became an R-rated Christmas classic. At the same time, the public became fascinated by Thornton’s eccentricities, including the fact that he and his then-wife Angelina Jolie wore pendants of each other’s blood and his well-known aversion to antique furniture. There’s also his viral CBC interview in which he sparred with the now-cancelled Jian Ghomeshi, but through it all Thornton has stayed firmly on the Hollywood A-list, with him especially prominent on TV thanks to roles on Fargo and Goliath. We dig into his career in this episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity, which is written (with Brad Hamerly), narrated and produced by Taylor James Johnson, and edited by Adam Walton.
4/12/2024 • 22 minutes, 22 seconds
WTF Really Happened to Dog Day Afternoon? WTF Happened to this MOVIE?!
When it comes to the all-time craziest and most unbelievable true stories ever committed to celluloid, Sidney Lumet’s Dog Day Afternoon (starring Al Pacino and the late, great John Cazale) tops the list. Ripped right from the headlines, the stranger-than-fiction true-crime story about three men attempting to rob a bank during broad daylight in the dead of summer in New York - only to become a grueling 14-hour hostage situation and high-profile media circus - will forever live in infamy due to how incredibly outlandish the details are. While the names of the primary players have been changed for the big-screen adaption, and while many fascinating tidbits about the case were slightly altered or omitted from the final film, the overwhelming majority of what transpires in Dog Day Afternoon really happened on one sweltering summer day in August 1972. Come closer y’all, it’s time to separate the wheat from the chaff and find out What The F*ck Really Happened to Dog Day Afternoon!
4/8/2024 • 17 minutes, 56 seconds
What Happened To Land Of The Dead? WTF Happened To This Horror Movie?!
Zombies have been all the rage for decades at this point. Just when you think they're going to fade, there's another movie that comes along that revitalizes the sub-genre. But back before the days of The Walking Dead, zombies were considerably less popular. With 28 Days Later and the Dawn of the Dead remake came fast zombies and a renewed interest in zombies. This meant the Godfather of Zombie himself could finally make another film in his Dead series. So we're diving into it all as we figure out what happened to George A. Romero's Land of the Dead.
4/5/2024 • 12 minutes, 45 seconds
WTF Happened to Ozzy Osbourne? WTF Happened to this Celebrity?!
There was a time that Ozzy Osbourne was considered the most wildly unpredictable, dangerous man in heavy metal. This was the guy that bit the head off a live bat during a concert in 1982, drank Vince Neil’s urine and snorted a line of ants like cocaine amid a bender. The former Black Sabbath front-man was a legend, to the point that many of us, as kids, weren’t allowed to listen to his music or - God Forbid - watch his music videos. But here’s the thing - Ozzy mellowed. First, in the late eighties/early nineties, he became more of a conventional metal guy with his killer album, No More Tears, but that was nothing compared to how, in the early 2000s, he became an unlikely pioneer of reality TV. His MTV show, The Osbournes, introduced us to his loving family, including his brilliant wife Sharon (responsible for much of his success being his manager), Kelly and Jack. Suddenly Ozzy became - family-friendly. One might even say the formerly Satanic rocker became wholesome in his old age. In this episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity, we look at Ozzy’s hard-partying days and contrast them to the more mature Ozzy seen in recent years.This episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity is written (with Brad Hamerly), narrated, edited and produced by Taylor James Johnson. Let us know what you think of Ozzy these days in the comments!
4/1/2024 • 21 minutes, 31 seconds
WTF Happened to The Avengers (1998)? WTF Happened to this movie?!
I know what you’re thinking - WTF Happened to The Avengers? Nothing, it was one of the biggest hits ever. Not so fast - we’re not talking about the Marvel superhero team-up that shot the MCU into the stratosphere. Instead, we’re talking about 1998’s misbegotten remake of the classic British spy series, The Avengers. On paper, this should have been a great movie. The Avengers was a classic British TV series starring Patrick Macnee and Diana Rigg as super spy agents John Steed and Emma Peel. Their “will they or won’t they” chemistry influenced everything from Cheers to Moonlighting, and the show still runs daily in the UK. Given that the show was always considered the best Eurospy franchise outside of James Bond, it should have turned into a massive franchise for Warner Bros. The cast was next-level, with Uma Thurman playing Emma Peel, Ralph Fiennes as John Steed, and James Bond himself, Sean Connery, as the main villain, Sir August de Wynter. So what went wrong? Just about everything, as we’ll dig into in this episode of WTF Happened to this Movie.For one thing, the finished version of the film clocked in at 89 minutes, about a half hour shorter than intended. Director Jeremiah Chechik found himself saddled with a finished film that didn’t make a lick of sense. Given the issues with the cut, instead of being a summer blockbuster, it was dumped to the same late-summer dumping ground we find ourselves in right now (there’s a reason nothing really opens until after Labor Day). So dig in and check out this tale of the spy franchise that wasn’t. For more MOVIE NEWS, visit: http://www.joblo.com
3/29/2024 • 13 minutes, 29 seconds
What Happened To The Original Cut Of Cursed? WTF Happened To This Unmade Horror Movie?
Most of us know Cursed as the terrible Wes Craven Werewolf movie, right? This film's troubled production dragged out for years and resulted in an entirely different movie in the end. But what about that first cut? The one that featured Skeet Ulrich, Robert Forster, and Mandy Moore. So join us as we take a look at the original cut of 2005's Cursed.
3/25/2024 • 11 minutes, 25 seconds
What Happened To Final Destination 3? What Happened To This Horror Movie?
The sequences of a Final Destination film will play through your head over and over long after the film ends. They're visceral and have a certain quality that really allows you to put yourself in the situation. So by the time the third entry came along, they had to up the ante to really shock audiences. Heck, the second outing had a legendary highway sequence. How could they possibly top that? We'll see if they managed it as we cover the rollercoaster mayhem of Final Destination 3.
3/22/2024 • 10 minutes, 47 seconds
Neill Blomkamp's Alien 5: What Happened To This Unmade Movie?
They say, "In space, no one can hear you scream." But we've seen through eight Alien films that plenty of people can hear you scream if you're in a spaceship. The Xenomorphs have no problem causing their victims a lot of pain. Even though we've seen them in many films, fans will mostly agree that after Aliens, the franchise was never the same. In 2015, filmmaker Neill Blomkamp announced he had been working on a new Alien project. This was even a surprise to Fox, which owned the series. Fans seemed excited by the prospect of the director taking on the project after the imaginative sci-fi films he had been releasing. Ultimately, Neil Blomkamp's Alien 5 would fall apart after some starts and stops. Let's find out exactly why here on What Happened To This Unmade Movie
3/19/2024 • 9 minutes, 40 seconds
WTF Happened to Megan Fox? WTF Happened to this Celebrity?!
Megan Fox was the “It Girl” of the second half of the 2000s. When she showed up as the love interest in Michael Bay’s Transformers, she quickly became one of the most desired women on the planet, but Hollywood didn’t quite seem sure what to do with her for the longest time. While Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen was a hit, she was famously written out of the third film. Her roles in movies like Jonah Hex fell flat, while her big star vehicle, Jennifer’s Body, was a flop - albeit one that’s been reappraised recently. While a lot was made over the fact that she compared her Transformers director, Michael Bay, to Hitler, there seems to be no love lost between the two, with him casting her in his two big-budget Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies as April O’Neil. They failed to launch an enduring franchise, and now Fox is mainly known for the notoriety of her relationship with Machine Gun Kelly. But, and here’s the kicker - while her low-budget movies haven’t been particularly well-received, her acting in them has often been quite good, surprising critics that otherwise pan the movies. With a prominent role opposite Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham in The Expendables 4 (aka Expend4bles), could a legit comeback be on the horizon? We dig into it in this episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity, written and narrated by Taylor James Johnson and edited by Juan Jimenez.
3/15/2024 • 13 minutes, 41 seconds
Pirates of the Caribbean: WTF You Need To Know About This Franchise
Yo ho mateys! One of the most unlikely franchises to become a multi-billion dollar grossing juggernaut was indeed Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean series. Led by Johnny Depp’s iconic Jack Sparrow, the series has run five instalments (to date) and grossed an estimated 4.5 billion dollars worldwide. This is pretty incredible considering that, in 2003, the first film was seen as a huge gamble. Pirate-based swashbucklers hadn’t been popular since the days of Errol Flynn, and modern attempts to revitalize the genre, including 1983’s Nate & Hayes, Roman Polanski’s Pirates and 1995’s Cutthroat Island, were all notorious flops. Add to that the fact that Johnny Depp was going pretty far out with his “hero” Jack Sparrow, who looked much more like Keith Richards than Errol Flynn, and you had one nervous studio. However, the resulting film was an absolute smash, leading to four sequels of varying quality. In this episode of WTF You Need to Know About This Franchise (written, edited and narrated by Kier Gomes and produced by Tyler Nichols), we dig into the saga and give our picks for which Jack Sparrow adventures you should go on and which ones you can skip.
3/11/2024 • 20 minutes, 15 seconds
WTF Happened To Friday The 13th? WTF Happened To This Horror Movie?
When director Sean S. Cunningham set out to make the original FRIDAY THE 13TH, he was trying to craft a cinematic rollercoaster ride. His little independent production was such a crowd-pleasing thrill ride it became one of the biggest hits of 1980. And spawned a franchise that is still going on to this day. So let’s celebrate FRIDAY THE 13TH by looking back and figuring out WTF Happened To This Horror Movie?
3/8/2024 • 15 minutes, 36 seconds
WTF Happened to Clint Eastwood? WTF Happened to this Celebrity?!
Now, I know what you’re thinkin’ punk; what’s the deal with making an episode about WTF Happened to this Celebrity about Clint Eastwood? Nothing happened to him. He’s still making movies at ninety-two. Indeed, you would be correct - but we here at JoBlo are such massive fans of Eastwood that we couldn’t help but whip together an awesome WTF episode exploring his life and legacy. The fact is, it’s unlikely any other actor has ever had the impact that ol’ Clint did. Sure, others were maybe better actors, but were there better “stars”? And not only that, but he’s been directing movies since the seventies, and some of them are all-out masterpieces such as Unforgiven, Mystic River, Million Dollar Baby, and so many more. In this episode, we trace Clint’s humble beginnings, as a second lead on the show Rawhide, through his breakout as the “Man with No Name” in a trilogy of westerns with Sergio Leone, through the Dirty Harry series, his passion projects like Bird and so much more. So sit back, relax and enjoy WTF Happened to Clint Eastwood, written (with Brad Hamerly), narrated, produced and edited by Taylor James Johnson.
3/4/2024 • 28 minutes, 2 seconds
WTF Happened to The Terminator? WTF Happened to this Movie?!
It’s not a stretch to say that James Cameron’s The Terminator might be one of the most influential movies of all time. Produced on a shoestring budget, The Terminator introduced the world to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s T-800 and Linda Hamilton’s Sarah Connor, mother of the human resistance. In this original classic, Arnie’s T-800 is a terrifying figure, much different from the heroic character we’d come to love in the sequels. Here, he’s sent back to kill Sarah Connor before she can give birth to her son John Connor, only to be protected by a heroic soldier from the future, Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn). With its iconic, menacing score by Brad Fiedel and novel FX via Stan Winston, The Terminator is considered by many to be one of the best sci-fi action hybrids ever. Still, the road to the big screen was not easy for James Cameron’s epic. We’ll dive right in on this week’s WTF Happened to this Movie, written and narrated by Dave Davis and edited by Juan Jimenez.
3/1/2024 • 16 minutes, 15 seconds
WTF Happened To The Thing? WTF Happened to This Horror Movie?
John Carpenter’s The Thing didn’t go over well when it was released in 1982. Ignored by movie-goers, it was a box office failure. Reviled by critics, it even saw Carpenter labeled a pornographer of violence by some reviewers. It was such a disappointment for the studio they took another project away from Carpenter as punishment. But it gradually found its audience, building up a cult following. And soon, a legion of fans and critics alike began calling it one of the greatest horror movies ever made. It didn’t take long for THE THING to go from being known as reprehensible trash to being considered an all-time classic. So let’s take a look at the making of this classic with a new episode of WTF Happened to This Horror Movie?
2/26/2024 • 18 minutes, 51 seconds
WTF Happened to Jackie Chan? WTF Happened to this Celebrity?!
Every kid of a certain age grew up wanting to be Jackie Chan. A legend in Hong Kong and most of the world from the late-seventies on, Jackie Chan also, at long last, became a superstar in North America after the release of his 1996 classic Rumble in the Bronx. Supercop, First Strike and more dubbed versions of his Hong Kong movies would follow, but it was 1998’s Rush Hour, which paired him with Chris Tucker, that made him a phenomenon in the United States. It was as if, at long last, the United States was let in on a secret the rest of the world already knew.Jackie Chan emerged in the late nineties after a failed attempt to make him into a Bruce Lee clone. Never wanting to be a typical martial arts star, Chan opted to mix comedy and martial arts in a way that made him a household name throughout much of the world in the eighties. His movies like Police Story, Wheels on Meals (you read that right), Dragons Forever, Armour of God (which almost killed him), and more were giant hits worldwide. The U.S did indeed try to use him in a few films, with him having minor roles opposite Burt Reynolds in The Cannonball Run and its sequel, and he got solo action films (in English) with The Big Brawl and The Protector. Neither film’s director knew how to use him, especially in The Protector, which tried to make him into a Clint Eastwood-style tough guy, a formula that didn’t mesh with Chan at all, leading to him temporarily swearing off U.S movies. Finally, in the nineties, he could do it his way, and in this episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity, written (with Mathew Plale), narrated, and edited by Taylor James Johnson, we trace his career and where he’s at now.
2/23/2024 • 20 minutes, 57 seconds
WTF Happened to Jupiter Ascending? WTF Happened to this Movie?!
Jupiter Ascending was a movie sci-fi fans were really looking forward to. It would mark the long-awaited return of the Wachowskis to the sci-fi action genre, something they left behind when Speed Racer flopped theatrically. This promised to be a large-scale fantasy epic that fans hoped would be the new Matrix. Alas, things didn’t work out that way, with critics savaging the film when it came out and audiences staying away in droves. Complaints included a muddled sci-fi universe, a bizarre choice to make Channing Tatum’s hero part dog, and the fact that newly minted Oscar-winner Eddie Redmayne’s acting was so over the top that people thought he should have his award taken back. A charming performance by Mile Kunis as the heroine and a solid score by Michael Giacchino was not enough to save this turkey. It would mark the Wachowskis' swan song as a team, with Lilly Wachowski stepping away from directing. Lana would rebound with the decisive sequel, The Matrix Resurrections, which would also prove to be a financial flop.So WTF Happened to Jupiter Ascending? Let's unpack this well-intended and fun (in a camp way) sci-fi fantasy in an episode edited by Diane Baldwin, written by Daniel Woburn, and narrated by Mathew Plale.
2/19/2024 • 15 minutes, 34 seconds
WTF Happened to David Lee Roth? WTF Happened to this Celebrity?!
If one were to list the greatest rock n’ roll frontmen of all time, Van Halen’s David Lee Roth would be near the top. With a swagger and look that seemed tailor-made for the MTV era, Roth was riding high in the eighties and, for a while, was among the biggest rock stars on the planet. From 1974 to 1985, he was Van Halen’s lead singer, but after the release of 1984, their biggest album, Roth departed from the band. He would reunite with them for brief stints in 1996 and 2001, before a mostly permanent reunion in 2007, but even without the band backing him up, some of his solo work has been iconic. In this episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity, we look at a true rock n’ roll legend!
2/16/2024 • 18 minutes, 49 seconds
WTF Happened to Tropic Thunder? WTF Happened to this Movie!
Ben Stiller's Tropic Thunder memorably satirized both the Hollywood war film and the often ridiculous lengths actors will go to in order to "capture" the characters they're playing. While the notion that Robert Downey Jr's Kirk Lazarus would dye his skin to play an African-American might be hard to swallow, it wasn't entirely out there fourteen years ago. Hollywood's self-seriousness was arguably at its zenith at this moment in time, and Stiller's film brilliantly satirizes some of the more infamous performances of the era, such as Sean Penn in I Am Sam, Eddie Murphy in Norbit & The Klumps, and more. It's also just a damn funny film (with Tom Cruise as you've truly never seen him before in a Harvey Weinstein/Scott Rudin satire that went over a lot of heads back then), as we dig into Tropic Thunder in this episode of WTF Happened to this Movie!
2/12/2024 • 14 minutes, 17 seconds
WTF Happened To Cape Fear? WTF Happened to this Horror Movie?!
While there have been plenty of horror remakes over the years, there's only one directed by Martin Scorsese. And while that should be enough to garner limitless interest, add in Robert De Niro and Jessica Lange and you've got a recipe for something spectacular. So join us as we dive into the maniacal world of Max Cady in Cape Fear.
2/9/2024 • 13 minutes, 13 seconds
WTF Happened to Colin Trevorrow's Unmade Star Wars Movie? WTF Happened to this Unmade Movie?!
A long time ago in a movie theater not too far away . . . a series of films came out that captured the imagination of movie fans everywhere. The Star Wars franchise has been a giant among the most loved movies ever made. The original trilogy has been held up as sacred. When it came time for the Prequels, original fans were let down, but young fans embraced them. They have finally aged into their place in Star Wars canon.When Lucasfilm was sold to Disney for a staggering $4.5 billion fans knew it was only a matter of time before we finally got some films with some of our favorite characters returning to the big screen. The first two divided audiences, but the third may have been the one that really made fans wonder what was happening behind the scenes. There didn't seem to be a plan for the new films and every director went by the seat of their pants. Originally, film director Colin Trevorrow was supposed to come in and direct the final film, capping off this trilogy and paying off on storylines from the first two films.When The Rise Of Skywalker was released fans began to wonder what the original plan for the film was back when it was titled Duel Of The Fates. Why did Trevorrow leave? What was the actual plan for the film? Let's find out all that and more here on What Happened To This Unmade Film
2/5/2024 • 10 minutes, 15 seconds
WTF Happened to Armie Hammer? WTF Happened to this celebrity?!
The last two years have not been good for Armie Hammer, and things will likely only worsen. With Discovery’s docuseries - House of Hammer - on the way, we look back at how exactly one of Hollywood’s most promising young stars ended up an industry pariah. Before he went off the deep end, Hammer was considered a top-notch leading man. After making heads turn in David Fincher’s The Social Network, where he famously played Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss in a dual role, Hollywood was keen to make him their next big star. He immediately hopped into leading roles in big tentpoles. He was The Lone Ranger, and he starred in The Man from U.N.C.L.E., but both pricey movies tanked at the box office. Suddenly Hollywood wasn’t so sure he was bankable, but then a co-starring role in Luca Guadagnino’s Call Me By Your Name unleashed his full charisma and once again put him at the head of casting lists, with him nabbing leads in the price Netflix remake of Rebecca and Kenneth Branagh’s Agatha Christie adaptation, Death on the Nile.Alas, this is where things took a turn when it was alleged Hammer had certain “proclivities,” which led to abuse allegations from several women. At the same time, his alleged drug use became wildly known, but the allegations (which made people think he was a cannibal) sealed his fate in Hollywood, especially once text messages and D.M.’s were leaked. As quickly as his star rose, it fell to the point that he was recently apparently selling timeshares to make ends meet. Is this the end of Hammer? Hollywood loves a comeback, but will there be a way forward post-House of Hammer? We dig into it in this episode of W.T.F. Happened to this Celebrity, narrated and written (with Brad Hamerly) by Taylor James Johnson, and edited by Juan Jimenez.
2/2/2024 • 15 minutes, 53 seconds
WTF Happened to Aeon Flux? WTF Happened to this Movie?!
Aeon Flux is often forgotten when discussing Charlize Theron's action roles. Before Mad Max: Fury Road turned her into a legitimate genre icon, a status re-affirmed by Atomic Blonde and The Old Guard, her first attempt at headlining an action flick, 2005's Aeon Flux, had been largely forgotten. At the time, Theron was mostly known for prestige drama. She had won an Oscar in 2004 for his role as Aileen Wuornos in Patty Jenkins' Monster. She chose to follow this up by trying her luck at leading an action franchise, as female-driven action films were having a moment thanks to the success of the Underworld franchise. Directed by Karyn Kusama and based on the cult MTV Animated series, Aeon Flux seemed to have everything going for it. Still, the film was a notorious bomb that temporarily derailed Kusama's career, while Theron would avoid action movies until being lured back by George Miller. So what happened? We explain how studio battles, dulling cuts of the film and a fetishized heroine derailed what could have been a big franchise for all involved in this episode of WTF Happened to this Movie, written by Gaius Bolling, edited by Paul Podeyn, and narrated by Mathew Plale.
1/29/2024 • 16 minutes, 2 seconds
WTF Happened To Alien Vs Predator? WTF Happened to this Horror Movie?!
Pitting two titans of cinema against each other has been in the public consciousness since Frankenstein, and The Wolfman met up in 1943. And in the years since, we've seen many different iconic figures do battle: Batman vs Superman, Godzilla vs Kong, and even Freddy vs Jason. Yet there was one film that brought together two of the greatest sci-fi monsters ever, and so today, we're looking into the making of 2004's AVP: Alien vs. Predator!
1/26/2024 • 12 minutes, 26 seconds
WTF Happened to The Sandlot Kids? WTF Happened to this Celebrity?!
If you grew up in the nineties, you undoubtedly grew up a massive fan of The Sandlot. A coming-of-age story centering around a group of baseball-loving kids who hang out every day in a Sandlot, the movie didn’t make much of a peep in theatres back in 1993. However, the box office didn’t tell the whole story, with the movie becoming a cult film on VHS, cable and later DVD, with writer-director David Mickey Evans eventually returning to make a DTV spin-off, The Sandlot 2, while a prequel is still in development.But what happened to all of the kids in The Sandlot? Unlike a movie like Stand by Me, there were no megastars like River Phoenix to emerge, but the cast still fared well in the years to come. Many have gone on to everyday lives, while others continue to work (successfully) in showbiz almost 30 years later. In this special episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity, we catch up with The Sandlot kids, including Patrick Renna (Ham), Tom Guiry (Smalls), Chauncy Leopardi (Squints), Marty York (Yeah Yeah), Brandon Quintin Adams (Kenny), Mike Vitar (Benjamin) and more! This episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity is written (with Brad Hamerly), produced, edited and narrated by Taylor James Johnson! Let us know if you have fond memories of The Sandlot in the comments!
1/22/2024 • 15 minutes, 39 seconds
WTF Happened to JOHN CARPENTER? WTF Happened to this Movie?
When it comes to leaving a mark on cinematic history and scaring the bejesus out of people while doing it, John Carpenter would be on the Mount Rushmore of Horror. Known for directing some of the most iconic and influential films in horror history, Carpenter is responsible for helming Halloween, The Fog, Escape From New York, The Thing, Christine, Starman, Big Trouble in Little China, and Prince of Darkness, to name a few. Each of the films mentioned above has left an indelible mark on film history, with many filmmakers crediting Carpenter as a source of inspiration for their chosen careers.In addition to helming a handful of cinematic gems, Carpenter is also an award-winning composer, producer, screenwriter, and actor. He’s a Swiss Army knife of talent, but not every career isn’t without a few scars. In 2001, Carpenter released Ghost of Mars, a sci-fi horror film that received raised eyebrows and a few thumbs pointing downward. Don’t you haters ever come for In the Mouth of Madness, though. We’ll mess you up!Still an integral part of the filmmaking industry, Carpenter has contributed to several Halloween projects, including short films and David Gordon Green’s recent trilogy. There is seemingly no end to Carpenter’s creativity, and we’re about to explore much of it in today’s WTF Happened to John Carpenter presentation.
1/19/2024 • 24 minutes, 9 seconds
WTF Happened To Stephen King's Misery? WTF Happened to this Horror Movie?!
There are few horror films that are able to surpass the genre and make it to Awards season. But the winning combination of Rob Reiner, Kathy Bates, and James Caan proved to be too much, and Academy voters were no longer able to ignore the often-forgotten genre. Yet why, of all the films, was this able to surpass those unfair expectations? Join us as we tell you all about it as we dive into Stephen King's Misery.
1/15/2024 • 15 minutes, 56 seconds
WTF Happened to Jennifer Lawrence? WTF Happened to this Celebrity!
Let us preface this by saying that we know Jennifer Lawrence is still a massive star. After all, she’s got several movies coming out this year and, by all accounts, delivers an excellent performance in the TIFF-bound drama Causeway. But, it has to be said that Hollywood tends to anoint young actors as the next big superstar and then ditch them after one or two flops. In the wake of The Hunger Games, Jennifer Lawrence was everywhere, winning an Oscar for Silver Linings Playbook and solidifying her box office power with a long-running role as Mystique in the X-Men prequels. But, when The Hunger Games series ended, and she had a few high-profile flops, including Mother, Dark Phoenix and the surprisingly great Red Sparrow, Lawrence all but disappeared from view for two years. She re-emerged last year in Don’t Look Up, but what happened, and why isn’t Lawrence still leading massive tentpole movies? Where’s her big franchise? Or was this lower-key return Lawrence’s idea, as she looks to re-establish herself in roles far removed from the ones that made her famous? It makes sense if you consider that much of her early career was defined by two franchises. One, The Hunger Games, showed Lawrence at her best, but it can also be argued that the X-Men series showed her at her worst, with many complaining her performance as Mystique began to grow listless by the time the franchise finally came to an end with Dark Phoenix. We dig inter her career in this episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity!
1/12/2024 • 14 minutes, 38 seconds
WTF Happened to Gods of Egypt? WTF Happened to this Movie!
2016’s Gods of Egypt was meant to be a significant franchise starter for Lionsgate, mixing Egyptian mythology and fantasy in a way that should have been explosive but landed with a thud. Director Alex Proyas, who directed a few seminal classics, including The Crow and Dark City, did his best to deliver an exciting fantasy film. Still, critics were savage, and audiences stayed away. In the end, it lost an estimated $90 million, despite the presence of Gerard Butler and Game of Thrones’ favorite Nikolaj Coster-Waldau. Is it as bad as people remember? Check out this episode of WTF Happened to this Movie!
1/8/2024 • 18 minutes, 29 seconds
WTF Happened To Silent Hill? WTF Happened to this Horror Movie?!
As with many film adaptations based on a title in any medium loved by many, it’s hard to get the right tone to satisfy a die-hard fan. Well, I’m here to tell you that one has seemingly been overlooked in the praise department. One that captures the tone and spirit of the game completely. Fasten your seatbelts and keep your eyes on the road as we take a trip to find out WTF Happened To Silent Hill?
1/5/2024 • 11 minutes, 47 seconds
What Happened to Ezra Miller? WTF Happened to this celebrity?!
With WB/DC's The Flash finally hitting theaters this Friday, fans have no doubt noticed that the movie's star, Ezra Miller, is nowhere to be seen. Usually, the star of a tentpole movie would be out promoting the heck out of it, but Miller is such an issue for the studio that the actor has been sidelined. What's ironic is that Miller's performance has earned raves, and many people are saying The Flash is one of the best superhero movies ever made. Surely now should be a time for celebration? Alas, Miller's involvement is why some think the film may under-perform, and many don't want to celebrate anything involving the controversial figure. In this video, we unpack Miller's once-promising career and ask ourselves, is there a way back for the actor?
1/1/2024 • 20 minutes, 54 seconds
WTF Happened to Watchmen? WTF Happened to this movie?!
In this episode of WTF Happened to this Movie, we look at Zack Snyder’s divisive big-screen adaptation of Alan Moore’s Watchmen. Hollywood tried for years to turn this into a film, with directors such as Paul Greengrass, Terry Gilliam and more attached. In the end, Snyder, who was coming off of another ambitious graphic novel adaptation, Frank Miller’s 300, was the one who made it work. Boasting a unique cast of character actors and a period 1980’s setting, Snyder made a mostly faithful adaptation that was attacked by some critics, hated by others, and divided fans. In this episode, we dig into the film's origins and reception.
12/29/2023 • 17 minutes, 17 seconds
WTF Happened To Blair Witch 2016? WTF Happened to this Horror Movie?!
Blair Witch, for those unaware, is a sequel to the 1999 surprise hit The Blair Witch Project and is a definite return to the series roots in terms of story and filming style. It came as a surprise that a film was shot under the title The Woods and revealed to be a Blair Witch sequel at San Diego Comic-Con 2016. For many, the return to the roots of the franchise was a welcome sight after Books of Shadow: Blair Witch 2. So let's dig in and find out WTF Happened to This Horror Movie?
