G Perry

Spider-Man: Brand New Day has surpassed $2 billion worldwide after three weekends, becoming only the eighth film to reach that milestone and the second-fastest after Avengers: Endgame. Its total comprises $785 million in North America and $1.23 billion internationally. The film has also received strong critical reviews, while its post-credits scene teases Spider-Man travelling into outer space.

Actors Harris Dickinson, Barry Keoghan, Paul Mescal and Joseph Quinn were filmed recreating The Beatles’ famous Abbey Road crossing for Sam Mendes’s planned series of four films, each focused on a different band member. The films are scheduled for simultaneous release on 7 April 2028 and have been approved by surviving Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, who have also helped the actors prepare. The production has drawn criticism from Pattie Boyd, who said she was not consulted about her portrayal.

Kaia Gerber says her mother, Cindy Crawford, arranged for her to undergo an exorcism as a child after she was told she was possessed. Gerber claims the ritual involved a didgeridoo and says she has long felt haunted, though she describes her supposed attraction to supernatural beings casually. The report also discusses her role alongside Homer Gere in Ryan Murphy's adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis's The Shards, their parents' former marriage, Gerber's previous work in the American Horror Story franchise, and her acknowledgment of the privilege associated with being a so-called nepo baby.

Investors have sued Selena Gomez, her mother Mandy Teefey and former business partner Daniella Pierson over Wondermind Global, alleging that Gomez failed to fulfill promises to help build the mental-health startup and that the company failed to pay employees and vendors. The plaintiffs invested nearly $1.2 million and are seeking repayment and legal fees. Gomez’s lawyer, Mathew S. Rosengart, called the fraud allegations factually and legally meritless and said he would seek dismissal. Pierson has denied the allegations, while Teefey has not commented; Gomez has previously said she invested millions in the company and was not involved in its day-to-day operations.

Nate Bargatze has sold 2,016,254 tickets for his ongoing Big Dumb Eyes arena tour, surpassing Jeff Dunham’s previous record of 1,981,720 tickets for the Spark of Insanity tour. Guinness World Records is expected to present Bargatze with a certificate in Toronto. He reached the milestone in just over 16 months, compared with more than 35 months for Dunham, and has also become the first comedian to sell out three consecutive shows at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena in one year. The coverage highlights his mainstream visibility through hosting the Emmys and Saturday Night Live, as well as his clean, folksy comedic style.

The FDA has classified a recall of 19 million eggs as Class I, its most serious category, because salmonella exposure could cause severe illness or death. Nearly 100 people have become ill and 26 have been hospitalized, although no deaths have been confirmed. The affected eggs were sold under several brands in multiple states, and consumers are advised to discard or return them. The recall comes amid a broader U.S. cyclosporiasis outbreak involving thousands of confirmed or suspected cases, despite Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s claim that the outbreaks are under control.

Kellan Lutz explained that he moved from Los Angeles to Franklin, Tennessee, with his wife and two children after his wife's family relocated there and the family needed a stronger support system while he worked. Although he still misses California, including its food and climate, Lutz said Tennessee offers land, churches, Bible studies and a supportive Christian community. The piece also recounts director Catherine Hardwicke's explanation that Lutz's habit of carrying hard-boiled eggs inspired an unusual prop for his character Emmett Cullen in Twilight.

Ryan Murphy says Bret Easton Ellis’s main request for the television adaptation of The Shards was that it not be made as a limited series. Ellis wanted the story to have enough room to run for three years or longer, allowing Murphy to expand the narrative and add personal material. An earlier HBO-backed version involving Luca Guadagnino fell through before Murphy took over; the series stars Kaia Gerber and Homer Gere and airs on Hulu and FX. The article also notes the actors’ discussion of their parents’ former marriage and says the show has not yet been officially renewed for a second season.

Zoe Saldaña says Taylor Sheridan’s demanding scripts give actors two choices: meet his high standards or quit. She praises Sheridan’s intelligence and his ability to educate audiences through elaborate stories, while also expressing admiration for Lioness co-star Nicole Kidman. The series’ third season begins with Saldaña’s CIA character involved in a mission in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, prompting enthusiastic reactions from viewers.

