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Netflix celebrates 10 years of 'Stranger Things'

Posted today at 5:00am

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.

Andy Serkis marks start of production on 'The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum'

Posted yesterday at 3:30pm

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 to make directorial debut with new 'G.I. Joe' film

Posted yesterday at 2:45pm

A photo of Danny McBride. (Michael Buckner)

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.

Ariana Grande’s 'Sunday in the Park with George' delays ticket sales

Posted yesterday at 2:30pm

Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey speak onstage at Universal Pictures presents a special screening of 'Wicked' at DGA Theater on Nov. 14, 2024, in New York City. (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Universal Pictures)

If you’ve been eager to snatch tickets to Ariana Grande’s London stage debut, you’ll have to wait just a little bit longer.

Ticket sales for the Stephen Sondheim musical revival Sunday in the Park with George, starring Ariana and her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey, have been pushed back until the fall. They were supposed to go on sale in May.

The show is still set to debut at London’s Barbican Centre in summer 2027.

In the meantime, Ari’s been busy with her Eternal Sunshine tour, which wraps Sept. 1 with a 10-night stand at London’s O2 Arena.

Last week it was learned that Ariana will no longer appear in season 13 of American Horror Story, due to changes to the shooting schedule that conflicted with her tour.

'The Challenge' moves to Paramount+ for season 42

Posted yesterday at 12:00pm

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 Batman Part II' delayed again, will now release in 2028

Posted yesterday at 11:30am

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.

In brief: 'The Whisper Man' trailer and more

Posted yesterday at 7:30am

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 ...

Octavia Spencer, Hannah Waddingham on playing BFFs in 'Ride or Die'

Posted yesterday at 5:00am

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."

Tom Cruise to join star-studded 2026 FIFA World Cup closing ceremony

Posted Tuesday afternoon

Tom Cruise appears in this image. (FIFA)

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.

'Hotel Transylvania 5' headed to theaters in fall 2027

Posted Tuesday afternoon

Selena Gomez at the premiere of 'Hotel Transylvania' at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival held at The Princess Whales Theatre on Sept. 8, 2012, in Toronto, Canada. (Eric Charbonneau/WireImage via Getty Images)

A new Hotel Transylvania film is headed to theaters.

Sony Pictures Animation and Amazon MGM Studios are set to release the fifth film in the animated franchise, The Haunting of Hotel Transylvania, in theaters on Oct. 8, 2027.

"Drac has happily settled into retirement while Mavis takes the reins of the legendary monster hotel. But when a series of spooky and unexplained happenings sends chills through the resort, the Drac Pack embarks on its most spellbinding adventure yet: uncovering the mystery behind The Haunting of Hotel Transylvania," according to the new film's official description.

Jennifer Kluska and Alan Hawkins are set to direct the film while Lawrence Jonas will produce it. Additionally, Genndy Tartakovsky and Michelle Murdocca are set to executive produce.

“From the beginning, Hotel Transylvania has invited audiences into a world where monsters feel like family,” Kristine Belson and Damien de Froberville, the presidents of Sony Pictures Animation, said. “These films have been a cornerstone of Sony Animation’s storytelling identity, blending a unique visual style with heartfelt, character-driven comedy. With this next installment, we’re honoring that legacy of heart and humor while delivering the unexpected surprises audiences love.”

Courtenay Valenti, the head of film at Amazon MGM Studios, said Hotel Transylvania is "one of those rare franchises that has become a beloved tradition for families around the world."

"We're thrilled to collaborate with Sony Pictures Animation to bring the Drac Pack back to the big screen and continue this legacy of inventive, character-driven storytelling that audiences have embraced for over a decade," Valenti continued.

Hotel Transylvania premiered to theaters in 2012. It featured the voices of Selena Gomez, Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg and spawned three previous sequels, two of which debuted in theaters. The fourth installment, Hotel Transylvania: Transformania, premiered to Prime Video in 2022.