12/25/2023 • 11 minutes, 36 seconds
WTF Happened to JOHN CARPENTER? WTF Happened to this Celebrity?!
When it comes to leaving a mark on cinematic history and scaring the bejesus out of people while doing it, John Carpenter would be on the Mount Rushmore of Horror. Known for directing some of the most iconic and influential films in horror history, Carpenter is responsible for helming Halloween, The Fog, Escape From New York, The Thing, Christine, Starman, Big Trouble in Little China, and Prince of Darkness, to name a few. Each of the films mentioned above has left an indelible mark on film history, with many filmmakers crediting Carpenter as a source of inspiration for their chosen careers.In addition to helming a handful of cinematic gems, Carpenter is also an award-winning composer, producer, screenwriter, and actor. He’s a Swiss Army knife of talent, but not every career isn’t without a few scars. In 2001, Carpenter released Ghost of Mars, a sci-fi horror film that received raised eyebrows and a few thumbs pointing downward. Don’t you haters ever come for In the Mouth of Madness, though. We’ll mess you up!Still an integral part of the filmmaking industry, Carpenter has contributed to several Halloween projects, including short films and David Gordon Green’s recent trilogy. There is seemingly no end to Carpenter’s creativity, and we’re about to explore much of it in today’s WTF Happened to John Carpenter presentation.What do you think of John Carpenter, and what’s your favorite movie from him? Let us know in the comments!
12/22/2023 • 24 minutes, 9 seconds
WTF Happened to Pulp Fiction? WTF Happened to this Movie?!
It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that in 1994, Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction revolutionized popular cinema. While 1992’s Sundance breakout, Reservoir Dogs, made Tarantino an indie icon, Pulp Fiction made him a household name, spawning a “cool crime” genre that dominated the second half of the decade, even as the director himself moved away from the genre. The movie revitalized the career of star John Travolta, whose career had bottomed out in the nineties but soon became a $20 million a film A-lister, and put Uma Thurman on the map in a pretty big way. It also gave Bruce Willis some street cred as a movie star willing to dip his toe into indies while also making Samuel L. Jackson one of the most iconic character actors of our era. In this episode of WTF Happened to this Movie, we look at the making of Tarantino’s crime epic, from its humble origins, casting hurdles, development with Miramax, controversial Cannes’ Palme d'Or win and more.
12/18/2023 • 16 minutes, 50 seconds
WTF Happened To Stephen King's Carrie? WTF Happened To This Horror Movie?
Stephen King adaptations are a dime a dozen these days. It seems like every month, there's a King story being adapted to the world of cinema. But it all had to start somewhere. So join us as we cover the debut of one of the greatest authors of all time with 1976's Carrie.
12/15/2023 • 11 minutes, 31 seconds
WTF Happened to Axl Rose? WTF Happened to this celebrity?!
As far as rock stars go, they don’t get much bigger than Axl Rose. As the front-man of Guns N’ Roses, he became an instant legend when their debut album, “Appetite for Destruction” was released in 1987. Spawning hits that are still iconic twenty-five years later (with the soundtrack for Thor: Love and Thunder featuring them prominently), including “Welcome to the Jungle,” “Paradise City,” and “Sweet Child of Mine,” the album broke out from the hard rock/heavy metal genre to become one of the biggest selling albums of all time. Throughout the late eighties and early nineties, they were one of the biggest bands in the world, with “Use Your Illusion 1 & 2” also major sellers. Axl Rose was everywhere, especially when the band started doing ballads like “Don’t Cry” and “November Rain.”Yet, after the release of their covers album, “The Spaghetti Incident,” Guns N’ Roses started to fall apart, with iconic guitarist Slash and Duff McKagan leaving acrimoniously. Rose would spend most of the next decade working on a follow-up album, “Chinese Democracy,” with an ever-revolving lineup of members, with the album in question a critical and commercial disappointment. In the meantime, rumours about Rose’s behaviour and sobriety ran rampant. In this episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity, we try to separate fact from fiction and celebrate the fact that Rose has since reunited much of the original band and that they still sell out stadiums worldwide.
12/11/2023 • 15 minutes, 17 seconds
WTF Happened to BATTLESHIP (2012)? WTF Happened to this Movie!
You sunk my Battleship! That’s probably what the executives at Universal Pictures were thinking the weekend Battleship, Peter Berg’s megabudget adaptation of the board game, opened in theaters. Costing a massive $200 million, Battleship was meant to kick off a franchise, but it landed with a thud both critically and commercially. While star Taylor Kitsch unfairly took a lot of blame, with it one of two back-to-back flops for the unproven lead (alongside the excellent John Carter), there was a lot about Battleship that didn’t make sense, with them turning the board game, which was all about strategy, into a generic alien invasion thriller. In this episode, we dig into the many things that went wrong, including casting Liam Neeson in a role with no action, killing Alexander Skarsgard in the first act, etc. Not even Rihanna could save this one from a grisly box office fate, as we explain in this week’s WTF Happened to this Movie!
12/8/2023 • 13 minutes, 44 seconds
WTF Happened To Creepshow? WTF Happened to this Horror Movie?!
Anthology films are the gift that keeps on giving when it comes to being a horror fan. It allows so many different tropes and sub-genres to be explored while still providing bite-sized fun. So what happens when two of the greatest creators in all of horror combine forces for their very own anthology film? One of the best out there, of course! So join us as we cover George A Romero and Stephen King's Creepshow.
12/5/2023 • 15 minutes, 32 seconds
WTF Happened to Sam Raimi's Unmade Spider-Man 4? WTF Happened to this unmade movie?
When it comes to the most disappointing comic book movies that were planned but never produced, which one tops the list? Is it Tim Burton’s Batman Continues? Guillermo del Toro’s Doctor Strange? Perhaps JJ Abrams’ Superman: Flyby? Nah, there’s only one correct answer: Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 4, a movie that continues to breathe potential flickers of life nearly 15 years after it was declared dead by Sony Pictures. Indeed, with the exciting new announcement that Tobey Maguire’s version of Peter Parker may not be extinct after all, the real question of the day is, WTF Happened to Sam Raimi’s unmade Spider-Man 4?
12/1/2023 • 10 minutes, 31 seconds
WTF Happened to PAULY SHORE? WTF Happened to this Celebrity?!
There was a time in the mid-nineties when Pauly Shore was a very big deal. Rising to fame as a VJ on MTV, he parlayed his alter-ego “The Weasel” into unlikely big-screen stardom. His first movie, Encino Man, introduced the world to Brendan Fraser as a caveman, and Shore was such a hit in it that he got his own solo comedy Son in Law (opposite a young Carla Gugino), which was a money-maker. His follow-up, IN the Army Now, also made money, but that would be the end of Shore’s short-lived reign as a star. His next two movies, Jury Duty and Bio-Dome, would be flops, and a TV show, Pauly, would be cancelled after five episodes. Clearly, Shore’s reign at the top was short-lived.Yet, there’s still something very likeable about “The Weasel,” mainly because Shore has always had a sense of humour about his place in pop culture. While he’s no longer a household name, most people who grew up in a particular era still hold a lot of affection for Shore, and in this episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity, we look at his rise to fame, his fall, and where he is now.
11/27/2023 • 16 minutes, 31 seconds
ARGO (2012) - WTF Really Happened to this Movie?
Ben Affleck’s Argo was a runaway hit in 2012. His highly anticipated follow-up to The Town, it finally won Affleck the respect from his peers that he always deserved, with it earning a Best Picture Oscar, despite the man being shut out as director in a controversial move. Audiences and critics alike raved about the movie, but it wasn’t without controversy. Some involved with the original “Canadian Caper” that the film was based on slammed it for various inaccuracies. However, these were largely dismissed as the film set out to be entertainment rather than a documentary, which is fair enough. In this episode of WTF Really Happened to this Movie, we dig into the true story behind Argo, including the truth behind the CIA operative Affleck played, Tony Mendez, who, as the film depicts, cooked up a scheme where he pretended to be scouting locations for a sci-fi pic to rescue hostages in the Iran Hostage Crisis of 1979-1981. We dig into the Canadian and American roles in the caper, as well as the actions of diplomat Ken Taylor. He played a small part in the film but was credited by many (including then-President Jimmy Carter) as the real hero behind the operation. This episode of WTF Really Happened to this Movie is written by Jake Dee, narrated by Steve Seigh and edited by Paul Cooper. Let us know in the comments whether or not you think Argo’s inaccuracies are a serious issue or if this is just a regular Hollywood occurrence in the pursuit of entertainment.
11/24/2023 • 23 minutes, 2 seconds
WTF Happened To Jamie Lee Curtis? WTF Happened To This Horror Celebrity?!
The final girl, the opposite of horror villains, is a character defined by her innocence, intelligence, and girl-next-door charm. She's a survivor who outwits supernatural evil to protect her friends and neighbors. This archetype was pioneered by Jamie Lee Curtis, a legendary horror actress who transitioned into a top-tier film career. In this episode of "WTF Happened To This Horror Celebrity," we explore the journey of Jamie Lee Curtis, one of the horror genre's reigning queens.
11/20/2023 • 19 minutes, 43 seconds
WTF Happened to An American Werewolf In London? WTF Happened to this Horror Movie?!
These days, horror and comedy are no stranger to each other with recent films such as Bodies Bodies Bodies, Freaky, and the Happy Death Day series. But in the early eighties, blending the two genres was practically unheard of. Enter John Landis, who had already established himself as a successful comedic director with The Blues Brothers and Animal House, to change the formula with 1981’s An American Werewolf in London. Grab your best flannel and keep clear of the Moors as we find out WTF Happened To This Horror Movie?
11/17/2023 • 10 minutes, 55 seconds
WTF Happened to AMBER HEARD? WTF Happened to this celebrity?!
Unless you’ve been living under a rock the last few months, you’ve probably had your fill of the name Amber Heard. The court case between her and ex-husband Johnny Depp played out in all of its Livestream infamy recently and ended with a decisive victory by team Depp. In many ways, the disgraced star was redeemed in the public eye when a jury found Heard defamed him in an op-ed about being a survivor of “sexual violence” and “domestic abuse.” As revealed in the trial, the facts behind their relationship and Heard’s allegations of abuse were far from black & white, showing that Depp himself was also a victim of domestic abuse at her hands. Perhaps the most surprising development was the social media reaction, which was mainly in Depp’s favor. This was a far cry from when Heard made the abuse allegations several years ago, at the height of MeToo, when many took her side. In the end, Depp’s persona has rebounded, and many expect him to one day make a successful movie comeback, while Heard’s career is in tatters. Her reputation is in the gutter now, and many wonder whether or not she will ever work again, especially now that it’s been revealed that her Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom role has been dramatically reduced. In this episode of #wtfhappenedtothiscelebrity we look at Heard’s rise and fall and whether or not there’s a way forward for the controversial actress.
11/13/2023 • 16 minutes, 55 seconds
WTF Happened to THE SPIRIT (2008)? WTF Happened to this movie??
The Spirit is a Neo-noir superhero film based on the classic character created by Will Eisner. A live-action film version of the character had been planned for years, with William Friedkin coming close to making a movie back in the eighties. It almost got made as an animated film. In the wake of Robert Rodriguez’s successful version of Sin City, that film’s co-director/writer, the legendary Frank Miller, was able to get the rights. It would be done in a similar style to that film, with it shot in a largely desaturated, highly stylized form that was catching on at the time thanks to not only Sin City but also 300, which, not coincidently, was also based on Frank Miller’s work.Miller would adapt the comic himself, casting Gabriel Macht as Denny Colt, the ghost-like superhero. Macht was largely unknown (he would go on to find fame on the long-running series Suits) but was surrounded by an A-list cast, including Samuel L. Jackson, Eva Mendes and Scarlett Johannson. The film would be met with derision from fans, with many taking issue with Jackson’s wildly over-the-top performance as the villain, The Octopus. It lost its financier tens of millions of dollars, and Miller’s only other credit as a director would come on the City City sequel, A Dame to Kill For, which reteamed him with Rodriguez. So what happened? Why was The Spirit such a box-office disaster, and does the Movie have any fans? We dig into The Spirit's making in this week’s WTF Happened to this Movie, written by Gaius Bolling, edited by Cesar Gabriel, and narrated by Dave Davis.
11/10/2023 • 15 minutes, 19 seconds
WTF Happened to Jason Takes Manhattan? WTF Happened to this Horror Movie?
The debate over which is the best Friday the 13th is always a tough one. Is it the original? The Final Chapter? Jason Lives? An argument can be made for any of them. Yet usually, when it comes to the worst in the franchise, specifically for the Paramount years, there's only one contender. So join us as we dive into Friday the 13th Part 8: Jason Takes Manhattan
11/6/2023 • 16 minutes, 1 second
WTF Happened to WILL SMITH? WTF Happened to this celebrity?!
It was the slap heard around the world. March 27th, 2022 should have been the greatest moment of Will Smith’s career. He had worked his entire career towards finally winning the award that would prove, beyond any doubt, that he genuinely had the respect and admiration of his peers - the Academy Award. Indeed, Will Smith won that night for King Richard, but he also lost something precious. He lost the respect of his peers after an ill-advised (but innocuous) joke by Chris Rock led to the #OscarSlap that, until the day he dies, will haunt Smith.All that said, Smith is still a legend. One of the most effortlessly charming actors to ever grace the silver screen, he was bound for greatness from the time he starred in NBC’s The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air as a young rapper. Bad Boys proved his talent was too big to be constrained to the small screen, and his run of hits was legendary. Independence Day, Men in Black, Enemy of the State, Ali, and on, and on. That should not be swept away because of one (big) mistake. In this episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity, written (with Brad Hamerly), narrated and produced by Taylor James Johnson, we dig into Smith’s career, the controversy, and most importantly, a way forward for the former (and future) superstar.
11/3/2023 • 23 minutes, 35 seconds
WTF Happened to ASSASSIN'S CREED (2016)? WTF Happened to this movie?!
Assassin's Creed wasn't supposed to be a bad movie. It was supposed to be the rare video game adaptation that got the source material right. Boasting a talented arthouse director, Justin Kurzel, and one of the most exciting leading men of the era, Michael Fassbender, this was supposed to kick off a fantasy action franchise that would put anything else based on video games to shame. Alas, it didn't work out that way, with the film being panned critically and only grossing $54 million domestically, posting a loss for 20th Century Fox from $75-100 million. The film should have been a hit as it was based on Ubisoft's wildly popular game series. So what happened? Find out about it in this episode of WTF Happened to this Movie!
10/30/2023 • 18 minutes
What Happened To This Unmade Halloween Resurrection Sequel? WTF Happened to this Unmade Horror Movie?!
Busta Rhymes' Freddie Jones is everyone's favorite character from Halloween right? What about Josh Hartnett's John Tate? Well, I know you love Charles Cypher's Sheriff Leigh Brackett! So take all three of those elements, add some snow, and what do you get? An entry in the Halloween series they tried to make back in 2003, which just never gained momentum. So we're here to tell you what happened to Halloween: Retribution.
10/27/2023 • 10 minutes, 36 seconds
WTF Happened to Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers? WTF Happened to this Horror Movie?!
Making a HALLOWEEN 3 without iconic slasher Michael Myers, hadn’t worked out very well. The plan had been to turn HALLOWEEN into an anthology series – but that plan went down in flames. Fans were disappointed. The HALLOWEEN franchise was tarnished so badly, major studios didn’t want to touch it. Michael Myers needed to come back for HALLOWEEN 4, and the filmmakers had to make sure his return was a triumphant one. And they did, which is why we’re still getting Michael Myers movies to this day. How did they accomplish their mission? Let’s find out in this episode of WTF Happened To This Horror Movie?
10/23/2023 • 23 minutes, 43 seconds
WTF Happened to MADONNA? WTF Happened to this celebrity?
Is there any artist with a more enormous effect on pop culture than Madonna? You could probably rank Madonna with Elvis Presley and The Beatles for the impact she had on pop music, and while she has her detractors, no one can doubt her talent. With a new biopic starring Julie Garner on the way, in this episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity, we look into Madonna’s origins, her film work and what she’s up to nowadays, including those wacky TikTok posts. Even after forty years at the top of the charts, people are obsessed with the Queen of Pop.One thing Madonna always struggled with was getting respect as an actress, which is a topic we dive into here. While no one ever denied her talent as a singer, her feature-film career got off to an unfortunate start with the movie Shanghai Surprise, which paired her with Sean Penn, who she was married to at the time. That flop made her an object of ridicule for critics, and it didn’t matter that her performances in movies improved in time, with her role as Breathless in Dick Tracy a highlight. While some critics came around with Evita, she never achieved the movie respect her successor, Lady Gaga, did. That said, she had a huge hit with the concert documentary, Madonna: Truth or Dare, which was the movie all of our parents wouldn’t let us watch back in 1991 but we went to see anyways.This episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity is written (with Brad Hamerly), produced, edited and narrated by Taylor James Johnson. Watch last week’s episode below and let us know your favourite Madonna movie and song in the comments!
10/20/2023 • 16 minutes, 1 second
WTF Happened to DUNGEONS & DRAGONS (2000)? WTF Happened to this movie?!
Next year, Paramount Pictures is going to try and turn Dungeons and Dragons into the next huge fantasy franchise. Indeed, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves has it all - a huge budget, a cast of stars (including Chris Pine) and people behind the scenes who take it seriously. It’s a far cry from the first, disastrous attempt to turn the famous RPG game into a franchise, 2000’s mostly forgotten Dungeons & Dragons, which starred a scenery-chewing Jeremy Irons as an evil mage. The cast mainly consisted of young actors, including Justin Whalin, Marlon Wayans and Thora Birch. Produced by New Line Cinema, it was very much in the vein of their Mortal Kombat movies, and fans of the iconic game, who were legion, were not impressed. The film only grossed a measly $33 million, and the only follow-up it spawned was a made-for-TV sequel forgotten by time.So what went wrong? In this episode of WTF Happened to this Movie, we dig into the RPG’s origins, the hype surrounding it, and the choice of Courtney Solomon to direct what everyone, I assumed, hoped would launch a franchise. We also look back at how this was a different time for fantasy films, with New Line’s own Lord of the Rings trilogy (which began only a year after this came out) showing everyone how lucrative a movie based on a fantasy property could be - if done right. This was definitively NOT done right. This episode of WTF Happened to this Movie is written and narrated by Dave Davis, edited by Paul Podeyn and produced by Ben Cantler. Is Dungeons and Dragons the movie as bad as we remember? Let us know in the comments!
10/16/2023 • 13 minutes, 40 seconds
WTF Happened To The Strangers? WTF Happened to this horror movie?!
Home invasion films are often able to tap into a primordial fear. The invasion of such a sacred space is enough to keep you up at night. So in 2008, a film took the world by storm and had people locking their doors like they were going to be next. We're of course talking about Bryan Bertino's The Strangers.
10/13/2023 • 10 minutes, 42 seconds
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 4: What Happened to this Unmade Movie?
Those of us that grew up in the 90s remember the complete overtaking of pop culture that the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles experienced. Suddenly every kid was saying Cowabunga and only wanted to eat pizza. Through the onslaught of Turtlesmania, a ton of merchandise was made. Toys, clothes, games, and of course movies.The original live-action film came out in 1990 and followed with two sequels in quick succession. While the first film was lauded by audiences, the second film began to show some cracks in the armor of the franchise. By the time the third film hit theaters in 1993, the fad had begun to wane. The third film made nowhere near the amount that the first film had brought in during its theatrical run and had cost more to make.A lot of fans criticized the new suits as the Henson Creature Shop opted out of the series after the second film. Things did not look good for the bodacious bros. Studio execs turned to Turtles creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird to come up with ideas for a fourth instalment for the series, hoping that it might right the ship and bring the tubular turtles back to the glory of the first film. But since this series is about UNMADE films, then you know that things didn't end up that way. Let's find out What Happened To The Unmade Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 4?
10/11/2023 • 10 minutes, 24 seconds
WTF Happened to ALEC BALDWIN? WTF Happened to this Celebrity?
It’s safe to say that Alec Baldwin was a polarizing figure even before the deadly tragedy that took place on the set of his western, Rust, late last year. At times known to be abrasive, Baldwin also happened to be one of the best actors of his generation, with killer comic chops to boot. In the late eighties/ early nineties, he was considered the next big star, with roles in Beetlejuice, Working Girl and, finally, as Jack Ryan in the Tom Clancy adaptation, The Hunt for Red October. Yet, despite boffo box office and stellar reviews, he would be replaced in the sequels by Harrison Ford, and subsequent attempts to make a blockbuster, such as The Shadow, would fail at the box office. Meanwhile, he would become more known for his off-screen life, such as his marriage and divorce from the iconic Kim Basinger. Yet, just when his career seemed to be in a downward spiral, he was able to lean on the comic talents he displayed as a guest host on Saturday Night Life for an ongoing role on 30 Rock, which brought him perhaps his greatest fame. In recent years, he’s been able to juggle well-received character parts in movies like The Departed, with his long-running tenure on SNL playing Donald Trump, but alas, things took a turn on October 21st in New Mexico when a deadly accident on the set of Rust took the life of DP Halyna Hutchins. While the case is ongoing, Baldwin’s recently been back in the headlines saying Rust may still be completed, which has rubbed some fans the wrong way. Yet, there’s nothing that Hollywood loves more than a comeback, and in this episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity, we look at Baldwin’s ups and downs up this point while assuming that, in time, he’ll be back on screens doing what he does best.
10/6/2023 • 21 minutes, 21 seconds
WTF Happened to X-MEN: DARK PHOENIX (2019)? WTF Happened to this movie?
2019’s X-Men: Dark Phoenix was supposed to be the movie that finally did justice to one of the comic’s most celebrated storylines, the Dark Phoenix Saga by Chris Claremont and John Byrne. It had already been done, to disastrous effect, in 2006’s X-Men 3: The Last Stand. Writer-director Simon Kinberg made his directorial debut with this, taking over for Bryan Singer, whose career imploded in the years following X-Men: Apocalypse. While there’s no doubt everyone went in with the right intentions, Dark Phoenix went down with a thud when it opened in the summer of 2019. The box office was disastrous, only grossing $65 million domestically, which is a nightmarish haul for a movie that cost at least $200 million.Notably, the fan reaction was terrible, with many saying this take on the Dark Phoenix storyline was only marginally better than the one in The Last Stand. Initially set to kick off a new trilogy, that plan had already been scuttled by the time Dark Phoenix hit theatres. In the time since the movie was filmed and got released, Fox had been sold to Disney, meaning that if the X-Men returned, they would be part of the MCU. When this came out, everyone involved seemed to realize this was the last hurrah for this iconic version of the X-Men, but the reaction from fans was that this heavily re-shot and re-cut movie sent the franchise out with a whimper rather than a bang. So what went wrong? Plenty, as you’ll find out in WTF Happened to X-Men: Dark Phoenix, which is written by Gaius Bolling, edited by Cesar Gabriel, and narrated by Mathew Plale. Is X-Men: Dark Phoenix as bad as they say? Let us know in the comments!
10/2/2023 • 25 minutes, 6 seconds
WTF Happened To Bride of Chucky? WTF Happened to this Horror Movie?!
Chucky had his solo adventures for three movies before this entry in the franchise, and in 1998, it was time to revive the franchise and give him a friend, a lover, a being just as twisted and violent as he is. Thus was created his bride, the one and only Tiffany Valentine! Her obsession with Chucky predates the films, going back all the way to before Charles Lee Ray died and had his soul trapped in a doll, a woman who loved him more than she probably should have. This set-up is one meant to create something entirely new yet familiar in the Child's Play films, bringing them to the forefront and making them a bunch of money. The film was a mild financial success and a mitigated as best critical success. So, WTF Happened to Bride of Chucky?
9/29/2023 • 10 minutes, 55 seconds
WTF Happened to TOM SIZEMORE? WTF Happened to this celebrity?!
Tom Sizemore is a tragic Hollywood tale. After bursting onto the scene in a variety of scene-stealing characters turns opposite Stallone in Lock-Up, Wesley Snipes in Passenger 57, and a cool bit part in Point Break, Sizemore quickly became a hot item. He stole the show as the venal cop Jack Scagnetti in Oliver Stone’s Natural Born Killers, followed by a memorable role in Michael Mann’s Heat. Still, his career was briefly jeopardized by a crippling addiction to drugs. He overcame his issues with a triumphant turn in Saving Private Ryan, followed by roles in Black Hawk Down, Pearl Harbor and more. Sadly, his drug addiction again reared its ugly head, and soon his career hit the skids following several high-profile drug arrests and some drama in his personal life.While some of the allegations against Sizemore are incredibly disturbing, the fact remains that even at his worst, when Sizemore was able to clean himself up, he was still capable of standout work, such as his role in David Lynch’s Twin Peaks revival. While a significant comeback seems unlikely at this point, Sizemore’s filmography still contains tons of substantial parts, and when he was at his best, very few character actors could touch him. We dig into his life and career in this week’s episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity…
9/25/2023 • 21 minutes, 57 seconds
WTF Happened to SMOKIN' ACES (2006)? WTF Happened to this movie?!
Joe Carnahan is considered one of the most fiercely independent directors in Hollywood today. Bursting onto the scene with Narc, it served as a cinematic calling card that landed him on the A-list as far as directors go, but rather than accept projects that felt compromised to him, he would step down if he thought he wasn’t a good fit. This happened with Mission: Impossible III, and it happened with the Death Wish reboot. He chose to make films that were personal to him, and while the results have sometimes been mixed, many (us here at JoBlo included) consider his movie, The Grey, to be a masterpiece. Of his films, one that’s always had a mixed reaction but is developing a cult following is 2006’s Smokin’ Aces.Smokin’ Aces is an interesting film to revisit. It was an early action role for a young Ryan Reynolds, who leads the ensemble cast as an FBI agent tasked with protecting a high-profile snitch named Buddy Israel, played by Jeremy Piven at the height of his fame on entourage. A who’s who of assassins descend on the Lake Tahoe resort that he’s holed up in. The movie provides early roles for Common, Alicia Keys, Joel Edgerton, and most notably, Chris Pine, who went from this to starring as Captain Kirk in the Star Trek reboot. The cast also included vets like Jason Bateman, Ray Liotta, Ben Affleck, Andy Garcia and more.While not an immediate hit, the film was a smash on home video, earning a DTV prequel, and has since become a favorite in the crime genre to fans. In this episode of WTF Happened to this Movie, we take a look at the story behind Smokin’ Aces and how Carnahan came to direct this comic action mashup, which features a great performance by the late Ray Liotta.
9/22/2023 • 13 minutes, 3 seconds
WTF Happened To The Strangers? WTF Happened to this horror movie?!
Home invasion films are often able to tap into a primordial fear. The invasion of such a sacred space is enough to keep you up at night. So in 2008, a film took the world by storm and had people locking their doors like they were going to be next. We're of course talking about Bryan Bertino's The Strangers.
9/18/2023 • 10 minutes, 42 seconds
WTF Happened to EVA MENDES? WTF Happened to this celebrity?!
In the 2000s, Eva Mendes was wildly considered one of the hottest up-and-coming actresses in Hollywood. Drop-dead gorgeous, with terrific acting talent to match, she started small, with a role in the Steven Seagal flick, Exit Wounds, that was looped by another actress. But, her part opposite Denzel Washington in Training Day drew a lot of attention, and soon she was everywhere. She entered the Fast & Furious franchise playing an undercover DEA agent in 2 Fast 2 Furious, a role she reprised at the end of Fast 5, becoming a fan favorite of the series many are hoping she returns to. The movie that made her a star, arguably, was her role opposite Will Smith in the romantic comedy Hitch, which was a box office smash.Meanwhile, her performances in James Gray’s We Own the Night and Werner Herzog’s Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans drew raves. At the same time, she also stole the show in a comedic performance opposite Will Ferrell in the Adam McKay movie, The Other Guys. In 2012, she starred opposite Ryan Gosling in The Place Beyond the Pines, and the two eventually got married and started a family. Mendes’ last role, to date, was in a movie Gosling directed called Lost River. Mendes, who’s recently begun reappearing on talk shows, said that she opted to focus on her family, with her career taking a backseat. However, she seems open to making another movie if the right project comes along. Mendes’ choice to stop making movies was her own, and in this episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity, we examine her career and potential return to the big screen.
