Men's Journal's Blog, page 148

'Black Panther' Director on How Chadwick Boseman Inspired New Film

Black Panther director Ryan Coogler has opened up about the death of star Chadwick Boseman during an interview on The Breakfast Club on Monday. Boseman died in 2020, just over two years after Black Panther’s release, following a battle with colon cancer.

Related: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence Celebrate 30th Anniversary of 'Bad Boys'

Speaking on Monday, Coogler admitted that his frequent collaborator and Black Panther star Michael B. Jordan was most affected by Boseman’s passing. "Out of all of my actors, Chad's death actually hit Mike (Jordan) the hardest," Coogler said. "He was a fully baked man from the South," the director continued of Boseman. "He was an old school man's man and compared to that dude when we worked together bro, me and Mike was kids."

Coogler continued: "He was the kind of teacher who you never knew you was [giving] a lesson when he taught. It was all by example and what he gave me and Michael was patience. He moved at an old-school pace and he took his time [but] he was always early. He was that type of dude. And Mike will tell you this, I told him, man, I said, 'Hey bro, what would Chad do in this role? If he had this role what would he do?' 'Cause Chad never broke action.”

Related: 'Goonies' Cast Reunites to Dispel Popular Set Legend

Coogler went on to credit Boseman with his and Jordan’s ability to “lock in” during the production of their latest film, Sinners, explaining how seeing the Oscar nominee work “up close” inspired both of them to reach higher. Sinners, which hits cinemas on April 18, stars Jordan as twin brothers who return to their hometown to vanquish a supernatural evil. You can check out the trailer below.

Will Smith, Martin Lawrence Celebrate 30th Anniversary of 'Bad Boys'

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are celebrating the 30th anniversary of their Bad Boys franchise. The original installment of Michael Bay’s morally dubious cop-action franchise hit U.S. screens on April 7, 1995.

On Monday, Smith, 56, and Lawrence, 59, celebrated the film’s anniversary in a joint Instagram post. “30 years ago @jerrybruckheimer, Don Simpson, and @michaelbay took a chance on us, and Bad Boys was born!!” the caption read. “Grateful for all the love y’all have shown us [through] the years 👊🏾.”

Related: 'Goonies' Cast Reunites to Dispel Popular Set Legend

Included in the post were several throwback photos showing the two stars on set together. Also glimpsed in the snaps were director Bay and producer Bruckheimer as well as co-stars Theresa Randle, Téa Leoni, Michael Rispoli, and Joe Pantoliano.

Bad Boys received lukewarm critical notices but went on to gross over $140 million worldwide. A sequel, Bad Boys II, followed in 2003. The franchise lay dormant for nearly 20 years before being resurrected with 2020’s Bad Boys for Life. Released several weeks before the initial Covid-19 lockdown, the third installment ended up being the highest-grossing domestic release of 2020. In June 2024, a fourth installment — Bad Boys: Ride or Die — arrived in cinemas.

Related: Why This Oscar Nominee Refuses to Give Kim Kardashian Acting Advice

Back in June, ahead of Ride or Die’s release, Smith wrote a heartfelt homage to the series on Instagram. "I was 25 years old. Marty Mar was 29. Just two kids who lucked out and got to live their dreams on the first try,” he wrote, adding that Lawrence convinced him to take the project without reading a script. "I was hooked. 'Let’s go! When can I read the script?'” Smith recalled. “Marty Mar’s face scrunched up. 'Nawww, you can’t big Willie. The script’s not there yet. You just gotta trust me and commit.’”

Bad Boys and its sequels are available to rent on Amazon Prime Video and other major rental platforms.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Will Smith (@willsmith)

Why This Oscar Nominee Refuses to Give Kim Kardashian Acting Advice

One Oscar-nominated actor is refusing to help Kim Kardashian in her new career path as an actor, and the reason may surprise you.

During an interview with Daily Mail, published Monday, Oscar-nominee Glenn Close shared the reasons she would not “give Kim Kardashian any advice” on the set of their new Ryan Murphy show “All’s Fair.” Close has been nominated for eight Academy Awards but has never won, making her the most-nominated actor (tied with Peter O’Toole) who’s never won an Oscar.

“I was curious,” Close said of working with Kardashian. “I couldn’t wait to meet her. I had never done a Ryan Murphy show before, which is a whole other universe, and I think she would be surprised at how I was. I had to find my feet.”