Issa Rae announces tour celebrating 10th anniversary of 'Insecure'

Posted Tuesday afternoon

Poster for Insecure: The 10th Anniversary Tour (Live Nation)

Issa Rae is reuniting with members of the Insecure cast to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the HBO series.

Insecure, which ran for five seasons from 2016 to 2021, follows Issa Dee (Issa Rae) and Molly Carter (Yvonne Orji), "two modern-day Black women and all of their tribulations," as per HBO Max.

According to a press release, Insecure: The 10th Anniversary Tour will bring Issa and showrunner Prentice Penny together for "candid conversations, untold stories and unforgettable moments." They'll be joined by Yvonne, Jay Ellis and Natasha Rothwell on select dates.

The tour was announced on Instagram with a video that opens with Issa and Prentice seemingly wrapping up a recording session. As they scroll through their phones, Prentice randomly asks Issa if she'd be interested in going on tour.

"Yeah, OK," Issa replies.

"Cool," Prentice responds. "I mean ... bool."

The video then shifts to a group chat with the cast. Issa begins the thread, writing, "It's been 10 years! Insecure tour?"

"I am so down for this!" Jay replies, while Yvonne adds, "Oh I've BEEN waiting."

Natasha then chimes in, writing, "You know what this?" before sending a GIF that reads, "Growth."

The clip then cuts to the four cast members, with Yvonne saying, "It's Insecure, but we're very secure now."

"Come see us on tour," Issa says. The video ends with a poster displaying the tour dates and cities.

The Insecure tour kicks off Sept. 10 at The Met in Philadelphia and wraps Oct. 8 at YouTube Theater in Inglewood.

A Citi presale begins Wednesday at noon local time, with additional presales scheduled throughout the week.

Tickets go on sale to the general public Thursday at noon local time via Livenation.com.

'The Kelly Clarkson Show' scores Daytime Emmy nominations

Posted Tuesday afternoon

Kelly Clarkson on 'The Kelly Clarkson Show.' (Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal)

Kelly Clarkson is among the nominees for the 53rd Daytime Emmy Awards.

Kelly’s talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, scored 11 nods this year for its seventh and final season, including outstanding daytime talk series and outstanding daytime talk series host.

The Kelly Clarkson Show has earned 24 Daytime Emmys since 2020.

Days of Our Lives, The Young and the Restless and General Hospital scored nods in the outstanding daytime drama series category, while The View, Live with Kelly and Mark and The Drew Barrymore Show are nominated alongside Kelly in the outstanding daytime talk series category. Kelly's fellow American Idol alum Jennifer Hudson was also nominated in the outstanding daytime talk series host category.

The Daytime Emmy Awards will take place Oct. 30.

Kelly announced earlier this year that she'll be ending The Kelly Clarkson Show after this season. She shared the news on Instagram and explained, "Stepping away from the daily schedule will allow me to prioritize my kids, which feels necessary and right for this next chapter of our lives."

In 2025, Kelly's children, River Blackstock and Remington Blackstock, lost their father, Kelly's ex-husband Brandon Blackstock, to cancer at age 48.

Dylan Sprouse, Barbara Palvin reveal sex of their first child

Posted Tuesday afternoon

Barbara Palvin and Dylan Sprouse are seen at the Hotel Martinez during the 79th annual Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2026, in Cannes, France. (Arnold Jerocki/GC Images via Getty Images)

It's a girl!

Barbara Palvin and Dylan Sprouse have announced they are expecting a baby girl. The model and The Suite Life of Zack and Cody star announced the sex of their first child on the second episode of Sprouse's new podcast, Wildmen.

"We’ve been calling her principessa," Sprouse said. "It's Italian for princess."

He continued, "We are having a baby girl, which I’m very excited about. ... I’m excited to be a girl dad, actually.”

"You're gonna be so stressed about the princess," Palvin said, before Sprouse joked, "I just also unironically love a tea party."