9/15/2023 • 17 minutes, 25 seconds
WTF Happened to TOP GUN (1986)?
Tony Scott’s 1986 classic Top Gun is a definitive movie for its superstar lead, Tom Cruise. While he’s had (arguably) the best run of any movie star on the planet, Top Gun’s lead, Maverick, remains the part many of his fans identify him the most with. It took thirty-six years, but Cruise finally has a sequel ready with Top Gun: Maverick and the reviews so far have been outstanding. But, in a bittersweet twist, two of the men who made the film such a smash have since passed away. Uber-producer Don Simpson died in 1996, while Tony Scott died a decade ago, in 2012. In this episode of WTF Happened to this Movie, we dig into the history behind Top Gun, including how Cruise was cast and his tense relationship with leading lady Kelly McGills and friendly adversary Val Kilmer. We also get into the real-life training many of the actors playing pilots had to undergo, including Anthony Edwards, who played the loyal but doomed Goose. And, of course, we dig into that iconic soundtrack, which included Kenny Loggins’ Danger Zone, Berlin’s Take My Breath Away and composer Harold Faltermeyer’s Top Gun Anthem. All of these elements made this the classic it is today, as we reveal in WTF Happened to Top Gun!
9/12/2023 • 19 minutes, 2 seconds
WTF Happened To Jack Nicholson's Wolf? WTF HAPPENED TO THIS HORROR CELEBRITY?
If anybody ever had the acting chops in the 90s to convincingly play a publisher who gets bitten by a werewolf and then slowly starts to become one himself, it’s Jack Nicholson. Wolf sits snugly in the ‘so bad it’s actually pretty good’ category and there’s not necessarily anything we can say that would prepare you for the experience that is watching director Mike Nichols’ Wolf. So, get ready to for a transformative experience as we howl at the moon and find out just WTF Happened to this Horror Movie.
9/8/2023 • 11 minutes, 13 seconds
WTF Happened To Halloween 5? WTF Happened to this Horror Movie?!
Michael Myers never dies. Less than a year after part four, Halloween 5 hit theater screens. After seeing it, many fans felt that the film was rushed into production and didn't make much sense. They would be right. Part 5 would end up being the lowest-grossing film in the entire franchise. Even still up to when this video is released. What happened to this film that caused it to be the black sheep of the franchise? Let's find out on this episode of WTF Happened To This Horror Movie?
9/5/2023 • 15 minutes, 13 seconds
WTF Happened to MATTHEW BRODERICK? WTF Happened to this celebrity?!
If the eighties had a face, it would be Matthew Broderick. Arguably the greatest of all teen actors, he made perhaps the signature comedy of the era, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and if that 1986 classic had been the old movie he ever made, he would still be a legend. But Broderick’s had a pretty great career; even if recent years, he’s taken an extended break from the big screen and primarily focused his energy on the stage. Bursting onto the scene in John Badham’s 1983 computer hacking classic WarGames, Broderick made quite a few solid eighties flicks in addition to Ferris Bueller. There’s 1985’s Ladyhawke, where he’s improbably cast as a French thief from the Middle Ages, Biloxi Blues, Project X, and the Civil War classic Glory. The nineties were mostly good to Broderick, with him voicing Simba in The Lion King and starring in The Cable Guy, Godzilla, Inspector Gadget and the cult classic Election. Through it all, Broderick often ventured back to Broadway, winning two Tony’s, one from Brighton Beach Memoirs and another for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. On the stage, he had, arguably, the biggest success of his career (other than Ferris Bueller) by co-starring in Mel Brooks’ Tony-winning phenomenon, The Producers, opposite Nathan Lane. Since then, he’s been among the most bankable Broadway stars, but his screen career took a backseat. In this episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity, we look at his career highs (Ferris), lows (a tragic episode in London that remains controversial to this day) and future!
9/1/2023 • 24 minutes, 49 seconds
WTF Happened to Peter Jackson's KING KONG (2005)? WTF Happened to this movie?!
Peter Jackson’s 2005 remake of King Kong came with sky high expectations from fans. After all, it was his follow-up to the Lord of the Rings, so audiences weren’t only expecting a good movie - they were expecting a masterpiece. The resulting film probably can’t be called a masterpiece, but it is a wildly ambitious, beautifully made film that pays homage to the 1933 film that inspired Peter Jackson to become a director. At the time, the critical reaction to the film was muted. The Lord of the Rings films were almost unanimously acclaimed, but King Kong, was still receiving largely positive reviews, wasn’t taken as seriously by critics. Fan reaction was also muted, with many complaining about the film’s three hour running time, which, compared to the original’s lean 100 minutes, seemed bloated. The Blu-ray director’s cut would beef the running time up to 200 minutes. Box office wise, the film was considered a disappointment, even though it was still one of the top grossing movies of the year and didn’t lose Universal, the studio that made it, any money. In the years since, many seem to regard Peter Jackson’s King Kong as a failure - perhaps wrongly. In this episode of WTF Happened to this Movie, we dig into its long-gestating origins, the unusual casting choices (Jack Black, Naomi Watts and Adrien Brody) and more!
8/28/2023 • 16 minutes, 36 seconds
WTF Happened To Tom Savini? WTF Happened to this horror celebrity?!
Gore. The gore, the merrier, or so it seemed, during the 70s and 80s. And throughout many a decade, gorehounds love all the red splatter a screen can handle. And one of the best to give the gore all the more is Tom Savini. A master of splatter, an icon of special effects, and a director and actor, too, Savini has been the inspiration for more filmmakers and effects artists than I can count and continues to do so. He’s also never stopped making monsters and mayhem, either. Tom Savini is one of the modern horror legends, and I think it’s time we took a look at what made this master of the macabre and mustache into the icon he is today. So get ready because it’s gonna get a bit bloody as we find out WTF Happened To Tom Savini?
8/25/2023 • 16 minutes, 53 seconds
WTF Happened To Hollow Man? WTF Happened to this horror movie?!
The early 2000s were filled with odd films and amazing films. One that should have made more of an impression yet seems to have somewhat disappeared is Paul Verhoeven's not-so-classic Hollow Man. The film was not a failure at the box office, but many seem not even to know it exists until they stumble upon it on television. How can a Paul Verhoeven film Hollow Man, starring Kevin Bacon, seemingly vanish from the general population's consciousness? Let's find out on WTF Happened To This Horror Movie?
8/21/2023 • 10 minutes, 10 seconds
WTF Happened to SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR? WTF Happened to this celebrity?!
Sarah Michelle Gellar was one of the biggest teen stars of the nineties. Fuelled by her star-making role as the lead on Joss Whedon’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer, she won massive acclaim for her badass, emotional turn as the titular slayer. She parlayed her success into a burgeoning film career, starring in a pair of late nineties teen classics, I Know What You Did Last Summer and Cruel Intentions. The latter was a controversial part that could have backfired but instead was a major hit that further propelled her to the top of the A-list. She started the 2000’s starring in the big-screen version of Scooby-Doo as Daphne, which was a big enough hit to spawn a sequel, Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed. Around this time, Buffy the Vampire Slayer ended its run, and Gellar opted to stretch, taking a role in Richard Kelly’s much-maligned Southland Tales, which has since become a cult classic. Eventually, she would return to TV on the series Ringer, followed by a co-star role in The Crazy Ones, which would ultimately prove one of the last projects for co-star Robin Williams and seemed to be a troubled production.In recent years, Gellar, who seems to have one of Hollywood’s most successful marriages with former co-star Freddie Prinze Jr, has slowed down, opting to focus on voice acting (similar to her husband), voicing parts on Star Wars: Rebels, Robot Chicken, and the recent Masters of the Universe: Revelation. She’s been missing from TV and films for some time, with her focusing on family, only re-emerging to weigh in on troubling stories from the set of Buffy the Vampire Slayer involving series mastermind Joss Whedon, which have reframed people’s view of what it must have been like working on that show for years. In this episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity, we chart Gellar’s career and see where she is now while also hoping for a big comeback as Gellar truly is one of a kind.
8/18/2023 • 19 minutes, 26 seconds
WTF Happened to THE 13TH WARRIOR (1999)? WTF Happened to this movie?!
Back in the nineties, John McTiernan was perhaps the most well-regarded action director in Hollywood. He had an unmatched string of hits that included Predator, Die Hard, Die Hard With a Vengeance, The Hunt for Red October and more. At the same time, Michael Crichton was a household name thanks to a little book and film you might have heard of called Jurassic Park. Putting the two of them together to adapt Crichton’s Eaters of the Dead must have seemed like a sure-fire hit to Disney, especially with Antonio Banderas, then hot off The Mask of Zorro to play the swashbuckling lead. Alas, this Viking tale was cursed from the get-go, with bad test screenings resulting in Crichton, who was also a director (Westworld, Runaway), taking over the film and re-shooting/re-working it into what was eventually released as The 13th Warrior. It’s a crazy “only in Hollywood” tale made even more remarkable because even in its compromised form, the movie is pretty damn good. We dig into the story in this week’s WTF Happened to this Movie!
8/14/2023 • 13 minutes, 12 seconds
WTF Happened To Mikey? WTF Happened to this horror movie?
Evil children movies have been around forever. One only needs a quick web search to find a ton of them, from The Brood to The Omen, Children of the Corn to The Good Son, and so many, many more. The movie at hand today is one you just may remember from the glory days of the video store. The 1992 direct-to-video film Mikey. Yea, this gets a bit rough, So hold on to your buts as we dive into the killer kid that is Mikey on WTF Happened To This Horror Movie?
8/11/2023 • 12 minutes, 15 seconds
WTF Happened to Seann William Scott? WTF Happened to this CELEBRITY?!
Seann William Scott is famous for being one of the nicest guys in Hollywood. Rising to fame in 1999/2000, hot on the heels of his gross-out teen comedy hits American Pie and Road Trip, Scott was on an enviable hot streak for a while. While attempts to break him out in different kinds of roles didn’t pay off at first (the late Ivan Reitman’s Evolution and Bulletproof Monk were flops), his comedies remained highly successful, with hits that included Dude, Where’s My Car, The Dukes of Hazard and Role Models. Not one to rely on typecasting, Scott attempted to break the mould a few times, starring in Richard Kelly’s Southland Tales, the thriller Bloodline and more. While none of those films were ultimately successful, one thing that was always well received was Scott’s acting.In 2011, Scott had one of the best roles of his career as hockey enforcer Doug Glatt in the underrated Canadian hockey classic Goon. While only a cult hit, it spawned an even better sequel, Jay Baruchel’s Goon: Last of the Enforcers, which, like its predecessor, was only a cult hit in the U.S but a significant success in Canada. Scott also took on a short-lived part on Fox’s Lethal Weapon, replacing Clayne Crawford as Damon Wayans’ co-star, but that show’s tortured production history didn’t pave the way for a long run. While Scott arguably isn’t quite a household name at this point, he remains a much-loved figure in Hollywood and still has a devoted fan base, such as the ones who suggested we profile him here. With a new show, Welcome to Flatch, on the air - Scott is one of those guys like Bryan Cranston who may go unappreciated for years but could blow up bigger than ever with the right role. Join us as we take a look back at his career in this episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity?
8/7/2023 • 19 minutes, 51 seconds
WTF Happened to AMERICAN GRAFFITI (1973)? WTF Happened to this movie?!
Before George Lucas launched the Star Wars Universe in 1977, he directed the coming-of-age comedy-drama American Graffiti. Produced by Francis Ford Coppola, the film revolves around various early rock ‘n’ roll cultures that helped define a generation. Gearheads often swoon for this memorable film as it features plenty of gorgeous hot rods that any collector would love to have in their garage.American Graffiti is written by Willard Huyck, Gloria Katz, and Lucas and features an eclectic cast of young actors, including Richard Dreyfus, Ron Howard, Paul Le Mat, Harrison Ford, Charles Martin Smith, Cindy Williams, Candy Clark, Suzanne Somers, Kathleen Quinlan, Bo Hopkins, Wolfman Jack, and more.The film takes audiences back to 1962 when teenagers owned the night, and Johnny Law was no match for a group of miscreants looking to cause mischief. Set to a soundtrack that features musical acts like Buster Brown, The Platters, Chuck Berry, and The Heartbeats, American Graffiti presented an ideal environment for teens. The film created a Neverland environment for curfew-defying hooligans and acted as pure nightmare fuel for square parents. Join us as we discover what the f@%$ happened to one of Lucas’s earliest films before he became the founder of the most celebrated sci-fi universe of all time.
8/4/2023 • 16 minutes, 10 seconds
WTF Happened To Faces Of Death? WTF Happened to this Horror Movie?!
Faces of Death was the horror movie that generated a thousand whispers and even more rumors. A film that was a rite of passage for any wannabe gore hound who managed to score a grainy second-hand copy from a friend or relative, and then proudly wore the psychological scars the next day while sharing the grizzly details to awe-struck friends.Faces of Death is a case study on how to turn a cinematic experiment into a cult horror movie, leading us to ask, WTF happened to This Horror Movie?
8/1/2023 • 11 minutes, 11 seconds
WTF Happened to HUGH GRANT? WTF Happened to this Celebrity?!
In the nineties, Hugh Grant owned the rom-com. From his debut in Four Weddings and a Funeral to his American breakthrough in 1995’s Nine Months, nothing could derail Grant’s career, not even a well-publicized scandal that landed his mug shot on the cover of tabloids worldwide, which everyone thought would ruin his image for good. He was able to bounce back and his charm helped make 1999’s Notting Hill one of the most popular romantic comedies of all time. Grant hit his stride in the early 2000’s, thanks to his a series of roles that paired him with writer Richard Curtis, including About a Boy, Love Actually and Bridget Jones’s Diary. Yet, towards the end of the decade his rom-coms started to flop, and he vanished from the big screen for several years. Yet, thanks to against type casting in movies like The Gentleman and some well-received small screen turns, Grant seems to be on the verge of a comeback. We dig into his ups and downs in this episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity
7/28/2023 • 24 minutes, 20 seconds
Quentin Tarantino's STAR TREK - WTF Happened to this Movie?
In the wake of Star Trek Beyond’s middle underwhelming box office, there were various plans to get another Star Trek movie underway. One would have involved bringing back Chris Hemsworth, who played Captain Kirk’s doomed father before he was a star in 2009’s Star Trek, but economically, that proved to be unfeasible. Another, perhaps more intriguing idea, was hatched by none other than Quentin Tarantino, who was to write a script with The Revenant’s Mark L. Smith. While ultimately it didn’t get made, Trekkies have long wondered what a QT-infused version of Star Trek would have been like, and in this episode of WTF Happened to this Unmade Movie, we reveal as much as we can about this abandoned project.
7/24/2023 • 10 minutes, 32 seconds
WTF Happened To Creepshow 2? WTF Happened to this Horror Movie?!
Stephen King and George A Romero collaborated to bring us the wonderful world of Creepshow back in 1982. Featuring a wonderfully eclectic group of actors taking part in different stories, the film ended up being a great time at the movies. So it's no surprise that we received a sequel. But why did it take five years? And why were Romero and King not as heavily involved? We cover all of this and more as we dive into 1987's Creepshow 2.
7/21/2023 • 12 minutes, 27 seconds
Space Jam 2: Skate Jam - What Happened to this Unmade Movie?
In the world of pop culture crossovers, few are as iconic as the 1996 film Space Jam. Starring basketball legend Michael Jordan alongside the beloved Looney Tunes characters, it became a cultural phenomenon that captured the hearts of fans worldwide. But what if there was another crossover in the works that would have taken the 2000s by storm? Enter Skate Jam, the unmade film that almost brought together skateboarding icon Tony Hawk and the zany world of the Looney Tunes. Why didn't this film get made? Let's find out together here on What Happened To This Unmade Movie?
7/17/2023 • 8 minutes, 23 seconds
WTF Happened to BRIAN DE PALMA? WTF Happened to this celebrity?!
Of all of the directors to emerge from the “new Hollywood” movement of the seventies, Brian De Palma deserves to be considered one of the biggest. While his career has cooled in recent years, for about twenty-five years or so, he was at the top of his game, delivering more than a handful of classics. His first breakout success was arguably the 1976 Stephen King adaptation, Carrie, which put its young cast on the map, including Sissy Spacek & John Travolta. His follow-up, The Fury, wasn’t quite as big but still has one of the greatest endings ever (an exploding head repeated dozens of times). Still, he had a smash with the Hitchcock-styled thriller Dressed to Kill in 1981, which he followed up with the underrated Travolta thriller, Blow-Up.De Palma hit the big time in 1983 with Scarface, which helped him break out from the thriller mode. While he would return to the Hitchcockian thrillers that made him sporadically, Scarface signalled a shift into broader terrain. Some of these films would be smash hits (The Untouchables, Mission: Impossible), some would be flops (The Bonfire of the Vanities), and some would-be masterpieces (Carlito’s Way & Casualties of War). In this episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity, we dig into one of the greatest Hollywood directors of all time.Let us know in the comments what your favourite Brian De Palma movie is!
7/14/2023 • 27 minutes, 14 seconds
WTF Happened to WAYNE'S WORLD (1992)? WTF Happened to the movie?!
Saturday Night Live has often tried to turn popular sketches into movies. Sometimes this notion works, and sometimes it doesn’t. It all started back in 1992 when Mike Myers and Dana Carvey’s Wayne and Garth got a big-screen outing in Wayne’s World. They took the admittedly thin premise of the sketch - two metalheads have a public access talk show - and ran with it. The film helped kick off Mike Myers’ big-screen career and paved the way for a whole slate of SNL movies, including 1993’s Coneheads, the barely released It’s Pat, Stuart Saves His Family, Superstar, The Ladies Man and A Night at the Roxbury. Of course, none were as big as Wayne’s World, but the road to the big screen was not an easy one. Myers clashed with his director Penelope Spheeris and fought over the final cut. None of the behind-the-scenes battles mattered as the movie made over $120 million at the box office, and spawned a far less successful sequel, Wayne’s World 2, that Spheeris did not direct. In this episode of WTF Happened to this Movie, we dig into what it took to make the biggest SNL movie ever and how it remains a classic thirty years later.
7/10/2023 • 14 minutes, 12 seconds
WTF Happened To Disturbing Behavior? WTF Happened to this horror movie?!
The late 1990s saw a boom in teen horror films following the success of Scream, and I Know What You Did Last Summer. One of the titles that saw its share of excitement over its production was Disturbing Behavior, starring James Marsden, Nick Stahl, Katie Holmes, and Katherine Isabelle. This film had success written all of it. Magazines like Fangoria and YM gave it some ink, but if you have watched any of these episodes before, you know that, as always, things did not go exactly to plan. So let's head back to the late 90s and find out WTF Happened To This Horror Movie?
6/30/2023 • 11 minutes, 11 seconds
WTF Happened to HALEY JOEL OSMENT? WTF Happened to this celebrity?!
Being a child star isn't easy. Once the cuteness wears off, the transition to adult star can be nearly impossible and gruelling. Hollywood is full of tragic stories of former child stars who flame out when they reach adulthood, trying to chase that Hollywood dream in what can be a ruthless town. Yet, some of them, like this week's WTF subject Haley Joel Osment, manage to defy the odds. Osment became the biggest child star since Macaulay Culkin thanks to his turn in The Sixth Sense opposite Bruce Willis, where he memorably claimed, "I see dead people." It landed him a best supporting actor Oscar nomination in 1999 and paved the way to more starring roles in high profile projects like Pay it Forward and Steven Spielberg's A.I.:Artificial Intelligence. The parts started to dry up as he got older, but he eventually re-emerged as an adult in solid roles, such as on Amazon's The Boys and in Kevin Smith's Tusk. Always a well-liked figure, Osment's reinvented himself as a character actor, and while he may not be the household name he once was, his future in the industry seems bright. So join us as we dig into his career in "WTF Happened to Haley Joel Osment?"!
6/26/2023 • 19 minutes, 11 seconds
WTF Happened to MYSTERY MEN (1999)? WTF Happened to this movie?!
In 1999, Ben Stiller got to play a superhero. Well, kind of. You see, he was one of the leads in Universal’s big-budget superhero comedy Mystery Men. The first (and last) movie directed by noted commercial director Kinka Usher, the film landed with a thud in the summer of 1999, topping out at $33 million worldwide on a $68 million budget. Based on an obscure comic, Mystery Men always seemed like a risky bet at the box office, with star Ben Stiller, who plays Mr. Furious, having only recently begun to show any box office mettle thanks to There’s Something About Mary. He was surrounded by an ace cast of character actors, including Janeane Garofalo, Hank Azaria, William H. Macy, Paul Reubens (aka Pee-Wee Herman) and Greg Kinnear. Still, none of them were household names at this point.Plagued by behind-the-scenes drama, with Stiller reportedly trying to quit after an on-set argument with Kinnear and Usher swearing off movie-making permanently, Mystery Men is little remembered now. Yet, the film has a tiny cult of fans who think it's an underrated gem, with Geoffrey Rush a particular favorite as the villain Casanova Frankenstein. It also features a cameo by none other than Michael Bay. So is this obscure entry into Stiller’s filmography best forgotten? We dig into it in this week’s episode of WTF Happened to this Movie?
6/23/2023 • 11 minutes, 33 seconds
WTF Happened To House IV? WTF Happened to this horror movie?
If you look at the House franchise, you see a series of films that started out with promise. The fourth film, on the other hand? That's a whole other mess that was mired in confusion, a story that makes little sense, and humor that failed to connect with its intended audience. Let's find out precisely WTF Happened To This Horror Movie?
6/19/2023 • 10 minutes, 18 seconds
WTF Happened to JIM CAVIEZEL? WTF Happened to this celebrity?
Jim Caviezel was a rising star when he was cast in the role of a lifetime. Having starred, to reasonable acclaim, in the swashbuckling epic The Count of Monte Cristo, the devoutly Christian Caviezel was tapped by director Mel Gibson to play Jesus Christ in his controversial tale of the crucifixion, The Passion of the Christ. Wildly controversial, with it ranking as one of the bloodiest films ever made, it was a huge worldwide smash hit, grossing over $600 million worldwide on a $30 million budget. But, in the years since, Caviezel struggled to escape typecasting, with him eventually landing the lead of the long-running Person of Interest for CBS. In recent years, Caviezel has been making headlines for all of the wrong reasons, such as his belief in the Qanon conspiracy theory adrenochrome, which posits that “Hollywood elites” and Democrats are harvesting the blood of children. YIKES. It’s a bad look for a guy who was once one of the most promising rising stars in Hollywood, and in this episode, we look at his rise, with standout roles in early movies like Frequency, to where he is today. Join us as we take a look at WTF Happened to Jim Caviezel?
6/16/2023 • 20 minutes, 29 seconds
WTF Happened to SOUTHLAND TALES (2006)? WTF Happened to this movie?
Richard Kelly’s SOUTHLAND TALES had one of the most disastrous film festival premieres on record. Going into the 2006 Cannes Film Festival, everyone figured it would be a masterpiece, as the expectations set by the director’s previous film, DONNIE DARKO, were sky-high. Instead, critics absolutely savaged the film, resulting in a recut and a VFX overhaul that Kelly maintains actually improved the film. Initially a Universal release, the film was sold off to Sony, who opened it in just 63 theatres through their Destination Films label and Samuel Goldwyn Films. If they saw it at all, most people saw it on DVD. Years later, it’s achieved cult status, thanks to Kelly’s uncompromising vision and memorably eccentric performances by Dwayne Johnson, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Seann William Scott and Justin Timberlake. Yet, the film has gone down as a flop, and Kelly has only made one other film in the sixteen years since its release. So join us as we take a look at WTF Happened to SOUTHLAND TALES?
6/12/2023 • 16 minutes, 34 seconds
WTF Happened To The Hills Have Eyes 2? WTF Happened to this horror movie?!
Every master of horror has some missteps somewhere in their filmography, and director Wes Craven had his fair share. A film made out of desperation and with ambition greater than its budget, the sequel to The Hills Have Eyes is a clunky Friday The 13th knock-off. And it’s so padded out with flashbacks to the first movie that even the dog has a flashback. So today, we’re going to try to figure out WTF Happened to This Horror Movie?
6/9/2023 • 17 minutes, 26 seconds
WTF Happened to STEVE GUTTENBERG? WTF Happened to this celebrity?!
Steve Guttenberg was one of the biggest stars of the 1980s. He broke out with the Police Academy movies and became a famous, light-leading man. He played the ladies' man, Mahoney, in Police Academy 1 through 4, where he got to romance Kim Cattrall and Sharon Stone, among others, but bailed on the series to take on bigger films. Initially, this strategy was widely successful, with him starring in the biggest movie of 1987, Three Men and a Baby. Yet, he could never follow it up with another sizeable hit. What's worse is the fact that critics had it out for him, with his name becoming a punchline in the 90s, although in hindsight, his acting was fine. Some of his movies, like The Boyfriend School (aka Don't Tell Her It's Me) are underrated gems. So join us as we try to determine WTF Happened to Steve Guttenberg!
6/5/2023 • 18 minutes, 25 seconds
WTF Happened to TOP SECRET! (1984)? WtF Happened to this movie?!
In 1980, Jim Abrahams, David Zucker and Jerry Zucker (ZAZ) took the world by storm with the spoof of disaster films, Airplane. It utterly changed the genre overnight, with the laugh-a-minute style being tremendously influential. Rather than cash in with an Airplane sequel (although Paramount went ahead and did an awful one without them), ZAZ decided to send up old Elvis Presley movies and old-fashioned spy yarns with Top Secret! Starring a then-unknown Val Kilmer as the rock star hero, Nick Rivers, the film is truly bizarre, and audiences reacted coolly, with it only grossing $20 million, about 1/9th of what Airplane did. Still, the film has maintained a cult following thanks primarily to how popular it was on VHS and cable, and to this day, many consider it a neglected comedy gem. In this episode of WTF Happened to this Movie, we dig into the Movie’s origins, including Team ZAZ’s reluctance to do an Airplane sequel, how Kilmer was cost, the hilarious soundtrack (Skeet Surfin’!) and more.
6/2/2023 • 14 minutes, 50 seconds
WTF Happened To American Psycho? WTF Happened to this horror movie?!
American Psycho is a film many do not consider to be a traditional horror film. However, it has so many aspects of the genre, from murders to horrific treatment of people, to feeding a kitten to an ATM – classic, by the way, it can easily be categorized as horror or horror-adjacent. So let's dig into all of it on this episode of WTF Happened To This Horror Movie?
5/29/2023 • 14 minutes, 22 seconds
WTF Happened to KEVIN SPACEY? WTF Happened to this celebrity?!
WTF Happened to Kevin Spacey? That's an understatement. Once the most celebrated character actor in Hollywood, who became an unlikely star after winning an Oscar for Sam Mendes' American Beauty (1999) following another Oscar for The Usual Suspects (in 1995) and his memorable role in David Fincher's Se7en, Spacey has arguably starred in more classics than many of his contemporaries. In addition to the previously mentioned movies, he also starred in the amazing L.A. Confidential, the underrated The Negotiator, Swimming with Sharks, Glengarry Glen Ross, Baby Driver, and also starred on Netflix's first big hit, House of Cards. It all came crashing down when Anthony Rapp accused Spacey of making a sexual advance at him when he was only fourteen years old. Shortly after, other men came forward with sexual harassment and assault claims, and the fallout was fierce. In this episode, we explore his rise and fall, with it ranking as one of the more troubling stories we've tackled on WTF Happened to this Celebrity.
5/26/2023 • 22 minutes, 2 seconds
WTF Really Happened to ROCKY (1976)? WTF Happened to this movie?!
Many people believe that Sylvester Stallone based his screenplay for Rocky on the career of journeyman boxer Chuck Wepner. In fact, a well-received movie with Liev Schreiber, Chuck, was made about this fact, and in this episode of WTF Really Happened to this Movie, we compare the on-screen career of the great Rocky Balboa with his real-life counterpart.In it, we take a look at Wepner’s claim to fame, which is when the “Bayonne Bleeder” lasted fifteen rounds against Muhammad Ali. Stallone would acknowledge Wepner as an inspiration, attempting to cast him in Rocky II. The two would cross paths several times over the years, with Wepner, an inmate at the same prison Stallone was shooting Lock Up at in 1988. Wepner sued Stallone in 2003, seeking payment for inspiring Balboa, and the case was settled for an undisclosed amount years later. So did Wepner have a point? Let’s dig into the history behind Rocky, and Chuck Wepner in this episode of WTF Really Happened to this Movie?
