It seems Jessica Alba has joined the upcoming Netflix reboot of 13 Going on 30. Deadline reports the actress is set to star alongside Emily Bader, Logan Lerman and Adeline Rudolph in the upcoming rom-com. Alba’s role and the new film’s logline are being kept under wraps for the time being. The original film’s star, Jennifer Garner, serves as an executive producer on the project, which is currently in production in LA …
The official trailer for My Life with the Walter Boys season 3 has arrived. The Netflix series will debut its third season on Aug. 6. It finds Jackie navigating her messy relationships and new personal ambitions after the love triangle and a family crisis rocket the Walter family. Nikki Rodriguez stars alongside Noah LaLonde and Ashby Gentry in the romance series …
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia season 18 has a release date. The new season of the comedy series premieres on Aug. 17. The gang of Rob Mac, Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, Kaitlin Olson and Danny DeVito will be back in brand-new episodes of TV’s longest-running live-action comedy series …
Noah Schnapp, Caleb McLaughlin, Gaten Matarazzo and Finn Wolfhard on set of ‘Stranger Things’ season 5. (Netflix)
It’s been a decade since audiences were introduced to the Upside Down.
Netflix is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the debut of Stranger Things season 1. The sci-fi series premiered to the small screen on July 15, 2016. Its creators, Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer, as well as director Shawn Levy, reflected on what it means for the show to reach this milestone.
“We’re feeling so many emotions today. Nostalgic, proud, and, yeah, a little sad too, that the decade-long journey of making Stranger Things has come to an end,” the Duffer brothers said in a statement. “But above all, we feel grateful — for our amazing cast, who we watched grow into wonderful human beings; for the hundreds of brilliant artists who devoted so much of themselves bringing the story to life; and for you, the fans, whose dedication, patience, and passion fueled all of us throughout the years.”
Levy said it’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years since Stranger Things “turned our world upside down.”
“What began as a brilliant script by the Duffer Brothers, a story about four kids in a basement playing Dungeons & Dragons, became something far bigger than any of us ever imagined,” Levy continued. “One of the greatest joys of this past decade has been watching these characters, and our incredible cast, grow up alongside the fans who have made Hawkins a place they return to again and again.”
Additionally, Netflix has released a special VHS version of the first season that gives viewers the chance to experience the show as if it was on a VHS rented in 1983. Netflix has also released a 26-minute video featuring all of the show’s main cast looking back on 10 years of memories with the series.
The official cast list for ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum.’ (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Production has started on The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum.
Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema released a video on Tuesday marking the start of cameras rolling on the Andy Serkis-directed film.
The video follows Serkis arriving on set of production day 1. He is dressed in a motion-capture suit and speaks directly to a camera. “Here we go, on to the mo-cap stage for day 1,” he says.
As soon as he enters a room, someone says, “Director’s on set. Let’s standby please, everybody.”
The first scene of the shoot features Serkis as his iconic character Gollum. He completely transforms into the character as the camera rolls, before using Gollum’s signature voice to say, “And, action!”
Several original Lord of the Rings cast members will reprise their celebrated performances in the upcoming film. Ian McKellen will return as the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Elijah Wood will play the hobbit Frodo Baggins and Lee Pace will reprise his part as Thrandruil.
As seen in the video, Serkis will perform the role of Gollum and his alter ego, Sméagol.
Joining The Lord of the Rings universe this time around are Jamie Dornan as Strider, the chief of the Northern Dúnedain Rangers, and Leo Woodall, who will play another of the Dúnedain, Halvard. Strider leads the hunt across Middle-earth for Gollum while Halvard accompanies him on the dangerous mission.
Also confirmed to join the film’s cast is Kate Winslet. As the film’s story delves into Gollum’s past, it will explore a time when he was a young Stoorish boy named Sméagol. Winslet will portray one of the key players in the settlement of Stoors — the matriarch Marigol.
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum arrives in theaters on Dec. 17, 2027.
Danny McBride is set to direct Paramount’s upcoming G.I. Joe movie.
The actor will make his directorial debut by helming the upcoming film based on the classic Hasbro toy franchise, ABC Audio has learned. He also penned the movie’s script.
The currently untitled G.I. Joe movie is keeping its plot details under wraps for the time being. G.I. Joe remains a priority IP for Paramount, sources told ABC Audio.
The G.I. Joe toy line launched in the ’60s. It garnered even more popularity in the ’80s after inspiring a popular animated TV series, which introduced characters such as Duke, Snake Eyes and Roadblock.
Three previous G.I. Joe movies have been released by Paramount. The first was 2009’s G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra starring Channing Tatum; the second was 2013’s G.I. Joe: Retaliation starring Dwyane Johnson and Bruce Willis; and the third was 2021’s Snake Eyes spinoff starring Henry Golding.