Related: Ex-NHL Goalie, Famed Broadcaster Dead at 67

But despite Close’s veteran status in the business, she told the outlet, “I would not presume to give Kim Kardashian advice. I think she’s a very, very brilliant woman. I think she could choose to do anything she wants.”

Close continued: “Frankly, if she wants to be an actress, that’s one road. But she could be. She’s a great executive. She’s a great businesswoman. She’s a very, very involved mother. She’s getting her law degree. So, I think she has huge potential and that she’s fulfilled already as a woman. And frankly, I will be fascinated to see what she chooses to do.”

Related: Jonas Brothers Share Rare Public Outing at Nick's Broadway Opening

However, even though Close won’t be sharing any of her acting experience with Kardashian, the latter has bequeathed her Oscar-nominated co-star with some invaluable fashion inspiration. “I feel I can be myself, and I’m kind of experimenting now,” Close said. “I’m in a phase of life, especially after doing All’s Fair and kind of seeing Kim’s different hairstyles every day. I’m thinking I want to do that. So, I’m in a time where I want to find who else I am and work maybe with fashion a little bit more.”

All’s Fair is expected to premiere on Hulu later this year.

Ex-NHL Goalie, Famed Broadcaster Dead at 67

Ex-NHL goalie and longtime hockey commentator Greg Millen has died. He was 67.

Millen’s death was confirmed by the NHL Alumni Association in a statement released on Monday. No cause of death has been given. “It is with heavy hearts we share the sudden passing of Greg Millen today,” the NHL Alumni Association said in a statement on Monday. “Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with Greg’s family at this very difficult time.”

Millen spent 14 seasons in the NHL after being drafted by the Penguins in 1977. He went on to play for the Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Hartford Whalers, St. Louis Blues, and Quebec Nordiques. During the 1988-’89 season, Millen achieved 3.38 goals against average and .879 save percentage with a league-leading six shutouts. Throughout his career, Millen had 215-284 with 89 ties, while recording a 3.88 GAA, .873 save percentage, and 17 shutouts.

Related: Pro Wrestler Dead at 39 After Mid-Match Medical Issue

Millen retired following the 1991-’92 season, and the following season entered into broadcasting for Ottawa Senators games. He soon joined Hockey Night in Canada as an analyst while also working for Sportsnet.

“His broadcasting career [also] includes roles as a color commentator for CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada and the NHL on Sportsnet, where he worked alongside Hockey Night in Canada Greats Bob Cole, Harry Neale, Don Cherry, Ron MacLean and Jim Hughson. Greg worked with our NHL Alumni Executive Director Glenn Healy where both served as analysts and were part of the same Hockey Night in Canada broadcast team,” the alumni association said in its statement, adding that Millen “was known and loved by all in the broadcasting world.”

Millen is survived by his wife and four children.

Patrick Schwarzenegger's Mom Made 2-Word Plea Before 'White Lotus' Finale

While fans sought answers on multiple topics ahead of the Sunday, April 6 season finale of White Lotus, the 90-minute episode wasn't lacking drama. Many of the questions plaguing fans were answered, but how other situations played out ignited even more confusion.

Among the storylines that fans have mentioned under the "need more information" section, is how the season ended with Patrick Schwarzenegger's character, Saxon Ratliff.

However, fans wanted answers both before and after the season finale, Schwarzenegger apparently kept everyone in the dark about what would transpire with Saxon.

Even his own mother.

As Schwarzenegger's mom, Maria Shriver revealed on Instagram, she knew nothing about the season finale before it happened. Just like every other fan, Shriver was left desperately seeking answers.

When Patrick caught wind of the post, his response in the comments prompted a two-word plea from his mother.

Patrick Schwarzenegger’s mother Maria Shriver attempts to get 'White Lotus' season finale spoilers from her son.

Comments by Celebs on Instagram

Shriver did her best before the finale to get something from her son. However, if Schwarzenegger wouldn't even give spoilers to his mother, it's safe to say that any details about the finale that leaked didn't come from him.

As for Schwarzenegger's portrayal of Saxon, it was an impressive breakout performance for the 31-year-old. When the season officially wrapped up, Schwarzenegger took to X to thank fans for supporting him in the White Lotus role, which he called a "dream come true."

