Each Minion movie takes things expands the universe a little bit further, but the newest film, Minions & Monsters, follows entirely new characters. This time we have James, who just wants to make movies and has no interest in villainy. I was a little caught off guard as every minion - as we understood it - has one purpose: to serve a villain. But the more I thought about it, the more fascinated about it I became. So I wasn’t surprised when the newest film Minions & Monsters took top banana during its first weekend at the box office.

But while one of the biggest questions has been answered (namely, how they became Gru’s minions) there are still many burning questions fans are left speculating over. Moviegoers have been desperately wanting to know how the beloved characters are born. Minions & Monsters nearly gave us this answer with a scrapped idea which totally bloews my mind with how wild it sounds. Director (and the voice of every minion) Pierre Coffin sat down with Polygon to spill the tea:

While that does hint at an answer to how they evolved, it still leaves a gaping hole in what we know about the minions. And it’s a question that Coffin has yet to get away from, as he has been previously asked about female minions. The director had a blunt answer at the time: “maybe it’s not meant to be.” However, the newest movie is taking a different approach to everything we know about the characters, going back to the 1920s silent film era while expanding the world to include monsters.

Critics have had mind-blowing reactions to the film, with some saying it has “reinvigorated [their] love for [minions].” The film has also been considered an “open-hearted tribute” and “love letter” to making movies. But this hasn’t stopped people from asking Coffin about the minion birds and bees. Turns out the real answer connects to a scrapped idea, which the director explains:

We didn’t get that answer among the 2026 movie releases but that doesn’t mean we won’t ever get a baby minion. After all, folks freaked out over Star Wars' baby Yoda aka Grogu. The director also addressed another theory that doesn’t seem to be going away: What were the minions doing during the '30s and '40s? While the theory of the minions working for Hitler is a little dark for me, Coffin assures fans that despite there being multiple tribes of minions, they “were not part of the Big History.” Whew.

However, the filmmaker did give a definite answer to one question. When asked if minions can die, his response was a simple “No.” He elaborated, “We tried multiple times, but they seem to come back alive every time for some reason. So I'm guessing they can't die.” Given everything we’ve seen them go through film after film, I think we could have all guessed that we won’t be attending any minion funerals. This should be a relief to children (and the young-at-heart) everywhere.

If you're like me and want a little refresher before watching the newest movie in theaters, you can go back to the beginning with a Peacock subscription and watch the first Despicable Me.

The 2026 movie schedule marks what might be Tom Cruise’s most ambitious performance yet. Cruise and Alejandro G. Iñárritu are teaming up for Digger – a comedy about the world’s most powerful (and chaotic) businessman who must prevent a global disaster. Cruise really had to go through a physical transformation to play the titular Digger Rockwell, and he’s a sight to behold in the wild trailer. Funny enough, Cruise delightfully dropped an F-bomb when he first saw what had been envisioned for the character’s look.

Earlier this year, Cruise talked about playing Digger and how, in hindsight, the last 40 years of his career had been preparing him for the role. The leading man reiterated that during an event for the trailer launch, which CinemaBlend was fortunate enough to attend. Cruise said he’d “never had something that could challenge me in this way” and that it was uncharted territory for Iñárritu as well. As for the first time, Cruise got a gander at his director’s vision for Rockwell, he made a humorously bold assertion:

Honestly, that's an understandable take. As has been shown, Cruise sports prosthetics, a wig and a faux belly in order to play Rockwell, and he’s more than committing to the bit. That shouldn’t be all that surprising since this is the same actor who effortlessly portrayed the eccentric Les Grossman from Tropic Thunder. Digger definitely has shades of Grossman, especially when it comes to bravado. However, as the Top Gun icon explained, the process of landing on a character varies by project:

That level of cerebral thinking is why Cruise has done such great work over the course of his illustrious career. He understands that there are different strokes for different folks – or characters in this case. And it’s because of that approach that Lestat de Lioncourt differs from Les Grossman, who differs from Frank T.J. Mackey, who differs from Jerry Maguire. All in all, given Cruise’s approach to his latest role, fans should be in for something special.

It would seem that the Rain Man alum’s cast and crew were also taken with his work on set as well. During this year’s CinemaCon, Iñárritu praised his star’s commitment to his craft and emphasized just how big a swing he was taking with this role. Emma D’Arcy – one of Cruise’s co-stars, also praised his work, and they even said they were taking notes on set.

All signs point to Tom Cruise giving a performance that’s a true tour de force, and I’m eager to see it on the biggest screen possible. Per the footage, I’m expecting Cruise – as Rockwell – to chew some scenery and drop his fair share of F-bombs. Be sure to check out Digger when it opens on October 2.

Saturday Night Live’s host lineup is always impressive each season. Even after over 50 years, the producers of the show manage to attract some excellent talent to Studio 8H. Season 51 saw a mixture of first-timers and veterans, including Matt Damon. The Saving Private Ryan star hosted for the third time in May, and he recently opened up about what got him to host the first time, and I can’t argue with his reasoning.

Damon made his SNL hosting debut back in October 2002 for the Season 28 premiere. Even though it’s been 24 years, the actor still remembers that week like it was yesterday. He recalled on Amy Poehler’s Good Hang podcast what it was like getting the call about SNL all those years ago. He was initially confused about why he'd get the gig, because he had nothing coming out at the time. (The Bourne Identity had just released that summer.) However, his agent had a sure-fire way to talk him into saying yes:

I've always wondered what it's like for an SNL host to headline an episode when they're a massive fan of the night's musical guest. Bruce Springsteen is a pretty darn good reason to host Saturday Night Live, so I can’t say I blame Damon for immediately jumping on board after hearing that he’d be the musical guest. Of course, I can't help but think that Damon would have agreed to host SNL at some point even if Springsteen wasn’t the musical guest. Either way, I'd say everything worked out well for Damon (and his agent).

Even though he made his hosting debut in 2002, Damon made his SNL debut in 2001, and Springsteen was not involved. He cameoed during Gwyneth Paltrow’s episode in Season 27, so he had a taste of what to expect when he agreed to host. However, I get Damon’s initial reservations, as he didn’t have anything else coming out, meaning he couldn’t really do any self-promo, and the season premiere is a big deal.

During his most recent hosting gig in May, though, Damon did have something to promote. He is part of the star-studded ensemble cast for Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, an upcoming 2026 movie that has everyone buzzing. The epic fantasy flick is releasing in theaters on Friday, and Damon is hyped as well. Due to his lead role as Odysseus, Damon was put through the wringer and talked about being cold and wet at times during the shoot. However, the leading man also seemed to relish the experience and even got to reunite with Charlize Theron, who he first worked with on The Legend of Bagger Vance.

While waiting for The Odyssey, fans take a step back in time, so to speak and watch Matt Damon’s first-ever episode of Saturday Night Live with a Peacock subscription. His subsequent episodes during Seasons 44 and 51 are also available to stream, along with his many cameos. And, of course, be sure to check out Bruce Springsteen's performance in the first of those episodes.

Law & Order: SVU is gearing up for its 28^th season on the 2026 TV schedule, meaning everyone’s favorites from the Manhattan Special Victims Unit will be back on our screens very soon. Despite appearing in fewer episodes last season, Ice-T will be back as Odafin “Fin” Tutuola. He’s one of the longest-running actors in the Law & Order franchise, and the grind just won’t stop. But he finally opened up about the series restricting his hustle and why he was okay with not appearing in as many episodes during Season 27.

Throughout SVU’s run, many actors have come and gone from the cast. Season 27 saw two departures, with Juliana Aidén Martinez bowing out before the season started, while Octavio Pisano left at the beginning of the season. Meanwhile, Kelli Giddish returned as Amanda Rollins on a full-time basis after initially exiting SVU during Season 24. Her return led to some financial cuts, with Ice-T appearing in fewer episodes because it simply cost too much. He recalled the conversation when he found out about his cutback while chatting with The TMZ Podcast:

The rapper has previously opened up about the whole ordeal, having no ill will towards the show or his dear friend and colleague. It’s understandable that Ice-T would be concerned about his future on SVU. He’s made it a point that he’s sticking around on SVU for as long as he can, and hearing that he was being cut back couldn’t have been easy. The show simply put Fin in harm’s way to explain his absence, and while it eventually returned last season, it was still a change.

While it may have been concerning for Ice-T, he was able to do other things when he had more free time. He revealed that the show has restricted other aspects of his career. Now that he has had that free time, he’s ready to come back to SVU at full force. Ice-T revealed just how much he’ll be in Season 28, and I could not be happier:

Knowing that Ice-T is going to be in every episode of Season 28 eases my worries that he could be the next to leave the show. Even though he’s made it clear he has no plans to say goodbye to Fin any time soon, you never know. Plus, it helps that he’s on Dick Wolf’s good side, which will definitely go a long way:

It’s hard to predict what kind of storylines Fin will be getting into during Season 28, as well as everyone else, but luckily, the wait won’t be too much longer. The new season of Law & Order: SVU will premiere on Thursday, October 8 at 9 p.m. ET on NBC, streaming the next day with a Peacock subscription.

Many woke up this morning to the very sad news that Sam Neill died at the age of 78. The New Zealand-born actor’s passing was announced by his family on social media and, quite frankly, it’s hard to believe the beloved thespian is no longer with us. Fans and film pundits alike have since been paying tribute to the late Jurassic Universe star. And, unsurprisingly, a number of Neill’s former collaborators are doing the same, as Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum and a host of others have shared incredibly kind words about him.

Laura Dern played the Dr. Ellie Sattler to Sam Neill’s Dr. Alan Grant in the Jurassic movies, and the two had incredible on-screen chemistry. Aside from their work, though, Neill and Dern forged a personal friendship, and it was also delightful to see them reunite. Dern reacted to Neill’s death via a statement shared with Variety, and the Oscar winner’s sweet thoughts are so sweet:

Both Dern and Neill had the opportunity to reprise their roles as Sattler and Grant for 2022’s Jurassic World Dominion years after they last appeared in the franchise in 2001’s Jurassic Park III. In the more recent movie, directed by Colin Trevorrow, the pair were also joined by co-star Jeff Goldblum, who famously played Dr. Ian Malcolm. Goldblum reacted to Neill’s death on Instagram, sharing a still from JP and penning a brief, but loving, message in honor of his buddy:

Neill’s exact cause of death has not been released, though it’s been reported that he was cancer-free after having been diagnosed with a form of blood cancer in 2022. The following year, Goldblum spoke highly of Neill and said that he was doing well and that they had been in “constant” contact. Also joining this recent course of tributes for Neill was Chris Pratt, who worked with Neill on J-World Dominion. The Owen Grady actor said this about his former co-star on his Instagram story:

Additionally, another person to memorialize Sam Neill was Steven Spielberg, who directed him in the all-time classic Jurassic Park. Spielberg released a statement that was shared with Variety and said he was “saddened” by Neill’s death. Spielberg shared the following:

Jurassic franchise producer Frank Marshall also reached out in the aftermath of Neill’s death. On X, the producer shared a still of a camera monitor shot from a previous shoot and said this:

Sam Neill’s body of work is quite impressive and extends beyond the Jurassic movies. Sleeping Dogs (his film debut), Possession, The Hunt for Red October, The Piano and Event Horizon are just a few of the titles in his filmography. Not only that, but Neill also appeared on shows like Peaky Blinders and The Tudors. Neill left an indelible mark due to his body of work and, as Spielberg asserted he won’t be forgotten as an artist. Though I’d wager those who knew him will remember him fondly for being a great human being.

Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of The Odyssey is sparking plenty of conversations, and that’s ironic, considering the film hasn’t even hit theaters yet. The past few months have seen some social media users dissect this take on the epic Greek poem. A portion of people have taken issue with some of the casting choices and have also been pointing out historical inaccuracies. When it comes to that latter section of discourse, there’s one particularly annoying question Nolan and co. have been getting, and he recently addressed it.

One of the main details audiences have been noticing in the Odyssey trailers has been the presence of contemporary language in this book-to-screen adaptation. The actors don’t speak in a pronounced dialect but in a way that’s similar to how modern people would speak. While that hasn’t really deterred the Nolan stans, others have been wondering why the characters talk as they do. The topic came up when Nolan and cast member Tom Holland appeared on Channel 4’s The Four Cast, and the director shared his rationale:

This makes a lot of sense, as Nolan’s goal was apparently to avoid cultural clichés while crafting the film. He’s certainly correct that there can be “cultural prejudice” and, in terms of movies and TV shows about ancient civilizations, that can result in depictions that feel inauthentic. Based on his comments, Nolan wasn’t aiming to overthink it and sought to go with something straightforward and relatable when it came to the language. That feels like a smart move to me though, even before hearing this take, I wasn’t annoyed by the dialogue.

Still, there seem to be those who still take issue with the way characters speak. While Christopher Nolan addressed this recent question in a classy way, it’s hard not to get the feeling that he’s somewhat tired of it. Tom Holland – who plays Telemachus – also seems to be slightly perturbed. During the chat, he was asked about his character saying “dad” instead of “father,” and Holland dropped a respectful, yet very cheeky, response:

The Spider-Man actor has a point there as well. Overall, the discourse surrounding The Odyssey’s dialogue feels unnecessary, and the same is true regarding other points of criticism. Nolan himself has taken it all in stride, though, and he previously mentioned Interstellar while explaining his approach to world-building in the period piece. More recently, the Oscar winner invoked his Dark Knight Trilogy to discuss the importance of blocking out external chatter and focusing on making the best possible adaptation.

So far, Christopher Nolan’s approach also seems to be speaking for itself, as early Odyssey reactions have been very positive. If you couldn’t tell, I’m looking forward to checking out the historical epic for myself and seeing what Nolan, Tom Holland and the cast and crew bring to this beloved story. And, if the film connects with general audiences, I’ll be eager to see whether the discussions revolving around the modern language persist.

The Odyssey opens in theaters on July 17 and, in the meantime, read up on the movie along with other 2026 movie schedule entries.

It seems that Nia Jax has a good sense of humor when it comes to one aspect of her personal life. Just recently, a tweet hit the web and went viral for showing just how far Jax has come in regard to her weight loss journey. As the WWE superstar continues to try to find her way back to the top of the roster in her latest run, she's joking about how she looked in her earlier years with the company.

As the WWE continues its programming through the 2026 TV schedule, Jax took the time to directly respond to the viral X post. Said post showed a before-and-after photo of her weight loss journey. Here's what she had to say about her before photo, and all the weight she's since dropped:

That sense of humor has always been a part of Jax's personality but maybe something the WWE fans didn't appreciate outside that one butt joke she made. Fortunately, this second run has been so much better for the wrestler, and she should be applauded for all the hard work she's putting in.

Nia Jax has become a solid player in the women's main event scene, and who could've seen that coming when she made her big return after some time away? The plus-size model-turned-professional wrestler faced a ton of scrutiny in her first stint. She even earned a reputation for being an "unsafe worker" and not being trained well enough for professional wrestling.

Fortunately, the women of the locker room were quick to defend Jax and didn't seem to buy into the social media-birthed narrative about her abilities. Of course, Jax also deserves some credit in this return, as she talked about the amount of training she did to become a better wrestler in addition to her dietary changes. She's transformed into someone who may eventually be seen as one of modern wrestling's most impactful women.

