[Editor’s note: This piece contains spoilers for The Boys‘ season-five premiere.]
Jessie T. Usherkept the secret of his The Boys‘ departure from his castmates for a whole year, which was no easy task, he tells The A.V. Club. It wasn’t until they started reaching out after reading the scripts that he revealed the truth. The actor has always been a prominent part of Prime Video’s gnarly superhero satire, but was told well in advance by series creator Eric Kripke that his character wouldn’t survive the final season’s bleak premiere, although the death wouldn’t be in vain. At least speedster Reggie Franklin, a.k.a. A-Train, goes out as a hero instead of the narcissistic villain he started as in what Usher believes is a poetic arc for a TV show that enjoys killing characters off in grotesque ways. “My response to Eric was that I was glad they cared enough about A-Train to give him this momentous send-off, where he finally has a moment of resolution, and he can stare down the monster and tell him he’s not as scary as he thinks he is.”
By monster, Usher obviously means Antony Starr’s tyrannical Homelander, who frequently tormented A-Train when they worked together as part of Vought’s superhero team, The Seven, although A-Train eventually grew tired of all the bullying and evil machinations. In season four, his well-deserved redemption arc turned him from Homelander’s ally to foe. Their rivalry comes to a head in “Fifteen Inches Of Sheer Dynamite,” when he drops in at the last minute to save The Boys from Homelander’s wrath during a prison escape, despite telling Starlight (Erin Moriarty) he wouldn’t step up to help. By the end of the hour, Homelander takes revenge by snapping A-Train’s neck, but not before A-Train gets to call his old pal out as, among other things, a “pathetic loser.”
Starr tells us that he’s a huge fan of how this closing scene is written and constructed because “it’s a great moment of weakness for my character, even though it doesn’t seem that way, and a great moment of strength for Jessie’s character.” And in a move completely unlike Homelander and A-Train, the actors take a quick second to gush to each other about how much they’ll miss their working dynamic:
Usher: And I just have to say, Antony’s one of the greatest scene partners of all time. He’s very giving and knowledgeable. [Turns to face Starr] I was very happy to share that moment with you, sir.
Starr: Me too. And that’s the only time it’s ever been said that I’m knowledgeable.
Usher: You’re just not in the room when we’re saying that about you. [Laughs]No, really, this guy nailed it. He stuck the landing of this big moment.
Starr: Turns out I’m the greatest actor on the show. [Laughs]
Well, Starr isn’t wrong. His performance as a seething madman is almost triggering to watch. And the streak continues heading into the final season, which wades deeper into Homelander’s vicious psyche. A-Train’s death looms large over Homelander, along with those whose lives he saved, especially Hughie (Jack Quaid). Episode two explores this further, with Homelander in denial that he’s mourning (even though he caused the goddamn problem in the first place). After A-Train’s almost comical funeral hosted by Vought, he says to himself that he was left with no choice. “I loved you,” Homelander whispers with equal parts anger and sadness. Starr says he wanted to play this loss in a way that displays vulnerability but also signifies that “this is going to gnaw at him in season five because A-Train went out with integrity, which is what Homelander wanted to strip from him. Let’s just say he doesn’t move on easily.” And isn’t that a scary thought?
On the other side of the situation is Hughie, who joined Billy Butcher’s (Karl Urban) anti-Supe crusade in season one specifically to eliminate A-Train for killing his girlfriend. In season four, the two reluctantly joined forces to defeat their common enemy, with Hughie forgiving A-Train. “It was a huge moment of letting go for him when he did that,” Quaid says, noting that A-Train sacrificing himself for Hughie becomes a driving force. “What’s great about the rest of season five is that, as an actor, I can feel Hughie’s growth. It’s the first time I’m playing him with little to no fear now. I often wondered when The Boys would get to the point where he would not be so shocked by everything around him anymore, but more so mad that it’s happening.”
As it always tends to do, Hughie’s inherent goodness affects Butcher, who initially won’t care that A-Train gave up his life to help them get out of Freedom Camp 47. “He’s the leader, so he thinks they have to sustain losses to win the war, but thematically for him, season five then becomes about what he’s willing to sacrifice, and A-Train brings up that question,” Urban says. An interesting dilemma for him comes through the mere fact that he’s a Supe now, too, which helps Butcher understand A-Train—who was once addicted to Compound V—in a way he couldn’t before. “Butcher ostensibly died at the end of season four because he gave himself over to the V-powered organism, so he’s cold and ruthless yet trying to hold on to his humanity,” the actor adds, saying he wanted to play Butcher as someone who’s still holding onto a sliver of hope, which explains episode two’s solemn closing scene with his character and his pet dog. “There will be points throughout the season where it seems like all hope is lost, though,” he warns. “But that’s why you can see why he keeps Hughie around. Someone like him, who could forgive A-Train, can keep him from going over the threshold. So, yeah, it’s going to be a fun ride with them.”
Let us know your thoughts as the season progresses in the comments below and vote in the poll.
NOTE: People will be posting their thoughts/reactions to the season as a whole, so there will be spoilers in the comments. We advise you not to read the comments until you have watched the latest available episode.
NOTE: You can change your vote as the season progresses.
Anne Hathaway has played many roles across her two-decade career, but pop star is a new one. As a singer, she’s usually gravitated toward musical theatre — with an exception being her stellar cover of Queen’s “Somebody to Love” — but for David Lowery’s “Mother Mary,” coming from A24 on Friday, she had to go full pop star in the role of Mother Mary, a traumatized fictional singer reminiscent of Madonna and Lady Gaga.
It’s a very different style of singing and acting, and during a Q&A in New York on Tuesday, as part of a listening event for the seven-song soundtrack album sponsored by A24 and Spotify (and moderated by Variety‘s Jem Aswad), she revealed that Beyonce’s “American Requiem” was the key that unlocked her inner pop star.
“I grew up in a house with a phenomenal singer — my mother is a spectacular musical theater singer and with a really high belt,” she said. “I have such a different voice — mine’s much softer. And so in my head, I’ve never really rated myself as a singer because I don’t do what real singers do — like when I was growing up, I thought ‘Whitney Houston, that’s a real singer,’ and I just can’t do runs like that. But now that I’m older, I appreciate that I was comparing myself to someone who had a voice that sounded like it was touched by God,” she said, to cheers from the audience.
“So when I got this [part], it was a completely new way of singing, and it baffled me for the longest time. It took about two years before I finally cracked it. And so much of it was just studying what other singers did and trying to figure out, frankly, why they sounded so cool. Because musical theater is many wonderful things, but it’s not the coolest sound,” she laughed. “Not known for its swag!”
Not surprisingly, it was Queen Bey who led her to that swag.
“So I listened to ‘American Requiem’ by Beyoncé, over and over and over,” she said to cheers from the audience, which she encouraged — “I mean, come on! Do you think she can hear us?!” — before continuing. “Her technique in that song is so mesmerizing and astonishing: and listening to her phraseology, her musicianship, understanding the history of her voice that had led her to be able to make that sound that is so still, so present. I studied that, and I appreciated that Beyoncé can be a [powerful] vocalist, but she also knows how to be still.
“And I thought, okay, maybe there’s something to be said about having a sweet, still voice, maybe I can work with this. But learning pop phrasing was a really big deal — that was like learning a new language.”
Ye (formerly Kanye West) is facing very public reckoning. The “Hurricane” rapper made headlines at his Yeezy Paris Fashion Week show on Oct. 3, 2022, for wearing a shirt emblazoned with the phrase “White Lives Matter” on its back, and featuring Black models in the shirt. The phrase is one that was adopted by neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups in response to the Black Lives Matter movement, and the rapper has been facing backlash from both fans and celebrities online.
But the controversy did not stop for there for Ye, who has doubled down on his comments on Instagram and later took to Twitter (now X) to use antisemitic rhetoric in his posts, then continued to amplify his hate speech in interviews. The reaction from the public was swift, with several companies — including The Gap, Balenciaga and more — terminating their relationships and brand deals with the rapper.
Forbes reported that Ye has lost his billionaire status after Adidas announced Oct. 25, 2022, that it was dropping his deal, and that the brand does not tolerate hate speech. The move, according to the publication, put Ye’s net worth at $400 million and resulted in his removal from Forbes‘ billionaires list.
Since then, Adidas has opened an internal investigation after several former employees accused West of inappropriate workplace conduct during meetings with Adidas employees. People in his orbit, from former girlfriend Julia Fox to collaborator Pusha T, have also distanced themselves from him. Furthermore, Ye’s Nov. 22, 2022, dinner with Donald Trump and white nationalist Nick Fuentes was widely denounced, even by Trump’s former vice president, Mike Pence.
From brands and scrapped documentaries, to airplay declines of his music catalogue, his later apologies and more, here are the consequences Kanye West has faced due to his “WLM” and antisemitic remarks and hate speech.
*Editor’s Note: After an Oct. 8, 2022, tweet in which he announced he was going “death con [sic] 3 on Jewish people,” Kanye West (Ye) has repeatedly doubled down on antisemitic hate speech, even going so far as to praise Hitler, a man responsible for the systematic murder of six million Jews during the Holocaust. This arrives at a troubling time when antisemitism is on the rise, with the Anti-Defamation League noting a 34% year-over-year increase in antisemitic incidents (assault, harassment and vandalism) in America in 2021. Many companies have cut business ties with the rapper/fashion designer, while numerous musicians, friends and politicians have condemned his comments.
Oct. 3-9, 2022: Celebrities Condemn His Shirts & Hate Speech
Celebrities quickly shared their concerns over the rapper’s “White Lives Matter” shirts, and later, his Oct. 8 tweet saying he’d go “death con 3 on Jewish people.”
Jaden Smith was among the first to speak out. The young rapper, who was in attendance at Ye’s Paris Fashion Week show, left the Yeezy event early. He tweeted afterward that he didn’t care whose show it was: “If I Don’t Feel The Message I’m Out. Black Lives Matter.”
Diddy also spoke out regarding the shirts in a video. “All America has planned for us is poverty, incarceration and death,” he said. “So before I can get to any other lives matter … Black lives matter, don’t play with it.”
Jamie Lee Curtis was one of many celebrities who spoke up loudly after Ye’s tweet. She first responded with her own message on Twitter, noting, “The holiest day in Judaism was last week. Words matter. A threat to Jewish people ended once in a genocide. You are a father. Please stop.” She later went on the TODAY show and reiterated her concerns, condemning his hate speech as “just abhorrent.”
After Ye posted comments on Instagram that were considered by many to be “anti-Jewish,” the social media platform restricted the rapper’s account due to a violation of the company’s rules and guidelines. That led Ye to end his two-year hiatus from Twitter to not only air his grievances with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg over the suspension, but to also continue making antisemitic remarks.
“I’m a bit sleepy tonight but when I wake up I’m going death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE,” he tweeted Oct. 8. “The funny thing is I actually can’t be Anti Semitic because black people are actually Jew also You guys have toyed with me and tried to black ball anyone whoever opposes your agenda.” The tweet was later taken down and the account suspended for violating community guidelines.
Oct. 10-17, 2022: Decline in Radio Play
In the days following Ye’s antisemitic rants on Twitter and Instagram, the rapper faced a decline in radio play. According to Luminate, West’s daily spins declined 21.1%, from 325 in the eight days preceding his social account restrictions to 258 in the eight days following them, while his average daily radio audience fell 21.4%.
Oct. 19, 2022: Ari Emanuel Calls on Ye’s Business Partners to Cut Ties
In an op-ed published in the Financial Times, Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel encouraged several of Ye’s business partners — which includes Apple, Spotify and more — to halt their business with the rapper. In his piece — which referenced a similar 2006 op-ed that he wrote calling entertainment companies to stop working with actor Mel Gibson for antisemitic remarks — he urged Parler to not go through with the rapper’s acquisition of their platform.
“West is not just any person — he is a pop culture icon with millions of fans around the world,” Emanuel wrote. “And among them are young people whose views are still being formed. This is why it is necessary for all of us to speak out. Hatred and anti-Semitism should have no place in our society, no matter how much money is at stake.”
“Those who continue to do business with West are giving his misguided hate an audience,” the CEO added. “There should be no tolerance anywhere for West’s anti-Semitism.”
Balenciaga’s parent company issued a brief statement (which did not mention Ye’s antisemitic remarks or his “WLM” shirt) on Oct. 21, stating that they would no longer would be working with him. “Balenciaga has no longer any relationship nor any plans for future projects related to this artist,” Kering told Women’s Wear Daily.
Oct. 24, 2022: Kim & Khloé Kardashian Speak Out
After several stars let their opinions be known regarding Ye’s antisemitic comments, the rapper’s ex-wife Kim Kardashian and her sister Khloé Kardashian both shared statements in support of Jewish people, though neither called out the rapper by name.
“Hate speech is never OK or excusable,” the SKIMS mogul — who shares four young children with the rapper — tweetedon Oct. 24. “I stand together with the Jewish community and call on the terrible violence and hateful rhetoric towards them to come to an immediate end.”
Meanwhile, Khloé reshared a message on Instagram Stories from cookbook author Jessica Seinfeld’s account: “I support my Jewish friends and the Jewish people.”
Oct. 24, 2022: Documentary Scrapped by MRC
There’s a completed documentary about Kanye West that the world will never get to see, MRC said on Oct. 24. The company — which is also Billboard‘s former publisher — issued a statement regarding the rapper’s antisemitic marks, stating it can no longer support the rapper and his actions.
“This morning, after discussion with our filmmakers and distribution partners, we made the decision not to proceed with any distribution for our recently completed documentary about Kanye West,” CEO Modi Wiczyk, CEO Asif Satchu and COO Scott Tenley wrote in a joint statement. “We cannot support any content that amplifies his platform.”
“Kanye is a producer and sampler of music,” their statement continued. “Last week he sampled and remixed a classic tune that has charted for over 3,000 years — the lie that Jews are evil and conspire to control the world for their own gain … Kanye has now helped mainstream it in the modern era.”
A representative for CAA confirmed to Billboard on Oct. 24 that Ye is no longer a client of theirs. The rapper joined CAA in 2012 to follow agent Cara Lewis, but chose to stay represented by the agency, even after Lewis’ 2016 departure.
Rival agency UTA had also took a stance. On Oct. 23, CEO Jeremy Zimmer sent a companywide email titled “Rise of Anti Semitism and Hate” that stated West’s comments will “embolden others to amplify their vile beliefs,” and added that “we can’t support hate speech, bigotry or anti-Semitism. Please support the boycott of Kanye West.”
Oct. 25, 2022: Adidas Ends Brand Partnership
Image Credit: Jonathan Leibson/GI for ADIDAS
After facing calls to end its relationship with Ye, Adidas also made the decision to cut ties with the rapper on Oct. 25, ending a nearly 10 year partnership that saw the launch of the popular — and lucrative — Yeezy sneakers.
“Adidas does not tolerate antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech,” the company said in a statement. “Ye’s recent comments and actions have been unacceptable, hateful and dangerous, and they violate the company’s values of diversity and inclusion, mutual respect and fairness.”
Adidas revealed in its statement that it conducted a “thorough review” and would cease production of all Yeezy products, as well as payments to Ye and his respective companies. The sportswear company added that the move would cost it $246 million in profit, while the deal cost Ye his billionaire status and dropped his net worth to $400 million, according to Forbes.
Oct. 25, 2022: Gap Pulls All Yeezy Products
Image Credit: Chris Hondros/GI
Ye and the Gap initially went their separate ways in September, but on Oct. 25, the brand took it a step further. In a statement, Gap shared that it is taking “immediate steps” to remove the rapper’s products from all its retail stores, and had ended operations of Yeezygap.com.
“In September, Gap announced ending its Yeezy Gap partnership,” the company wrote in a statement. “Our former partner’s recent remarks and behavior further underscore why. We are taking immediate steps to remove Yeezy Gap product from our stores and we have shut down Yeezygap.com.”
“Antisemitism, racism and hate in any form are inexcusable and not tolerated in accordance with our values,” the Gap continued. “On behalf of our customers, employees and shareholders, we are partnering with organizations that combat hate and discrimination.”
Oct. 25, 2022: Foot Locker Drops Yeezy Products
Keeping in line with Adidas and Gap, Foot Locker issued a statement stating it will no longer carry Ye’s products in stores or online.
“Foot Locker, Inc. does not tolerate any form of antisemitism, or hateful and discriminatory behavior,” a company spokesperson said on Oct. 25. “We will not be supporting any future Yeezy product drops, and we have instructed our retail operators to pull any existing product from our shelves and digital sites.”
Oct. 25, 2022: Spotify CEO Blasts Ye’s Comments
In an Oct. 25 interview with Reuters, Spotify CEO Daniel Elk described Ye’s remarks as “awful” but noted the rapper’s comments did not violate Spotify’s anti-hate policy as they were made off of the music streaming platform. Several individuals have called for streaming giants to pull Ye’s music, but Elk asserted that Ye’s music will only come down if he or his label requests it.
“It’s really just his music, and his music doesn’t violate our policy,” Ek told Reuters. “It’s up to his label, if they want to take action or not.”
Oct. 25, 2022: UMG & Sony Denounce Ye’s Hate Speech
Universal Music Group, who previously worked with Ye under its Def Jam label and merchandise company Bravado, clarified to Billboard in a statement on Oct. 25 it had ceased relations with the rapper in 2021, and denounced his antisemitic comments.
“Def Jam’s relationship with Ye as a recording artist, Def Jam’s partnership with the GOOD Music label venture and Ye’s merchandise agreement with Bravado all ended in 2021.” The spokesperson continued, “There is no place for antisemitism in our society. We are deeply committed to combating antisemitism and every other form of prejudice.”
Sony Music Publishing has been the publishing administrator for Ye’s catalogue for years, but the deal expired in early 2022. Last week, the publisher issued a memo to employees that read, “At Sony Music Group, commitment to tolerance, inclusion and equality for all are at the heart of who we are as a company. Consistent with these values, we denounce antisemitism. Through our partnership with the UJA Federation, we work to combat prejudice against the Jewish community.”
Oct. 25, 2022: Aaron Donald & Jaylen Brown Part Ways With Donda Sports
L.A. Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald tweeted on Oct. 25 to announce he is severing ties with Ye’s Donda Sports in light of the rapper’s antisemitic remarks.
“Our family has made the decision to part ways with Donda Sports,” read a statement from Donald and his wife, Erica Donald. “The recent comments and displays of hate and antisemitism are the exact opposite of how we choose to live our lives and raise our children. We find them to be irresponsible and go against everything we believe in as a family.”
Jaylen Brown, a Boston Celtics shooting guard who previously stated he would be sticking with Donda Sports, shared he had a change of heart. “In the past 24 hours, I’ve been able to reflect and better understand how my previous statements lack clarity in expressing my stance against recent insensitive public remarks and actions,” Brown tweeted in a statement. “I have always, and will always, continue to stand strongly against any antisemitism, hate speech, misrepresentation, and oppressive rhetoric of any kind.”
Oct. 26, 2022: TJ Maxx Announces It Will Not Purchase Yeezy Products
TJ Maxx, an American department store chain known for re-selling clothing and other designer merchandise at lower prices, issued a statement Wednesday (Oct. 26) revealing its buyers have been instructed to not purchase Yeezy products in light of Adidas and Gap denouncing the rapper.
“At TJX we do not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or hate of any kind,” read a statement shared by the retailer with CNN. “We have instructed our buying teams not to purchase this merchandise for sale in any of our stores globally.”
Oct. 26, 2022: Donda Academy Basketball Team Removed From Tournament
Scholastic Play-By-Play Classics announced on Wednesday (Oct. 26) that it is dropping Kanye West‘s Donda Academy team from its season schedule.
“While we are firm in our reasoning for this decision, it does not diminish our heartache and regret for Donda’s hardworking athletes who will lose out the most as a result of Kanye’s actions,” the organization shared in a statement, according to TMZ, who first reported the news. “Unfortunately, we cannot in good conscience host an organization founded and directed by Mr. West at our events.”
Oct. 26, 2022: Wax Figure Removed From Madame Tussauds London
Madame Tussauds London issued a statement announcing its plans to pull Ye’s wax figure from the main display floor and into an archive.
“Ye’s figure has been retired from the attraction floor to our archive. Each profile earns their place at Madame Tussauds London and we listen to our guests and the public on who they expect to see at the attraction,” a spokesperson for Madame Tussauds told BBC.
Though Madame Tussauds has several outposts around the world, there has never been a figure of the rapper in the United States, which includes locations in New York City, Orlando, San Francisco, Hollywood, Las Vegas and Nashville.
Oct. 26, 2022: Major Law Firms Drop Kanye
Manhattan law firm Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft — which represented West in September in his efforts to terminate his partnership with Gap — is no longer working with the rapper, Bloomberg Law reported Oct. 26. “We are not presently providing any representation and have no intention of providing any future representation,” a Cadwalader spokesman told Bloomberg Law.
Brown Rudnick — whose lawyer Camille Vasquez represented Johnny Depp in his defamation trial earlier this year — confirmed they are no longer working with Ye, as first reported by the New York Post.
Oct. 27, 2022: Kanye West Essentials Playlist Disappears From Apple Music
The streaming music giant has apparently pulled Kanye West Essentials Playlist from its services in light of the rapper’s repeated anti-Semitic remarks.