5/22/2023 • 14 minutes, 46 seconds
WTF Happened To Joe Bob Briggs? WTF Happened to this horror celebrity?!
There’s a gold standard that horror hosts are held to. The icons become as popular as the movies that they show. Zacherley, Elvira, and Vampira are some of the names that come to mind, all of them inherently macabre in their own way. Joe Bob is his own sort of creature, a Drive-In Cowboy who loves blood, breasts, and beasts…and goes on long, amazing rants about all the things he has a problem within the world. On this episode, we’re heading to the drive-in, the last drive-in actually, to find out What In The Horror Happened to Joe Bob Briggs.
5/19/2023 • 16 minutes, 27 seconds
WTF Happened To This Unmade Phantasm Sequel? WTF happened to this unmade horror movie?!
The Phantasm films have had a rough go of it over the years. Never properly getting the respect it deserves, it may pain you to find out that we were close to getting a new Phantasm entry from an Oscar Winner. Not only that, but even Bruce Campbell was bandied about for a role! We'll get into all of this and more as we dive into the unmade movie featuring the Tall Man, Roger Avary's Phantasm 1999.
5/15/2023 • 9 minutes, 16 seconds
WTF Happened To The Return Of The Living Dead? WTF Happened to this horror movie?!
When Night of the Living Dead released in 1968, it spawned two very different zombie series. First, was director George A. Romero's Dead franchise, which continued with Dawn, Day and Land (amongst others we won't mention here out fear of them being remembered). Then the other writer of Night, John Russo, had a series of his own that would fall under the Living Dead moniker. While his involvement lessened by the time the movie was actually made, we were left with an insane comedy/horror hybrid. So join us today as we cover The Return of the Living Dead.
5/12/2023 • 13 minutes, 21 seconds
WTF Happened to WHOOPI GOLDBERG? WTF Happened to this celebrity?!
For our money, Whoopi Goldberg ranks as one of the greatest actresses of her generation. If you were born after a certain date, you might most know her as a host on The View, but she was breaking down walls and winning Oscars long before that. Her list of credits inspires awe. There’s Steven Spielberg’s The Color Purple, Ghost (she won the Oscar for that one), Sister Act, which was so good that it got a sequel, Jumping Jack Flash, and many more. Heck, she even made a more than credible action hero in the badass eighties flick Fatal Beauty. At the height of her fame, she made a risky move by going to TV and recurring on Star Trek: The Next Generation as Guinan, but she was a fan of the franchise and didn’t care that she could get pigeonholed as a TV actress.Indeed, Whoopi was the best, and it’s a shame that she’s gotten fewer significant roles in movies in recent years, although she’s reprising Guinan on Star Trek: Picard, and there are rumours of a Sister Act sequel happening on Disney Plus. Time will tell, but in the episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity, we celebrate a talent that’s not one to shy away from controversy (a massive understatement if you watch The View) but remains an impeccable actress (even if she did do Theodore Rex);
5/8/2023 • 16 minutes, 58 seconds
WTF Happened to ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK (1981)? WTF happened to this movie?!
John Carpenter’s Escape from New York (1981) is the movie that made Kurt Russell a badass. Going into this film, Russell was best known for a run of Disney films, such as The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes, The World’s Strongest Man and more. However, all of that changed in 1979 when Russell teamed up with Carpenter to do 1979’s Elvis, a T.V. biopic that earned rave reviews and a theatrical run overseas. Carpenter, who was looking to launch an all-new action hero named Snake Plissken in his film Escape from New York, was eager to retest with Russell for what would be a career-changing role for the young actor.Alas, the studio was far from convinced that Russell, who they viewed as lightweight, would be right to play Carpenter’s one-eyed anti-hero, with them preferring choices such as Charles Bronson or Tommy Lee Jones, but Carpenter would not be swayed. The result was a cult classic that paved the way for one of the screen’s best actor-director collaborations, with Russell/Carpenter famously re-teaming on The Thing, Big Trouble in Little China, and 1996’s Escape from New York sequel, Escape from L.A. In this instalment of WTF Happened to this Movie, we dig into the roots of Snake Plissken and what Carpenter had to go through to get his preferred leading man cast in the role that would make him a star.
5/5/2023 • 17 minutes, 31 seconds
WTF Happened To House on Haunted Hill? WTH Happened to this horror movie?!
It was the late 1990s, horror remakes were gaining steam, and horror films, in general, were making bank at the box office. Along came Dark Castle Entertainment, a production company whose initial goal was remaking the horror films of William Castle. So today on WTF Happened To This Horror Movie, we delve into House On Haunted Hill.
5/1/2023 • 12 minutes, 9 seconds
WTF Happened to COLIN FARRELL? WTF Happened to this celebrity?!
To say Colin Farrell’s career has been unique is an understatement. He was famously discovered by Joel Schumacher, who cast him in 2000’s Tigerland; his good looks landed him a place at the top of Hollywood’s A-list, starring in Minority Report, S.W.A.T, The Recruit and more. But, it was his acting that made him a favorite of directors like Michael Mann (Miami Vice), Terrence Malick (The New World), Oliver Stone (Alexander), Woody Allen (Cassandra’s Dream) and more. As far as his stardom went, the only issue was that these movies were expensive but not terribly successful at the box office. Thus, for a few years, Farrell took on a couple of dubiously commercial films, such as the disastrous Total Recall remake, that didn’t work.However, when he was making those movies, he also starred in Martin McDonagh’s In Bruges, which was perhaps his best role to date, and people took notice. So even if he looks like a heartthrob, he has the skill and range of a character actor, and it's in this role that he’s excelled in the last few years, starring in great movies like The Lobster, The Killing of the Sacred Deer, Widows, The Gentlemen, After Yang and, of course, The Batman, where he plays The Penguin. Join us as we take a closer look at his career in this episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity.
4/28/2023 • 19 minutes, 33 seconds
WTF Happened to ROBOCOP (1987)? WTH Happened to this movie?!
Paul Verhoeven’s Robocop (1987) is one of the greatest films of the 1980s. You may be wondering why we’re covering it on WTF, but the fact is, as good as the finished product ended up being, the production itself was a complicated one, with too many great stories from the set not to share. In this episode, we dig into star Peter Weller’s experience inside the (very uncomfortable Robocop suit), some near misses with casting. Rutger Hauer, Michael Ironside and many others were considered to play Alex Murphy. At the same time, Remington Steele star Stephanie Zimbalist was set to play Officer Lewis, only to lose the gig when Remington Steele came back for another season (the same thing that cost Pierce Brosnan his first shot at 007). Then there were Verhoeven’s many battles with the MPAA, with the film slapped with an X-rating initially due to the darkly comedic ED-209 sequence, as well as Alex Murphy’s ultra-violent demise. The movie was cut to an R, although nowadays, the “unrated version” is readily available in all of its glory.
4/24/2023 • 15 minutes, 42 seconds
WTF Happened To Red State? WTF Happened to this horror movie?!
Today we find out what happens when a filmmaker best known for comedy decides to delve into darker territory with writer/director Kevin Smith's 2011 film Red State!
4/21/2023 • 14 minutes, 5 seconds
The Mummy 4: WTF Happened to this Unmade Movie?
With Brendan Fraser back in the limelight following his Oscar win for The Whale, many are hoping that the beloved actor returns for one final instalment of the franchise that made him a star, The Mummy. Indeed, there were plans many years ago for a fourth film, which was to be called The Mummy: Rise of the Aztec, but those plans quickly evaporated when The Mummy: Tomb of the Golden Emperor, flopped at the box office. The film, had it happened, might have starred Arnold Schwarzenegger as the titular Mummy, and likely would have been direct dby the third film’s Rob Cohen. In this instalment of WTF Happened to this Unmade Movie, which is written by Brian Accardo, narrated by Bronwyn Kelly, and edited by John Nguyen, we dig into this never-realized epic. We also ask whether or not a new Mummy movie, which preferably would see Rachel Weisz return (after being replaced by Maria Bello for the third film) along with original director Stephen Sommers, could ever happen.
4/17/2023 • 13 minutes, 48 seconds
WTF Happened to EDWARD FURLONG? WTF Happened to this celebrity?!
In 1991, young Edward Furlong was on top of the world. Making a big splash as John Connor opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger & Linda Hamilton in James Cameron's TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY, for a few years he was everywhere, starring opposite Jeff Bridges in American Heart, leading Pet Sematary II and even cutting an album (for real). However, after a promising move into leading roles as an older teen/young adult with John Waters' Pecker and American History X, his career cooled, and he became more known for his personal problems than his acting. So what exactly happened to Furlong, and could he ever make a big-screen return? We unpack his life and career in this episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity.
4/14/2023 • 24 minutes, 23 seconds
BATMAN: YEAR ONE (Darren Aronofsky) - WTF Happened to this Movie?
Matt Reeves’s gritty take on The Batman is currently cleaning up at the box office, with critics and audiences praising the director and star Robert Pattinson’s new approach to the Caped Crusader. It’s worth mentioning, though, that even before the franchise was ultra-successfully rebooted by Christopher Nolan and star Christian Bale, there were many other proposed Batman films pitched at Warner Bros in the wake of Joel Schumacher’s Batman & Robin. One that got close to happening was Darren Aronofsky’s Batman: Year One, based on the comic by Frank Miller.Had the movie happened, Joaquin Phoenix and Christian Bale were on Aronofsky’s list to play the role, and this movie came pretty close to happening. In this episode of WTF Happened to this Unmade Movie, we take a look at this project, as well as a lot of other Unmade Batman movies, including a direct sequel to Batman & Robin and even a reboot starring Clint Eastwood in the role as a grizzled, older Dark Knight.
4/10/2023 • 13 minutes, 12 seconds
WTF Happened to Eraserhead? WTF Happened to this Horror Movie?!
Eraserhead is not a horror movie in the classic sense of the term, but this dark, surreal trip into an industrial landscape and the existential horror found within provided plenty of nightmare fuel for generations of movie fans since its release in 1977. So with the inevitable ball-busting comments out of the way, let's get into the wild mind of Mr. David Lynch with his debut film.
4/7/2023 • 10 minutes, 46 seconds
WTF Happened to BEN STILLER? WTF Happened to this CELEBRITY?!
For a time in the 2000s, Ben Stiller dominated big-screen comedy. As a charter member of the "Frat Pack," along with people such as Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn, and Will Ferrell, Stiller had an incredible string of blockbuster hits, including Zoolander, Starsky & Hutch, Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, Meet the Parents, and the Night at the Museum franchise. In recent years, Stiller's stepped away from comedy, moving behind the camera to helm acclaimed limited series such as Escape at Dannemora & Severance. In this episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity, we take a look at his career, from his early days on The Ben Stiller Show, through his breakout in There's Something About Mary and beyond.
4/3/2023 • 19 minutes, 5 seconds
WTF Happened to MORTAL KOMBAT (1995)? WTF Happened to this movie?!
In the late eighties, the rise of video games took the entertainment industry by storm. Suddenly, they were losing money at the box office because kids stayed home and played their Nintendo. So what was a studio to do? The obvious answer, or so it seemed, was to take some of these popular video game characters and make them into movies. Alas, that was easier said than done, with the earliest examples, 1993's Super Mario Bros and 1994's Double Dragon, being massive flops. Suddenly the term "video game movie" became toxic - UNTIL New Line Cinema made Mortal Kombat in 1995. Taking all the elements people loved about the game, meaning the mythology and the fighting, and turning it into a legit martial arts adventure, the film was a major success for the studio. It helped put its talented young director, Paul W.S. Anderson, on the map. While it had a TERRIBLE sequel, the original stands out as one of the best video game-to-movie adaptations ever. In this episode of WTF Happened to this Movie, we get into how it came to be and its lasting legacy.
3/31/2023 • 15 minutes, 31 seconds
WTF Happened to From Hell WTF Happened to this Horror Movie?!
Johnny Depp hasn't been in the news for anything lately has he? Well back when he seemed untouchable, Depp took part in this little comic book adaptation about the Jack the Ripper murders. But it hasn't been the most well received, especially by the book's creator. So join us as we find out what happened to From Hell.
3/27/2023 • 10 minutes, 41 seconds
WTF Happened to Jessica Biel? WTF Happened to this CELEBRITY?!
Jessica Biel is often underrated. While she never quite broke onto the A-list in the way she seemed poised to about a decade ago, on the small screen, she's been doing some incredible acting, with her role on The Sinner a particular highlight. In this episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity, we take a look at Biel's career, from her early days on 7th Heaven to becoming something of a sex symbol in movies like The Rules of Attraction, the 2003 Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Blade Trinity. She then turned up in a ton of big-budget action movies, including The A-Team and the misbegotten Total Recall remake that seemed to cool her progress, only for her to become wildly in demand on the small screen, where she's considered a top talent.
3/24/2023 • 20 minutes, 2 seconds
WTF Happened to CATWOMAN (2004)? WTF happened to this movie?!
This week sees the release of DC and Matt Reeves’ The Batman, which is getting some of the best reviews ever gotten by a superhero film. Indeed, the genre has become dominant, with it seemingly being propelled to new heights with each new entry. But, there was a time, in the years following 2000’s X-Men and 2002’s Spider-Man, and before 2005’s Batman Begins, that Hollywood wasn’t quite sure how to properly mount a superhero movie. Nowhere was this more evident than in 2004’s misbegotten Catwoman. In a lot of ways, Catwoman should have been a hit. It had Halle Berry at the height of her fame as the star. She had just won an Oscar and helped propel the 007 film. Die Another Day, to record-breaking box office for the franchise. It had a director, Pitof, who many thought was a visionary following his French breakout Vidocq. Alas, things did not work out for this would-be franchise started, which opened to disastrous box office, even worse reviews and swept the Razzies, with Berry’s opinion of the film so low she showed up to access her “award” in person. WTF happened to Catwoman? Plenty - as you’ll see in this special episode of WTF Happened to this Movie.
3/20/2023 • 12 minutes, 15 seconds
WTF Happened to Sleepaway Camp 3? WTF Happened to this Horror Movie
When Sleepaway Camp II went into production, the producers felt so good about how it was going that they announced that they would film part three as soon as it wrapped. That means Sleepaway Camp III had to be written, cast, and set up while part two was still shooting. So knowing that, let's find out what exactly went down with Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland here on WTF Happened To This Horror Movie?
3/17/2023 • 10 minutes, 4 seconds
WTF Happened to ROB SCHNEIDER? WTF Happened to this CELEBRITY
There was a time in the early 2000s when it looked like Rob Schneider was going to be the next Adam Sandler. A fellow Saturday Night Live vet, Schneider stole scenes in a few Happy Madison comedies, particularly The Waterboy (“you can do it!”) and his solo star vehicle debut, Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo, was a smash, raking in over 90 million dollars worldwide. His follow-ups, including The Animal, Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo, The Benchwarmers and The Hot Chick (where he memorably switched bodies with Rachel McAdams), were critically savaged but still made money. Yet, the budgets got smaller. So he gradually started making his way to the DTV market while still appearing in the occasional Sandler flick, usually under heavy makeup and often portraying another ethnicity. So what happened? Did Schneider’s politics or style of comedy relegate him to a smaller audience? We take a look at his career in this episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity, which shows that perhaps the notion of Schneider’s decline is overblown, as the guy is still incredibly busy and undoubtedly a beloved MVP of Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison ensemble.WTF Happened to this Celebrity is written by Brad Hamerly and Taylor James Johnson. Taylor James Johnson is also the editor, narrator and producer!
3/13/2023 • 31 minutes, 59 seconds
WTF REALLY Happened to TOMBSTONE (1993) - WTF Happened to this movie
For many of us, 1993’s Tombstone remains the definitive Wyatt Earp movie. The film had a tortured production history, which included the sacking of the original director Kevin Jarre and Kurt Russell’s controversial claim that it was him, not credited director George Pan Cosmatos who called the shots on the finished film. Still, we already dug into that in another episode of WTF. In this one, we’re going to look at the history that inspired the film, namely Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, the Clanton’s and the iconic gunfight at the O.K Corral. Screenwriter Kevin Jarre took some huge liberties with this one in order to craft an action-packed western that could stand shoulder to shoulder with the big-budget action flicks of the time, but what in the movie was his invention, and what was real? We dig into it in this special episode of WTF Really Happened to this Movie!
3/10/2023 • 16 minutes, 47 seconds
What Happened to Jeffrey Combs? | WTF Happened To This Horror Celebrity?
Suave horror. That's a term I made up to describe some of my favorite characters and actors in the history of horror films. Guys like Vincent Price epitomized the term. It's a select group of actors who are able to bring a level of class and sophistication to movies with the way they talk, act, and simply ooze charisma. A few modern actors can claim that moniker of suave horror, but one of my favorites is the subject of today's What in The Horror Happened To episode. So Let's delve into the midnight dreary to find out What In The Horror Happened To Jeffrey Combs.
3/6/2023 • 21 minutes, 46 seconds
An Alternate Scream 2 With Three Different Killers?
There have been prevailing rumors over the years that Kevin Williamson had to completely rewrite the ending of Scream 2 after a script leak, early into production. This mythical story is easy to get lost in, as the idea of different killers in a Scream movie is just about as exciting as can be. So let's take a look at who would have been the killers and what would have been different as we look at the alternate version of Scream 2.
3/3/2023 • 11 minutes
WTF Happened to OLIVER STONE?
One of the most controversial directors to emerge from the 1980s is definitely Oliver Stone. A Vietnam vet with a strong political bent, he first plied his trade as a screenwriter on movies such as 1978’s Midnight Express, 1983’s Scarface and 1985’s Year of the Dragon, before moving into directing with two masterpieces that came out within months of each other, the James Woods fact-based thriller Salvador (1986) and the stone-cold Vietnam classic Platoon. From there, his career kicked into high gear, with him known for casting a critical eye at some of the most controversial events and personalities of modern times. His best movies include 1988’s Wall Street (which won an Oscar for star Michael Douglas), 1989’s Born of the Fourth of July (which proved to people just how outstanding an actor Tom Cruise could be), 1991’s The Doors and JFK (still perhaps his most controversial film), 1994’s Natural Born Killers, 1999’s Any Given Sunday and many, many more. While his output has slowed in recent years, Stone’s as prolific as ever; he’s just turned his attention to documentaries such as The Putin Interviews and JFK Revisited: Through the Looking Glass. Join us as we take a deep dive into his remarkable career on this episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity.
2/27/2023 • 25 minutes, 34 seconds
WTF Happened to DEATH TO SMOOCHY (2002)?
Danny DeVito’s pitch black children’s TV satire Death to Smoochy was one of the biggest financial flops of 2002. The film only grossed $8.3 million on a $50 million budget for Warner Bros, despite the presence of Robin Williams and Edward Norton in the leads, as disgraced host Rainbow Randolph and Smoochy the Rhino, respectively. Critics savaged the film, and co-star Jon Stewart has not stopped apologizing for it in the years since its release. The thing is, though, Death to Smoochy isn’t a bad movie. In fact, it’s kind of great, and we dig into this much-maligned satire on this week’s episode of WTF Happened to this Movie!
2/24/2023 • 15 minutes, 20 seconds
WTF Happened To This Unmade Candyman Sequel?
There have been plenty of unmade sequels out there that would have likely been better than the sequels we DID get. From Elm Street to Halloween, the lesser idea has won out time and time again. And you would think that the return of the original screenwriter would result in absolute gold. But what we got instead was anything but, so join us as we dive into Bernard Rose's Candyman: The Midnight Meat Train.
2/20/2023 • 10 minutes, 34 seconds
Halloween 5: Jamie As The Killer - WTF Happened to this Unmade Horror Movie?
The ending of Halloween 4 teased young Jamie Lloyd taking on the mantle of The Shape from her Uncle Mike. But that's not the movie we received the following year when Halloween 5 released. So what happened to prevent us to get a movie about an evil Jamie? Well we're diving into all of it today as we take a look at Halloween 5: The Killer Inside Me.
2/17/2023 • 10 minutes, 31 seconds
WTF Happened To Lord Of Illusions?
Combining horror and film noir wasn't something audiences were used to seeing in the 90's. The elevator pitch here could be: “The Exorcist meets Chinatown,” and it would follow a hard-boiled private detective into the rarely seen underworld of magic and illusion. That's right, today, we're taking a look at Clive Barker's Lord Of Illusions!
2/13/2023 • 13 minutes, 39 seconds
Lord and Miller's Solo: WTF Happened to this Unmade Movie?
It’s safe to say that since Disney bought the rights to Star Wars from Lucasfilm, the road toward producing a series of Star Wars films that would appeal to generations old and young has been bumpy. Tales of behind-the-scenes turmoil plagued Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, but the most infamous project remains Lord and Miller’s Solo. The film, which was to be a Han Solo origin tale, was to be directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, two talented directors famed for their 21 Jump Street reboots and their creative animated films like Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Lifelong Star Wars fans, they seemed like the ideal choices to helm the film, but the two were shockingly fired from the movie after four and a half months of shooting.Why were Lord and Miller fired from Solo? The rumour was that their version of the film was too light, with them departing from the script by Jonathan and Lawrence Kasdan. There were also concerns about lead Alden Ehrenreich’s performance, with him having the unenviable task of replacing Harrison Ford as the title character. Whatever the case, Lucasfilm and Disney were nervous enough that Lord and Miller were unceremoniously dismissed and replaced by Ron Howard. A legendary director in his own right, who memorably made Willow for Lucasfilm, Howard came into the project with a few strikes against him, as folks resented a Hollywood establishment figure taking over for two young up-and-comers. Howard did his best to make a good Star Wars movie, but the film was a notable flop in the end. The worldwide gross was good, but with reshoots factored in, the film cost so much money it ended up losing tens of millions. To add insult to injury, Lord and Miller went on to be involved with Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, which earned raves as an instant classic. Who knows how good (or bad) their version of Solo might have been?In this episode of WTF Happened to this Unmade Movie, which is written by Brian Accardo, edited by Paul Cooper, and narrated by Bronwyn Kelly, we take a deep dive into what went wrong on Solo: A Star Wars Story.
2/10/2023 • 9 minutes, 58 seconds
WTF Happened to JOSH HARTNETT?
Josh Hartnett was the biggest heartthrob of the late nineties. Bursting onto the scene in Robert Rodriguez's The Faculty, his status was reaffirmed by Halloween H20 and Sofia Coppola's The Virgin Suicides. However, his career hit its stride in the early 2000s when he became a leading man in movies like Michael Bay's Pearl Harbor, Ridley Scott's Black Hawk Down and more. Yet, towards the middle of the decade, his career started to cool after a string of flops. He disappeared from the scene for a few years, only to return in the cult series Penny Dreadful. Recently, he's seemed on the cusp of a significant comeback following a scene-stealing turn in Guy Ritchie's Wrath of Man, with him set to star in the follow-up, Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre, while he's also in Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer. Join us in this episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity as we dig into his surprisingly epic career.
2/6/2023 • 21 minutes, 48 seconds
WTF Happened to KILL BILL (2003)?
For a film that somehow pulled off simultaneously paying homage to multiple genres, Quentin Tarantino's KILL BILL was unable to pull off being a film without production difficulties and controversies. Yet, whatever issues they had behind the scenes, no one can deny the brilliance of Tarantino's movie, with Uma Thurman iconic as The Bride, with ace backup from genre stalwarts like Gordon Liu, Sonny Chiba, and the amazing David Carradine as Bill himself. And once the drama behind the scenes was in the rear view, the whole bloody affair ended up being split into two films - for this video however, we cover the entirety of the saga! So sit back, wiggle your big toe, and find out "WTF Happened to KILL BILL (2003)?"
2/3/2023 • 17 minutes, 51 seconds
WTF Happened to David Howard Thornton? + Interview
Freddy, Jason, Leatherface, Michael Myers, and Pinhead. These icons of the modern age of horror have become their own mythology. They seem to have been around forever, and each of them has something that has kept them alive and kicking (well sort of) for decades for horror movie fans. Over the last few years, we’ve seen that very thing happen thanks to a very creepy clown in a very tiny hat. David Howard Thornton took over the role of Art The Clown in the feature film Terrifier and has since built himself into one of the new favorites of the horror landscape. And we’re going to do so with the man himself because, as it turns out…as silent as Art is, the man behind the clown loves to talk.
1/30/2023 • 43 minutes, 33 seconds
WTF Happened To House Of 1000 Corpses?
Not all musicians turned filmmakers can make a successful horror film, but some manage to create a truly disturbing piece of cinematic art that eventually become cult films. One such film is 2003 House of 1000 Corpses by Rob Zombie, yet shot in 2000. So what made the original studio unhappy to the point of not wanting to release it? You know the drill. Let's find out on this episode of WTF Happened To This Horror Movie?
1/27/2023 • 11 minutes, 17 seconds
WTF Happened to Quentin Tarantino’s Unmade Vega Brothers Movie?
If you're a hardcore Quentin Tarantino fan, you'll know that Michael Madsen's sadistic Vic Vega in Reservoir Dogs and John Travolta's Vincent Vega in Pulp Fiction are brothers. Despite both characters dying in their respective films, Quentin Tarantino toyed with the idea of spinning the characters off into a prequel movie for many years. Eventually, Travolta and Madsen likely aged out of the idea, given that they would have had to convincingly play younger than they did in Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction. Still, the notion of a Vega Brothers movie is interesting. In this episode of WTF Happened to this Unmade Movie, which is written by Bryan Wolford, narrated by Bronwyn Kelly-Seigh, edited by Paul Cooper and produced by Taylor James Johnson, we dig into the movie that never was. We try to determine how far along Tarantino got in the process while considering what the film might have been like. Would it have ended with Vincent hooking up with Samuel L. Jackson's Jules Winnfield and going to work for Marsellus Wallace? Would the more sadistic Vic have ended up at odds with the nicer Vincent? These are interesting questions to ponder, even if a Vega Brothers movie is impossible now unless QT recasts the roles. Given that he's sworn only to direct one more movie, this project ever happening seems highly improbable, but it's fun to think about.
1/23/2023 • 9 minutes, 23 seconds
WTF Happened to ANTONIO BANDERAS?
Banderas has had his ups and downs at the box office in the years since. The Legend of Zorro proved to be an underwhelming sequel, while his follow-up to Desperado, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, got a mixed reaction from fans. After that, he had starring roles in the Spy Kids franchise, which demonstrated a flair for comedy, and had a major success voicing Puss in Boots in the Shrek franchise. However, by the 2010s, he was mainly doing DTV action flicks, although some of them, such as the underrated Automata, were actually pretty good. He seems poised for a comeback recently, earning raves and an Academy Award nomination for his role in Almodóvar’s Pain and Glory. In addition, he’ll be acting in the fifth Indiana Jones movie opposite Harrison Ford. Join us as we revisit his career in this episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity!
1/20/2023 • 27 minutes, 32 seconds
WTF Happened to SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD (2010)?
2010 was a year that saw many attempts at entries into the superhero/comic book genre. Some have withstood the test of time, and some, well, failed miserably. But one film to come out of that year has only grown in popularity over the last decade, that being Edgar Wright's SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD. Despite how it's seen today, in 2010 the film was a box office bomb. Let's crank up the bass, and find out "WTF Happened to SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD (2010)?"
1/16/2023 • 14 minutes, 18 seconds
WTF Happened to David Howard Thornton? + Interview
Freddy, Jason, Leatherface, Michael Myers, and Pinhead. These icons of the modern age of horror have become their own mythology. They seem to have been around forever, and each of them has something that has kept them alive and kicking (well sort of) for decades for horror movie fans. Over the last few years, we’ve seen that very thing happen thanks to a very creepy clown in a very tiny hat. David Howard Thornton took over the role of Art The Clown in the feature film Terrifier and has since built himself into one of the new favorites of the horror landscape. And we’re going to do so with the man himself because, as it turns out…as silent as Art is, the man behind the clown loves to talk.
1/13/2023 • 43 minutes, 33 seconds
Hellraiser vs Halloween: Why It Went Unmade
After Freddy vs Jason released in 2003, fans eagerly awaited more versus films featuring other famous horror icons. But what they don't know is just how close we were to a John Carpenter directed and Clive Barker written film, featuring the two of the biggest villains in horror clashing with each other. I'm of course talking about Michael vs Pinhead.
1/9/2023 • 11 minutes, 19 seconds
WTF Happened To The Mist?
