Sean O'Connell
The Background: Sean O’Connell is a journalist and CinemaBlend’s Managing Editor. He joined the staff as a freelancer in 2011, and gradually climbed the ranks as he helped the site grow in stature. Currently, he manages the site’s junket and interview opportunities. He also co-hosts CinemaBlend’s official podcast, ReelBlend, with fellow Critics Choice Association members Jake Hamilton and Kevin McCarthy. Sean has had his byline published in various respected publications including USA Today, The Washington Post, and Fandango. He’s also the author of three nonfiction books: Release the Snyder Cut, detailing the controversial saga of Zack Snyder’s Justice League; With Great Power, an in-depth retelling of Spider-Man’s history in Hollywood, and; Bruce Willis: Celebrating The Cinematic Legacy Of An Unbreakable Hollywood Icon.
What He’s Into: Sean is a basketball fanatic, and divides his love evenly between the NBA (the Charlotte Hornets are his team) and college basketball (where he drives the bandwagon for the Kentucky Wildcats). He spends most weekends watching his two sons play basketball, and still can't believe they've outgrown him. Sean also loves cooking, and thinks there’s no better feeling than preparing a meal for someone and watching them enjoy it. If Sean didn’t write about movies, he’d probably be involved full-time in the music scene somehow. He grew up playing guitar, switched to drums, and now plays bass for a power-punk garage band called Confetti Cannon. His all-time favorite TV show is Breaking Bad. His all-time favorite movie is Spider-Man: No Way Home. His all-time favorite book is Stephen King’s IT, and his all-time favorite snack is fudge-covered Oreos that he keeps in the freezer.
What He’s Excited About Right Now: The building blocks of James Gunn's DC Cinematic Do-Over, and the overwhelming stack of other people's books he's about to dive into. now that he finished work on his own Bruce Willis book.
Latest articles by Sean O'Connell
Reacher’s Alan Ritchson Blames His ‘Manic Behavior’ For A Stunt Coordinator Almost Leaving The Show
By Sean O'Connell published
Alan Ritchson has been opening up in interviews about his bipolar disorder, and it led to conflict on the Reacher set.
The Story Behind Darth Vader’s Incredible Rogue One Scene: Why It Started As ‘Wrong As Wrong Can Be,’ And How They Fixed It
By Sean O'Connell published
Exclusives The iconic Darth Vader scene from Rogue One didn't work at first, and cinematographer Greig Fraser tells us how they fixed it.
Josh Brolin Talks About His Professional Struggles Right After The Goonies, And What He Learned About Being A Working Actor
By Sean O'Connell published
Exclusives The Goonies was a hit for Josh Brolin and everyone involved. While talking about Dune: Part Two, the actor says it didn't stay that way.
The Fantastic Four Wants A Comedian To Voice H.E.R.B.I.E., And The Internet Had Hilarious Opinions
By Sean O'Connell published
Once the Internet learned that Marvel wants a comedian to voice H.E.R.B.I.E. the robot, the suggestions started flying in.
‘Have You Seen Reacher?’ Alan Ritchson Gets Brutally Honest About Which Fast X Co-Stars He Can Beat In A Fight, And I’m Not About To Disagree With The Man
By Sean O'Connell published
Which Fast X co-stars could Alan Ritchson beat in a fight? He tells you the answer, and I believe him.
I Think I Know Two Major Things That Will Happen At The End Of The Fantastic Four, And One Will Answer A Lingering MCU Question
By Sean O'Connell published
We know a few things about the upcoming The Fantastic Four, including the casting. But I want to talk about the ending.
Jack Reacher 2 Director Explains Why Tom Cruise’s Sequel Flopped
By Sean O'Connell published
Tom Cruise's Jack Reacher film series flamed out after the second movie, and the director now talks about why.
Madame Web Does Change An Iconic Spider-Man Line, But It Actually Makes Sense When Connected To Ben Parker
By Sean O'Connell published
There are Spider-Man clues woven through Madame Web. And one of them helps this line change make sense.
Sony's Spider-Man Universe Needs To Change. I Think There Are 3 Ways To Get It Back On Track
By Sean O'Connell published
Madame Web continues to cast confusion over Sony's Spidey universe. I have some ideas on how they can turn things around.