Oct. 27, 2022: Texas A&M Stops Using Kanye West’s ‘Power’ As Team Entrance Song
Texas A&M will no longer use Ye’s “Power” for the football team’s pregame entrance song, athletic director Ross Bjork revealed on Thursday (Oct. 27).
Instead, he revealed that the team will use “sound effects & Aggie Drum Line transitioning to the War Hymn.”
Oct. 31, 2022: Instagram Restricts His Account Again
Just days after returning to Instagram after his account was restricted earlier in October, Ye’s account was locked down once again, the social media platform confirmed to Billboard on Halloween. A rep for Instagram’s parent company, Meta, said that this time, the rapper’s account would be restricted for 30 days, and also noted that it had deleted content it found to violate the platform’s policies. Meta did not indicate which posts it removed.
Nov. 20, 2022: Twitter Unblocks His Account
“Testing Testing Seeing if my Twitter is unblocked,” West tweeted out to his nearly 32 million followers on Sunday (Nov. 20) after new Twitter boss Elon Musk began reinstating previously suspended accounts. In another tweet he wrote, “Shalom.”
Musk’s plans for Twitter, including his decisions to reinstate Trump and West, led to some celebrities abandoning the platform.
Nov. 21, 2022: Julia Fox Distances Herself
In a Nov. 21 TikTok video, former girlfriend Julia Fox responded to a commenter who wrote, “I just wish you weren’t dating a famously violent misogynist and antisemite” (Fox and West broke up in early 2022).
“I sounded almost as dumb as you guys saying I should have done something to stop him. But I know, I was delusional, I thought I could help him,” she explained. “I will say, that month we spent together, he wasn’t on Twitter. He wasn’t on any forms of social media. We only really talked about clothes and weird ideas, plans for the future.”
The Uncut Gems star said Ye’s return to Twitter ended their liaison. “The moment he started tweeting, I was out,” she said. “The media reported on our relationship the week after it happened or something.”
Nov. 22, 2022: Ye Dines With a Former President and a White Nationalist
On Nov. 22, Ye dined with former President Trump and white nationalist/Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes at Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Flor.
Denouncements came swiftly and from many corners, with several Trump allies condemning the dinner, including former vice president Mike Pence.
Several days later, Trump insisted that “he never met and knew nothing about” Fuentes prior to Ye bringing him to the dinner. Both Trump and Ye have announced 2024 presidential campaigns.
Nov. 26, 2022: Adidas Opens Investigation
On Nov. 26, Adidas confirmed it had opened an investigation into inappropriate workplace conduct after numerous ex-employees, in an anonymous letter, accused the sportswear brand of insufficient response to West’s allegedly toxic behavior on the job. The former employees allege that West showed them sexual photos and videos in meetings and also accused him of bullying.
Nov. 28, 2022: Collaborator Pusha T Expresses Disappointment
In a Monday (Nov. 28) interview with The Los Angeles Times, Pusha T spoke about working with West on his 2022 album It’s Almost Dry (West provided a guest verse and production).
“It’s definitely affected me. It’s been disappointing. As a Black man in America, there is no room for bigotry or hate speech. So yeah. It’s been very disappointing,” Pusha said.
Nov. 28, 2022: West Walks Out of Interview When Pressed on Antisemitism
In a Monday (Nov. 28) interview with Tim Pool on his Timcast IRL podcast, West brought along white nationalist Nick Fuentes and alt-right figure Milo Yiannopoulos (the latter is involved in his 2024 presidential campaign).
When pressed about his unapologetic antisemitic comments, West criticized the media and repeated his claims of a Jewish-led conspiracy to ruin him. “I feel like it’s a setup … I’m going to walk the f–k off the show if I’m having to talk about. You can’t say ‘Jewish people did it,’ when every sensible person knows — that Jon Stewart knows — what happened to me, and they took it too far.”
An irate West walked out of the interview. Pool said he believed the walk-out had been staged.
Dec. 1, 2022: Backlash After Support for Hitler
Kanye West joined alt-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones on his InfoWars talk show on Thursday (Dec. 1), where he praised Adolf Hitler.
“Every human being has something of value that they brought to the table, especially Hitler. How about that one,” he said. Jones then told Ye that he has a “bit of a Hitler fetish going on,” to which the rapper replied, “It’s not a fetish. I just like information.”
“I don’t like the word ‘evil’ next to Nazis,” Ye later said, undeterred by Jones’ discomfort. “I love Jewish people, but I also love Nazis.” Later in the interview, Ye reiterated that it’s “time to promote love” by declaring, “I do love Hitler. I do love the Zionists.”
Twitter users expressed their concern and disdain for the comments across the platform and soon enough, “Kanye” was trending on Twitter across the country.
Dec. 1, 2022: No Longer Buying Parler
Back in October, Ye was set to buy the right-wing friendly social network Parler after both his Twitter and Instagram accounts were suspended for antisemitic posts. However, Parler owner Parlement Techonologies announced on Thursday (Dec. 1) that the deal will no longer happen.
Parlement Technologies and Ye “mutually” parted ways, according to a statement from the company received by TechCrunch. “This decision was made in the interest of both parties in mid-November. Parler will continue to pursue future opportunities for growth and the evolution of the platform for our vibrant community,” the statement read.
The rapper’s Twitter account was reinstated in November after the businessman purchased the social media platform and reactivated previously suspended accounts, but Ye soon lost access again. After West gave a lengthy interview on Alex Jones’ Infowars on Dec. 1 — during which he praised Hitler and said he loves Nazis — he tweeted an image of a swastika embedded into a Star of David.
Twitter deleted the message, and Musk tweeted that he was suspending the rapper’s account. “I tried my best,” he wrote. “Despite that, he again violated our rule against incitement to violence. Account will be suspended.”
Dec. 2, 2022: Biden Condemns Antisemitism
A day after Ye’s comments praising Hitler, President Joe Biden shared a strongly worded statement condemning antisemitism and Holocaust denialism, urging political leaders to speak out against hate speech.
“I just want to make a few things clear: The Holocaust happened. Hitler was a demonic figure. And instead of giving it a platform, our political leaders should be calling out and rejecting antisemitism wherever it hides,” the president tweeted. “Silence is complicity.”
Dec. 2, 2022: Studio Offers to Remove Kanye Tattoos for Free
Naama Studios made the announcement that they’ll remove any Ye-inspired body art for free. “Yeezy come, yeezy go,” the London-based company cleverly captioned a photo that reads, “We’ll remove your Kanye tattoos for free.”
Dec. 2, 2022: Reddit Page Taken Over by Taylor Swift & Educational Holocaust Posts
Dec. 3, 2022: YouTube to Reportedly Remove Reposts of ‘Infowars’ Interview
YouTube is reportedly working to remove reuploaded video clips of West’s controversial interview on Alex Jones’ Infowars talk show.
NBC News reported on Dec. 3 that the platform’s parent company Google was “working to remove reuploads if the antisemitism in the interview isn’t denounced in the video via added commentary,” according to a statement from the tech giant.
The article pointed out that other social media platforms, like Twitter, had not yet stated how it would addressed the matter.
Dec. 5, 2022: Howard Stern Calls Out Ye
During his SiriusXM radio show on Monday (Dec. 5), Stern shared that West’s antisemitism made the alt-right conspiracy theorist Jones appear like “a bleeding heart liberal.” He added, “Alex Jones kept trying to throw him a life preserver and Kanye would just slap it away. It was pretty f—ing crazy.”
Stern also noted a “psychological theory” that he has about West. “I’m sure I’m not the only one that thinks that maybe he hates being Black so much. He’s so self hating,” the radio host then explained. “He wants to wear a hood and pretend he’s a white man. A white man in the Nazi party. In a weird way despises being Black and wants to be accepted by Nazis.”
Dec. 8, 2022: Honorary Degree Rescinded
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) confirmed to Billboard that West’s honorary doctorate degree at the college — which was issued to him on May 11, 2015 — has been rescinded in light of his recent incendiary comments.
“The School of the Art Institute of Chicago condemns and repudiates Kanye West’s (now know as Ye) anti-Black, antisemitic, racist, and dangerous statements, particularly those directed at Black and Jewish communities,” the school shared in a statement. “Ye’s actions do not align with SAIC’s mission and values, and we’ve rescinded his honorary degree.”
Dec. 10, 2022: Suspended From Clubhouse
West has been suspended from Clubhouse after the rapper began making antisemitic remarks during a private Q&A on the social networking platform.
“We took action to shut down a conversation on Saturday because it violated our policies. We also suspended those who violated the policies,” a spokesperson for Clubhouse tells Billboard. “There’s absolutely no place for bullying, hate speech or abuse on our platform as explicitly stated in our Community Guidelines and Terms of Service.”
“Congratulations to Kanye West, disgraced rapper and fashion mogul, for being voted the 2022 Antisemite of the Year,” the nonprofit wrote in a video shared to Twitter, in which the organization recapped his hateful remarks throughout the past few months. “Mazel Tov Kanye West for propagating the most Jew hatred in 2022 and winning this year’s dishonor.”
Jan. 10, 2023: Mocked at the 2023 Golden Globes
Image Credit: Rich Polk/NBC via Getty Images
Host Jerrod Carmichael mocked the rapper during the awards ceremony while addressing director Steven Spielberg from the stage. “I want to take out a second to shout out Steven Spielberg, who is here. It’s an honor sir. Congrats on The Fabelmans. I actually saw it with Kanye and it changed everything for him,” he said as the audience laughed. “That’s how good you are. You changed Kanye West’s mind.”
The film, which earned Spielberg — who is Jewish — the best director award, is a semi-autobiographical work about a young boy born to Jewish parents who falls in love with cinema.
Jan. 13, 2023: Ye’s Lawyers Consider Placing Newspaper Ads to Announce They’ve Dropped Him
Claiming that Ye had evaded all of their attempts to get in contact with him, prestigious law firm Greenberg Traurig asked a federal judge to allow them to run newspaper ads announcing they’d dropped the rapper as a client. Having “exhausted all methods” of notifying Ye of the severance with no success, the firm figured that mass advertisements might get his attention.
“Publication of the Withdrawal Order’s contents in two Los Angeles-area newspapers, where Ye appears to reside, will also apprise him of the Withdrawal Order,” his former lawyers wrote to the judge. “Given Ye’s public status, publication of the Withdrawal Order will likely garner significant media attention, resulting in broader publication and provide an even greater likelihood of apprising Ye of the Order.”
The musician had been previously represented by the firm in a copyright lawsuit that alleged he’d failed to pay for a sample he used in the track “Flowers” from his album Donda 2. Following West’s antisemitic statements, however, the firm announced publicly in October that it would withdraw: “This firm was founded by individuals who faced discrimination and many of us lost ancestors because of that kind of hate and prejudice.”
Jan. 22, 2023: Australian Civil Rights Group Calls to Deny Him Entry Into Country
After Ye reportedly married Australian architect Bianca Censori, some organizations in Australia publicly called on Andrew Giles, the country’s Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Minister, to deny Ye from visiting his rumored new wife’s home country. The Australian Jewish Association published an open letter asking Giles to “refuse Kanye West a visa on character grounds,” while the Anti-Defamation Commission went public with the same request via a statement by Chairman Dr. Dvir Abramovich.
“Calling for violence and hate must have consequences, and Australia should not put out the welcome mat and provide a platform to a hatemonger who spews threats against the Jewish community and peddles conspiracy myths about Jewish power, greed and control,” Abramovich said in a statement. “At a time of rising antisemitism in Australia and increasing vilification, his presence in the country, revolting anti-Jewish propaganda and incitement, and abhorrent rhetoric poses a significant risk to the Jewish community.”
Feb. 8, 2023: Parodied by ‘South Park’
Image Credit: Courtesy of Comedy Central*
South Park took aim at the rapper again, this time by spoofing his string of antisemitic statements. In the season 26 premiere, Cartman spread a rumor that Kyle — who is Jewish — runs Hollywood after Stan gets jealous of Kyle and Tolkien spending time together. Cartman’s Cupid Me also transformed into Cupid Ye, whispering anti-Jewish tropes into a sleeping Tolkien’s ear, and shooting the South Park Elementary students with arrows filled antisemitism instead of love.
At one point, the show even mocked Ye’s numerous masked appearances in recent media interviews, by putting Cartman behind the facial covering during his own TV hit.
May 11, 2023: Adidas to Sell Remaining Yeezys for Charity
The sportswear company may have cut ties with Ye in October, but it’s not letting all that product sit around and go to waste. CEO Bjorn Gulden said during a May 11 shareholders meeting that the brand had spent months trying to figure out what to do. “Burning those shoes cannot be the solution,” he said. Instead, Adidas is going to try to sell part of the remaining inventory and “donate money to the organizations that help us and were harmed by what Ye said.”
“@kanyewest ASKED PERMISSION TO SAMPLE A SECTCTION OF A 1983 LIVE PERFORMANCE OF ‘WAR PIG’ FROM THE US FESTIVAL WITHOUT VOCALS & WAS REFUSED PERMISSION BECAUSE HE IS AN ANTISEMITE AND HAS CAUSED UNTOLD HEARTACHE TO MANY,” Osbourne wrote on Instagram and X. “HE WENT AHEAD AND USED THE SAMPLE ANYWAY AT HIS ALBUM LISTENING PARTY LAST NIGHT. I WANT NO ASSOCIATION WITH THIS MAN!”
Feb. 12: 2024: Ye Says He Nearly Went Bankrupt
Shortly after the arrival of Vultures Vol. 1, TMZ caught up with the rapper, who told the outlet that he was near financial ruin ahead of the release of his collab album with Ty Dolla $ign. “I’ma just be honest with y’all: I was two months from going bankrupt and I put everything I had into it and we moved to Italy,” he said. “We moved to the factories and we survived. We survived through the cancellation. We back No. 1.”
Feb. 7, 2025: Kai Cenat Cancels Ye Stream
The end of their beef may have been short lived. After the popular streamer told Billboard at the 2025 Grammy Awards that he had met the rapper and was planning on doing a stream with him, Cenat revealed that it would no longer be happening due to Ye’s most recent stream of hate-filled posts on social media. “I’ma go ahead and address the elephant in the room,” Cenat told his chatroom. “I seen the tweets. I don’t know what’s going on, bro. I think it’s [over]. It’s crazy. It’s just back to back to back. It’s [over], bro.”
Feb. 8, 2025: David Schwimmer Calls for Ye to Be Banned From X
After the rapper went on yet another hate-filled rant on X — during which he once again praised Hitler, declared himself a Nazi, called for Diddy to be freed and more — the Friends star posted an open letter on Instagram urging Elon Musk to ban Ye from the social media platform.
“We can’t stop a deranged bigot from spewing hate filled, ignorant bile… but we CAN stop giving him a megaphone, Mr. Musk,” the actor, who is Jewish, wrote. “Kanye West has 32.7 million followers on your platform, X. That’s twice as many people than the number of Jews in existence. His sick hate speech results in REAL LIFE violence against Jews.”
“I don’t know what’s worse, the fact that he identifies as a Nazi (which implies he wants to exterminate ALL marginalized communities including his own) or the fact that there is not sufficient OUTRAGE to remove and ban him from all social media at this point,” Schwimmer continued. “Silence is complicity.”
After the rapper went on yet more hate-filled rants and offered up a T-shirt featuring a swastika on his website, the ADL condemned his actions on social media. “As if we needed further proof of Kanye’s antisemitism,” the organization began in a statement shared to its social media accounts before lambasting the rapper’s recent comments and the garment in question. “Kanye was tweeting vile antisemitism nonstop since last week. There’s no excuse for this kind of behavior,” the group continued. “Even worse, Kanye advertised his website during the Super Bowl, amplifying it beyond his already massive social media audience.”
Feb. 10, 2025: Booking Agent Drops Ye
The dominoes continued to fall for the rapper. Booking agent Daniel McCartney of 33 & West announced via a social media post that he would no longer represent the disgraced musician. “Effective immediately, I’m no longer representing YE (F/K/A Kanye West) due to his harmful and hateful remarks that myself nor 33 & West can stand for,” McCartney wrote.
Feb. 11, 2025: Yeezy.com Taken Down
The rapper’s website was taken down after he started T-shirts featuring swastikas. In a statement to Variety, Shopify, which was used by the website to conduct transactions, said that the site had not adhered to the company’s terms.
“All merchants are responsible for following the rules of our platform. This merchant did not engage in authentic commerce practices and violated our terms, so we removed them from Shopify,” Shopify told Variety.
Billboard reached out to Ye for comment.
Feb. 11, 2025: Ye Sued by Former Employee
An unnamed former Yeezy LLC employee who is Jewish filed a lawsuit against the rapper alleging that he subjected her to “antisemitic vitriol.”
“Ye carried out a calculated campaign to threaten and psychologically torment Jewish people around him, specifically plaintiff,” the woman’s lawyers wrote. “There can be little doubt that Ye treats those around him, especially Jewish people and women, much worse than just a bully. He is a self-proclaimed ‘Nazi’.”
The lawsuit also alleged that the rapper texted her messages such as “Welcome to the first day of working for Hitler” and “Hail Hitler.” The employee also claimed that hours after she complained to her manager, the company terminated her employment.
Feb. 11, 2025: Lyor Cohen Tells Ye to End His Hate-Filled Rhetoric
Former Def Jam Recordings president Lyor Cohen penned an open letter to the rapper, urging him to end his hate speech.
“I am deeply disappointed and troubled by your recent actions involving the use of Nazi symbols and antisemitic rhetoric. Your words and actions are not only offensive but triggering to all decent people who recognize the horrors of the Holocaust and the suffering of millions,” Cohen began. “With antisemitism on the rise, your voice and influence carry a significant responsibility. I urge you to be more sensitive to the pain your words inflict on Jewish communities and all those who stand against hate.”
He went on to tell Ye that instead of spreading hate-filled messages, the rapper should be using his talents and reach to “heal” and “bridge divides.” The exec concluded by saying, “I urge you to reflect on this shared legacy and use your platform to build upon the love and understanding that have always existed between our communities.”
Feb. 11, 2025: Ty Dolla $ign Condemns Hate Speech
Ye’s Vultures1 and Vultures 2 collaborator spoke out days after the “Stronger” rapper’s hate-filled messages on X and the sale of his swastika T-shirts. Without naming his musical partner, Ty wrote in an Instagram Stories message, “I do not condone ANY form of hate speech against ANYONE,” followed by five fist emojis in various skin tones.
July 2, 2025: Australia Cancels Visa
In May 2025, Ye released a song called “Heil Hitler,” which featured lyrics about how the rapper “became a Nazi” as well as a recording of the genocidal dictator speaking. Two months later, Tony Burke, Australia’s head of immigration, revealed that his office had canceled Ye’s visa, barring him from entering the country.
“It was a lower-level [visa] and the officials still looked at the law and said, ‘If you’re going to have a song and promote that sort of Nazism, we don’t need that in Australia,’” Burke told ABC. “We have enough problems in this country already without deliberately importing bigotry.”
Nov. 4, 2025: Ye Apologizes in Meeting With Rabbi
Ye met with Rabbi Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto on Nov. 4 to address the hurtful things he’s said about the Jewish community in the past. He also apologized for his actions and said he wanted to take accountability for the antisemitic rhetoric while he rebuilds his relationship with the Jewish community.
“I feel really blessed to sit here and take accountability,” West began. “I was dealing with various issues. I was dealing with bipolar also, so I would take the ideas I had and forget about the protection of the people around me and myself. So I wanted to take accountability.”
Pinto seemed open to accepting the apology from West as long as he continues to pay it forward and lead with love. “A person is not defined by his mistakes, but by the way he chooses to correct them,” Rabbi Pinto said in a translated statement. “This is the true strength of man: The ability to return, to learn, and to build bridges of love and peace.”
Jan. 26, 2026: Apologizes in ‘The Wall Street Journal’
In a lengthy ad in The Wall Street Journal, Ye again apologized for his past antisemitic remarks, and detailed how a car crash 25 years ago led to a brain injury and subsequent bipolar disorder that he said resulted in his “reckless behavior.” He wrote in the piece: “I regret and am deeply mortified by my actions in that state, and am committed to accountability, treatment, and meaningful change. It does not excuse what I did though. I am not a Nazi or an antisemite. I love Jewish people.”
Feb. 23, 2026: ‘Nazi’ Comments Were Art, Lawyers Say
In an appeal filed Feb. 23, 2026, the embattled rapper’s attorneys argued that the court was wrong to not dismiss a Jewish marketing specialist’s claims of workplace discrimination, claiming Ye’s comments were protected by the First Amendment. West’s team claimed that his personality is “intentionally provocative and thematically charged,” and that his comments were part of his artistic expression.
His spokesperson emphasized that sentiment about Ye’s antisemitic hate speech to Billboard. “Artistic product, even if interpreted as sympathetic to, or in support of, questionable or controversial or merely unfashionable ideology, is protected speech,” said Milo Yiannopolous. “The fact that Ye may or may not regret an artistic expression today does not mean that it was not an artistic expression when it was made.”
April 1, 2026: Jewish Leadership Council & London Mayor Slam Wireless Fest
A day after London’s Wireless Festival announced that Ye would be headlining the three-day event, the U.K.’s Jewish Leadership Council and mayor of London slammed the event organizers for booking the rapper.
