Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve no doubt heard about the controversies surrounding Jonathan Majors. It lost him his role as Marvel’s Big Bad Kang, and shelved his Sundance hit, which had been getting Oscar Buzz. But then it was unceremoniously dropped and the question became whether it’d even get a release at all. Now, nearly two years later, we’re finally seeing the release of Magazine Dreams, and it’s being done in a major way. I was absolutely blown away by the film, but it’s certainly not going to be for everyone.

The pure fact that Majors is doing a press tour says that he’s trying to face this head-on and move past it. As such, I felt I needed to ask him directly why he wanted to see the film through to its theatrical release. He points to the hard work that others put into it as a big reason why he still wanted a legitimate release. As someone who is fascinated by the mental fatigue and terrible state that getting your body “film ready” can entail, I made sure to get into Majors’ process about getting his body “show ready”, which sounds a bit different from the process we’re used to hearing. It was a fascinating chat about how Majors approached the role and highlighted his incredible acting ability. Check it out in the video above!

Magazine Dreams plot: Killian Maddox is consumed by his dream of becoming a world famous bodybuilder and one day gracing the cover of fitness magazines.  He lives a lonely, regimented life, and his relentless drive for perfection only pushes him deeper towards self-destruction, but beneath his tenacious pursuit of superstardom lies a desperate, aching need for human connection.  As he battles both the limits of his physical body and his own inner demons, MAGAZINE DREAMS explores the lengths one man will go in his haunting quest for recognition in a world that often overlooks him.

MAGAZINE DREAMS IS PLAYING IN THEATERS ON MARCH 21ST, 2025.

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PLOT: An amateur bodybuilder battles both the limits of his physical body and his own inner demons to gain recognition.

REVIEW: I, like many, thought we’d never see Magazine Dreams ever see a proper theatrical release (our own Chris Bumbray reviewed it over two years ago). After Fox Searchlight dropped it from their schedule after Jonathan Majors’ assault conviction, it seemed like a real possibility that it would never see the light of day. Thankfully, Briarcliff Entertainment stepped in and is now giving the film a proper release. And while there’s assuredly a ton of baggage attached, there’s no denying that Magazine Dreams is a phenomenal film that deserves a fair shot.

Magazine Dreams follows Killian Maddox (Majors) an amateur bodybuilder who is struggling with his inner demons. He wants nothing more than to be at the top of the bodybuilding world and is always looking up to famed bodybuilder, Brad Vanderhorn. His adoration manifests itself with strange phone calls and letters to Brad, showing that Killian isn’t all there mentally. He also has a very complex family history, which points to why he acts the way he does. Bodybuilding is his obsession but it’s also what he sees as a way out; finally earning the love and adoration he craves.

Jonathan Majors‘ performance as Killian Maddox is impressive in a way that few actors can manage. He completely loses himself inside this role, giving the audience someone to fully invest in, despite his complicated behavior. It’s hard to say whether or not Majors would have won an Oscar but there’s no doubt that he would have been nominated with its original release. It’s a truly spectacular performance which shows he’s able to play such a variety of emotions from one instant to another, without falling into absurdity. He remains grounded and utterly believable. Also, the level of dedication needed in order to get a body like that cannot be understated. Then to deliver that kind of performance on top of it all, and it’s hard not to be blown away. It’s a shame it won’t reach the levels that it would have otherwise.

This is a showcase for Majors, who is in nearly every scene, but there are still other great roles. Each side character colors Maddox a different shade, painting a very different picture of him from beginning to end. Haley Bennett is absolutely tragic as the cashier who doesn’t understand what she’s getting into with Killian.  Even Michael O’Hearn, a former Mr. Universe, does a good job with his screen time. This really speaks to writer/director Elijah Bynum’s ability to work with all sorts of different actors. He shoots in a way that allows you to fully invest in whatever is happening on screen, never questioning the reality of the situation. I was shocked to find he has such little directorial experience because he really impresses.

