Alan Cumming, who fans love for playing Nightcrawler in 2003’s X2: X-Men United, is coming back to play the famous blue-skinned mutant in Marvel’s  Avengers: Doomsday. The actor recently shared how surprised and thrilled he is to step into the role again after twenty years, and he gave some details about how the movie is being made and what it’s like for him to return to such a tough part. 4u3064

“Isn’t it nuts? It’s been 23 years since I was a superhero.” he said on Today with Jenna & Friends, “I’m going back to being a 60-year-old superhero, and everyone seems really lovely.” His comments have gotten a lot of attention. One of the most interesting things Cumming talked about was how much better the makeup process is now compared to when he first played Nightcrawler.

Cumming said, “What’s great about it was that before it was about four-and-a-half hours to apply it, but now it’s only 90 minutes.” This big improvement for Avengers: Doomsday comes from using stick-on tattoos instead of having them carefully painted on by hand. Cumming called this change a “game-changer,” and it sounds like it was a big reason he agreed to play the role again.

Nightcrawler is back in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ 354c23

The actor also gave some useful updates on when Avengers: Doomsday is filming. According to Variety, he said he’s already done makeup tests and will start shooting soon, with plans to fly to London on April 6, 2025. This matches earlier reports that the movie began filming in March 2025, with an official start date of March 26, meaning the production is moving faster than many people expected.

Fans are really excited about Cumming’s return, especially since other original X-Men actors are coming back too. Patrick Stewart (Professor X), Ian McKellen (Magneto), Rebecca Romijn (Mystique), and James Marsden (Cyclops) are all returning, which adds a lot of nostalgia and hype for longtime fans. There’s a lot of guessing about what Avengers: Doomsday will be about, and one popular idea is that the original X-Men team will be key players in a huge battle that might involve Doctor Doom.

The fact that so many classic characters are returning makes this theory seem even more likely, suggesting the story will be massive with high stakes. The movie’s cast is full of big names, including Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, and Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic. With so many famous actors and familiar faces from past Marvel movies, this film is shaping up to be special.

With how huge Avengers: Doomsday is shaping up to be, bringing back fan-favorite characters and adding an incredible cast, there’s already a ton of excitement. Alan Cumming’s happy reaction and his behind-the-scenes updates have only made fans more eager. As the release date of May 1, 2026, gets closer, everyone is waiting to see Nightcrawler on screen again and to find out what part he’ll play in the next big Marvel story.

Romy and Michele are edging closer to another reunion, and fans are eagerly awaiting all the exciting details. Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion was released in 1997 and has gradually become a firm cult classic. There have been talks about a sequel in recent years, and now Mira Sorvino has some news to share.

Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion, directed by David Mirkin, follows best friends Romy White (Sorvino) and Michele Weinberger (Lisa Kudrow) as they concoct a wild scheme to impress their former bullies, the popular girls known as the A-Group, at their 10-year high school reunion in Tucson, Arizona. The movie also starred Janeane Garofalo, Alan Cumming, Julia Campbell, Elaine Hendrix, Vincent Ventresca, and Justin Theroux in the fleeting yet iconic role of outcast Clarence the Cowboy.

In an interview with People, Sorvino shared that a director has been chosen to helm the sequel, and the project is “so close to being greenlit.” According to the actress, she and Kudrow will be reprising their roles as Romy and Michele, and they’ll also be serving as executive producers. Despite the big news, however, there are still plenty of changes being made, and it isn’t quite official yet but the outlook seems positive. “There are rumors of shooting it second quarter next year,” Sorvino said before adding, “But it’s not officially greenlit, so I can’t say that it’s officially greenlit.”

In of who’s coming back for the sequel, Sorvino said, “Almost every single character from the original that was important is coming back. This is all pending, them making deals, them saying yes, but they’re all in there,” she explained.