“It is deeply irresponsible for Wireless festival to be headlining Kanye West. The U.K.,” a spokesperson for the group said in a statement. “Jewish community is facing record levels of antisemitism, including a terrorist attack in Manchester, the attack on ambulances in Golders Green and foiled plots which would have killed many more. West has repeatedly used his platform to spread antisemitism and pro-Nazi messaging. His most recent apology must be considered in the context that he went on to sell swastika T-shirts and release a song called ‘Heil Hitler’ after apologizing previously. Any venue or festival should reconsider before providing their platform to Kanye West to spread his antisemitism.”
Mayor Sadiq Khan also spoke out against the decision to feature West at the fest. “We are clear that the past comments and actions of this artist are offensive and wrong, and are simply not reflective of London’s values,” his spokesperson told Complex and The Guardian. “This was a decision taken by the festival organizers and not one that City Hall is involved in.”
April 5-6, 2026: Wireless Fest Loses Sponsors
Sponsors for Wireless Festivals started pulling out of the July event on Easter due to the event booking Ye as the headliner, with Pepsi being the first to yank the plug. Diageo — which owns popular liquor brands such as Guinness, Smirnoff, Don Julio and more — followed suit. On Monday, Rockstar also pulled out, according to Far Out Magazine, while PayPal — who is not an official sponsor, but is the payment partner for Live Nation U.K. Festivals — said its branding would no longer appear at Wireless this year and going forward, ITV News reported.
April 6, 2026: David Schwimmer Slams Ye & Wireless
The Friends star, who is Jewish and previously spoke out against Ye’s antisemitic hate speech, shared his frustration and fury over the rapper’s headlining spot at Wireless in a lengthy statement posted to Instagram.
“It’s great to see companies with moral clarity,” Schwimmer began, praising Pepsi, Diageo and Rockstar for pulling their sponsorships from the event. “Unlike Wireless and [promoter] Festival Republic, they decided not to platform an artist who became one of the most recognizable hate-mongering bigots in the world.”
“An apology letter is just that: Words on paper,” he continued, writing that Wireless had “disgraced itself” with its booking of Ye as the headliner. “An advertisement, generating publicity before a concert tour. It does not erase years of abuse. I believe in forgiveness, but it takes much more than this. Then again, I do not profit from his appearing at Wireless.”
April 7, 2026: Ye Reacts to Wireless Fest Criticism
After sponsors started pulling out of Wireless Festival the day before, the embattled rapper issued a statement via promoter Festival Republic. “My only goal is to come to London and present a show of change, bringing unity, peace and love through my music,” he shared. “I would be grateful for the opportunity to meet with members of the Jewish community in the U.K. in person, to listen. I know words aren’t enough — I’ll have to show change through my actions. If you’re open, I’m here.”
April 7, 2026: Jewish Organization Responds to Ye
Shortly Ye issued his statement about headlining Wireless Fest via promoter Festival Republic and said he’d be willing to sit down with members of the Jewish community to discuss his past antisemitic remarks, the Board of Deputies of British Jews — the largest Jewish communal organization in the U.K. — shared its response publicly.
“Even while claiming remorse today, his latest album includes a track first released last year with the abhorrent title ‘Gas Chamber,’” group president Phil Rosenberg wrote in part in a statement posted to X, also noting that it has been less than a year since Ye released his track ‘Heil Hitler.’” “The Jewish community will want to see genuine remorse and change before believing that the appropriate place to test this sincerity is on the main stage at Wireless Festival.
“As such, we are willing to meet Kanye West as part of his journey of healing, but only after he agrees not to play the Wireless Festival this year.”
April 7, 2026: Ye Banned From Entering U.K.
Ye on April 6 applied for an Electronic Travel Authorization to the U.K. for his Wireless Festival performance, but by the next day, The Home Office — the U.K.’s governmental department responsible for issue visas, considering applications to enter and stay in the country, keeping the country safe from terrorism threats and more — had denied his application.
April 7, 2026: Wireless Fest Canceled
After The Home Office denied Ye’s application for entry into the U.K., Wireless Fest announced its cancellation. In a statement shared with Billboard, promoter Festival Republic said, “The Home Office has withdrawn Ye’s ETA, denying him entry into the United Kingdom. As a result, Wireless Festival is canceled and refunds will be issued to all ticket holders.”
April 14, 2026: Possible French Ban
Just a week after the U.K. denied Ye’s visa and Wireless Fest was nixed, the AFP reported that France was looking into following in the same footsteps. A source close to French interior minister Laurent Nuñez told the global news agency that the politician is “highly determined” and looking into every option to make sure that the embattled rapper’s June 11 show at Marseille’s Stade Vélodrome wouldn’t happen after West’s history of antisemitic hate speech. The insider also told AFP that Nuñez had discussed the situation with Marseille’s mayor during an earlier visit in April.
April 14, 2026: Ye Postpones France Show
After the AFP reported that France’s interior minister was exploring all options to ban the rapper from performing in Marseille in June, Ye announced he was postponing the show. He wrote on X: “After much thought and consideration, it is my sole decision to postpone my show in Marseille, France until further notice.”
What shall we watch? April is bursting with fruitful seeds of storytelling, and everything’s coming up Riz Ahmed and Michaela Cole. Both actors lead two different releases this month, including Bait and The Christophers, respectively – each screened in a members-only Film Independent Presents! Read on for our top ten recommendations.
HUNTING MATTHEW NICHOLS
When You Can Watch: April 6
Where You Can Watch: Film Independent Presents
Director: Markian Tarasiuk
Cast: Miranda MacDougall, Markian Tarasiuk, Christine Willes
Why We’re Excited: Inspired by public interest in true crime stories, newcomer Tarasiuk’s documentary-style horror film follows Tara Nichols (Miranda MacDougall, When Calls the Heart) back to her hometown on Vancouver Island. Twenty years after her brother’s disappearance, Tara goes in search of him – armed with her skills as a documentary filmmaker and newly released police evidence. Tarasiuk (There’s Someone Inside Your House) plays himself as the director of Tara’s film, and as the two conduct their investigation they begin to suspect Matthew Nichols may yet live. “Even though we’re blending mockumentary, found footage, and traditional narrative, the goal was never to ‘perform’ those styles,” Tarasiuk told Pop Culture Unplugged, “but to fully commit to them. I wanted the audience to feel like they were uncovering something, not watching something that had been constructed for them.” Film Independent member Lucy McNulty is a producer.
THE CHRISTOPHERS
When You Can Watch: April 8
Where You Can Watch: Film Independent Presents
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Cast: Michaela Coel, Ian McKellen, Jessica Gunning
Why We’re Excited: Spirit Award winner Steven Soderbergh (Sex, Lies and Videotape) developed this “two people in a room” script specifically for Spirit Award winner Ian McKellen (Gods and Monsters) and Michaela Coel (Spirit Award-winning I May Destroy You) – knowing it was a bad idea but choosing to double down. “The movie lives or dies on the text and the performances,” he told The Hollywood Reporter, “and coming up with ways to keep it interesting to look at…Every shot, every scene, every line has to prove that it deserves to be in the movie.” In Christophers, an artist’s adult children – James Corden (The Late Late Show with James Corden) and Spirit Award winner Jessica Gunning (Baby Reindeer) – hire a forger (Coel) to complete unfinished works in hopes of gaining an inheritance from their father (McKellan). What begins as something of an art heist ushers in deeper thoughts about the nature of art and relevance.
Why We’re Excited: Alex Mallis and Travis Wood’s directorial debut is an observant comedy about friendship that premiered at Tribeca. Simon (Tristan Turner, Et Tu) is a struggling filmmaker, feeling overlooked among his peers like Beatrice (Naomi Asa) and Jess (Spirit Award nominee Joanna Arnow, The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed). But at least Simon has one thing going for him – free air travel, thanks to companion status with his roommate Bruce (Anthony Oberbeck, Reveries: Going Deeper), who works for an airline. But when Beatrice and Bruce start dating, it jeopardizes Simon’s hopes to complete his sprawling documentary that relies heavily on gathering footage from around the world. Simon becomes preoccupied with the possibility of losing his travel privileges to Beatrice, and as his jealousy rises so does the awkwardness between all three of them. Executive Produced by Film Independent member Neil Champagne.
HAMLET
When You Can Watch: April 10
Where You Can Watch: Theaters
Director: Aneil Karia
Stars: Riz Ahmed, Morfydd Clark, Joe Alwyn
Why We’re Excited: Shakespeare’s tragedy has held a deep connection for Spirit Award winner Riz Ahmed (Sound of Metal) since a drama teacher introduced it to him at the age of 17. After collaborating with Aneil Karia (Surge) on a short film, titled The Long Goodbye, the concept of a modern-day Hamlet that had bounced around production studios for ten years began to find its legs. “I realized: here’s a director who’s worked with a lot of rappers,” Ahmed said of Karia in a THR interview, “and has found a way of taking that elevated register, taking a gritty contemporary environment and making it feel elevated and poetic.” The setting – London’s South Asian community – reflects the cultural values of the material, with spirit possession, blood debt, forbidden romance, and even levirate marriage still alive and well. Karia’s vision focuses the action around Hamlet, giving us a chance to get into his head and understand the whole story through his experience, putting Ahmed’s quiet intensity on display.
MOTHER MARY
When You Can Watch: April 17
Where You Can Watch: Theaters
Writer/Director: David Lowery
Stars: Anne Hathaway, Michaela Coel, Hunter Schafer
Why We’re Excited: The pop thriller fromDavid Lowery (A Ghost Story) is an intriguing mashup of genres that has Spirit Award nominee Anne Hathaway (Eileen) as Mother Mary, trying to recapture her artistic identity. Her career has been disrupted by a rift with best friend and costume designer Sam (Michaela Coel, Spirit Award-winning I May Destroy You), as well as a supernatural element that is hinted at in the trailer. With original music from Jack Antanoff, Charlie xcx, and FKA twigs, Mary is a whole new kind of feather in Lowery’s eclectic career cap, inspired by his own artistic quest. “I started writing a dialogue between the part of me that could make Disney movies and the part of me that could make The Green Knight,” he told Filmmaker Magazine. “It sounds reductive to say it that way because of course I can make both. I love all forms of cinema. But in that moment, I was confused, and that confusion – my search for clarity – became the early pages of the screenplay.”
NORMAL
When You Can Watch: April 17
Where You Can Watch: Theaters
Director: Ben Wheatley
Stars: Bob Odenkirk, Ryan Allen, Billy MacLellan
Why We’re Excited: From the creator of the John Wick and Nobody franchises, Derek Kostad, Ulysses (Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul) is the new sheriff of a small town where every citizen has a gun and where his predecessor died mysteriously. Though the new lawman is only a sub until the next election – and seems completely “normal” but for one or two interesting skills – Ulysses is put in the center of a major upheaval when a bank robbery goes wrong, turning the whole town into a conspiracy against the law. To navigate the complexities of the story, Ben Wheatley (Free Fire) drew on Odenkirk’s depth and range as an actor, even dropping lines from the script to allow his inner workings to speak for themselves. Resulting in a high-energy action flick with subtlety and depth.
MAD BILLS TO PAY
When You Can Watch: April 15
Where You Can Watch: Film Independent Presents
Writer/Director: Joel Alfonso Vargas
Stars: Juan Collado, Destiny Checo, Yohanna Florentino
Why We’re Excited: Joel Alfonso Vargas expands on his short film, Que te vaya bonito to explore coming of age as Rico (Juan Collado, Ghosts of Fort Greene), a 19-year-old selling drinks on the beach must find a way to provide for his girlfriend (Destiny Checo, who was also in the short) and unborn child. Though he’s confident his beverage sales are about to bloom, Rico’s mom and sister are less impressed. Vargas’ locked-down camera and free exchange between actors lends to a slice of life in a Dominican neighborhood of The Bronx, letting Rico’s optimism and carefree charm shine while he ambles toward maturity. For a microbudget project shooting 12 pages a day, Vargas embraces his constraints and makes them work for the story, which premiered at Sundance. Executive Produced by Film Independent members Tyler Boehm, Chris Quintos Cathcart, Robina Riccitiello and Julie Waters.
BAIT
When You Can Watch: April 23
Where You Can Watch: Film Independent Presents
Creator: Riz Ahmed
Cast: Riz Ahmed, Guz Khan, Aasiya Shah
Why We’re Excited: A smart, satirical comedy series about Shah Latif – Spirit Award winner Riz Ahmed (Sound of Metal) – and the role of a lifetime. Can a struggling actor of South Asian descent play the international man of mystery, James Bond? The world has feelings about this. Over the course of four days, we watch Shah’s world explode with potential, both for better and worse. As an actor starring in a show about acting, Ahmed explores genres in each episode, from spy-thriller to rom-com and family drama, embracing the realities of life in a world that hands you a clever talking point followed by a banana peel. Who are you? What do you really want? And can fame help or hurt your chances of getting it? All through the lens of casting culture, family of origin, and industry expectations. What exactly has Shah gotten into by taking the Bait?
OMAHA
When You Can Watch: April 24
Where You Can Watch: Theaters
Director: Cole Webley
Stars: John Magaro, Molly Belle Wright, Wyatt Solis
Why We’re Excited: After directing many a TV commercial, Cole Webley’s first first foray into features was catalyzed by the purity of Robert Machoian’s script. “It’s a story about dads,” he told IndieWire, “there’s many elements to it, but that was one that really, really grabbed a hold of me.” The road trip drama centers on a young family of three – a dad (John Magaro, Past Lives) and two kids, Ella and Charlie. Awoken early on a 2008 morning to drive cross-country without explanation, Ella pieces together clues about their spontaneous trip through the American West. The three performances make for a poignant coming-of-age that showcases the power of family. Film Independent member Preston Lee is a producer and Meg Morman did casting.
Why We’re Excited: From Film Independent Lead Programmer Jenn Wilson
Winner of the Berlin International Film Festival’s 2025 Silver Bear, Gabriel Mascaro’s The Blue Trail takes us on a journey through a futuristic Brazilian society where old people are considered a nuisance to their families and shipped off to colonies so they don’t disturb the “productivity” of the younger people. Lead character Tereza (Denise Weinberg) who is 77 and forcefully retired from her job decides that she will not be moved to the colonies, however, and sets out on a plan to escape the authorities who are constantly in search of her. Director Mascaro, who started out as a documentary filmmaker, is very good at observational cinema, letting the characters and story unfold themselves before us, and the film is a beautifully imagined look at what escaping an authoritarian regime could entail. Actors Denise Weinberg, Miriam Socarras, and Rodrigo Santoro give great performances. If you can, watch this beautifully shot film in a movie theater on a big screen.
KEY
Film Independent Fellow or Member
Film Independent Presents Screening, Q&A
Microbudget
Filmmaker or Lead Characters of Color
Film Independent Spirit Award Winner or Nominee
Female Filmmaker
LGBT Filmmaker or Lead LGBT Characters
First-time Filmmaker
LA Film Fest Winner or Nominee
Film Independent Artist Development promotes unique independent voices by helping filmmakers create and advance new work. To become a Member of Film Independent, just click here. To support us with a donation, click here.
Happy New Music Friday! The weekend is here, which means more streaming, new playlists and the best that music has to offer — and ET has you covered for everything in between.
Coachella kicks off today with headliners Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, Karol G, and Anyma. Fans can tune in via Coachella’s YouTube Channel to see seven stages featuring a lineup that includes Addison Rae, BIGBANG, BINI, Clipse, David Guetta, FKA twigs, Jack White, Kaskade, KATSEYE, Major Lazer, Laufey, The Strokes, Teddy Swims and more. The livestream will begin at 4pm PT each night.
CBS and Dick Clark Productions announced that Queen Latifah will host the 52nd American Music Awards on May 25. This will mark 30 years since her AMAs hosting debut when she was a co-host in 1995. She shared, “I am so excited to return to the American Music Awards stage to host this year. It’s been an incredible year for music and there is no better place to celebrate than in Vegas.”
Women lead nominations for the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards. Megan Moroney leads with 9 nominations, followed by Miranda Lambert with 8, Ella Langley with 7, Lainey Wilson with 7, Chris Stapleton with 6, Zach Top with 5 and Cody Johnson with 4. More performers have also been announced — Kacey Musgraves, Little Big Town and Miranda Lambert will join previously announced performers Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson and Riley Green. The awards will stream live on May 17 on Prime Video.
The Latin Recording Academy announced that Daddy Yankee will be the 2026 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year. He will be honored for his nearly three-decade career as a singer, songwriter and performer within the urban genre, as well as for his humanitarian efforts. Daddy Yankee shared, “This recognition from The Latin Recording Academy is a dream come true. It means a lot because it represents more than just a successful career; it’s recognition of years of discipline, struggle, faith and commitment to our culture.” He will be celebrated at a private gala on November 11 in Las Vegas, as part of Latin GRAMMY Week.
Lady Gaga and Doechii released their new song “Runway,” the first piece of music from The Devil Wears Prada 2. The song was written by Bruno Mars, Jaylah Hickmon, Lady Gaga, Andrew Watt, Henry Walter, Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II and Jayda Love, and produced by Bruno Mars, Andrew Watt, Cirkut and D’Mile. The song marks the first collaboration between Gaga and Doechii.
Hilary Duff has released “Come Clean (Mine),” a re-recorded version of her 2003 hit single. The track will be featured in “The Reunion: Laguna Beach” which premieres April 10 on The Roku Channel. The song will also be included on Hilary Duff – (Mine), a brand new collection of newly re-recorded renditions of Hilary’s great hits, out on April 18 exclusively for Record Store Day 2026.
16 year old country singer Maddox Batson is currently on his Live Worldwide Tour 2026 and made a stop at The Wiltern in Los Angeles this week, which was his 100th show.
Simone Ashley has released her debut EP, Songs I Wrote In New York. Best known for her starring roles in “Bridgerton” and “Sex Education” and upcoming films “The Devil Wears Prada 2” and “Peaked,” Ashley reconnects with her early foundations in music. Before acting, music and performing were her earliest forms of creative expression. Simone shared, “I’ve found a confidence in knowing what kind of women and artist I want to be – that feeling really kept me company whilst in the studio writing and recording these songs.”
April 10 was officially declared “Bruno Mars Day” to recognize Bruno’s deep roots and ongoing connection to Last Vegas. Festivities included a parade down Las Vegas Blvd, a ceremony and surprise performance at Toshiba Plaza. During the ceremony, Bruno was presented with a key to the Las Vegas Strip, an honor reserved for those who have made a lasting contribution to the city’s cultural legacy. Park Avenue was renamed Bruno Mars Drive, joining the tradition of streets dedicated to iconic entertainers in the city. Bruno has performed in Las Vegas for more than a decade, including his residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM, which has drawn over 800,000 fans.
John Esparza
Bruno Mars kicked off his record-breaking global tour, The Romantic Tour, with the first of two sold-out shows in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium. This marks his first full headline tour in nearly a decade. A full Silk Sonic segment with Bruno and Anderson .Paak took place midway through the show, marking their first live performance together outside of their 2022 Vegas residency.
Daniel Ramos
Plus, new music from Ella Langley, KATSEYE, Anitta, Shakira, Laufey, Snoop Dogg, Foo Fighters, DJ Khaled, Kehlani, Missy Elliott, Teddy Swims, Anyma x LISA, Marshmello, Thomas Rhett, Josh Groban, Maya Hawke, Melanie C, Cruz Beckham and more.
As President Trump continues to say the meme depicting him as Jesus that he posted this week was actually depicting him as a doctor, Vice President JD Vance offers a different explanation. According to Vance, the meme was just a joke people didn’t appreciate — which made Jimmy Kimmel’s ears perk up on Tuesday night.
During his monologue, the ABC late night host outright laughed at Trump’s defense of the meme, which drew wide backlash from both sides of the aisle. Kimmel called the excuse incredibly “lame,” and argued that no one actually believes it. That includes Vance, who said Trump eventually took down the meme because “he recognized that a lot of people weren’t understanding his humor.”
“He was posting a joke, you understand, and like all the best jokes, it had to be explained and then deleted,” Kimmel mocked. “First he was Jesus. Then he wasn’t Jesus, he was a doctor, and now it was a joke. Why did I get kicked off the air again? I can’t remember.”
Kimmel was indeed suspended last year, after a comment during his monologue about the man who murdered right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.
“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said at the time.
As a result, Kimmel was suspended indefinitely, though after a massive uproar among viewers and in Hollywood calling the move an attack on free speech, he was reinstated just under a week later.
You can watch Jimmy Kimmel’s full monologue in the video above.
This week’s Take Ten guests are beloved Hacks duo Paul W. Downs and Megan Stalter.
April 9th will bring the fifth and final season of the HBO Max hit comedy series and Deadline sat down with Stalter, who plays maverick talent agent Kayla, and Downs, the co-showrunner who does double-duty as Jimmy, Kayla’s put-upon, ever-tolerant business partner.
To kick things off, Downs asked, “Meg, what’s the most Kayla thing about you?”
“I feel like we both are really who we are, and there’s a certain free-spirit-ness,” Stalter said.
“No one is more free than Meg, except maybe Kayla. Kayla might be the only person freer than you,” Downs added.
Megan Stalter as Kayla and Paul W. Downs as Jimmy in Season 5 of ‘Hacks’.