Nia Jax and Lash Legend's return to SmackDown seemingly marks the start of another big storyline that'll possibly pit them against Tiffany Stratton and Chelsea Green. I loved when Stratton and Jax had their big feud a while back and would love to see some of that energy again as they go after tag titles and the United States Championship. The sky's the limit for what's on the table for the rest of this year as far as I'm concerned. I just hope the WWE knows what they have in this feud and gets some memorable moments out of it.

All in all, though, I love seeing Jax back in the WWE, and I'm glad she's feeling good and able to laugh off any comments about her physical transformation. For the time being, it seems like readers will be able to catch her on SmackDown on USA on Fridays at 8:00 p.m. ET. SmackDown is slowly becoming the superior show to Monday Night Raw in my book, but we'll see if that continues to be the case as the year goes on.

I can't believe it, but it's been almost six years since many of us learned who Anya Taylor-Joy was as she broke big in Netflix's The Queen’s Gambit. Since then, the actress has become a full-blown movie star, between starring in a ton of horror films, landing the voice of Princess Peach and joining Dune. This week she’s back on the small screen; however, returning to the small screen in Lucky. This time, the notoriety she's built up since the Netflix hit definitely shows.

If you liked The Queen’s Gambit, I’d gamble you’re going to like her new series. It’s also about a young woman who’s especially gifted at one thing. (No, not chess.) Anya Taylor-Joy's new series is about the daughter of a grifter who’s been expertly trained him in the art of a good con since childhood. The show’s creator, Jonathan Tropper, said this to CinemaBlend about how the return to TV came about.

Oh, how the tables turn! While Taylor-Joy was a relatively unknown actor for hire when she was approached for The Queen’s Gambit, this time she was one of the first names on Lucky . She was approached; she didn't audition. This also marked her debut as a producer alongside the likes of Reese Witherspoon.

As Tropper added, it wasn't just Reese's involvement that got Taylor-Joy involved in the 2026 TV release. It was fate. Even author Marissa Stapley had pictured the actress in the role.

Lucky starts with a longtime couple, Lucky and Cary, who are getting ready to go on the run with millions of dollars in their hands. However, when Lucky wakes up the following morning to find her husband and the money nowhere to be found, she must avert the authorities (and other parties who want the money) all on her own.

When CinemaBlend chatted with Anya Taylor-Joy about the role, she recalled shooting the pilot across twelve days and nights in and around Las Vegas’s Caesar’s Palace. She also told me she was “so proud” of herself after running for twelve hours straight to film one scene in the first episode where Lucky is trying to get out of the famed hotel and disappear.

Lucky’s co-showrunner Cassie Pappas said the actress really put her heart and soul into wearing all these different hats in order to make Lucky as great as it is.

How cool is it that Taylor-Joy got to work on Lucky from the inside out? You've got to love seeing more talented women movie stars like her taking the reins behind the scenes. Pappas also said this of collaborating with her as well:

Lucky also stars Outer Banks’ Drew Starkey as Lucky’s husband and Timothy Olyphant as Lucky’s dad. Annette Bening also plays a chilling mob boss after her named Priscilla and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor is FBI Agent Billie Rand, who is on her tail throughout. The TV series was shot not only in Las Vegas but across various terrain in Southern California where Taylor-Joy and the cast got to pull off a series of action scenes and nail-biting car chases.

The two-episode premiere of Lucky hits Apple TV this Wednesday, July 15, with new episodes coming out on subsequent Wednesdays. It's been a long time since Anya Taylor-Joy has made a TV show, but this one seems to be well worth the return to the medium.

The Schwartz has been awakened, as Spaceballs: The New One is set to grace the silver screen as part of the 2027 movie schedule. Producer Mel Brooks and co. announced the legacy sequel in 2025, and it was clear from the opening crawl-centric video that fans were in for a major spoof of a movie. Plot details have mostly been kept under wraps, but there’s now an official synopsis as well as a fresh, new poster. And, after seeing those, I can already say this film is delivering what I’ve been hoping to see from this upcoming flick.

Considering this is a Spaceballs movie we’re talking about here, it’s only fitting that the synopsis be meta and totally self-referential. That’s exactly what we get here, as the logline references an infamous Star Wars line from the jump, and that’s not all. Additionally, there’s even a reference to another long-hoped-for sequel that was released earlier this year. Check out the first portion of this summary, and I dare anyone not to chuckle at least once while reading it:

I mean, how could the creative team not riff on Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’s “somehow, Palpatine returned” line while referencing the re-emergence of Rick Moranis’ Dark Helmet. What I wasn’t expecting was to see a reference to The Devil Wears Prada 2, but I’m not mad at it. The rest of the synopsis reads as follows:

So it would seem Spaceballs: The New One is aiming to play on elements of 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens. For example in TFA, Leia helps head up the Resistance and, here Vespa, is now the head of the Druidian Throne. And, of course, the disappearances of Lone Starr and Yogurt parallel the absence of Luke Skywalker at the beginning of the Sequel Trilogy. I’m glad director Josh Greenbaum and co. are seeking to jump into outlandish new territory but, as the poster suggests, they also haven’t forgotten the franchise’s roots:

The “combing the desert” joke from Brook’s original 1987 film still holds up in my book, and it’s a perfect way to tease the movie by way of its first poster. What’s evident to me right now is that a lot of time and care has seemingly been put into making this sequel. This has particularly been a passion project for cast member/co-writer/producer Josh Gad, who pitched the movie to Mel Brooks. For a while now, Gad has kept fans updated on the production and, to that point, he also spoke out after the movie wrapped.

Gad will be joined in the film by several returning franchise veterans, including Brooks, Bill Pullman, Daphne Zuniga, George Wyner and Rick Moranis. As for series newcomers, there’s Lewis Pullman (who gets to work with dad Bill), Keke Palmer, Anthony Carrigan and Rowan Witt.

There’s still plenty of time before Spaceballs: The New One is released and, given footage hasn’t even been shown yet, I don’t want to get too excited yet. Still, if these early marketing materials are any indication, the Schwartz may be strong with this one. Check out the film when it opens in theaters on April 23, 2027.

Most of the fan talk around Big Brother 28 so far has been about Survivor veterans Dee and Rick Devens, as well as returning BB favorite Angela. Arguably the second most popular topic of conversation, however, has been about the showmance between Lyric and Rome, which got really serious, really quickly. The two met like a week ago, and they’re already talking about continuing their relationship on the outside.

Much to the confusion, annoyance and fascination of their fellow houseguests and fans who have figured out how to watch the live feeds, they’re also not being shy about public displays of affection. They’ve been sleeping in the same bed, baby-talking and even making out on the hammock outside. The live feeds caught that last part and clearly so did producers. They paged Rome to the Diary Room mid-kissing, and the way he got up and walked off seemed hilariously familiar to a lot of fans. Check out the clip…

Whether it’s because he’s hunched over or because he’s clawing at his shorts or because he’s moving slowly, a lot of viewers are convinced he’s fighting off an erection. Comments under the post referred to it as his “boner walk” or hilariously mentioned they’ve done that walk themselves before. In conversations under other related posts, fans have pointed out that this isn’t even the first time this season that Rome has been accused of getting an erection during an encounter with Lyric.

There was a previous incident in which the two of them were heavily flirting on a shared bed in a common room after he accused her of following him around. Fans thought they noticed something in his pants, and the video was humorously passed around on social media. Then later, during an entirely separate conversation, he fiddled with himself and told Lyric the production microphone had accidentally gotten “wrapped around (his) johnson.”

I’m not sure any of this is a good strategy for winning Big Brother, but it’s definitely a good strategy for keeping the fanbase entertained. Rome and Lyric’s budding relationship has been a constant source of amusement since the live feeds turned on over the weekend. Fans have cropped videos of Rome calling himself Romeo and her Juliet. They’ve cropped videos of her saying she’s going to let him win if they make the Final 2. They’ve cropped videos of them changing sleeping positions and him talking about how he lifted weights in front of her to first try and get her attention.

Fortunately, despite all their shenanigans, Rome and Lyric seem to be in a pretty good position. They’re both friendly with most of the people in the house, and neither one of them has been the subject of many negative conversations or been put on the block, except for all the mild annoyance related to their constant PDA and baby talk conversations. I'm sure that'll get old at some point.

You can check out new episodes of Big Brother, which has officially hit the release schedule, on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays on CBS. You can also check out the companion show Big Brother: Unlocked, which airs on alternating Fridays, and now includes Jerry O'Connell.

Some NCIS fans were no doubt disappointed when the Tony & Ziva spinoff was canceled after just one season. However, it looks like they have reason to be happy again as Michael Weatherly preps for Tony's return to the mothership show amid the 2026 TV schedule. Weatherly recently spoke about rejoining the long-running series, and it sounds like the spinoff isn't as dead as believed.

To be clear, Paramount+ subscription holders shouldn't expect to see Tony & Ziva Season 2 at some point. Yet Weatherly confirmed during an appearance at Comic Con Midlands in Birmingham, United Kingdom, that his return to NCIS would not erase the events of the failed spinoff. He teased a bit of what's on the way during a panel with co-star Cote De Pablo (via @a11laura):

It's makes a lot of sense that Tony & Ziva will be acknowledged in NCIS, especially since the show experienced some streaming success post-cancellation. And, of course, the producers may also want to ensure that the continuity remains intact. While the offshoot won't return to streaming for another go-around, fans who've been campaigning for it to return can, at the very least, take solace in the fact that Anthony DiNozzo's reappearance on NCIS will take the spinoff into account.

That aside, NCIS has its own cliffhanger to resolve at the start of Season 24, and there are some other big character arcs the show is building as well. Still, Michael Weatherly is banging the drum and promising the return will be worthwhile, hyping up the flagship series in the process:

If I had to guess what's on the way for Tony's return, I'd say it'll be some sort of storyline that plays into the fallout from Tony & Ziva. I wouldn't expect that storyline to encapsulate the entire season, but rather be a two-to-three-episode arc, if we're lucky.

The biggest question right now is whether Cote De Pablo will join Michael Weatherly in his return or if Ziva David is going to be hanging back with her and Tony's daughter, Tali, at that time. I can imagine there being some disappointment amongst fans if both Tony and Ziva aren't in the mix, and I think the producers know that. All this to say, I wouldn't be shocked if CBS is sitting on another announcement about De Pablo's involvement, or is even keeping her return a surprise. That's just an assumption, though.

Of course, if she doesn't show up, I'm sure Tony will explain Ziva's absence. At the end of the day, I'm just happy there's still a show for these two to return to and that their spinoff will remain canon.

NCIS returns to CBS in the fall, and I'm stoked to see what Michael Weatherly brings to the table when he reappears as Tony. I'm also excited to see what's going on with the rest of the characters, especially after THAT dramatic standoff in the Season 23 finale.

The Star Trek franchise is well known for bringing back franchise veterans, and it seems that may now be the case with one of its actors. A Star Trek: Discovery star seemingly shared that he might be returning to a series soon, only to delete the post from social media quickly. More specifically, it looked like James Frain jumped the gun a bit when hinting that his Sarek could be returning, and the moment is made even more iconic due to the caption shared with the post.

Frain, who played Spock's father and Michael Burnham's adopted father in Discovery, dropped a picture of himself in full Vulcan makeup on Instagram. As previously mentioned, though, the post didn't stay up long. Fortunately, I was able to get a look at it before it was taken down and can share the caption that Frain attached to the selfie of himself as Sarek:

The timing comes just as Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is set to debut Season 4 on the 2026 TV schedule, though none of the footage released so far has shown Sarek. That said, it's not wild to think he'd make an appearance, given that Spock is on the Enterprise and has had a few adventures involving family throughout his time on the series.

If Sarek doesn't pop up in Season 4, fans should also consider that filming wrapped on Season 5 in late 2025. Based on what James Frain said, maybe he was hinting that he was featured in the final season, and I would love that. What if this means we're finally getting the payoff to the storyline with Angel, which soft-launched Spock's eventual showdown with his half-brother Sybok?

While we know Sybok and Spock cross paths in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, the character was mentioned after the Enterprise crew encountered his romantic partner, Angel. It seemed like the show was setting something up but, as of the end of Season 3, there's been no closure on that front.

There's also other ground to tread with Spock and Sarek, as Star Trek has shown throughout its history. Sarek disapproved of his son joining Starfleet over the Vulcan Science Academy and, while they would later reconcile, they often butted heads due to Sarek's more Vulcan mindset.

The father and son never really had a heartfelt exchange in an episode until The Next Generation episode "Final Days," which is available to stream with a Paramount+ subscription. In the episode, Spock is able to visit his father on his deathbed, and the two have a long overdue discussion about their feelings for one another. It's a heavy episode, especially considering Vulcans suppress their emotions.

As for other ways Sarek could reappear, I suppose it's possible he's featured in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy as a hologram, or there's some secret project from the franchise that's on the way. I don't think the latter is in the cards, but I guess if it is, maybe we'll find out at one of the upcoming Comic Cons in San Diego or New York. In any case, I'm excited about the prospect of James Frain's Sarek returning.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4 premieres on Paramount+ on July 23rd. We'll have to wait and see if Sarek pops up but, in the meantime, I'm just happy to have new Trek to watch after a long hiatus in programming.

Generations of moviegoers have grown up with the Toy Story movies, starting with the 1995 original and continuing to this day with Toy Story 5, which is in theaters now. The franchise (which is streaming with a Disney+ subscription) is still going strong, although Quentin Tarantino maintains he has no interest in watching after the third movie. And now the director and cast of the new movie have weighed in on this choice.

Tarantino is known for his hot takes, including famously calling Paul Dano weaksauce in There Will Be Blood. Back in 2024 he told Bill Maher he wouldn't watch more Toy Story movies since the third one's ending was "perfect." Toy Story 5 director Andrew Stanton shared his reaction to Tarantino's opinion during a chat with THR. He offered:

Points were made. While the first three Toy Story films revolved around Andy and his toys as he grew up, the two most recent installments are about the new kid Bonnie, who inherited his toys at the end of the third movie. It's a different era of the franchise, and Tarantino has every right to stick to the originals. Although he's missing out one more delightful adventures from Woody, Buzz, and the whole gang.

Quentin Tarantino might have said he's "done" with the franchise after the expert way Toy Story 3 ended, there are plenty of fans who have caught the two more recent movies (as well as Lightyear). Tony Hale, who has voiced Forky since the fourth film, shared his reaction to the Oscar-winning filmmaker's hot take, saying:

Touché. Pixar is a well-oiled machine at this point, and regardless of each movie's box office take, the quality of their movies doesn't really suffer much. That goes for the Toy Story films, as well as other titles from the studio. And the Veep star seems to think that Tarantino should consider the receipts before writing off the more recent Toy Story movies.

In the Kill Bill director's defense, Toy Story 3 really is top tier. The movie reduced millennials like me to tears when it hit theaters back in 2010, with Andy's journey into adulthood mirroring our own. The scene of the toy holding hands as they prepare for their death was something none of us was expecting, and was overshadowed only by Andy giving them away to Bonnie in its final moments. It was a perfect way for the trilogy to end, and that's what is seemingly holding back Tarantino from seeing any of the newer films.