Alan Cumming and Lisa Kudrow have read the script 10l2y

Scottish actor Alan Cumming portrayed the role of Sandy Frink, a geek who had a big crush on Michele in high school and had become a business tycoon after inventing a special type of rubber. In Feb., the actor disclosed his theory about why he thinks it’s taken a long time for a sequel to move forward. “My theory is that because they’re two women. If they were to men this would’ve been our fifth sequel by now. I think misogyny in Hollywood is huge,” he expressed. 

Cumming recalled Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion as being his first movie in Hollywood and wasn’t sure why he was given the role. Nevertheless, he enjoyed doing the film and is amazed at how it has accumulated a cult following throughout the years. In June, Cumming expressed his excitement about the sequel, sharing that it’s a great opportunity to relive the characters. “I actually know that the story is, and it’s really good. So I’m excited. I’m so excited to go back to it,” he said.

Likewise, Kudrow has also read the script. While talking to ComicBook in July, the actress said, “I actually read a script, but we’ll see — nothing’s decided. I hope so — I liked the script.” It seems there has been movement on the project since then, and it’s only a matter of time before we find out what’s next for Romy and Michele and what they’ve been up to since their high school reunion.

There aren’t many Marvel movies more deserving of legendary status than X2. Not only is it the quintessential, and arguably still the best, of Fox’s X-Men films, it also continues to influence the MCU even 21 years on. I mean, who’s coming back alongside Hugh Jackman’s Logan in Deadpool & Wolverine this summer? X2 characters Pyro and Lady Deathstrike.

And yet this Pride Month is seeing X-Men 2 celebrated for a whole other, and typically underrated, reason. The amazing Nightcrawler himself Alan Cumming recently described the movie as “the gayest film I’ve ever done,” noting how unusual it was back then — and even now — to have a major superhero tentpole blockbuster made by and starring various LGBTQ+ creatives and featuring queer themes.

So what does screenwriter David Hayter think about this assessment? It turns out he couldn’t be prouder. Hayter revealed to Variety that he’s “thrilled” by Cumming’s comments, as this element of the film was always an important one to him.

“I was thrilled Alan Cumming called X2 the gayest film he’d ever worked on. It made me really happy,” Hayter said. “I’m so glad we did right by him. He’s such an icon for gay rights. Ian McKellen also really recognized the allegory of it from a gay perspective.”

Hayter went on to stress how pleased he is that Cumming picked up on what he and the rest of the film’s creative team were putting down:

“It’s really for anyone who feels exclusion,” Hayter continued. “But we had a number of key creatives behind the camera and on camera who were gay, so obviously that element was on our minds. The fact that came through and felt fulfilling for Alan meant a lot to me personally.”

Cumming made his glowing comments about X2 while speaking to Entertainment Weekly. “I think the ‘X-Men’ film I’m in is the gayest film that I’ve ever done, and that’s me saying that,” The Traitors host told EW. “It’s got a queer director, lots of queer actors in it. I love the fact that something so mainstream and so in the comic book world is so queer.”

Gay themes in the X-Men universe?! Everyone, pretend to be shocked. Nobody tell those people who are continually offended that Wolverine is canonically queer in the comics that the people who made their favorite X-Men movie wanted it to be as gay as can be.

For two seasons, the US iteration of The Traitors has been captivating audiences with its display of semi-disgraced reality television stars, devious machinations, and bold-faced lies. The most recent installment of the competition series features the likes of Larsa Pippen, Tamra Judge and Phaedra Parks, but it’s more than just the stars of The Real Housewives that have turned heads. 

Scottish actor Alan Cumming, who has hosted both seasons of The Traitors, sets the cunning tone of the show by consistently dressing in outfits reminiscent of a James Bond villain. Often sporting tartan suits and that notorious smirk, the Spy Kids and X-Men actor gives the contestants a run for their money in of stealing the spotlight. That’s why we’re sorting through Alam Cumming’s most dazzling The Traitors outfits. 

