Movies

Connie Nielsen's giving hope to Denzel Washington fans everywhere ... 'cause while the actor says he's nearing retirement, Nielsen says she won't let him quit acting.

We caught up with the "Gladiator II" star in New York City Thursday ... and, we had to ask her how she feels about working with DW in what he says may be one of the last movies of his career.

Watch the vid to the end ... Connie says she's not gonna let him give up the craft ... so Denzel fans can rest easy -- 'cause it sounds like she's on the case.

"Wicked" premiered on Broadway more than 20 years ago ... but, it seems the team behind the film still found a way to shock diehard fans -- 'cause people are posting vids of their friends losing their minds.

The biggest movie of the year opened in wide release in the U.S. Thursday night ... and TikTok is already populating with fan reactions to the movie that's leaving them awestruck.

No spoiler alert here BTW ... 'cause it's unclear exactly which scenes are making people react this way -- though the movie is supposed to be a faithful adaptation of the musical, so if you know the show, you might not be as shocked as these viewers.

Ariana Grande is serving a whole lotta gratitude as "Wicked" finally hits theaters -- gushing over fans and even poking fun at her press tour emotions, saying, "Who’s surprised?"

The singer got real with fans on IG Stories Friday ... flipping the script on their gratitude, saying that while they thank her for changing their lives, she says they’ve massively impacted hers, too -- helping her in countless ways over the years.

Ariana made it clear she wouldn’t be where she is today without them, saying her supporters have held her hand and healed her heart over the past decade.

Dwayne Johnson's bringing his movie star boogie to Oahu ... busting a move with his beautiful dance partner -- his mother, Ata Johnson.

The actor hit Aulani -- a Disney resort on the west side of the Hawaiian island -- where the world premiere of 'M2' took place Thursday evening ... and, he made it a family affair with his daughters, wife Lauren Hashian, and his mom.

The Rock, who plays the character Maui in the movie, has been famous for a long time ... which probably helped put his mom at ease -- 'cause she started showing off her dance moves, grooving to the beat as her son looked on.

Leonardo DiCaprio tried to go incognito as he usually does in public while exiting a Fiji island hotel --  but he first had to slip past a loud music ceremony, and it wasn't so easy.

Check out this video posted to TikTok ... the legendary actor is dressed in his customary undercover garb — wearing an all-black outfit with a matching baseball cap and shades.

Leo appears to have already checked out of the hotel as he strolls through the lobby and makes a call on his cell phone.

Jonathan Majors' legal drama with his ex, Grace Jabbari, is over ... 'cause she just dropped her defamation and assault lawsuit -- and, she can't bring it again.

According to documents filed Thursday, the parties filed a stipulation stating "all claims against Defendant in the above-captioned action are hereby dismissed with prejudice."

Basically, Grace agreed to drop the claims in her lawsuit ... and, by dismissing them with prejudice, it means they can’t be filed again.

Years in the making and "Wicked" has finally hit theaters! Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo may have taken over as Glinda and Elphaba, but other big celebs are puttin' up a fight dressed as the iconic duo ...

Living in the world of Oz, stars like Drew Barrymore and Paris Hilton served up Glinda The Good Witch, while Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie defied gravity with their on-theme looks.

Of course, the OG's, Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel, set the bar high on Broadway with the tiaras and green skin back in the early 2000s (left), but Ariana and Cynthia are bringing their own fashion pizzazz to the big screen (right).

Don't count out the rest of Hollywood from getting in the "Wicked" spirit ...

To kick things off, American actor Spencer Treat Clark was only 12 years old when he landed the role of Lucius Verus -- Commodus' nephew who inspects gladiators through bars and idolizes Maximus -- in the iconic 2000 film "Gladiator."

Spencer was part of an ensemble cast including Russell Crowe as the strong and fearless warrior who wants to free the slaves, Maximus, Joaquin Phoenix as the ruthless Roman emperor who takes the throne after killing his father, Commodus, and Connie Nielsen as Maximus' former lover and Commudus' older sister, Lucilla.

Cuba Gooding Jr. understands what Jussie Smollett went through in his ongoing ordeal with the justice system after the Illinois State Supreme Court's ruling today ... pointing out how celebrities endure sensationalized treatment in the public eye.

