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.
(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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
Simone Boseman paid musical tribute to her late husband, actor Chadwick Boseman, during Saturday night’s Stand Up to Cancer telecast.
Actor Anthony Anderson introduced the Black Panther star’s widow, saying, “Many of us were devastated to learn of Chadwick Boseman’s tragic passing after he privately grappled with cancer for several years.”
“The world lost an incredible artist, and a true hero,” he continued. “But before he was a public figure, he was a person like you or me — a son, a brother, uncle, cousin, friend, colleague, husband.”
The black-ish star noted that, “Many of us are all too familiar with the fracture a dearly loved one’s passing leaves in the lives of those who love them. Here to perform a song about living with the reality of loss and finding a way forward is Chadwick’s wife, Simone.”
Simone then delivered an emotional rendition of “I’ll Be Seeing You,” the classic song written in 1938 by Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal and recorded by Billie Holiday, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett, among others.
Also taking part in the SU2C event were a number of celebrities — including Chadwick’s Marvel co-stars Danai Gurira, Chris Evans, Karen Gillan and Paul Rudd.
Reese Witherspoon and husband Jim Toth were among the hosts and executive producers of this year’s event, which raises money for cancer research programs.
Paul Bettany was proud, and surprised, when his Marvel Cinematic Universe spin-off series WandaVision conjured up 23 Emmy nominations — including Marvel’s first ever acting nominations for him, co-star Elizabeth Olsen, and scene stealer Kathryn Hahn.
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Bettany explained, “We always thought that we were going to be the sort of kooky cousin that was kind of niche.”
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier was supposed to run on Disney+ ahead of WandaVision, he explained, but instead, Marvel Studios launched with WandaVision, an adventure couched in an homage to classic sitcoms.
“When it all flipped, I was a little apprehensive,” Bettany admits. “But I was so heartened to see it embraced in the way that it was.”
Despite a career featuring solid performances in films like A Beautiful Mind, on which he met his wife, Oscar-winner Jennifer Connelly, it was WandaVision that snagged Bettany’s first major award nomination, in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series category.
“It came as a huge surprise and a very welcome one,” the 50-year-old explained. “I was pretending not to care about it, but it turns out I did.”
Bettany has been a part of the MCU since its inception, first voicing Tony Stark’s AI system J.A.R.V.I.S. starting in 2008’s Iron Man, before appearing as Vision in 2015’s Avengers: Age of Ultron.
He says of WandaVision, “It’s been such a great ride. It’s been so lovely to actually have something really substantial for both Lizzie [Olsen] and I to do…” calling it, “a lovely explosion of creativity from everybody involved.”
The 73rd Emmys will be held live and in person from on Sunday, September 19 at 8 p.m. Eastern on CBS.
Marvel Studios is owned by Disney, parent company of ABC News.
With children heading back to school and the summer holidays coming to a close, nothing sends off the season better than gathering around the campfire to roast marshmallows. However, not everyone knows how to toast a s’mores-worthy marshmallow.
Leave it to Cake Boss star Buddy Valastro, who’s toasted his fair share of the plump and fluffy confections, to reveal his secret to getting it right every time.
Speaking to ABC Audio, the celebrity chef remarked, “S’mores is like an American icon. I mean, we’ve been doing it for over a hundred years.” Yet despite the treat being around for over a century, Valastro notes that some people still mishandle the marshmallow, which is the most important ingredient.
“People get antsy. They want to put it right into the fire, light it on fire and then it charcoals,” he said, while making a face.
Buddy stressed that a little bit of patience goes a long way. “You got to keep it nice and high so it gets gooey inside,” he explained, noting that it’s time to bring out the chocolate and graham crackers when the marshmallow is “golden brown on the outside.”
“Then it’s got that creamy bite,” Valastro grinned.
Speaking of s’mores, the Food Network star is helping make the American staple a little more creative, by nominating the “official” fourth ingredient to the classic s’mores trio. Valastro teamed with Jet-Puffed on a nationwide contest, where people submitted their ideas for a chance at $10,000 and a lifetime supply of marshmallows.
He’s currently judging entries on his TikTok and tells ABC Audio, “We’ve had everything from peanuts to pretzels to cream cheese… which was a little weird.”
Marvel fans will get a chance to see Dominique Thorne before she officially stars as Riri Williams in her highly anticipated Disney+ series, Ironheart.
Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige confirmed to Comicbook.com that Thorne will make her MCU debut in next year’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
First created by Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Deodato Jr., Riri was first introduced in Marvel Comics in 2016 as a 15-year-old MIT student who designs a suit of armor similar to Iron Man’s. Tony Stark takes the young inventor under his wing, and eventually gives her an Iron Man suit of her own.
However, since Robert Downey, Jr.‘s Stark is dead in the MCU, the Wakanda Forever connection would likely see Riri catch the attention of Letitia Wright‘s Princess Shuri, Wakanda’s resident tech genius, and one of the smartest people on the planet, according to the Marvel Universe.
Not only was Shuri tasked with heading up the Wakandan International Outreach Centre in Los Angeles at the end of Black Panther, but the character had toyed with her own Wakandan Iron Man-style suits, as seen in the interactive Avengers: Damage Controlexperiencewhich was co-produced by Marvel Studios.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is set to hit theaters on July 8, 2022. Ironheart does not yet have a premiere date.
Marvel is owned by Disney, parent company of ABC News.