Charcoal tartan 325w4u

This might be one of Cumming’s more understated The Traitors looks, which is not to say it’s devoid of personality. The monochromatic, charcoal tartan suit fits snugly on the host, and is paired elegantly with a fedora, orange socks, and two dazzling brooches. In Cumming , this is simply a grocery shop outfit. 

Yellow blazers to the nines 2f1h1i

In a rare moment mostly devoid of plaid (though still visible in his black and white vest), Cumming donned a bright yellow blazer and deep blue pants for this sophisticated season 1 The Traitors look. As always with the actor, the outfit was complemented by an array of accessories, from a blue-lined handkerchief to a red flower lapel and a striped tie. 

Middle part hairdo 3k162d

Perhpas Cumming’s most daring look came courtesy of his hair stylist, when the actor sported a flowing middle part and brooch so shiny it might warrant sunglasses. A deep red knitted tie, pale yellow dress shirt and tartan blazer completed the look, as Cunning pulled off a Celtic vibe that would become his signature. 

Beret beauty 4z1s5c

While Cumming’s selection of hats is always sure to pull focus, this navy knitted beret is perhaps his most understated. The actor again sports a knitted tie — this time in yellow — and switches colorways with a pale blue dress shirt, blue and green tartan and a brooch the size of a satellite dish. 

Latex gloves 5hy47

Cumming’s fashion stretches to all of his limbs, as seen in this daring outfit consisting of yellow latex gloves, a matching tie, and platinum blonde hair. This technicoloured number includes a bright red plaid blazer, and looks all the more chic when paired with a glass of whiskey. 

Celtic blue 6q2yb

Cumming nailed the Celtic vibe with this monochromatic blue tartan suit. Sandwiched between a black turtleneck and leather boots, this Irish-inspired outfit reads as quintessential Alan Cumming, with a plaid shoal and multiple brooches for extra measure. 

Frills and frocks 296t48

One of Cumming’s more outlandish outfits arrived in season 2, when The Traitors host debuted his first frilly look with an off-the-shoulder tarlatan statement piece. Adding extra flair, the actor sported a plaid red skirt, sequined sleeves, black velvet tie and some fierce eye makeup. Not even the antics of the contestants could pull focus from Cunning with this look.   

Entering the villain era n22g

The Traitors welcomed its first villain with this look, and it wasn’t Brandi Glanville. Swathed in black colorways and accentuated with an angular bowler hat, Cumming channelled a James Bond adversary with this juicily sinister season 2 look. While the outfit was mostly monochromatic, the actor brought some flavor with a paisley cravat. Chef’s kiss. 

Pajama party 2u3c2o

Pajamas were made fashionable in season 2, when Cumming sported a casual velvet velor number complete with his own embroidered initials (and some extra large lapels). The actor brought pops of color to the mostly purple outfit with bright yellow stylings like a beret, socks, and amber framed spectacles.  

The Traitors incarnate 1r3q6a

If The Traitors itself was to have a look and style, it would be this quintessential Cumming outfit from season 1. All the staples of dastardliness are there, from a quaffed scarf to navy latex gloves and the kind of fedora you might’ve seen Javier Bardem wear in 2012’s Skyfall. It’s a testament to Cumming’s style that these markers are now synonymous with the show, and we’re sure he would’ve had even the contestants questioning if he was the real traitor.

If there is one thing to know about The Traitors host Alan Cumming, it’s that he’s sure to send shivers down your spine.

For those unfamiliar with the beloved competition series, “The Traitors is a nail-biting psychological adventure in which treachery and deceit are the name of the game,” and with its second season officially underway, fan favorites from Survivor, Big Brother, The Challenge, The Bachelor, Love Island, and more are fighting for a massive cash prize in what Peacock calls “the ultimate murder mystery game.”

As far as Cumming’s role on the hit competition show goes, the 59-year-old facilitates every challenge and introduces all of the twists and turns — all while showing off his fabulous fashion sense — but who is he beyond our television screens?

Alan Cumming is a Scottish actor, born and raised in Aberfeldy before beginning his career in 1984. His first acting gig was in an episode of Travelling Man, however, this series was just a glimpse into all of the success that he had on the way.