Overall, The Mist was not as big of a critical hit or fan favorite as some might have expected it to be, but it did quite well at the box office, and fans of it are still very much enthused with it. For those who didn’t like it originally, a re-watch may be in order, perhaps in black and white, to see it with new eyes and a new angle, given the changes that have happened in the world since 2007. Today we discuss The Mist, directed by Frank Darabont on this episode of WTF Happened To This Horror Movie?WATCH OR OWN THE FILM HERE: https://amzn.to/3zPOkZo
1/6/2023 • 11 minutes, 8 seconds
WTF Happened to the Unmade Batgirl Movie?
Ok, so technically, we’re cheating a bit as the Batgirl movie starring Leslie Grace isn’t technically “unmade.” In fact, the movie was pretty close to complete, with only the VFX and score needed, although reshoots and more were scheduled before the film could have been ever really called complete. Yet, Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah’s movie was scrapped and in this episode of WTF Happened to this Unmade Movie; we try to give our audience an idea of…well…WTF happened, along with a look at different versions of the movie that could have gotten made in the past. Indeed, at one time, there were plans to spin Batman and Robin’s Batgirl, Alicia Silverstone, into her own film, which fell apart after that movie’s disastrous reception. There was also a Joss Whedon version of the property, which came pretty close to happening, but in the end, the focus remains on the Batgirl movie that was made…and then unmade. All this, despite the presence of Michael Keaton as the O.G Batman, J.K. Simmons reprising his role as Commissioner Gordon, plus comeback kid Brendan Fraser as the villain, Firefly, and more. It’s a sad saga we dig into in this week’s episode of WTF Happened to this Unmade Movie, written by Bryan Wolford, edited by E.J. Tangonan, and narrated by Bronwyn Kelly-Seigh. Taylor James Johnson is the producer. Do you think the unreleased Batgirl movie has any shot at all of being released? Let us know in the comments!
1/3/2023 • 12 minutes, 10 seconds
WTF Happened to NAOMI WATTS?
Naomi Watts is widely considered one of the best actresses of her generation. Born in England but raised in Australia, Watts is a contemporary of close friend Nicole Kidman and made her American debut in the cult film Tank Girl. She broke out after starring in David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive, which began life as a TV pilot before being reshot and re-edited into one of the most acclaimed films of the 2000s. From there, stardom was a given, with her becoming extremely bankable after playing the lead in Gore Verbinski’s The Ring and the sequel, The Ring 2.Many widely acclaimed roles followed, with her starring in Peter Jackson’s mega-budget remake of King Kong (2005). She also starred in David Cronenberg’s Eastern Promises, Birdman, St. Vincent, and J. A Bayona’s underseen The Impossible, which proved to be a breakout role for a young Tom Holland.However, in recent years Watts’ big-screen output has become lower-key, with her seemingly opting to focus on TV (her series Gypsy lasted a single season on Netflix), with her initially set to star in HBO’s abandoned Game of Thrones prequel. She’s kept busy making smaller films, such as Philip Noyce’s Lakewood, Luce and This is the Night, as well as a turn in Joe Carnahan’s Boss Level, but we here at JoBlo Originals think Watts is one of the best in the business and should be treated as the icon she is.
12/30/2022 • 22 minutes, 22 seconds
WTF Happened to SPEED RACER (2008)?
After THE MATRIX trilogy (when it was still a trilogy), the Wachowskis could make pretty much anything. And what they chose was a big-screen live-action adaptation of the cult 1960s anime show SPEED RACER. The directors would continue pushing the boundaries of digital technology with dizzying races, eyeball-bursting colors and unconventional creative decisions, but the costly effort failed to resonate with critics or moviegoers, and crashed and burned at the box office. Rev up your engine and find out "WTF Happened to SPEED RACER (2008)?"
12/27/2022 • 13 minutes, 19 seconds
WTF Happened To George Romero's Road Of The Dead?
George A Romero is the godfather of all things zombie. He created what we know when we think of the standard, shambling zombie. So when The Walking Dead took the world by storm, the horror world turned to Romero to see if he'd return to the subgenre he helped to create. But with George's passing we never received his final opus. So join us today, as we cover the zombie film he was never able to make, with George A. Romero's Road of the Dead.
12/23/2022 • 11 minutes, 17 seconds
WTF Happened To Psycho?
Legendary director Alfred Hitchcock had almost fifty films to his name when he decided to take on an adaptation of a Robert Bloch novel that was inspired by a grisly true crime story. The studio didn’t want him to make the movie. He was warned against it, told the subject matter was in poor taste. So he financed it with his own money. The result: the most popular and financially successful film of his already impressive career. The film was PSYCHO, and we’re going to find out WTF Happened to This Horror Movie?
12/19/2022 • 24 minutes, 47 seconds
WTF Happened to JOHN McTIERNAN? (Die Hard)
Arnold Schwarzenegger classic Predator, the first (and best) Jack Ryan film, The Hunt for Red October, and Last Action Hero, which a lot of people hate but is a cult classic around these parts.His career continued going strong in the nineties, with Die Hard With A Vengeance and The Thomas Crown Affair. Still, bad experiences of The 13th Warrior and Rollerball led to a cooling period. Even worse, he wound up in jail due to a long, convoluted story which we dig into here. So will McTiernan ever make a comeback? Join us on WTF Happened to John McTiernan, written by Taylor James Johnson & Brad Hamerly, and narrated, produced and edited by Taylor James Johnson.
12/16/2022 • 26 minutes, 14 seconds
WTF Happened to MACGRUBER (2010)?
First appearing on Saturday Night Live shorts in 2007, Will Forte's dimwitted bomb-detonating special agent MACGRUBER certainly didn't seem like feature film material. But he proved popular enough to justify an R-rated 2010 movie... which completely flopped at the box office. And then, a cult following over the next decade somehow brought the character back to life for a streaming series. Time to pound some Cunth and find out "WTF Happened to MACGRUBER!"
12/12/2022 • 12 minutes, 20 seconds
WTF Happened to Svengoolie?
It's rare when a Horror Host gets so big that they become an icon to the levels we've seen of Elvira and Zacherle, but it's even rarer when a moniker can get passed on and still be the host with the most for over 50 years. That, my friends, is a legend. And in this episode of WTF Happened To This Horror Celebrity, we're going to dodge some rubber chickens and open the coffin of the legend that is Svengoolie!
12/9/2022 • 10 minutes, 32 seconds
WTF Happened To Amityville 2: The Possession?
The Amityville Horror was a watershed event in the history of horror movies. A darker film compared to the first movie, Amityville 2 The Possession, was initially made as a much more uncompromising, sinister, and taboo-breaking horror experience that outraged test audiences and movie studio executives alike, leading us to ask in this video: WTF Happened To This Horror Movie?
12/5/2022 • 11 minutes, 48 seconds
WTF Happened to the Unmade Watchmen Movie?
Zack Snyder’s Watchmen was relatively well-received by fans and overall was a box office success. Devoted to making a faithful adaptation of the Alan Moore/ Dave Gibbons graphic novel, the fact that Snyder’s Watchmen film got made on the scale it did is a miracle. However, several other versions of Watchmen were in the works before Snyder got involved, with several coming close to being made. In this episode of WTF Happened to this Unmade Movie, we dig into versions that almost got made involving folks such as Terry Gilliam, David Hayter (who filmed a demo reel with Ray Stevenson and Rorschach and Iain Glen as Nite Owl), Darren Aronofsky and Paul Greengrass. Suppose any of these versions had gotten made. In that case, we might have gotten someone like Paddy Considine as Rorschach, Joaquin Phoenix as Nite Owl, and possibly even Tom Cruise as Ozymandias (in which case the adaptation likely would have had little to do with Moore’s comic). In the end, perhaps it was best that no one succeeded in getting the movie made until Snyder, with it also paving the way for the excellent HBO limited series and maybe some future Watchmen stories to come.
12/2/2022 • 11 minutes, 38 seconds
WTF Happened to HALLE BERRY?
Halle Berry ranks as one of the most iconic actresses of her generation. Yet, despite winning an Oscar and having an enviable track record, she wasn’t always getting the juicy roles she deserved until recently. Indeed, after years of being sidelined in more minor roles, Berry took the reins of her career by directing and starring in the MMA drama BRUISED which is generating serious Oscar buzz for Berry - and not only as an actress but as a director too.In this episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity, we take a look at Berry’s career, from her early days as Eddie Murphy’s drop-dead gorgeous love interest in Boomerang to her eventual mainstream breakthrough in the nineties to superstardom in the early 2000s. This was her golden period, with roles in X-Men, an Oscar for MONSTER'S BALL and a starring role opposite Pierce Brosnan in DIE ANOTHER DAY. Yet, one pricy flop (CATWOMAN) did damage to her reign as a lead. We dig into what happened and Berry’s eventual, and long overdue, comeback.
11/28/2022 • 29 minutes, 35 seconds
WTF Happened to THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (1993)?
THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, conceived and produced (but not directed) by eccentric filmmaker Tim Burton, is now a beloved dual-holiday classic. But the 1993 animated musical faced numerous challenges, from creative clashes and the technical complications of the stop-motion process to the story's originator occupied making another feature at the same time. Hop in the sleigh with Jack and find out "WTF Happened To THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS!"
11/25/2022 • 16 minutes, 34 seconds
HALLOWEEN RETURNS - WTF Happened to this Unmade Horror Movie
With the recent release of David Gordon Green's "Halloween Kills" we thought it was time to dive back into the Halloween franchise. While the series has had many ups and downs over the years, there always seems to be a new film in development. We're taking a look back at 2015, when the series was in limbo, and we were almost treated to Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton's "Halloween Returns."
11/21/2022 • 10 minutes, 59 seconds
LEATHERFACE: THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE III (1990) - WTF Happened to this Horror Movie?!
LEATHERFACE: THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE III has always been one of the red-headed stepchildren of the TEXAS CHAINSAW series. As the first non-Tobe Hooper sequel, part three had the misfortune of not only being gutted by the MPAA but banned in most overseas countries. Critics and audience members hated it and it was widely agreed upon as a violent cash grab that didn't have the intensity of the original or the sequel's fun and vibrant campiness.The intention for part three was to make an '80s type of bloodfest but in the vein of the first movie. Instead, it was cut to the bone, with New Line even re-shooting the ending behind the directors back. After its box office failure, LEATHERFACE: THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE III was dumped in the graveyard month of January, and Newl Line would eventually cut their losses and let the rights expire.In the latest episode of our WTF HAPPENED TO THIS HORROR MOVIE video series, we dig into the making of LEATHERFACE: THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE III to find out what exactly happened to this unloved sequel.
11/18/2022 • 11 minutes, 36 seconds
Darren Aronofsky's Wolverine - WTF Happened to this Unmade Movie?
While Marvel fans got an incredible send-off for Hugh Jackman's Wolverine in James Mangold's Logan, another Wolverine movie was planned a few years earlier that would've taken the character in an edgier direction. Indeed, Darren Aronofsky was all set to reunite with his The Fountain star Hugh Jackman for the second spin-off sequel for the character, The Wolverine. In the end, Aronofsky left the project, with James Mangold taking over. While the finished film wasn't particularly well-loved by fans, it did pave the way for Logan, with Mangold arguably taking the franchise into an even darker direction than Mangold would have. In this episode of WTF Happened to this Unmade Movie, we look at Aronofsky's unmade Wolverine movie and try to figure out precisely what it might have been like. This episode is written by Bryan Wolford, edited by E.J. Tangonan, produced by Taylor James Johnson and narrated by Bronwyn Kelly-Seigh.
11/14/2022 • 11 minutes, 55 seconds
WTF Happened to EDWARD NORTON?
Love him or hate him, there are very few actors out there as consistently great as Edward Norton. From his first, explosive starring role in Primal Fear (opposite Richard Gere) through co-starring parts in The People Vs Larry Flynt and more, Norton became one of the hottest stars of the nineties in pretty short order. Within two years of his debut, he was leading American History X, in a performance that drew raves but also revealed the extent of his demand for control behind the scenes, with him infamously feuding with director Tony Kaye. Nevertheless, his career went from strength to strength for years, with iconic parts in Fight Club, The 25th Hour and more. He was even The Incredible Hulk, but he lost out on the role in The Avengers, once again, due to the difficult label. So WTF Happened to Edward Norton? We go deep into his career in this episode of WTF Happened to This Celebrity, digging into the high points of his career, as well as some of his drier periods. Through it all through, one thing is clear - Edward Norton is absolutely brilliant and really cares about his craft, and if that fact earns him the “difficult” label, so be it. We here at JoBlo are serious fans, as you’ll see here!
11/11/2022 • 34 minutes, 47 seconds
WTF Happened to Michael Bay's THE ISLAND?
After five bombastic blockbusters, director Michael Bay attempted something a bit more cerebral with the sci-fi clone thriller THE ISLAND, starring Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson. But after an accelerated timeline, an inflating budget, various production complications and mishandled marketing, it arrived in the summer of 2005… and became Bay’s first box office flop. Get your organs ready and find out “WTF Happened to THE ISLAND!”
11/7/2022 • 15 minutes, 45 seconds
THE CROW 2037 - WTF Happened to this Unmade Horror Movie
In today's episode, we're diving into the film that was originally going to be Rob Zombie's first production. What's his unique take on The Crow franchise? Does it still feature all of the elements that we've grown to expect from a Rob Zombie film? Find out exactly what this film was all about, as we dive into Rob Zombie's "The Crow: 2037."
11/4/2022 • 11 minutes, 11 seconds
DEADLY FRIEND (1986) - WTF Happened to this Horror Movie?! - Wes Craven, Kristy Swanson
After coming off the mammoth success of A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET in 1984, Wes Craven, who was offered a job to direct A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 2: FREDDY’S REVENGE, passed on that to head to Warner Bros, hoping to branch out from the horror genre by signing on to direct a science-fiction thriller called FRIEND, which was to be the vein of John Carpenter’s STARMAN. The end result was a film that was nothing at all like the gentle tale Craven had hoped to make. The Studio LOVED what he did with Elm Street so much that they slowly but surely pushed him into turning FRIEND into a more Elm Street like effort. In many ways, it is the most controversial entry in his filmography, so join us as we take a look at WTF HAPPENED TO DEADLY FRIEND!?
10/31/2022 • 13 minutes, 20 seconds
Quentin Tarantino's STAR TREK - WTF Happened to this Unmade Movie?
In the wake of Star Trek Beyond’s middle underwhelming box office, there were various plans to get another Star Trek movie underway. One would have involved bringing back Chris Hemsworth, who played Captain Kirk’s doomed father before he was a star in 2009’s Star Trek, but economically, that proved to be unfeasible. Another, perhaps more intriguing idea, was hatched by none other than Quentin Tarantino, who was to write a script with The Revenant’s Mark L. Smith. While ultimately it didn’t get made, Trekkies have long wondered what a QT-infused version of Star Trek would have been like, and in this episode of WTF Happened to this Unmade Movie, we reveal as much as we can about this abandoned project.
10/28/2022 • 10 minutes, 32 seconds
WTF Happened to RICK MORANIS?
If you’re a child of the eighties, you’ll remember Rick Moranis. He was one of the biggest comic stars of the era, with iconic roles in GHOSTBUSTERS I & II, HONEY, I SHRUNK THE KIDS and many more. But, somewhere around the mid-nineties, Moranis seemed to drop off the map, vanishing from sight, only returning for the occasional voice role in things like Disney’s BROTHER BEAR. In our latest edition of WTF Happened to This Celebrity, we try to figure out why Moranis seemingly abandoned his thriving Hollywood career. It turns out that Moranis simply decided to focus on things that were more important to him (family). We dig into this as well as his career origins on SCTV, where he and co-star Dave Thomas famously created the beer-swilling Canucks, Bob & Doug McKenzie, before hitting the big time with a feature film (STRANGE BREW) that remains a cult classic. From there, Moranis’ career was on fire, with him taking over for John Candy as Louis Tully in GHOSTBUSTERS, before becoming an unlikely (and famous) leading man in his own comedies, including HONEY, I SHRUNK THE KIDS (and its sequel HONEY, I BLEW UP THE KID), LITTLE GIANTS, PARENTHOOD, and more.
10/24/2022 • 24 minutes, 12 seconds
WTF Happened to THE PURGE (2013)?
WTF Happened To This Movie? – The JoBlo series that looks at troubled productions, curious creative decisions, box-office failures, surprising successes, and cult favorites!By now, everyone is familiar with the fictional American holiday known as THE PURGE, where violent crime is legal for a single night each year. The high-concept series has achieved global recognition, but it started with small beginnings. How did the first low-budget movie (starring Ethan Hawke) seemingly come out of nowhere in the summer of 2013 to surprising success, overcoming negative reviews and launching a lucrative franchise? Choose your favorite freak mask and find out “WTF Happened to THE PURGE!”
10/21/2022 • 13 minutes, 7 seconds
ROBERT ENGLUND Career + New Interview - WTF Happened to This Horror Celeb
Robert Englund would go on to become this generations Vincent Price, the erudite character within the horror genre. Robert Englund would go beyond Freddy Krueger and into a realm all his own. He’d create new characters, homage others, and would do so while creating a rabid fanbase that’s got multiple generations within it. On this episode of WTF Happened to This Horror Celebrity, we’re meeting the man of your dreams as we find out WTF Happened to Robert Englund!
10/17/2022 • 1 hour, 21 minutes, 28 seconds
CARNIVORE - The Wachowskis - WTF Happened to this Unmade Horror Movie
Today, with all the hype around "The Matrix 4," we thought it would be a good idea to dive into some other Wachowski work. So we're going all the way back to their first ever screenplay and diving into the cannibalistic world of a Chicago based soup kitchen in The Wachowski's "Carnivore."
10/14/2022 • 10 minutes, 49 seconds
THE CROW 2 CITY OF ANGELS (1996) WTF Happened to this Horror Movie?! - Vincent Perez, Mia Kirshner
After the mammoth success of THE CROW in 1994; of course a sequel was bound to happen. THE CROW CITY OF ANGELS (1996) looked promising at first (the book The Crow - City of Angels : A Diary of the Film promised a much better picture). The original intent was to create a very different kind of film when compared to the original, out of respect for the late Brandon Lee. Alas the Weinsteins (aka Harvey and Bob Weinstein aka meddling producers) got in there (again) and went scissor happy in the edit, structuring it to look more like a pale copy of the original instead of a film that stands on its own. Director Tim Pope and screenwriter David S. Goyer, eventually disowned the movie, as the final product did not represent their intended vision. Follow us behind the scenes as we get a taste of the sequel that could have been and figure out WTF Happened to this Horror Movie?!
10/11/2022 • 14 minutes, 58 seconds
BATMAN: YEAR ONE (Darren Aronofsky) - WTF Happened to this Unmade Movie?
Matt Reeves’s gritty take on The Batman is currently cleaning up at the box office, with critics and audiences praising the director and star Robert Pattinson’s new approach to the Caped Crusader. It’s worth mentioning, though, that even before the franchise was ultra-successfully rebooted by Christopher Nolan and star Christian Bale, there were many other proposed Batman films pitched at Warner Bros in the wake of Joel Schumacher’s Batman & Robin. One that got close to happening was Darren Aronofsky’s Batman: Year One, based on the comic by Frank Miller.Had the movie happened, Joaquin Phoenix and Christian Bale were on Aronofsky’s list to play the role, and this movie came pretty close to happening. In this episode of WTF Happened to this Unmade Movie, we take a look at this project, as well as a lot of other Unmade Batman movies, including a direct sequel to Batman & Robin and even a reboot starring Clint Eastwood in the role as a grizzled, older Dark Knight.
10/7/2022 • 13 minutes, 12 seconds
WTF Happened to JOE PESCI?
Where’s Joe Pesci? That was the question everyone spent most of the 2000’s asking themselves, with the star opting to retire early following his final turn as Leo Getz in LETHAL WEAPON 4. Only returning to the screen for a brief cameo in pal Robert De Niro’s THE GOOD SHEPHERD, Pesci mostly stuck to his guns, other than a brief re-emergence in 2010 to star opposite Helen Mirren in LOVE RANCH.Of course, Pesci did re-emerge one last time for none other than Martin Scorsese in THE IRISHMAN, resulting in a much deserved best-supporting actor Oscar nomination at the Oscars. He did it “for Marty.” Even still, Pesci didn’t campaign for himself or even show up at the Oscars. He seems perfectly content with a low-key life outside of the limelight. But why opt for retirement when his talent is clearly still in full force?In this episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity, we dig into the life of perhaps the most enigmatic movie star of our time. From his humble origins as a character actor to his eventual breakthrough in Raging Bull, to his unlikely superstardom following an Oscar win for GOODFELLAS (for which he gave the shortest acceptance speech on record), HOME ALONE, MY COUSIN VINNY, and his run as Leo Getz in the LETHAL WEAPON franchise, we dig deep into his career. For instance, did you know he cut an album in the nineties AS his character in MY COUSIN VINNY? And most importantly, will Pesci ever come back to acting full-time?
10/3/2022 • 23 minutes
WTF Really Happened to THE CONJURING (2013)?
On the big screen, the exploits of famed paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren (played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) have launched a lucrative movie franchise, beginning in 2013 with THE CONJURING. Director James Wan's unsettling supernatural thriller is based on the real-life haunting of the Perron family home in the 1970s, but just how accurately depicted is this terrifying tale? Fill your canteen with holy water and find out "WTF REALLY Happened to THE CONJURING!"
9/30/2022 • 16 minutes, 31 seconds
ASHLEY LAURENCE - Hellraiser - WTF Happened to this Horror Celebrity?
Today we’re going to showcase an actress who has actually pulled off the rare hat trick of surviving through every one of her appearances in the franchise she helped make amazing. I’m talking about Ashley Laurence, who brought to life on screen one of the most unlucky daughters and nieces in the history of horror films, Kirsty Cotton, in Clive Barker’s classic Hellraiser. Ashley has since taken her place alongside other heroines of horror history. So, let’s open the box and peer inside to find out WTF Happened to this Horror Celebrity?
9/26/2022 • 10 minutes, 10 seconds
PETER JACKSON'S ELM STREET PART 6 - WTF Happened to this Unmade Horror Movie
This week's episode is diving back into the world of Elm Street, only this time we're getting away from the prequel discussion. Instead, we're doing one of the many different SEQUEL scripts that were never made. And it wasn't written by just anyone. No, this is taking a look at the time that Peter Jackson almost stepped into the Nightmarescape with "A Nightmare On Elm Street 6: The Dream Lover."
9/23/2022 • 10 minutes, 15 seconds
WTF Happened to Freddy vs Jason?
FREDDY VS. JASON was a mash-up of genre icons that fans had been hearing about for since the mid-1980s, but the film didn't hit the big screen until 2003. In the latest episode of WTF HAPPENED TO THIS HORROR MOVIE, we claw and machete deep into the years the project spent in development hell. Tap the video and find out exactly why it took so long for Freddy and Jason to go mano et mano on the big screen
9/19/2022 • 18 minutes, 24 seconds
ZACK SNYDER'S JUSTICE LEAGUE SEQUELS - WTF Happened to this (Unmade) Movie?!
In the lead-up to Zack Snyder's Army of the Dead hitting Netflix later this week, the director's been openly describing his continuing, fraught relationship with Warner Bros. With WarnerMedia now being under a new owner, could #RestoreTheSnyderverse still one day become a reality, or is the relationship between Snyder and WB too damaged? Whatever the case, join us as we take a look at what the proposed Justice League sequels would have been! Restore the Snyderverse!
9/16/2022 • 10 minutes
WTF Happened to ADAM SANDLER?
In our latest episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity, we take a look at the career of one of the biggest comedy stars of all time, Adam Sandler. While critics have often savaged his work, it can't be denied that with movies like PUNCH DRUNK LOVE and the recent UNCUT GEMS, Adam Sandler has acting chops to spare, and is a MAJOR talent. We take a look at his ups and downs, including his early days as a scene-stealer on Saturday Night Live, through his early classics, BILLY MADISON and HAPPY GILMORE, to his growth as a romantic lead in THE WEDDING SINGER, through some of his misfires (THAT'S MY BOY, PIXELS) to his eventual, ongoing mega-deal with Netflix.
9/12/2022 • 41 minutes, 19 seconds
WTF Happened To HOWARD THE DUCK?
In 1986, long before the Avengers assembled on the big screen and transformed the Marvel Cinematic Universe into an unstoppable Hollywood juggernaut, a significantly different comic character marked the first live-action Marvel feature film: HOWARD THE DUCK. But not even George Lucas, along with his AMERICAN GRAFFITI and STAR WARS collaborators Willard Huyck and Gloria Katz, could turn this wise-quacking waterfowl into box office gold. All that despite a score by John Barry, songs by Thomas Dolby (and sung by star Lea Thompson), a young Tim Robbins, Jeffrey Jones , the voice of Chip Zien and more! Ruffle your feathers and find out "WTF Happened to HOWARD THE DUCK!"
9/9/2022 • 14 minutes, 41 seconds
BRAD DOURIF - Child’s Play - WTF Happened to this Horror Celebrity?
It’s amazing when an actor brings gravitas and respect to a genre like horror, which for a long time didn’t get that much in the way of props and accolades. So today, we’re showcasing one of the best and a guy who’s more than just a doll face, Brad Dourif!
9/2/2022 • 17 minutes, 15 seconds
NIGHT SKIES - Steven Spielberg - WTF Happened to this Unmade Horror Movie
In this week's episode, things are a little bit different. Not only are we spotlighting one of the most famous directors of all time, we're also looking at a movie that KIND OF already was made. Ever heard of E.T.? Or Poltergeist? Or Gremlins? Well we would have none of those if it weren't for Steven Spielberg's "Night Skies."
8/29/2022 • 11 minutes, 24 seconds
SUPERNOVA (2000) - WTF Happened to this Horror Movie - Sci Fi Horror, James Spader,
From the mind of House on Haunted Hill creator William Malone comes a Geoffrey Wright film, that became a Walter Hill film, that became a Jack Sholder film and that became a final product that was disowned by everyone involved. Yup SUPERNOVA starring James Spader, Angela Bassett, Robert Forster, Lou Diamond Phillips, Robin Tunney and Peter Facinelli is an ideal candidate for our WTF column. Rivals ALIEN 3 in terms of production woes. What was to be a modest HELLRAISER meets DEAD CALM in space opus became a production clusterf*ck. Tap the video and find out WTF HAPPENED TO THIS HORROR MOVIE?!
8/26/2022 • 16 minutes
STAR WARS EPISODE 9 (Colin Trevorrow) - WTF Happened to this (Unmade) Movie?!
he Disney-produced Star Wars sequels had a great start with the smash box-office success of J.J. Abrams' Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens in 2015, then the wildly divisive follow-up The Last Jedi - written and directed by Rian Johnson - a couple year later. However, it all crashed and burned with universally maligned The Rise of Skywalker in 2019, directed again by TFA's J.J. Abrams.But did it have to be that way? As many fans know, filmmaker Colin Trevorrow was hired to co-write and direct STAR WARS EPISODE 9 at the same time the Abrams and Johnson were hired to direct their respective films. However, obviously things didn't go to plan. So what did Trevorrow's Episode IX look like? Would it have been an improvement on Abrams' failure? Check out our latest episode of WTF Happened to this (Unmade) Movie to find out!
8/22/2022 • 11 minutes, 11 seconds
WTF Happened to CHOW YUN-FAT?
He's been called Hong Kong's King of Cool, and indeed there's no one cooler than Chow Yun-Fat. From blasting onto the screen as the pistol packing gangster Mark Gor in John Woo's A BETTER TOMORROW, to other Woo classics such as THE KILLER, and HARD-BOILED, Chow Yun-Fat was the greatest Hong Kong icon since perhaps Bruce Lee. His career in the eighties and nineties was storied, with leading roles in "heroic bloodshed" action pics like FULL CONTACT, GOD OF GAMBLERS and Ringo Lam's "ON FIRE" trilogy, CITY ON FIRE, PRISON ON FIRE and PRISON ON FIRE 2. He then made a breakthrough into North America with THE REPLACEMENT KILLERS, CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON and more. But in recent years, Chow Yun-Fat has been on the down-low. Despite starring in some of the most financially successful Chinese movies of the last decade or so, even since PROJECT GUTENBERG, he's been inactive. What happened? We try to get to the bottom of it in WTF Happened to Chow Yun-Fat!
8/19/2022 • 28 minutes, 48 seconds
WTF Happened to THE LIGHTHOUSE?