McBride is known for creating and starring in HBO’s The Righteous Gemstones. Some of his film credits include Pineapple Express, Tropic Thunder and Alien: Covenant.
The key art for season 42 of ‘The Challenge.’ (Jonne Roriz/Paramount+)
The Challenge has officially moved to Paramount+ for season 42.
The popular reality competition show will feature a mixture of veterans and newcomers on its cast as they compete against each other on The Challenge: Cutthroat. The 42nd season, which will take place in Thailand, premieres on Aug. 5. The trailer for the new season is available to watch now.
Season 42 marks a major change with its brand-new, exclusive streaming home. The Challenge previously aired on MTV. However, spinoffs such as The Challenge: All Stars premiered on the streaming service and one version of the show aired on CBS.
There will be 24 contestants competing “past their breaking points in a ruthless battle for a share of the $500,000 grand prize,” according to an official description of the season. “In this bold new era, the Challengers will be divided into three teams and the only way to take home a share of the cash prize, is to cross the finish line together as a unit. To win, nominated captains must balance their hunger for dominance with the need for loyalty, or risk losing their power while solo players must prove they can be team players or lose their chance at the winnings.”
Competing this season are veteran contestants Brad Fiorenza, Chris “CT” Tamburello, Chris Underwood, Cory Wharton, John “Johnny Bananas” DeVenanzio, Justin Hinsley, Leonardo “Leo” Dionicio, Nelson Thomas, Will Gagnon, Adrienne Naylor, Cara Maria Sorbello, Cassidy Clark, Isabella “Izzy” Fairthorne, Michele Fitzgerald, Nurys Mateo, Sydney Segal and Victoria “Tori” Deal.
Newcomers this time around are Big Brother alums Cedric Hodges, Keanu Soto and Reilly Smedley; Love Island USA alums Josh Goldstein and Deb Chubb; former WWE NXT performer Alexis “Lete” Lete; and The Amazing Race contestant Anna Leigh Wilson.
The key art for season 42 of ‘The Challenge.’ (Jonne Roriz/Paramount+)
The Challenge has officially moved to Paramount+ for season 42.
The popular reality competition show will feature a mixture of veterans and newcomers on its cast as they compete against each other on The Challenge: Cutthroat. The 42nd season, which will take place in Thailand, premieres on Aug. 5. The trailer for the new season is available to watch now.
Season 42 marks a major change with its brand-new, exclusive streaming home. The Challenge previously aired on MTV. However, spinoffs such as The Challenge: All Stars premiered on the streaming service and one version of the show aired on CBS.
There will be 24 contestants competing “past their breaking points in a ruthless battle for a share of the $500,000 grand prize,” according to an official description of the season. “In this bold new era, the Challengers will be divided into three teams and the only way to take home a share of the cash prize, is to cross the finish line together as a unit. To win, nominated captains must balance their hunger for dominance with the need for loyalty, or risk losing their power while solo players must prove they can be team players or lose their chance at the winnings.”
Competing this season are veteran contestants Brad Fiorenza, Chris “CT” Tamburello, Chris Underwood, Cory Wharton, John “Johnny Bananas” DeVenanzio, Justin Hinsley, Leonardo “Leo” Dionicio, Nelson Thomas, Will Gagnon, Adrienne Naylor, Cara Maria Sorbello, Cassidy Clark, Isabella “Izzy” Fairthorne, Michele Fitzgerald, Nurys Mateo, Sydney Segal and Victoria “Tori” Deal.
Newcomers this time around are Big Brother alums Cedric Hodges, Keanu Soto and Reilly Smedley; Love Island USA alums Josh Goldstein and Deb Chubb; former WWE NXT performer Alexis “Lete” Lete; and The Amazing Race contestant Anna Leigh Wilson.
Robert Pattinson attends the world premiere of ‘The Odyssey’ at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on July 6, 2026, in London, England. (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
It will be a little while longer before Battinson is back on the big screen.
The Batman Part II has been delayed again. The Matt Reeves-directed sequel film starring Robert Pattinson as the caped crusader will now open in theaters on Feb. 18, 2028.
Reeves announced the release date change in a video he posted to Vimeo on Wednesday. The video also features the first camera test footage of Pattinson back in costume as the superhero.
The footage features bright flashing lights as Batman slowly comes into focus. He turns his head and then stares directly into the camera. Music intensifies before the brand-new release date appears.
The Batman Part II was first scheduled to open on Oct. 2, 2026, before it was delayed to Oct. 1, 2027.
Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Charles Dance, Brian Tyree Henry and Sebastian Koch make up the rest of the upcoming film’s ensemble cast. Reeves directs and cowrote the screenplay with Mattson Tomlin.
