Entertainment

It wasn’t Tom Holland who accidentally leaked precious secrets about an upcoming Spider-Man movie, but the 25-year-old actor did his part to hype the franchise’s third installment before the official teaser dropped on Monday, following an alleged leak the day prior.

Taking to Instagram stories, Holland warned, “You ain’t ready!” 

Soon enough, Marvel dropped the official teaser-trailer for Spider-Man: No Way Home, which picks up right after Spider-Man: Far from Home‘s cliffhanger, where Jake Gyllenhaal‘s villainous Mysterio unmasks Peter Parker as Spider-Man and wrongfully accuses him of his murder.

The situation weaves a tangled web for Peter, who’s grappling with losing his secret identity while trying to prove his innocence to the world, which dubs him “public enemy #1.”  

Desperate, Peter seeks out the help of Benedict Cumberbatch‘s Doctor Strange and asks if there’s a spell to make everyone forget he’s Spider-Man. Unfortunately, the spell goes haywire and sends the world plunging into chaos. Alternate multiverse realities begin to crash into one another, bringing back familiar faces from Spider-Man’s past, including Jamie Foxx‘s Electro and Alfred Molina‘s Doctor Octopus. In addition, we can hear Willem Dafoe‘s chilling Green Goblin laugh.

The trailer ends with Strange’s ominous warning: “Be careful what you wish for, Parker.”

While the teaser features villains from past Spider-Man incarnations, it doesn’t confirm if original Spider-Man Tobey Maguire or successor Andrew Garfield will also appear in the MCU as rumored. Maguire appeared in three Spider-Man films in the late 90s and early aughts, while Garfield took over the mantle in 2012 and 2014.

Spider-Man: No Way Home is a co-production of Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios. It swings into theaters December 17.

Marvel Studios is owned by Disney, the parent company of ABC News.

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Vanessa Bryant posted to social media a touching tribute to her late husband, Kobe, on Monday, which would have been his 43rd birthday.

In a note accompanying a photo of her and the late basketball legend kissing, Vanessa wrote, “Happy birthday, Papi,” and, in Spanish, “I love you forever” and “eternal love,” next to a broken-heart emoji and the number 43.  

Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were killed in a January 26, 2020, helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, that also took the lives of fellow passengers Alyssa Altobelli, John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Payton Chester, Sarah Chester and Christina Mauser, as well as pilot Ara Zobayan.

In February of this year, the National Transportation Safety Board primarily blamed Zobayan for the deadly crash, which occurred when he got disoriented in poor flying conditions. The agency also faulted Island Express Helicopters Inc., which operated the aircraft, for poor oversight of pilot review and other safety matters.

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Even though the show started shooting in July, the Sex and the City follow-up …And Just Like That will be coming to HBO Max before the year’s out. 

HBO Max has announced the series, starring and executive produced by Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon and Kristen Davis, will debut this fall. There’s no firm date yet, but the streaming service dropped …And Just Like That into its newly released fall schedule. 

…And Just Like That also stars returning SATC stars Chris Noth, Mario Cantone, Evan Handler and David Eigenberg. as well as Grey’s Anatomy‘s Sara Ramirez and Empire‘s Nicole Ari Parker, the latter of whom it’s speculated will replace Kim Catrall‘s Samantha Jones, albeit playing a new character.

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Taraji P. Henson‘s Facebook Watch series, Peace of Mind with Taraji, is coming back for a second season.

Facebook Watch announced on Monday that Henson’s Daytime Emmy-nominated series, which focuses on mental health, is officially getting a new season with 10 episodes. Co-hosted by Henson and her best friend Tracie Jade, the series debuted in December 2020 and helped to shine a light on the “challenging mental health issues facing us today — especially those in the Black community.”  Season two production of Peace of Mind with Taraji has already begun in Los Angeles. The new season will debut later this year on Facebook Watch.

In other news, HBO has revealed that the fifth and final season of Issa Rae‘s hit comedy, Insecure, will premiere in October. Although an official release date has yet to be announced, it was previously reported that filming for the final season had wrapped back in June.

Finally, it appears that Nicole Ari Parker may be the new Samantha Jones in the upcoming Sex and the City revival And Just Like That… According to The Guardian, Parker will reportedly replace Kim Cattrall as the fourth member of the New York friend group. The report comes after fans lashed out about the reboot without Cattral in her signature role as Samantha. Parker is said to play Carrie’s new best friend, documentarian Lisa Todd Wexley. As previously reported, three of the original show’s four main stars — Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon — are all set to return to the series.

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Ryan Reynolds‘ Free Guy had the distinction of having the best second-weekend performance of the pandemic era, but if you’re still not ready to go the theater, you’re in luck. 

20th Century Studios has announced that the film is coming to digital sooner than expected, on September 28, and will debut on Blu-ray, DVD and 4K Ultra HD on October 12.

