In Brief: ‘A Minecraft Movie’ drops a trailer, and more

In Brief: ‘A Minecraft Movie’ drops a trailer, and more
In Brief: ‘A Minecraft Movie’ drops a trailer, and more

Warner Bros. has dropped the first teaser to A Minecraft Movie, the action comedy based on the block-building videogame phenomenon. The movie stars Jason Momoa in an a pretty extraordinary wig — with bangs, no less — as well as Wednesday‘s Emma Myers, and Peacemaker‘s Danielle Brooks, as well as Emmy winner Jennifer Coolidge. Apparently, Momoa, Brooks, and Myers’ characters find themselves transported to the cubist world of the game, where they encounter Steve, the avatar for every player in the game — here revealed to be Jack Black. The movie from Napoleon Dynamite and Black’s Nacho Libre director Jared Hess, opens April 4, 2025…

Netflix has greenlit an animated adaptation of Stephenie Meyer‘s 2020 companion novel Twilight: Midnight Sun. “A retelling of the first entry in the Twilight story, Midnight Sun unfolds entirely from the perspective of Edward Cullen, the captivating, and yes, extremely sparkly vampire who catches a young Bella Swan’s attention,” the streamer teases on its blog, Tudum.

The one-time sitcom king Jerry Seinfeld is returning to Caesars Palace in 2025. The stand-up and Unfrosted star is about to celebrate his 100th show at Las Vegas’ The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on Friday, making him Ceasars’ longest-running headliner and one of the longest-running headliners in the history of Las Vegas. There are limited tickets still available for Seinfeld’s final performances in 2024 on Friday and Saturday, but the venue has announced tickets will go on sale Friday for his 2025 stand. 

Peacock has dropped a trailer for its next true-crime series, The World’s Most Notorious Killers. Each of the five episodes center on a gruesome crime. The show “travels the globe to reveal the chilling stories of five renowned international murder cases, featuring firsthand accounts from individuals close to each case and those seeking justice.” The show debuts Sept. 17 on the streaming service.



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Julianne Hough shares her dream ‘Dancing with the Stars’ contestant

Julianne Hough shares her dream ‘Dancing with the Stars’ contestant
Julianne Hough shares her dream ‘Dancing with the Stars’ contestant
Disney/Andrew Eccles

It’s time to go back to the ballroom.

Dancing with the Stars announced the star-studded cast of season 33 of the reality competition series on Wednesday. Among the contestants are Olympian and pommel horse specialist Stephen Nedoroscik, Bachelor Nation leads Joey Graziadei and Jenn Tran, and notorious “fake heiress” Anna Delvey. But if host Julianne Hough could pick a dream contestant, who would it be?

Chris Hemsworth actually won the Australian version of Dancing with the Stars. And I’m just saying, you know, you got to do the American one if you’re going to really claim being the Dancing with the Stars champ,” Hough told ABC Audio at the Disney Upfront event in May.

“I would come back and dance for that,” Hough said. “Could I dance and host at the same time?”

As for what fans can expect this season, Hough says get ready for “nostalgia and the familiarity of why Dancing with the Stars is so special,” along with some surprises.

“We already have such a tight family that anybody who comes in, hopefully they feel supported and excited,” Hough said.

The host and two-time winner also described why she thinks the show is so beloved and has lasted for 33 seasons.

“It’s multigenerational,” Hough said. “You can watch it with your kids and your grandparents and your parents and bring the friends over. It’s something that brings joy and harmony and something that, like, yes, we’re competitive by nature and this is what this show’s about, but we’re also rooting for each other. And I think just in the climate of life right now, I think we just need something that feels joyful and hopeful and that we can compete … but at the same time support each other.”

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‘Only Murders in the Building’ renewed for season 5

‘Only Murders in the Building’ renewed for season 5
‘Only Murders in the Building’ renewed for season 5
Disney/Eric McCandless

The show’s fourth season just got underway, but Only Murders in the Building has been renewed for a fifth.

Hulu announced on Wednesday that Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez will all return as stars and executive producers of the Emmy-nominated comedy series.

The fourth season of the series is packed with other stars, too, including Meryl Streep, Melissa McCarthy, Eugene Levy, Jane Lynch, Richard Kind, Kumail Nanjiani, Molly Shannon, Zach Galifianakis and Eva Longoria.

The show that was nominated for 21 Emmys for its third season is currently Certified Fresh at 97% on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.

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Winona Ryder enthuses about special “husband” Keanu Reeves

Winona Ryder enthuses about special “husband” Keanu Reeves
Winona Ryder enthuses about special “husband” Keanu Reeves
Amanda Edwards/WireImage

Back in 2018, Winona Ryder revealed that she just might be married to Keanu Reeves, thanks to Francis Ford Coppola‘s hiring real Romanian priests while filming their onscreen wedding in his 1992 film Bram Stoker’s Dracula

While that movie — and the cinematic ceremony — was many years ago, their bond is still going strong, Ryder tells the Happy Sad Confused podcast.