HBO Max
At the start of Season 5, Ava (Hannah Einbinder) is concerned because Deborah (Jean Smart) was seen wearing Crocs outside— a sure sign of an imminent breakdown. So what would be crossing the line for Kayla? “I like to wear a lot of wigs on the red carpet,” Stalter said. “I feel like, if you saw me in a wig, like in the grocery store, that would be scary, because it would seem like I was in some sort of hiding. Maybe I thought that I was more famous than I am, or maybe I was just sad and need to be cheered up…”
Which brought us onto the fact that Downs and Stalter famously (infamously?) wore coordinating orange outfits at the Critics Choice Awards earlier this year— just like Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner. Would they call this cosplay and if so, what’s their next Halloween outfit plan?
“We were wearing outfits we planned on wearing, and then they wore the same outfits a couple weeks before,” Stalter said.
“So OK, fine,” Downs deadpanned. “Are we gonna change our outfits? No. Don’t change yourself for someone else. I would say, be yourself, and those were ourselves.”
Stalter added, “Kylie, I feel like… after we did the outfit, she wants to act, which probably means that she wants to meet us.”
L to R: Megan Stalter, Robbie Hoffman and Paul W. Downs in Season 5 of ‘Hacks’.
HBO Max
The pair agreed they should join forces with Chalamet and Jenner, “play Settlers of Catan” and possibly “do a big movie” together.
As for what the future holds for Jimmy and Kayla, Stalter told Downs, “I did tell you the other day I could see Kayla becoming a famous pop star in a different country, and that’s just something that popped in my head. And I feel like they’re in each other’s lives forever. I think like they definitely fall in love with people and then there’s some jealousy there. Then then I can imagine them living on the same block, watching each other’s kids all the time.” Cue slightly panicked expression from Jimmy/Downs.
To find out more, including their go-to karaoke duet, the things co-star Robby Hoffman says that make them crack up on set and whether Jimmy would really help Kayla to bury a body, watch the full episode of Take Ten above.
Season 5 of Hacks debuts Thursday, April 9 at 6 PM PT/9 PM ET on HBO Max.
Investigation Discovery’s documentary episode about The Jerry Springer Show featured new allegations about physical threats, sexual harassment, KKK guests and more.
The Jerry Springer Show, which aired from 1991 to 2018, started as a traditional talk show but was reformatted due to low ratings. It became infamous for its new structure, tackling topics such as incest and adultery while encouraging profanity, nudity and physical fights.
The newest season of Hollywood Demons, which returns April 20 at 9:00 pm ET, revisits cultural touchstones such as The Jerry Springer Show, Saved by the Bell and 16 and Pregnant.
“This second season also explores broader patterns, from child stars whose early success propelled them into shocking adult trajectories, to a harrowing look at the so-called ‘celebrity doctors’ whose actions are implicated in the tragic overdoses of stars like Matthew Perry and Prince,” the official synopsis reads.
While Hollywood may appear to be all glitz and glam on the surface, the industry has seen its fair share of scandals through the years. The New York Times and the New Yorker first published investigative pieces in 2017 that accused disgruntled movie producer Harvey Weinstein of decades of sexual assault and harassment. Soon after, Weinstein stood trial and was […]
Hollywood Demons isn’t the first doc to tackle the dark side of The Jerry Springer Show. Netflix’s Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action premiered in January 2025 as a two-part docuseries that pulled back the curtain on America’s most controversial talk show by exposing its biggest scandals on and off screen. While each doc addressed different topics, there was some overlap — including guest Nancy Campbell-Panitz‘s brutal murder at the hands of ex-husband Ralf Panitz following their appearance on the talk show.
Jerry Springer, who was featured prominently in Investigation Discovery’s doc via footage from an unaired interview, died in 2023 at the age of 79 from pancreatic cancer. Keep scrolling for the biggest revelations from the documentary:
KKK Leader August Kreis’ Daughter Calls Out Being Exploited
In the docuseries, Jennifer Kreis, the daughter of neo-Nazi leader August Kreis, accused the show of exploiting her and her family by giving her father a platform for supporting the white supremacy movement.
August and his two daughters appeared on The Jerry Springer Show in 1993 to address the family’s history with racism. The Kreises returned in 1995, but Jerry Springer kicked August out for making threats, claiming that Springer’s mother had been murdered and more heinous commentary.
Jennifer, who made it very clear her current views don’t reflect her past racist comments, slammed the show for bringing them on numerous times to share their dangerous agenda. While reflecting on her childhood, Jennifer claimed she was being abused by her father when they were brought onto The Jerry Springer Show, where she was allegedly coached on what to say on camera.
August, for his part, was arrested in 2014 on six counts of sexual abuse of children. He was found guilty of one count of criminal sexual conduct involving a minor child and two counts of committing lewd acts on a child. In 2015, a South Carolina judge sentenced August to 50 years in prison for child molestation — two 15-year sentences and one 20-year sentence, which would run consecutively.
Jennifer revealed in the doc that her father died behind bars in 2025. They were no longer in contact as Jennifer rebuked her father’s views.
Physical Threats, Sexual Harassment and More Issues Behind the Scenes
While some former employees appeared in the doc, it was pointed out that most women wouldn’t speak out about their time working on The Jerry Springer Show. The documentary included claims about employees being threatened with a bat, someone being duct-taped to a chair, sexual harassment taking place daily on set and female employees being encouraged to put up with outrageous requests in order to keep their jobs.
Former executive producer Richard Dominick declined to address the claims made in the doc.
Guests Feeling Taken Advantage of by ‘The Jerry Springer Show’
Multiple former guests sat down to address the challenges they allegedly faced before appearing on the show. All of them blamed producers and the show for using their trauma as inspiration for the show — with one guest claiming she was only paid $100 to appear. (Some employees in the doc claimed they weren’t allowed to offer any money to guests.)
From the murder of Gabby Petito to the Rust tragedy, many true crime documentaries are coming our way in 2025. Hulu announced in February the release of Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna, which comes two years after actor Alec Baldwin was charged with involuntary manslaughter in January 2023 following cinematographer Halyna Hutchins’ […]
True Crime Cases Linked to ‘The Jerry Springer Show’
Hollywood Demons made reference to several guests who were either arrested after their time on the show or who were too traumatized by the experience to appear. There was mention of a 1999 case where a 15-year-old boy in Florida told police that he and his 13-year-old brother sexually abused their 8-year-old half-sister after watching an incest-themed episode of The Jerry Springer Show.
There was an episode in 2000 where guest Nancy Campbell-Panitz was confronted by ex-husband Ralf Panitz and his wife, Eleanor Panitz. After an onscreen confrontation with Eleanor and Ralf, Nancy left the show. She briefly reconciled with Ralf before being granted a restraining order against him in July 2000. The same day as the court hearing — and the airing of their Jerry Springer episode — Nancy was found murdered in her home.
Ralf received a life sentence after he was found guilty of second degree-murder. Springer and producers associated with the show denied that their talk show contributed to Nancy’s death.
Thank You!
You have successfully subscribed.
The Jerry Springer Show continued to air new episodes until 2018. Before his death, Jerry Springer reflected on his show’s complicated legacy.
“I just apologize. I’m so sorry. What have I done? I’ve ruined the culture,” he said during a November 2022 appearance on the “Behind the Velvet Rope” podcast, adding, “I just hope hell isn’t that hot, because I burn real easy. I’m very light-complected.”
If you or someone you know are experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
Timothée Chalamet was also bashed during the Oscars for his comments on ballet and opera.
Royal Ballet head thanks Chalamet for boosting ticket sales.
Weeks after Timothée Chalamet was brutally trolled and slammed for his comments on ballet and opera, Alex Beard, the head of the Royal Ballet and Opera, has now thanked the Dune actor. In a recent interview, Beard claimed that Chalamet’s statement helped them by increasing ticket sales and added that ever since the controversy, they have been receiving a “fantastic” reaction from the public.
“I thought it important that we didn’t issue a kind of hoity-toity response to Chalamet,” Beard told The Times and then added, “We simply said ‘Take a look at what we’re doing, mate’ – for instance, the fact that the largest portion of our audience by age is 20 to 30-year-olds. And you know what? Our post got two-and-a-half million engagements and half a million shares, just on Instagram. And our ticket sales got an immediate boost. So cheers, Timmy!”
What Did Timothée Chalamet Say?
The controversy began after Chalamet made remarks during a discussion with actor Matthew McConaughey at a Variety and CNN town hall while promoting his film Marty Supreme. While speaking about the future of cinema and his desire to work in films that attract large audiences, the 30-year-old actor said he had no interest in working in certain traditional art forms.
“I don’t want to be working in ballet or opera… things where it’s like, ‘hey, keep this thing alive’, even though no one cares about this anymore,” Chalamet said. However, he quickly attempted to soften the remark by adding, “All respect to the ballet and opera people out there.” The actor also joked about the fallout, saying he had probably “lost 14 cents in viewership” after the comment.
Timothée Chalamet’s comments sparked widespread criticism on social media. Several Hollywood celebrities also slammed the actor and condemned his statements. Chalamet was also bashed during the Oscars.
Handpicked stories, in your inbox
A newsletter with the best of our journalism
First Published:
April 15, 2026, 18:12 IST
Newsmovieshollywood ‘Cheers, Timmy!’: Why Is The Royal Ballet And Opera Head Thanking Timothée Chalamet?
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Paris-based Indie Sales has boarded “Quo Vadis, Aida? – The Missing Part,” the sequel to Jasmila Žbanić’s Oscar and BAFTA-nominated movie which has just started shooting Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The company will launch international sales on the sequel at the Cannes Market. The project is expected to be delivered in Spring 2027.
The sequel picks up in the immediate aftermath of the fall of Srebrenica in 1995. Aida, receiving word that her sons – who were taken by Serbian forces — may be alive and held in a camp, launches a desperate search through a refugee center crowded with thousands of displaced women. As hope collides with silence, the women come to the realization that no outside help is coming unless they help themselves. Led by Aida, they confront the injustice and deceptions of a political system built on backroom deals with war criminals.
Jasna Đuričić, who won the European Film Award for best actress for her portrayal of Aida in the original film, returns in the English-speaking lead role. She is joined by an international cast, including British actor Simon McBurney (“Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation”), Irish actor Liam Cunningham (“Game of Thrones”), Belgian actor Arieh Worthalter (“The Goldman Case”) and German actor Dmitrij Schaad (Killing Eve), alongside regional cast.
Žbanić won the European Film Award for both best Film and best director in 2021 for Quo Vadis, Aida?, which premiered at Venice in 2020, was sold globally by Indie Sales and was nominated for best international feature at the Oscars in 2021. Žbanić had previously won the Golden Bear at the Berlinale 2006 with her debut feature “Grbavica.” More recently, she directed an episode of HBO’s acclaimed series “The Last of Us,” and her TV show “I Know Your Soul” premiered at Venice in 2023.
Nicolas Eschbach, CEO and co-founder of Indie Sales and Indie Prod, said the sequel “builds on Jasmila Žbanić’s acclaimed work with a remarkable focus on sorority and an unflinching pursuit of justice.” He called it “an intimate yet globally resonant story, a film more than ever necessary.”
The sequel is produced by Deblokada in Bosnia and Herzegovina; and co-produced by Nikolaus Geyrhalter Filmproduktion in Austria; Topkapi in the Netherlands; Razor Film in Germany; Madants in Poland; Indie Prod in France; Woodz in Croatia; Plattform in Sweden; and Artikulacija in Montenegro.
The film has received support from Eurimages, Sarajevo Film Fund, Austrian Film Institute, Vienna Film Fund, Netherlands Film Fund, German Federal Film Board, Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, Polish Film Institute, Aide Aux Cinémas du Monde, Centre National du Cinéma et de l’Image Animée, Institut Français, Croatian Audiovisual Film Center, Montenegro Film Fund, Swedish Film Institute, Film i Väst, BH Telecom, Canton Sarajevo, TRT, BHRT, RTV Federation B&H, ORF, ÖFI+, ZDF/ARTE and Canal+/Ciné+.
The news, which initially broke last week, comes just months after Disney announced plans to consolidate its marketing efforts across film, television, and streaming under Chief Marketing and Brand Officer Asad Ayaz.
variety
While the process began under Bob Iger, it was D’Amaro who faced the consequences.
“We have experienced a great deal of change these last few years, both at the company and across our industries,” he wrote in a memo to employees.
Photo: Disney
“I know this is hard. Those that will be leaving us have done meaningful work here and care deeply about this company. These decisions are not a reflection of their contributions, or of the overall strength of the company. Rather, they reflect our continual evaluation of how to more effectively manage our resources and reinvest in our businesses.”
Marvel Studios Hit Hard by Layoffs
While the prevailing assumption has been that the layoffs would primarily impact marketing teams, a new report from Forbesindicates that Marvel Studios has also been significantly affected.
Image: Marvel.com
According to the report, Marvel’s visual development team, which includes artists, illustrators, and designers, has largely been eliminated.
Going forward, the unit is expected to hire on a per-project basis.
Source: Complex.com
While it remains to be seen how the visual development pipeline will operate under this new structure, sources indicate that the cuts are tied to a reduction in Marvel’s production slate and to broader cost-cutting measures across Disney.
Notably, the positions are not being eliminated due to AI.
Photo: Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney
As always, be sure to check back with MickeyBlog. We will continue to update you on all the latest news coming out of The Walt Disney Company.
Thanks for visiting MickeyBlog.com! Want to go to Disney? For a FREE quote on your next Disney vacation, please fill out the form below. One of the agents from MickeyTravels, an EarMarked By Disney – Authorized Travel Agency – Diamond Level, will be in touch soon! Also, thank you for reading.
Hulu’s upcoming Southern Bastards adaptation is shaping up to be a very different kind of comic book show. Based on the award-winning graphic novel by Jason Aaron and Jason Latour, the series has already been framed as sharing the same gritty, vigilante DNA as The Punisher, even if it sits well outside Marvel territory.
According to Variety, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple actor Erin Kellyman has been cast as the female lead in Southern Bastards, where she’ll play Roberta, a “tenacious” military veteran who returns to her Alabama hometown in search of her estranged father.
Walt Disney Studios
It’s an intriguing casting choice for a project that already looks more grounded and violent than the average comic adaptation. Southern Bastards is not secretly turning into a Marvel offshoot (though Kellyman did star in the MCU’s Falcon and the Winter Soldier), but the comparison isn’t hard to understand. The series itself has been described as “Punisher-style,” and the connection runs deeper than just tone.
The pilot is being directed and executive-produced by Reinaldo Marcus Green, who’s also involved in the MCU project The Punisher: One Last Kill. That overlap adds an extra layer of interest, especially for those of us who have been waiting for more grim, character-driven material in their comic-book adaptations.
Kellyman’s Roberta also sounds like the kind of role that could push Southern Bastards beyond straightforward genre fare. The official logline describes the character as “a former marine who is facing charges by the military after an incident in Afghanistan. Intelligent and psychologically complex – constantly trying to understand and outrun her generational trauma and inherited violence. When she comes to Craw County, she’s just out for revenge, but if she’s going to change this county for good and topple everything Boss has built, she’s got to put down roots and find a home in the town.”
Image Comics
Kevin Bacon stars as Earl Tubb, Roberta’s father, while Tim McGraw is set to play the chief antagonist, Coach Boss. That’s a strong hook already, with Bacon bringing some gravitas, and McGraw makes an intriguing choice for a villain. Kellyman now sits at the center of what could become one of Hulu’s more distinctive genre efforts.
It’s not bad timing for the announcement, either. Kellyman’s profile is already rising thanks to The Bone Temple, and her casting positions her at the center of another project with serious franchise potential. The role may not come with a skull logo or Marvel branding, but the appeal is clear enough.
Eurogamer: “Within days of Starfield’s much-anticipated launch on PS5, fans are complaining of “totally unsurprising” crashes, freezes, and save issues, with some calling the game “unplayable” in its current state.
Players have reported a number of bugs during Starfield’s PS5 debut weekend, with many chasing refunds for progression-breaking problems that seem to be making saving and exploration almost impossible.”
Juan Devis, former Chief Creative Officer at the Public Media Group of Southern California (PBS SoCal | KCET), has been named President of Film Independent. Devis, an accomplished media executive, creative strategist and proven fundraiser, will lead the organization into its next chapter.
The appointment follows the passing of former President Josh Welsh, in whose honor the organization established the Josh Welsh Legacy Endowment this year, raising over $1 million to support urgent year-round artist programs. Devis will honor this legacy as he guides Film Independent’s mission to champion creative independence in visual storytelling and support a vibrant global community of artists.
“This is a pivotal moment for Film Independent as we enter our next era, and I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Juan Devis as our next President,” said Acting President Brenda Robinson. “Juan brings a rare blend of institutional leadership and independent production experience, from overseeing award-winning programming at PBS SoCal, to his work at Ninety-Three Media. His track record of expanding how independent stories reach audiences and elevating distinguished voices makes him the ideal choice to lead the organization forward.”
Search Committee Co-Chairs Alix Madigan and Eric d’Arbeloff led an expansive search process. “We met many outstanding candidates,” they shared. “Juan stood out for the way he embodies the enduring values that define Film Independent – championing artistic voices and building community – in a way that transcends the rapidly shifting landscape.”
“I’ve spent my life creating access, building ecosystems and championing diverse voices, because I believe that a healthy, inclusive and sustainable independent film community isn’t just good for artists—it’s essential for our culture,” said Devis. “I am looking forward to helping build Film Independent’s future as a resilient, globally connected, multi-platform ecosystem that sustains and celebrates independent film and media worldwide.”
Devis also emphasized Film Independent’s unique role in the industry and its home in Los Angeles. “Unlike any other institution, Film Independent provides a continuous, integrated pathway for independent film and media,” he said. “Our unique value lies in this end-to-end stewardship—from discovery to funding to production, distribution and celebration. Film Independent is the preeminent cultural institution in Los Angeles that advocates for, grants access to and celebrates filmmaking’s vital role in our city’s cultural and economic health.”
ABOUT JUAN DEVIS
Devis brings decades of experience at the intersection of storytelling, community engagement, and cultural leadership. He previously served as Chief Creative Officer at the Public Media Group of Southern California (PBS SoCal | KCET), where he oversaw a large team of creatives and a production slate that earned over 30 Emmys as well as James Beard, Edward R. Murray and National Arts and Entertainment Journalist Awards. His work as a creator and curator includes acclaimed series such as Artbound, Migrant Kitchen, Broken Bread with Roy Choi and Art Happens Here with John Lithgow, among others.
Devis also co-founded Ninety-Three Media, a cross-cultural production company focused on independent film, documentary and emerging media. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for team building, fostering partnerships and advancing inclusive storytelling across platforms. He currently serves on the boards of the Snap Foundation and the California Cultural and Historical Endowment.
Originally from Colombia, Devis studied film at Emerson College before earning an MFA in directing from CalArts. His career has been defined by a commitment to using storytelling as a tool for community-building, cultural impact and artistic excellence.
He lives in Los Angeles with his partner, filmmaker Laura Purdy and their two children.
For over 40 years, Film Independent has helped filmmakers get their projects made and seen. The nonprofit organization’s core mission is to champion creative independence in visual storytelling and support a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation and uniqueness of vision.
In the middle of labornegotiations over Hollywood’s use of AI, director Steven Soderbergh announced he was going all-in on the generative technology. In a recent interview with Filmmaker Magazine, Soderbergh shared that he was experimenting with AI on his next film. “I’ve been working with AI lately on the John Lennon and Yoko Ono documentary that we’re almost done with,” he told Amy Taubin. “AI has been helpful in creating thematically surreal images that occupy a dream space rather than a literal space.” He explained that while the majority of the movie would be composed of archival footage and stills, “…10 minutes, spread out over the 90-minute film, are these little pockets of images we created whenever they start talking philosophically.” But Soderbergh’s not just dabbling in AI, he’s embracing it for his next project.
In the same interview, the filmmaker said he was planning on using “a lot of AI” for his upcoming movie with Wagner Moura set during the Spanish-American War. A career-long innovator since his splashy 1989 debut Sex, Lies, And Videotape, this approach to production is perhaps not a surprise—he’s interested in making more movies in quicker succession than he’s already demonstrated through his prolific output. And sure, there are very few ways to create a large-scale historical epic as an independent filmmaker without a deep-pocketed studio backer, but should audiences have to accept Soderbergh’s AI slop as the consolation prize?
While some filmmakers have spoken out against AI (Guillermo del Toro would “rather die” than use it), others like Soderbergh are experimenting with these tools in ways both hyper-detailed and all-encompassing. Brady Corbet went on the defensive during the Oscar campaign for The Brutalist when questions arose around the use of AI to refine its stars’ Hungarian accents. Recently, there was an immediate backlash to Darren Aronofsky’s AI-generated seriesOn This Day…1776, where commenters pointed out typos in historical documents and other odd behaviors in the trailer. Other filmmakers have attempted to use AI with more nuance, as Raoul Peck did with AI-generated images to illustrate examples of misinformation and online racism in his documentary Orwell: 2+2=5, or Radu Jude did with his satirical Dracula. While Hollywood wrestles with the back-and-forth around AI use, internationally, a number of Asian production companies have fully incorporatedAI into their production slate in an effort to cut costs and address declining ticket sales.