The movie has an audience score of 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, and has been “Certified Fresh” with critics on the review aggregator, with an 82%.

The home version of the film will be packed with special features, including deleted scenes, a gag reel and special featurettes, including one with Taika Waititi‘s endless ad-libbing for his character Antwan, and another that lets viewers explore Free City, main character Guy’s hometown — which he comes to realize is actually a video game. 

20th Century Studios is owned by Disney, the parent company of ABC News.

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(NEW YORK) — Mayim Bialik is the first guest host for the syndicated version of “Jeopardy!” amid Mike Richards’ exit.

Sony Pictures Television confirmed the news to ABC News Monday, noting that she is currently scheduled to tape three weeks of episodes, totaling 15 episodes, when production resumes this week.

The production company also said additional guest hosts will be announced as production on the upcoming 38th season of the quiz show continues.

The “Big Bang Theory” alum, who was announced earlier this month as the new host for “Jeopardy!” primetime specials and spin-offs, with Richards tapped to host the syndicated version before he announced Friday he was stepping away “effective immediately” amid resurfaced controversial remarks.

Bialik guest hosted “Jeopardy!” earlier this year from May 31 to June 11.

Richards announced he was departing as host in an internal note to “Jeopardy!” staff.

“It pains me that these past incidents and comments have cast such a shadow on Jeopardy! as we look to start a new chapter,” Richards, who remains an executive producer of the program, began.

He added that he was “deeply honored” to be asked to serve as the permanent replacement for Alex Trebek, who died last November after a years-long battle with pancreatic cancer, but it had “become clear that moving forward as host would be too much of a distraction for our fans and not the right move for the show.”

Sony Pictures Entertainment, who said in a statement to ABC News they were “surprised” to learn of Richards’ past comments, is looking for a new permanent host for the syndicated game show.

“I want to apologize to each of you for the unwanted attention that has come to Jeopardy! over the last few weeks and for the confusion and delays this is now causing,” Richards concluded. “I know I have a lot of work to do to regain your trust and confidence.”

Richards came under fire last week after a report from The Ringer exposed past disparaging comments made about women on “The Randumb Show,” a podcast he hosted from 2013 to 2014, the recordings of which have since been deleted. Richards has apologized for the comments.

The report also brought to light a 2010 lawsuit in which a former model on “The Price Is Right,” during Richards’ tenure on that program, alleged her contract was not renewed after she gave birth. Of the discrimination case, which was settled out of court without any admitting of wrongdoing, Richards said the allegations “don’t reflect the reality of who I am.”

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John Travolta is opening up about the candid conversation he had with his son following the death of his wife, Kelly Preston. 

Preston died of breast cancer in July 2020, leaving behind the couple’s youngest son, Benjamin Travolta, who John revealed was worried he would lose his father, too. 

“He said to me once, he said, ‘Because Mom passed away, I’m afraid you’re going to,'” the 67-year-old actor shared while on Kevin Hart‘s talk show on Peacock, Hart to Heart. “And I said, ‘Well, it’s a very different thing.’ And then I went through the differences about my longevity and her limited life.”

The Grease star then got real with his child, telling him, “But you know, Ben, you always love the truth and I’m going to tell you the truth about life. Nobody knows when they’re going to go or when they’re going to stay…”

Referencing the pair’s other son, Jett Travolta, who died in January 2009 after suffering a seizure, John added, “Your brother left at 16. Too young. Your mother left at 57 and that was too young. But who’s to say?'”

“I could die tomorrow. You could. Anybody can,” he said. “So let’s look at life that, it’s part of life, you see? You don’t know exactly. You just do your best at trying to live the longest you can.”

John also has a daughter with Preston, 21-year-old Ella Bleu Travolta. 

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Whether it’s the wrestling ring or the silver screen, John Cena is no stranger to the spotlight.

The actor and WWE star joined “Good Morning America” fresh off the heels of Summer Slam and ahead of the release of his latest movie, “Vacation Friends.”

Cena opened up about not winning his 17th WWE Championship title, saying, “Unfortunately WWE don’t give a silver medal.”

“I think I will try to do the best I can until I feel I’m offending the consumer,” he said. “There’s nothing like the energy of being in that ring with the audience around.”

He continued, “I’ve had the fortunate opportunity to do a whole lot of stuff. That energy is indescribable. That place is my home. I wouldn’t be who I am without it. The audience is my family — I want to be kind to them — I still feel good even though I finished second so I still feel I have something to contribute.”

Prior to the temporary production shutdown brought on by the pandemic, Cena said he and the cast of “Vacation Friends” were “paid 12 hours to party every day” while filming on location in Puerto Rico.

“The crazy thing was we filmed right up until the world shut down,” he said. “So we had this crazy bond for two weeks and then we were down for eight months.”

Cena said his production was one of the first to go back to work in Atlanta.