Toy Story 5 is in theaters now as part of the 2026 movie release list. We'll just have to wait and see how many movies are produced before the franchise wraps up forever.

Mike Flanagan’s upcoming Carrie series was always going to need more story. Namely because Stephen King’s debut novel is short, the prom has already been burned into pop culture by Brian De Palma’s 1976 movie, and Prime Video ordered eight episodes rather than another two-hour page-to-screen adaptation. Flanagan has earned plenty of trust with King material, but the first details about how he plans to expand Carrie White’s world have given me pause. Honestly, it just sounds too much like X-Men.

In Entertainment Weekly’s first look at Carrie, Flanagan explained that the series will explore the science behind telekinesis and connect its title character to other women with similar abilities. If you've read all of Stephen Kings books like I have, you know the material has roots in his novel, but the showrunner’s description sounds much closer to the foundation of a new superhero movie mythology than the intimate horror story I associate with Carrie. Flanagan explained:

There is something compelling buried in that idea. King’s novel includes reports, testimony and scientific speculation surrounding what happened in Chamberlain, Maine. Previous movies largely discarded that material to stay close to Carrie, Margaret White and the approaching disaster at prom. A streaming series has room to recover pieces that never fit comfortably into those films.

Still, words such as “gene,” “larger universe” and “gifted women” set off my superhero alarm. Put them together, and the upcoming horror series begins to sound less like a frightened teenager discovering something impossible and more like a mutant who has not yet found Professor Xavier’s school. The powers in Carrie should feel isolating and dangerous. Turning them into membership in a secret supernatural sorority risks making the character less singular.

My concern grew when Flanagan revealed that, beginning with Episode 2, each installment will open with a different woman somewhere else in the world and at another point in time discovering her abilities. That could become a clever series of miniature horror stories. It could also feel like the Carrie series keeps leaving Carrie to build lore for a larger mythology.

Upon hearing this, my mind immediately went to Stranger Things 2 and “The Lost Sister,” the divisive episode that sent Eleven to meet another powered test subject. The concept made sense within the show, but the detour felt to many viewers like a backdoor pilot interrupting the story they were already invested in. Carrie introducing a new gifted woman every week could create a similar problem if those segments begin to resemble a setup for a telekinetic team-up.

In my opinion, Carrie White does not need mentors, a mythology lesson or a broader mission. Her story works because she is unprepared for both her abilities and the cruelty around her. The horror comes from watching years of abuse and humiliation collide with power she cannot control.

Flanagan may still pull this off. I mean, I have faith as he's created some of my favorite horror movies and series in recent memory. King reportedly approved the new approach and serves as an executive producer, while Flanagan’s previous adaptations have shown how dramatically he can reshape source material without losing its emotional core. For now, though, the “TK gene” is the first Carrie detail that worries me. I want a tragedy soaked in blood, not the opening chapter of the Telekinetic Cinematic Universe.

Carrie is expected to premiere on Prime Video's 2026 streaming schedule in the fall for subscribers with a Prime Video subscription.

Spoilers ahead for the most recent episode of House of the Dragon, titled "Tumbleton".

Game of Thrones' finale might still be controversial, but fans have jumped back into Weteros thanks to its spinoffs. While A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms got some Emmy nominations, we're currently watching a new season of House of the Dragon on HBO (and streaming with a HBO Max subscription). The fourth episode revealed that Helaena Targaryen was secretly pregnant, and Olivia Cooke spoke to CinemaBlend about where Alicent's relationship with her daughter stands.

House of the Dragon Season 3 has been a doozy so far, with epic battles, major character deaths, and plenty of twists. Chief among them is the reveal that Helaena was with child, which further complicates the ongoing Dance of the Dragons. Cooke spoke to me and other journalists ahead of the Season 3 premiere, where I asked about Alicent and her daughter. She started by gushing about actress Phia Saban, saying:

While Alicent's children are spread across Westeros, the one she's closest to both physically and emotionally seems to be her daughter Helaena. Clearly Cooke and and Saban get along on set, and it should be fascinating to see the way their characters' relationship changes as we get deeper into this season of HOTD.

Fans are keeping track of which House the Dragon belongs to who, but it's also important to pay attention to the ever changing interpersonal dynamics of the show. Cooke went on to share more about what's going on with Alicent and Helaena, telling me:

Helaena has had a unique role in HOTD so far. Despite being the rider of the dragon Dreamfyre and having prophetic visions, she's often ignore by the rest of her family. But it sounds like Alicent is going to see her daughter as a much more powerful figure moving forward. Is it Sunday yet?

Olivia Cooke spoke more about what's going on in Alicent's head in the official Inside the Episode video for Episode 4. She spoke more about how Helaena’s pregnancy has raised the stakes, offering:

Of course, getting out is easier said than done. After Rhaenyra took King's Landing and The Iron Throne, Alicent and her daughter officially became Team Black's prisoners. It sounds like Olivia Cooke's character might once again be shifting her alliance in order to ensure the survival of both Helaena and her unborn grandchild. We'll just have to wait and see if/how she manages to escape King's Landing in order to keep them both safe.

New episodes of House of the Dragon air Sundays as part of the 2026 TV schedule. The season is really heating up, and it seems like no one is safe with the ongoing Targaryen civil war.

Michael Keaton’s Vulture remains one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s better villains, in part because he never feels like he wandered in from a different movie. His Adrian Toomes is a working-class criminal with a legitimate grievance, a terrifying wing suit and enough restraint to make that car ride with Peter Parker feel more dangerous than most battles in new superhero movies. Keaton was so natural in the role that it is difficult to picture anyone else answering the door as Liz’s father in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Apparently, Marvel Studios once had someone very different in mind.

During an appearance on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast, Lin-Manuel Miranda was asked about a Marvel role he had reportedly been offered around 2016. Horowitz first guessed Spider-Man: Homecoming, then worked his way through the cast before landing on the Vulture. Miranda confirmed it and immediately admitted he believes Marvel avoided a major casting mistake. He explained:

Horowitz sounded genuinely shocked by the answer. Before guessing Vulture, he floated Martin Starr’s role, presumably thinking the theater icon might have been considered for one of Peter Parker’s teachers or another comedic supporting part. Miranda quickly told him Starr was not the answer, which only made the eventual reveal all the wilder.

The Hamilton creator would have been coming directly off his Broadway run when Homecoming entered production. On paper, casting one of the industry’s most recognizable performers made sense. The In the Heights star was already closely associated with Disney through Moana, and his combination of humor, nervous energy and rapid-fire delivery could have produced a very different Adrian Toomes.

Miranda’s “miscast” assessment also feels fair. Homecoming needs the Vulture to seem older, worn down and quietly dangerous. Keaton brings decades of screen history to the part, including the audience’s memory of him as Batman, but he never treats Toomes as a theatrical supervillain. He approaches him as a father and business owner who decided the world had cheated him, then built an illegal weapons operation to even the score.

Miranda likely would have emphasized Toomes’ intelligence and restless charm. Keaton made him feel like the kind of man who could sit across from Peter at dinner, make polite conversation and still scare the life out of him without raising his voice.

Marvel near-casting stories often leave fans wondering about the movie that might have been. This one mostly reinforces how well the final choice worked. Miranda protected his marriage, the Beetlejuice star landed one of his strongest blockbuster roles, and Spider-Man: Homecoming found exactly the villain it needed. Both actors have continued working with Disney, while Keaton’s career has remained packed with major projects, including his return as Batman in The Flash.

You can revisit the cinematic Vulture by watching the MCU movies in order, while the filmed Broadway production of Hamilton is also available with a Disney+ subscription.

It’s almost that time of year. The time Epcot stans love most: The International Food and Wine Festival. Starting in August, you’ll be able to sip wines, try delectable desserts, and savor as many global cuisines as you can possibly fit in one go around the world. Only this year you should be forewarned that you may have a little trouble finding a place to actually consume one of those dishes, and fans aren’t particularly happy about it.

If you’ve never been, I have to just flat out state it’s a time-honored theme park rite of passage to eat on one of those "go away" colored trash can at Epcot. I kid you not. The Food and Wine Festival is one of the great upcoming attractions at Walt Disney World, and with the promise of small plates at varying prices come droves and droves of people.

There’s already not enough shade and seating around the world during non-busy hours, so when stuff gets very crowded, parkgoers tend to get creative. For years, if you weren't eating on the flat top trash cans available in the parks, you weren’t doing Food And Wine right. Now, though, fans who have been in Epcot in recent months have noticed Disney World trying to combat the trend.

As The Lost Bros points out, “Where are we all gonna eat on the first day of Food and Wine, or any other day of the year?” The vlogger is particularly sad his beloved trash cans near the Mexico booth are gone, because he had a “standing reservation” there during previous years. Disney World hasn’t cycled out all of its iconic flat top trash cans, but the video makes it clear that a large number of the ones people typically eat on during the festival are no longer in the World Showcase.

On the one hand, I sort of get it. We know for a fact the trash cans are not the most hygienic things to eat food on. On the other hand, Disney World has been on this joke for years, and as fans are pointing out, for a long time, they leaned into that joke. In the last few weeks, they’ve even been selling candy “bins” mimicking the iconic trash cans at Disney World resort.

• It’s funny that they leaned into the garbage can hype by making their own trash can merch then they do this 👀
• I almost bought the insulated trash can cup at Disneyland last week. Like WTH
• We had one free amenity, and now it’s gone!

Having said this, a slew of other fans made the point that I think is most obvious: The reason people ate on trash cans to begin with had to do with the insane lack of tables near each of the food booths. Sure, there can be bottlenecks in certain areas of the World Showcase (perhaps due to the parks' original plan), but there are also often plenty of wide open spaces. What Epcot really needs are more stand-up tables. Give the people what they need to eat properly.

• The utter lack of tables at EPCOT festivals is absolutely mind-boggling!! And it's only getting worse. 🤯
• They could buy fancy garbage cans with solar power but NOT tables and chairs???
• And you just know they won’t be adding any extra tables.
• It would make sense if they actually added more tables.

If you really want to sit down, Epcot has some great fine dining options, but given the popularity of the International Food and Wine Festival, it would be great if the theme park could figure out a solution that put this trash can debate to rest. We'll find out soon enough. Unlike Disneyland's spring Festival, Disney World's selection will debut on August 27th at Epcot and will run through November 21.

Conor McGregor's grand return to the UFC was arguably more hyped than the White House event that happened earlier in the 2026 TV schedule, but unfortunately, it ended in disappointment. After a fight stoppage seconds into the first round when it was apparent McGregor suffered a big injury, Daniel Cormier has serious questions about what's next for the MMA legend.

The former Heavyweight champion-turned-commentator wasted no time talking about McGregor's disappointing showing on his YouTube channel. While McGregor proved the critics wrong and returned to the UFC, there are serious questions about whether he should've ever stepped in the ring against Max Holloway in the first place. Despite the fighter's insistence that he injured his knee on an opening kick attempt, rumors persist that he was hurt ahead of the fight, but Cormier isn't talking about that. He's talking about what's next for the fighter, as well as the UFC, and I totally agree:

Cormier makes a great point. There's no denying Conor McGregor's wild antics appeal to a mainstream audience , and how there was no question at one point he was one of the most dominant fighters in the Feather and Lightweight division. Unfortunately, even legends in MMA end their career on their backs. And with Conor unable to last even a third of a full round in this latest bout, at what point is it time to move on?

Personally, I think the injury wasn't bad luck, and it's clear McGregor should start putting more of his efforts into seeking out new roles in Hollywood. It's a conversation combat sports fans will have in the coming weeks, as they'll make it clear in so many words just how interested they are in seeing Conor McGregor return to the octagon once he's recovered from his knee injury. If he's still a ratings grabber, the UFC will find him a fight, but if not, it may just be time to move on.

It's easier said than done, as the UFC has struggled to find any talent in its modern era as captivating or entertaining as McGregor. With its recent deal that makes fights easily available to those with a Paramount+ subscription, now might be the best time for the organization to invest in finding new stars.

Of course, one would think if it were that easy, Dana White and co. would've found that megastar in the years Conor McGregor hasn't been in the ring. Perhaps after this, they'll get more serious about their efforts, assuming the fans are largely over seeing fights with him. Who knows, maybe even he'll announce his retirement from MMA, though that doesn't feel likely.

Catch UFC pay-per-views and other fight nights over on Paramount+. I don't imagine we'll see Conor McGregor in the octagon anytime soon, if ever again, but never say never!

After all that’s happened between Taylor Swift and Blake Lively — including the alleged text threats during Lively’s legal battle and their exchanges becoming like a “mass corporate email sent to 200 employees” — it was really not a shock that the Gossip Girl star and Ryan Reynolds didn’t receive invitations to the celebrity wedding of the year. That’s a pretty harsh snub, though, especially considering Swift is the godmother to all four of Lively and Reynolds’ kiddos. It turns out, though, that they weren’t the only godchildren left off the guest list.

Jaime King Responds After She And Son Weren’t Invited To Taylor And Travis’ Wedding

With a reported 1,000 people invited to see Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce get “JUST&T MARRIED” at Madison Square Garden on July 3, it’s hard to believe anyone close to The Life of a Showgirl artist would have gotten left behind — especially a friend like Jaime King who was close enough to Swift to make her the godmother to her son Leo.

However, Jaime King’s publicist Jane Owen downplayed any rumors of bad blood following news that the actress and her 10-year-old son had been left off the list. She told Page Six:

Taylor Swift grew close to the Hart of Dixie actress in 2014, with Jaime King asking Swift the next year to be Leo’s godmother. The publicist said the mother and son marked the occasion in their own way:

It’s not unheard of for couples to make weddings a child-free affair, but we do know some little ones were in attendance — Jason and Kylie Kelce’s daughters reportedly served as flower girls.

Where Does Taylor Swift Stand As Godmother To Blake Lively And Ryan Reynolds’ Kids?

Taylor Swift is also the godmother to Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds’ four children — James, 11, Inez, 9, Betty, 6, and Olin, 3 — and wedding slight aside, there have been lots of questions about what that means now that Swift and Lively’s friendship is (seemingly) over. There were even rumors that Swift was considering formally removing herself as the children’s godmother.

Sources for Naughty But Nice podcaster Rob Shuter report that Taylor Swift’s relationship with the Reynolds children has allegedly faded after her drama with their parents. They said:

Taylor Swift still has love for the little ones, another source said, but her proximity to them is dependent on her relationship with Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds — who Travis Kelce allegedly had issues with even before their wives’ legal drama — and being left off of the wedding guest list is reportedly something they will “never forgive” Swift for.

It’s a shame when children get mixed up in their parents’ drama, but at least all seems friendly enough between Taylor Swift and Jaime King.

Daytime TV, particularly soap operas, doesn’t hold the elevated spot in the popular zeitgeist that it did in past decades, but one of the first and most legendary, General Hospital, is proving today just how enduring its popularity is (including getting John Oliver to appear recently). Today, the long-running show is celebrating its 16,000th episode as part of the 2026 TV schedule. Yes, you read that correctly, 16 thousand. That number is completely mind-blowing to me. There is some perspective needed to truly wrap my head around that number, so let’s get into it.