The controversial actor stopped by "TMZ Live" Thursday to discuss Jussie Smollett's conviction being overturned today ... and, Cuba says Smollett's experience shows the climate we're in today.

Gooding adds he knows how tough it is to go into a courthouse as a celebrity ... pointing to the intense public reaction to every twist and turn of a trial before a final outcome is delivered, and in its aftermath.

"Gladiator II" is one of the most anticipated films of the year, with a whopping $250 million budget -- and the cast definitely found time to live it up between those epic battle scenes.

Pedro Pascal and Paul Mescal, among others, were living their best lives on set in Morocco, England, and Malta -- where most of the film was shot, including the iconic Colosseum, which was recreated at Fort Ricasoli.

Clearly, it was an intense 49-day shoot, because Pedro and Paul were snapped cooling off in the ocean -- talk about a well-deserved splash break!

Move over, Regina George -- Andy Cohen just slid into the iconic spot alongside Lindsay Lohan and Lacey Chabert as they recreated a legendary "Mean Girls" scene.

On Wednesday's "Watch What Happens Live," Lacey -- AKA Gretchen -- brought us back to high school, delivering the lunchroom scene where the Plastics laid down the rules for new girl Cady.

It's comedy gold -- Andy, rocking a blonde wig, absolutely nails his Regina moment -- totally obsessed with calories, and storming off for some cheese fries while Lacey keeps rattling off the rules.

Netflix's new holiday rom-com, "Hot Frosty," is sure to melt icy relations in the bedroom for some couples this winter ... this according to a renowned sex therapist.

Dr. Laura Berman, who is best known for her show on the Oprah Winfrey Network, tells TMZ ... the seasonal flick will likely help guys get laid during the winter months -- which is a notorious time for dry spells.

According to the doctor, studies show people's sex drives decrease in the winter months, especially around the holidays ... likely due to the stress and lack of alone time with families being home more. Depression is far more common in the winter, too.

The first crowd to see "Rust" audibly gasped during a scene that eerily paralleled the real-life tragedy that happened during filming ... when Alec Baldwin shot and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

One of the first reviews from the "Rust" premiere in Poland is out, and the report in Vulture says there was a noticeable shock in the room when a character was accidentally shot to death.

The shooting scene happens early in the film ... and the review says the crowd reaction was definitely related to Hutchins' death.

French Montana's paying tribute to all the immigrant moms in America who sacrifice for their children ... telling his story in his new documentary -- but, he's really shining a light on his own mom and her struggle.

The rapper stopped by "TMZ Live" Wednesday to discuss his documentary "The French Montana Story: For Khadija" -- released on Paramount+ yesterday -- and, he says it really focuses on immigrants coming to the U.S.A. to forge better lives for themselves.

Montana says he came to this country from Morocco at 13 years old with his mom, dad and siblings. The family overstayed their visas ... and, after his dad started several failed small business, the family was in deep trouble.

Alec Baldwin was absent from today's "Rust" premiere, hanging out instead in NYC this week -- as the film's opening focused on honoring cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who tragically lost her life on set of the movie in 2021.

Just days after Kazimierz Suwała, the director of the EnergaCAMERIMAGE Film Festival, explained they didn’t invite Baldwin in order to avoid distractions ... the premiere in Toruń, Poland, went down without a hitch Wednesday -- Baldwin-free and drama-free.

It’s unclear if Baldwin would’ve attended even if invited, but he certainly looked off the clock, spotted pushing a stroller in NYC Monday. Regardless, Suwała made it crystal clear to The Hollywood Reporter the event wasn’t about Baldwin at all -- it was all about honoring Halyna.

Moviegoers will get a chance to see the world from Halyna Hutchins' point of view when they go see "Rust" ... so says the new cinematographer brought on to finish up the flick.

Bianca Cline -- the new director of photography brought on to finish the film -- spoke alongside director Joel Souza at Camerimage Film Festival in Poland Wednesday before the movie's world premiere ... telling the audience it's amazing so many people came out to support Halyna's vision.

Cline says all filmmaking is about being vulnerable, especially when it comes to cinematography ... explaining that, by watching the movie, viewers will really get a chance to see the world how Halyna saw it.