The couple announced that Palvin is pregnant with their first child in an Instagram post on May 14. Sprouse and Palvin were married on July 15, 2023, in Palvin's home country of Hungary.

Later in the podcast, Palvin opened up about having endometriosis.

"We knew we wanted to get pregnant, but we also knew because I have endometriosis, we knew we wanted to get that surgery done before we start trying," Palvin said.

In August 2025, Palvin revealed she'd had surgery for endometriosis in an Instagram post.

"For some years now I’ve been dealing with the difficulties that can come with my periods. Fatigue, severe pain, heavy and irregular flow, sleepless nights on the bathroom floor. I thought this was just how it works for me,” Palvin wrote. “[The surgery] helped me a lot, and I’m grateful I did it. Early diagnosis and treatment are very important to prevent long-term complications, and now I’m more mindful about my body to act fast if needed.”

Palvin ended her post by saying she is "excited about this new chapter of my life and now ready to get back to work."

In brief: 'Carrie' TV series first look and more

Posted Tuesday morning

Tyriq Withers is set for a new rom-com. Deadline reports the Reminders of Him actor will star in and executive produce the upcoming romantic comedy Love Love. He will star alongside Isabel May in the film. Joey Power is set to write and direct the movie, which follows a struggling tennis star who falls for the local ball boy at the US Open ...

Monopoly is headed to Netflix. The streaming service has announced that it will bring the board game to life in a brand-new competition series that will find contestants competing for the chance to win $2 million. The show will take place in a life-sized Monopoly town square and find 12 players competing for the grand prize. Casting is open now for the series, which will premiere in 2027 ...

Prime Video has shared the first photos from its upcoming series Carrie. The show marks the first TV adaptation of Stephen King's debut novel. It has been reimagined by horror showrunner Mike Flanagan and stars Summer Howell as the misfit high schooler Carrie White. Carrie is set to debut worldwide this fall ...

New 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' film in the works at Paramount Pictures

Posted Tuesday morning

A cosplayer dressed as Freddy Krueger from 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' during the first day of Comic Con at Javits Center on Oct. 7, 2021, in New York City. (Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)

Get ready for another Nightmare on Elm Street.

Paramount Pictures has closed a deal for the U.S. rights to adapt the original screenplay for A Nightmare on Elm Street, ABC Audio has learned.

The U.S. rights are being licensed from the Wes Craven estate, which includes Iya Labunka and Jonathan Craven.

This deal marks the first project for Paramount Primal, a new genre label at the company set to be led by J.D. Lifshitz and Raphael Margules.

The currently untitled film is in priority development at the label. While plot details have not been revealed, the movie will be set in the world of A Nightmare on Elm Street and will be based on the original film's screenplay.

Labunka, Jonathan Craven and Marc Toberoff will produce while Lifshitz and Margules will executive produce for Paramount Primal.

“Jonathan and I are so excited to be partnering with J.D. and Rafi along with the terrific team they’ve assembled at Paramount Primal. We look forward to bringing the world of Wes Craven’s Nightmare on Elm Street to a new and completely engaged generation of fans," Labunka said. "We know that Wes would have been thrilled to see how horror is taking its long overdue place in the cultural canon. We can’t wait for all of us to sit together in a dark theatre — around the campfire of today — as the next chapter of the Nightmare story unfolds."

In a statement, Lifshitz and Margules said, "We can’t remember a time before we were fans of Wes Craven. The fact that Iya and Jonathan have entrusted us with this opportunity to help usher a new story into this world is an honor beyond words. We look forward to working alongside them to bring a terrifying new nightmare to audiences everywhere—and to welcome Freddy home."

'Ted Lasso' star Cristo Fernández makes professional US soccer debut

Posted Monday afternoon

Actor and footballer Cristo Fernández prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between South Africa and Canada at Los Angeles Stadium on June 28, 2026, in Inglewood, California. (Katelyn Mulcahy - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Ted Lasso star Cristo Fernández made his professional soccer debut in the U.S. over the weekend.