As an Arnold Schwarzenegger fan, I’ve seen Pumping Iron and even read his autobiography, which goes heavily into his bodybuilding days. It’s a craft that is truly grueling and, to put it lightly, the juice is most definitely not worth the squeeze. And it’s the perfect setting for a character study that examines someone who just isn’t as good as he wants to be, despite his entire identity being wrapped up in it. Even the title implies a goal that is superficial and lacking in depth. But Killian views the world with such a myopic lens, that he’s the perfect type to fall victim to it.

I have no doubt that there will be people who don’t want to give the film a chance due to Majors’ past and the subject matter of the film having some crossover. But that would be a shame as it’s a beautiful examination of loneliness, masculinity, and one’s purpose in life. It’s dark and depressing, absolutely basking in the uncomfortable. This is a heartbreaking experience that will have you thinking about it long after the credits roll. Whether it will serve as Majors’ redemption story, may just be too early to tell.

MAGAZINE DREAMS IS PLAYING IN THEATERS ON MARCH 21ST, 2025.

Magazine Dreams

AMAZING

9

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Briarcliff Entertainment has released the first trailer for Magazine Dreams. The bodybuilding drama was supposed to be released two years ago but was shelved following the Jonathan Majors controversy.

Majors plays Killian Maddox, a man who “is consumed by his dream of becoming a world famous bodybuilder and one day gracing the cover of fitness magazines. He lives a lonely, regimented life, and his relentless drive for perfection only pushes him deeper towards self destruction, but beneath his tenacious pursuit of superstardom lies a desperate, aching need for human connection. As he battles both the limits of his physical body and his own inner demons, Magazine Dreams explores the lengths one man will go in his haunting quest for recognition in a world that often overlooks him.” The film was written and directed by Elijah Bynum.

Following its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in 2023, the buzz surrounding Magazine Dreams was very positive and looked to be a possible awards contender for Majors. Searchlight quickly snatched up the film and slated it for a December 8, 2023 release. However, they bumped it off the release schedule prior to Majors’ trial, and once he was convicted, some wondered if the movie would ever see the light of day. They released the rights to the filmmakers, and Briarcliff came to the rescue. The film is now set to hit theaters on March 1st.

“Magazine Dreams is the kind of film that will likely inspire a lot of discourse,” said our own Chris Bumbray in his review, “with the buzz out of Sundance being overwhelmingly positive, although the nihilism did rub some the wrong way. It’s a tough watch, but sometimes films like this are essential.” Given Majors’ conviction for assault and harassment, that “tough watch” might be a little tougher this time around. You can check out the rest of Bumbray’s review of Magazine Dreams right here.

What do you think of the trailer for Magazine Dreams? Will you be watching the film?

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After some rearranging, Jonathan Majors’s Magazine Dreams will be released on March 21, 2025, courtesy of Briarcliff Entertainment. Previously, the bodybuilder drama focused on Killian Maddox’s life and struggles premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival with talk of a Best Actor nod at the Oscars for Majors’ powerful performance. Unfortunately, Majors’s Hollywood cache quickly fell when he was found guilty of two misdemeanor counts of assault and harassment against his ex-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari. Searchlight dropped its distribution of Magazine Dreams shortly after Majors’ story made headlines, making Briarcliff Entertainment a knight in shining armor.

On the bright side, audiences will see the hard work of everyone involved with the film early next year. Elijah Bynum directs Magazine Dreams from his script, with Haley Bennett, Taylour Paige, and four-time Mr. Universe Mike O’Hearn co-starring.

“Dozens of incredibly talented people poured their time, energy, and creativity into bringing this film to life, and I am immensely proud of their work,” Bynum said. “I’m grateful to Tom Ortenberg and Briarcliff Entertainment for their unwavering support, passion, and for giving this film the opportunity to reach a wider audience.”