To follow, some of his most notable acting gigs were in television shows and movies like Schmigadoon!, X2, GoldenEye, The Anniversary Party, Son of the Mask, and more. He even had a key role within the Spy Kids franchise as Fegan Floop, the host of his television show titled Floop’s Fooglies.

To top it all off, Cumming has tried his hand at voice acting as well, starring in Arthur, The Smurfs, The Simpsons, Bubble Guppies, Dora the Explorer, and more in the past. Seriously though, who isn’t obsessed with his Scottish accent?

Now reprising his role as the host of The Traitors, Alan Cumming selected Phaedra Parks and Dan Gheesling — who later recruited Parvati Shallow — as the traitors for the second season of the beloved competition series, leaving fans of the franchise with just one burning question: Will this trio sneak their way to the end, or will the faithfuls discover their identities and take home the massive cash prize instead?

To find out for yourself, catch brand new episodes of The Traitors Thursdays at 6pm PT/ 9pm ET on Peacock.

It’s a common misconception that the main character in the long-running BBC science fiction series Doctor Who is named “Doctor Who.” In reality, their name is “Doctor Whom,” and the real fans know that.

And there have been dozens of performers considered for the role of Doctor Whom over the show’s 60-year history, ranging from the also-ran footnote character actors of the 1960s and ‘70s, to genuine, A-list stars in more recent years. Here’s a look at some of the more recognizable faces that nearly took over the TARDIS controls before thinking better of the opportunity, ing it up, or royally wetting the bed.

Benedict Cumberbatch didn’t make his Doctor’s appointment 5by6z

During a talk show interview in 2011, Benedict Cumberbatch revealed that he was encouraged by rapidly-exiting incumbent Doctor David Tennant to toss his zany red felt fez in the ring for the part of Gallifrey’s wackiest scofflaw. In spite of what would eventually become a lucrative working relationship with the series’ new showrunner, Stephen Moffat, Cumberbatch declined the invitation, going on to state that playing the Doctor means “you are on the flask, you are on the school lunch box, you have to sometimes go on the school bus as Doctor Who on promotional tours. I like to keep the work on the set.”

Incidentally, here’s Benedict Cumberbatch shooting a promo video a few years later, visiting a comic book shop dressed as Doctor Strange.

Brian Blessed made things hawkward 345h1u

If you don’t know Brian Blessed, then yes, you do. His trumpeting baritone voice and Ghost of Christmas Present physicality have been bringing larger-than-life characters to the screen for over 60 years, including Boss Nass in The Phantom Menace, Prince Vultan in Flash Gordon, and, no kidding 13 years’ worth of Grampy Rabbit on Peppa Pig. 

Speaking with The Telegraph in 2014, Blessed recalled being invited into the Doctor Who fold all the way back in the ‘60s. He shot down the opportunity, but fortunately, he wasn’t turned away at the door when he showed up to play King Yrcanos in the Sixth Doctor MIndwarp serial a few decades later. 

Bernard Cribbins almost had an even longer Doctor Who history 222i3z

If you love Doctor Who, chances are that you love the late Bernard Cribbins, the actor who brought the objectively adorable Wilfred Mott to life across David Tennant’s run on the show, along with a role in the Peter Cushing Doctor Who movie in 1965, if you want to get super obscure. What you might not know is that Cribbins met with the producers of the series back when they were shopping for their fourth Doctor. Speaking with Digital Spy in 2013, he recalled being asked what he would bring to the role, and telling the folks in charge that he’d been a paratrooper and knew how to fight. He was a little ahead of his time, and the Doctor’s tortured war era was still a long way off, narratively speaking. It was a .

Alan Cumming had to be going 3l1l5w

It would have been fun, seeing Alan Cumming running from Daleks in whatever outfit the The Traitors host would have picked for himself – presumably something involving a mesh kilt and a dope bowler hat, but that’s just a guess. He was slated to play the Doctor in a series revival circa 2003, but the plans were scrapped in favor of the Russell T. Davies reboot. Cumming got the last laugh, appearing in the series nearly 20 years later as one of the only watchable aspects of the Chibnall era.