The Longest Running Prime Show Is Nowhere Even Close

The show is celebrating the milestone for good reason. The longest-running (non-news) prime-time show in history is The Simpsons. The classic animated show currently has 808 episodes. That’s a mere 5% of the total episodes of General Hospital. In fact, eight of the top ten longest-running prime time shows are still currently on the air, and adding them all up, they come to about 25% of the total number of episodes of General Hospital since it debuted on ABC on April 1, 1963. For 63 years, the show has been a mainstay of the ABC lineup (and, more recently, available with a Hulu subscription as well). The Simpsons, praised for its longevity and entertaining multiple generations, has been on for about half of that time.

Comparing it to other television shows, the numbers are even more mind-blowing. Meet the Press is the longest-running show in television history, not counting sports like the NFL. It debuted in 1947 and has been part of our Sunday mornings ever since. 78 years. Here’s the catch: it’s sitting at around 5,000 episodes. 11K fewer than GH. If that doesn’t blow your mind, what about other daytime serials?

Even By Soap Standards, GH Stands Above

There are five daytime serials running today (four on networks, one on streaming). Sitting in second place in terms of episodes behind GH is Days of our Lives, sitting on around 15,000, having debuted in 1965. Days went exclusively to streaming with a Peacock subscription in 2022. The Young and the Restless is a relative newcomer with a mere 12,000 episodes or so since 1973. Even the long-running shows that have since ended their runs, like Guiding Light (15,762 episodes) and As The World Turns (13,858), pale in comparison to 16,000 for General Hospital. If you are wondering, the ever-popular Coronation Street, the longest-running British soap, is about 5,000 episodes behind GH (though Coronation Street is older, having first aired in 1960).

Putting that 16,000 number in perspective really shows just how astonishing an achievement it is. John F. Kennedy was president when GH debuted. The United States had only recently sent a man into space. The Beatles were still 10 months away from appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show. Think about how much the world has changed since then, and yet the producers, writers, and actors on General Hospital have kept it relevant for all those years. Cheers to General Hospital for this remarkable milestone.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is known for constantly expanding with new projects in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. Without a doubt the most highly anticipated upcoming Marvel movie is Avengers: Doomsday, which will arrive this December. The Doomsday cast was recently shown in an official poster, although a fan pointed out a "funny outcome" related to Chris Evans' return as Steve Rogers.

What we know about Avengers: Doomsday has been limited, but fans are hyped to see entire teams united against Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom. Former Marvel Studios Director of Visual Development Andy Park recently took to Instagram to show off an epic post for the forthcoming blockbuster. Check it out:

I mean how awesome is that? This image is the first real glimpse at what costumes various heroes will be wearing in Doomsday. This includes the new looks for the OG stars of the X-Men movies, although one character is especially turning heads. Namely Chris Evan's Steve Rogers, who is shown wearing a casual pants and t-shirt rather than his signature Captain America suit.

This poster quickly went viral online, and fans started sounding off on social media. One tweet that's gotten at on of attention poked fun at Steve's casual outfit for Doomsday, claiming:

The lack of a costume for Chris Evans' hero is definitely turning heads, although it's unclear if the above claim is accurate. Although Captain America: Brave New World bombed at the box office, so perhaps that's what this user is referencing about The Russos "not trusting" Sam Wilson's version of Cap to lead the upcoming Avengers movie.

There were plenty of response to the above Tweet, many of which were fans who have spent years watching the Marvel movies in order and aren't pleased about Steve's casual outfit. Check it out below:

• Chris Evans is playing the hero Shirtpants. You can tell it's him because he is wearing a shirt and pants.
• Secret Wars is not a captain america movie at all, its more Doom/Fantastic Four story (with other marvel heroes invovled)
• I don't mind Steve not having the mantle BUT AT LEAST GIVE HIM SOME DAMN BATTLE SUIT HOW WILL HE FIGHT USING A PLAIN BLACK SHIRT COME ON
• Watch it become a twist where this is not our Steve rogers but Captain Hydra hence no actual suit

The latter post is particularly intriguing, as there were rumors we'd see a villainous variant of Captain America in the blockbuster. But Marvel's tight security has been keeping the movie's contents under wraps, so there's no telling what's actually coming.

Despite Steve Rogers getting his happy ever after during Avengers: Endgame, a teaser for Doomsday confirmed that Chris Evans would be reprising his signature role once again. Check it out below:

While Chris Evans cameos as the Human Torch in Deadpool & Wolverine, the next Avengers movie marks the first time he'll play Steve Rogers since Endgame changed the shared universe forever. The pressure is on, and it should be fascinating to see how the character changed since we last saw him.

All will be revealed when Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18th as part of the 2026 movie release list. Hopefully we get a full trailer sooner rather than later.

For some time now, Tom Cruise has been teasing his next movie, Digger, a dark comedy directed by Oscar winner Alejandro Iñárritu. Some footage dropped earlier this summer and, based on that, Cruise’s titular character mirrored Tropic Thunder’s Les Grossman. Well, we finally have the first official trailer for the movie, and it’s somehow even more bonkers than I imagined. There are plenty of striking images and funny quotes, but I just can’t get the image of Digger’s cat out of my head.

The trailer quickly establishes the aging Digger Rockwell as an eccentric tycoon, who enjoys a lavish lifestyle. However, he’s quickly thrown for a loop when he learns that one of his drilling projects has started an environmental chain reaction that could spell the end of life on earth. What strikes me about this footage, which can be seen above, is the sheer scale of Iñárritu’s vision. Shots of floods, aircrafts and missile launches abound, and it’s clear that this is going to be the Birdman director’s biggest film to date.

Ironically, some of this material feels like it would be fitting for an installment of Mission: Impossible, which Cruise has since stepped away from. Personally, I’d imagine Cruise and Iñárritu are fully aware of that and may even be looking to lampoon elements of such blockbusters in that regard. Aside from the spectacle, though, there also seem to be plenty of quirky character moments acted out by the film’s capable cast.

The member of the ensemble that I can’t stop looking at, though, is Digger’s cat, who’s seen better days. In fact, it’s established early on that the feline doesn’t have long to live, which upsets his master. To say that this one-eyed furry friend is quite a sight would be an understatement, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up being more essential to the narrative than teased.

Aside from the cat, though, what also sticks out to me is something quite obvious – Tom Cruise really seems to be going for it with this performance. He’s chewing up all kinds of scenery here, from trying to feed his pet peanut butter in bed to using his physical endowment to illustrate his drilling work. As Cruise explained at CinemaCon earlier this year, Rockwell was a role 40 years in the making for him and allowed him to do something different. Now, I can’t argue with that assertion.

Iñárritu, who also co-wrote the script, praised Cruise’s performance as well, opining that while he’d pulled off plenty of massive stunts on camera, this role may have been his biggest risk. Of course, the Revenant helmer also deserves credit, as this is yet another major swing for him as well. Comedy and spectacle seem to be colliding in a great way, based on this trailer, and it’s also already clear that the director and his co-writers are injecting a bit of social commentary into this environmentally and politically-tinged story.

Of course, we also have to mention the rest of the cast, which includes John Goodman (who was mildly injured amid production) playing the President of the United States. Honestly, I can’t think of a better role for the incomparable Goodman in a romp like this one. Also part of the ensemble are Sandra Hüller, Riz Ahmed, Jesse Plemons, Sophie Wilde, Michael Stuhlbarg and Emma D’Arcy, who praised Cruise’s work.

All in all, this first trailer delivers, as it expertly establishes the tone, lays out the premise and highlights its leading man in a big way. I can’t wait to see what Tom Cruise brings to the role of Rockwell and, if this footage is any indication, there’s a chance it could be Cruise’s finest performance of this decade. He’s sure to be a scene-stealer, but I also expect that cat to delight (and somewhat unnerve) audiences as well.

Digger opens in theaters on October 2 as part of the 2026 movie schedule.

Matt Damon became an overnight success story when he and best buddy Ben Affleck, won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for Good Will Hunting. After that, Damon took on the title role in Steven Spielberg's WWII epic, Saving Private Ryan, after ER’s Noah Wyle turned it down. Damon was a perfect fit for the role, but it turns out he owes Good Will Hunting co-star Robin Williams for helping him land the part.

Noah Wyle turned down Steven Spielberg flick due to his obligations to ER, which was disappointing for him at the time. However, Wyle has since praised Matt Damon for his performance in the film and said he was right for the role. As for the circumstances behind how he landed the gig, Damon spoke about that on Outstanding Screenplays. Apparently, this heartwarming story all starts with Robin performing a cool gesture for Damon and Affleck:

Talk about being at the right place at the right time! If a star knows that THE Steven Spielberg is shooting his own movie in proximity to theirs, I can understand not wanting to pass up the chance to meet him. But not only did Williams arrange a little meet-and-greet between Damon and the E.T. director, but that also sparked a memory on the latter's part. As Damon explained:

Sending in an audition tape is certainly one way to land a part, but I there's even greater power in meeting a filmmaker face-to-face (if a person gets the chance, of course). I can also understand why Spielberg would want Damon after seeing his work in Courage Under Fire. The film tells the true story of a young loyal soldier who endures the agony having to watch his men die, but still dedicates himself to his duty for his country. Damon's great in it and, in hindsight, it was definitely a proving ground for him when it came to Private Ryan.

This story is also a testament to the Bourne star's relationship with the late Robin Williams, who had a profound effect on him. Two years after Williams' death, Damon spoke of honoring the Mork & Mindy actor by sitting on the famed Boston Commons bench the two sat in for their movie together. Damon's also praised Williams as a collaborator and has avidly credited him for coming up with Good Will Hunting's final line.

It's been said that in some cases, things happen for a reason, and I'd like to think everything worked out well for both Matt Damon and Noah Wyle. And, today, Saving Private Ryan stands as one of Damon's best performances. Feel free to watch the Steven Spielberg historical drama using a Paramount+ subscription, and Good Will Hunting is available on the platform as well.

Popular actor Sam Neill, who led the Jurassic Park franchise and starred in a variety of other hit TV shows and movies, died earlier today at the age of 78. An official statement called his passing “sudden and unexpected” but clarified it was not related to cancer, as Neill had fought and won a battle with an aggressive form of blood cancer over the past few years.

The sad news was announced on Neill’s Instagram page. Almost immediately, the comment section was flooded with fans expressing their condolences, as well as their favorite memories of Neill’s career. Many of his former co-stars also shared their own more personal memories of the time they spent with him and what a joy he was to work with.

Neill, who was born in Northern Ireland but moved to New Zealand as a kid, began acting in college plays in the 1960s and was able to pick up work in some shorts and TV movies after graduation. Those parts earned him bigger roles in New Zealand movies and later work in nearby Australia. The 1979 film My Brilliant Career, which saw him play the love interest opposite Judy Davis, was his first big hit internationally and eventually led to a role in The Omen III.

At that point, Neill was off and running, and he started working all over the world in a variety of movies, playing both leads and key supports. During the late 1980s, he was even heavily rumored as a possible James Bond replacement for Roger Moore before the role went to Timothy Dalton. It was 1993’s Jurassic Park, however, that turned him from well-regarded international actor into Hollywood superstar. The film grossed nearly a billion dollars during its initial run, which was an enormous sum for the early 90s, and remains a hit franchise that still references his character.

Neill later starred in multiple Jurassic Park sequels, but more consistently, he made artsy and daring choices. He played a key role in The Piano, which was nominated for 8 Oscars, and similarly did fantastic work in a ton of off-beat and/or challenging projects like Sirens, In The Mouth Of Madness and the mega-popular mini-series Merlin, which earned him an Emmy nomination.

During the later stages of his career, Neill found a lot of success in the TV space. He soared in memorable turns on The Tudors, Peaky Blinders, among others. In recent years, he was praised for his work in the Peacock adaptation of Apples Never Fall and at the time of his passing, had been playing the lead in the popular Australian series The Twelve.

Neill appeared in more than a hundred projects during his career, and they were all made better by his presence. He added a sense of gravity and seriousness to most of his roles, and his natural charisma helped add depth and intrigue to a lot of characters who could have been one note. He was one of the best of his archetype, and he proved that for more than fifty years.

Neill is survived by four children and millions of fans around the world. He will be missed.

Full House remains a highly popular sitcom even more than 30 years after the conclusion of its eight-season run. The beloved TGIF comedy has been kept alive in part due to members of the cast and crew sharing cool behind-the-scenes tidbits about making it. Something I’ve long wondered has to do with Michelle actresses Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. I never knew how it was decided which twin would film a specific scene. Well, thanks to two of the Olsens’ co-stars, I now have some much-needed clarification.

So much has been said about the Olsen twins’ time on Full House, including the fact that Uncle Jesse actor John Stamos nearly got them fired early on due to their constant crying. So it’s wild to think that I’m only now just getting a sense of how they were selected for scenes. The answer came from series alums Jodie Sweetin and Andrea Barber during an episode of the How Rude, Tanneritos! rewatch podcast. Sweetin recalled squabbles between the twins over wanting to do certain scenes and how that was handled:

Overall, it sounds like a little negotiating had to be done from time to time, depending on what was being filmed. (And, honestly, I can understand the girls’ eagerness to do ice cream scenes.) It’s interesting to think about having to manage such details on a show featuring twins, especially ones so young. Helping to solve those issues was Adria Later, who served as a teacher and acting coach to Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen. Barber said this of how Later would handle a disagreement over an ice cream scene or one similar:

Throughout Full House’s eight seasons, Michelle has memorable experiences, and one of those actually prompted the discussion on the rewatch podcast. Sweetin (who played Stephanie Tanner) and Barber (who played Kimmy Gibbler) recalled filming the two-part Season 6 episode, “The House Meets the Mouse,” which sees the Tanners and co. heading to Orlando to visit Walt Disney World. There’s a scene in which Michelle gets to take part in a princess float, and Barber theorized about Later’s handling of all that:

It can’t be said for sure just how that particular scene was settled upon. However, Sweetin did bring up one interesting point about the float scene:

Conversely, during the period of the show in which the Olsens were still little, the producers apparently had a preferred twin to work with. Sweetin revealed during a previous episode of the podcast that Mary-Kate apparently didn’t like being on set, while Ashley was “much more docile.” However, as Sweetin also explained, the twins’ cooperation could shift depending on the scene being done.

These BTS facts just shed more light on the intricacies of producing one of the most popular sitcoms of the ‘90s. If anything, I’d love to hear Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen themselves talk about what they can remember from their experiences, as Jodie Sweetin and co. can only field questions about them. Of course, the two sisters – who’ve found massive success in the fashion industry – prefer their privacy, which I can certainly respect. If anything, I’m just pleased to have this latest bit of information on their time sharing the role of Michelle.

Check out the Olsens’ work in Full House by streaming all eight seasons using a Hulu subscription.

As we prepare for some of our old favorites to return for the upcoming Marvel Movie Avengers: Doomsday, I do think it’s worth a reminder there’s a reason we love the original gang so much. Their banter is some of the best in the game. Case in point: That time Chris Evans trolled Scarlett Johansson over the best-looking MCU actor, and then she took her sweet time getting revenge.