Related: 'The Boys' Jensen Ackles Issues Warning About 'Vought Rising' Spin-off Series

Rapper Boosie Badazz Responds to 'Serious' Car Accident Reports

Louisiana rapper Boosie Badazz has responded to reports that he was in a "serious" car accident after a video surfaced on social media.

97.3 The Dawg reported that Boosie was in a "serious" crash. Boosie appeared to confirm the reports when he posted on Facebook on the evening of April 7, "IM GOOD. BANGED UP. BUT GOOD. GOD GOT ME."

He didn't provide additional details, but his Facebook post filled up with comments wishing him well. Boosie has more than 6 million followers on Facebook.

A fan wrote on his comment thread, "May God bless you prosper you and protect you and your family alone or more than anything may your soul continue to be in his hands and may you walk with him as you walk with you."

Another fan responded, "Thank God that you’re ok you got to be here for that precious baby that’s coming along with your fiancée and family!"

The X page @ATLScoop posted a video of a car accident scene aftermath. "It looks like Boosie was just involved in a crash?!" the site wrote. A green BMW is seen in that video, along with people lying on the ground.

Other X pages posted photos they said were of the accident scene.

Boosie just had a car wreck in Memphis. It looks like he’s ok. pic.twitter.com/Pgb3KgfSiy

— SAY CHEESE! 👄🧀 (@SaycheeseDGTL) April 7, 2025

According to Complex, Boosie Badazz recently gave his fiancee a white BMW to celebrate the birth of their daughter on April 5. The rapper, who is from Baton Rouge, has eight kids, the site reported.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 4: Rapper Boosie Badazz performs onstage during The Millennium Tour at State Farm Arena on April 4, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Prince Williams/Getty Images

Boosie proposed to fiancee Rajel Nelson in 2023, according to Complex.

Video Shows 1st Dire Wolf Howl in 10,000 Years

A company says it has brought the dire wolf back from extinction and posted videos showing the two animals.

Colossal Biosciences posted a video to its X site showing the dire wolf pups howling. The video had 13 million views in less than 24 hours.

"SOUND ON. You’re hearing the first howl of a dire wolf in over 10,000 years. Meet Romulus and Remus—the world’s first de-extinct animals, born on October 1, 2024. The dire wolf has been extinct for over 10,000 years," the company wrote along with the video. 

"These two wolves were brought back from extinction using genetic edits derived from a complete dire wolf genome, meticulously reconstructed by Colossal from ancient DNA found in fossils dating back 11,500 and 72,000 years," the company noted.

SOUND ON. You’re hearing the first howl of a dire wolf in over 10,000 years. Meet Romulus and Remus—the world’s first de-extinct animals, born on October 1, 2024.

The dire wolf has been extinct for over 10,000 years. These two wolves were brought back from extinction using… pic.twitter.com/wY4rdOVFRH

— Colossal Biosciences® (@colossal) April 7, 2025

"This moment marks not only a milestone for us as a company but also a leap forward for science, conservation, and humanity," according to Colossal.

"From the beginning, our goal has been clear: 'To revolutionize history and be the first company to use CRISPR technology successfully in the de-extinction of previously lost species,'" the company wrote. "By achieving this, we continue to push forward our broader mission on—accepting humanity’s duty to restore Earth to a healthier state. But this isn’t just our moment—it’s one for science, our planet, and humankind. All of which we love and are passionate about. Now, close your eyes and listen to that howl once more. Think about what this means for all of us."

The company has shared other videos of the dire wolves on its X page. The company also has videos on its YouTube page explaining how it says it revived the dire wolf.

We’re Colossal Biosciences, the de-extinction company responsible for bringing back the first animals from extinction. Our dire wolf pups, Romulus and Remus, were born on October 1, 2024. Watch these pups grow up on our YouTube channel. Link in bio.

These two wolves were… pic.twitter.com/hbk1wFQ3lf

— Colossal Biosciences® (@colossal) April 7, 2025

"We’re Colossal Biosciences, the de-extinction company responsible for bringing back the first animals from extinction. Our dire wolf pups, Romulus and Remus, were born on Oct. 1, 2024. Watch these pups grow up on our YouTube channel," the company wrote.

Related: Can Dire Wolf Scientists Bring Back the Dinosaurs, Woolly Mammoth & Dodo Bird?

Can Dire Wolf Scientists Bring Back the Dinosaurs, Woolly Mammoth & Dodo Bird?