The actress explains she and Reeves text on the regular and, “We always say who it is, even though it says it on the text. So like on his birthday I go: ‘Happy birthday, my husband.’ And then he’s like, ‘Hey, my wife, I love you. KR 57. Like on each birthday he’s like KR 57 or whatever his age is. He’s always done that.” 

Reeves, for the record, just turned 60. 

Winona added, “I would literally do anything, though, with him. Like, he is so special.”

However, that vow might not include doing a John Wick movie, the 52-year-old clarifies, because those involve so much stunt work. “I’m just thinking of my bones,” she quips.

It was during a 2018 interview with Entertainment Weekly that Reeves confirmed Ryder’s marriage story. “We did a whole take of a marriage ceremony with real priests. Winona says we are, Coppola says we are, so I guess we’re married under the eyes of God.”

The friends never actually dated, for what it’s worth.

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Celebrate the 30th anniversary of ‘Friends’ by visiting the characters’ favorite haunts

Celebrate the 30th anniversary of ‘Friends’ by visiting the characters’ favorite haunts
Celebrate the 30th anniversary of ‘Friends’ by visiting the characters’ favorite haunts
Warner Bros. Television

While the show Friends was shot in Los Angeles, it was set in New York City, and in an effort to help fans celebrate the show turning 30, On Location Tours is focusing on the fan-favorite sitcom.

On Sept. 22 — the show’s actual 30th birthday — the company that lets fans see some of their favorite real-life movie and TV locations will showcase the city Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Joey and Phoebe called home.

Starting at 12 p.m. that day, On Location is promising “an unforgettable journey through the city that became the show’s unofficial seventh character.”

According to the ad copy, “Led by a charismatic local actor tour guide … stops on the tour include the famous Friends Apartment Building in Greenwich Village and the Lucille Lortel Theater, where Joey Tribbiani once starred in a memorable off-Broadway production.”

Along the way, nearly 60 other TV and movie locations will be pointed out.

The tour guide will also conduct a Friends trivia contest for you and those who will always be there for you.

“The Friends 30th Anniversary is a milestone we couldn’t miss celebrating,” said Erin Miller, PR & marketing manager at On Location Tours. “Friends has left an unforgettable mark on New York City, and we’re thrilled to bring fans closer to the locations that played a pivotal role in the show.”

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Geena Davis, Alfre Woodard and more in ‘The Boroughs’, from the Duffer Bros.

Geena Davis, Alfre Woodard and more in ‘The Boroughs’, from the Duffer Bros.
Geena Davis, Alfre Woodard and more in ‘The Boroughs’, from the Duffer Bros.
The Duffer Bros. – Netflix

Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer have lined up some impressive names for the forthcoming sci-fi series they’re producing called The Boroughs.

Netflix has tapped Oscar winner Geena Davis and nominee Alfre Woodard; Tony-winning Spider-Man baddie Alfred Molina; The Sinner Emmy nominee Bill Pullman; and Denis O’Hare from American Horror Story and Clarke Peters for the eight-episode series.

According to the streamer, they play residents of a seemingly picturesque New Mexico retirement community who “must band together to stop an otherworldly threat from stealing the one thing they don’t have: time.”

The show was created by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews, vets of the beloved Netflix series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.

To the streamer’s blog, Tudum, the Duffers enthused, “While the heroes in The Boroughs have a few more years on them than the kids from Stranger Things, they are a similarly lovable bunch of misfits, and we can’t wait for you to join them on an adventure that is at turns scary, funny, and deeply touching.”

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Travis Kelce introduces the trailer to FX’s horror drama series ‘Grotesquerie’

Travis Kelce introduces the trailer to FX’s horror drama series ‘Grotesquerie’
Travis Kelce introduces the trailer to FX’s horror drama series ‘Grotesquerie’
FX

FX dropped the trailer to its forthcoming horror drama Grotesquerie on Wednesday, and shrewdly, considering the whole “Swelce” phenomenon, it’s introduced by one of its co-stars, NFL star and Taylor Swift‘s BF, Travis Kelce.

“You might see some familiar faces,” he smiles as the spooky snippet opens.

Grotesquerie has Niecy Nash Betts playing Lois Tryon, a troubled detective assigned to a series of particularly troubling murders. “You have to really hate people to do what was done here,” she says at one crime scene. “It’s inhuman. No, it’s unhuman, she says.

“It’s like God left the keys to the candy store for the devil,” she says in a confessional booth.

Tryon teams up with a Catholic nun and journalist (Micaela Diamond) who specializes in the occult to try to get to the bottom of the murders, which seem tied to the supernatural.

Add to this the killer — or killers — appear to be taunting the pair, leaving clues behind.

Travis is seen warning the investigators, “There’s no future after this.” His character wasn’t named by the producers, but he appears to be a member of a murderous cult.

The series from Ryan Murphy was co-produced by Betts and her co-star Courtney B. Vance, and also stars Lesley Manville, Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Raven Goodwin.

Grotesquerie premieres Sept. 25 at 10 p.m. ET on FX and streams the next day on Hulu.

