Entertainment
Is Gaming Becoming a Bigger Deal in Hollywood?
It’s been a long time since gaming has been considered an exclusively niche territory. It’s now a pillar of the entertainment industry alongside…
It’s been a long time since gaming has been considered an exclusively niche territory. It’s now a pillar of the entertainment industry alongside music and movies, with some examples of the medium generating enormous amounts of money.
However, this doesn’t mean that every audience is likely to take equal notice of it. If you can get Hollywood to take more notice of something, though, you might find that it’s capable of reaching as broad an audience as possible.
With gaming adaptations being attempted for years with varying levels of success, is it now looking like its luck is starting to turn?
The Successful Adaptations
Sonic the Hedgehog and Mario are two of the most iconic and recognizable faces in the gaming landscape, so it’s no surprise that their recent movie adaptations have been successful in showcasing what a successful movie adaptation might look like.
That’s not to say that these films have been entirely positively received, but the reaction has been strong enough and financially viable enough to for sequels to have either been produced or be in production.
For more universally successful adaptations, HBO’s The Last of Us is arguably the prime example. While the source material was already very similar to dramatic television in terms of tone and execution, the acclaim that this adaptation has received has marked it as among the most successful example for many people.
Awareness and Popular Culture
What has helped this process along is the simple increase in general awareness when it comes to gaming, not just as a medium but in terms of the specific imagery and iconography. Popular examples like Minecraft are games that have been parodied or featured in many other forms of entertainment.
While Minecraft is a particularly lucrative example that might make it no wonder that it’s gained broad awareness, you can look to specific characters like Sonic, Mario, Link, Kratos, Solid Snake, Crash Bandicoot, Fallout’s Vault Boy, and many others to see how well known these icons are.
It’s also that there are more roads to gaming than ever before. The games that you’d play at a casino online are a good example of this, a previously physical activity that now can be lumped in with the rest of the gaming genres available, taking people who were exclusively a fan of the former experience and nudging them toward trying what else is now adjacent to that pastime.
Actors in Games
The presence of big actors in video games is nothing new—the original Fallout featured Ron Pearlman and CCH Pounder – but the volume of them and the way that modern technology can imitate their likeness has altered the interaction.
Death Stranding is a game that’s a prime example of this, featuring a cast of actors including Norman Reedus, Léa Seydoux, Guillermo Del Toro and Mads Mikkelsen rendered in their exact likeness as if they were performing in a movie.
This is a trend that has continued throughout the growth of the medium—Fallout 3 had Liam Neeson in a leading role, and an upcoming game titled Exodus was touted as featuring Matthew McConaughey, showcasing the marketing potential of this effort.
Jurassic World Rebirth, the latest installment in the dinosaur saga, has stomped its way to box office glory. Directed by Gareth Edwards and co-written by Jurassic Park veteran David Koepp, the film premiered on June 17 in London and hit U.S. theaters on July 2. It has already grossed over $334 million globally against a reported budget of $180 million.
This fresh reboot stars Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali in leading roles, supported by Jonathan Bailey, Ed Skrein, and Rupert Friend. The film shifts slightly from the earlier World trilogy tone, leaning into sci-fi thrills and a suspenseful, character-driven story.
Critics have been split. While some praise the visual effects and performances, others say it doesn’t quite recapture the awe of Spielberg’s original. Still, many fans agree that Rebirth is a major improvement over the previous film, Dominion, and a step in the right direction for the franchise.
With its strong performance, Universal is now reportedly developing spin-offs and planning to expand the Jurassic universe further. After ten films and over three decades of dino-dominance, it seems audiences still aren’t done with the thrill of prehistoric adventure.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 is officially underway, and the cast lineup is as iconic as fans hoped. Meryl Streep returns as the icy editor-in-chief Miranda Priestly, joined once again by Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci — reprising their roles nearly two decades after the 2006 original became a cultural classic.