Now that a "de-extinction" company says it has revived the dire wolf species that was extinct for over 10,000 years, could dinosaurs and the woolly mammoth be next? What about the dodo bird?

The answer may be found in the methods that Colossal Biosciences used to bring back the dire wolf and whether there is genetic material available for the other extinct species. In fact, according to CNN, the company is trying to resurrect other extinct species. Colossal Biosciences has been "working toward resurrecting the mammoth, dodo, and Tasmanian tiger since 2021," wrote CNN.

The company confirmed this on its website, writing, "The dire wolf isn’t the only animal that Colossal, which was founded in 2021 and currently employs 130 scientists, wants to bring back. Also on their de-extinction wish list is the woolly mammoth, the dodo, and the thylacine, or Tasmanian tiger. Already, in March, the company surprised the science community with the news that it had copied mammoth DNA to create a woolly mouse, a chimeric critter with the long, golden coat and the accelerated fat metabolism of the mammoth."

Colossal Biosciences has an entire page devoted to its efforts to resurrect the woolly mammoth. "Colossal’s landmark de-extinction project will be the resurrection of the woolly mammoth - or more specifically a cold-resistant elephant with all of the core biological traits of the woolly mammoth," the website notes. 

"It will walk like a woolly mammoth, look like one, sound like one, but most importantly it will be able to inhabit the same ecosystem previously abandoned by the mammoth’s extinction."

Dodo, Raphus cucullatus, Didus ineptus, extinct flightless bird. Illustration signed S (George Shaw), but appears based on George Edwards' illustration in 'A Natural History of Uncommon Birds,' 1750. Handcolored copperplate engraving from George Shaw and Frederick Nodder's 'The Naturalist's Miscellany,' London, 1792.

Florilegius/Getty Images

In January, The Washington Post reported that a scientist was trying to bring back the dodo bird. A 2024 article by BBC Wildlife noted that, in 2022, a geneticist "decoded the dodo’s genome. Scientists at Colossal are now determining the sequences which they will edit into cells collected from the dodo’s closest living relative, the Nicobar pigeon. Then, just as for the passenger pigeon, the edited cells will be used to create adult birds that create dodo sperm and eggs."

As for dinosaurs, according to Listverse, "The consensus is that dinosaurs cannot be resurrected because their fossils are simply too old to provide any useful tissue." But who knows? Listverse lists saber-tooth tigers and woolly mammoths as other species scientists want to resurrect.

The Natural History Museum described the difficulties in bringing back dinosaurs in depth. For starters, dinosaur DNA would have to be obtained.

Shoppers interact with a T-Rex dinosaur displayed in the window of US luxury retailer Coach on regent Street in London's West End,

Richard Baker/Getty Images

"We do have mosquitos and biting flies from the time of the dinosaurs and they do preserve in amber. But when amber preserves things, it tends to preserve the husk, not the soft tissues. So you don't get blood preserved inside mosquitos in amber," Dr. Susie Maidment, a dinosaur researcher, said in that article.

"DNA breaks down over time. The dinosaurs went extinct around 66 million years ago and with so much time having passed, it is very unlikely that any dinosaur DNA would remain today," The Natural History Museum concluded. "While dinosaur bones can survive for millions of years, dinosaur DNA almost certainly does not."

But the site added: "Some scientists continue to search for it - just in case."

But Colossal Biosciences says the dire wolf is back.

"These two wolves were brought back from extinction using genetic edits derived from a complete dire wolf genome, meticulously reconstructed by Colossal from ancient DNA found in fossils dating back 11,500 and 72,000 years," the company wrote on X.

"This moment marks not only a milestone for us as a company but also a leap forward for science, conservation, and humanity. From the beginning, our goal has been clear: 'To revolutionize history and be the first company to use CRISPR technology successfully in the de-extinction of previously lost species,'” the company added. 

SOUND ON. You’re hearing the first howl of a dire wolf in over 10,000 years. Meet Romulus and Remus—the world’s first de-extinct animals, born on October 1, 2024.

The dire wolf has been extinct for over 10,000 years. These two wolves were brought back from extinction using… pic.twitter.com/wY4rdOVFRH

— Colossal Biosciences® (@colossal) April 7, 2025

"By achieving this, we continue to push forward our broader mission on—accepting humanity’s duty to restore Earth to a healthier state. But this isn’t just our moment—it’s one for science, our planet, and humankind. All of which we love and are passionate about. Now, close your eyes and listen to that howl once more. Think about what this means for all of us," Colossal Biosciences wrote.