In Magazine Dreams, an amateur bodybuilder (Jonathan Majors) struggles with severe psychological issues while dreaming of stardom. Harrison Page, Harriet Sansom Harris, Haley Bennett, and Michael O’Hearn join Majors as primary cast members. Our own Chris Bumbray experienced the Elijah Bynum-directed film during Sundance, saying it’s “the kind of film that will likely inspire a lot of discourse, with buzz out of Sundance being overwhelmingly positive.”

There’s no telling how audiences will react to Magazine Dreams until the film’s release on March 21. Will the parallels between Maddox’s fragile mental state and Majors’s real-world actions be too similar for audiences to ignore? Most folks have a short memory these days, and if the film is as good as people say it is, Majors could launch a Hollywood comeback. Setting Majors aside, knowing that hundreds of people who worked on the film will see their names in lights is comforting. It takes an army to make a movie of this magnitude, and they all deserve their chance to shine.

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Once upon a time, Jonathan Majors was on the fast track to becoming one of the biggest new talents in Hollywood. With projects like Creed III and Ant-Man and the WASP: Quantumania, Majors established himself as a blockbuster draw, but a film called Magazine Dreams was set to establish Majors as a heavyweight in the drama genre as well. Majors and his image would go through many trials and tribulations after facing assault and harassment charges and Magazine Dreams would be dropped by its original studio, Searchlight Pictures.

Deadline is now reporting that Briarcliff Entertainment has given Magazine Dreams a second chance at distribution. Briarcliff Entertainment purchased the rights to distribute the Jonathan Majors film with plans to release in the first quarter of 2025. Tom Ortenberg’s company seems to not shy away from movies that are plagued with controversy as they are also famously putting out a film depicting Donald Trump’s rise in the real estate business with The Apprentice and releasing it right in the middle of election season. Briarcliff will also be making an awards push for that film as they did with another hot-button topic film — Spotlight.

Magazine Dreams stars Majors as an amateur bodybuilder who struggles with severe psychological issues while dreaming of stardom. The buzz was very positive and looked to be a possible awards contender for Majors. “Magazine Dreams is the kind of film that will likely inspire a lot of discourse,” said our own Chris Bumbray in his review, “with the buzz out of Sundance being overwhelmingly positive, although the nihilism did rub some the wrong way. It’s a tough watch, but sometimes films like this are essential.” You can check out the rest of Bumbray’s review of Magazine Dreams right here.

Majors is bouncing back with a new role in the upcoming film Merciless. The project was developed by producer Christopher Tuffin, who is working on a new global media venture that’s meant to have a disruptive nature and “refuses to let the court of public opinion and selective prosecution undermine great art and artists.” Tuffin said, “In graduate school, I had the good fortune to study screenwriting under Blacklist scribe Millard Lampell and learned from him the dangers of letting politics undermine due process and deprive artists of their careers. I consider it an honor and a privilege to be working with Jonathan who is such a great talent now that this matter has been adjudicated.“

Martin Villeneuve added, “Merciless intertwines themes of possession, revenge, and personal justice within a haunting narrative. It explores the psychological descent of John, played by Majors, and the supernatural forces challenging his sanity.“

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This shouldn’t come as any surprise, but THR reports that Searchlight has dropped Magazine Dreams, the acclaimed body-building drama starring Jonathan Majors.

Searchlight snatched up Magazine Dreams fresh after its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival last year. The film stars Majors as an amateur bodybuilder who struggles with severe psychological issues while dreaming of stardom. The buzz was very positive and looked to be a possible awards contender for Majors… but that all came crashing down when the actor faced allegations of assault and harassment which he was ultimately found guilty of.

The studio took Magazine Dreams off the release schedule prior to Majors’ trial, and once he was convicted, some wondered if the movie would ever see the light of day. The rights to Magazine Dreams have been returned to the filmmakers, who will be able to shop it to other buyers. “Magazine Dreams is the kind of film that will likely inspire a lot of discourse,” said our own Chris Bumbray in his review, “with the buzz out of Sundance being overwhelmingly positive, although the nihilism did rub some the wrong way. It’s a tough watch, but sometimes films like this are essential.” You can check out the rest of Bumbray’s review of Magazine Dreams right here.