Fernández made his debut for El Paso Locomotive FC in the team's match against New Mexico United at Southwest University Park in El Paso, Texas, on Saturday. The actor played fan-favorite Dani Rojas in the Apple TV+ series.

As Fernández entered the game, a broadcaster calling the match described the moment as "what everybody came to see tonight ... the long anticipated debut."

"Cristo Fernández: 'Fútbol is life!'" another chimed in, referencing Dani's famous catchphrase in Ted Lasso.

Fernández came on in the 79th minute of the game, which his club ultimately lost 2-0. Fernández recorded a yellow card in the 87th minute, according to the game statistics.

Fernández, 35, joined the USL Championship side after completing what the club described as an "extensive" two-month trial.

During that stretch, the Mexican actor and forward trained regularly with the team and appeared in a preseason match against New Mexico United.

"Yes, it's really him," Fernández's player biography on the El Paso Locomotive FC website states.

Long before his acting career took off, Fernández began a promising soccer career, playing youth soccer for Mexican club Guadalajara Estudiantes Tecos Club and Puerto Rico's Guayama FC before injuries ultimately sidelined him, according to ESPN.

He later decided to pursue acting while attending university in Mexico, and eventually moved to England, where he graduated from the Guildford School of Acting at the University of Surrey.

In recent years, Fernández has shared his journey back to soccer on social media, posting videos of himself training with professional clubs across the country, including teams connected to Major League Soccer organizations.

In an interview posted to social media back in May, Fernández opened up about the opportunity to play for El Paso Locomotive FC.

"I love the city. I love the team. It's a dream come true," he said at the time.

He added, "Since day one they welcomed me, they let me compete, and they treated me like another player, and it's a great team."

Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael' surpasses $1 billion

Posted Monday afternoon

Can’t beat it! The Michael Jackson movie has hit another milestone.

Michael has surpassed the $1 billion mark at the box office, becoming the first biopic to cross that threshold.

In June it claimed the title of highest-grossing biopic of all time, taking over from the Oscar-winning film Oppenheimer. It’s also the highest-grossing musical biopic of all time, surpassing Bohemian Rhapsody, and the biggest film ever for Lionsgate.

“Audiences have embraced the film from the beginning, turning it into a unique cultural phenomenon in theaters around the world,” Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson said in a statement. “Their passion speaks to the enduring appeal of one of the greatest recording artists of all time, and it underscores the continued strength and vitality of the theatrical moviegoing experience.”

Director Antoine Fuqua called the milestone “a deeply humbling moment.”

"This achievement belongs to everyone who came together with a shared vision to honor one of the greatest artists the world has ever known,” he continued in a statement. “I am profoundly grateful to the audiences around the globe who embraced this film, showed up in theaters, and connected with this story across generations and cultures. This historic milestone is a testament to the enduring power of cinema to bring us together, and it is a chapter in movie history I will never forget.”

The movie, starring the King of Pop’s nephew Jaafar Jackson in the title role, debuted in April with an impressive $217 million globally.

Tom Cruise transforms in 'Digger' official trailer

Posted Monday afternoon

The poster for Tom Cruise's upcoming film, 'Digger.' (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Dig up the official trailer for Tom Cruise's new film, Digger.

Warner Bros. Pictures released the new trailer for the upcoming film on Monday. It finds Cruise completely transformed into the character Digger Rockwell, a billionaire who has a thick Southern accent, a potbelly and combed-over white hair.

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) director Alejandro González Iñárritu helmed the movie. It is his first English-language feature since The Revenant.

Digger follows "the most powerful man in the world" who "embarks on a frantic mission to prove he is humanity’s savior before the disaster he’s unleashed destroys everything," according to an official description.