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Joaquin Phoenix said he “probably shouldn’t” diet for the Joker again

Joaquin Phoenix said he “probably shouldn’t” diet for the Joker again
Joaquin Phoenix said he “probably shouldn’t” diet for the Joker again
Warner Bros. Pictures

(NOTE LANGUAGE) Joaquin Phoenix intentionally made himself thin to the point of looking sickly for 2019’s Joker, shedding more than 50 pounds in a performance that won him a Best Actor Oscar. 

But to play Arthur Fleck aka Joker in the forthcoming sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux, he had to do it all over again — something made more difficult by the film’s new physical requirements, he told a panel at the Venice Film Festival, where the movie premieres Wednesday.

“I’m not going to talk through specifics of the diet, because I just think nobody wants to hear that,” he said Wednesday, according to Variety.

The new movie, in which Phoenix stars opposite Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn, prominently features music and dance sequences, unlike director Todd Phillips‘ blockbuster original.

The actor continued, “This time, it felt a bit more complicated just because there was so much dance rehearsal that we were doing, which I didn’t have last time. So it felt a bit more difficult.”

He added, “I’m now 49, I probably shouldn’t do this again. This is probably it for me.”

He also said that Gaga “also lost a lot of weight,” noting, “It was really impressive.”

For her part, the actress/recording artist demurred, saying, “I think we transformed into our characters over a period of time, and we continued to hone in every kind of detail.”

For the record, Phoenix admitted to being “so angry” at himself “for making such a big deal about” the weight loss last time, because “it just sounds like an actor going on and on about how much weight they lost.”

“You just do what you’re f****** supposed to do,” he continued. “So this time I was like, ‘I’m not going to do that.'”

Joker: Folie à Deux opens Oct. 4.

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Krispy Kreme going all in to celebrate Barbie’s 65th birthday

Krispy Kreme going all in to celebrate Barbie’s 65th birthday
Krispy Kreme going all in to celebrate Barbie’s 65th birthday
Krispy Kreme

While Barbie is an ageless icon, the Mattel doll is actually turning 65, and Krispy Kreme is celebrating in a big way.

The doughnut company has announced the Barbie x Krispy Kreme Collection, stylish confections packaged in a limited-edition custom box.

Among its offerings are — naturally — the Barbie Pink Doughnut, “inspired by Barbie’s iconic pink and popism” and “piped with pink buttercream, sprinkled with sparkly pink sugar, and topped with Barbie sunglasses.”

There’s also the Malibu Dream Party Doughnut, “an unglazed shell doughnut filled with Cake Batter Kreme, dipped in Malibu blue icing and sparkly graham sand, topped with a Barbie DreamHouse piece, and piped with a white cloud.”

There’s also a Barbie Berries ‘n Kreme variety and a Barbie Sweet 65th doughnut, to boot.

Meredith Norrie, VP of global licensing and consumer products at Mattel, comments in part, “Krispy Kreme is … inviting fans across generations to enjoy the perfect blend of flavor and style, with nods to Barbie sprinkled into every bite.”

The treats are available at select grocery stores and Krispy Kreme locations.

But also up for grabs is a limited line of Barbie Fashionista dolls that “include a Krispy Kreme paper hat, dozen box and doughnut” and “a custom Barbie x Krispy Kreme adult-sized denim jacket.”

Those you have to enter to win, however, by commenting and tagging a friend on Krispy Kreme’s social channels — @krispykreme — between Wednesday and Friday.

If that wasn’t Kenough, on Saturday you can snag a free glazed doughnut by walking in — or driving up to — a participating Krispy Kreme location wearing pink.

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‘Barney’ is back: Max launching an all-new animated series starring the purple dinosaur

‘Barney’ is back: Max launching an all-new animated series starring the purple dinosaur
‘Barney’ is back: Max launching an all-new animated series starring the purple dinosaur
Max/Lyons Partnership LLP

If you needed some more pop culture nostalgia, what with Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck breaking up again, Barney the purple dinosaur is back.

Cartoon Network has announced it is about to launch Barney’s World, an all-new animated series featuring the character who made his television debut in 1988 and was a ubiquitous presence in the ’90s.

The show premieres Oct. 14 on Max and Oct. 18 on the streamer’s corporate partner Cartoon Network.

“The new Barney’s World is set in a playground, where Barney is joined by dinos Billy and Baby Bop and their three kid best friends David, Mel, and Vivie,” the networks say.

“Through action-packed, music-filled adventures together, Barney helps the kids and audiences explore big preschool emotions, showing them how to love themselves, others, and their communities.”

The original live-action Barney and Friends — featuring a performer in the dino suit — ran for 14 seasons on PBS in the United States, with its final episode airing on Nov. 2, 2010.

Incidentally, the series was the show on which global superstar Selena Gomez cut her baby teeth. She starred as Gianna on the program from 2002 to 2004.

Meanwhile, as reported, Mattel Films is simultaneously looking to spin some Barbie magic from the purple property.

Oscar winner Daniel Kaluuya is attached to a Barney project that will lean “into the millennial angst of the property rather than fine-tuning this for kids,” according to executive producer Kevin McKeon to the New Yorker last July.

He explains, “It’s really a play for adults. Not that it’s R-rated, but it’ll focus on some of the trials and tribulations of being thirtysomething, growing up with Barney — just the level of disenchantment within the generation.”

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