A fan’s Reddit analysis suggests that the runes embroidered on Robert Downey Jr.’s Avengers: Doomsday jacket translate into messages including “Revenge,” “Justice,” “There is no promise of tomorrow,” and “To the victor, go the spoils.” The final phrase references both a political saying and Doctor Doom’s first name, Victor, while the runes’ fictional Latverian origins may foreshadow their role in the film. Comic-Con footage also revealed more about Doctor Doom’s troubled connection with the Fantastic Four, and fans reacted more favorably to the second trailer than to the first. The film is scheduled for release on 18 December alongside Dune: Part 3.

Netflix has signed a global licensing agreement with AMC Global Media reportedly worth about $500 million, securing streaming rights to the original The Walking Dead series and all six spin-offs through 2032 in territories including the United States and United Kingdom. The complete franchise comprises 371 episodes. The deal coincides with the upcoming eighth-episode final season of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, which will conclude Norman Reedus’s portrayal of the character after 16 years.

Director Alice McShane says Jared Leto’s enigmatic persona, physical appearance and broader cultural desensitization to allegations against powerful men may have shielded him from professional repercussions. Her BBC documentary presents allegations from several women, including claims of sexual assault, statutory rape, grooming and threats involving alleged incidents between 2002 and 2016, some when the women were teenagers. Leto has denied all allegations, calling them categorically false.

Actor Donna Mills, known for Knots Landing, General Hospital and Nope, has joined OnlyFans at age 85. She says her page will focus on personal moments, behind-the-scenes content and direct interaction with fans rather than solely on the platform’s association with pornography. Mills also discusses her claim that she inspired the character of Sandy in Grease through her school connection with creator Jim Jacobs. She joins other Hollywood figures, including Jaime Pressly, who have recently used OnlyFans to engage audiences on their own terms.

Evan Rachel Wood said she was sad and disappointed not to be invited back for the upcoming Practical Magic sequel, in which Joey King takes over her role as Sally Owens’s daughter. Wood said returning alongside the original cast would have created meaningful continuity for fans, though she wishes King well. The sequel is expected to bring back Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest, while Alexandra Artrip, who also played one of Sally’s daughters, has reportedly been left out.

The United States offers diverse culinary traditions, but six cities stand out for food-focused travelers: New Orleans for its Creole, Cajun and Southern influences; San Francisco and the Bay Area for seafood and farm-to-table cuisine; Memphis for barbecue; New York for both iconic casual foods and acclaimed fine dining; Portland, Maine for exceptionally fresh seafood; and Los Angeles for its multicultural, vegetarian and street-food scenes. The recommendations emphasize distinctive regional dishes, influential restaurants and celebrated food markets.

The White House posted a 36-second AI-generated parody of Rick and Morty featuring cartoon versions of Donald Trump as Rick and JD Vance as Morty. Fans and other social media users mocked the video, criticizing its tone and accusing the administration of wasting public resources, while former Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene said it was embarrassing amid the cost-of-living pressures facing Americans. The Rick and Morty producers had not commented, and The Independent approached Adult Swim for a response. The video followed creator Dan Harmon’s explanation that Trump and Barack Obama partly inspired the president character in the Adult Swim spin-off President Curtis, which premiered on July 26.

Netflix denied reports that executives nearly withdrew the three-part documentary Michael Jackson: The Verdict shortly before its June release because of fears of a lawsuit from Michael Jackson’s estate. An unnamed source claimed executives had developed concerns about the estate’s financial power, while Netflix said the series launched as planned and spent three weeks in its Top 10. The dispute follows the estate’s earlier lawsuit against HBO Max over Leaving Neverland, which was later pulled from distribution. The new documentary revisits Jackson’s 2005 trial, in which he was acquitted of all 10 felony charges after a jury deliberated for more than 30 hours.

Stunt performer Devyn Dalton explains how years of yoga, weight training, boxing and weapons practice prepared her to double for Matt Damon as Odysseus in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey. Using forced perspective, Dalton performed alongside seven-foot stunt performers portraying giant Laestrygonians. She credited Damon for publicly recognizing her contribution and discussed the ongoing challenges women face in an industry often described as male-dominated.

Reid Scott is leaving Law & Order before the end of his contract because his family lives in California while the series films in New York. James Badge Dale will replace him as a new senior detective, while Scott films a final run of episodes. Fans have reacted with disappointment, particularly over the loss of Scott’s chemistry with Hugh Dancy, although some welcome Dale’s casting. The change continues the show’s long-running pattern of frequent cast turnover, which has also included the recent offscreen death of longtime character Donald Cragen in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

Michelle Hadley was wrongly jailed after Ian and Angela Diaz orchestrated a cyberstalking scheme framing her with fabricated threats and staged assaults to pressure her into relinquishing her share of a jointly purchased condo. Digital evidence later exposed the Diazes as the culprits, leading to Angela’s guilty plea and prison sentence in 2017 and Ian’s federal conviction in 2021. Hadley settled a lawsuit against Anaheim over police failures, and the case now features in the Netflix documentary A Toxic Love Story.