While many of these are predominantly business and labor decisions, film is still an aesthetic medium, and in its current form, a lot of AI-generated images look like hot garbage on a summer’s day without any additional human input. It’s an affront to the senses and odious to look at for those of us not falling for weirdly manipulative animal videos or bizarre humanized fruit serials. This deluge of distasteful imagery coincides with a reviving interest in analog and physical objects; it’s no surprise when moviegoers are disappointed to learn their new favorite film dabbled in AI, as was the case with Late Night With The Devil. In that case, the indie horror used three AI images as interstitials, which were later altered, but by that time, its word-of-mouth was already tarnished.
Visual quality concerns aside, there have been precious few conversations about the ecological impact of sustained genAI use, especially since Hollywood––and much of the western half of the U.S.––are in water-sensitive areas, where data center usage may potentially add a strain on drinking water reserves. Then there’s genAI’s original sin: training on copyrighted material to regurgitate it back, or using the likeness of people who did not consent to being used like a digital puppet.
This all comes back to Soderbergh’s statements. His latest film, The Christophers, doesn’t directly address the AI elephant in the room, but it does question the concept of authenticity and whether or not an artist can replicate another artist’s style and pass it off as an original. Characters describe painted works being finished by assistants and forgeries slipping under the radar—isn’t it all the same if the buyer believes they’re getting the real deal? But if a forged painting is fake, what makes a fake film? Does too much AI dilute the original author’s artistry? The story, written by No Sudden Move’sEd Solomon, ends by embracing a work of murky authorship, authenticity be damned.
There’s no stopping professional tinkerers from playing with these new toys—even if the mushy resolution and flavorless gimmickry of generative AI images still look like leftovers that stayed in the microwave too long. Even Soderbergh admitted “you need a Ph.D. in literature to tell it what to do,” because the nascent technology still requires copious human input to refine its lumpy first drafts. According to the Academy, they don’t care if AI is used as a tool so long as “human creativity” stays at the heart of the picture, but what else are filmmakers sacrificing to rush an idea through production if not the human labor it takes to make movies? Since the viewers are where all the pushback is coming from, the next step would be to use AI in such a way that even a discerning audience can’t tell—a forgery slipped under the radar.
Warner Bros. took a big victory lap at CinemaCon this year, well-deserved after making $4 billion at the global box office with nine straight No. 1 hits. To keep that energy going, the studio brought out the big guns with Tom Cruise for “Digger,” J.J. Abrams for “The Great Beyond,” and Denis Villeneuve for “Dune: Part Three.” Also on Day 2, Neon showcased some of its films.
In these Daily Dispatches from CinemaCon, we’re sharing the highlights of what we saw, what was announced, what we didn’t, and what was the overall vibe.
The BEST Thing We Saw
We thought Jeremy Strong as Mark Zuckerberg would be the wildest thing we saw this week, but Tom Cruise as Digger Rockwell was something else. Cruise in Alejandro Inarritu’s film “Digger” plays an aging oil tycoon with gray hair, wrinkles, a big paunch belly, a firebrand Foghorn Leghorn accent, and no patience for the cataclysmic environmental event that his project has caused. The extended look at the film, which was only for the CinemaCon audience, gave a full look at one of the early scenes of the film as they explore the $18 trillion damage that could be caused around the world, as well as a trailer sizzle, but Inarritu said he’s still working on the film.
Cruise said the movie is “wild, it’s funny,” and it’s the kind of movie that “is why I wanted to make movies.” Inarritu also added that the film is about “an uncontrollable, delusional need to control things, even when we know it will fail.” “It’s about a powerful man who did not change the world but changed how people see the world… he makes the worst decision in the world, and that is very funny to see,” he said.
We also have to take you back briefly to this morning when Neon held its own mini presentation. While we got some good first looks at the Sundance horror film “Leviticus” and Chloe Domont’s “A Place In Hell,” which is a campy thriller of two rival women competing for power at a law firm, the real surprise was “Hope.” The Korean film from director Na Hong-Jin is making its premiere in competition at Cannes, and you would think it’s a means for Neon to scoop up viable Palme D’Or contenders in advance (the distributor bought it just this week). But the first teaser trailer for the film revealed a massive, effects-driven, post-apocalyptic, action epic more on par with “A Quiet Place” than, say, “Sentimental Value.” An art house film, this is not, but perhaps the style of the film will surprise us. Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender also star in the otherwise Korean-language film (and they didn’t appear in the trailer), and it will launch in theaters later this year after its Cannes bow.
Warner Bros. kicked off their presentation with some major indie news, announcing that Sean Baker’s next film is called “Ti Amo!” and would be released in 2027 by WB’s new specialized label, now titled Clockwork. Read more about it here.
“The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum” opens in theaters December 17, 2027, and Gollum did a brief sizzle announcing the full cast and their roles on Instagram. The clip came as part of a big sizzle of WB’s entire 2027 slate that also included M. Night Shyamalan’s “Remain,” Sam Esmail’s “Panic Carefully,” the animated musical “Bad Fairies,” “A Minecraft Movie 2,” Margot Robbie’s “Ocean’s” prequel, the “Superman” sequel “Man of Tomorrow,” another “Evil Dead” film called “Evil Dead Wrath,” and a shark movie with Keanu Reeves and Tim Miller called “Shiver.”
The DC film “Clayface,” which had a brief teaser set to a chilling version of “Do You Realize?,” certainly did not look anything like “Superman” or “Supergirl” and instead showed legit jump scares featuring the shapeshifting character. James Watkins directs what looks to be marketed like more of a body horror film than a superhero movie.
Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman got some huge applause from the crowd in support of “Practical Magic 2,” and even bigger when Kidman said the line: “We come to this place for magic.” The two of them, along with host Patton Oswalt, had one of the more awkwardly charming banter moments of the presentation, in which the two constantly were stepping on each other’s toes and Oswalt couldn’t help but chime in about how short he felt standing next to the two of them. Kidman said the film picks up “where we have the iconic house, we have the midnight margaritas, we have the jumping off the roof, but we also have the past catching up with us.” Basically, they’re still messes, as Oswalt said. The film, from director Susanne Bier, opens September 11, and the first teaser showed the old house that was rebuilt meticulously, as well as the two Owens sisters getting up to a whole lot of witchy stuff and some sly winks.
J.J. Abrams’ “The Great Beyond” is another original idea and big swing with an Amblin-esque feel, not unlike his “Super 8” film, but on a much bigger scale. He said of stepping back into the director’s chair, the film is about “reconnecting with that sense of wonder and possibility we had when we were kids.” The teaser trailer didn’t reveal too much about the plot, but itshowed a retro computer slowly typing out a famous H.G. Wells quote before cutting to Glen Powell and a blonde Jenna Ortega looking at a lot of glowing orbs, some flickering lights, and running from some spotlights in the sky.
Zach Cregger is officially back at Warner Bros., first with an original sci-fi idea called “The Flood” that he will write and direct and set for release on August 11, 2028, and he’s also working on a “Weapons” prequel called “Gladys” dated for September 8, 2028.
Nothing just yet on “The Batman Part II,” which is filming this spring and is slated for a release date in October 2027. This year’s presentation had teases for its 2027 slate as part of a montage, but it focused heavily on what was coming out this year. The same could be said about “Gremlins 3,” which is further off but also has a November 2027 release date.
‘Supergirl’Warner Bros.
What We LEARNED
Abrams shouted out Mike and Pam from Warner Bros. for being part of this “era” of the studio embracing original films, and it’s clear they’re doubling down on originality while leaning into its IP. “Digger,” “The End of Oak Street,” and “The Great Beyond” seem like massive swings, while it should have no trouble with films like “Evil Dead Burn” (the trailer was pretty gruesome), “Dune: Part Three, “Supergirl,” and “Practical Magic 2.” The studio said it would 14 movies in 2026, up from the 11 it had in 2025, and as many as 18 in 2027. We expect to see a lot more from that indie label they finally gave a name to, Clockwork.
“What you see behind us isn’t just a slate, it’s a promise,” Pam Abdy said in front of a massive slate of movies from 2027 and beyond, which also confirmed the news of other new projects from Zach Cregger, another Baz Luhrmann Film, Taylor Sheridan’s untitled “F.A.S.T.” film, and much much more.
Other Bullets
As broke earlier in the day, Adria Arjona will star in James Gunn’s “Superman” sequel “Man of Tomorrow” as the alien conquerer Maxima.
Boots Riley while promoting “I Love Boosters” made a reference back to Martin Scorsese’s infamous “amusement park” dig at Marvel, saying “that’s where he disagrees” with Marty, that he believes a movie “can push cinema AND make an amusement park ride,” and that’s what he hopes to do with “I Love Boosters.”
Patton Oswalt, who introduced the WB presentation, wants to be Mister Mxyzptlk in a new Superman movie. “James Gunn, I know you’re getting my texts.” He also said he saw 117 movies in theaters last year. “I have a problem.”
Nancy Meyers’ next movie still doesn’t have a title.
New Line showed a scene from “Mortal Kombat II” in which Johnny Cage has to fight Baraka after calling him a “pussy” and defeated him by punching him in the crotch.
Warner Bros. Animation gave everyone in the Colosseum bright blue “Thing” wigs in honor of “The Cat in the Hat.” The one we got was probably a size small.
Aadam Jacobs surreptitiously recorded his first live concert in 1984, though he doesn’t remember whose concert it was. It’s hard to blame him: after 40 years and over 10,000 shows, it’s no wonder a few performances have fallen through the cracks. Luckily for the beneficiaries of Jacobs’s labor of love, though, his life’s work is finding a forever home. Thanks to nonprofit digital library Internet Archive and a collective of meticulous volunteers, each of Jacobs’ recordings are being cleaned up, digitized, and uploaded for free listening through the Aadam Jacobs Collection. Thus far, almost 2,500 concerts have made it online via the site’s “No Tape Left Behind” initiative, with thousands more to come.
Jacobs is a bit of an antihero on the live music scene, a Robin Hood character whose impact will soon be immortalized. Though unauthorized distribution of live performances is usually strictly verboten in the industry, Jacobs’ efforts have amassed a mythology all their own. The native Chicagoan’s adoration for concerts has become something of a galvanizing symbol for younger fans, his refusal to charge listeners an ode to the purity of the art form. Though he ran into security roadblocks at the beginning of his efforts to record every show he attended live, he eventually became a sort of cultural institution in the city, a beloved eccentric whose dedication earned him free tickets and local acclaim.
Jacobs’ collection is vast. Focused primarily from the mid ‘80s to the early 2000s, the tapes track the growth of the burgeoning indie and punk rock genres through Chicago and other U.S. cities. A stroll (or, rather, a scroll) through the part of the collection already online shows that it boasts artists from Hüsker Dü, Camper Van Beethoven, and Fugazi to Neko Case, Depeche Mode, and John Cale. Jacobs also recorded pivotal early-career performances by Nirvana, Sonic Youth, the Cure, and the Replacements, and more. (The Replacements loved his recording so much they actually released a mix of it in a 2023 live album.) His is the eye of a non-discriminatory music lover: Boogie Down Productions, Dinosaur Jr., and Belle and Sebastian might be seen during a single 10-second scroll of the archive. He started with a Dictaphone borrowed from his grandmother; he graduated eventually to a Walkman, and more than once his home console cassette machine.
Now, volunteers across the United States and Europe are sharing Jacobs’ gifts with the world. It’s no easy task; song titles are often unclear, and the pressure to accurately document setlists from decades ago is intense. But getting to hear Liz Phair belt “Divorce Song” at an unpublicized 1999 Lounge Ax show, R.E.M.’s 1987 rendition of “I Believe” with hundreds of fans singing along, or even a snippet of Fred Armisen doing improv for 24 hours straight (if that’s more your vibe) makes it all feel quite worth it. And the hundreds of smaller artists catalogued by Jacobs and his volunteers are sure to keep curious listeners occupied for a long time.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer.
The Godfather of Afrofuturism, Sun Ra was deeply committed to inspiring and sustaining the spiritual resilience of Black people through wonder and discombobulation.
He saw his music as a portal, with the hope of bringing communication from the ancestors through his sounds. As Sun Ra tells one of his young listeners in the 1974 film, “Space is the Place” (directed by John Coney), “I’m actually a presence sent to you by your ancestors.”
What is Afrofuturism?
Afrofuturism is a way to think about the future, while insisting on the presence of Black people in that future. This itself goes against the grain of the ways that past science fictional speculations about the future left out Black people and other people of color, replicating either the invisibility of Black people as citizens, instead using Black and other people of color as figures of exoticism and other forms of objectification. As Ytasha Womack L. writes,
“Whether through literature, visual arts, music, or grassroots organizing, Afrofuturists redefine culture and notions of blackness or today and the future. Both an artistic aesthetic and a framework for critical theory, Afrofuturism combines elements of science fiction, historical fiction, speculative fiction, fantasy, Afrocentricity, and magic realism with non-Western belies. In some cases, it’s a total re-envisioning of the past and speculation about the future life with cultural critiques.” (Womack, 9).
As Afrofuturism has grown in reach and influence, Afrofuturist thought has expanded to include metaphysics, ethics, digital hermeneutics and spirituality. While focusing on the future, Afrofuturism best embodies the West African notion of Sankofa, moving forward while also reaching to the past. This necessarily means thinking through histories of race and racism. Afrofuturism is a meditation on the spatial and temporal dislocation of the experiences of the African Diaspora, responding to the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, colonialism, and continuing anti-Blackness.
Afrofuturism also asks us to think about whose culture is remembered and archived, and uses speculation, and imagination in the face of Black cultural and historical negation, erasure and minimization. Bringing together old and new technologies, from computer sampling and vocoders to the drum, Afrocentric music sounds out the ways that Black creatives have survived and communicated with one another and the ancestors across the African Diaspora and across time. For example, in the film The Last Angel of History, John Akomfrah meditates on the drum as an Afrofuturistic technology, in its power to communicate across time, and across the African Diaspora.
Sun Ra: Remixing Myth and History
In Sun Ra’s physical presence on and off stage, we see a combination of old and new, earthly and cosmic: headpieces, necklaces, rings, and turbans that evoke ancient Egypt; glittery, body-skimming boubous and African walking sticks; hand-knit caps in psychedelic colors that might not have been out of place on the streets of Oakland or Chicago in the 1960’s and 1970’s. His goal sartorially, as well as sonically, was to create a space of fantasy and mythos that centered African and Black American culture and also re-imagined it.
Photo courtesy of Lindy Pollard Photography.
And you can hear that re-mixture in his music as well: his encyclopedic knowledge of jazz, from Armstrong and Fats Waller to Big Bands to Bebop. On the keyboards, he might move from the melodic, foot-tappingly syncopated rhythms of his idols Fletcher Henderson and Duke Ellington and then break into a “space chord”- the booming, sometimes discordant chords to shake his listeners out of an easy groove. Sun Ra led his Arkestra with the discipline and focus that would mean that they’d be practicing for hours, sometimes days without sleep, while also creating a household and community with his bandmates at once familial while subverting static gendered roles, both motherly and fatherly.
By historians’ accounts, Sun Ra was born Herman Poole Blount in Birmingham, Alabama on May 22, 1914. But by his own account, his origin story is more cosmic and mythical. As Burgin Mathews puts it,
Sun Ra was like his music, he explained: neither was born in the traditional sense. Instead, the man and the music just happened—combusted, appeared, landed or arrived—and their essence was eternal. ‘JUST SAY,’ he wrote, that “I ARRIVED ON THIS PLANET SOME OTHER WHEN AT SOME SEEMING POINT OF THEN ON POSSIBLY THE LEFT SIDE OF NOW. TRUE MUSIC IS NOT BORN… IT BE: IT IS OF COSMO-BEING GIFT-MAGNIFICENCE.’ In Sun Ra’s conception, the true musician, like any true music, existed beyond time.” (Mathews, 129).
Understanding Sun Ra’s impact means understanding him as the product of a particular time and place: Birmingham, Alabama’s Black music scene, and his own successful entry into the Big Band scene that prevailed there; his rejection by his family and community after being jailed for refusing to serve in WWII; his moves to Chicago and then New York City, that was a part of the Great Migration that included over six million Black southerners over between the late 19th and mid-twentieth century. But Sun Ra lived also guided by an expansive and extraordinary vision that followed his own logic, and his ethical and creative commitment to Black people. For Sun Ra, his music, drawing from the force of Universe and the electromagnetic pull of the planet and stars, had the power to liberate.
Artists that Sun Ra has influenced
From the otherworldly visions of Sun Ra have the sprung George Clinton and Parliament and Funkadelic’s Mothership and the groove to “dance our way out of our constrictions”; the sexy, space-funky gospel of Nona Hendrix and Labelle; D.J. Spooky’s hip hop and electronica experiments in rhythm and time; and the cosmic, genre-expansive sounds of Flying Lotus. You can hear the influence of Sun Ra in Janelle Monae’s Afrofuturistic concept albums Metropolis: The Chase Suite (2007), The ArchAndroid (2010), Electric Lady (2013) and Dirty Computer (2018). On these albums, Monae’s mythical personae, Cindi Mayweather, an Android from the future, is a means to explore Black humanity, creativity and erotic freedom. Moreover, like Sun Ra and his Arkestra, Monae has also created an artistic collaborative, The Wondaland Arts Society, a community of artists and chosen family that work, record and sometimes live together in her headquarters in Atlanta, GA.
In addition to the world of music, we can see the influence of Sun Ra’s Afrofuturism across the arts, from novelist Octavia Butler and the brood of Black speculative writers who came after her, to filmmaker Jordan Peele (whose “sunken place” in his 2017 film Get Out, could be the ultimate expression of cosmic dislocation). Visual artists Arthur Jaffa, Nick Cave and Wangechi Mutu, use Afrofuturistic imagery to explore the continued experience of social dislocation for Black people of the African Diaspora in the twenty-first century. Reaching beyond his time on Earth, Sun Ra continues to shape the ways that creative artists, activists and thinkers envision Black imaginative freedom.
With the Winnipeg Jets having been eliminated from playoff contention, they’re at the point where losing is actual helpful.
Any more wins this season could jeopardize their odds of getting a higher draft pick, and while it was not their intention to lose Tuesday night in Utah, they did, dropping a 5-3 decision to the Mammoth in their final road game of the season.
The Mammoth scored twice in the span of just 26 seconds in the third period to take a three-goal lead. The Jets then scored two quick ones to pull within a single goal, but they could get no closer as Utah added an empty netter for the Jets third straight loss.
Nick Schmaltz scored twice for Utah in the victory.
Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, and Isak Rosén all notched goals for the Jets. Gabriel Vilardi had a pair of assists.
Story continues below advertisement
Eric Comrie was extremely busy in the first 40 minutes with the shots 29-12 in favour of Utah after two periods. The score could have been a whole lot worse if not for a number of big saves in the first two periods.
“He was standing on his head the whole game,” Rosén told 680 CJOB. “We got to help him.”
The Mammoth swept the three-game season. The Jets will finish the season with a 6-3 record in the second half of back-to-backs.
Ville Heinola appeared in his first game in close to six weeks as he replaced Haydn Fleury.
With the playoffs out of reach, it would have been really easy for the Jets to pack it in during the third stanza trailing by three goals, but it was their best period of the game, outshooting the opponent 12-7 to make it look respectable.
“I think we got more to our game,” said Rosén. “When we got one goal back, I think they were standing on their heels a little bit and yeah, we kept going on them. Yeah, for sure we found our game in the third, but it’s tough to not find our game earlier than that.”
Get daily National news
Get daily Canada news delivered to your inbox so you’ll never miss the day’s top stories.
Making his first start since Mar. 22, Comrie was tested early and often by the Mammoth. The Jets’ backup made 13 saves in the opening 20 minutes, several of them of the high-quality variety.
Story continues below advertisement
But Utah did manage to get one past him at the 8:05 mark of the period. After the Mammoth won a centre ice draw, Nate Schmidt got the puck in his own end and held it for a few seconds before snapping a stretch pass to the Winnipeg blue line where Logan Cooley had gotten open behind Scheifele.
Cooley took the pass and skated in on Comrie as Scheifele tried to catch up but he was unable to as Cooley made a move and slid a backhand shot through Comrie’s five-hole to open the scoring.
Each team failed on a power play in the first as Utah held a 13-6 edge in shots on goal.
Utah continued to pour on the pressure in the second, dominating play for most of the period.
They extended their lead at the 4:54 mark on a power play when Schmaltz banged home a juicy rebound into an open net for his 32nd of the season.
The Mammoth peppered Comrie to the tune of 15 shots in the period, thanks in part to a trio of power play opportunities, but Comrie stood tall, allowing his team to get back into the game.
After Utah took their first penalty of the period with just under four minutes left, the Jets struggled to get anything set up with the man advantage but in transition they were able to strike.
Story continues below advertisement
As he crossed the Utah blue line in the middle of the ice, Connor passed the puck to his right to Vilardi. Vilardi held the puck until sending it back to a hard-driving Connor, who steered the pass into the pad of Karel Vejmelka before knocking the rebound into the net for his 39th goal of the season.
The Jets came close to tying the game shorthanded in the final minutes of the period when Brayden Yager got free on a 2-on-1, but his shot was denied by Vejmelka.