Also shifting around on the Warner Bros. release schedule calendar is the J.J. Abrams-directed film The Great Beyond. It’s moving from its original release date of Nov. 13 to Oct. 1, 2027. That movie is taking over the spot previously held by The Batman Part II. Glen Powell and Jenna Ortega star in the sci-fi fantasy feature.
This is the way … to the couch. Star Wars: Mandalorian and Grogu will be available to watch at home for purchase on digital platforms very soon. It arrives on Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango on July 21, and will be available on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray on Aug. 25. Pedro Pascal stars as the titular bounty hunter in the film that continues the story of the Star Wars TV series The Mandalorian …
Netflix has released the first look at its upcoming series Below. Josh Hartnett stars in the thriller series about a fisherman living in a small Canadian town who is haunted by his father’s mysterious death decades ago. The limited series blends myth, suspense and humor into six 45-minute episodes. Also starring are Mackenzie Davis, Charlie Heaton and Ruby Stokes. It debuts on Oct. 8 …
Robert De Niro stars in the trailer for The Whisper Man. The upcoming Netflix film is based on The New York Times bestselling book by Alex North. It follows what happens to a widowed crime writer when his 8-year-old son is abducted. He looks to a retired former police detective for help only to come across a decadesold case of a convicted serial killer. Adam Scott and Michelle Monaghan also star in the movie, which premieres on Aug. 28 …
Hannah Waddingham, Octavia Spencer and Ed Skrein in ‘Ride or Die.’ (Prime Video)
Octavia Spencer and Hannah Waddingham are besties on the run in Ride or Die.
The new series, which premieres on Prime Video Wednesday, follows best friends who think they know everything about each other — until one discovers the other is an international assassin.
The show has it all — action, drama, comedy and romance — but its heart is the friendship between Debbie (Spencer) and Judith (Waddingham).
“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to get to play in all of these sandboxes,” Spencer told ABC Audio. “For me personally, horror is my favorite genre and then action … the fact that I’m getting to be in an action, comedy, drama with Hannah and getting to play at this level was amazing.”
Spencer said the characters were “otherworldly to me because we see these women. We are these women in real life.”
She made sure to quickly clarify, “Not the assassin part of it,” right before Waddingham chimed in, “Or am I?”
Spencer laughed and said, “Or maybe she is. Maybe she’s the secret sauce.”
As for what it was like to get to play Spencer’s best friend, Waddingham said, “That is the crux of it all for me.”
“It’s not every day that an Oscar winner gets on a Zoom call and goes, ‘Come and play and do this amazing role, and I’ve got an amazing role, and we’re going to have Bill Nighy playing an amazing role,'” Waddingham said. “It was just almost too much for a girl to listen to and feel like you could step up to the plate with these massive hitters.”
The closing ceremony for the 2026 FIFA World Cup just got bigger.
FIFA announced in a press release Tuesday that it has added Tom Cruise to its closing ceremony lineup, set to be held Sunday, ahead of the 2026 World Cup Final.
The Top Gun star will make a special appearance, joining a star-studded list of performers.
Also taking the World Cup stage for the closing ceremony are Italian singer-songwriter Laura Pausini, American singer and actress Nicole Scherzinger, English singer-songwriter Robbie Williams and YouTube creator IShowSpeed.
Jennifer Hudson will also help kick off the 2026 World Cup final with a special rendition of the U.S. national anthem.
“Echoing the spirit of the opening ceremonies, which welcomed the world to the greatest stage in Canada, Mexico and the United States, the closing ceremony will bring the FIFA World Cup 2026 full circle through music, culture and football, before we kick off the highly anticipated match that will crown the champions of this groundbreaking tournament,” Heimo Schirgi, chief operating officer for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, said in a statement in the press release.
The closing ceremony will begin 90 minutes before kickoff at 1:30 p.m. ET on Sunday.
It will be held at New York New Jersey Stadium (known outside the tournament as MetLife Stadium) in East Rutherford, New Jersey, capping the first men’s World Cup to feature an expanded 48-team field and to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Earlier this month, FIFA announced Justin Bieber as a co-headliner for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show alongside Madonna, BTS and Shakira.
The halftime show will also include performances by singer Burna Boy, conductor Gustavo Dudamel, and the PS22 Chorus, which is the acclaimed choir of fourth and fifth graders from a public elementary school in Staten Island, New York. Coldplay will also perform.
Coldplay’s Chris Martin is curating the final halftime show, and it will be produced by Global Citizen.
The tournament kicked off June 11 in Mexico City and included an opening ceremony featuring performances from Shakira, Burna Boy, Maná, J Balvin, Belinda and Tyla.
Separate star-studded opening ceremonies were also held that week in Toronto and Los Angeles before the first whistle was blown.
