Is Nichols incorrect about ESPN’s motivation for asking her — and none of the five males who cover the NBA games with Nichols — to split her gig? Most of reportage I’ve seen, even when criticizing Nichols, corroborates that ESPN has a history of issues with racism, diversity and inclusion, and that this problem is…

Patel could have been a good Kylo — his Prince Zuko, another angsty villain with a redemption arc, was one of the few good things in The Last Airbender — but he’s easy to imagine as dashing pilot Poe Dameron.

That wasted early potential Johnson displayed in his first films is why I’m disappointed in him now. He’s wonderful in The Rundown, a total badass who is also a believable, fully formed human being with humor, fears, insecurities, ambitions and regrets. Light years ahead of where Arnie was in his first action movies.

However, as a movie about hordes of ninjas drawing their swords and running at each other, it is a notable success.

Studios are more risk averse than ever, but its possible for talent of Johnson’s caliber and popularity to find interesting collaborators and make creatively strong films. Love him or hate him, that’s what Tom Cruise does. And we are still getting the occasional Deadpool or Atomic Blonde, where the lead actor pushes a…

Hobbs was a fun character at first, as a relentless unstoppable lawman, until he was softened to be more on brand for Johnson.

I did say that I thought Johnson is overall a better performer than Diesel and usually a great supporting or ensemble actor (I say usually because Doom exists), as he is in Jumanji. The Jumanji films are good but he’s one of 4 co-leads, really an ensemble. The franchise is not primarily a vehicle for Johnson, where…

Vin Diesel is about as sought after as a wet fart.

I do have to admit, though I like Diesel too, Johnson is closer to an ideal persona for Doc Savage. He even gets up at 4 in the morning to do his series of special exercises, just like Doc.

I think you are essentially right about Johnson being a business man and a brand. I think pro wrestlers can be a bit of a nerd/businessman hybrid, in that their work involves a lot world and character building, but combined with the mercenary capitalist motivations of a blood sport or carnival grift. The latter  is…

by necessity, a toy commercial cannot resolve its plot in any meaningful way.

Hot take: Diesel makes better films than The Rock. I like Dwayne Johnson more and even find him more interesting as an actor. Johnson is great in other peoples movies like Be Cool, Pain and Gain, the Fast and Furious films. But, outside of The Rundown (which is a guilty pleasure) and Moana, most of his films run from…

Nice O’Henry twist at the end.

“I live my life one Satyricon at a time.”

I like Wiley. Wouldn’t be upset if she was cast as Storm at all. I just like Lynch a little bit more. But given the fact that she has already been in the MCU, that’s mostly wishful thinking.

I’m still hoping they consider Lashana Lynch for Storm. I know she’s already Maria Rambeau but it wouldn’t be the first time that Marvel recast an actor in another role. She’s regal, athletic and intimidatingly charismatic.Bet she would look great with a Mohawk too.

Thanks for the correction, I thought she was Afro-Caribbean 

I would have loved to have seen Batgirl introduced in a Birds of Prey movie. That was a missed opportunity.

I’ll take that bet. It’s not out of the question that someone explores the Killing Joke in a movie. But would your first movie in a franchise that stars a young woman of color be the place that you would rape and/or shoot and/or paralyze that character? I don’t think even a studio is that stupid.

No love for Princess Zanda, rogue royalty from a competing nation, international criminal and relic thief? I keep hoping she’ll show up, mainly because I think she’d make a great antagonist for the Dora Milaje, her constant self interest clashing with their unswerving sense of duty.