The Mammoth held a massive 29-12 edge in shots on goal through 40 minutes.
Utah restored their two-goal lead just over seven minutes into the third on another power play. The Mammoth snapped the puck around the Winnipeg zone, every player getting a touch of the puck as the Jets defenders chased the play before Schmaltz buried his second of the night.
Just 26 seconds later, Utah made it 4-1.
Two Mammoth converged in the corner to win a puck battle, freeing the puck for J.J. Peterka who took it to the front of the net and slid it through Comrie.
Scheifele got one back for the Jets with 7:24 to go when he took advantage of Mackenzie Weegar falling in his own end, taking the puck in alone and beating Vejmelka for his 36th of the season.
Story continues below advertisement
Moments later, Dylan DeMelo was clipped by a high stick to give the Jets a power play look and the second unit took advantage to make it a one-goal game.
After a scramble off an offensive-zone faceoff, the puck came back to Rosén who ripped a wrister from the slot that beat Vejmelka for his third as a Winnipeg Jet.
The Jets weren’t able to pull Comrie for an extra attacker until there was one minute to go but it was for not as Alex Kerfoot scored into the empty net with 23 seconds remaining.
Final shots on goal in the game were 36-24 in favour of the Mammoth as Comrie suffered his first defeat since New Year’s Day in Toronto, ending his six-start win streak.
The loss ensures that the Jets will enter their final game of the regular season against San Jose with the seventh-best odds of picking first overall at 6.5 per cent.
That game will go Thursday evening in Winnipeg on the final night of the NHL regular season. The puck will drop just after 7 p.m. with pregame coverage on 680 CJOB starting around 5:15 p.m.
The Department of Justice charged a suspect with attacking the home of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman this month, saying he was arrested with an document expressing “anti-AI” views.
At a Variety & Adobe Creative Collaborators panel at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, “Time and Water” editors Erin Casper, Mark Harrison and Jocelyne Chaput sat down with Adobe’s product marketing director Meagan Keane to discuss bringing the project to life.
The logline of the film reads: “Facing the death of his country’s glaciers and the loss of his beloved grandparents, Icelandic writer Andri Snær Magnason turns his archives into a time capsule to hold what is slipping away — family, memory, time, and water.”
Casper and Chaput have both worked with “Time and Water” director Sara Dosa before and were later joined by Harrison. Approached by Dosa at a birthday party and asked to watch a rough cut of the film, Harrison said that Casper and Chaput were “amazing in opening up their creative process and recognizing the opportunity to have [him] come on board.”
In addition to the glacier footage provided by Dosa, the editing team drew extensively from Magnason’s writing. “As editors, we really liked to research, especially on archival films,” said Casper. “At the outset of every edit, we’ve watched stuff, and then we convene for an editing retreat where actually we don’t do any editing whatsoever. It’s a time to really talk about the big questions and dream big.”
“So much at the heart of editing is the conversation,” she continued, adding that it was a very tactile process that involved “almost no computers at first” as the team went on several walks and snack breaks together.
Along with Dosa and the film’s producers, the trio divided up scenes into parts of the film, taking turns working on them and exchanging sequences often based on preference.
Despite the team being spread across the United States and Iceland (Casper is based in New York, Harrison in Los Angeles and Chaput in the Bay Area), the editors frequently collaborated in person, usually around the film’s “critical milestones,” such as the first rough cut and the first line cut. “There is something that happens when you’re in person where everything’s just percolating more efficiently in some stages of the process,” said Chaput, adding that they kept in contact constantly via Slack or phone calls. “We feel each other in the room even when we’re remote.”
“It takes deep listening and not just setting your ego aside, it’s actually like letting the film find its voice,” said Harrison. “What are we all trying to say? I think that that’s more powerful than what any one of us has to say.”
After conducting extensive research for “Time and Water,” Casper said the film prompted her to think about climate change. “You can have a sense of inevitability that the future is fixed. But we talked a lot about how the future is not foreclosed and thus changeable.”
Wrapping up the conversation, Chaput took a moment to reflect on the evolution of filmmaking. “I’m optimistic about the talent out there and the filmmakers, both young and old. I don’t think that river of originality is any closer to running dry ever. What concerns me is the ever-evolving landscape of funding and just making sure that independent storytelling is maintained, and that we are not preemptively filtering ourselves as creators while having to pay bills.”
Will Trent might be coming back for another season, but there is one key member of the show’s original ensemble who will not be returning for the show’s fifth season.
WARNING: The following post contains major spoilers from Will Trent season 4, episode 15, “The Blank Expanse of Nothing.” If you have not yet watched the episode and want to avoid spoilers, you’ll want to bookmark this piece and come back in order to prevent the episode’s shocking twist from being spoiled.
Will Trent has never been afraid of pulling off shocking twists, but the show’s latest development might just take the cake. In a shocking twist, the show has killed off a major character, leading to the departure of a star who has been a part of the show’s run since the very first episode.
As Faith and Ormwood worked to get to the bottom of a carjacking case that took one unexpected turn after another—carjacking turned into an alien abduction before we ultimately came to learn that the victims were part of a human trafficking ring. While the pair kept busy with their investigation, Will began to spiral after Adelaide called him up to continue their game of cat and mouse. This game of cat and mouse took a deadly turn resulting in the death of Amanda Wagner.
After Adelaide resurfaced, Amanda began doing a little digging of her own and was secretly working with the FBI to track down the Commander. Amanda was able to track down the Commander, the young man who had slipped Will the burner phone, which put him in touch with Adelaide. Upon tailing the young man, Amanda got out of her car and followed after the young boy on foot, but before she reached him, she was jumped by an unseen assailant.
Shortly after, Will goes to meet with Adelaide at a nearby bar, but he tries to pull a fast one on her by slipping a tracking device that is disguised as a duplicate of the matchbox souvenir she’d mentioned taking from their encounter in Puerto Rico. After giving Will the slip, Adelaide called Will and revealed she had left a gift for him around the corner. That gift was Amanda’s dead body in the street.
“What a shame, Will. While we made these dinner plans, I really was going to give you everything you wanted: your uncle, your life, me, all of it, but you had to go ruin it by having your boss go looking for me. I just wanted to see you one last time. It’s over, Will. You’re never going to see Antonio again. And I left you a little present,” Adelaide remarked before hanging up the phone. That’s when Will discovered Amanda dead as the episode came to a close.
This sadly was not a fake-out death. The show has officially killed off Amanda, with the series creative team revealing that this was a creative decision, one which they hope to use to shake up the rest of the season and send ripples through the show.
“Amanda has been the character who has protected Will for as long as she has known him,” showrunner Karine Rosenthal revealed to Variety. “So this gives us the opportunity for a completely new dynamic in the GBI, because her replacement will not have that same relationship with Will. Her death had the most impact on the most amount of characters. It really sets everybody reeling from this enormous loss. So it’s such a reset for our characters in a way that is painful but exciting for Season 5.”
This decision was not one dictated by an actor’s desire to leave, but rather one that the show’s creative team landed upon.
“Nobody gets to always exit their shows — even on the writing side — on their own terms all the time. It’s hard to do that with grace. So it was just very impressive,” showrunner Daniel T. Thomsen revealed, adding that Sonja Sohn was “a total pro.”
With three episodes left this season, it’s going to be interesting to see what fallout is in store, but we’re certain Will will stop at nothing to bring Amanda’s killer to justice.
Marvel Studios took over CinemaCon last night, sharing a first look at the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
The fourth installment in the MCU’s Spider-Man franchise, Brand New Day follows Peter Parker as he sets out on his own after the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, which caused even his closest friends to forget who he was.
Photo: Marvel
“Crime-fighting in a New York that no longer knows his name, he’s devoted himself entirely to protecting his city — a full-time Spider-Man — but as the demands on him intensify, the pressure sparks a surprising physical evolution that threatens his existence, even as a strange new pattern of crimes gives rise to one of the most powerful threats he has ever faced,” the film’s logline reads.
Appearing as a hologram, Holland introduced the footage shown to the audience.
“Peter had to make a sacrifice to make all his friends forget who he is,” he said. “Here, you’ll see some of the consequences of that choice.”
Photo: Marvel
According to Holland, the upcoming film will be “the most emotional Spider-Man we’ve ever made — and the most grown-up.”
Praise For ‘Brand New Day’
Ahead of Holland’s introduction, Tom Rothman, chairman of Sony Pictures, praised both Brand New Day and Holland’s performance in the film.
“It’s as big as anything we’ve ever made, and yet it feels like nothing we’ve ever made,” Rothman said. “And it has Tom Holland — and I can say this because I’ve seen the movie — in his finest performance.”
Thanks for visiting MickeyBlog.com! Want to go to Disney? For a FREE quote on your next Disney vacation, please fill out the form below. One of the agents from MickeyTravels, an EarMarked By Disney – Authorized Travel Agency – Diamond Level, will be in touch soon! Also, thank you for reading.
Dune: Part Three will deal with the fallout of Paul Atreides rise to power this December. It will be quite an epic weekend at theaters, with Dune: Part Three and Avengers: Doomsday giving us a “Dunesday” double feature. Of course, Warner Bros. and Legendary couldn’t wait to give CinemaCon attendees a taste of all the action in Dune: Part Three, and we have your detailed breakdown right here. It was quite the way to close out Warner Bros. panel, compete with Fremen on stage. People are even raised on wires in the air before Denis Villeneuve comes out to reveal this look at the film.
The director said he didn’t want to walk in his own footsteps, calling Dune: Part Three an intense thriller. A few cast members, including Jason Moma, Zendaya, and Timothee Chalamet all come out for a chat.
Now, let’s get into that new footage. We quickly find ourselves in the midst of a battle, which is not one that’s seen in the Dune Messiah novel. We think it could be one of the battles mentioned in the novel, like the Battle of Enfeil. That was led by Farok but it could be one of the battles mentioned, like the Battle of Enfeil, which was led by Farok, the Fremen we see leading the chant before the battle. The armada of ships carrying the Fremen down to the surface look like the Pain Box that Paul put his hand in back in Dune.
In an interesting note, some of the newer Fremen soldiers are shocked to hear that on this planet, water falls from the sky. That’s unimaginable to most Fremen who have only known their desert planet of Arrakis. The Fremen carry a case into battle, which we previously saw in the Dune: Part Three teaser trailer a few weeks ago. But in this clip, it looks like it’s an important piece of equipment for the battle. It is most likely a Stone Burner, an explosive weapon of mass destruction, and this could foreshadow the use of a Stone Burner in a pivotal scene in the film.
Unlike the ferocity we saw from the Fremen in the previous films, this time they are deeply out of their element. They will probably win this battle, but it will leave them exhausted and further disillusioned by Paul’s war. We even see that Stilgar has grey in his beard, suggesting that this battle has been going on for a while. Villeneuve confirms this and says that the film takes place 17 years after Part Two. This will cause a breaking point and a rise against Paul.
Speaking of him, he is totally out of control. His rule is ruthless and there’s something that’s clouding his visions. We immediately get a shot of a floating sarcophagus pod and see Robert Pattinson as Scytale, and we are pretty sure that pod contains Edric. This person is a Spacing Guild Navigator who is part of the conspiracy plot against Paul. In the book, Edric serves as a way to cloud Paul’s visions around the conspirators.
We hear Chani’s voice asking Paul “what does it feels like to be human.” But when we see her, she doesn’t look right. Her pupils are really big, suggesting that Scytale has shapeshifted into her to mess with Paul. The real Chani is out in the desert appearing to hunt down a sandworm. She also encounters a ship that has an insect-like appearance, almost like a scarab beetle. It could be at Tleilaxu ship. (The Tleilaxu are the faction of humans who created Facedancers like Scytale.) This scarab shape also looks similar to the emblem on Hayt/Duncan’s back when we see him draw his swords later.
We hear Paul yell “REMEMBER” as we see shots of Hayt/Duncan. Paul and Duncan stand in a red room with a skull preserved in a clear box. This is the Skull Tomb, or the Tomb of the Skull, where Paul preserved the remains of his dead father, Duke Leto. The footage ends with what looks like a battle on the back of a sandworm between Chani and Paul, with Duncan and other Fremen, and most likely Scytale. This could be part of the conspiracy plot to steal a sandworm off of Arrakis and makes us believe Chani is part of the rebellion against Paul. Chani’s character is expanded in the films, so we’ll just have to wait and see what direction Dune: Part Three takes her.
Editor’s Note: Nerdist is a subsidiary of Legendary Digital Networks.
The likeness model behind Insomniac’s Spider-Man games has seemingly revealed he’s working on new content for a potential future game.
In an Instagram post published on Monday, Ben Jordan posted an image of himself gearing up for a performance session. The post was accompanied by the message, ‘IYKYK (if you know, you know)’ and a spider emoji.
The post was soon deleted, but not before it was archived on Reddit. Jordan typically works as a model, and his only acting credits so far are for PlayStation’s Marvel Spider-Man games.
It’s been speculated that the capture could be for Insomniac’s upcoming Wolverine game, but with the title due to release this September, that seems unlikely.
Spider-Man 2 featured an extended sequence in which the player played as Venom, complete with a bespoke move set and movement abilities, leading many at the time to assume that a spin-off game based on the character was coming.
In the rugged world of George Sherman’s Big Jake (1971), one of John Wayne’s later Westerns, the actor stepped into the saddle as Jacob “Big Jake” McCandles. While playing a patriarch, pulled into action, the legendary actor dropped many memorable quotes, but one particular line stands out.
“You’re short on ears and long on mouth!” is one of the film’s most iconic lines, which perfectly captures Western grit with charisma and audaciousness. Sherman’s film is set in the early 1900s and blends family tension and frontier justice with exceptionally sharp dialogue.
This John Wayne line immediately demands authority and reminds the young man, his son, and the audience who is boss. The words are a fascinating blend of simplicity and a towering insult, delivered with quintessential John Wayne swagger.
So, how does this line define authority using just a few words? What can writers today learn from it?
Let’s jump right in and explore.
Defining Authority Through Words
The Western genre has a penchant for leveraging dialogue to establish a character’s authority or even supremacy. Sometimes, these lines are said loudly; on other occasions, they are subtle but sharp and incisive. John Wayne’s “You’re short on ears and long on mouth!” falls somewhere in the middle, but what it does do is establish his authority using just a few words.
To begin with, few actors in the history of cinema could match John Wayne’s screen presence. Every so often, without saying much, Wayne could demonstrate control and authority over those around him. Call it his screen legacy, the power of his performances, or both, Wayne played characters like Jacob McCandles effortlessly.
In this particular altercation, Jacob does not feel the need to raise his voice. In fact, doing so would probably undermine his dominance. He probably even knows that a loud rebuttal toward his son was not bound to help in any real way. So, when his son accuses him of running out on his family, Jacob’s response is quiet, yet sharp, “You never hear that at home. You’re short on ears and long on mouth!”
Without further emphasis, Jacob turns around and walks away. It’s almost like he is well aware of the line’s weight and value. While his son does not respond, Jacob’s stroll away from him carries a deep sense of authority (which he just reminded us of) and nonchalance, because, well, delivering such strong lines is not a rarity for a man like him.
How The Line Blends Simplicity With A Cutting Insult
Movie insults that are straightforward and uncomplicated tend to hit a lot harder than those that need audiences to really process them. In other words, these are insults that the majority of viewers grasp immediately, and that’s the whole point of writing them that way.
What makes the line, “You’re short on ears and long on mouth!” sting so hard is how economically it uses words. There are no fancy metaphors or phrases that require us to think; Jacob’s words paint a picture of a young man who “talks too much and listens too little.”
Take a moment to think about how the line would sound if it were like this. Too literal, right?
That’s what makes this line special. The fact that it takes the literal and rewords it to mean precisely the same thing, in an entirely different sentence.
The phrase is also rhythmic in nature, and John Wayne’s impeccable, fast-paced delivery enhances this effect. However, while remaining rhythmically sound and simple, the line is also a towering insult, which is its primary goal.
“You’re short on ears and long on mouth!” sounds like a sharp-tongued yet folksy and well-crafted insult that few actors could deliver the way John Wayne did.
What Writers Can Learn From Old School Toughness
There’s a lot to learn from lines such as this one. Here are three lessons for young writers about writing characters with old-school toughness.
Restraint Is Powerful
When we talk about character dominance, more often than not, saying more with less is a good idea. Of course, there are no rules for writing any character whatsoever, but generally speaking, character authority is brilliantly showcased when they don’t over-explain themselves.
Rhythm Can Make Lines More Memorable
While writing rhythmic dialogue depends so much on the movie’s world, the character, and your own writing style, it is a great way to make lines memorable. “Short on ears and long on mouth!” is a fascinating example of such writing that’s bound to stay with audiences for a long time.
Subtext Does Heavy Lifting
In this scene, John Wayne’s Jacob does not need to talk too much to establish his dominance. A single line serves as a quiet rebuke of his son’s inexperience. Without a long monologue with elaborate dialogue, the scene perfectly reveals character dynamics and the crux of their interpersonal conflict.
Summing It Up
“You’re short on ears and long on mouth!” isn’t just a great John Wayne line because of how good an insult it is, but because it is a lesson in writing dialogue for authoritative figures. Like every good Western line, it defines character, establishes dominance, and delivers impact without excess words.
Which is your favorite line from a Western film? Tell us in the comments below.
“Lotions or gels are often better choices than creams under makeup, as they absorb quicker and leave a less greasy residue,” says Annabelle Garcia, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Sonterra Dermatology in San Antonio. It’s also important to look for silicone-based sunscreens if you’re layering SPF under makeup products, because they will create a supersmooth base. “Powder sunscreens are great for touch-ups throughout the day but should never replace your primary SPF,” says Dr. Garshick.
How do you make sure your sunscreen doesn’t pill under makeup?
“Look at the base ingredients of your makeup and sunscreen to ensure they are compatible. Most oil-based foundations will not sit well with water-based sunscreens, and can cause pilling,” says Pooja Rambhia, MD, board-certified dermatologist based in New Jersey. If you’re going to use an oil-based foundation, pair it with an oil-based sunscreen underneath. If your sunscreen is water-based, layer a water-based foundation on top. She also suggests letting each layer dry fully before applying another product. “This will allow each layer to absorb into the skin and promote longer-lasting wear,” she says.
Do you recommend applying sunscreen before or after applying makeup?
According to the dermatologists we spoke with, it’s important to apply sunscreen before and after applying makeup. “Always first apply your sunscreen before your makeup to ensure full-coverage protection from UVA/UVB rays, which can seriously damage the skin,” says Dr. Rambhia. Then, she recommends applying an SPF makeup powder on top of your foundation or tinted moisturizer for extra protection.
Is sunscreen less effective when wearing it under makeup?
No. “Sunscreen remains effective under makeup as long as enough is applied and fully absorbed before layering on other products,” says Dr. Garshick. The appropriate amount of sunscreen for the face is 1/4 teaspoon, or two-finger lengths of product. “Since sunscreen effectiveness diminishes over time, reapplying every two hours is key, and powder sunscreens or SPF setting sprays are great options for touch-ups without disrupting makeup,” says Dr. Rambhia.
Should you wear sunscreen under makeup if you have mature skin?
Yes, says Kseniya Kobets, MD and director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care. “For mature skin, I lean toward hydrating, lightweight sunscreens with ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, peptides and niacinamide to support the barrier and improve how makeup sits on the skin,” she says. What to avoid? Overly matte or drying formulas, which can accentuate fine lines. Instead, opt for ones that will give you a natural, slightly dewy finish so makeup layers more seamlessly.
How long should you wait before you apply makeup over sunscreen?
“Wait three to five minutes, at least, before you go in with any makeup on top of the sunscreen. Pilling happens when the sunscreen starts to mix in with your complexion products. You also want to avoid layering too many skin care products in with your sunscreen,” says Kasey Spickard, celebrity makeup artist based in NYC.
Do dermatologists recommend sunscreen or moisturizer first?
Moisturizer before sunscreen, according to Dr. Garshick. “Make sure you’re applying your skin care routine in the right order, layering products from thinnest to thickest. Apply sunscreen last, before makeup.”
We evaluated sunscreens for under makeup by looking at the texture, whether they absorbed into the skin, and how well they played with other products in our everyday makeup routine. We went for options that were lightweight to the touch (gels and creams prevailed) and for formulas that absorbed quickly, if at all. We also tested for longevity and paid attention to sunscreens that didn’t pill when layered over foundation. Finally, we looked for sunscreens that were sweatproof and protected us all day long.
The RIAA is definitely one of the most hated organizations among internet users along with the MPAA for frequently preventing people from sharing music and video online, as well as restricting the use of media in general.
But these organizations are in the US and when it comes to Europe things can get A LOT worse. European internet law is significantly behind that of the US and in my view there is an inherent misunderstanding and lack of clarification of what is legal and what isn’t.
when it comes to Europe things can get A LOT worse
Germany has harsh internet laws
Germany itself has a very bad reputation for passing harsh sentences. For example, a German court once ruled that you have to check for illegal content on all the sites that you are linking to or you will be held liable. Another example is when a Munich court ruled that any German site linking to AlloMp3 would be breaking the law!
a Munich court ruled that any German site linking to AlloMp3 would be breaking the law!
