Andrew Gaudion

Tom Holland’s fourth Spider-Man film, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, is reported to have surpassed $2 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film of 2026 so far and one of the highest-grossing films ever. His reported base salary of $20–25 million could rise to approximately $100 million through backend bonuses, compared with the $1.5 million he earned for Spider-Man: Homecoming. The article also highlights Holland’s simultaneous success in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey and his marriage to Zendaya, who co-stars in both films.

Michael Sheen has been in a relationship with Swedish actress Anna Lundberg since 2019, despite their 25-year age gap. The couple have two daughters, live in Port Talbot, and played versions of themselves together in Staged and Celebrity Gogglebox. Sheen has acknowledged that the age difference brought challenges and public scrutiny, while also expressing happiness about their family and concerns about being an older father. The article also reviews Sheen's previous relationships, including his long-term partnership with Kate Beckinsale, with whom he shares daughter Lily Mo Sheen, and his relationships with Lorraine Stewart, Rachel McAdams and Sarah Silverman.

Steph McGovern is returning to the BBC with The Big Deal, an art-dealing competition in which seven pairs of aspiring dealers compete for £50,000 worth of British art. The programme reflects her background as a business journalist and her father’s work as an artist. The profile also details her long-term relationship with her girlfriend and their daughter, both of whom McGovern keeps largely out of the public eye to protect their privacy.

Jury selection began on August 10 for Duane “Keffe D” Davis, who is accused of murdering Tupac Shakur in Las Vegas in 1996. The case remained unresolved for decades because of limited evidence and witnesses, but Davis's statements to police, on BET's Death Row Chronicles and in his memoir Compton Street Legend placed him in the white Cadillac involved in the shooting. Prosecutors say his public disclosures helped establish the case, while the defence argues that the book was embellished for profit and that Davis now denies both writing it and being in Nevada. If convicted, Davis could face life imprisonment without parole.

Argues that Tenet is Christopher Nolan’s most underrated film and surpasses Inception by embracing playful spectacle over rigid rules. Highlights Tenet’s inventive action sequences, bold use of time inversion, and energetic visual style, contrasting it with Inception’s more constrained world-building. Encourages viewers who found Tenet confusing to revisit it with a focus on its sensory experience rather than strict logic.

Oasis are reported to be planning a major 2027 return with a 12‑night residency at Manchester’s Etihad Stadium followed by six shows at Knebworth. Sources indicate an official announcement is expected in August after the World Cup, with ticket demand expected to mirror the overwhelming response to the 2025 tour. The band is also rumoured to be in contention for a Glastonbury 2027 headline slot, as speculation grows around the scale of their renewed touring plans.

Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler has died at 75 following complications from emergency intestinal surgery in Portugal, prompting an outpouring of tributes from fellow musicians, actors and political leaders. Rod Stewart, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Tony Hadley and others praised her talent, humour and influence, while UK and Welsh officials described her as a national icon. The article recounts her career, rise to fame, vocal surgery that shaped her distinctive sound, global hits such as Total Eclipse of the Heart, and her continued work through 2021. It also details her marriage, charitable involvement and the circumstances leading to her final hospitalisation.

Supergirl opened to lower-than-expected box office results amid competing summer blockbusters, middling reviews and limited audience enthusiasm. While toxic online criticism targeting Milly Alcock contributed to negative discourse, the film’s underperformance aligns more closely with growing superhero fatigue and audience reluctance toward lesser-known or recently rebooted characters. Comparisons to past successes highlight changing viewer habits and franchise oversaturation, compounded by weak marketing and demographics that failed to reach young women. Despite Alcock’s strong performance, the film struggled to stand out in a crowded market, raising further concerns about the viability of DC Studios’ rebooted cinematic universe.

Shrek’s 25th anniversary highlights its evolution from a troubled DreamWorks project into a major animated milestone. Early production setbacks, including abandoned motion-capture tests and the death of original star Chris Farley, gave way to a creative overhaul led by Pacific Data Images and directors Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson. The film’s satirical edge, anti-Disney humour, and pop‑culture‑driven tone helped establish a new style of animated storytelling. Its commercial and critical success spawned a multibillion‑dollar franchise, with renewed fan interest as the original returns to cinemas and Shrek 5 moves toward a 2027 release.

Finland leads the betting odds heading into the Eurovision 2026 Grand Final in Vienna, where 26 countries will compete following two semi-finals. Several nations, including Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, the Netherlands and Iceland, are boycotting the event in protest of Israel’s participation amid the Gaza conflict. The UK entry, Look Mum No Computer, is considered an outsider. Voting will take place online, and the event will be broadcast by the BBC with commentary from Graham Norton.

Stephen King’s dystopian adaptation The Long Walk is surging on Amazon Prime Video following widespread critical and audience praise. Directed by Francis Lawrence, the film follows 100 boys forced into a deadly endurance contest and has earned high Rotten Tomatoes scores for its bleak tone, strong performances, and emotional depth. Critics highlighted its intensity and faithfulness to King’s novella, while fans praised its acting and atmosphere despite mixed views on the ending. King approved the adaptation and publicly supported its release, noting the original story’s disturbing origins. The film is positioned as one of the strongest King adaptations in recent years.

Prince Louis turns eight and a new portrait and beach video were released by the Prince and Princess of Wales to thank supporters for birthday wishes. The article also lists upcoming and recent birthdays across the British Royal Family, detailing ages and birth dates for key members from senior royals to their children and grandchildren.

The 2026 EE Bafta Film Awards take place at London’s Royal Festival Hall, airing on BBC One from 7pm to 9pm, with red carpet coverage on YouTube from 2:30pm. Alan Cumming hosts the ceremony, which features leading nominations for One Battle After Another, Sinners, Marty Supreme and Hamnet. Numerous high-profile actors, directors and performers are scheduled to present or appear, and special honours will be awarded to Donna Langley and Clare Binns.

A review praises the horror film Primate for its practical effects, contained setting, and old‑school aesthetic. The movie follows a family and friends isolated in a Hawaiian cliffside home as a chimpanzee named Ben turns violent after a bite and becomes a menacing slasher figure. Strong performances, practical creature effects, and shocking gore contribute to its potential cult status, with particular acclaim for the tactile design of the monster and the film’s tense, budget‑savvy sequences.

A roundup of films featuring New Year’s Eve scenes or themes, offering recommendations across romantic comedies, dramas, classics and musicals. Each title includes a brief description of its New Year relevance and where it can be streamed or rented, providing options for a cosy night-in to welcome 2026.

A guide highlights several London pubs known for their ghost stories and historical hauntings, detailing reported paranormal experiences linked to each location. These include tales of mischievous spirits, former prisoners, tragic deaths, and notable figures such as Jack the Ripper and Dick Turpin. Each pub features its own unique folklore, drawing visitors seeking Halloween-themed experiences across the city.

The prize money of 45.6 billion South Korean won in Squid Game equates to approximately £24.9 million or just over $33 million based on June 2025 exchange rates. The article outlines the show’s premise, its success on Netflix, and how the prize amount compares across currencies while referencing key plot points from earlier seasons.

Denis Villeneuve’s appointment as director of Bond 26 raises concerns that his prominence and auteur reputation could overshadow the introduction of a new James Bond actor. Past Bond debuts were typically guided by experienced franchise directors whose lower profiles allowed new Bonds to define their interpretations without competing attention. Speculation around casting, including Timothée Chalamet, reflects expectations that Villeneuve might significantly influence tone and direction. While his filmmaking skill is widely admired, doubts persist about whether his involvement will limit creative reinvention and keep the franchise close to its recent, grounded style.