A concertgoer in Baltimore alleges that an unidentified man urinated on him and his family during a Morgan Wallen performance, prompting an investigation by MDTA Police. Video shows the fan arguing with officers, who said they could not detain the suspect without witnessing the act. The incident adds to recent controversies surrounding Wallen’s tour, including a weather‑related cancellation in Pittsburgh and earlier on‑stage behavior.

A lengthy and elaborate halftime show at the World Cup final featuring Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, Shakira, Burna Boy and others sparked polarized reactions from fans and pundits, with many criticizing the 27‑minute delay to the match and the break from football tradition. While some viewers enjoyed the spectacle, others argued it disrupted players’ routines and undermined the sport. Football figures such as Wayne Rooney and Roy Keane dismissed the show, while Gary Neville and Ian Wright offered praise. The controversy adds to broader concerns about changes introduced by FIFA during the tournament, including new break structures.

Donald Trump voiced support for Argentina in the World Cup final, praising Lionel Messi’s semifinal performance and calling it difficult to bet against him. He referenced friendships with Javier Milei and Cristiano Ronaldo, highlighted memories of watching Pele, and noted several other top players. Trump suggested to FIFA’s Gianni Infantino that the United States should host the tournament again and proposed announcing two future host countries to mitigate backlash. He affirmed the U.S. would seek to host another World Cup immediately.

Robert Smith harshly criticizes FIFA’s decision to introduce a Super Bowl‑style halftime show at the World Cup final and denounces Donald Trump’s role in presenting the trophy. His posts accuse FIFA of cheapening the event and mock both Gianni Infantino and Trump, while clarifying that performers and curator Chris Martin are not the targets of his frustration.

Stephen King praised Apple TV+’s new Cape Fear series, calling it wildly entertaining in a humorous social‑media post. The adaptation features Amy Adams, Patrick Wilson and Javier Bardem and concludes on 31 July. The article also notes renewed interest in King’s work, with The Long Walk rising to the top of HBO Max’s streaming charts following its release, after a long and complicated adaptation history involving several prominent filmmakers.

Social media users speculated that Tom Brady’s slap of Logan Paul at Fanatics Fest in New York may have been staged to promote a possible WWE storyline. Brady and Paul both shared clips of the incident, and reactions online ranged from claims of marketing tactics to predictions about a potential wrestling match. Brady had recently expressed interest in participating in a WWE narrative, and the two have an established relationship through past podcast appearances.

Christopher Nolan’s film The Odyssey is set for a record-breaking opening weekend, earning $51 million on its first Friday in the United States and projected to reach $120 million domestically. Globally it is expected to surpass the opening of The Dark Knight Rises, marking Nolan’s biggest worldwide debut. The film also gives Matt Damon his largest opening as a leading actor. Casting criticism surfaced online, including remarks from Elon Musk, but Lupita Nyong’o defended the production’s approach to representation. The ensemble cast portrays characters from Homer’s epic, and critics, including The Independent’s Clarisse Loughrey, have widely praised the adaptation.

Larry David uses his HBO Max sketch series to depict a character harshly rebuking a figure modeled on Robert F. Kennedy Jr amid real-life tensions stemming from Kennedy’s political positions and his marriage to Cheryl Hines. Hines remains absent from the series following a political rift with David. Kennedy, serving as US Health Secretary, has enacted sweeping and controversial changes to vaccine policy, including reducing CDC influence.

Ron Howard recounts witnessing tense clashes between John Wayne and director Don Siegel while filming The Shootist in 1976, describing how he maintained good relationships with both men as Wayne confided his frustrations. Observing their conflict shaped Howard’s later directing approach, teaching him to address creative disagreements directly before they escalate into personal disputes.

Peter Jackson plans to return to directing with a long-delayed sequel to the 2011 animated film The Adventures of Tintin, confirming he and Fran Walsh have completed a script. The project was originally intended to follow Steven Spielberg’s installment, with the two filmmakers swapping directing and producing roles. The article reviews the original film’s mixed critical reception and notes its use of performance capture technology and ensemble cast.