Lack of DMCA and Safe Harbor in Europe
In the US there is the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) which means if you link to a website in good faith but it contains illegal copyrighted content and the content owner asks you to remove that link, and you do so, you are protected by law against legal action. Same applies with YouTube videos; if Fox ask YouTube to take down some TV clips and YouTube does so, YouTube should be okay under the DMCA.
Europe however has no such thing. This puts sites like YouTube in a very difficult position. No solid law has yet been formed making court cases in Europe a tougher battle that YouTube and others have feared.
GEMA Targets MySpace and YouTube
Now GEMA, one of the strongest collective licensing organizations in Europe, has its eyes set on YouTube and MySpace. GEMA has recently had a number of wins in its favor forcing a number of websites into licensing deals. This has only made GEMA’s position against YouTube and MySpace stronger in Europe.
GEMA has its eyes set on YouTube and MySpace
So the plot continues to thicken as YouTube and MySpace are about to face the music in another court battle that could send the internet in a very restrictive direction. NewsCorp (the mother of MySpace), and Google (the newly appointed mother of YouTube), will be using their big pockets and expert lawyers to fight this one with all the brawn they can muster.
A year ago, Warner Bros. made its CinemaCon presentation amidst media rumors that film chiefs Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy would be on the hot seat. The films they would show at the Las Vegas trade show — “Sinners,” “Superman,” and “Weapons,” to name a few — would go on to kill and bury those rumors.
On Tuesday evening, Warner Bros. took a victory lap on that historic 2025 which included nine No. 1 films and seven straight $40 million-plus opening weekends, but this time they did so amidst the possibility that this might be the studio’s final CinemaCon presentation before it is acquired by Paramount Skydance in a $111 billion deal.
Hours before the presentation, Cinema United CEO Michael O’Leary acknowledged that merger without mentioning Paramount Skydance, reiterating the trade organization’s opposition to any acquisition of the studio and vowing to continue lobbying to lawmakers and regulators.
As for Warner themselves, the studio largely took the same strategy as last year: ignore the headlines and the uncertainty and focus on the films. In a passionate speech, De Luca and Abdy pledged to keep last year’s momentum going by announcing a brand new specialty label, Clockwork, which would launch with “Ti Amo!”, director Sean Baker’s follow-up to his Best Picture winner “Anora.”
De Luca also pledged to ramp up the number of films Warner would release every year to 18 films, while Abdy talked about the importance of stoking Gen Z’s rising interest in moviegoing thanks to films like Warner’s highest grossing film, “A Minecraft Movie.”
“We are at a crucial, critical moment in time with this audience, we won’t surrender and shrink back from the challenge of creating great new films for them just because it’s riskier than leaving them at home to just sit and scroll. We will instead rise to fulfill their desires and curiosity and bring them out to your theaters,” Abdy said.
And at the end of the show, the two chiefs put up on the screen the full list of films they have slated for 2027 and beyond and brought up their chief executive team. While De Luca and Abdy had their contracts renewed after last year’s box office success, but many of the executives onstage may be among the thousands of layoffs that are expected to come with a Paramount merger.
But again, De Luca and Abdy urged exhibitors to see the slate not just as a slate “but as a promise in our continued commitment to excellence in every frame and in our belief in the power of great stories to shape culture and bring audiences together.”
And De Luca and Abdy were profuse in their gratitude to theaters for helping lead Warner Bros. to their best box office year since 2018 with $4.4 billion grossed worldwide.
Global distribution chief Jeff Goldstein continued his tradition of wearing an outrageous costume, coming out in a gold suit to celebrate Warner Bros. big night at the Oscars with 11 Academy Awards for its films. He expressed his gratitude to theaters for helping Warner Bros. lead to their best box office year since 2018 with $4.4 billion worldwide.
Then it was on to the upcoming previews, which included a visit from director Denis Villeneuve to present a sneak peek of the final chapter of his “Dune” trilogy. CinemaCon’s favorite movie star, Tom Cruise, also showed up to present a movie far removed from the “Mission: Impossible” and “Top Gun” sequels he has shown in recent years.
This time, he was around to show off “Digger,” a dark comedy from “Birdman” director Alejandro Iñárritu. It was the first time that details on the film were revealed since last year’s cryptic teaser, revealing a story about an egotistical, delusional oil magnate whose Arctic well explodes, triggering an apocalyptic chain reaction.
James Gunn was back after the solid relaunch of the DC Universe last year with “Superman” to present the next big steps in his campaign to build a new cinematic saga. He presented a sneak peek of Milly Alcock in this summer’s “Supergirl” as she races to save the breakout star of “Superman,” Krypto. He also showed a teaser of the “Batman” villain horror film “Clayface,” as DC is departing from Marvel by delving into different genres and lower budget levels.
The crowd cringed in horror as people got impaled, burned, and eviscerated in a trailer for “Evil Dead Burn,” and then got some relief when they were gifting Thing wigs for the upcoming animated adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ “The Cat in the Hat.” The film marks the return of Warner Bros. Animation to the studio’s theatrical slate, with movies like “Bad Fairies” and “Margie Claus” coming in 2027.
And towards the end of the show, Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman appeared to a raucous ovation for the sequel to the 90s fantasy film “Practical Magic,” where Kidman quoted her infamous AMC line to cheering theater owners: “We come to this place for magic!”
Warner Bros. will look to these films to help the studio bounce back from a recent end to their hot streak, as the genre films “The Bride!” and “They Will Kill You” flamed out fast at the box office over the past month. But as Abdy said at CinemaCon, that’s part of the business.
“Not all of the films are going to work,” she said. “But not all of the films worked in 1927, or 1977, or 1997.”
The country star was added as a surprise performer on Saturday
Kacey Musgraves has officially been added to the lineup for the second week of Coachella 2026, her first time back to the desert fest since her 2019 performance. The country star is scheduled to perform on Saturday at the Mojave Tent from 3-3:50 p.m.
The singer-songwriter teased her surprise performance on social media earlier in the day. In a playful Instagram video set to her Middle of Nowhere title track, Musgraves captioned, “Somewhere on the way to ★ 𝑪𝒐𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒂 ★.”
Musgraves’ upcoming seventh studio album is set to release on May 1 via Lost Highway Records. The 13-song track list features collaborations with Willie Nelson, Miranda Lambert, Billy Strings, and Gregory Alan Isakov. She released its first single, “Dry Spell,” last month. “The bulk of this record was made during the longest single period of my life”, Musgraves said in a previous statement. “I found that for the first time, it actually felt incredible being alone and existing in a space not defined by anyone else. I became fascinated with the concept of liminal space, both geographical and emotional. We don’t linger in these transitional, empty spaces long enough and rush to define where or whatever is next.”
Trending Stories
Elsewhere on the internet on Tuesday, Musgraves made headlines after mocking President Donald Trump for posting what appeared to be an AI-generated image of himself as Jesus healing the sick. In a post on X, Musgraves recreated the same image Trump shared, only this time with Dolly Parton as the Christ figure and Musgraves as the ailing patient.
Jerald B. Harkness is the President and CEO of Studio Auteur, LLC, a content creation company specializing in producing broadcast documentaries. A national Emmy award winner, Harkness’s prolific career spans over 30 years. He has produced and directed for Paramount TV, UMC, ESPN, VH1, A&E, PBS, CBS Sports Network, and Tubi.
Recent work includes producing and directing the feature-length documentary When Everyone Swims in 2025, which won Best Documentary Feature at the June 2025 Chicago Indie Film Awards and Best Editing at the May 2025 New York Independent Cinema Awards. In 2023, Harkness produced and directed the biographical documentary The Bright Path: The Johnny Bright Story, which has been broadcast nationally on CBS Sports Network and PBS and selected for multiple film festivals. Harkness was the executive producer and showrunner of the docu-drama series True First, which celebrates forgotten and overlooked African American trailblazers and pioneers. Harkness’s first project under his company, Studio Auteur, was a documentary short titled Wesley for the multiple award-winning series The Election Effect, for Paramount TV and Facebook.
Notable awards include a National Emmy Award, Best Documentary at the International Academy of Web TV, the inaugural Spotlight Award from the Indianapolis Black Documentary Filmmaker Festival, and various film festival selections.
In 2023, Harkness donated raw footage and master tapes from many of Harkness’s previous projects to the Black Film Center Archives at Indiana University. The Jerald Harkness Collection will be available to students, scholars, and the IU community in perpetuity.
In 2025, Harkness was recognized with the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Indiana University School of Media.
IDA: Could you share a bit about your background and the experiences that shaped who you are as a storyteller?
JERALD HARKNESS: I grew up in an amazing era of American cinema in the 1970s, featuring groundbreaking and provocative work from directors like Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Stanley Kubrick, George Lucas, and Sidney Lumet. I remember being in grade school, and my dad demanded that he and I go see a movie after a blizzard hit our neighborhood. We made our way to a local movie theater, and we watched Steven Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind. I was awestruck. I immediately knew that my path in life was to be a cinematic storyteller.
From that moment on, I set out to be a film director and producer no matter what! And I’ve enjoyed an enormous amount of good fortune to have been a documentary producer and director for the better part of thirty-plus years.
IDA: When did you begin working in the documentary field, and what initially inspired you to pursue it?
JH: I went to Indiana University for Film School in the late 1980s. This was still the analog era, where any type of film equipment was really tough to come by. I joined the Indiana MemorialStudent Union, and that gave me access to a camcorder and a cutting-only editing machine. I set out to make a number of short films on campus, and other students began to recognize me as a filmmaker with equipment.
I started getting requests to film neophyte step shows, which are dance routines performed by students who have just been initiated into a Black fraternity and sorority. I became fascinated by the subject of step shows and produced a documentary about step shows during my Junior year.
That project opened my eyes to the narrative possibilities of nonfiction storytelling. I realized I could tell stories through the perspective of other people’s lives and experiences.
After I graduated, I got a grant and produced Steppin” with a professional crew. We got a distribution deal with a formidable player in the documentary world named The Cinema Guild, and my career was launched. This was in 1992. I was 24.
IDA: Congratulations on the success of your film, When Everyone Swims. Could you tell us a little about the film?
JH: When Everyone Swims is a 90-minute feature documentary that addresses the importance of water safety and drowning prevention. The narrative is a compilation of “swim journeys” in which we filmed interviews in 14 different states, across both urban and rural areas, with a variety of races and ethnicities, and with interview subjects ranging in age from 18 to 101. We also had the honor of interviewing former Olympians Summer Sanders, Cullen Jones, Lilly King, Cody Miller, Maritza McClendon, and Sabir Muhammad.
I often joke that I took the word “everyone” in the title literally because we filmed so many different people with a variety of experiences.
When Everyone Swims is being screened across America, and we’re reviewing distribution offers. We’ve been fortunate to be selected for some film festivals, including being recognized with the Best Documentary award from the Chicago Indie Film Awards and Best Editing from the NYC Cinema Independent Awards. The latter award is a testament to a fantastic crew, especially Luke Renner, who edited and story-produced the project.
IDA: When did you begin working on When Everyone Swims, and what drew you to the project?
JH: The idea of When Everyone Swims came from one of our executive producers, Jon Goynshor, who initially approached me about producing and directing. At first, I was hesitant because I had previously produced a short documentary about African American swimmers a few years earlier. But I saw an article from Mara Gay of the New York Times that stressed that drowning is a national public health issue, and the statistics for drowningwere just staggering. I alsosaw a TED Talk by Dr. Tiffany Monique Quash, who shared the history of Africans and Black Americans in swimming, and I was stunned to learn about that rich history.
So we set out to tell the most inclusive narrative possible. My producing partner team of Joy Reid, Jason Reid, and Adrienne Lopez jumped on board to executive produce the project. Jon and I finalized a partnership with Diversity in Aquatics who helped with research and gave us access to some amazing storylines and interviews. We established some amazing partners, including One America, Cigna Health, Asphalt Green, the Grey Foundation, American Red Cross, the Indianapolis Foundation, Lilly, and the Black Film Center Archives of Indiana University.
I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished so far, and I believe the best is yet to come by way of distribution.
IDA: Can you tell our members a little about the archive you donated to Indiana University? What is the significance of that for you and the community?
JH: I would not have become a filmmaker if it weren’t for the great education and experiences I gained as a student at Indiana University. I remember meeting the founders of the Black Film Center Archives when I was in film school, and I always hoped I would create work that would be worthy of being archived.
In 2023, the interim director of the Black Film Center Archives approached me about the idea of archiving my life’s work, and I was and still am beyond honored. I’ve been collaborating with the current director, Dr. Novotny Lawrence, and his team, and they’re a joy to work with. Now, students, scholars, filmmakers, and the general public can access my documentaries from the last thirty years. I don’t plan to stop working as a documentary producer, and I hope to continue contributing to the BFCA.
IDA: For our members who are eager to watch When Everyone Swims, your other films, and stay connected with your work, what’s the best way to see the film and follow your upcoming projects?
JH: To learn more about When Everyone Swims, please go to our website at the link below.
IDA: Looking ahead, what’s next for you? Are there any upcoming projects you can share with us?
JH: We are really fortunate to have a full slate of projects in various forms of production. One project is called Coleman College: The Forgotten HBCU – A Story of Generational Pride, which involves former mayor of Tallahassee John Marks tracing the history of his great-grandfather, Oliver Lewis Coleman, who went from being enslaved to launching a school in the deep south of Louisiana to help newly emancipated men and women gain a college education.
We’re also collaborating with the Harlem Globetrotters to help celebrate their 100th anniversary in 2026, and we have a docudrama biography on Negro baseball great, Oscar Charleston, in the works. We have some other exciting projects in the works that we will make sure to share with IDA members!
In a post on social media, the Canadian DJ/producer said she had been shrugging off health issues and had no choice but to call off her weekend two performance at the Sahara tent. “My body has been whispering for a while that I need a real break, but I continued to push thinking it would be fine,” she wrote. “I have to put my health first, as things going on need to be addressed.”
She said that she would be uploading her weekend one set to YouTube soon as it’s “something I’m super proud of. I love u all, I hope u understand. It’s gonna be a process for my healing. Thank you Coachella I’m grateful I got to perform last weekend now it’s time to focus on my health.”
Rezz is one of several musicians who had to cancel their Coachella performances this year. Ahead of the festival, Lambrini Girls dropped out due to the lead singer suffering a fractured neck and an acute brain injury. Fifteen minutes after he was supposed to take the main stage at midnight on Friday, Anyma announced that he was pulling the plug on his headlining show due to extreme weather.
Rezz has become known over the years for her powerful live performances and her signature glowing spiral goggles. She released her most recent project, the “A Shift in Perspective” EP, just days before her Coachella appearance this year.
SPOILER ALERT: This article contains spoilers for “Will Trent” Season 4 Episode 15, “The Blank Expanse of Nothing,” streaming on Hulu,
“Will Trent” just killed off one of its central characters, fundamentally altering the very fabric of the ABC cop drama.
Amanda Wagner, who has been played by Sonja Sohn since the show launched, met her end in this week’s episode. In the episode, Amanda is secretly working with the FBI to find information on the Commander, the mysterious figured linked to Adelaide Trevens (Mallory Jansen) and the cult-like group devoted to serial killer James Ulster.
Amanda is able to find a young man connected to the Commander that Will encountered earlier in the season. But as she tries to tail him, she’s suddenly surprised by an unseen assailant. Will (Ramón Rodríguez), meanwhile, is engaging in a cat-and-mouse game with Adelaide in hopes of rescuing his kidnapped uncle.
Will agrees to meet Adelaide at a bar, but when he tries to slip a tracking device onto her, she disappears, only to call him and say she has left a gift for him around the corner. Will then finds Amanda dead in the street with what appears to be multiple stab wounds.
In an interview with Variety, series showrunners Liz Heldens, Daniel T. Thomsen and Karine Rosenthal say that Amanda’s death “sets off a chain of events that is going to take us to the end of the season.”
“Amanda has been the character who has protected Will for as long as she has known him,” Rosenthal says. “So this gives us the opportunity for a completely new dynamic in the GBI, because her replacement will not have that same relationship with Will. Her death had the most impact on the most amount of characters. It really sets everybody reeling from this enormous loss. So it’s such a reset for our characters in a way that is painful but exciting for Season 5.”
The three also say that Sohn was aware of the death of her character early on, and that she handled the news with “an impressive amount of grace.”
“Nobody gets to always exit their shows — even on the writing side — on their own terms all the time,” Thomsen says. “It’s hard to do that with grace. So it was just very impressive. She is a total pro.”
Fans of “Will Trent” will remember that Amanda had a brush with death at the end of Season 3, when she was shot during a hostage situation at the GBI. According to Heldens, there were discussions about the character dying then, but “no one had the heart to do it. I don’t think we were ready, honestly.”
“I also don’t want to get through this interview without really honoring the work that Sonja Sohn has done on this character,” Heldens adds. “At the beginning of this season, I went back to watch the finale of Season 1, and her work is impeccable.”
And, of course, actors whose characters that have died off on the show have made appearances later on as projections of Will’s mind as he grapples with issues or tries to solve a case. The showrunners say that the door is open for Sohn to return in that capacity.
“That’s always a little of a comfort that we have a mechanism by which we could bring people back if Will needs to work something out,” Heldens says.
When “Joker: Folie á Deux” was only in its second weekend, it was another film about an unstable clown, made for 100x less than the Todd Phillips/Joaquin Phoenix sequel, that ended up taking the top spot at the box office over it. Speaking at IndieWire’s Future of Filmmaking Summit this past weekend in a chat moderated by Features Writer Ali Foreman, Cineverse’s Executive Director of Acquisitions, Brandon Hill, and Chief Content Officer, Yolanda Macias, explained the value they saw in Damien Leone’s “Terrifier” films and how they collaborated with others to expand on it.
“So I am not a horror fan, but I completely appreciate a filmmaker’s vision, and when they really know who their fans are, and they are not going to compromise, and even if they have a small budget they’re going to squeeze as much out of it as possible to bring it to the screen. And so that’s what I could see,” said Macias in describing her reaction to seeing “Terrifier 2” for the first time.
When Leone made his first two “Terrifier” films, he did so on his own schedule with a micro-budget and little more than his own independent spirit to push him forward. Thankfully, it paid off, as the films caught the eye of not only a niche audience, but also Cineverse (then Cinedigm), who jumped in to distribute Leone’s sequel and ballooned his budget to $2 million for “Terrifier 3.” It’s now grossed $63 million worldwide. For Macias, the themes and messages underneath all the blood and carnage is what made her see the franchise’s potential.
Cineverse Chief Content Officer Yolanda Macias, and Cineverse Executive Director of Acquisitions Brandon HillJesse Grant
“What girl doesn’t like a smart and funny guy, even though he’s terrifying,” Macias said, earning a laugh from the crowd at IndieWire’s Future of Filmmaking Summit, “but Art the Clown was the reason that I was sold. He’s trained to be a stage performer. He knows how to use his body, his expressions. He doesn’t say a word. You know exactly what he’s thinking. He’s clever, he’s funny. He steals every scene. And then you have a final girl on top of that, with Lauren. So those were the elements that I understood would reach a broader audience.”
In 2021, Cineverse purchased Bloody Disgusting, one of the producers on “Terrifer 2,” further cementing the franchise’s place within its roster. Hill went on to share how having that team in-house has given them a broader reach both in terms of audience and what it can offer the industry-at-large.
“With Bloody Disgusting, it’s like we’re tapping directly into the audience for this movie,” said Hill. “Obviously, we need to find ways to go beyond that. But it’s a pivotal piece for the ‘Terrifier’ franchise. And there’s a reason why studios and independents come to us, to Bloody Disgusting, specifically to advertise on all their films, by the marketing packages, etc, because there’s a direct line into the audience, and they know that they’re going to get their money’s worth.”
Yolanda Macias and Brandon HillRich Polk
Another vital component of rolling out “Terrifier 3” was Iconic Releasing. The distribution company helped eventize “Terrifier 2,” making it so successful that bigger groups were considered for handling the release of the third entry, but Cineverse saw Iconic knew what it were doing.
“Fathom, of course, had been doing several releases, including, ‘Jeepers Creepers Reborn’ and some other stuff. They maybe had more of the track record,” Hill said. “But at the end of the day, Iconic, they saw what we saw. They were very passionate about it, and ended up being the right partnership for this movie. I think everyone would agree that they did a really good job, and we tried to make this as big as you can from an independent standpoint. And we somehow, on the third movie, I think really took it to that next level collectively.”
Watch the full “Turning Low-Budget Horror Into Box Office Hits” panel above.
Special thanks to our Future of Filmmaking Summit partners: Canva, Kino, SAGindie, The American Pavilion, United for Business, and The Walt Disney Studios.
Atresmedia commissions Spanish adaptation of Talpa quiz format
Talpa Studios’ quiz show format Caught in the Middle is set for a Spanish adaptation commissioned by Atresmedia.
The adaptation of the show (pictured) …
‘Friends’ Character Trivia Quiz | BuzzFeed Quizzes
I’ve seen Friends more than any other show. I could probably put an episode on mute and quote the entire script. Please, someone, take me to trivia night. We will take the first-place prize. So if you’re anything like me, the characters from Friends are basically an extension of your real-life friends…that’s how well you know these characters. Which means, this quiz should be a breeze for you!
