Ahead of the launch of the much-anticipated D23 Expo next week, a number of rumours are swirling around in the tinsel town of Hollywood. A Twitter account has speculated Marvel is planning to introduce 7 new Hollywood A-listers to the world as brand-new faces of the MCU. Yes, you read that absolutely right!
If the information shared by Emmet Kennedy on the said Twitter handle is to be believed, Marvel Studios’ head Kevin Feige will deliver Henry Cavill, Denzel Washington, John Boyega, Giancarlo Esposito, Jodie Comer, Daisy Edgar-Jones, and John Krasinski to the D23 Expo, the world’s biggest Disney fan event which will be held from September 9th to 11th at the Anaheim Convention Center in the US.
“I’m reliably informed that Marvel Studios have signed epic talent for Phase 5. John Boyega, Henry Cavill, Jodie Comer, Daisy Edgar-Jones, John Krasinski, Giancarlo Esposito, (and) Denzel Washington to be announced (with some on stage) by Feige at D23 Expo 2022,” read the tweet.
John Boyega was even recently asked about Marvel rumours and here is what he said, “That’s not in the vision for me now. I want to do nuanced things. I want to donate my services to original indie films that come with new, fresh ideas because I know it’s real hard to top Iron Man in that universe.”
Meanwhile, Henry Cavill is one of the biggest names on the list, as he is still obligated to appear as Superman in one more DCEU film. Out of the rest of the names on the list, John Krasinski is the only one to have dabbled in the MCU, with a cameo in Dr Strange 2, wherein he appears as Mr. Fantastic opposite familiar faces.
As phase 4 of the Marvel Comics Universe concludes with the upcoming release of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, there is a lot more to look forward to in Phase 5, which reportedly launches in 2023, with 12 projects in the pipeline.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.