Chris Evans Thinks Chris Hemsworth Is The Best-Looking MCU Cast Member

Back in the day, MovieManiacsDE talked to some of the major players ahead of Captain America: The Winter Soldier and the topic of attractive MCU cast members came up. When asked who was “the best-looking” in the MCU, Chris Evans immediately blurted out “Hemsworth,” despite literally being seated next to Scarlett Johansson at the time. The two had a funny exchange about it, and eventually got on the same page.

It’s worth pointing out that Samuel L. Jackson insta-answered Black Widow earlier in the interview, so she got some brownie points there, and Chris Hemsworth was not involved in this specific conversation himself. Yet, I do love a little tale of petty revenge, and the perfect opportunity came up for Johansson years later.

The Insult Lobbed At Chris Hemsworth Years Later

Thank goodness we get a new Avengers movie every few years, because Scarlett Johansson got the chance to get a great “ugly barb” in years later. She and Hemsworth were paired together as part of Endgame’s press tour, and joined a BBC bit called “Playground insults” in which she just dumped on the Thor actor’s looks right out of the gate. What did she say?

Chris Hemsworth did fumble around a bit to get his own barb in, but the poor guy was out of his depth trying to go toe-to-toe with Scarlett Johannson’s perfect timing. He could only think to target her brain while she gets in the best barb about him wearing a “grandma’s sweater.” Take a look.

I’m not sure Hemsworth was even aware of the prior conversation between Johansson and Evans, but he has to know it’s a recurring theme where his stunningly good genetics come up. He was Sexiest Man Alive in 2014. Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen agree he’s got that dreamy thing going on. In fact, he’s so good-looking the likes of other handsome men like Kevin Costner have even remarked on it unprompted. Though Hemsworth himself is known to be humble when it comes to his own looks.

Honestly, it’s probably a good thing people aren’t focusing on Scarlett Johansson. The actress has been open about how a lot of roles she was offered early in her career were often good-looking-but-shallow characters like the “side-piece” or “bombshell." Her Black Widow character, despite being a bit of a sex symbol in Iron Man 2, really helped to change that. So, if people want to focus on how Hemsworth’s arms are the size of Elizabeth Olsen’s head instead of her own Black Widow looks, she’s probably OK with that narrative.

Just give her all the props for that Grandma sweater joke.

Warning! The following contains spoilers from the 90 Day Fiancé episode "I’m Questioning Everything." Stream the episode with an HBO Max subscription and read at your own risk!

A friend of Catie Norboe finally said what I was thinking while watching 90 Day Fiancé, and I couldn't be happier. After Joshua Atkins witnessed her compulsive habit of attempting to make out with friends, someone finally spoke up and suggested maybe it wasn't her obsessive compulsive disorder that was creating the wedge in the relationship. On that note, it was suggested that Catie's drinking could be a contributing factor.

The latest episode of 90 Day to hit the 2026 TV schedule picked up with Catie meeting up to run with her friend, Ryan. During their workout, she recapped her conversation with Joshua about the previous evening and how he was disappointed in her. Catie mentioned her fear of her OCD sabotaging her relationship, but Ryan opened up about something different:

Catie admitted she also worried about that but, not long after, she brought up the OCD again. Additionally, she mentioned the quick timing of her and Joshua's engagement and not knowing what she wants. All of that can be valid, but it's hard to overlook the clear fact that Katie isn't indulging in problematic behavior when she's sober.

Why I'm Happy A Friend Finally Addressed Catie's Drinking Being A Problem

I've been wondering and quite frankly, waiting for a friend in Catie's life to bring up this issue. Otherwise, it would've appeared her entire friend group was comprised of people who would allow her to fall into these moments, even when they come at the expense of her relationship with Joshua.

So, from the outside looking in, it appears Catie has a true friend in Ryan. That aside, though, there's still the matter of Joshua and Catie's relationship problems.

Did Joshua And Catie Work Out Their Issues?

We've done some digging into Catie and Joshua's relationship and, based on current speculation, it seems that they did go through with the marriage. Getting married is one thing, but did Catie make some changes for Joshua? Or did they reach some sort of understanding about that?

If I've learned one thing watching 90 Day Fiancé, it's that it's really easy to succumb to the pressure of the K1 visa to just get married rather than pause and delay the process to work on other issues. There's a long list of married 90 Day stars who split up, and I think the marriage timeline is a major contributing factor.

All this to say, I hope that Catie and Joshua are happy in their relationship and didn't leave lingering issues like this by the wayside ahead of tying the knot, because the partying feels like a big issue. Either Joshua needs to be ok with Catie's partying habits, or she needs to be fine with letting that go for the sake of her relationship. I don't see a successful marriage where they just continue on as they're doing now.

We'll see if we get any answers on what conclusion they arrive at as 90 Day Fiancé continues to air on TLC on Sundays at 8:00 p.m. ET. CinemaBlend continues to track what's going on with other couples and was shocked to learn about one duo who got married despite all evidence they wouldn't.

John Cena may be retired from professional wrestling, but his WWE career will forever stick with him due to one ongoing joke. It's come up while making Peacemaker and now, even during the press tour for his latest movie, Little Brother, which is available with a Netflix subscription. A number of fans like to pretend Cena is invisible and think they're oh so clever riffing on his classic line, "You can't see me." Now, Cena is sharing just how often he still hears the joke.

John Cena Tried To Approximate How Many Times He's Read Jokes About Being Invisible

That line was Cena's signature phrase in the WWE, with the implication that Cena was so good at professional wrestling, his opponents just weren't on the same level. Eric Andre, Cena's Little Brother co-star, brought up the topic during an interview with Esquire, and was curious just how many times his faux sibling had to hear a joke tied to "You can't see me." Cena balked at giving a daily amount but said he'd done the math before and thinks he landed at a number at how often he'd hear it on a yearly basis:

That number may feel low but, if someone were to break that down into a daily number, that's in the ballpark of 274 jokes a day. Honestly, if you factor in the people he meets on a daily basis and all the comments left on his various social media accounts, Cena might be pretty on the nose with that guess!

I can imagine that Eric Andre can relate on some level, as he's someone who's associated with chaos and wild stunts. While he embraces that in Little Brother and his other work, I totally get how it would wear someone down to constantly deal with that.

John Cena's Comment Became A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy In The Comment Section

In fairness, John Cena poked the bear by acknowledging the comment section ahead of the video's release. That opened the door for users to troll him, and they did just that with plenty of takes:

• Why are there three people sitting around a table talking about John Cena? - brandondemchak
• Lmaoooo @ only three glasses of water on the table 🤣 🥛🥛🥛 - lourestudios
• Could have at least invited John Cena to the show 🤷🏻‍♂️ - phrygian
• Weird format. Everyone talking to an empty chair? I don’t understand. -jpolicastro81
• I don’t get it. Why do a podcast on camera with a voiceover? 🤔 - dadlifejason
• Can someone explain why the camera keeps cutting to a bookcase - javedlendlsterritt
• Why is Eric Andre asking a chair questions? - danielappelman

There are over 4,800 comments on the post, and many of them are making more or less the same joke. We're only halfway through the 2026 TV schedule, so there's still ample opportunity for people to make more jokes related to John Cena being invisible.

Cena is a master of social media, for what it's worth, and knows how to stir the masses and get engagement rolling. His cryptic Instagram page always has people speculating about what he's trying to say or convey by sharing a given post. Plus, it's not like people actually believe he's invisible, or I'm one of the treasured few in this world who can see "The Champ" with my own eyes.

Little Brother is available to stream on Netflix right now. Check it out and laugh a bit. And, while you're at it, maybe lay off the jokes at John Cena's expense just to give the poor guy a break.

Johnny Knoxville has been hit, launched, trampled by bulls, shocked, slammed and generally treated his body like a stunt prop for more than two decades. That is the bargain Jackass made with its audience: the crew would do wildly stupid things, and viewers would laugh, cringe and occasionally wonder whether someone should call a responsible adult. But, even in a franchise built on pain, one Knoxville injury stands apart. Let's take a look at the time the iconic stuntman shared the most "psychologically damaging" stunt.

In a video shared by The Graham Norton Show’s official Instagram account, Knoxville looked back on what he considered the most psychologically stringent stunt of his career. The story came from a classic appearance on the show, but it still hits with the force of a medical chart being thrown directly into your lap. You can see the video below.

The Ringer star has talked about brutal injuries before, and fans of the franchise know the list is long. Broken bones, concussions, stitches and hospital trips are part of the mythology of the Jackass franchise. But, when Norton asked about the stunt that messed with him mentally, he did not go with one of the big animal attacks or high-impact wipeouts. He went with the time he broke his "gym dog." As he describes it:

That is a sentence that only makes sense in the Jackass universe of films and spinoffs, and somehow Knoxville delivered it with the same energy most people use to describe losing their keys. He explained that he had been trying to backflip a motorcycle, despite one fairly important problem: he could not actually ride a motorcycle. That feels like the exact kind of detail a person should probably sort out before attempting a backflip, but this is the same guy who willingly gets hit by stampeding bulls (more than once) we are talking about.

According to the Action Point lead, the bike came off the ramp, went roughly 20 feet into the air and then came down in the worst possible place. The handlebars broke into his crotch, sending him straight to the hospital and into surgery. He said the injury’s aftermath did not end when the stunt did:

There are Jackass stunts that look more violent in the moment, including Steve-O’s “Tropical Pole Vaulting” bit and its drug-fueled backstory. But that is what makes Knoxville’s injury feel uniquely awful. A bad landing is one thing. A long-term medical routine is something else entirely.

That is probably why the Dirty Grandpa performer called it psychologically damaging. The pain of the stunt itself sounds bad enough, but the ongoing reminder is the real nightmare. It is hard to file an injury away as just another funny story when it follows you into your daily life for years.

Still, this one is different. A guy getting knocked over by a bull or blasted with a paintball is one kind of Jackass pain. A failed motorcycle backflip leading to surgery and years of catheter use is a whole different chapter in the long book of terrible ideas. Johnny Knoxville has plenty of painful memories to choose from, including a brain injury thanks to a bull. But, when he says this was the most psychologically damaging, I believe him. Some stunts leave bruises, but this one apparently came with paperwork, surgery and a twice-daily reminder that maybe motorcycles should be left to people who can ride them.

Jackass: Best and Last, the fifth and final film in the franchise, is now playing in theaters amid the 2026 movie schedule. Be sure to check your local listings for showtimes. Or if you're feeling nostalgic, revisit all the prior movies, streaming, with your Paramount+ subscription.

Sean “Diddy” Combs has had his share of critics as he’s faced legal issues throughout the past several years. However, it could be argued that the person who’s publicly chastised him the most is fellow rapper Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. During Combs’ trial last summer, Jackson trolled him and continued to do so after he received a mixed verdict and was incarcerated. 50 Cent took that criticism to the next level when he produced a documentary about his rival’s issues, and that now seems to have paid off in a big way.

December 2025 marked the release of Sean Combs: The Reckoning, a four-part docuseries directed by Alexandria Stapleton. The show centers around Combs’ meteoric rise within the industry and the legal problems that have plagued him in recent years. Fiddy served as a producer on the show, and it’s now amongst the 2026 Emmy nominees. The production specifically landed three nominations, and they’re laid out below:

• Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series
• Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program
• Outstanding Picture Editing for a Nonfiction Program

The Reckoning proved to be quite popular amongst Netflix subscription holders when it dropped, and it even managed to surpass Stranger Things on the platform’s Top 10 rankings in the U.S. Aside from that, critics also praised the show, citing its interviews – with subjects like Aubrey O’Day, Kirk Burrowes and Joi Dickerson-Neal – and Stapleton’s direction. Jackson seems to be quite proud of the accomplishment, as he took to X to share the following message:

Despite the praise and awards nominations, the Diddy doc has also drawn the ire of the rapper himself. The “Bad Boy for Life” rapper called out Netflix, Fiddy and co. over the doc and accused the creative team of using “stolen footage” to produce it. Additionally, Combs’ mother, Janice, also laid into the docuseries and refuted claims in the show regarding her supposed parenting methods. It was also reported that Sean was considering filing suit on the grounds of the doc but, as of this writing, that still hasn’t happened.

Sean Combs also specifically took issue with 50 Cent for being involved with the documentary, given their history. Fiddy has been called “petty” for making the doc and for regularly critiquing Combs, but he seems to accept that. While previously discussing his rationale for making the doc, Jackson explained that he wanted to convey that not every member of the rap community condones Combs’ reported offenses. Also, the G-Unit alum has spoken highly of his working relationship with Stapleton.

We still have a little while before we learn whether Curtis Jackson will officially be dubbed an Emmy Award winner. For now, though, the artist seems content having earned a few nominations for the docuseries he was sure would be a hit. Viewers can still check out Sean Combs: The Reckoning now on Netflix alongside a host of other documentaries.

Disney and Pixar are currently basking in the box office success of Toy Story 5, which has smashed records and earned critical acclaim like its predecessors. Director Andrew Stanton doesn’t miss a beat, and the same can be said for Tim Allen, Tom Hanks, Joan Cusack and the rest of the cast. Of course, now there’s a question as to whether the stars will reunite for a sixth movie. I’m not sure if the cast will have the opportunity to reprise their roles but, for right now, I’m just focused on another idea Allen has for the House of Mouse.

Although Allen has admitted to being shocked by just how long the Toy Story franchise has been going, he still relishes his role as Buzz Lightyear. What’s more is that like so many of us, the Shifting Gears star grew up a fan of Disney’s work himself. He expressed that affection during an interview with Us Weekly and also discussed the impact the TS characters have had on kids. On top of that, though, Allen also shared his desire to see is a “high-end” animated production centered around two beloved characters:

Please, just take my money! I’m a fan of animation in general, but the thought of seeing a major production centered around Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck just sounds like too much fun. Sure, fans of the characters have been satiated in recent years due to the funny TV shorts that have been produced. Yet I’d love to see a full-blown motion picture centered around Mickey and Donald, and it could harken back to the days in which the Odd Couple-type characters headlined their own stories on a more consistent basis.

Of course, selling such a project to execs could be challenging, and even I can admit I’m not sure how much the general public wants a Mickey/Donald movie. Still, in a world where we’ve been graced with the acclaimed The Day the Earth Blew Up (a Looney Tunes movie centered around Porky Pig and Daffy Duck), it feels like Donald and Mickey should have their time in the sun as well.

More immediately, however, I’m also curious as to whether Toy Story 6 will become a reality at some point. Woody voice actor Tom Hanks weighed in on that and said another installment should only happen if there’s a story worth telling. I agree with that assessment and, given the continued reach of this franchise, I could imagine the folks at Pixar kicking around ideas. What I love is that, in the meantime, the cast expresses gratitude for the gigs and, as Allen explains, he and Hanks find ways to delight the fanbase:

It’s great to hear just how much the role of Buzz means to Tim Allen, who penned a sentimental message after he wrapped his work on TS5 near the end of last year. Buzz, Woody, Jessie, Rex and co. are great characters and, if the right idea comes along, I’m open to seeing them in a sixth (and hopefully) final installment. At the same time, I’ll also be keeping hope alive for a polished Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck motion picture because, just like the Toy Story crew, they’re timeless.