Director Robert Eggers followed the sleeper horror hit THE WITCH with his 2019 sophomore effort THE LIGHTHOUSE, an unsettling and claustrophobic Willem Dafoe/Robert Pattinson tale. It was intended to be “small and easy”, but proved to be quite the opposite thanks to experimental acting, merciless weather and outdated filmmaking techniques. Order the lobster and find out “WTF Happened to THE LIGHTHOUSE!”
8/15/2022 • 12 minutes, 43 seconds
BARBARA CRAMPTON - Re-Animator - WTF Happened to this Horror Celebrity?
Female icons in the horror genre have grown over the years, but it seemed like they started becoming more celebrated in the '80s, with the final girl trope becoming the staple of today's genre. But one of the true standouts in the genre is a woman who's comfortable as not only the hero role but also can step into the shoes of the monster without batting a perfectly mascaraed lash. And the icon we're talking about is Barbara Crampton on this episode of WTF Happened To This Horror Celebrity?
8/12/2022 • 26 minutes, 25 seconds
NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET PREQUEL - WTF Happened to this Unmade Horror Movie
"A Nightmare on Elm Street" is one of the most famous franchises in all of horror and the villain at its helm may just be the most popular to ever come from the horror genre, Freddy Krueger. A villain unlike any other, Krueger haunts his victim's nightmares, to kill them in increasingly torturous ways. But how did Freddy come to be? Was he always an awful child murderer? Was he falsely accused? We take a look at the John Saxon Elm Street Prequel in today's episode of "The Horror Movie That Almost Was."
8/8/2022 • 10 minutes
ALIEN 3 - WTF Happened to this Horror Movie, David Fincher, Sigourney Weaver
The 1992 ALIEN 3 is the ideal example of a Studio clusterf*ck. The development/pre-production process of that picture was a fiasco of epic proportions with way too many cooks in the kitchen. A slew of writers had a shot at it, namely: William Gibson, Eric Red, David Twohy and John Fasano. And before David FIncher took the helm, Vincent Ward and Renny Harlin were at some point slated to direct. Pop that Pop Corn and enjoy the ride as we take you through the long and tortuous journey that ALIEN 3 went through to finally hit the silver scream.
8/5/2022 • 18 minutes, 46 seconds
JAMES BOND: Timothy Dalton's 3rd 007 film - WTF Happened to this (Unmade) Movie?!
In 1987, Timothy Dalton made his big-screen debut as James Bond in the well-received THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS. The film was a box-office hit, and critics and audiences alike praised his darker take on the character, which was much more in line with the character Ian Fleming created on the page. In 1989, the second Dalton 007 outing, LICENCE TO KILL was released, but this time, many thought they'd taken the character too far into the darkness with its grounded tale of drug lords and revenge despite well-received turns by Robert Davi, Talisa Soto and Carey Lowell . The film underperformed dramatically at the U.S box office.Nevertheless, a third Dalton outing was planned. Tentatively titled THE PROPERTY OF A LADY, the film never actually got made, but it came very close. Join us on The Movie That Almost Was as we explain why a third 007 movie with Dalton never happened, and why it took six years for Pierce Brosnan's debut as 007, GOLDENEYE, to get made.
8/1/2022 • 7 minutes, 16 seconds
WTF Happened to MEL GIBSON?
For over two decades Mel Gibson was the king of Hollywood, from his launch to stardom in the MAD MAX movies and the LETHAL WEAPON franchise, to his acclaimed and successful shift behind the camera with BRAVEHEART and THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. But his battles with booze and inner demons eventually got the best of him, and his shining star was all but extinguished after publicized drunken tirades in 2006 and 2010. Although he has since returned as both actor and director, he retains only a fraction of his former A-list power. Gas up the V8 and find out “WTF Happened to MEL GIBSON!”
7/29/2022 • 53 minutes, 31 seconds
WTF Really Happened to CATCH ME IF YOU CAN?
As a teenager in the late 1960s, Frank Abagnale Jr. established himself as “the world’s most savvy con man” by cashing millions in fraudulent checks and impersonating a doctor, lawyer and airline pilot. In the 2002 film CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, director Steven Spielberg presented these various cons with Leonardo DiCaprio as the effortlessly charming swindler. Is Spielberg’s movie an accurate depiction of Abagnale’s criminal career, or just another elaborate con? Get your boarding pass and find out “WTF Really Happened to CATCH ME IF YOU CAN!”
7/25/2022 • 17 minutes, 10 seconds
ZACH GALLIGAN - Gremlins - WTF Happened to this Horror Celebrity?
There are some characters in horror that stick with us because they scare us half to death. Others are just so hilariously over the top that you just can’t forget them. But there are others that are so relatable that you immediately feel a kinship to them, and they stick with you for years to come. One of those characters is Billy Peltzer, played by actor Zach Galligan, from the eternal classic (and yes, it’s a Christmas movie) Gremlins. So, this holiday season, we’re taking a look at one of the stars of the 80’s biggest monster hits, a little family comedy called Gremlins; on this episode of WTF Happened To This Horror Celebrity, we’re shedding some bright light on Zach Galligan!
7/22/2022 • 11 minutes, 26 seconds
FRIDAY THE 13TH 3D (2015 REBOOT) - WTF Happened to this Unmade Horror Movie
In today's "WTF Happened to this Unmade Horror Movie" we're taking a look at a series that has been dormant for over a decade, "Friday the 13th." Countless films have entered development, yet none have made it to cameras rolling. How have we been deprived of Jason Voorhees mayhem for nearly a decade? Was it bad scripting? Bad management? Or is it the lawsuit that just doesn't seem to disappear. Find out all of that and more on today's episode as we take a look at Nick Antosca’s “Friday the 13th 3D.”
7/18/2022 • 10 minutes, 21 seconds
GREMLINS 2 - WTF Happened to this Horror Movie
What happens when a studio has a massive blockbuster and is so desperate for a sequel that they give the director a massive budget and complete creative control free from studio interference? Sometimes, if you're lucky, you get a movie like Joe Dante's GREMLINS 2: THE NEW BATCH, which, despite being a box office flop when it came out thirty years ago, is now regarded as a cult classic, even if many fans don't consider it quite in the same league as the original. So join us as we try to figure WTF Happened to GREMLINS 2: THE NEW BATCH!
7/15/2022 • 15 minutes, 49 seconds
GLADIATOR 2 - WTF Happened to this (Unmade) Movie?!
While Ridley Scott's GLADIATOR memorably ended with the death of Russell Crowe's iconic Maximus, that didn't stop Hollywood from trying to figure out a way to make a sequel, with Russell Crowe returning as its star. In fact, the great Nick Cave, following his success with THE PROPOSITION, was hired to pen a sequel, which he did involving Roman Gods, persecuted Christians and a return from the dead for old Maximus. While the film never did get made, it has a reputation for being one of the most intriguing sequels never made. Get a whole rundown of this abandoned project here!
7/11/2022 • 8 minutes, 26 seconds
WTF Happened to CHUCK NORRIS?
LONE WOLF MCQUADE, his wild run with Cannon Films, which included classics like MISSING IN ACTION, THE DELTA FORCE and INVASION USA, to eventual TV superstardom on WALKER TEXAS RANGER. Since cameoing in THE EXPENDABLES 2, Norris has been pretty low-key in front of the camera, but it turned out the bearded one had plenty of good reasons as we go into in WTF HAPPENED TO CHUCK NORRIS!
7/8/2022 • 31 minutes, 19 seconds
WTF HAPPENED TO JURASSIC PARK 3?
After two brontosaurus-sized box office smashes, a third JURASSIC PARK movie seemed like a guaranteed success. But without Steven Spielberg in the director’s chair, and a script that was constantly revised throughout the entire production, the 2001 sequel was met with financial and critical disappointment, putting the dinosaur franchise into deep storage for 15 years. But is JURASSIC PARK III so bad? Sharpen your claws and find out “WTF Happened to JURASSIC PARK 3?”
7/4/2022 • 13 minutes, 52 seconds
DOUG BRADLEY - Pinhead - WTF Happened to this Horror Celebrity?
You know him as Pinhead from the iconic HELLRAISER franchise; but Doug Bradley achieved way more than that one role within his illustrious career. We take a look back at his roots, his journey and his career. And stay tuned at the end of the episode for a BRAND NEW interview with Mr. Bradley himself!
7/1/2022 • 1 hour, 26 minutes, 8 seconds
WILLIAM GIBSON'S ALIEN 3 - WTF Happened to this Unmade Horror Movie
In the latest "WTF Happened to this Unmade Horror Movie" we're taking a look at the alternate reality where Fincher's "Alien 3" doesn't exist and instead we received William Gibson's "Alien 3." Are the changes enough to turn the controversial "Alien 3" into something that's as adored as "Alien" and "Aliens"? Is Ripley still the coolest female protagonist this side of LV 426? And are the fates of Newt and Hicks finally resolved? Find out all that and more!
6/27/2022 • 10 minutes, 18 seconds
WORLD WAR Z - WTF Happened to this Horror Movie
In this episode, we take a look at the zombie action flick World War Z, starring Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos, Matthew Fox, James Badge Dale, Peter Capaldi, David Morse, Ruth Negga and Daniella Kertesz. Directed by Marc Forster, this globe-spanning zombie yarn is adapted from the novel of the same written by Max Brooks, although it's seemingly mostly in name only as the story changed drastically for the big screen. With all manner of production issues, a reshot ending and clashes with the director and producer, Brad Pitt, it seemed like WWZ would be a box office disaster, but it ended up being a major success despite all the production woes. So, let's find out WTF Happened to World War Z!
6/20/2022 • 16 minutes, 21 seconds
Arnold Schwarzenegger in CRUSADE - WTF Happened to this (Unmade) Movie?!
In the mid-nineties, star Arnold Schwarzenegger and director Paul Verhoeven were riding high. Arnold was arguably the world's biggest star at the time, while he had one of his biggest hits ever teaming with Verhoeven on the classic TOTAL RECALL, which was produced by Carolco Pictures. The two then pitched the studio on doing a massive, big-budget epic about the Crusades, appropriately titled, CRUSADE, which got so far into pre-production that the cast, which would include Jennifer Connelly, Gary Sinise, and John Turturro, was set. So what happened? Find out in this edition of WTF Happened to this (Unmade) Movie?!
6/17/2022 • 10 minutes, 55 seconds
WTF Happened to KIRSTEN DUNST?
Kirsten Dunst started her career at a young age, making her first big impression alongside A-list talent in INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE before appearing in hits like JUMANJI, BRING IT ON and the Sam Raimi SPIDER-MAN trilogy. Outside of blockbusters, Dunst established herself as a reliable performer in projects and roles of any size. And while her recent output may have slowed as she focuses on a new family, a look through her recent career demonstrates just how UNDERRATED she really is. Fall into the web of “WTF Happened to Kirsten Dunst!”
6/13/2022 • 45 minutes, 20 seconds
WTF Happened to IDIOCRACY?
Mike Judge found massive success with his "Beavis and Butt-Head" TV series, but the transition to live-action proved far more difficult. After the box office failure of OFFICE SPACE in 1999, Judge's next effort IDIOCRACY fared even worse in 2006, with the studio practically burying his movie. But in the years since, the social satire found a cult following and became part of the pop culture landscape with its depiction of a moronic future. Mutilate your thirst and find out "WTF Happened to IDIOCRACY!"
6/10/2022 • 13 minutes, 57 seconds
Greg Nicotero - The Walking Dead - WTF Happened to this Horror Celebrity?
Monster Kid is a term applied to those of us who grew up on the classics, who read Famous Monsters of Filmland, who loved the monsters and weren’t afraid of anyone knowing that we were cheering on Frankenstein and company. Monster Kids would go all out for Halloween and would spend their allowance on anything they could find that was related to a horror movie. We’d stay up late watching Creature Features and would ask the question “how’d they make that?” when they saw a new weird creation shambling out of the dark. Greg Nicotero is in every way a Monster Kid. Join us as we take a look back at his life, career and countless creations. And stay tuned till the end of the episode for a brad new interview with Greg!
6/6/2022 • 27 minutes, 42 seconds
Bubba Ho Tep Sequel Bruce Campbell - WTF Happened to this Unmade Horror Movie
This week on "The Horror Movie That Almost Was" we're diving into the Bruce Campbell-starring cult classic NOT named Evil Dead. That's right, we're taking a look at "Bubba Nosferatu: Curse of the She Vampires." Why was this movie unable to get funding? Why did Campbell lose interest in the sequel? And why on earth did we never get this film despite so many heavy hitters being involved? We hope to answer all those questions and more...
6/3/2022 • 10 minutes, 11 seconds
Shocker - WTF Happened to this Horror Movie
Wes Craven gave the horror genre one of its greatest icons when he introduced Freddy Krueger in 1984’s A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, but he had very little to do with what happened to Freddy after that. So when Alive Films asked him to create a new horror franchise that he would have control over and a financial stake in, he jumped at the chance. He gave them the 1989 SHOCKER! SHOCKER was supposed to give us a new genre icon, jump-start a franchise, and earn Craven stacks of cash. Instead, it had a mediocre run at the box office and never received a follow-up of any kind. So WTF Happened to This Horror Movie?
5/30/2022 • 12 minutes, 5 seconds
Guillermo del Toro's At The Mountains Of Madness - WTF Happened to this (Unmade) Movie?!
In this episode, we take a look back at the doomed, big-budget, R-rated AT THE MOUNTAINS OF MADNESS adaptation from director Guillermo del Toro (PAN'S LABYRINTH), producer James Cameron (ALIENS), and star Tom Cruise (THE MUMMY), based on H.P. Lovecraft's famous novella! In fact, it came really close to being made many times, and we chronicle the ill-fated journey of this amazing-sounding film, as well as what it might've looked like! Hope you enjoy!
5/27/2022 • 12 minutes, 10 seconds
Elvira aka Cassandra Peterson - WTF Happened to this Horror Celebrity?
In the 1980's, Elvira, Mistress of the Dark stepped out of the shadows and into the living rooms of many a household. She was campy, she was vampy, and she was hilarious. Elvira was the creation of Cassandra Peterson, and she would go on to become an icon in the lands of horror and TV. She would make the term “horror host” known around the world and she’d do it all while not only being Elvira but writing and producing her work as well. So, settle back darlings and prepare for some unpleasant dreams as we shine a light on the Mistress of the Dark, and we find Where In The Horror is Elvira Now. And STAY TUNED till the end for a brand new interview with Cassandra Peterson!
5/20/2022 • 36 minutes, 29 seconds
Freddy VS. Jason VS. ASH - Sequel - WTF Happened to this Unmade Horror Movie
This week on "The Horror Movie That Almost Was" we're taking a look at a "Versus" film that came so close to happening yet never could manage to cross the finish line. Was it due to lack of a good story? Were they unable to get the actors back? Was the budget too high? We'll answer all those questions and more as we dive into the battle of all battles, "Freddy vs Jason vs Ash."SERIES SYNOPSIS: "WTF Happened to this Unmade Horror Movie" takes a look at the various horror projects that could never seem to get things off the ground, be it for budgetary concerns, creative differences, or just an ever evolving Hollywood landscape. We dive into every aspect and see just how close these films had come to cameras rolling.Written, Narrated and Edited by Tyler Nichols
5/16/2022 • 10 minutes, 4 seconds
Twilight Zone The Movie - WTF Happened to this Horror Movie
In this episode we look at the troubled and deadly production of 1983's Twilight Zone: The Movie. Directed in four segments by John Landis, Steven Spielberg, Joe Dante and George Miller, the Landis-directed chapter ("Time Out") resulted in three deaths, including actor Vic Morrow, which would bring up criminal charges for Landis and sever his friendship with Spielberg forever. It's a frightening tale set amidst a frightening tale as we explore WTF Happened to Twilight Zone: The Movie!
5/13/2022 • 13 minutes, 15 seconds
George Miller's Justice League Mortal - WTF Happened to this (Unmade) Movie?!
In this episode, we take a look back at the epic JUSTICE LEAGUE MORTAL, the doomed JUSTICE LEAGUE film that was to be directed by MAD MAX: FURY ROAD and HAPPY FEET director George Miller. At one point, it was fully cast (including Armie Hammer as Batman/Bruce Wayne and rapper Common as Green Lantern/John Stewart), costumes were being designed by LORD OF THE RINGS' Weta Workshop, and large sets were even being built before everything came crashing down! Would it have been better than the Zack Snyder/Joss Whedon film that we ultimately got? Find out by clicking the video, and see for yourself!
5/9/2022 • 15 minutes, 25 seconds
WTF Happened to Jonathan Taylor Thomas?
After an early career as a model and commercial actor, Jonathan Taylor Thomas entered millions of homes as the son of Tim Allen's character on eight seasons of the hit show "Home Improvement." In the 1990s, the teen heartthrob voiced young Simba in Disney's THE LION KING and appeared in several movies (WILD AMERICA, TOM AND HUCK, MAN OF THE HOUSE) before taking a break for school… but he never really returned. While he did briefly reunite with his TV dad on the sitcom "Last Man Standing", in recent years an actual JTT sighting is nearly as rare as seeing Bigfoot. Grab your toolbox and find out "WTF Happened to Jonathan Taylor Thomas!"
5/6/2022 • 35 minutes, 6 seconds
WTF Happened to Disney's John Carter?
It took a century for Edgar Rice Burroughs’ classic pulp hero JOHN CARTER (played by Taylor Kitsch) to finally reach the red planet on the big screen. But Disney’s 2012 feature -- the live-action directing debut of Pixar’s Andrew Stanton (FINDING NEMO, WALL-E) -- was exorbitantly expensive, mishandled its marketing, and ultimately proved to be one of history’s biggest box office failures posting an over $200 million loss. Yet the movie itself is - dare I say - pretty damn good! Get yer ass to Mars and find out “WTF Happened to JOHN CARTER!”
5/3/2022 • 15 minutes, 22 seconds
Gremlins 3 - Phoebe Cates - WTF Happened to this Unmade Horror Movie
This week on "The Horror Movie That Almost Was" we're getting into the sequel we've been waiting on for decades, "Gremlins 3." Will original stars Zach Galligan and Phoebe Cates return? Will Steven Spielberg be involved in any capacity? Are they going super family friendly? We answer all of those questions and more so take a look!SERIES SYNOPSIS: "WTF Happened to this Unmade Horror Movie" takes a look at the various horror projects that could never seem to get things off the ground, be it for budgetary concerns, creative differences, or just an ever evolving Hollywood landscape. We dive into every aspect and see just how close these films had come to cameras rolling.
4/29/2022 • 8 minutes, 54 seconds
Hellraiser Bloodline - WTF Happened to this Horror Movie
Film production often has a habit of going way off the rails. In recent years, the news has been full of torturous, drawn-out production histories on movies that limp their way to the finish line, often coming out in highly compromised forms. Usually, the only movies we here about are big budget tentpoles, but more modest films often meet a similar fate, such as HELLRAISER: BLOODLINE, which underwent massive reshoots and re-edits at the hands of Dimension Films. So what exactly went wrong, and is there a version out there of HELLRAISER: BLOODLINE that’s in line with what was originally intended? And would such a version even be worth the effort to track down? Join us as we try to answer those questions in the latest edition of WTF Happened To This Horror Movie!
4/25/2022 • 11 minutes, 45 seconds
Stanley Kubrick's Napoleon - WTF Happened to this (Unmade) Movie?!
In this episode, we take a look at one of the more intriguing, never-made projects, Stanley Kubrick's planned epic, Napoleon. Viewers may be surprised to see just how much work Kubrick had put into his planned masterpiece, with elements from the un-produced film showing up in his BARRY LYNDON. Check it out!
4/22/2022 • 17 minutes, 11 seconds
WTF Happened to Hayden Christensen?
After spending his youth in TV and smaller film appearances, Hayden Christensen made an impact as a rebellious teen in the acclaimed drama LIFE AS A HOUSE. Everything changed when he won the prized role of Anakin Skywalker in George Lucas' highly anticipated STAR WARS prequels… but playing the man who would become Darth Vader was not necessarily a gateway to greater things, and his post-prequel career has struggled. Check your midi-chlorian count and find out "WTF Happened to Hayden Christensen!"
4/15/2022 • 32 minutes, 26 seconds
WTF Really Happened to RAGING BULL?
Director Martin Scorsese’s 1980 biographical drama RAGING BULL, with an unforgettable Robert De Niro as real-life boxer Jake La Motta, has been acclaimed as one of the greatest films ever made. But does this glimpse into the tumultuous life of “The Bronx Bull” pull its punches, or is it hitting with full force? Climb in the ring and find out “WTF REALLY Happened to RAGING BULL!”
4/11/2022 • 13 minutes, 19 seconds
Heather Langenkamp - WTF Happened to this Horror Celebrity?
In the annals of modern horror, the term Final Girl has become synonymous with the slasher genre. This term has come to be one of respect, with many of these heroines rising to the same level of popularity as the evil monsters they face. The Final Girl has come to represent strength in the face of horror and intelligence being used against brute force. And when it comes to the modern classics there are few who represent that more than Nancy Thompson who faced down Freddy Krueger in the Wes Craven classic A Nightmare on Elm Street and that character has become entwined forever with the talented actress who first brought her to life, Heather Langenkamp. On this episode of Where In The Horror Are They Now we’re going to focus on one of horrors greatest survivors, Freddy’s greatest foe, and an icon to fans the world over, Heather Langenkamp.
4/8/2022 • 10 minutes, 11 seconds
FLIES AKA THE FLY SEQUEL - Wtf Happened to this Unmade Horror Movie
FLIES AKA THE FLY SEQUEL - Renny Harlin, David Cronenberg - WTF Happened to this Unmade Horror MovieIn our latest episode of "The Horror Movie That Almost Was" we're taking a look at the sequel to Cronenberg's "The Fly", aptly titled "Flies." Would this have followed in the steps of the original? Would Cronenberg have returned in order to right the wrongs of the sequel we DID get? And could any of the original stars be lured back into the fold? We answer all of those questions and more, so take a look!
4/4/2022 • 8 minutes, 27 seconds
Cursed - WTF Happened to this Horror Movie
In the latest episode we look back at what happened to director Wes Craven's Cursed (2005). With Kevin Williamson of SCREAM fame having written the screenplay and Special Effects master Rick Baker behind the making of the beast - it looked like a sure fire masterpiece on our hands. Then the Weisteins came in and did their thing i.e. ruined the film with their dumbass creative decisions. What happened with CURSED is a travesty. So join us as we answer the question of WTF Happened To This Horror Movie?
4/1/2022 • 13 minutes, 55 seconds
Tim Burton's Superman Lives with Nicolas Cage
n this episode, we take a look at the would-be superhero epic from director Tim Burton...Superman Lives! Set to star Nicolas Cage as the Man of Steel/Clark Kent in a visionary take on the character from a script by none other than Kevin Smith, Superman Lives is one of the most well-known "almost happened" movies in existence. Mere weeks away from shooting, after storyboards, concept designs, costume fittings, etc. were put together, WB pulled the plug on the expensive film, which languished in development hell until both Burton and Cage moved on, leaving this superhero without a cape. With so much potential and so much promise, even if it would've amounted to little more than a wild ride, it's a movie we all wish we could've seen...and we got so close! Suit up and take flight as we explore Superman Lives and answer the question, WTF Happened to this (Unmade) Movie?!
3/28/2022 • 17 minutes, 51 seconds
Paul Verhoeven
After earning critical acclaim for his early foreign-language films like SOLDIER OF ORANGE (with Rutger Hauer), Dutch director Paul Verhoeven made a splash in Hollywood with the satire and carnage of ROBOCOP (with the great Peter Weller), STARSHIP TROOPERS and TOTAL RECALL (Arnold Schwarzenegger), along with more steamy works like BASIC INSTINCT and the infamous SHOWGIRLS (with Elizabeth Berkley). But in recent years, the filmmaker has retreated from big-budget genre material and substantially slowed his output. Would you like to know more? Then let’s find out “WTF Happened to PAUL VERHOEVEN!”
3/25/2022 • 35 minutes, 19 seconds
Apocalypse Now?
Francis Ford Coppola’s award-winning 1979 Vietnam epic Apocalypse No is considered one of the greatest war movies ever made. But it’s also one of the most famously disastrous productions in Hollywood history, with an endless filming schedule, cost overages, a petulant acting legend, and countless logistical problems that nearly drove the filmmaker to suicide. Journey down the dark river and find out “Wtf Happened to Apocalypse Now!”
3/21/2022 • 17 minutes, 20 seconds
Tony Todd - Candyman
Tony’s most well-known role though would be the modern classic, Candyman. His performance in the film and its subsequent sequels secured him a place in the pantheon of modern horror films alongside Freddy and Jason. But the difference with Candyman was not only his ability to talk but what he had to say and the emotional punch the story carried along with Tony’s performance.
3/18/2022 • 10 minutes, 37 seconds
Halloween 3D Patrick Lussier & Todd Farmer - WTF Happened to this Unmade Horror Movie
In our latest episode of "The Horror Movie That Almost Was", we take a look at what Todd Farmer and Patrick Lussier (My Bloody Valentine 3D, Drive Angry) had up their sleeves in "Halloween 3D." Would it have been a continuation of the Rob Zombie films? Would it have been another sequel in the original canon? Well we've more than got the answers here because we talked to both Farmer and Lussier about their time developing this would-be film. You don't want to miss this!
3/14/2022 • 10 minutes, 26 seconds
Starship Troopers - WTF Happened to this Horror Movie
In the latest episode we look back at what happened to director Paul Verhoeven's now-classic sci-fi romp, STARSHIP TROOPERS! Originally released in 1997, the film was skewered by critics and audiences were skittish. Starring Casper Van Dien, Denise Richards, Neil Patrick Harris, Jake Busey, Dina Meyer and Clancy Brown, the adaptation of the award-winning novel by Robert A. Heinlein was a tough nut to crack and folks were initially turned off by the hardcore ultraviolence and irreverent satirical edge. However, those same aspects are what has helped make it the cult classic it is today, leaving us with the question of WTF Happened To This Movie?
3/11/2022 • 22 minutes, 49 seconds
Ridley Scott's I Am Legend with Arnold Schwarzenegger - WTF Happened to this (Unmade) Movie?!
In this episode, we take a look at the would-be Ridley Scott adaptation of Richard Matheson's I AM LEGEND, which was set to star Arnold Schwarzenegger, long before it went to Will Smith and director Francis Lawrence. Find out how far they got and what they had planned as we try to figure out WTF Happened to this (Unmade) Movie!
3/7/2022 • 16 minutes, 44 seconds
Titanic
James Cameron’s 1997 ocean romance TITANIC eventually sailed to numerous Academy Award statues and massive box office success, and left a lasting imprint on pop culture. It also made legends out of Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet as star-crossed lovers Jack and Rose. Please there Celine Dion's My Heart Will Go On, which became a fixture for the next decade or so. But its journey to the big screen experienced almost as many problems as the nautical disaster that inspired the movie. Get on board the big boat and find out “WTF Happened to TITANIC!”
3/4/2022 • 18 minutes, 29 seconds
George A. Romero's Resident Evil - WTF Happened to this Unmade Horror Movie
In our new series, The Horror Movie That Almost Was, we take a look at what Zombie Maestro George A. Romero would have done with his own film adaptation of the video game series, "Resident Evil." Would it have lived up to his other zombie films? How would it have held up to the Paul W.S. Anderson version? We do our best to decipher it all and see just how much Romero would have brought to the table and why it didn't end up happening.
2/28/2022 • 10 minutes, 54 seconds
Poltergeist - WTF Happened to this Horror Movie
WTF Happened to this Horror Movie is a series that digs into the backstories of all your favorite (and sometimes most hated) horror films. The idea has always been to provide an inside look at what went right (and often what went wrong) with some of these classics (and non-classics).For our first installment, we're looking at a movie that I'm sure left a huge mark on all of us as kids, POLTERGEIST. Hollywood has had its share of "cursed" productions, meaning things behind the scenes went badly, but how about those that really were...ya know...cursed, like in a literal way? POLTERGEIST is definitely one of the titles people keep circling back to, with many citing the tragic fates of several folks involved and some spooky goings on behind the scenes as evidence of its cursed status.
2/25/2022 • 13 minutes, 12 seconds
Kane Hodder (Jason Voorhees) - WTF Happened to this Horror Celebrity?