With Creed III, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and Magazine Dreams, 2023 looked like it was going to be the year of Jonathan Majors, and it was, just not in the way he hoped. Marvel Studios dropped the actor shortly after his conviction. Majors played Kang the Conqueror in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with the intention that he would be the big bad of the Multiverse Saga. It remains to be seen if Marvel will recast the role or if they’ll go in another direction. He was also quietly dropped from the Dennis Rodman movie 48 Hours In Vegas.

In a recent interview with Good Morning America, Majors admitted that he was “shocked” at the verdict. “I’m standing there and the verdict comes down. I say, ‘How is that possible?’” Majors said. “Based off the evidence — based off the prosecution’s evidence, let alone our evidence — how is that possible?“

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Has there ever been a rise and fall quite as swift and dramatic as that of Jonathan Majors? 2023 started off as a killer year for Majors. After years as an up-and-comer, he had three films set to debut within the first three months of the year. His two big studio films, Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania and Creed III, seemed poised to make him a real-deal movie star, while his indie film, Magazine Dreams, was going to serve as an acting showcase. 

Indeed, when the film debuted last January at Sundance, many believed his tortured, Travis Bickle-like role would win him an Oscar nomination (I was one of them in my review). His character, Killian Maddox, a wanna-be bodybuilder with serious anger issues, was a distinct creation for him and director Elijah Bynum. The movie quickly sold to Fox Searchlight, and a December 2023 release date was set. Everyone assumed Majors was a shoo-in for an Oscar.

Then, Majors got arrested.

All of a sudden, the narrative changed. Majors was no longer the humble up-and-comer he was at the beginning of the year. Now, he was an accused abuser, and indeed, he’s now been found guilty of abuse and harassment and is awaiting sentencing. Within minutes after the verdict was revealed, Majors was fired by Marvel, despite his villain, Kang, being set up as the next major antagonist for the MCU.

All of that leaves Magazine Dreams in limbo, but to those of us who saw it at Sundance, its release seems very unlikely. Under the best circumstances, Disney doesn’t seem like the kind of studio that courts controversy. It’s possible that they’ll release the Searchlight film to Hulu, but even that seems unlikely. Over his trial, through testimony from his victim and evidence, a new portrait of Majors emerged that showed he was a troubled man with delusions of grandeur, comparing himself to Martin Luther King and Barack Obama and claiming he was a “great man.” All of this sounds almost like it was dialogue written for his Magazine Dreams character, with the similarities between the actor and his on-screen role so uncanny that the film will no doubt be a lightning rod for controversy if it ever comes out.

Which is why I doubt Disney/ Searchlight will ever release it.

In a lot of ways, that’s a shame. For one thing, Majors delivers a stunning performance, even if it turns out to be a role that’s chillingly close to who he is (or was) in real life. But beyond Majors, there are a lot of reasons the movie shouldn’t be shelved. It’s a great calling card for the director, Elijah Bynum, who seemed poised to make a breakthrough following his little-seen indie Hot Summer Nights. The film is exceedingly well-directed, and Bynum’s script is superb. The supporting cast is also excellent, with Hayley Bennett, Taylor Paige, bodybuilder Mike O’Hearn and Harrison Page all delivering top-notch performances. 

This brings me to a tricky question – does a movie deserve to be shelved permanently because of its star’s bad behaviour? All things considered, the best thing that could have happened to the film would have been if Disney had simply released the movie during the SAG-AFTRA strike. Then, at least, it would exist in some form. As it is now, Magazine Dreams seems increasingly unlikely ever to see the light of day. While one could argue Majors brought all of this on himself, you have to sympathize with Bynum, a writer-director who poured his soul into his film. His career doesn’t deserve to be collateral damage from Majors’ downfall. 

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Hot on the heels of Warner Bros. moving Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom to Friday, December 22, 2023, and Robert De Niro’s Alto Knights to later in 2024, Disney is doing its version of the release date shuffle for two of its upcoming releases. Additionally, Searchlight is no longer opening Magazine Dreams, starring Jonathan Majors, on December 8. Majors faces a trial date on November 29, 2023, for a domestic violence case involving his ex-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari.