See Toy Story 5 in theaters now alongside other 2026 movie schedule releases, and stream the first four installments using a Disney+ subscription. That membership also grants access to the Mickey Mouse shorts, which are also worth checking out.

For a very short while there, it seemed like everyone was on the same page in regards to The Batman: Part II’s villain castings, with Sebastian Stan, Scarlett Johansson and Charles Dance joining the sequel to reportedly play various members of Gotham City’s Dent family. But then direct Matt Reeves went and confirmed the sequel’s cast members without revealing any new characters, which strengthened the emerging speculation that the trio are playing completely different villains.

Now, weeks into filming the new movie, alleged details about Stan, Johansson and Dance’s characters have emerged, and Harvey Dent’s Two-Face is nowhere to be seen, much less his wife and father. Instead, the actors are each reportedly playing completely different villains that tie into past rumors and speculation.

Rumor: Goodbye To Two-Face, Hello To Poison Ivy?

The latest report stems from the DCULeaks subreddit, (via @DCVers0 on X) where a post was shared that was apparently vetted and approved by mods, with some form of additional proof offered for verification purposes, before being taken down for unknown reasons. But what did it say?

With a clarification from the leaker saying that character names were not spoken aloud in their presence, the message essentially purports that The Batman: Part II will be introducing Poison Ivy, Victor Zsasz, and the Court of Owls. Here’s how each is described:

• Scarlett Johansson is reportedly Poison Ivy: referred to as "the main villain" and "a serial killer with an obsession with plants" who also "uses toxins" in relation to her villainy.
• Sebastian Stan is simply referred to as a "bald serial killer," which does legitimately seem like confirmation that he'll be portraying the sadistic criminal and frequent Arkham resident Victor Zsasz. It's also noted that Batman initially believes Zsasz is the sequel's key troublemaker, but it's actually Ivy.
• Meanwhile, Charles Dance is supposedly playing one of Gotham City's upper crust, who "leads a secret organization made up of the city's most powerful figures" while also being targeted by Johansson's character. While his specific identity is harder to guess, it's less difficult to assume that the org being referred to is Gotham's age-old threat, the Court of Owls.

That set of alleged reveals totally throws any and all Two-Face speculation out the window, since Ivy and Zsasz aren't big players in the comics' "Long Halloween" storyline that reportedly had a big influence on the upcoming 2027 movie. Is it possible the movie will completely twist up expectations on the source material, or are Reeves and co-screenwriter Mattson Tomlin shooting for a completely original storyline?

To be fair, Poison Ivy was a villain whose name was in the mix when Scarlett Johansson's casting was first reported, and it's not exactly a stretch to imagine the actress rocking long red hair. As well, recent sightings of Sebastian Stan in hats have sparked speculation that the actor did indeed shave his head for his Batman role. No word on whether or not Charles Dance has been seen training owls or getting his face fitted for an owl mask or anything.

i was certainly looking forward to seeing the two MCU vets portraying Harvey and Gilda Dent for Matt Reeves, but I won't be upset in the slightest to have to swap out the Dents for Pamela Isley and Victor Zsasz. Could just be that green gas that started billowing out of my air conditioner vent, though.

The Batman: Part II is set to hit theaters on October 1, 2027.

Warning! The following contains spoilers from the Big Brother live feeds as of Sunday, July 12th. Stream the episode with a Paramount+ subscription, and read at your own risk!

We're midway through Week 1 of Big Brother Season 28, and it's already off to a promising start. Dee Valladares, the final mystery Houseguest, won the Week 1 Head of Household and got to work trying to use her skills as a Survivor winner to try and take control of the game.

Dee nominated Yash Patel, Mallory Aurichio, and Taylor Brown for eviction. Of course, one of the two could save themselves by winning the veto competition or by convincing the winner to remove them with the nomination block. CinemaBlend, as always, is watching Big Brother's live feeds, and now that the results of the first veto are here, I'm happy to say we're in for an exciting week!

Mallory Won The Week 1 Veto

Mallory scored a big win for herself in Week 1, successfully preventing what seemed to be an assured eviction. It's so hard to convince other new and unfamiliar cast members to remove somebody from the block during the early days, so she basically needed to win this competition to keep herself from going home. I'm curious to see if she'll be able to find some ground and gain some protection in the coming weeks, or if we'll continue to see her as a recurring target on the block.

Dee Already Has A Plan For Renom, And A Target

As of Sunday afternoon, Dee has pretty consistently told others she plans to nominate Ashley Trail when Mallory pulls herself off the block. While she'll be at risk for eviction, she's not the intended target. For now, it sounds like Yash will be the person Dee is pushing for eviction, assuming all goes to plan.

Of course, with the BB Blockbuster, Yash could also save himself and make the house decide between Ashley and Taylor. As it stands, it seems like Dee would push for Taylor to stay over Ashley, but there's no word on how the rest of the house feels about that. Ideally for both women, it would be ideal if one of them wins the Blockbuster, and Yash can be sent home.

It feels like Yash is in a bad spot, but there's still plenty of time for him to rally for support, or for another Houseguest to dig their own grave. Who knows, maybe someone on slop will fly off the handle, and Dee's plans could change completely. I'm also not ruling out the time travel twist negating an eviction, though I doubt we'd see that happen in the first week.

Big Brother continues with new episodes on CBS on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. ET. I'm eager to see which of the nominated Houseguests steps up in these days leading up to eviction, and possibly flips the script that we see coming together post-veto.

When the 2026 Emmy nominations were announced, plenty of surprises cropped up, from Widow’s Bay’s 19 nods to A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms getting recognition, and even a post-cancellation nomination or two for certain shows. But maybe the biggest non-surprise for those paying attention was the complete lack of awareness for the various dramas created and/or produced by Taylor Sheridan. As it usually goes, the prolific creator’s various TV ventures were all but ignored.

Despite having one of the biggest streaming shows currently in production, with Landman’s numbers seemingly only beat by Yellowstone spinoff Dutton Ranch, as well as a major ratings-grabber with CBS’ Marshals, Taylor Sheridan can’t seem to cross the gap from being popular with viewers to being exalted with awards nominations. It seemed like this could have been the year that reversed the trend, too, thanks to Michelle Pfeiffer’s work on The Madison and both Sam Elliott and Billy Bob Thornton’s runs in Landman Season 2, among others.

Unfortunately, despite a reportedly lofty For Your Consideration push meant to sway more voters into praising Sheridan & Co.’s efforts, the vast majority of his creations were not namechecked by nominee announcers Liza Colón-Zayas and Jeff Hiller. In fact, only one of the mega-producer’s series earned a nom, and not for acting, directing or writing.

• Outstanding Stunt Coordination For Comedy Programming - Freddie Poole, Stunt Coordinator (Tulsa King)

A big congrats to Freddie Poole for his third nomination for his Tulsa King work, following previous nods in 2025 and 2023. He didn't win with either of those, but this could be his year.

Granted, it's not like Taylor Sheridan was previously an Emmys king due toYellowstone's success. Quite the opposite, in fact, as the Kevin Costner-led western was only granted a SINGLE nomination during its five-season run, and it was for Outstanding Production Design For A Narrative Contemporary Program (One Hour Or More).

Taylor Sheridan Prophetically Addressed His Emmys Perma-Snubbing A Week Prior To The Latest Noms

Rarely one to deliver extended mainstream media interviews, Taylor Sheridan stopped by The Bill Simmons Podcast to chat up its hugely popular host about the ups and downs of his career journey. And in the midst of that conversation, he summed up his creative process by saying he creates what he wants to see on TV, and that those who partner with him on his "common people" projects are not going to need to install extra wall shelves for Emmy awards. In his words:

To be sure, a lot of shows that DO get Emmy nominations and wins pull off the same things that Sheridan mentions above. Just not in the same ways, and usually without the innate disdain for award shows happening behind the scenes.

Dutton Ranch wrapped up its first season run during the 2026 TV schedule, but assumedly missed the deadline required for that spinoff to be eligible for nominations. Even knowing how much the TV Academy ignores these shows, I still think both Ed Harris and Annette Bening have marginal shots at getting recognized, and I'll be bummed out to learn I'm wrong next year at this time.

Lots of amazing and critically lauded shows go their full runs without winning any Emmys, from The Wire to Better Call Saul to The Good Place. But those examples and many more at least got some Emmy nominations to help ease the pain. Maybe shifting his creative headquarters to NBCUniversal will be the trick that finally gets Taylor Sheridan some Emmy love. Unless it isn't.

Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost are easily one of Hollywood’s funniest couples. Johansson has hosted Saturday Night Live multiple times while Jost mans the Weekend Update desk, which is always a blast to watch. Also, they're always hilariously giving each other a hard time. Even with the playful nature of their relationship, the duo always seem to boost each other and continue to prove their couples goals. Johansson recently showed up to support her hubby at a golf tournament, where he nearly got a hole-in-one.

Every year, a celebrity golf tournament called the American Century Classic is held at Edgewood Tahoe Resort in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. All kinds of famous faces participate, but mostly athletes end up scoring high on the leaderboard like this year’s competitors, Tony Romo and Steph Curry. However, SNL’s Colin Jost also made a splash, and Johansson was there to support him every step of the way. He told NBC Sports:

Jost may have not won the tournament, but he played really well, and he deserves serious credit for almost getting himself a hole-in-one. You can see his big moment below as well has his hilarious celebration afterwards:

While Jost was clearly talking about his wife’s support in a bit of a tongue and cheek way, it's evident that the couple have a firm bond and love to advocate for each other. Jost is consistently showing up at movie premieres to support his wife and has brought flowers to hosting stints for SNL as well as The TODAY Show.

Johansson is also a supportive partner and usually has a sense of humor when she happens to be the butt of the joke during Jost and Michael Che’s yearly “joke swaps” on Weekend Update. She also seems to be supportive of Jost’s Staten Island Ferry business venture with Pete Davidson, despite the whole ordeal being a bit of a complicated situation with a lot of moving parts. I could imagine it being a bit easier to support her beau at a golf tournament, especially when Jost plays as well as he did this week.

The couple met on SNL way back during Johansson’s first hosting stint in 2006, yet they didn’t start dating until they were reintroduced backstage at the NBC sketch show in 2017. They had a COVID era wedding in 2020, and welcomed their son, Cosmo, in 2021. Jost and Johansson are over nine years together and still going strong, and I'd like to think that proves that partners who joke together, stay together, and I'd imagine being there to celebrate each other’s accomplishments helps as well.

When Colin Jost isn’t giving an impressive show at golf tournaments, you can see him on Saturday Night Live, which finished airing its 51st season in May. He had a great season, making waves with his viral Pete Hegseth impression, which you can revisit now with a Peacock subscription. Fans of Scarlett Johansson can see the Oscar nominated actress in her 2026 movie release, Paper Tiger, which hits theaters on November 13th.

Anyone who knows anything about Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey or the epic poem it's adapted from, is likely aware it follows the dangerous journey of Odysseus, who tries to return to his home of Ithaca. To create that adventure for the big screen, Nolan and the crew had to film some massive and wild sequences. In fact, filming got so intense that some actors started “heaving up their breakfasts” during a ship scene, leading Nolan to drop a funny response.

One particularly grueling portion of the film shoot saw the actors being tossed in a longship. Nolan spoke about that experience with The Telegraph and, based on the vomit-based details, it doesn't sound like it was much fun. Nolan, for his part, didn't lose his signature wit even amid those trying times, though. At the time, he apparently asked the following question of cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema:

Such a funny reaction is so on brand for the Inception filmmaker that it hurts (though probably not as much as his actors were hurting in that moment). Seriously, though, it's Nolan's commitment to practical effects over CGI that makes his take on the vessel scene understandable. The man truly commits to his craft, and he expects the same from his collaborators, who he also strives to keep safe amid filming.

To that point, The Odyssey's actors were willing to go all in as well, as Nolan also recalled this other moment from filming his 2026 movie release:

I love how some of the Memento director’s favorite shots now come from that scene. Only a director as gifted as Nolan could channel seasickness into cinematic gold.

The material filmed on that rollercoaster of a vessel wasn’t the only challenge the Odyssey actors had to endure. Its lead, Matt Damon, spoke of the rough conditions he went through while filming, saying every day he was feeling wet, cold and hungry. However, Damon charged through and his since spoken about how grateful he is to have played the role. Calypso actress Charlize Theron also endured 30- to 40-mile-an-hour winds blew sand into her eyes but still stayed in character. And Corey Hawkins (who plays Polybus) had to walk up a mountain on his first day.

Even Nolan described what a “dank” mess it was filming a Cyclops scene in a real cave. But, despite the discomfort, the British filmmaker stood by his artistic choice to provide a true sense of realism to the scene, and it's that level of commitment that makes him one of the best directors of his generation.

Now, I'd like to hear a few actors speak about their recollection of the vomiting on the vessel and Christoper Nolan's A+ response. I'm not sure if they'd look on it so fondly but, given how gung-ho they were about shooting it, I'd imagine they can at least appreciate that they got the material Nolan needed. Now, dare to watch this stellar cast puking it up on a vessel when The Odyssey hits theaters and IMAX on July 17th.

Viewers may be counting down the days until the final episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show hits the 2026 TV schedule, but for Kelly Clarkson, filming has already wrapped. The American Idol singer definitely seemed ready to move on from daytime TV — she didn’t even host all of her final season’s episodes — but for others on the Emmy-winning series, there may have been more mixed emotions.

Lifestyle expert Lawrence Zarian appeared on more than 140 episodes of The Kelly Clarkson Show over its seven seasons, and he opened up to US Weekly about how hard it is to lose such a great job — with credit going to Kelly Clarkson herself and other producers for making things so wonderful. Zarian said:

Kelly Clarkson announced in February that her eponymous talk show would end after Season 7, citing the need to spend more time with her children, 12-year-old River Rose and 10-year-old Remington. She’s spoken candidly about her demanding talk show schedule, and Lawrence Zarian understands that Clarkson needs to go be a mom. That doesn’t mean he won’t miss her, though, as they apparently grew very close! He continued:

Awww, that is the sweetest. Everyone should take this as their sign to reach out to their work bestie.

Lawrence Zarian said from Day 1 that he had wanted to someday sing with The Voice coach — who is known for her amazing Kellyoke covers — and that it became a running joke between the two of them. As the end drew near, however, they decided to make it a reality for one of the June shows, as you can see below:

It’s easy to see why he wouldn’t want to leave a boss like that, but Kelly Clarkson’s first responsibility is to her children. Even before River and Remy’s father Brandon Blackstock died last August, there were rumors that Clarkson wanted to leave TV. And after it was confirmed that her ex-husband’s cancer battle had been the reason for her missed tapings and concert cancellations, those rumors didn’t go away.

Sure enough, the announcement came not too long after that Kelly Clarkson had to take some things off her plate to cherish her time with her kids and help them through what has surely been a difficult year.

Her reasoning is understandable and commendable, but like Lawrence Zarian, many of her fans also can’t help but feel the disappointment.

The Kelly Clarkson Show isn’t finished airing yet, though. Check your local listings to see where you can catch her on weekdays, and we’ll keep you posted when the series finale date is announced.