Dame Judi Dench could have been Doctor Judi Dench 1r2910

During the blue sky phase of developing the return of Doctor Who around the turn of the century, many names got thrown around. Among them: Judi Dench, who was reportedly a favorite of series producer and BBC executive Jane Tranter. Would Dench have accepted the role? Hard to say. Your gut tells you “no,” but then you she said yes to CATS, so who knows? She’s a wild card.

Alan Rickman didn’t blink, but the studio did 2fs2g

Sometimes, you find out that an actor was up for the part of the Doctor and think “Weird, that would’ve been different.” Other times, you think “Wait, how did that not happen?” 

Alan Rickman came treacherously close to playing the Doctor back in the ‘90s, when the franchise was, as a whole, deep in the throes of flop sweat. A feature film was set to be made, directed by Leonard Nimoy and featuring Rickman in the lead role, with Caroline Munro as his Gallifreyan companion. Doctor Who: A History reports that the story would have involved Amelia Earhart, kissing, and kissing Amelia Earhart, had the whole thing not blown up in an eruption of litigation and lapsed franchise rights.

An actor can work with an animal on a set and ultimately have the creature be something they forget, but, Alan Cumming always liked Tonka the chimpanzee from 1997’s Buddy and is desperate to find him now.

Today Variety reported the 57-year-old entertainer is offering a $10,000 reward for anyone who can find Tonka today. The chimpanzee was last seen caged at the now-closed Missouri Primate Foundation in Festus, Mo. Chimpanzees were bred there for years for renting out to films, sale to private owners, or use at parties, and PETA has put up a separate $10,000 reward for information on where Tonka is being kept.

Cumming told the publication he had very fond memories of his peer from the production alongside Rene Russo and worries he is in isolation somewhere scary or has met a more severe and serious fate.

“Tonka and I became good friends, playing and grooming each other and just generally larking about. It’s horrible to think he might be in a cage in a dark basement or have met some other fate, so I’m appealing to whoever knows what has become of him to please come forward and claim the reward.”

While some countries outright have a ban on or strictly regulate the ownership of animals beyond cats, dogs and common household companions, rules on the matter vary by state across the United States.

Where Tonka was born requires permits for some species, but generally does not ban exotic ownership outright. Those who oversee more complex animals like chimpanzees can then still be sued over their care and PETA did just that with the Missouri Primate Foundation. They got permission to take Tonka and six other animals to an accredited sanctuary, but, when they arrived to do so in July 2021, he was gone.

PETA alleged in the Variety report Tonka’s owner did something and knows more than she claims.

“Tonia Haddix claimed that [Tonka] had ‘died.’ but told various stories that didn’t add up and failed to prove that this was the case. She had previously stated that PETA would never get him. In January, a judge found mystery surrounds the primate’s disappearance and Haddix’s testimony was not credible, leaving PETA and Cumming to try and determine his whereabouts or perhaps his final resting place.”

Those in the know and who want to see Tonka live out the rest of his days at a sanctuary as ordered by the court — assuming Tonka’s still with us — can call PETA at 757-622-PETA or can submit tips to them at PETA.org/Tonka.

It’s been quite some time since one of Irvine Welsh’s controversial novels has made it to the big screen (the last one, Acid House was released in 1998, just two years after cult hit Trainspotting), but it sounds like that’s about to change. According The Playlist, Welsh has revealed that a film version of Filth, his darkly comic 1998 novel, is set to begin production in January 2012 boasting a rock solid cast that includes James McAvoy, Jamie Bell and Alan Cumming. Sort of an Edinburgh-set version of Bad Lieutenant, Filth follows Bruce Robertson, a drug-addled, womanizing, misanthropic police officer investigating a race-related murder that may net him a promotion despite his tendency to get sidetracked snorting cocaine, making sexually harassing phone calls to his friend’s wife and dealing with a tapeworm that acts as his conscience. McAvoy is set to play Robertson, presumably the role he was alluding to when he described an character as “extreme” and “full-on mental” in an interview with The Daily Record earlier this year. Bell will be Robertson’s young partner Lennox (the character also has his own follow-up in Welsh’s 2008 novel Crime), and Cumming will play Robertson’s beleaguered boss, Bob Toal. Welsh will be acting as the film’s producer and of director Jon S. Baird, Welsh tells The Playlist:

“I’ve been trying to get Filth made with different producers and directors for years. Jon did a revised screenplay which was absolutely brilliant: he’s captured and kept the essence of the main protagonist but he’s done a lot of interesting things with it as well. He’s kind of rendered it very, very cinematic and it’s going to make a great film with that cast.”

Welsh fans can also look forward to the October release of Ecstasy, an independent Canadian production of his 1996 short story collection.

Most fans of the classic The Smurfs cartoon find the idea of a feature-length CGI/live action version somewhat disconcerting, as these animated 3D hybrids have been less than dazzling in the past. While not Smurf-tastic, The Smurfs is a cute family film that suffers from being a little formulaic and uninspired. Out in theaters on July 29th, The Smurfs is a great film for the kiddos and a chance for fans of the original to reminisce. The original Smurfscartoon, termed “kiddie cocaine” for those who grew up watching it in the ‘80s, is pretty much sacred ground to some of us (ok, me). And given the dismal results of other animated hybrid cartoon remakes like Alvin and the Chipmunks, Scooby-Doo and Garfield, it’s only natural that fans wouldn’t want this endearing tale of little blue singing creatures ruined. Especially as The Smurfs is directed by the man behind said Scooby-Doo hybrid, as well as the embarrassingly bad Beverly Hills Chihuahua, Raja Gosnell. Here’s the plot rundown. The Smurfs are frolicking in the forest of their world, singing a happy tune, picking smurf berries and preparing for the Blue Moon ceremony. Papa Smurf sees a disturbing vision when he casts a spell, and is worried that his smurfs are in real danger now that the stars are aligning around the Blue Moon. Meanwhile, wizardy villain Gargamel and his wicked cat Azrael are plotting the Smurfs’ capture in their cottage/laboratory. Apparently Gargamel needs smurf “essence” to have true magic, and since he can’t locate their village he must rely on tricks and hi-jinks. When Clumsy Smurf inadvertently reveals the location of the village to Gargamel, chaos ensues and the smurfs begin to run for their lives. With Gargamel and Azrael in hot pursuit, Clumsy takes a wrong turn in the forest and runs right into a dangerous and forbidden grotto. Papa Smurf, Smurfette, Gutsy smurf and Grouchy smurf follow Clumsy to try and rescue him, and they all end up being sucked into a magic vortex that pops them out in New York City. Unfortunately for them, Gargamel and Azrael jump in after them, and the chase continues. Poor Clumsy gets into more trouble as he ends up in hard-working ad man Patrick Wilson’s stuff and gets carried home with him. Patrick is trying to keep his job, and his sweet pregnant wife is maybe the only person in New York who would not only be happy to discover little blue creatures in her bathroom, but immediately befriend them. Patrick and his wife Grace try to help Papa Smurf and the others find a telescope so that they can read the stars, and find out when the Blue Moon will return. It needs to come back in order for them to create a vortex to take them home. Of course, Patrick finds having a handful of smurfs to look after more trouble than it’s worth, and Gargamel’s hot pursuit doesn’t help matters. In truly predictable fashion, Poor Clumsy learns he can be anything he wants to be, and Gargamel ends up facing the wrath of Smurfs. And they’re not as little and helpless as he assumed. The story itself is cute enough, if a bit too much like the recent fairy-tale CGI hybrid Enchanted. It plays out like a handful of similarly-themed animated films that have come out in the last few years. The story is your prototypical fish-out-of-water formula, which can feel extremely formulaic. You can identify with some of the characters, and there’s an undeniable “cute” factor, but in the end you walk out of the theater feeling like The Smurfs was an uninspired mash-up of previous films. That’s not to say the CGI isn’t top quality. With Sony Pictures Animation working on the film, the studio behind Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, it’s not surprising