Meanwhile, Disney will push its live-action adaptation of Snow White from March 22, 2024, to March 21, 2025, with Disney/Pixar’s Elio going from March 1, 2024, to June 13, 2025. The shuffle stems from uncertainty about the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike.

Other projects jumping ship include an untitled Disney feature moving from February 14, 2024, to April 5, 2024. Disney is also pulling The Bikeriders from its December 1 theatrical release because Queen B, Beyonce, is dropping a concert film in theaters, and, of course, the actors’ strike.

In Magazine Dreams, an amateur bodybuilder (Jonathan Majors) struggles with severe psychological issues while dreaming of stardom. Harrison Page, Harriet Sansom Harris, Haley Bennett, and Michael O’Hearn join Majors as primary cast members. Our own Chris Bumbray experienced the Elijah Bynum-directed film during Sundance, saying it’s “the kind of film that will likely inspire a lot of discourse, with buzz out of Sundance being overwhelmingly positive.”

If Majors is found guilty, he could spend a year in jail. Yesterday, after a New York judge rejected Majors’ request to throw the case out, the Manhattan District Attorney’s office said they would not prosecute his accuser, Grace Jabbari.

“The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has officially declined to prosecute the case against Grace Jabbari because it lacks prosecutorial merit,” a spokesperson for DA Alvin Bragg said Thursday morning. “The matter is now closed and sealed.”

Is it wise for Searchlight to pull Magazine Dreams from its schedule until Majors’ case gets sorted? How much longer do you think the SAG-AFTRA strike will continue? Is a year too long to push Snow White and Elio? Let us know what you think in the comments section.

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The case against Jonathan Majors just got more complicated, as many more are coming forward claiming that his March arrest stemming from abuse allegations is just the most recent instance of aggressive behavior. To note, none of these accusations have been proven and Majors has yet to have his day in court.

In a new Rolling Stone story, the publication reports that dozens of sources said that while attending Yale – where Jonathan Majors studied acting – the performer had developed a reputation for demonstrating abusive behavior both physically and emotionally, particularly as it pertained to women. “It was pervasively known that he was [a good actor], and that he also would terrorize the people that he had dated,” one said. Rolling Stone noted that their investigation led to two women in particular being the subject of Major’s abuse, with some physical altercations leading to “him strangling her.” One of the women declined to be interviewed and named out of “fear of retribution” from the actor. Another source recalled, “My experience in dealing with him and watching him in relationships with several women [is] really upsetting…As an outside observer, it made me uncomfortable.”

Jonathan Majors and his team are denying the abuse claims, with his attorney stating in part, “Jonathan Majors vehemently denies Rolling Stone’s false allegations that he physically, verbally, or emotionally abused anyone, let alone any of his past romantic partners…These allegations are based entirely on hearsay because neither of the romantic partners referenced were willing to engage with Rolling Stone for the article—demonstrating their outright falsity.”

While these additional allegations of abuse could prove damaging to Jonathan Majors as he awaits his August trial, many – including former flames – have come out in defense of the Kang the Conqueror portrayer. Just this week, Anthony Mackie said, “Nothing has been proven about this dude. Nothing.”

How do you think Jonathan Majors will come out of the situation? Do you think it’s only a matter of time before he is removed from the scene or will he come out not guilty but scathed? Give us your thoughts below.

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Jonathan Majors has been fired by his talent manager, the latest instance of the actor falling out of favor following his arrest last month on allegations of domestic violence.

Talent agency Entertainment 360, who also manages fellow Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania co-star Michelle Pfeiffer, announced they had dropped the rising actor from their list of clients earlier this week, joining his PR firm as major groups who have fired Jonathan Majors following his arrest.