You know the game Two Truths and a Lie? Yeah, we’re going to play that, but a Friends edition. Here’s how it works: I’ll give you three “facts” about a Friends character, and you have to pick the lie. It’s really that simple. Ready? Let’s find out…
How’d you do? Drop your score in the comments. And while you’re there, tell me: who is the most underrated Friends character and why?
And for more fun content like this, make sure you follow BuzzFeed Canada on TikTok and Instagram!
Last fall, “Dr. Pimple Popper” suddenly became a patient herself.
Dr. Sandra Lee, the reality TV dermatologist and surgeon known for tackling ick-inducing skin situations on camera, had a bad day a week before Thanksgiving 2025 while she was taping new episodes of her show at her Upland office.
“I had what I thought was a hot flash. I got super sweaty and didn’t feel like myself,” she told People in an interview published Tuesday. She said she finished the shoot and then headed to her parents’ nearby home, where that evening she experienced shooting pains in one leg and later had trouble navigating down a flight of stairs in the middle of the night.
When she awakened the next day, she said, her left side wasn’t working properly and she was having trouble speaking clearly. It was definitely more than a hot flash.
Her doctor dad — also a dermatologist — told her to get herself to an ER, where she had an MRI that showed evidence of an ischemic stroke, where a vessel supplying blood to the brain gets obstructed. The diagnosis was a shock.
“As a physician I couldn’t deny that I had slurred speech, that I was having weakness on one side,” she said, “but I was like, ‘Well, this is a dream, right?’”
Lee, 55, said unmanaged cholesterol levels and high blood pressure were likely contributors to the stroke, plus the stress of balancing her real-life practice with the demands of “Dr. Pimple Popper.” She returned to production in January, she said, though she was more than a little freaked out.
“I don’t like that I don’t have total control of my left hand or the grip wasn’t as strong. If I feel like I’m not at my best — it’s very scary,” Lee said.
Her neurologist told the outlet that Lee’s symptoms are pretty much gone. Lee said she still notices slight differences when she speaks.
The TV doc is on blood thinners now and is still doing some physical therapy after spending two months post-stroke working through PT and occupational therapy. Lee had to make sure her left hand, among other body parts, was functional and that her balance and movement bounced back.
She does, after all, do precise procedures on camera for the Lifetime audience.
“People watch the videos over and over again because it helps them go to sleep at night,” she told People. But, she added, “Others watch it like it’s a scary movie or a roller coaster.”
Iranian-Linked Threat Actors and TTPs Targeting Financial Services in Europe
Given the escalating conflict between Iran, Israel, and the US that began on February 28, 2026, European financial services organizations face a multi-directional threat landscape from both state-sponsored APTs and proxy hacktivist groups.
Key Threat Actors to Monitor
#1: Seedworm / MuddyWater (Static Kitten) – Symantec researchers identified Iranian APT group Seedworm conducting intrusion operations against multiple U.S. organizations beginning in early February 2026, with targeted entities including a U.S. bank, software company, airport, and NGOs in the U.S. and Canada. This direct targeting of a bank demonstrates clear intent to compromise financial institutions. Seedworm, also tracked as MuddyWater, Temp Zagros, and Static Kitten, is assessed by CISA as a subordinate element within Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS).
#2: OilRig (APT34 / Helix Kitten) – OilRig primarily targets financial services, defense contractors, and energy organizations through spear-phishing and credential harvesting. OilRig specializes in cyberespionage with modular malware, PowerShell-based tools, DNS tunneling for C2, and custom backdoors like Helminth and QUADAGENT. In 2025, they targeted US transportation and manufacturing organizations, evolving tactics after a 2019 tool leak to enhance credential theft and network persistence.
#3: TA453 / Charming Kitten (Damselfly, Mint Sandstorm, APT42) – On 8 March, Proofpoint observed TA453 conduct a credential phishing attempt against a US thinktank target. The email correspondence culminating in this attempt commenced prior to the conflict, indicating that TA453 is continuing to prioritize intelligence collection against its traditional target set. Charming Kitten, active since 2014 and linked to the IRGC, specializes in espionage through spear-phishing with fake personas and compromised emails to deliver POWERSTAR malware, exploiting Microsoft Exchange vulnerabilities, and using password-spraying. Recently in 2024, they targeted US election accounts and Israeli cybersecurity experts with phishing via benign PDFs for credential harvesting.
#4: TA473 / Winter Vivern (Belarus-aligned) – Between 3–5 March 2026, the Belarus-aligned threat actor TA473 sent emails to government organizations in Europe and the Middle East. These messages originated from likely compromised infrastructure and purported to be a European Council President spokesperson. The phishing emails contained an HTML attachment titled “european union statement on the situation in iran and the middle east.html.” Notably, Proofpoint has not previously observed TA473 targeting Middle Eastern government organizations. The expansion into European targets makes this actor particularly relevant for European institutions.
Hacktivist Groups
Handala: Known for conducting attacks targeting Israeli organizations and entities perceived to support Israel by conducting phishing attacks, data theft, ransomware, extortion and destructive attacks, including the use of custom wipers.
DieNet: The pro-Palestine hacktivist group DieNet launched high-volume distributed denial-of-service attacks against U.S. critical infrastructure sectors, including energy, finance, healthcare, and transportation, using amplification techniques and DDoS-as-a-service infrastructure to disrupt operations.
TTPs to Monitor
Initial Access
Spear-Phishing (T1566): Campaigns heavily relied on aspects of the conflict as topical lure content to engage targets and often used compromised accounts belonging to government organizations to send phishing emails.
Credential Harvesting (T1056.003): Over the last year, multiple reports involving Iran-backed groups repeatedly highlighted credential attacks and mailbox compromises as a means of initial access and intelligence gathering.
Password Spraying (T1110.003): Organizations should deploy monitoring for password spraying attempts across multiple user accounts from unusual geographic locations, particularly authentication failures outside normal working hours or from VPN infrastructure including NordVPN endpoints.
Execution and Persistence
New Backdoors — Dindoor and Fakeset: Seedworm deployed a previously unknown backdoor named Dindoor leveraging Deno runtime for JavaScript and TypeScript execution, signed with certificates issued to “Amy Cherne.” A separate Python backdoor called Fakeset was discovered on U.S. airport and non-profit networks, signed with certificates issued to “Amy Cherne” and “Donald Gay.”
MuddyWater — New Malware (Operation Olalampo): First observed on 26 January 2026, MuddyWater deployed several novel malware variants including a Rust backdoor called CHAR that leveraged a Telegram bot as a command-and-control (C2) channel. Researchers identified indicators suggesting AI-assisted malware development.
DLL Sideloading (T1574.002): A loader executes a benign signed executable vulnerable to DLL sideloading (“nvdaHelperRemoteLoader.exe”), which then loads the malicious loader DLL “nvdaHelperRemote.dll,” decrypts a Cobalt Strike payload from WinHlp.hlp and loads it into memory.
Data Exfiltration (T1537): Attackers attempted data exfiltration from a software company using Rclone to transfer backups to Wasabi cloud storage buckets. Financial institutions should specifically monitor for unauthorized use of tools like Rclone.
Destructive Capabilities (T1485): Iran has demonstrated capability for destructive cyberattacks including wiper malware deployment, with historical operations like Shamoon against Saudi Arabia’s oil industry and BibiWiper attacks against Israeli targets.
DDoS (T1498): In DDoS attacks, groups have leveraged high-volume attacks reportedly via DDoS-as-a-service infrastructure, including TCP RST, DNS amplification, TCP SYN floods, and NTP amplification attacks, as well as website defacements and data breaches.
Defensive Recommendations
Enable multi-factor authentication across all remote access, disable legacy authentication protocols, and implement conditional access policies based on location and device risk.
Search environments for the presence of Deno runtimes or unauthorized Python scripts, which may indicate Dindoor or Fakeset infections. Monitor for the unauthorized use of data exfiltration tools like Rclone, especially large outbound transfers to external cloud storage platforms like Wasabi or Backblaze.
Given warnings that Iranian actors may escalate to disruptive or destructive operations, organizations should also validate network segmentation, protect and isolate backups, test recovery procedures, and ensure monitoring is in place for shadow copy deletion, mass task creation, suspicious administrative command execution, and attempts to disable security tooling.
Threat intelligence signatures tied to Iranian APT groups should be updated on a rolling basis, with real-time feeds enabled and newly published IOCs reviewed without delay. Reducing the external attack surface is equally urgent — default credentials must be changed across all assets, particularly OT and IoT devices that often go unpatched for long periods.
For a comprehensive view of the TTPs referenced above, visit the Feedly TTP AI Agent.
Gal Gadot played Diana Prince in the old DCEU movie franchise. However, as was the case for Henry Cavill’s Superman, Wonder Woman is being recast for James Gunn’s DC Universe. There was some initial confusion regarding the status of Gadot’s canceled Wonder Woman 3 and whether she could play the character in the DCU, but that has since been cleared up by multiple reports.
With Gadot out, the rumor mill regarding who will play DC’s new Wonder Woman in the DCU’s slate of releases has heated up considerably over the last year. A few names gained strength in fan circles, like Love Story star Sarah Pidgeon, Percy Jackson franchise’s Alexandra Daddario, Hollywood fan-favorite Ana de Armas, and Andor‘s Adria Arjona. The latter just might get to the finish line.
On Instagram, @gatodeozymandias shared what Adria Arjona could look like as Wonder Woman in the new DC Universe.
Different from Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman, the Andor actress dons a mix of the character’s more classic design from DC Comics and Gadot’s armored suit from the DCEU in the new DC fan art. This would create some connectivity between shared universes, while allowing the DCU’s Wonder Woman to be her own person.
Will Adria Arjona Play Wonder Woman In DC’s Man Of Tomorrow?
Adria Arjona as Bix in Andor season 1
The DC fan art comes after a major update. After being a fan-favorite DCU Wonder Woman candidate for so long, Arjona has finally joined the franchise. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Adria Arjona will appear in Man of Tomorrow in a mystery role. The 2027 movie is a follow-up to 2025’s Superman, and will feature several DCU heroes, like Superman, multiple Green Lanterns, Mister Terrific, Hawkgirl, and potentially more.
However, other reports from Deadline and Variety claimed she is playing Maxima, an alien who has a complex standing with Superman in the comics. In the end, both characters could make sense for Man of Tomorrow. Wonder Woman emerging in the DCU to help Superman and other heroes defend Earth from Brainiac would be on point. As for Maxima, she worked for Brainiac in DC Comics’ Panic in the Sky.
Why Adria Arjona Would Be Perfect For Wonder Woman
If she is indeed playing Wonder Woman, then DC would be getting one of the best actresses for the role. There is a reason why fans have wanted to see Arjona as Diana Prince for so long. The actress has delivered a series of magnetic appearances in multiple projects. In Hit Man, opposite Glen Powell, she showed all the charisma Wonder Woman should display.
In action projects like 6 Underground and Star Wars’ Andor, Arjona has shown her ability to sell intense action sequences and deliver dramatic skills that can make anyone weep, respectively. The actress is the complete package for a role as important to the future of the DCU as Wonder Woman, so if she was cast in the role, Adria Arjona would be the perfect fit.
A new update arrived for Animal Crossing: New Horizons on April 14 for both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. With this game patch, Nintendo is celebrating the franchise’s 25th anniversary and providing a few bug fixes as well. Players who download the update will receive an anniversary gift and special letter from Nintendo.
Downloading the version 3.0.2 update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons gifts players with a new item called the Leaf Statue. This statue is designed as Animal Crossing’s iconic leaf icon. In terms of size, this is a villager-size decorative item, and it even lights up. Players will just need to check their in-game mailbox to receive the Leaf Statue, and there’s even a thank-you note from Nintendo.
The letter thanks players for 25 years of the franchise. The design of the in-game letter also pays homage to the very first game with a stamp of the Nintendo 64 logo, which is the platform of the very first Animal Crossing game released on April 14, 2001.
I Was Born This Way retraces the life of singer and activist Carl Bean who went on to found the Minority AIDS Project and the world’s first LGBTQ+ church for people of color.
Directed by Daniel Junge and Sam Pollard, the documentary recreates turning points in Bean’s life with the use of rotoscoping, adding a multidimensional aspect to his character.
With his unweavable faith and the unconditional support of his mother, Bean found the strength to overcome abuse and move from Baltimore to LA where he signed up with Motown Records.
Written as an anthem by Chris Spierer and Bunny Jones., I Was This Born Way became the rallying cry of the mainstream gay rights movement in the 70s, at a time where it was taboo to say that you were gay.
The documentary includes interviews from inspirational stars such as Billy Porter, Dionne Warwick, Questlove, Estelle Brow, Iris Gordy, and Lady Gaga who reminds us to remember to love people that are different from us, “it’s the only way forward.”
NeAndre Broussard, chief executive of BMW Digital and founder of the Black Menswear movement, wants marketers to stop chasing virality and start building long-term relationships with the communities behind them.
Speaking at ADWEEK’s Social Media Week on Tuesday, Broussard drew on six years of growing the Black Menswear movement to argue that consistency, not trend-chasing, is what builds cultural relevance.
His agency, BMW Digital, helps brands reach Black consumers, specifically Black men. Since its founding, the agency has amassed nearly 1 million followers across platforms and hosted more than 40 activations across three continents.
“We were not trendy, but we were consistent,” Broussard said. “We were committed.”
Too many marketing campaigns, he argued, are built around fleeting moments rather than the communities that give those moments meaning.
“Culture isn’t a media buy—it’s a relationship,” he told the audience. “Communities don’t operate off of campaigns.”
To combat this fixation on ephemeral returns, Broussard outlined four principles for brands seeking to build authentic community ties:
listen before launching a campaign
partner with platforms that already have established trust
invest beyond individual campaign cycles
amplify the voices those communities already follow
The goal, he said, is to make consumers, not the brand, feel like the hero.
Campaigns built on those principles, including work tied to the Kentucky Derby, have generated net sentiment scores in the high 90% range, according to Broussard, who cited the metrics as evidence that the approach delivers positive results.
“Ask them, and they will tell,” he said. “Empower them, and you will sell.”
2013’s ‘Super Buddies’. Photos: Walt Disney Pictures.
When the five puppies stumble upon the Five Power Rings of Inspiron (alien artifacts abandoned on Earth 16 years ago), they all develop super powers, and are enlisted in Captain Canine’s (Colin Hanks) battle against the evil Darkon alien Commander Drex (John Michael Higgins).
“You don’t need superpowers to be a super hero.”
Release Date: Aug 27, 2013
Run Time: 1 hr 21 min
(Center) Zendaya as Lola Bunny in ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy.’ Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.
When LeBron James and his young son Dom (Cedric Joe) are trapped in a digital space by a rogue A.I. (Don Cheadle), LeBron must get them home safe by leading Bugs, Lola Bunny (Zendaya) and the whole gang of notoriously undisciplined Looney Tunes to victory over the A.I.’™s digitized champions on the court: a powered-up roster of professional basketball stars as you’ve never seen them before. It’s Tunes versus Goons in the highest-stakes challenge of his life, that will redefine LeBron’s bond with his son and shine a light on the power of being yourself. The ready-for-action Tunes destroy convention, supercharge their unique talents and surprise even ‘King’ James by playing the game their own way.
Release Date: Jul 16, 2021
Run Time: 1 hr 55 min
Budget: $150,000,000
2018’s ‘Duck Duck Goose’. Photo: Open Road Films.
After he’s grounded by an injury, a high-flying bachelor (Jim Gaffigan) is saddled with two wide-eyed orphans (Zendaya and Lance Lim) as they come face-to-face with the dangers and beauty of the outside world.
“Family can be a wild ride”
Release Date: Jul 20, 2018
Run Time: 1 hr 31 min
2018’s ‘Smallfoot.’ Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.
A bright young yeti (Channing Tatum) finds something he thought didn’t exist—a human. News of this “smallfoot” throws the simple yeti community into an uproar over what else might be out there in the big world beyond their snowy village.
“There’s been a big myth-understanding”
Release Date: Sep 28, 2018
Run Time: 1 hr 36 min
Budget: $80,000,000
Zendaya in ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming.’ Photo: Marvel Studios.
Following the events of ‘Captain America: Civil War‘, Peter Parker (Tom Holland), with the help of his mentor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), tries to balance his life as an ordinary high school student in Queens, New York City, with fighting crime as his superhero alter ego Spider-Man as a new threat, the Vulture (Michael Keaton), emerges.
“Homework can wait. The city can’t.”
Release Date: Jul 7, 2017
Run Time: 2 hr 13 min
Budget: $175,000,000
(L to R) John David Washington and Zendaya in ‘Malcolm & Marie.’ Photo: Netflix.
As a filmmaker (John David Washington) and his girlfriend (Zendaya) return home from his movie premiere, smoldering tensions and painful revelations push them toward a romantic reckoning.
Release Date: Jan 29, 2021
Run Time: 1 hr 46 min
Budget: $2,500,000
(L to R) Robert Pattinson and Zendaya in ‘The Drama’. Photo: A24.
A happily engaged couple (Zendaya and Robert Pattinson) is put to the test when an unexpected turn sends their wedding week off the rails.
“Witness the wedding of the year.”
Release Date: Apr 3, 2026
Run Time: 1 hr 45 min
Budget: $28,000,000
(L to R) Zendaya and Tom Holland in ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’. Photo: Marvel Studios.
Peter Parker (Tom Holland) and his friends go on a summer trip to Europe. However, they will hardly be able to rest – Peter will have to agree to help Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) uncover the mystery of creatures that cause natural disasters and destruction throughout the continent.
Release Date: Jul 2, 2019
Run Time: 2 hr 9 min
Budget: $160,000,000
Zendaya in ‘The Greatest Showman.’ Photo: 20th Century Fox.
The story of American showman P.T. Barnum (Hugh Jackman), founder of the circus that became the famous traveling Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence-a commodity capable of unlocking humanity’s greatest potential-only those who can conquer their fear will survive.
From visionary filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, ‘Challengers’ stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court. Married to a champion on a losing streak (Mike Faist – ‘West Side Story‘), Tashi’s strategy for her husband’s redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick (Josh O’Connor – ‘The Crown‘) – his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend. As their pasts and presents collide, and tensions run high, Tashi must ask herself, what will it cost to win.
Release Date: Apr 26, 2024
Run Time: 2 hr 12 min
Budget: $55,000,000
(L to R) Zendaya and Tom Holland in ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’. Photo: Marvel Studios.
Peter Parker (Tom Holland) is unmasked and no longer able to separate his normal life from the high-stakes of being a super-hero. When he asks for help from Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) the stakes become even more dangerous, forcing him to discover what it truly means to be Spider-Man.
Follow the mythic journey of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) as he unites with Chani (Zendaya) and the Fremen while on a path of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, Paul endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.
Osgood Perkins is working on a new Longlegs feature, a follow-up to the filmmaker’s mystery horror thriller that became highest grossing independent film of the past decade.
And in a twist out of the Longlegs playbook, rather than original distributor Neon being involved, this one has Skydance-owned Paramount Pictures as the project’s new home.
Paramount has picked up the rights to the new mystery Longlegs project, which Perkins has written and will direct as well as produce. Nicolas Cage is returning as star and producer.
Also producing are Brian Kavanaugh Jones of Range Media; Chris Ferguson, Perkins’ partner at their company Phobos; and Dave Caplan of C2, which financed the initial movie.
Paramount and Perkins are keeping details in the basement but sources stress that this new Longlegs is not a sequel but something “set in the Longlegs universe.”
Longlegs was an out-of-nowhere hit when released by Neon in 2024, launching Perkins as a name horror filmmaker and establishing the star bonafides of Maika Monroe. The actress starred as an FBI agent, with an aptitude for clairvoyance, who investigates a series of murder-suicides in Oregon that are connected to serial killer nicknamed Longlegs. Cage played Longlegs in a gonzo performance
Longlegs earned $128 million worldwide on a budget of less than $10 million, becoming Neon’s highest-grossing domestic outing. The movie swirled several potent ingredients in its cauldron, among them the occult, mind manipulation, Satanic worship, creepy dolls, and a crime procedural, making the story’s world fertile for more exploration.
Nicolas Cage in Longlegs
Neon/Courtesy Everett Collection
Sources say that Neon stepped aside when the new project’s scope and budget exceeded that of the company’s normal parameters.
New Paramount’s studio leadership, under Josh Greenstein and Dana Goldberg, has been putting a strong focus horror on its slate building. It has two on-the-lot production entities that focus on horror, BoulderLight Pictures and Walter Hamada’s 18hz productions, with the latter behind the upcoming Passenger set for a May 22 release. It also is relaunching the Paranormal Activity franchise with horror mavens James Wan and Jason Blum producing. And Paramount is basking in the glow of the record-breaking success of Scream 7, which scared up $211.9 million when it was released earlier this year.
Perkins went to direct horror movies The Monkey and Keeper and has wrapped production on his latest scary movie, The Young People, which stars Nicole Kidman, Lola Tung and Nico Parker.
Cage’s next big outing is starring in Amazon Prime Video’s Spider-Man series Spider-Noir, which debuts in May. Later this year, he portrays football great John Madden in David O. Russell’s Madden.
Perkins is repped by CAA, Untitled, and Lichter Grossman while Cage is repped by WME, Stride Management and Goodman Genow.