Lugosi, Chaney, Karloff…these are the original icons of horror entertainment. They were the pantheon of the macabre and were followed by actors like Vincent Price, Christopher Lee, and Peter Cushing. There are legends of horror for every generation and when it comes to the modern classics there are names that you’ll find repeated, part of that new era of gods of horror. And one name rises high and above on that list when it comes to the sheer number of people he’s slaughtered on screen. And that name is Kane Hodder.Kane Hodder is an icon, having played one of the most famous slashers of all time, Jason Voorhees, more times than any other actor. Hodder’s credits though are more than just Jason and his personal life shows a man with a heart and will stronger than even that of the un-killable slasher from Crystal Lake. Join us as we explore all things HODDER and stay tuned at the end of the episode for a brand new 2021 interview with the man!
2/21/2022 • 40 minutes, 55 seconds
James Cameron's Spider-Man - WTF Happened to this (Unmade) Movie?!
With so many epic and awesome movies at our disposal, how could we ever lament not having more? Well, that's what we explore in our new series, WTF Happened to this (Unmade) Movie, where we take a look at films that got deep into the planning, pre-production and sometimes actual production, only to never see the light of day. What happened? What went wrong? Are we better or worse off without it? For our first episode, we take a look at one of the most famous Unmade movies: James Cameron's Spider-Man! Cameron worked diligently on this one, even writing a detailed "scriptment" along with concept art/storyboards and casting choices in mind, including Leonardo DiCaprio as a potential Peter Parker/Spider-Man. Can you imagine a James Cameron directed Spider-Man? Well, that's what we'll have to do as we explore it right here!
2/18/2022 • 16 minutes, 26 seconds
Pain & Gain
Director Michael Bay’s 2013 movie PAIN & GAIN revolves around a crew of bodybuilding criminals in Miami. However, unlike most of the mayhem maestro’s filmography, this one is actually based on reality! But how accurate is this story of beefy bandits Mark Wahlberg, Anthony Mackie and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson? Get yourself pumped and find out “WTF REALLY Happened to PAIN & GAIN!”
2/14/2022 • 18 minutes, 9 seconds
Jean-Claude Van Damme
In the 1980s and 90s, Jean-Claude Van Damme used his impressive martial arts skills to become a major action star with movies like BLOODSPORT, UNIVERSAL SOLDIER, John Woo's HARD TARGET, and TIMECOP. But inflated ego, drug addiction and other bad behavior would tarnish JCVD's Hollywood reputation, and he soon found his movies lining the shelves of video stores instead of being seen on the big screen. However, the legend got clean, changed his tune and some of the DTV movies ended up being pretty good! With a new Netflix movie on the way, now's the time to catch up with the Muscles from Brussels and find out “WTF Happened to Jean-Claude Van Damme!”
2/7/2022 • 44 minutes, 51 seconds
Team America: World Police
After their success with SOUTH PARK, creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker decided to make a big-screen post-9/11 action movie… using puppets. TEAM AMERICA: WORLD POLICE is celebrated for its satirical look at Hollywood and politics, but the filmmakers endured a nightmare experience to make a feature-length marionette movie. We reveal all, including the reaction of all the celebs mocked in the film, especially the one who's the most link to Team America: Matt Damon! America! F**k YEAH! We pulled some strings to find out “WTF Happened to TEAM AMERICA: WORLD POLICE!”
1/31/2022 • 15 minutes, 27 seconds
Phil Hartman
We examine the life and legacy of beloved Saturday Night Live funny-man Phil Hartman. One of the most valued players in the show's history, he was also a beloved star in movies like JINGLE ALL THE WAY, HOUSEGUEST, and of course as Troy McClure on THE SIMPSONS and NEWS RADIO. Hartman was murdered by his troubled wife on May 28th, 1998, but rather than linger on his death let's celebrate his amazing life and career. He was one of the greats!
1/24/2022 • 19 minutes, 40 seconds
Green Lantern
While DC Comics superheroes Batman and Superman had already each made several appearances on the big screen, it took until 2011 for their fellow Justice League member GREEN LANTERN to find his way to cinemas. But not even a charming star (Ryan Reynolds), a two-time James Bond director (Martin Campbell) and a load of expensive VFX could prevent Hal Jordan's debut from flopping. Slip on your fancy ring and find out "WTF Happened to GREEN LANTERN!"
1/17/2022 • 14 minutes, 1 second
Chris Tucker
After his breakout role in 1995 with FRIDAY, comedian Chris Tucker became a household name from a memorable appearance as space deejay Ruby Rhod in THE FIFTH ELEMENT and his Jackie Chan team-up RUSH HOUR trilogy - which also made him the highest-paid actor in Hollywood at the time. But in recent years, the A-lister has become far more selective with his roles as he focuses on his faith. If you ain’t got s#!t to do, check out “WTF Happened to CHRIS TUCKER!”
1/10/2022 • 30 minutes, 13 seconds
The Untouchables
In the 1987 crime thriller THE UNTOUCHABLES, director Brian De Palma depicts the efforts of Eliot Ness and his colleagues as they try to take down gangster boss Al Capone in Prohibition-era Chicago. Does the movie stay close to history, or is it drunk with exaggeration? Bring your knife to a gunfight and find out “WTF REALLY Happened to THE UNTOUCHABLES!”
1/4/2022 • 17 minutes, 24 seconds
Christian Slater
In the 1990s, Christian Slater was at the height of his fame thanks to memorable movies like HEATHERS, TRUE ROMANCE and BROKEN ARROW, but he also gained notoriety after some trouble with the law. The next couple of decades became filled with failed TV series and direct-to-video movies, before a recent resurgence with the hit show MR. ROBOT. Arch your eyebrows and do your best Jack impersonation as we find out “WTF Happened to Christian Slater!”
12/28/2021 • 46 minutes, 57 seconds
The Amazing Spider-Man 2
Not long after Sam Raimi's blockbuster SPIDER-MAN movie trilogy, Marvel's most popular comic book character got rebooted on cinema screens. And while the wall-crawler's first relaunch was financially successful and generally accepted by fans, the 2014 sequel THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 seemed to get caught in a web of production woes and questionable decisions. Slip into your red-and-blue jammies and find out "WTF Happened To THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2!"
12/20/2021 • 15 minutes, 12 seconds
Jet Li
Martial arts whirlwind Jet Li has kicked an incalculable amount of ass over his cinematic career, from his early Hong Kong hits like ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA (playing his signature role, Wong Fei Hung) and FIST OF LEGEND, through his Hollywood breakthrough in LETHAL WEAPON 4 and ROMEO MUST DIE. His legendary status even qualified him to join other action stars in THE EXPENDABLES. But during the last decade, his output drastically diminished and concerns were raised about his health. Follow the flying fists and find out “WTF Happened to JET LI!”
12/13/2021 • 39 minutes, 20 seconds
The New Mutants
At one point, THE NEW MUTANTS was poised to take Fox's X-MEN movie franchise in an interesting new direction with a horror-themed spinoff… before creative differences, a studio merger, various delays and a global health crisis got in the way. Put on your best genes and find out "WTF Happened To THE NEW MUTANTS!"
12/6/2021 • 13 minutes, 38 seconds
Christina Ricci
After making a wonderfully morose mark on cinema as Wednesday Addams in THE ADDAMS FAMILY, Christina Ricci went on to become an indie darling (BUFFALO 66, THE OPPOSITE OF SEX) while also appearing in acclaimed dramas (MONSTER, THE ICE STORM) and big-budget spectacle (SLEEPY HOLLOW, SPEED RACER). But more recent years have found her in TV work and lower-profile movies, although she seems primed for a major comeback. Let’s catch up with “WTF Happened to Christina Ricci!”
11/29/2021 • 25 minutes, 51 seconds
The Revenant
Director Alejandro Iñárritu's award-winning period epic THE REVENANT is an impressive achievement. But what's even more remarkable is that the film is based on the exploits of real-life adventurer Hugh Glass (played by Leonardo DiCaprio), who actually survived a vicious bear attack and dragged himself across the frontier seeking payback against the men who left him for dead. How much of the movie's arduous journey was accurate? Get yourself cozy and find out "WTF REALLY Happened to THE REVENANT!"
11/22/2021 • 17 minutes, 55 seconds
Brandon Lee
We examine the life and work of the great Brandon Lee (1965-1993). The son of the iconic Bruce Lee, Brandon had to struggle with his father's legacy to establish himself as a leading man in his own right, but he managed to do so in remarkably short time, with his three big action flicks, SHOWDOWN IN LITTLE TOKYO, RAPID FIRE and THE CROW all having passed the test of time. Had he lived, there's little doubt that Brandon Lee would have emerged as one of the biggest stars of his era.
11/15/2021 • 18 minutes
Ghostbusters (2016)
After two huge GHOSTBUSTERS movies in the 1980s, fans greatly anticipated a third adventure of their favorite spirit-collecting heroes. Finally in 2016, instead of the return of Venkman, Stantz, Spengler and Zeddemore, audiences got a complete reboot of GHOSTBUSTERS with an all-female team. How did fans react? Cross the streams and find out "WTF Happened to GHOSTBUSTERS (2016)!"
11/8/2021 • 13 minutes, 48 seconds
Nicolas Cage
Nicolas Cage has had one of the wildest careers in Hollywood history. From modest beginnings (for someone in the Coppola family, anyway) and noteworthy early movies, Cage gained notice and eventual awards for his stellar and unique work. Financial troubles and questionable spending habits may have led to a more recent onslaught of direct-to-video “paycheck” movies, but even that is punctuated by memorably bizarre performances and occasional critical praise. Put the bunny back in the box and check out “WTF Happened to Nicolas Cage!”
11/1/2021 • 52 minutes, 30 seconds
GREMLINS (1984)
Director Joe Dante's 1984 horror-comedy GREMLINS is a uniquely twisted Christmas classic. But it could have been a very different movie, with the beloved Gizmo nearly transforming into the vicious villain Stripe rather than becoming two separate characters! Producer Steven Spielberg steered the project from its disturbingly dark origins, but it was still met with major controversy. Let's break the first rule and shine some light on "WTF Happened to GREMLINS!"
10/25/2021 • 15 minutes, 4 seconds
Heath Ledger
Welcome to WE REMEMBER edition, a brand new show here on JoBlo Videos (WTF off-shoot), examining the life and work of some of our favorite celebrities who, sadly, are gone way too soon. For our first episode, we decided to start with the incredible Heath Ledger (1979- 2008). Born in Perth, Australia, Ledger first came to prominence on Australian TV before crossing over to the U.S as a teen heartthrob in 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU. From there, his career skyrocketed, playing Mel Gibson's son in the Revolutionary War epic THE PATRIOT, before leading his own blockbuster with A KNIGHT'S TALE. While he could have gone an easier route to Hollywood stardom, Ledger opted to take risks, co-starring as Billy Bob Thornton's doomed son in MONSTER'S BALL, and eventually leading the stone-cold classic BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, directed by Ang Lee and co-starring Jake Gyllenhaal. Of course, the role his most associated with these days was still to come, with him being the unlikely choice to play The Joker in Christopher Nolan's THE DARK KNIGHT. The rest, as they say, is history, but tragically Ledger would not live to see its release. Join us as we examine his amazing life and career - as WE REMEMBER HEATH LEDGER.
10/18/2021 • 16 minutes, 21 seconds
Zodiac
After 50 years, the mysterious cipher of the Zodiac Killer has finally been solved by amateur codebreakers. Back in 2007, director David Fincher explored the confounding case of this notorious killer in the thriller ZODIAC. But how closely did his film follow the actual known events? We investigate "WTF REALLY Happened to ZODIAC!"
10/11/2021 • 16 minutes, 2 seconds
Chevy Chase
From his Saturday Night Live pratfalls to his iconic roles like ace journalist FLETCH and the VACATION series’ hapless dad Clark W. Griswold (opposite fellow WTF inductee Randy Quaid), Chevy Chase was once considered one of the funniest men in America. But over the years, his bad behind-the-scenes behavior and poor treatment of talent brought his star status down to the ground. And let's not forgot the misbegotten Chevy Chase Show (not even Disney's Man of the House - a hit - could make that stink go away) Pile into the family truckster and find out “WTF Happened to Chevy Chase!”
10/4/2021 • 42 minutes, 21 seconds
Dune (1984)
In the 1980s when studios were all desperately chasing "the next STAR WARS", filmmaker David Lynch tackled a big-screen version of Frank Herbert's classic sci-fi novel DUNE. Lynch's vision for the production was ambitious, uniquely weird, and ultimately compromised by a truncated edit, leading to audience bewilderment and box office failure. Let's swallow some Spice and find out "WTF Happened to DUNE!"
9/27/2021 • 15 minutes, 20 seconds
Gary Busey
Gary Busey is now perhaps better known for his larger-than-life public persona than his actual filmography. In the years since his Oscar-winning portrayal of Buddy Holly, the actor has survived a motorcycle accident and cancer, brought his manic style to hit features like UNDER SIEGE, SILVER BULLET (1985), and who could forgot Gary Busey in Point Break! But then, he ended up in countless D-list movies, before bringing his unpredictable nature to reality TV. Hang on to something while we explore “WTF Happened to GARY BUSEY!”
9/20/2021 • 35 minutes, 10 seconds
Bill Murray: Scrooged
The 1988 Bill Murray comedy SCROOGED is now considered a holiday classic... But the production of the movie was anything but cheerful, with a miserable and unpredictable star, script changes, and creative clashes. Although the movie did overcome its challenges to become a Christmastime favorite, let's spike the nog and unwrap "WTF Happened to SCROOGED!"
9/13/2021 • 13 minutes, 42 seconds
Mickey Rourke
Not many actors have a rollercoaster career quite like Mickey Rourke, a boxer who caught the acting bug in his 20s. Over several decades, Rourke filled his time with acclaimed performances like BARFLY and THE WRESTLER, notorious behavior, forgettable direct-to-video movies, returns to the boxing ring, a Marvel Cinematic Universe appearance, and ongoing physical transformation. Strap on the gloves and find out “WTF Happened to Mickey Rourke!”
9/7/2021 • 42 minutes, 17 seconds
300
This episode charges into director Zack Snyder’s stylized historical epic 300, based on Frank Miller’s graphic novel about ancient Sparta and the legendary story of a small army facing countless invaders at the Battle of Thermopylae. Was this tale of King Leonidas and his fellow fighters filled with fact, or was it epic exaggeration? We take a look at “WTF REALLY Happened to 300?”
8/30/2021 • 18 minutes, 42 seconds
Meg Ryan
Over the course of her career, Meg Ryan has been acclaimed for both dramatic and comedic roles. But it was her unforgettable performance in WHEN HARRY MET SALLY that made her Hollywood’s romcom queen... at least until declining box office returns in the 2000s started to take the shine off her crown, but could she be poised for a comeback? Order what she’s having and take a look at “WTF Happened to Meg Ryan!”
8/23/2021 • 29 minutes, 15 seconds
007: Never Say Never Again
After leaving 007 behind after DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER, the late, great Sean Connery returned to the James Bond franchise in the “unofficial” 1983 entry NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN. The result of a creative legal battle, this second adaptation of THUNDERBALL was shaken and stirred by a difficult production. Let’s see “WTF Happened to NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN!”
8/16/2021 • 16 minutes
Owen Wilson
Wow, what has Owen Wilson been up to lately? After indie beginnings with collaborator Wes Anderson, Wilson and his prominent nose appeared in minor roles in major movies (and major roles in minor movies) before becoming a great screen partner and cementing A-list status with smash comedy WEDDING CRASHERS. He may have had personal and professional ups-and-downs since then, but he’s still reliably charming whatever he does. Let’s catch up with the Butterscotch Stallion and see “WTF Happened to Owen Wilson!”
8/9/2021 • 35 minutes, 53 seconds
Lifeforce
Horror director Tobe Hooper’s 1985 sci-fi spectacle LIFEFORCE has earned cult status for its wild ideas (and one nubile naked space vampire girl), eventually overcoming its chaotic production, budgetary excess, editing battles and box office failure. Adding to the notoriety, it also comes from Cannon Films. We drift through the cosmos and run through apocalyptic London to find out “WTF Happened to LIFEFORCE?”!
8/2/2021 • 14 minutes, 4 seconds
John Cusack
From early favorites like SAY ANYTHING to cult classics like GROSSE POINTE BLANK and BEING JOHN MALKOVICH, actor John Cusack certainly seemed like he could do it all -- whether in a romcom, drama, big-budget action flick or end-of-the-world epic, his everyman underdog appeal was always an asset. But over the past decade, the reliable star’s career has somehow veered into direct-to-video doldrums. Put some Peter Gabriel on the boombox as we check out “WTF Happened to John Cusack!”
7/26/2021 • 36 minutes, 28 seconds
The Amityville Horror
In this episode we spend some time at 112 Ocean Avenue, the site of cold-blooded murders, and the “haunting” of the home’s subsequent residents that led to the book and 1979 movie THE AMITYVILLE HORROR. The actual Lutz family claimed to have experienced terror from malevolent apparitions after moving into the house. We see how the James Brolin/Margot Kidder film version compares to those “true” supernatural occurrences in “WTF REALLY Happened to THE AMITYVILLE HORROR”!
7/19/2021 • 16 minutes, 20 seconds
Macaulay Culkin
As far as child stars go, none have ever been bigger than Macaulay Culkin, who dominated the U.S. box office in the early nineties with the two mega-hit HOME ALONE movies, plays other hits like MY GIRL and THE GOOD SON. At a certain point, Macaulay, after box office flops like RICHIE RICH, decided to step away from acting, despite a few well-received turns in movies like PARTY MONSTER. Where's Mac now, and will he someday return to acting full-time? Check out our latest episode!
7/12/2021 • 35 minutes, 39 seconds
Bram Stoker's Dracula
Francis Ford Coppola crafted a unique and gorgeous twist on the legendary vampire with the 1992 horror-romance BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA (the inadvertent result of a GODFATHER PART III misfortune). But the director certainly didn’t make it easy for himself, with an intensely method lead actor, personality conflicts, overly ornate costumes, studio squabbles, and all the challenges of using obsolete practical effects. Grab your crucifix and sharpen your stakes as we look at “WTF Happened to BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA!”
7/5/2021 • 18 minutes, 58 seconds
Geena Davis
During the 1980s and early 1990s, Geena Davis went from modeling to becoming an acclaimed actor in hits like BEETLEJUICE, THE FLY, THELMA & LOUISE and A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN. But after starring in the colossal flop CUTTHROAT ISLAND (and crossing the dreaded Hollywood age barrier for women), Davis’ opportunities began to dwindle, leading her to create her own opportunities. We catch up with “WTF Happened to Geena Davis!”
6/28/2021 • 22 minutes, 17 seconds
The Wolfman
As one of the ever-popular classic Universal Monsters, The Wolfman seemed like an obvious choice to claw his way onto screens in a modern-made movie. And with Oscar-winning talent like Benicio del Toro, Sir Anthony Hopkins and AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON makeup artist Rick Baker involved in the hairy horror remake, what could possibly go wrong? How about a last-minute director change, budget-busting reshoots, and a dubious decision to use CGI for werewolf transformations? All that and more as we take a look at “WTF Happened to THE WOLFMAN”!
6/21/2021 • 14 minutes, 3 seconds
Wesley Snipes
During the 1980s and 1990s, Wesley Snipes established himself as a reliable dramatic actor and action star, and launched the modern comic book movie renaissance with BLADE. But not long after the Daywalker walked off screens, Snipes was spending his time in direct-to-video movies… and in prison for tax evasion. However, since getting out it looks like Wesley's getting back into a nice groove, with a terrific, acclaimed supporting performance in DOLEMITE IS MY NAME. Could a legit comeback be just around the corner? Let’s find out in WTF Happened to Wesley Snipes!
6/14/2021 • 33 minutes, 52 seconds
Casino
We take a look at director Martin Scorsese’s 1995 mob epic CASINO, a fact-based account of real-life casino boss Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal (Robert De Niro) and his literal partner in crime, mafia enforcer Anthony Spilotro (Joe Pesci). It’s the sprawling tale of a gambling empire filled with all the greed, deceit and homicide you might expect from the seedy side of ‘70s Las Vegas. How closely did Scorsese stick to the truth? Place your bets and find out in “WTF REALLY Happened to CASINO”!
6/7/2021 • 15 minutes, 20 seconds
Steven Seagal
With hits like ABOVE THE LAW, HARD TO KILL and UNDER SIEGE, Steven Seagal punched and shot and flipped his way to becoming an A-list Hollywood action star in the early 1990s. But over the 2000s, he had taken his trademark ponytail and martial arts skills to a seemingly endless stream of direct-to-video movies. We’ll try not to snap too many bones as we catch up with WTF Happened to Steven Seagal!
5/31/2021 • 29 minutes, 30 seconds
Street Fighter
In the mid-nineties, Capcom's "Street Fighter 2" was the hottest video game in the world. Introducing the one on one fight game, it was only a matter of time until Hollywood came knocking, and when they did, the game was transformed into an unrecognizable big-screen adventure that, years later, is much maligned among fans of the series. Join us as we dig into what went wrong with this big-budget flick, from star Jean-Claude Van Damme's personal demons, to a meddling video game company, to a terminally ill co-star (Raul Julia). All is revealed in "WTF Happened to Street Fighter"!
5/24/2021 • 18 minutes, 53 seconds
M Night Shyamalan
This episode has a twist ending! Of course you might expect that with filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan, whose movies became known for inevitable third-act surprises after the gargantuan success of THE SIXTH SENSE. After a handful of hits, a few big-budget flops pushed him out of the spotlight for a while before he slowly began a comeback with late-stage sequels to fan-favorite UNBREAKABLE. Where is he now? Was he just a ghost the whole time? Find out in our latest video!
5/17/2021 • 23 minutes, 44 seconds
Tombstone
Rarer still are the movies that, while they're shooting, seem like disasters in the making but wind up being classics. This week's movie - TOMBSTONE - is one such film. After losing their original director and being faced with a massively-budgeted competitor in the guise of Kevin Costner's WYATT EARP, TOMBSTONE went on to become one of the greatest westerns of its era and the definite Wyatt Earp film for many. Find out just how hectic the shoot for Kurt Russell's passion project was as we try to answer the question WTF Happened to TOMBSTONE?
5/10/2021 • 14 minutes, 1 second
Kevin Costner
Over the course of his lengthy career, Kevin Costner has traveled through some serious peaks and valleys. The multi-talented A-lister gained considerable Hollywood power from 80s and 90s smashes like FIELD OF DREAMS, THE BODYGUARD and the Oscar-winning DANCES WITH WOLVES… but was then dragged down by notorious colossal box office flops WATERWORLD and THE POSTMAN. While he may no longer be a major marquee name, Costner has remained busy with the smash hit series Yellowstone and lower-profile film roles. In this episode we catch up with the career of the actor, director, producer, sports fan and Western lover known to the world as Kevin Costner.
5/3/2021 • 28 minutes, 51 seconds
Groundhog Day
Of course, this week's movie is one of the HUGE HITS we're talking about, with Groundhog Day being a top-tier classic in Bill Murray's filmography. Brilliantly directed by the late Harold Ramis, this is a movie that's spawned many imitators (including the recent Palm Springs) but, in the minds of many, will never truly be equaled.
4/26/2021 • 16 minutes, 39 seconds
Cameron Diaz
This week, we take a look at the career of the amazing Cameron Diaz. From her first appearance in THE MASK, to her turn as an action star in CHARLIE'S ANGELS and its sequel, Diaz has been an icon, who's proven over and over that she's a great actress to boot. While she's recently said that she's retired, I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say a Cameron Diaz comeback is overdue. Join us as we take a look at her career and get into the reasons why she might have called it quits.
4/19/2021 • 18 minutes, 4 seconds
Roar
This week's movie, ROAR, is a disaster anyway you slice it. The passion project of Noel Marshall, who stars alongside his real-life wife (at the time) Tippi Hedren, her daughter Melanie Griffith, and his two sons, this movie is about a conservationist in Africa who runs a big cat preserve, and while he's out chasing poachers his family pays a visit to him, and are in turn stalked by his massive collection of lions, tigers and assorted other big cats - all of whom are the real deal. The movie took five years to film, crew members were routinely attacked, maimed, scalped, disfigured and more, and the movie opened to essentially empty movie theatres. Close to forty years later, it stands as one of the most dangerous films ever made so join us as we figure out WTF Happened to ROAR!
4/12/2021 • 16 minutes, 53 seconds
Russell Crowe
This week, we take a look at the career of the great Russell Crowe. Still the guy Hollywood has to go to if they want someone to lead a great historical epic (GLADIATOR, MASTER & COMMANDER, etc), his career lately has taken a turn into more obscure projects, including Showtime's "The Loudest Voice" that have called on him to make some pretty intense physical changes. Is this a new direction for Crowe that he's going to stick with? We take a look in our latest video.
4/5/2021 • 18 minutes, 59 seconds
Predator
In this episode, we look at a HUGE hit, in fact, it's a movie I'd wager has become one of the defining action movies of its era - PREDATOR. Sporting an iconic cast led by Arnold Schwarzenegger, we dig deep into this action classic directed by John McTiernan, which turned out great but was often a hellish shoot, complete with competing co-stars, a terrible first attempt at a Predator suit, and even a young Jean-Claude Van Damme! So let's dig in and see WTF Happened to PREDATOR!
3/29/2021 • 17 minutes, 59 seconds
Shia LaBeouf
Shia LaBeouf is one of those guys you can't help but root for. While he's had his off-screen troubles, but on-screen he's delivered a slew of incredible performances that suggest, despite everything, he may be one of the greatest actors of his generation. For real. So check out our look at WTF Happened to Shia LaBeouf?
3/22/2021 • 34 minutes, 31 seconds
Game of Death
So what do you do when you've got forty minutes of amazing Bruce Lee fight footage on your hands but your leading man just happens to be...well...dead? If you're Golden Harvest you hire ENTER THE DRAGON director Robert Clouse to build a movie around your deceased star using outtakes, body doubles (who don't look anything like Lee) and even a cardboard cut out at one point. The result is one of the most garish, ghoulish, exploitative movies ever to be put out by a mainstream studio (Columbia Pictures), which, to add insult to injury, only used a fraction of the glorious fight footage. Oh well, at least it had a score by John Barry.
3/15/2021 • 11 minutes, 22 seconds
Uma Thurman
Uma Thurman is up there with the most iconic screen personalities of all time. When many movies of this era are dead and gone, KILL BILL VOLUME 1 & 2 will still be considered classics, and that's barely scratching the surface of this incredible performer's career. So join us as we take a look at the highs (PULP FICTION, KILL BILL, GATTACA) and lows (BATMAN & ROBIN, THE AVENGERS - no not that one) of Thurman's body of work and what lies ahead!
3/8/2021 • 31 minutes, 5 seconds
The Omen
In this episode we look at the infamous antichrist tale, THE OMEN, directed by the great Richard Donner (Lethal Weapon, Scrooged) and starring the iconic Gregory Peck (To Kill A Mockingbird) as the American ambassador to England, who winds up becoming the adopted father of the antichrist himself, little Damian Thorn. Join us as we take a look at this iconic horror hit, with creepy behind the scenes factoids that are sure to send a chill up your spine.
3/1/2021 • 15 minutes, 22 seconds
Gene Hackman
For awhile, Gene Hackman was omnipresent in film. There's a joke in the movie PCU, where one of the frat boys is obsessed with proving that there's always a Michael Caine or Gene Hackman movie on TV, and sure enough between 1980 and 2000 (his most prolific two decades), he made thirty seven movies. Yet, after 2004's WELCOME TO MOOSEPORT, he abruptly retired and could not be lured back no matter how hard folks tried. So let's take a look at Hackman's amazing career - from his iconic turn as Popeye Doyle in THE FRENCH CONNECTION, through Lex Luthor in SUPERMAN- THE MOVIE, to perhaps his greatest latter-day role, Royal in THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS.
2/22/2021 • 31 minutes, 18 seconds
Hellraiser Bloodline
So what exactly went wrong, and is there a version out there of HELLRAISER: BLOODLINE that’s in line with what was originally intended? And would such a version even be worth the effort to track down?
2/15/2021 • 11 minutes, 45 seconds
Bruce Willis
There's no doubt that Bruce Willis ranks with the greatest movie stars of all time. From his time as the fast-talking private eye on "Moonlighting" to his breakthrough in DIE HARD, through his more dramatic turns in PULP FICTION, THE SIXTH SENSE, and more, he's the best of the best. But, in recent years his output has been filled with disposable, DTV junk where his roles are supporting at best, and often unworthy of his talent, a fact he seems to realize given his listless performances. So let's take a look at how Willis got here, and how despite everything, there are still flashes of the old Bruce Willis in movies like GLASS and LOOPER.