Moana is the latest live-action Disney remake to hit theaters and, so far, it isn’t quite making waves as the studio would’ve hoped. Early reactions to the film were mostly negative, and that mostly continued when the formal reviews were released shortly after. Reports also point to the film having a tepid opening weekend at the box office. As of this writing, none of the cast or crew have formally responded to the less-than-positive responses to the movie. Before all that, though, the director did weigh in on reading reviews in general.

Thomas Kail is Moana’s director and, over the last several months, he’s spoken enthusiastically about his remake of the beloved animated 2016 film. While doing press for the fantasy flick, Kail spoke to Variety and was asked for his take on reading reviews of his work. What needs to be pointed out is that it’s unclear whether the Hamilton helmer shared his thoughts before he caught wind of the reactions to his 2026 movie schedule entry. Regardless, his perspective on film criticism is quite level-headed:

So Kail is definitely aware of the critics’ reviews and seems to get a general idea of how they’re feeling. However, it sounds like he doesn’t dwell on the responses regardless of how they shake out. That’s probably a smart way to approach the critiques, as a filmmaker may not want to get in their head about them, whether they’re good or bad. I like the idea of a director just releasing their movie into the wild and simply allowing audiences to take it for what they perceive it to be.

As far as the live-action Moana movie goes, pundits haven’t been kind, with many referring to the remake as “unnecessary.” As it stands, the movie has a 34% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, but a 90% audience score on the site as well. There has been praise for the performance of lead actress Catherine Laga'aia, her chemistry with returning Maui actor Dwayne Johnson and the film’s songs. However, the consensus seems to be that the new movie pales in comparison to its critically acclaimed predecessor.

Something that a number of Disney fans have seemingly questioned is whether it was necessary to make a live-action Moana movie a little less than a decade after the OG flick. Andrew Cripps, Walt Disney Studios’ Head Of Theatrical Distribution, addressed that and argued that due to the film’s large fanbase, the studio wasn’t risking saturation. Ahead of that, Kail also admitted to be cognizant of how the OG film “is in people’s molecules” at this point, but he still felt he could put a fresh spin on the story.

Likewise, Dwayne Johnson has also pushed back against the notion of this remake having been produced too early. This was something of a passion project for Johnson, who took extreme care (alongside Kail) in making sure that the franchise’s authentic approach to Polynesian culture remained intact.

It now remains to be seen whether Thomas Kail might feel compelled to give a formal response to the Moana reviews. However, if he stands by his rationale on film criticism, the public probably shouldn’t expect him to do that. For now, though, audiences can make up their own mind on the movie by checking it out in theaters. Anyone with a Disney+ subscription can also stream the 2016 movie along with its 2024 sequel.

Rick Devens is one of the most chaotic players in the history of Survivor. Between finding real hidden immunity idols, planting fake hidden immunity idols and lying about what advantages he may or may not have, he played harder and weirder than his fellow castaways during both of his seasons. Big Brother producers are hoping they’ll get that same outside the box weirdness from him this summer, but unfortunately, there’s one problem with that.

During the refurbished Big Brother Unlocked, Devens said during an interview that producers told him he isn’t allowed to make up his own advantages. Unlike Survivor, there are rules on Big Brother that prevent contestants from manipulating their fellow players, at least when it comes to production directives. That guardrail is staying in place this season, despite Devens’ presence. In fact, Executive Producer Rich Meehan made that very clear during an interview with Entertainment Weekly when Devens’ outrageous history came up…

This article isn’t long enough to rundown Devens’ entire shady history with rule-bending on Survivor, but I’ll give one specific example to illustrate what I’m talking about. During Survivor 50 at the beginning of the season, he took materials he found around the beach, wrapped them up in a pocket square and planted the package inside the Tribal Council set.

Weeks later, when he thought he was at risk of going home, he told everyone he found a clue to an idol that would keep him safe but hadn’t been able to retrieve it. He then got up, tore apart the set and grabbed the package he left to the absolute shock of the other castaways. He easily survived the night’s vote, as well as several more during a deep run.

I would love to see an alternate universe where Rick is allowed to lie to everyone and says he has an advantage that lets him put four people on the Block or some such nonsense. That’s not going to happen, but I’m hopeful he’ll still find a way to do a few really unexpected things. That’s certainly what production is hoping for. Here’s another quote from Meehan…

As of now, Rick is still playing it pretty low key in the house. If the live feeds are any indication, he’s built up a lot of strong relationships already, and he looks like he’s in a pretty good position with most of the houseguests, apart from Jason who is skeptical of him and the other reality show veterans like Dee and Angela. I suspect he’ll continue to blend and try not to get too crazy for a few weeks, but if at any point he starts to feel his back against the wall, that’s when we might see something really wacky, even if he’s been partially handcuffed by producers.

You can follow along all season, as we'll be covering everything going on in the house, from early season spoilers to late game strategy.

Stephen Colbert’s final months on The Late Show were marked by a general feeling the host was enjoying his time on the air. Unlike many of the greats who were able to retire of their own accord on late night television, though, Colbert’s show was unceremoniously cancelled by CBS. While I’d argue there were some moments with big names like Emma Stone that hit hard in the feels, in general Colbert’s final days were thoughtful and practical, and he had good humor about his circumstances. Still, insiders are now saying the last few weeks post-show have been very "hard."

Insiders who spoke to scooper Rob Schuter recently reported Colbert was seen looking glum as a guest at Taylor Swift’s wedding, and they are guessing it had nothing to do with her joyful day. Instead, now that things are calming down after The Late Show wrapped up, his colleagues are a bit shocked he hasn’t bounced back in a more social manner.

Listen, Stephen Colbert's very busy few weeks after The Late Show ended have literally been documented. After his final on air goodbye, he headed out of town for his brother’s wedding. Then, his wife Evie retired from her job, and then they cleaned out his CBS office. I don’t know Stephen Colbert personally, but if it were me, that would be the type of whirlwind few weeks that I wouldn’t even process until later.

So, it would make sense if the late night host were processing right now. In fact, insiders admitted the whole release from late night has hit the former host very hard, and they are hedging that's why he's been less present at social events lately.

Listen, the Late Show show ending has been a hard pill for many people to swallow, and not just Colbert. Other late night hosts like Jimmy Kimmel were incensed. Former host David Letterman went so far as to call out his former network for being cheap. Despite Colbert having months to get used to the news, the cancelation was still very unexpected. He's been open and honest about how he found out from his agent the show was getting axed while laying on a couch ahead of an episode, and how he was "not thrilled" about it.

It is worth noting that he has figured out future steps. He’s writing an LOTR movie in collaboration with Peter Jackson and his son, and as one insider noted “this isn’t retirement” for the former host.

Details continue to come out about what happened on the night that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce were “JUST&T MARRIED” at Madison Square Garden, with Swifties having to sort through the AI nonsense and baseless rumors. There are some things that seem safe to state as fact — like Karlie Kloss getting a surprise invite and others almost missing the nuptials when they mistook their invitation for spam. Now, there’s a new rumor floating around about one huge name who reportedly was left off the guest list due to “optics.”

Despite Taylor Swift’s support for Kamala Harris in the presidential election, the former vice president was apparently not invited to witness the biggest celebrity wedding of the year. Wanting to keep politics out of your big day is completely understandable, but according to Naughty But Nice substacker Rob Shuter, Harris was allegedly pretty bummed out about the snub. One source said:

If true, one definitely can’t blame Kamala Harris for having such a relatable reaction, but I also understand why Taylor Swift might have made that decision. Politics would have been such a terrible thing to bring up at what was clearly designed to be a happy, fun-filled event. Also, if anyone were capable of upstaging Swift on her own wedding day, it would have to be someone as notable as the ex-veep. Another insider claimed:

Given how much Taylor Swift reportedly spent on her MSG wedding, I wouldn’t be surprised to know that she’d carefully curated her 1,000-person guest list to include people who would keep the tone light. As another source alleged:

While reportedly no phones were allowed throughout the event, I’d imagine there was still the threat of anonymous reports that could have leaked about who was talking to whom. Again, we don’t know if these reports about Kamala Harris are true but, either way, it would be unfortunate to think about any of your wedding guests not wanting to be seen talking to one another due to political affiliations.

Regardless of who did and did not make the guest list, hopefully the night was filled with talk of Adam Sandler’s advice to Taylor and Travis, the huge late-night pizza delivery to Madison Square Garden and how intimate the evening was, despite the thousand guests, all of the games, raffles, food stations, performances and more.

Yeah, I can definitely understand if Kamala Harris is truly sad she missed out on this one.

I had been thinking about the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday as the next massive Marvel roll call. You know the deal: heroes from all corners of the MCU multiverse, the Fantastic Four, returning legacy names, Doctor Doom chaos stirring things up, and so many heroes it could feel a little crowded. But producer Kevin Feige just made me much more interested in the upcoming Marvel movie, thanks to his comments about Florence Pugh’s Thunderbolts* character, Yelena Belova.

During Feige’s appearance at BiliBili World in Shanghai, via Entertainment Weekly, the Marvel Studios boss teased what is coming for Pugh’s fan-favorite former assassin on the 2026 movie schedule. While talking about Yelena’s MCU future, Feige made it clear she will not just be hanging around in the background of the next Avengers movie. He said:

That is the kind of Feige tease that immediately sends Marvel fans like me into detective mode. The obvious part is Doomsday. Yelena playing a “big part” in the next Avengers movie makes sense after everything Marvel has been building with her and how Thunderbolts* ended. Since her debut in Black Widow, Pugh has turned Yelena into one of the MCU’s most reliable newer characters, bringing dry humor, emotional baggage and a very specific “I could kill you, but I’m hungry” energy to every appearance.

The more interesting part is Feige saying we might see Yelena “a little bit sooner in the movies.” Unless Marvel is holding back another theatrical surprise, that seems to point toward the soon-to-be-released Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which hits theaters nearly six months before Avengers: Doomsday. And, honestly, Yelena crossing paths with Tom Holland’s Peter Parker is just odd enough to have my attention.

At first, Peter and Yelena do not sound like an obvious pairing. Peter is still dealing with the fallout from No Way Home, where everyone forgot Peter Parker existed. Yelena is a trained killer with a sharp tongue and very little patience for nonsense. But Brand New Day already seems interested in unusual combinations, especially with the Punisher and Hulk appearing in the movie. If those characters can fit into Peter’s world, Yelena does not feel like much of a stretch.

The team-up of characters is also not as strange as it might sound, because to anyone with a Disney+ subscription who has already watched Hawkeye and seen Yelena work in a more family-friendly Marvel story. She brought a sharper edge to that show, but she never felt out of place or as if she were pulling it into a completely different tone.

From a bigger MCU standpoint, it makes sense too. Avengers: Doomsday is going to be huge and, if Yelena really has a major role in it, Marvel may want to remind audiences where she is before that movie arrives. A smaller appearance beforehand could give her story some momentum and make her role in the next Avengers film feel less sudden.

That is especially important because Yelena is not just another name on the team sheet. Pugh has been one of Marvel’s strongest additions in the post-Endgame era, and the MCU could use more characters who feel specific rather than interchangeable. So, yes, Avengers: Doomsday is still the big heroes team-up. That is clearly the main event. But Feige’s comments have me watching the road to that movie more closely, because Yelena may be more important to this phase than I expected.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which could possibly feature Yelena, hits theaters July 31. As for Avengers: Doomsday, where we know she is confirmed to appear in the stacked cast, that arrives in theaters Dec. 18.

We always talk about the sadness that comes with Saturday Night Live cast members departing the show, but the truth is every time someone leaves, it also leads to additional opportunities. The most obvious of those opportunities comes in the form of screentime, but there are also additional benefits like more access to writers, better offices and hilariously in the case of Seth Meyers, his preferred cue card holder.

Meyers was recently asked about cue card master Wally Feresten during a Q&A with the audience on his talk show. After praising Wally and calling him “the best ever,” Meyers admitted that when his longtime Weekend Update partner Amy Poehler left SNL, he was elated when he realized that meant he’d get to start using Wally for himself from that point forward. Here’s a portion of his quote...

Saying Meyers has a strong relationship with Feresten would be an understatement. The cue card writer and holder, who has been with SNL since 1990, actually now pulls double duty and works on Late Night With Seth Meyers, as well. In fact, during the same conversation with the audience, Meyers said he thinks at this point, Wally has held up the cue cards for 95% of all the words he’s ever spoken on television. Given his lengthy career, that’s a huge statement.

Meyers and Poehler tag teamed the Weekend Update desk during Seasons 32 and 33 and part of Season 34. After Poehler left the show to star in Parks & Recreation, Meyers then manned the desk by himself (with the help of Wally) until Season 39 when Cecily Strong was added. That turned into Strong and Colin Jost, which turned into Colin Jost and Michael Che, who have shared the desk for the last decade plus since Season 40.

Meyers, of course, transitioned from the Update desk to his own talk show, Late Night With Seth Meyers, that has produced more than 1,800 episodes in the years since. Feresten has been around that entire time, and he remains an active part of SNL, where he’s now one of the longest serving crew members. Meyers himself also still shows up from time to time.

You can watch Meyers gush about Wally in the full video below…

As for what changes we might see at SNL before the next season, that’s still an open question. Rumors, as always, are swirling about everyone from longtime showrunner Lorne Michaels to Weekend Update hosts Jost and Che, but we likely won’t have any official word until much closer to the season. It’ll be sad to see anyone leave, but as always, it’ll just create additional opportunities for screentime and access to beloved employees like Wally.

Travis Kelce is a lot of things. He’s the guy on the Chiefs, a three-time Super Bowl champion, and now Mr. Taylor Swift following the wedding of the century. That’s not all, however. He is also deemed Bowen Yang’s “straight male friend for life,” and the Saturday Night Live alum just revealed how Kelce earned that title.

In 2023, Kelce hosted SNL during Season 48 (which fans can watch with a Peacock subscription) and he was in some pretty memorable sketches. One of those was a “Straight Male Friend” sketch, a commercial parody that saw Yang talking about having a straight male friend so he can hang out with someone who isn’t a group of women and there’s no emotional attachment. The sketch seems to have made it out of the TV, because Kelce is truly Yang’s straight male friend for life. As Yang once told the Los Angeles Times:

I love how close Yang and Kelce have gotten, the fact that the “Straight Male Friend” sketch basically helped make their friendship even stronger makes it all the more better. Yang revealed they’ve DMed but have yet to get to the stage where they’re texting a lot. However, Kelce wanted to reunite with Yang, it just didn’t work out. But it’s clear that they definitely have a special bond.

This just makes me sad that the NFL player was unable to return to SNL after hosting the show for the first time before Yang departed in December. Assuming Kelce hosts the variety sketch series again in the future, perhaps Yang could make a surprise appearance for his straight male friend for life. SNL is known for celebrity cameos, especially when they come out of left field, so you never know. At the very least, it sounds like this friendship is not going down so easily, and it’s even more evident after Yang reportedly attended the MSG Tayvis wedding.

It’s been over three years since Kelce hosted SNL, and it’s hard to imagine how his friendship with Yang would have been like if he never stepped on the Studio 8H stage. If there even would be a friendship. Yang might have to thank Heidi Gardner for his straight male friend for life, as she previously revealed the story behind Kelce hosting SNL. Lorne Michaels had just one requirement, which was for Kelce to win the Super Bowl. So it wasn’t a surprise when he hosted not long after the Chiefs won Super Bowl LVII.