"Our team took DNA from a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull and made healthy dire wolf puppies," the company noted.

Related: Everyone’s Saying the Same Thing After Scientists 'Resurrect' the Dire Wolf

Video Shows Justin Bieber Absolutely Blasting Papparazi Following Him

Pop sensation Justin Bieber has been known to lose his patience with the paparazzi from time to time, which isn't exactly surprising given just how much attention he gets every time he steps outside. This week, unfortunately, Bieber had another testy interaction with some photographers that was caught on video.

In a video shared on social media this week, Bieber encountered some photographers while walking out of what appears to be a coffee shop in the desert of California.

As he walked out to a vehicle, Bieber noticed some photographers taking photos of him from a distance, and it's safe to say that he was not exactly thrilled to see them.

"What the [expletive]?" Bieber said in the direction of the photographers in a video shared by The Hollywood Fix. "Guys, really? In the desert, really?"

In the video, Bieber can be heard continuing to yell profanities at the photographers as he voiced his displeasure.

"Why are you guys out here? You're gonna record me and [stuff], too?" Bieber continued. "Give me a [freaking] break for two seconds."

Justin Bieber Is Furious When He Realizes Paparazzi Followed Him Out To The Desert In Palm Springs, CA (Credit: Backgrid) #JustinBieber #Paparazzi 🌴 pic.twitter.com/Gb1iigyAAu

— TheHollywoodFix (@HollywoodFix) April 7, 2025

This incident follows what has been a tumultuous several weeks for Bieber on social media. Last week, the pop superstar posted some text on his Instagram story where he admitted that he had unacknowledged "hate" that was causing him to feel like he was "drowning"

“I was always told when I was a kid not to hate. But it made me feel like I wasn’t allowed to have it and so I didn’t tell anyone I’ve had it,” he wrote in the post on March 16. “Which made me feel like I have been drowning feeling unsafe to acknowledge it. I think we can only let hate go by first acknowledging it’s there. How couldn’t we feel hate from all of the hurt we have experienced?”

This post came just a few days after he made a different cryptic post on his Instagram story on March 13 in which he admitted that he has always felt “unworthy” of his success and felt like a “fraud.”

"I got anger issues too, but I wanna grow and not react so much smh," Bieber wrote in the caption of his post on Instagram.

However, following all of this, Bieber shared a major announcement on social media as he announced his new brand "Skylrk" while teasing the end of his previous brand, "House of Drew."

'Minecraft' Breaks Incredible Box Office Record After 'Major Over-Performance'

If you believe the box office forecasters and many critics who offer projections on the success of new films, then A Minecraft Movie is the perfect Cinderella story.

The film, based on the 2011 video game Minecraft, hit theatres on April 4, 2025, and emerged from the weekend as not only the big winner but also with a record-breaking performance. 

After initially receiving low box office projections, A Minecraft Movie pulled in a stellar $157 million domestically in its opening weekend, as IGN detailed. This number surpassed The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which made $146 million during its opening weekend, for the most in history for a video game adaptation.

(L to R) Sebastian Hansen, Jennifer Coolidge, Jack Black and Jason Momoa attend the World Premiere of "A Minecraft Movie" at Cineworld Leicester Square.

Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/WireImage

A Minecraft Movie, headlined by Jack Black, Jason Momoa, Emma Myers and Jennifer Coolidge among others, also pulled in $144 million internationally, for a global opening weekend north of $300 million.

The newly released film still has work to do to catch The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which made over $574 million at the domestic box office total. That mark is more than double the second-closest movie based on a game, with Sonic the Hedgehog 3 checking in at the No. 2 spot all-time, having made north of $236 million.

As CNN revealed, Comscore cited A Minecraft Movie's early success as a "major over-performance."

“This is the first major over-performance,” Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore, told CNN. “A Minecraft Movie” surged past the opening weekend of Disney’s “Captain America: Brave New World,” which had been the top opener of 2025 with an opening weekend of $88.5 million.

The early returns are eye-opening for the Warner Bros. movie, which has already made a profit on the film after the reported cost to make it checked in around $150 million.

Related: Wild 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' Theory Drastically Impacts Zendaya With Bold Twist