Not surprisingly, almost immediately after his March arrest, word began circulating that Jonathan Majors could be not just in trouble with the law, but Marvel. While nothing has been confirmed–and it does look to be leaning towards Majors maintaining his position within the Marvel Cinematic Universe–rumblings went that “Marvel hasn’t made any decisions regarding Jonathan Majors but they’ve met with or spoken to his agent to discuss potential options going forward.”

Jonathan Majors and his lawyers have maintained his innocence regarding the domestic violence arrest, with one stating  he “is completely innocent and is provably the victim of an altercation with a woman he knows…We are quickly gathering and presenting evidence to the District Attorney with the expectation that all charges will be dropped imminently.”

Up until his arrest, Jonathan Majors was on the fast track to becoming one of Hollywood’s most in-demand stars, with his quarter of 2023 shaping up to be an almost unprecedented run of hits. After dazzling audiences with the Sundance smash Magazine Dreams, Majors co-starred in two of the highest-grossing movies of the year so far: Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania ($213 million domestic) and Creed III ($155 million domestic). And, really, that could be maintained should these allegations turn out to be false, although some may argue that accusations alone are enough to ruin a reputation. Many continue to pull for Majors, as his Kang the Conqueror is planned to be the next Thanos in regards to the future of the MCU.

How do you think Jonathan Majors getting fired from his talent agency will change his course? Do you see him getting picked up by another anytime soon? Give us your take in the comments section below.

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Jonathan Majors is quickly becoming one of the busiest actors in Hollywood. In addition to returning as Kang the Conqueror in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania this weekend, he’ll square off against Michael B. Jordan in Creed III on March 3. As if that’s not enough, Majors plays Killian Maddox in Magazine Dreams, a buzz-worthy film recently picked up by Searchlight Pictures after its Sundance Film Festival premiere.

While everything is coming up Milhouse for Majors and Magazine Dreams, the same cannot be said about director Susanna Fogel’s Cat Person, which is going through hard times on its way to distribution. According to Puck, an email sent by agents Hildy Gottlieb and Brian Siberell of CAA, which represents CODA star Emilia Jones and screenwriter Michelle Ashford, there are “deep concerns” about a Netflix offer for the U.S. rights to the film. Failing to bring Cat Person stateside would “certainly not be perceived to be talent-friendly,” and would “greatly diminish its chances to make its intended impact upon audiences, and will unnecessarily harm the reputation of a very fine film,” according to the email.

Meanwhile, Studiocanal, who invested $12 million in Cat Person, says the movie is already rubbing against losses. “Our gap against the U.S. rights is $5 million, and given the catastrophic offers out of Sundance, we are potentially facing our biggest loss in 5 years,” Anna Marsh, deputy C.E.O. of Canal+ Group, Studiocanal’s French parent, said about the situation. Marsh continued by saying Netflix’s $1.75M offer to secure the streaming rights for three years (with an option to gain a theatrical distributor) is better than deals proposed by Open Road and Bleecker Street – who offered $1.5 for a “20+ year license fee, opposing significant fees.”

It’s a shame that Cat Person is struggling to find distribution, as the film is well-reviewed and regarded by many as a Sundance favorite. JoBlo’s Chris Bumbray reviewed the film, saying, “Cat Person will undoubtedly inspire a lot of talks when it eventually comes out.”

Meanwhile, Majors’ Magazine Dreams is bound to be one of the most talked about films of the year. Our own Chris Bumbray experienced the film during Sundance, saying it’s “the kind of film that will likely inspire a lot of discourse, with buzz out of Sundance being overwhelmingly positive.”

In Magazine Dreams, an amateur bodybuilder (Jonathan Majors) struggles with severe psychological issues while dreaming of stardom. As for Cat Person, Fogel’s drama explores the brief relationship between a twenty-year-old sophomore college student and an older man who is a regular at the movie theater where the young woman works. While wildly different in tone, both films inspire thought-provoking conversation and feature stunning performances by the cast.

While Magazine Dreams is sure to hit audiences hard, Cat Person may need help finding a deal for worthwhile distribution. We’ll monitor the situation and report once everything settles.

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