Twisters Super Bowl Trailer Has Glen Powell Chasing A Pair Of Tornados
By Sean O'Connell published
Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones will be taking on several tornadoes this summer, and now we have our first look.
Reacher Season 3 Just Cast Two Major Characters For The Persuader Story, And They're Perfect
By Sean O'Connell published
Reacher Season 3 has been filming for a while, and the story just cast two key characters to star alongside Alan Ritchson.
X-Men Director Matthew Vaughn Tells Us Why He Punched An Extra On Set, And How The Cast Reacted
By Sean O'Connell published
Exclusives Matthew Vaughn needed something specific from an extra on X-Men: First Class. And this is how he got it.
Toby Keith Tributes Pour In As Country Music Star Dies At 62
By Sean O'Connell published
Toby Keith battled stomach cancer for years, and his passing has affected the country music community.
John Cena Explains That Taylor Swift Post On His Instagram, But Is It Argylle Related?
By Sean O'Connell published
Exclusives John Cena finally opens up about that Taylor Swift photo he posted on his Instagram as Argylle press rolls along.
Top Gun: Maverick Director Reacts To Grim Fan Theory That Tom Cruise’s Character Dies
By Sean O'Connell published
This Top Gun theory takes our breath away. But Maverick's director talks about why he loves the conversation around Tom Cruise.
Chris Rock Has Lined Up Another Directing Gig Alongside His MLK Biopic, And It's For A Remake Of An Oscar-Winning Film
By Sean O'Connell published
Chris Rock has directed a few times in his career, and just lined up yet another major project, one with Oscar ties.
‘Coolest Thing Ever’: Sydney Sweeney Recalls First Time Suiting Up As Spider-Woman For Madame Web
By Sean O'Connell published
Madame Web will bring Julia Carpenter to the screen for the first time, and Sydney Sweeney talks about her costume.
The Reacher Season 2 Finale Convinced Me That They Need To Make One Significant Change With Season 3
By Sean O'Connell published
Reacher Season 2 provided a faithful adaptation of Bad Luck and Trouble, but it's time for one fundamental change.
Andrew Garfield Could, And Should, Be Spider-Man In The Sony Spider-Verse, And Madame Web Can Make It Happen
By Sean O'Connell published
Rumors are swirling around a Spider-Man appearing in Madame Web. So let me make the case for Andrew Garfield.
Alan Ritchson Is Back On Set Filming Reacher Season 3 And Things Are Getting Pretty Messy
By Sean O'Connell published
Alan Ritchson keeps sharing pictures of him on set for Reacher Season 3, but few are quite as filthy as this.
Dan Levy Gets Candid About Re-Learning How To Act After Schitt’s Creek: ‘It's Physically Programmed In Me To Do The Wrong Thing’
By Sean O'Connell published
Exclusives For his new film Good Grief, Dan Levy says he had to forget how to not be David Rose. Which was harder than he realized.
Kevin Hart Elaborates On His 'Forward Trajectory' At Netflix, And The Chance Of Lift Getting A Theatrical Push
By Sean O'Connell published
Exclusives With Kevin Hart's Lift arriving on Netflix, we talked to the actor about his creative collaborations with the streamer.
Marvel's Tatiana Maslany Thinks She-Hulk Season 2 Is Dead, So What Does That Mean For The Character?
By Sean O'Connell published
Tatiana Maslany spoke on She-Hulk Season 2, and it doesn't sound very positive.
Shannen Doherty Already Has ‘Fun’ Plans For Her Ashes After She Dies, And They Will Involve Her Dog
By Sean O'Connell published
Shannen Doherty is opening up about funeral arrangements, and plans she has for her ashes after she dies.
'Don't Tell Arnold I Said That': How Robert Patrick Compares Reacher's Alan Ritchson To His Terminator Co-Star Arnold Schwarzenegger
By Sean O'Connell published
Exclusives Robert Patrick has been pulling the strings on Reacher Season 2. But how does he feel that Alan Ritchson stacks up against T2 co-star Arnold Schwarzenegger?