Yang may no longer be on SNL and we probably won’t get a “Straight Male Friend” sketch 2.0 if Kelce ever hosts again. But at the very least, their friendship probably won’t die any time soon. That “for life” that Yang mentioned seems to be forever, and I’m glad to see this is yet another SNL sketch that has made it out of SNL. It’s not the same as an SNL character getting a movie, but it’s pretty close.

One of the best additions to the Harry Potter film cast came in 2007's Order of the Phoenix, as the franchise introduced Luna Lovegood on the big screen. Played by Evanna Lynch, the Hufflepuff student was a side character who truly came through for Harry when he was dealing with personal trauma. Lynch's portrayal of Luna is still widely loved, and she apparently put a lot of work into it. As a matter of fact, I just found out the Irish actress made a cool BTS contribution to her character, and I can’t stop thinking about it.

Luna Lovegood doesn't have a lot of screen time in the Potter movies. But we still got to know her zany nature not only through her knowledge of nargals and wrackspurts, but through her wardrobe. Whether she’s wearing a giant lion-topped hat or a pair of Spectrespecs, the Hogwarts student has got a rather unique style that she’s not ashamed of. I love her fashion, so I was delighted to learn that Lynch helped craft the outfits. Harry Potter costume designer Jany Temime recalled this during an episode of the franchise’s official podcast as shared on Instagram:

I love that! What especially impresses me is that Evanna Lynch made those kooky earrings, as they’re truly very fitting for the character’s lovably bizarre nature. I mean, it’s not every day you see a girl sport vegetable-like accessories. But, of course, now those accessories have become iconic. And, aside from the jewelry, Lynch -- appeared in the final four Harry Potter movies -- provided another quintessential piece for Luna. As Temime explained:

Hold the phone — Lynch created the lion mask?! My mind continues to be blown. Clearly, the young actress deserved a co-costume designer credit.

Lynch was truly born to play Luna. Before being cast, she was already a die-hard fan of the books, she even sent fan mail to Daniel Radcliffe. Lynch previously admitted, that after landed the role, she sought perfection during filming and tried to nail every line and movement. But, after seeing co-stars Helena Bonham Carter and Jason Isaacs goofing around in the midst of serious scenes, she knew she’d be fine.

It's amazing that even years after the Harry Potter movie series ended, there are still plenty of sweet behind-the-scenes facts to learn. These comments about Evanna Lynch also speak to the keen collaborations the cast and crew had as they brought the Wizarding World to laugh. Moving forward, when I watch Lynch's performance, I'll have an even greater appreciation for her work.

You can watch Luna Lovegood and the rest of your favorite Harry Potter characters by streaming the movies with a Peacock subscription or an HBO Max subscription.

A Dungeon Crawler Carl series is on the way to Peacock, and with the summer gap in programming in the 2026 TV schedule, I figured it was high time to read the first book of a series I've seen so many rave about. I would've read it sooner, but I stayed away for far too long out of fear it was too Dungeons & Dragons coded for me.

This is to say, I'm a pretty geeky guy, and while I'm generally down for the best sci-fi shows and dabble in the Game of Thrones franchise, fantasy generally isn't my thing. I've tried the iconic tabletop game a few times, and even variants like Pathfinder, and it just wasn't for me. As such, I assumed the books wouldn't be my style, but I'm so happy to report I couldn't be more wrong. Mild spoilers about the premise if you find yourself in the same boat, but here's what I got wrong about Dungeon Crawler Carl.

I Assumed The Series Borrowed Heavily From Dungeons And Dragons, But Was Wrong

One might understand how I was led into thinking Dungeon Crawler Carl is a book that appeals primarily to the DnD crowd. There's literally artwork of a guy navigating a dungeon on the cover, and there's a quote on the back of my copy from Felicia Day, who is a major face of the tabletop gaming world. I was judging a book by its cover, which is a rookie mistake, so that's on me.

Some might argue in defense of Dungeon Crawler Carl emulating tabletop RPGs, but the premise itself is way more sci-fi. Carl and his ex-girlfriend's cat Donut have their worlds turned upside down along with millions of others when the entirety of the world is seemingly destroyed, instantly killing everyone who was indoors when the event happened. Soon after, he discovers the entirety of Earth's existence was effectively done in order to participate in an intergalactic game show, of which trillions tune in to watch.

The dungeon elements are there, but there's a much bigger sci-fi concept behind the dungeon-crawling premise. Really, this is more like a reality TV meets video game premise, and as someone who is preparing to watch Big Brother Season 28 on my Xbox Series X, that's exactly my wheelhouse.

Dungeon Crawler Carl Caters To A Specific Audience, And If You're In It, It's Fantastic

I love Dungeon Crawler Carl, but I do wonder if it'll be able to find a big audience when it premieres for those with a Peacock subscription. The first book, and I only highlight that one because it's the only one I've read, is just drenched in references that gamer millennials who grew up using the internet in the 2000s would fully appreciate.

Then again, I was able to jive with The Amazing Digital Circus, despite it being something my daughter was more into. Maybe those of a younger age will look past the references and see the wild violence that may just rival the best horror movies if executed the same way as it was in the books. I'll be watching either way, but I think for this series to have a long run, it's going to need a big audience.

I'm keeping my eyes peeled for updates on the Dungeon Crawler Carl series, and other upcoming book-to-screen adaptations that come along the way. I'm also learning not to judge a book by its cover, a mistake I won't be making again anytime soon.

Throughout NCIS’ 23-season run, the CBS procedural has had a lot of guest stars gracing the halls of HQ. A lot of them were actors who were not quite stars yet, such as Zac Efron and Glen Powell, while others were already pretty big names, including Mark Harmon’s Freaky Friday co-star Jamie Lee Curtis. Bob Newhart is also on this impressive list, but he did more than just guest star. He gave Mark Harmon an F-bomb-laced piece of advice, too.

The late great Bob Newhart guest starred in Season 8, Episode 12, “Recruited,” back in 2011. He portrayed Dr. Walter Magnus, a retired chief medical examiner who trained and mentored Ducky. He was only in one episode, but he left a mark on the show and is one of the greatest NCIS guest stars. He also made quite the impact behind the scenes too, as executive producer Scott Williams recalled the advice he gave Mark Harmon on the NCIS: Partners & Probies podcast:

Newhart would know. The comedian had two very successful programs that ran for well over 100 episodes: The Bob Newhart Show and the subsequent Newhart. (The latter of which had one of the most memorable TV endings of all time.) Still, the fact that Newhart said that during Season 8, and now the show is gearing up for its 24^th season, is mind-blowing.

Ultimately, Mark Harmon hasn't been on board this specific train this the entire time, as he departed as Leroy Jethro Gibbs at the beginning of Season 19, but technically, he still followed Newhart’s advice. He has since become an executive producer and narrator on NCIS: Origins, where he has appeared on-screen a few times. He is also set to be in all of Origins’ third season this fall. So, he is still very much riding not just the show but the franchise "into the ground."

However, Harmon is not the only one who took Newhart’s advice. Williams admitted that his perspective about NCIS changed when he heard it too. To this day, the NCIS franchise remains a worldwide phenomenon and a very successful television franchise. Williams credits Newhart for the inspiration, and it’s made me love NCIS even more:

Despite the prescient advice, I don't think anyone could have predicted during Season 8 that NCIS would still be going on 15 years later -- and with even more spinoffs added to the lineup. Clearly, they really are doing exactly what the comedic legend urged them to do.

While NCIS is returning for Season 24, along with three spinoffs, during the 2026-2027 season, it’s hard to tell just how much longer the franchise will run. As of now, there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight, so perhaps Williams really is riding it until he no longer can. CBS has not announced when the new seasons will premiere, but the first 23 can be watched with a Paramount+ subscription.

Superhero fans have been waiting a while for Batman: Caped Crusader Season 2 and, now, it’s finally set to premiere amid the 2026 TV schedule. The first trailer for the new season teases the introductions of several classic villains but, of course, the most iconic among them is the Joker. The Dark Knight’s archenemy briefly appears at the tail end of Season 1, and he’s now expected to make his full debut this time around. Now, I have all kinds of feelings after an EP details the creative team’s take on the character.

Through the years, there have been plenty of portrayals of the Joker across TV and cinema, with each interpretation bringing something new to the table. It sounds like the Caped Crusader team is also striving to do something “different” when it comes to their version of the Clown Prince of Crime. Ironically, though, when executive producer James Tucker spoke to SFX Magazine on CinemaBlend about this fresh take on Mr. J., he actually explained how it harkened back to the character’s roots:

In the realm of animation, shows like Batman: The Brave and the Bold and The Batman, have depicted a somewhat more gleeful takes on Joker, who enjoy inflicting chaos on Gotham City. Mark Hamill’s iconic version of the baddie has more layers but, for the most part, he can also be campy and quippy (when he’s not being downright scary). So far, Caped Crusader’s version of the antagonist isn’t so much interested in fooling someone with a bang flag gun than he is talking about the complexities of the human condition, and I love that.

The Season 2 trailer features hints of dialogue from Joker, who calls Batman to tell him he’s “come to awaken [him] and to show [him] something.” When the Bat asks what the mysterious man wants to show, the purple-clad baddie says, “what you are.” Check out the trailer for yourself below:

Clearly, this is a man who’s eager to not simply toy with the World’s Greatest Detective but to understand what makes him tick. The creative team is still keeping details on the character mostly under wraps (including the identity of the person voicing him). Still, Tucker shared more about making a unique version of this larger-than-life bad guy:

Considering how many versions of the Gotham City rogue have been created over the years, I’m excited to see that the Caped Crusader team is going for something so new. What makes me nervous, though, is how the people of the aforementioned town are going to suffer due to his machinations. During his brief scene in the Season 1 finale’s epilogue, the villain proved how sadistic he could be by killing several victims as part of his Joker toxin experiments.

Joker, of course, will be accompanied by a number of other notable villains like The Riddler, the Mad Hatter, Poison Ivy, Scarecrow and the returning Harley Quinn. But, of course, the clown’s presence is sure to loom large over the narrative and, with any luck, fans will be in for some serious action and drama. As Mr. J says in the trailer, “shall we begin?”

All episodes of Batman: Caped Crusader Season 2 will drop on July 31 and will be available to Prime Video subscription holders. In the meantime, prepare for the vigilante’s new adventures by checking out the first season on Prime now. Fans can also read up on other upcoming DC shows.

I’ll never forget my first time seeing The Hunger Games in theaters. I was 16, the exact same age Katniss Everdeen is in the dystopian thriller. And while I wasn’t thinking about it too much at the time, in 2012 it was rare to see a young woman lead a massive action film and feel as human as Jennifer Lawrence made her. But Maya Hawke just talked about it ahead of her Hunger Games debut on the 2026 movie calendar, and I’m so happy she did.

Hawke is best known for voicing Anxiety in Inside Out 2 and playing Robin in Stranger Things – a role that actually makes her more famous than her dad, Ethan Hawke, in some circles. Here’s what she had to say about her personal connection to the book-to-movie adaptations as we get ready to see her in Sunrise on the Reaping:

In a new interview with People, Hawke had high praise for the franchise. As she added regarding Jennifer Lawrence’s performance specifically:

This is so true. JLaw’s role as Katniss Everdeen really raised the bar for what heroines could be in big movies, and it was really inspiring to a young Maya Hawke. The actress is just two years younger than me, so she must have had a similar experience seeing those movies come out from 2012 to 2015 and watching how they changed the game for what could be possible.

I find it interesting to hear this from Maya Hawke considering her mom is Uma Thurman, who’s an action legend in her own right. Thurman flexed some major action hero chops in the likes of Kill Bill and Batman & Robin, but one could certainly argue those roles were more reflective of the 1990s and 2000s, and The Hunger Games offered something new to the genre.

While Maya Hawke admitted her role as Wiress in Sunrise on the Reaping is “very small”, getting to be in the new Hunger Games has to be a cool full-circle moment for her. She said she loves her role as Wiress, and she’s very “excited to get to see the movie and to be a fan.” Plus, Hawke had the chance to work with director Francis Lawrence, who also helmed Catching Fire, both Mockingjay movies, and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes as well.

Oh, and if the report that JLaw and Josh Hutcherson are in Sunrise on the Reaping is true, Hawke and Lawrence might even be in the same Hunger Games movie. We’ll find out once the new movie comes out on November 20. Until then, you can watch all the Hunger Games movies with a Netflix subscription starting July 15 and revisit them in theaters this September.

As the world tuned in to watch Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show on the 2026 TV schedule, it was met with both backlash and praise. While it was met with criticism from the moment it was announced, it was very beloved by others. Now, the musician and his concert have gotten the last laugh thanks to the Emmy Awards.

The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny got a total of nine 2026 Emmy nominations. According to Billboard, that’s more than any other halftime show has received. Here’s a list of all its noms:

• Outstanding Variety Special (Live)
• Outstanding Production Design For A Variety Special
• Outstanding Choreography For Variety Or Reality Programming
• Outstanding Directing For A Variety Special
• Outstanding Hairstyling For A Variety, Nonfiction Or Reality Program
• Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction For A Special
• Outstanding Music Direction
• Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Variety Series Or Special
• Outstanding Technical Direction and Camerawork For A Special

Previously, Lady Gaga’s halftime show held the record for most nominations, as it got seven back in 2017. Notably, Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl show did feature the “Bad Romance” singer.

Overall, these nominations are a major win for Bad Bunny and his show, especially when you consider the amount of backlash he faced when he was announced as this year’s halftime headliner.

The singer has been a critic of the Trump administration and its policies, which caused backlash. President Donald Trump said it was “crazy” to have Bad Bunny perform at the game, and said he had “never heard of” the musician. Meanwhile, a petition to replace Bad Bunny with a country singer gained more than 50 thousand signatures, and an "All-American Halftime Show" was put on by the conservative organization Turning Point USA at the same time as Bad Bunny's.

Players were even polled about the performance, with 58.6% approving of it and 41.4% disapproving.

Eventually, the NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell spoke out, defending the choice to hire Bad Bunny. He noted that he’s “one of the leading and most popular entertainers in the world” and they had “carefully thought through” the choice to have him perform. Tons of fans, viewers and even celebrities, like Jennifer Lopez and Adam Sandler, supported Bad Bunny’s show too.

After all that, the halftime show happened, and it was praised by many, now including the Television Academy.

Now, looking at the competition in the Outstanding Variety Special category, the halftime show is going up against the 83rd Annual Golden Globes, the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, The Oscars and the 78th Annual Tony Awards. If Bad Bunny’s performance wins, he will be an Emmy Winner, seeing as he’s listed as both the performer and a producer (under his real name Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio) on the project.

While the last six Super Bowl halftime shows have been nominated for this Emmy, only one has won it: The Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show Starring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar & 50 Cent back in 2021. So, this would be a big win for both the Super Bowl Halftime Show and Bad Bunny.

With all that said, the wait is now on to see if the musician takes home any awards for his concert that caused quite the debate online. To see if he wins, make sure to tune into the 2026 Emmy Awards on September 14 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC or with a Peacock subscription.