After a blockbuster summer, starring in a variety of roles from the “Suicide Squad” to “F9: The Fast Saga,” Cena said, “I don’t want to classify myself as like ‘OK stay in this lane.'”

When asked what types of roles he enjoys the most, Cena replied, ” I wouldn’t put myself as an action guy — I just like to entertain. I really do. I think when I read a story and am moved by it — that’s what I enjoy.”

As for the fate of his future “Fast and Furious” appearances, Cena took an opportunity to plead with “those who are listening and make those decisions.”

“We’re gonna see an F10, I just don’t know if we’re going to see me in F10,” he said with a laugh. “I really do love the ‘Fast’ family and it’s a movie that is continuing to crush worldwide. I think today we passed 700 million worldwide, in this environment, which is an unbelievable achievement — I really hope I can get invited back for ‘Fast 10.'”

“Vacation Friends” begins streaming on Hulu Friday, Aug. 27.

Hulu is owned by a division of Disney, ABC’s parent company.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

After Mike Richards stepped down from hosting Jeopardy!, fans have reignited their efforts to have LeVar Burton succeed the late Alex Trebek.

Over the weekend, Ryan Reynolds joined those in support of the Reading Rainbow star by sharing a story about what can happen when fans make enough noise.

Taking to Twitter on Saturday, the Canadian actor explained, “Pretty consistently from 2013 to 2015 Deadpool would explode on Twitter with fans wanting me to play him. It was awkward because I agreed with them but the studio didn’t see it.”

“Ultimately the fans won and the rest is glorious history. I’m forever grateful,” Reynolds, who’s set to star in the upcoming third Deadpool movie, concluded, before then adding, “Hi @levarburton.”

The 64-year-old actor responded to Reynolds’ thread by tweeting two praying hands emojis and a purple heart emoji.

Burton has said hosting Jeopardy! is his “dream job” and had been campaigning for the gig since 2013.  Following Trebek’s passing, fans launched a Change.org petition for Burton to become Trebek’s official replacement, which has amassed over 271,000 signatures. He guest-hosted Jeopardy! from July 26 to July 30.

Earlier this month, it was announced that Richards and The Big Bang Theory star Mayim Bialik would succeed Trebek. Then last week, Richards stepped down amid the controversy over past comments he made on a podcast, which many considered to be sexist. 

A new, permanent replacement for Trebek, who died November 8 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, has not yet been announced.  More guest hosts take the Jeopardy! lectern in the meantime.

Pretty consistently from 2013 to 2015 Deadpool would explode on Twitter with fans wanting me to play him. It was awkward because I agreed with them but the studio didn’t see it. Ultimately the fans won and the rest is glorious history. I’m forever grateful.

Hi @levarburton

— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) August 20, 2021

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The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t kept theatergoers from flocking to see Free Guy.  The action comedy, starring Ryan Reynolds and Jodie Comer held onto the top spot at the box office, delivering an estimated $18.8 million and bringing its two-week total to $58.8 million stateside. The film also added an estimated $53.1 million overseas, bringing its current worldwide total to $111.9 million.

Free Guy, showing exclusively in theaters, is from 20th Century Studios, which is owned by ABC News’ parent company, Disney.

Nipping at Free Guy‘s heels in second place is PAW Patrol: The Movie, fetching an estimated $13 million domestically. The animated family-friendly feature, based on the popular Nickelodeon kids’ show, added an estimated $21.5 million overseas, bringing its worldwide tally to $34.5 million.

Repeating at third place in its fourth week of release is Disney’s Jungle Cruise, pulling in an estimated $6.2 million.  That brings the movie’s domestic box-office total to $92.5 million to go along with an estimated $81.2 million internationally, making its worldwide earnings $173.7 million.  Jungle Cruise is also available to Disney+ subscribers for a $30 surcharge.

Don’t Breathe 2, the R-rated follow-up to the 2016 home invasion thriller, sits in fourth place, earning just over $5 million in its second week, to lift its domestic earnings to just shy of $19.7 million.  An estimated $7.5 million in overseas earnings brings its worldwide box-office total to around $27.2 million.

The Aretha Franklin biopic Respect grabbed an estimated $3.8 million in its second week of release for a $15.1 million domestic take so far.

It was a pretty disappointing weekend for this weekend’s other newcomers.  The Protege, starring Michael Keaton, Maggie Q. and Samuel L. Jackson, finished in seventh place with an estimated $2.9 million, while The Night House, starring Rebecca Hall, placed eighth with an estimated $2.86 million

Finally, Hugh Jackman‘s sci-fi thriller Reminiscence had a pretty forgettable opening weekend, delivering an estimated $2 million for a ninth-place finish.

Flag Day, directed and starring Sean Penn and co-starring his daughter, Dylan Penn, also opened to disappointing numbers, earning an estimated $40,750 from 24 theaters.

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