that the special effects are high quality and well thought out. It’s just that the 3D CGI format drains out much of the charm of the 2D animation source material. It’s a kind of rejection of the archetypal 2D drawn animation cartoon characters when they give them new life as 3D computerized characters, with all of that highly texturized realism and glassy-eyed perfection. It’s hard to believe this Columbia Pictures film could go wrong, with a cast that includes the character-acting genius of Hank Azaria as Gargamel, as well as the dry wit of Neil Patrick Harris as harried husband Patrick. It also features the voice talents of Katy Perry, Anton Yelchin, Alan Cumming, George Lopez, and Jonathan Winters. They did add a brand new smurf just for the movie that seemed completely unnecessary, given that there are over a hundred Smurf characters to choose from. I didn’t mind the addition of Narrator Smurf or even ive-Aggressive Smurf, but Gutsy Smurf? Gutsy (Cumming) played a major role in this film, and was a Scottish kilt-wearing, side-burn-sporting blue creature. Why oh why? Azaria plays Gargamel with amazing authenticity. He’s a talented voice actor as well as character actor, but this is one of the best transformations I’ve seen him make in the last few years. He looks so much like the cartoon character, and has the voice and mannerisms down so pat, that I could literally visualize him running through the 2D trees of The Smurfs cartoon. Yelchin and Perry stood out as far as the voice talent cast, playing Clumsy and Smurfette respectively. Yelchin brought a great vulnerability to Clumsy, augmented by the wide-eyed cuteness of the animation art. Perry did a surprisingly good job as Smurfette, with just enough flirty feminism to make her character girly but still care-taking. Winters reprised his role as Papa Smurf, having been the voice behind the original. Naturally, his Papa smurf sounded as virtuous and kindly as you would expect. Lopez, a late-night comedian and talk-show host, played Grouchy in a disappointing performance; too much “George Lopez” and not enough “Grouchy Smurf”. Something I did like about The Smurfs was the fun self-referential moments, like when Patrick researched what smurfs are and the audience is treated to a little lesson tinged with the true Belgian origins of the smurfs…or “schtroumpfs”. There are also some good jokes about the weirdness of the show’s universe (there are all those male Smurfs, and just one female), and also much fun-poking at their language. As I said, the cookie-cutter story and tired plot details kept this film from being really great, as did the 3D CGI animated version of iconic drawn characters. Fortunately there was only one sudden rap remix featuring the stylings of Patrick and three of the Smurfs, including synchronized hip-hop dance moves. There are some jokes for the grown-ups, and of course the kiddos will be pleased so I think The Smurfs does fall squarely into the family film area. I can’t say it’s Smurf-tastic, but I can say fans of the original Hanna-Barbera cartoon won’t go running from the theater. They will have the chance to reminisce, but in the end they’ll wish The Smurfs had been truer to the spirit of the original.

Reuters tells us that Alan Cumming has re-upped his contract on The Good Wife for three more seasons with the condition that the series gets renewed first. CBS has not announced yet if the show will get a third season pickup, but the show remains on the bubble averaging around a 2.0 in the 18-49 demo and 10.5 million viewers. The Good Wife routinely is the lowest Sunday-Thursday program for CBS, but with series star Julianna Margulies winning major awards and critical acclaim from many critics, it puts CBS in a tough position. The show is still a few seasons away from a good syndication deal but can the network risk below-average ratings to please everyone? With network upfronts less than a month away, CBS is the network to watch to see what they decide with their dramas. While they have strong contenders in NCIS and Criminal Minds, new shows like Chaos and The Defenders have failed to capture an audience…which could mean great news for The Good Wife.