2/8/2021 • 41 minutes, 15 seconds
Mad Max: Fury Road
In this episode we get all shiny and chrome for Mad Max: Fury Road and figure out how this movie went from development hell to production hell to becoming one of the greatest action films ever made! After decades of trying to get a new Mad Max film off the ground with original star Mel Gibson, director George Miller was finally to assemble a cast and crew for the latest entry, including a new Mad Max in the form of Tom Hardy and a new character by the name of Furiosa, as played by Charlize Theron. With an intense, chaotic and turbulent production, which caused a number of delays, the film was finally completed and captured everyone's attention from the first trailer debut at Comic Con before delivering a masterpiece to theaters. So, strap in, chrome up and witness WTF Happened to Mad Max: Fury Road!
2/1/2021 • 18 minutes, 9 seconds
John Travolta
John Travolta is the king of the comebacks. Initially rising to fame as one of the "Sweathogs" on "Welcome Back, Kotter", he blasted into superstardom in the disco classic SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, while GREASE and URBAN COWBOY solidified his status as the biggest star of his era. However, his fame soon became eclipsed by other heartthrobs after a slew of bad movies, resulting in his playing second fiddle to a talking baby in LOOK WHO'S TALKING and its sequels. But, he soon crossed paths with Quentin Tarantino and arguably became a bigger star than ever in the wake of PULP FICTION and other smash hits like GET SHORTY, FACE/OFF and more. But then, his misbegotten BATTLEFIELD EARTH once again put his career on ice, and he's been up and down ever since. While he's mostly stuck doing bargain basement VOD movies these days like SPEED KILLS and I AM WRATH, don't ever count out John Travolta. Hollywood loves a comeback and Travolta is their king!
1/25/2021 • 32 minutes, 17 seconds
Masters of the Universe
In this episode, we take a look at 1987's adaptation of the popular toy line, Masters of the Universe. Starring Dolph Lundgren as He-Man and Frank Langella as his arch nemesis, Skeletor, the movie is ripe with cheesy 80s sci-fi and unintentional comedy, shoddy costumes and all manner of odd choices and strange decisions that led to an outrageously strange film that's remembered for all the wrong reasons. Let's find out WTF Happened to Masters of the Universe!
1/18/2021 • 13 minutes, 21 seconds
Tobey Maguire
This time out we take a swing with Tobey Maguire to find out just WTF happened to the elusive actor who dazzled us as the first live-action feature film Spider-Man (and did it two more times after that), as well as the gimmicky B&W/color film Pleasantville, the horse-racing biopic Seabiscuit, an adaptation of John Irving's The Cider House Rules, TWO Ang Lee dramas, including Ride With The Devil and The Ice Storm and lastly in Baz Luhrmann's adaptation of The Great Gatsby in 2013 and as Bobby Fischer in Pawn Sacrifice in 2014. Since then, the actor has virtually disappeared from the big screen, leaving us all to wonder what he's gotten up to and why he hasn't popped back up in, well, anything at all. Have we seen the last of Tobey Maguire or is he preparing a big comeback? Join us as we find out WTF Happened to Tobey Maguire!
1/11/2021 • 28 minutes, 50 seconds
World War Z
In this episode, we take a look at the zombie action flick World War Z, starring Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos, Matthew Fox, James Badge Dale, Peter Capaldi, David Morse, Ruth Negga and Daniella Kertesz. Directed by Marc Forster, this globe-spanning zombie yarn is adapted from the novel of the same written by Max Brooks, although it's seemingly mostly in name only as the story changed drastically for the big screen. With all manner of production issues, a reshot ending and clashes with the director and producer, Brad Pitt, it seemed like WWZ would be a box office disaster, but it ended up being a major success despite all the production woes. So, let's find out WTF Happened to World War Z!
1/4/2021 • 16 minutes, 22 seconds
Sean Connery
This time out we take a look at the career of the legendary Sean Connery!
12/28/2020 • 25 minutes, 16 seconds
Flash Gordon
In this episode we look at 1980's FLASH GORDON, based on the old comic strip serials (which eventually inspired George Lucas to make STAR WARS) and starring Sam J. Jones, Max von Sydow, Brian Blessed, Timothy Dalton, Melody Anderson and Ornella Muti. Directed by Mike Hodges (GET CARTER) and featuring a killer soundtrack from Queen, the film was a tumultuous mess during production with on-set fights, mixed-language crews, a constantly-revised script and star Sam J. Jones eventually leaving the production over a pay dispute and never returning, causing most of his lines to be dubbed. The film wasn't a critical success upon release, but over time has garnered cult status and the Queen soundtrack has stood the test of time. Let's jump back 40 years and find out WTF Happened to FLASH GORDON!
12/21/2020 • 20 minutes, 48 seconds
Johnny Depp
You knew he was inevitable for this series and we've finally gotten to the legend that is Johnny Depp for the WTF series. The once fresh-faced lad from 21 Jump Street has come a long way since his Teen Beat days, finding a unique partnership with director Tim Burton on films like Edward Scissorhands, Sleepy Hollow, Ed Wood and beyond, as well as venturing into some dark twisted territory for such hits as From Hell, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and The Ninth Gate. Depp has played gangsters and drug dealers in films like Donnie Brasco, Blow and Black Mass, has waved his wand as an evil wizard in the Fantastic Beasts series, lent his voice to animated features like Corpse Bride and Rango, but perhaps his greatest and most memorable role of his career has no doubt been as the bumbling, yet heroic anti-hero known as Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean series. However, they haven't all been hits and Depp's career and personal life have suffered many ups and downs. But, with so much talent to spare, nothing can keep Depp down for good and he continues to reinvent himself every few years to show why we love him so much. And that's WTF happened to Johnny Depp!
12/14/2020 • 40 minutes, 41 seconds
X-Men: The Last Stand
In this episode we take a look at X-Men: The Last Stand, which was directed by Brett Ratner in lieu of usual franchise director Bryan Singer and ended up being the most critically loathed of the franchise at that time (although Dark Phoenix may unseat it). Starring Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Famke Janssen, Patrick Stewart, Anna Paquin, Ellen Page, Ben Foster, Rebecca Romijn, Vinnie Jones, Kelsey Grammer and Ian McKellen, let's dig in and find out WTF Happened to X-Men: The Last Stand!
12/7/2020 • 19 minutes, 23 seconds
Catherine Zeta-Jones
This week we look back at what happened to one of the biggest rising stars of the 90s and early 2000s, the lovely and talented Catherine Zeta-Jones. After a brief, but memorable appearance in THE PHANTOM, Zeta-Jones made a tremendous splash with 1998's THE MASK OF ZORRO followed by another huge hit, ENTRAPMENT, starring alongside Sean Connery and topped off with THE HAUNTING in 1999. Firmly establishing her "name" in Hollywood, Zeta-Jones went on to star in the moody drug cartel flick TRAFFIC, then reunited with her HIGH FIDELITY co-star John Cusack for AMERICA'S SWEETHEARTS before starring in the Oscar-winning CHICAGO alongside Renee Zellweger. She then played alongside George Clooney in The Coen Bros. INTOLERABLE CRUELTY, joined Tom Hanks in Steve Spielberg's THE TERMINAL, before jumping into sequel-land with OCEAN'S TWELVE and THE LEGEND OF ZORRO in 2005. From there, her work gets much more sporadic on the big screen, but her time was needed elsewhere, as her husband, actor Michael Douglas was diagnosed with cancer, which he eventually beat, luckily, and she revealed to the world that she suffered from bipolar disorder. However, her dedication to herself and her family slowed her career and when she finally returned to the big screen the roles seemed to be less than stellar. But, Zeta-Jones is not one to be deterred and has slowly, but surely maintained a presence in Hollywood, even if the opportunities aren't as good as they were two decades prior. For us, Catherine Zeta-Jones has a special place in our movie hearts and we're happy to see her turn up anywhere.
11/30/2020 • 23 minutes, 56 seconds
Poltergeist
For our first installment, we're looking at a movie that I'm sure left a huge mark on all of us as kids, POLTERGEIST. Hollywood has had its share of "cursed" productions, meaning things behind the scenes went badly, but how about those that really were...ya know...cursed, like in a literal way? POLTERGEIST is definitely one of the titles people keep circling back to, with many citing the tragic fates of several folks involved and some spooky goings on behind the scenes as evidence of its cursed status. In this installment, you'll learn it's not so much what happened during the making of POLTERGEIST that led to its cursed status, but more what happened long after the film came out. Additionally, we've got the scoop on those pesky rumors that Steven Spielberg ghost directed (pun intended) the film for Tobe Hooper, killer clowns, real skeletons in the swimming pool and more. Check it out!
11/23/2020 • 13 minutes, 30 seconds
Val Kilmer
In this episode we look at the career of the Iceman himself, Val Kilmer! Kilmer broke onto the scene with the comedy flicks TOP SECRET! (see our Best Movie You Never Saw of that HERE) and REAL GENIUS before taking flight with Tony Scott's TOP GUN. From there, Kilmer took up the sword as Madmartigan in WILLOW before landing a stream of great roles throughout the 90s, including THE DOORS, THUNDERHEART, TOMBSTONE, BATMAN FOREVER, HEAT, THE GHOST AND THE DARKNESS and THE SAINT. While he never had another era as strong as that, Kilmer dipped in and out with some really solid work, including the criminally underrated THE SALTON SEA, WONDERLAND, SPARTAN and of course, KISS KISS, BANG BANG. From there, things got a little hazy for Kilmer and his health took a turn for the worse. He popped up here and there, working with TOP GUN's Tony Scott again in DEJA VU, started playing Mark Twain on stage, did some voice-over work, some TV appearances and even made a lesser-known flick with Francis Ford Coppola called TWIXT. While not everything he's done in his later years is as strong, credit is due to Kilmer for remaining a consumate professional in his craft and fighting through his own health scares to continue doing what he loves, even getting a return to the franchise that started it all for him, TOP GUN: MAVERICK. Here's to you, Val Kilmer...you can be our wingman anytime!
11/16/2020 • 32 minutes, 36 seconds
Tango & Cash
For our latest episode we explore the late 80s actioner TANGO & CASH, which stars Sylvester Stallone, Kurt Russell, Teri Hatcher, Jack Palance and a dude with a really big chin. The production was a troubled mess that involved rewrites, a new director and all kinds of other issues that made us wonder how it even made it into theaters. Sure, it's a fun enough flick, but man is it a crazy mess chock full of one-liners, explosions, bloody shoot outs and even ends with a freeze frame high five! Seriously, WTF Happened To This Movie?
11/9/2020 • 17 minutes, 19 seconds
Mike Myers
In our latest episode we take a look at the funnyman genius that is Mike Myers, who has had a long career of hilarious and memorable characters (and a few not-so-memorable ones) throughout his film and TV career thus far. Myers first rose to prominence with his various performances on SNL, even translating one of them, WAYNE'S WORLD, to the big screen with great success. He followed that up with the oft-forgotten gem SO I MARRIED AN AXE MURDERER and then a sequel to WAYNE'S WORLD, before giving us the cultural phenomenon that is AUSTIN POWERS: INTERNATIONAL MAN OF MYSTERY. Two sequels (and a few smaller films) later, Myers dabbled in Dr. Suess with THE CAT IN THE HAT, which bombed at the box office and put Myers off the live-action grid, instead continuing his voiceover work for the famous animated SHREK series. He returned four years later with THE LOVE GURU, which sadly didn't get much love in theaters. After an almost unrecognizable appearance in Quentin Tarantino's INGLORIOUS BASTERDS, Myers disappeared from live action films, only recently returning for the Oscar-winning BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY. What gives? Where's he been? Why has he denied us his comedy genius for so long and will he be back? Join us as we catch up and find out WTF happened to Mike Myers!
11/2/2020 • 26 minutes, 31 seconds
Ant Man
In our latest episode we explore 2015's MCU hit, ANT-MAN, starring Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Pena and Corey Stoll. Eventually directed by Peyton Reed, the film was long-in-development by Edgar Wright (HOT FUZZ) and Joe Cornish, who carried the film for a long time from script to pre-production. Eventually, Wright left the project after clashing with Marvel Studios and the film commenced without him, even though he shares a writing credit with Cornish on the final film. So, how did a project that Wright developed for so long get away from him and what led to the film we finally got? Seriously, WTF Happened To This Movie?
10/26/2020 • 20 minutes, 29 seconds
Charlie Sheen
It was inevitable that we'd find our way to Charlie Sheen, son of Martin, brother to Emilio and all around wild and crazy, Tiger-Blood drinkin' actor that's as much a cultural icon as he is a Hollywood celebrity. Sheen began his early work in 80's flicks like Lucas and Red Dawn, before making a splash in Oliver Stone's Platoon (and again in Wall Street). Sheen would then continue his hot streak with Major League (as Rick 'Wild Thing' Vaughn), Navy Seals and Hot Shots! and then dovetailing into a stream of obscure films that never matched his early popularity. However, Sheen found massive success in the long-running sitcom Two and a half Men, which catapulted him not only in the TV world, but in the press as well, where he seemed to make just as much noise in his personal life as he did onscreen. With his well-documented wild lifestyle, Sheen became both a cautionary tale and a hero to many, all the while remaining the bad boy. Any way you cut it, Sheen has made a name for himself and forever cemented his legacy in the world of film and TV.
10/19/2020 • 30 minutes, 16 seconds
The Fountain
In this episode, we take a look at director Darren Aronofsky's 2006 film, THE FOUNTAIN, starring Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz. What was originally set with a much bigger budget and a lead cast of Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, turned into a domino effect of production delays, budget cuts and finally a cancelation that saw set pieces being auctioned off. After turning the script into a DC/Vertigo comic, Aronofsky eventually got his footing back for the film, this time with a new cast and a smaller budget. Released in 2006 with barely a whimper and critical dismissal, THE FOUNTAIN has since found its way into cult status, like many of Aronofsky's films, and begs the question; WTF happened to this movie?
10/13/2020 • 17 minutes, 28 seconds
Francis Ford Coppola
In this episode, we look at legendary director Francis Ford Coppola, who gifted us with such cinematic gems as The Godfather Trilogy, Apocalypse Now, The Conversation, The Outsiders and Bram Stoker's Dracula, before pulling a near disappearing act in the later part of his career, dipping in to direct vastly different films, such as Jack with Robin Williams, an adaptation of John Grisham's The Rainmaker and then some truly odd, underwhelming flicks like Youth Without Youth and Twixt. Coppola has also worked heavily as a producer and even has his own wine, which you can pick up at most liquor stores, but his absence from greatness on the big screen has left us wondering WTF Happened to Francis Ford Coppola?
10/5/2020 • 28 minutes, 10 seconds
Jaws
In this episode we explore the groundbreaking hit JAWS, a movie that kick-started not only director Steven Spielberg's career, but also what came to be known as the "summer blockbuster" as it drew in massive crowds to be shocked and wowed in the summer months like never before. Starring Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss and based on the novel by Peter Benchley, JAWS was fraught with production woes from the beginning, not least of which was a testy mechanical shark named "Bruce" and the primadonna of all movies shot on the water; mother nature. Still, it ended up all being worth it, but it was no easy task to get there, begging the question; WTF happened to this movie?
9/28/2020 • 21 minutes, 57 seconds
Ben Affleck
In our latest WTF series, we take a look at some of our favorite stars and filmmakers who have seemingly disappeared or altered their careers over the years to the point that begs the question; WTF happened? Now, before you think we're just picking on celebrities or running some gossip rag stuff, think again! We take a fun (and sometimes funny), researched and fair approach, looking at all angles that led our subject to wherever they are now (which isn't necessarily a bad place at all). If anything, it answers the question on where these fine folks went, how they got there and where you can find 'em now.In this episode we look at the career of Ben Affleck, who rose to fame in the early days of Kevin Smith with indie hits like CHASING AMY and MALLRATS, as well as a memorable turn in Richard Linklater's DAZED AND CONFUSED. However, it was his co-scripting and acting in GOOD WILL HUNTING that really put him on the map and opened up doors for all types of leading man roles, including Michael Bay's ARMAGEDDON and PEARL HARBOR, John Frankenheimer's REINDEER GAMES, the Tom Clancy adaptation THE SUM OF ALL FEARS and the lead in Marvel's DAREDEVIL. However, he hit a snag at GIGLI with then spouse Jennifer Lopez and did a number of smaller films before emerging as a director with THE TOWN. From there, Affleck was on fire again, following up with another directorial gig, ARGO, which took home the gold. He continued this hot streak with David Fincher's GONE GIRL before becoming a superhero again, this time for Zack Snyder's BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE and JUSTICE LEAGUE. From there his next directorial effort, LIVE BY NIGHT, fizzled and Affleck's personal life suffered as well, battling divorce and alcoholism. The actor sought help and worked hard to get sober, next appearing in THE WAY BACK, which tackles those very demons. Affleck has a number of projects lined up from here and is looking healthy and strong yet again, ready to deliver more good work on top of his already massively impressive resume. Also, he was the BOMB in PHANTOMS, yo!
9/21/2020 • 31 minutes, 57 seconds
Last Action Hero
In the latest episode we look back at what happened to director John McTiernan's meta-satirical "family" 1993 action flick LAST ACTION HERO, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Charles Dance and Austin O'Brien. Written by Zak Penn and Adam Leff with a script by Shane Black and David Arnott, the film was set up to be a summer tentpole extravaganza, but ended up faultering and failing to connect with a mass audience, who weren't really onboard with the confusing thematic elements and meta quality. However, as time has gone on the film has garnered a cult status, with viewers finally "getting" the intent of the film and enjoying it for what it is (or rather, what it wants to be). With so much on the line and so much at stake for what should've been a slam dunk at the box office, we have to ask the question; WTF Happened To This Movie?
9/14/2020 • 13 minutes, 18 seconds
Jim Carrey
In our latest episode we tackle the ultra funnyman Jim Carrey, who has built an empire out of his rubber-faced comedic antics, leaving a long list of fan-favorite films in his wake. Carrey started out like most comedians, doing stand-up, before landing a role on the TV ensemble In Living Color, which rocketed him to Hollywood. Ace Ventura: Pet Detective lit the fuse and from there the actor stacked gem after gem onto his resume. Then, Carrey tried his hand at some more dramatic fare with both good and not-so-good results. Then, his work became more sporadic and he began to develop his tastes as an artist and painter, while dealing with some personal issues as well. But, Carrey can't be kept down and continues to reemerge from time to time to show that he's still here and still got what it takes, even though we still have to ask the question; WTF Happened to Jim Carrey?
9/8/2020 • 30 minutes, 3 seconds
Galaxy Quest
In our latest episode we explore the 1999 surprise hit GALAXY QUEST, which had a long road to making it to the big screen. Starring Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Sam Rockwell, Tony Shalhoub, Daryl Mitchell, Enrico Colantoni, Justin Long and Missi Pyle, this riff on Star Trek, directed by Dean Parisot, eventually got over its hurdles and made a galactic splash at the box office. Now, if we could just get that sequel...
8/31/2020 • 22 minutes, 55 seconds
Randy Quaid
This week we take a look at the strange journey of actor Randy Quaid, who has made a career out of being a goofy, obnoxious, yet affable character actor, occasionally dipping his toe into more serious fare. Brother to Dennis, Randy has followed in his brother's Hollywood footsteps, albeit with a lean into supporting roles and non-heroic types, but nonetheless leaving a lasting impression, particularly in films like INDEPENDENCE DAY, CHRISTMAS VACATION, QUICK CHANGE, DAYS OF THUNDER, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN and KINGPIN. In his later years, Quaid kept busy in Hollywood, but also found himself in trouble with the law and all sorts of other shenanigans that feel like they'd be part of a movie he's acting in. Nonetheless, we've enjoyed Quaid's antics onscreen (less so offscreen) and wanted to find out just WTF happened to him. Enjoy!
8/24/2020 • 23 minutes, 32 seconds
The Crow
In our latest episode we examine the tragic circumstances around the 1994 adaptation of James O'Barr's cult classic comic book, The Crow, which starred Brandon Lee in the title role and was directed by Alex Proyas. It was also the film that claimed his life after a tragic accident on a set riddled with issues from the start. After his death, it was unclear if the movie would ever see the light of day, but a number of circumstances finally brought it to theaters, creating a lasting legacy for Lee and the only filmed version of the character to leave a lasting impression on audiences, despite a number of sequels and even a short-lived TV series.
8/17/2020 • 19 minutes, 20 seconds
Jack Nicholson
his time out we explore the career of the legendary Jack Nicholson, who has graced us with a plethora of scene-stealing performances in some truly great and iconic films that have helped define cinema today. From THE SHINING to ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST to CHINATOWN to BATMAN to TERMS OF ENDEARMENT to THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK to A FEW GOOD MEN to AS GOOD AS IT GETS to ABOUT SCHMIDT to THE DEPARTED and beyond, Jack Nicholason has been a powerhouse for the ages, sprinkling his devilish charm all throughout Hollywood since he emerged on the scene. Nicholson has since disappeared from Hollywood, with his last role being in the James L. Brooks dud HOW DO YOU KNOW, which was ten years ago. Where did Jack go? What's he been up to? Will we ever see him on the big screen again or has he officially retired and left us with his film legacy to chew on? All this and more in the latest WTF Happened to...
8/10/2020 • 21 minutes, 5 seconds
The Wizard of Oz
In our latest episode we take a trip waaaay back to 1939 in the Land of Oz, where the adaptation of Frank L. Baum's Wizard of Oz swept audiences away in a storm of cinematic fury. Or did it? We take a look at all the drama "behind the curtains" of this epic film, which was recently revealed to be the most influential movie of all time and find out just how it came to be. The answers are both shocking and surprising, showing how far we've come in the modern age of filmmaking as we uncover WTF Happened to The Wizard of Oz!
8/3/2020 • 19 minutes, 10 seconds
Renee Zellweger
In our latest episode of WTF Happened To... we take a look at the career of the multi-talented actress Renee Zellweger, who won our hearts (and had us at hello) with Jerry Maguire, took the romcom genre by storm with the Bridget Jones Diary franchise, danced her way to the top with Chicago, brought the laughs with Jim Carrey in Me, Myself & Irene and took home the gold for her supporting role in Cold Mountain. But then, Zellweger seemingly disappeared and was gone for years before re-emerging on the scene out of nowhere, prompting everyone to wonder what had happened to the shooting star. The answer may (or may not) surprise you, but we take a look at where she was and where she's going. Now, Zellweger is back on the big (and small) screen with a starring role in Judy, playing the legendary actress Judy Garland and fronting the Netflix series What/If, showing that you can't keep a great actress down.
7/27/2020 • 9 minutes, 54 seconds
Brendan Fraser
This entry in the series focuses on the beloved Brendan Fraser, who has seen a wild ride of ups and downs throughout his career and we shed some light on how that all went down. You may very well be surprised at his journey.
7/20/2020 • 16 minutes, 35 seconds
Eddie Murphy
In our latest episode of WTF Happened To... we take a look at the career of Eddie Murphy, who got his start doing stand-up comedy before graduating to SNL where he put a stamp on his brand of comedy for the masses. Shortly after, Murphy ventured into the world of feature films and made an even bigger name for himself with hits like 48 Hours, Trading Places, Beverly Hills Cop, Boomerang, Mulan, Shrek and The Nutty Professor. However, a long string of duds soon followed and Murphy found himself struggling to get back on top. Plagued by personal issues and failed attempts at recapturing the magic of his earlier comedy career, Murphy seemed to be down for the count. Then, in 2019, the famed comedian stepped up his game and released one of his finest performances yet with Dolemite Is My Name, a biopic about the late blaxploitation actor Rudy Ray Moore. After that, Murphy did a guest stint on SNL and is planning to launch back into stand-up while reviving some of his more popular franchises, including Coming 2 America and Beverly Hills Cop 4. Is Eddie back on top? We certainly hope so and welcome him with open arms!
7/13/2020 • 19 minutes, 47 seconds
Adrien Brody
In our latest episode of WTF Happened To... we take a look at the career of Adrien Brody, who appeared mostly as a supporting actor in films like The Thin Red Line and Summer of Sam, until taking home an Oscar for Best Actor in Roman Polanski's The Pianist in 2002. After that he did a number of high profile films, including Peter Jackson's King Kong, M. Night Shyamalan's The Village, Predators, Rian Johnson's The Brothers Bloom and Wes Anderson's The Darjeeling Limited/The Grand Budapest Hotel before disappearing into a number of odd roles and odd films that failed to show off his caliber of talent (although he did make a recurring appearance on Peaky Blinders). Brody continues to work steadily, but will we see him return to the kinds of roles that helped him take home the gold? Let's take a look at this fine actor's career to figure out WTF Happened to Adrien Brody!
7/6/2020 • 23 minutes, 53 seconds
Starship Troopers
In the latest episode we look back at what happened to director Paul Verhoeven's now-classic sci-fi romp, STARSHIP TROOPERS! Originally released in 1997, the film was skewered by critics and audiences were skittish. Starring Casper Van Dien, Denise Richards, Neil Patrick Harris, Jake Busey, Dina Meyer and Clancy Brown, the adaptation of the award-winning novel by Robert A. Heinlein was a tough nut to crack and folks were initially turned off by the hardcore ultraviolence and irreverent satirical edge. However, those same aspects are what has helped make it the cult classic it is today, leaving us with the question of WTF Happened To This Movie?
6/29/2020 • 22 minutes, 49 seconds
Solo: A Star Wars Story
In the latest episode we look back at what happened to the Star Wars spinoff effort SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY, which ended up being a financial disaster and critical flop for the usually cast-iron franchise. However, it wasn't just a case of fans not caring for the film, it was a case of a film that seemed doomed early on, as original directors Chris Miller & Phil Lord were fired and replaced three-quarters of the way through shooting with veteran director Ron Howard picking up the slack and reshooting nearly the whole film. How did this happen? Why did this happen? What went wrong? We explore it all in the latest episode of WTF Happened To This Movie?
6/22/2020 • 17 minutes, 5 seconds
Alien 3
In the latest episode we look back at what happened to David Fincher's feature film debut and sequel to the Alien series, Alien 3. Met with critical backlash and fan rage over the death of key characters, as well as a claustrophobic setting, Alien 3 quickly became the Black Sheep of the franchise, but later gained a cult following with a longer cut released and a revisit after Alien: Resurrection, the 4th sequel, failed to right any wrongs of the past.
6/15/2020 • 18 minutes, 47 seconds
Big Trouble in Little China
In the latest episode we look back at what happened to John Carpenter's 1986 martial arts fantasy action pic Big Trouble In Little China starring Kurt Russell, Kim Cattrell, Dennis Dun, James Hong, Victor Wong and Kate Burton. A box office bomb upon release, the film later went on to become a cult classic, even if it seemingly soured Carpenter on the big studio picture. Join us and take a look at What The F*ck Happened to Big Trouble in Little China!
6/8/2020 • 21 minutes, 14 seconds
The Shining
In the latest episode we venture back to the Overlook Hotel for Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of Stephen King's The Shining, starring Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall. The film has been a sore spot for King throughout the years, despite becoming a massive cultural phenomenon. Now, a sequel to the film, Doctor Sleep, is primed to hit theatres, prompting everyone to ask the question: WTF Happened to this Movie?
6/1/2020 • 20 minutes, 37 seconds
Back To The Future
In the latest episode of WTF Happened to this Movie? we take a trip back to 1985 to explore the making of Robert Zemeckis' classic sci-fi phenomenon, Back To The Future, starring Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd and Lea Thompson. While the film was a massive success, it wasn't exactly smooth sailing from the start and took a while to generate the 1.21 gigawatts needed to make it the cultural powerhouse it is today.
5/25/2020 • 18 minutes, 20 seconds
Cuba Gooding Jr.?
Our newest entry in the series centers on Academy Award winner Cuba Gooding Jr. who, if you believe his Oscar speech for JERRY MACGUIRE, loves...well ...everyone. Gooding has experienced a dynamic and sometimes perplexing career. He started off in critically acclaimed movies like John Singleton's BOYZ N THE HOOD and Rob Reiner's A FEW GOOD MEN. Later, Gooding veered into slapstick comedy with forgettable films like SNOW DOGS and BOAT TRIP. In recent years however, he seemingly righted the ship with breakout performances in American Horror Story and The People Versus O.J. Simpson. You may find your self surprised - maybe even a little disturbed - as to where Cuba Gooding Jr. is now.