A survey of six notable films inspired by Greek mythology highlights their varied approaches, from faithful reinterpretations to imaginative modern adaptations. The list includes recent works such as The Return and classic titles like Jason and the Argonauts, celebrating the enduring influence of ancient Greek narratives on cinema and the continuing appeal of epic storytelling.

Ian Somerhalder describes how the cancellation of Netflix’s V Wars led him to leave acting despite the show’s global success after he self-funded extensive reshoots. He has since shifted his focus to sustainable farming in Southern California and co-founded Brother's Bond Bourbon with Paul Wesley. While reflecting on past behavior on Lost and emphasizing a desire to prioritize family and farming, he says he has no intention of returning to Hollywood.

Dave Matthews publicly condemned the killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by an ICE agent during a disputed traffic stop in Houston, using a concert appearance to denounce the agency’s use of deadly force and broader immigration enforcement practices. He criticized the pressure reportedly placed on witnesses to sign deportation orders and referenced earlier incidents, including another fatal shooting by an immigration officer in Minneapolis. His remarks were met with strong audience support as further reports emerged of another death involving ICE in Maine.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Taylor Swift has already reimbursed the city more than $160,000 for permit and security costs related to her wedding to Travis Kelce at Madison Square Garden. The event drew significant celebrity attendance and featured tight security and custom Christian Dior wedding attire. Swift’s representative confirmed details including Austin Swift as her man of honour, Jason Kelce as best man, and Adam Sandler as officiant.

Jennifer Grey paid tribute to her mother Jo Wilder, who died at 94 shortly after a lung cancer diagnosis, emphasizing her dignity and independence in choosing how she passed. Wilder’s life included a career in theater, activism, and raising her family, with notable early training and stage roles. Condolences from fellow actors highlighted her warmth and lasting influence.

Bonnie Tyler’s career spanned nearly five decades, marked by her distinctive raspy voice shaped by vocal cord surgery and showcased in collaborations with producer Jim Steinman that produced major hits including Total Eclipse of the Heart and Holding Out For a Hero. Raised in Wales, she rose from local talent contests to international success after signing with RCA and later CBS. Over 18 studio albums, she maintained a strong touring presence alongside her husband, Robert Sullivan. Tyler represented the UK at Eurovision in 2013 and received an MBE in 2023, reflecting a career defined by persistence, a singular vocal style and enduring global appeal.

Louise Lasser, best known for starring in Norman Lear’s satirical sitcom Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman and for her early film collaborations with Woody Allen, died of natural causes at age 87 in Manhattan. Her career spanned television and film, including notable roles in Girls, Happiness, Mystery Men and Requiem for a Dream. She remained active in New York’s acting community through her own studio and is survived by her longtime partner, Michael Citriniti.

Josh Brolin recounts nearly quitting Ridley Scott’s upcoming film The Dog Stars after the first day due to discomfort with Scott’s rehearsal-free directing style, later embracing the process after seeing early footage. He describes the project as creatively challenging and ultimately rewarding. The film, adapted from Peter Heller’s novel and co-starring Jacob Elordi, is scheduled for release on August 28, with Brolin also briefly commenting on his past acquaintance with Donald Trump.

Early episodes of the third season of House of the Dragon have achieved exceptionally high IMDb ratings, nearly matching record scores from Game of Thrones season four. While fan response has been strong, a review by critic Nick Hilton argues the prequel still struggles to escape comparison to its predecessor and lacks the depth that defined it. HBO continues expanding the franchise with additional spin-offs.

Kevin Spacey says he feels more accepted in Hollywood nearly a decade after sexual misconduct allegations halted his career, telling Bill Maher he now feels “less in show business jail.” Maher pressed him on the large number of accusations, noting “too much smoke to be no fire,” while Spacey maintained that courts have cleared him in every case and argued some claims were false or mischaracterized. He acknowledged being closeted for much of his career and said he had made advances toward many men. Following his acquittals in the US and UK, he has taken on small film roles and received recent industry recognition, believing public perception is shifting toward welcoming his return.

Emma Thompson notes that despite working only about 30 days on the Harry Potter films, fans frequently ask her about the minor role. Speaking on the Smartless podcast, she reflected on the franchise’s massive cultural impact and emphasized the importance of creating high‑quality work for young audiences. She also recently urged the film industry to improve representation of women over 60, citing research showing how rarely they appear as leads and calling for more stories centered on older women.