But the sequel isn’t just about the old guard. It’s adding new faces to the high-fashion chaos, including Lucy Liu, Justin Theroux, B.J. Novak, Pauline Chalamet, and Bridgerton star Simone Ashley. Acclaimed actor and director Kenneth Branagh will also appear as Miranda’s husband — a character that’s expected to shake up the dynamics at Runway Magazine.
Plot details are still under wraps, but the film is scheduled to release on May 1, 2026. It’s expected to explore the evolving world of fashion media while diving deeper into Miranda’s personal life and Andy Sachs’ next chapter. Notably missing is Adrian Grenier, who played Andy’s boyfriend Nate in the original. Sources say his character won’t return for the sequel.
With a mix of nostalgia and fresh energy, The Devil Wears Prada 2 promises to deliver sharp dialogue, high fashion, and the kind of dramatic flair only Miranda Priestly can serve.
Entertainment
Exclusive: HGTV’s Izzy Battres’ Redemption Story — From Addiction to Hit New Show ‘Izzy Does It’
HGTV fan favorite and star of Izzy Does It, Izzy Battres, joins the We’re Out Of Time podcast hosted by addiction recovery expert and executive…
HGTV fan favorite and star of Izzy Does It, Izzy Battres, joins the We’re Out Of Time podcast hosted by addiction recovery expert and executive chairman of Carrara Treatment Wellness & Spa, Richard Taite. The podcast is currently ranked #3 in Mental Health and #6 in Health & Fitness on Apple Podcasts.
In this eye-opening, revealing conversation, Izzy opens up for the first time about his past struggles with addiction, the near-death experiences that almost cost him everything, and the redemption story that brought him back.
On this week’s episode of We’re Out of Time, Izzy Battres recounts how he was ‘smoking PCP’ and doing meth for years, thinking he was going to die, which led to him spending time in jail. Host Richard Taite asks, “Did you get arrested when you were a kid?” “I was,” Battres responds. “Did you go to jail?” continues Taite. “I did,” Battres reveals and continues, “But this is a redemption story.” Taite says, “That’s why we’re here.” Battres adds, “I’m just here to tell you guys there is hope.”
Izzy Battres Reveals Life-Saving ‘miracle’ Moment at Church
“Izzy Does It” star Izzy Battres reveals his life-changing spiritual moment at church that turned his life around: “It was a miracle.”
‘I See You, You Matter’ — Izzy Battres’ Message to His Younger Self
We’re Out of Time host Richard Taite asks, “If you could go back to your younger self, what would you say?” Battres answers through tears, “I see you, you matter… you have a purpose.” Taite continues, “Why does it make you emotional? He explains, “I think that’s everybody’s innate desire — to be seen.”
Izzy Battres is ‘Happy’ Being One of ‘First Latino Families on HGTV’
Contractor and TV personality Izzy Battres discusses his new show Izzy Does It and the breakthrough success it gained, ranking in HGTV’s top 10 most popular shows of the season. While hoping for season 2, Battres reflects on his accomplishments, “We’re happy at being one of the very first Latino families on HGTV”.
Catch the WE’RE OUT OF TIME podcast with host and Executive Chairman of Carrara Treatment Wellness & Spa, Richard Taite on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube!
-
Relationship1 day agoMaggie Q’s Married Life — Meet ‘Ballard’ Star’s Husband and Kids
-
News3 days agoWho Is Bryce Hall’s Girlfriend Mikaela Lafuente? Inside Their Relationship Timeline
-
News5 days agoJames Gunn’s ‘Superman’ Sparks Right-Wing Backlash Ahead of Release
-
News1 week agoCierra Ortega’s Family Breaks Silence After ‘Love Island’ USA Exit and Online Backlash
-
Entertainment5 days ago
‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ Rolls Out Star‑Studded Cast
-
Actor1 day agoIs David Corenswet Gay? Exploring ‘Superman’ Star’s Sexuality
-
News5 days agoLena Dunham Opens Up About Merciless Body‑Shaming in Hollywood
-
News5 days agoMichael Madsen’s Cause of Death Confirmed – Heart Failure at 67