The trailer starts with Cruise's Digger enjoying a lavish lifestyle inside of his mansion. We soon learn that the company he owns is responsible for an ecological disaster that is likely to cause a nuclear war.

Digger then sets out to try to save the world, despite how unlikely the possibility may seem.

"If we can't control the course of nature, at lease we can control the narrative," Digger says. "When all else fails, you hit ’em with the truth. You know, the hard truth. Just bang, bang, bang!"

The film's ensemble cast includes Sandra Hüller, John Goodman, Michael Stuhlbarg, Riz Ahmed, Jesse Plemons, Sophie Wilde and Emma D’Arcy.

Iñárritu also produces the film, which he co-wrote with his Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) co-writers Nicolas Giacobone and Alexander Dinelaris, along with Sabina Berman. Cruise also serves as a producer.

Digger arrives in theaters on Oct. 2.

'Love Island USA' season 8 crowns winners

Posted Monday morning

Trinity Tatum and Bryce Dettloff are crowned the winners of 'Love Island USA' season 8. (Ben Symons/Peacock)

(SPOILER ALERT) Still they rise!

Fan-favorite contestants Trinity Tatum and Bryce Dettloff were crowned the winners of Love Island USA season 8 during Sunday night's finale of the reality dating competition series.

Emmy-nominated host Ariana Madix named Tatum and Dettloff the winners of the season before awarding them the $100,000 prize.

The winners coupled up on day one inside of the villa. Throughout the season their connection blossomed, with Dettloff eventually asking Tatum to be his girlfriend. He confessed his love for her during their date on finale night. Tatum immediately reciprocated by telling Dettloff she also loves him.

Contestants Aniya Harvey and Carl Schmidt were the runners-up, while Melanie Moreno and Sincere Rhea got third place, and Kayda Bosse and Zach Georgiou came in fourth.

While this is the end of season 8, the Islanders are set to reunite at the Love Island USA season 8 reunion special, which will be co-hosted by Madix and Andy Cohen.

According to Peacock, the reunion special will bring together "this season’s winners, fan-favorite couples, and this year’s bombshells for an up close and personal look back at their experience in the villa."

The season 8 reunion special will premiere Aug. 31 on Peacock.

Additionally, the spinoff series Love Island: Beyond the Villa has been renewed for season 3. The new season will premiere in 2027 with its cast to be confirmed later in 2026.

Hollywood remembers 'Jurassic Park' star Sam Neill

Posted Monday morning

In this Oct. 11, 2019, file photo, actor Sam Neill attends a press conference at the Sitges Fantastic Film Festival in Sitges, Spain. (Borja B. Hojas/Getty Images, FILE)

The Hollywood community is remembering Sam Neill following news of his death Monday.

Toni Collette, who starred with Neill in 2014's A Long Way Down and 2002's Dirty Deeds, called Neill a "legend" in an Instagram tribute.

"I love you, dear Sam. You hero. You legend. You sweetheart. Our great friend. You are already missed so very much. Continue in peace wherever you are," Collette wrote.

Richard E. Grant, who co-starred with Neill in 2019's Palm Beach, remembered his longtime friend in an Instagram post.

"Knew @samneilltheprop for 3 decades and finally worked with him on PALM BEACH in 2018," Grant captioned the post, which included several photos of Neill. "An officer and a Gentleman in the truest sense. Guided and helped me through a very difficult time in my Life."

He added, "Sail on, kind Sir."

Jurassic World director Colin Trevorrow, who worked with Neill on 2022's Jurassic World Dominion, described Neill as a "deeply soulful and beautiful man."

"He was a friend and collaborator at a challenging time, and his strength gave us all strength," Trevorrow wrote in an Instagram tribute. "I'll remember him for his tranquility, his love of wine, and for the calm assuredness he brought to his characters. It's not every lifetime you get to befriend a legend. Forever grateful."

Fellow New Zealand actor Karl Urban expressed condolences for Neill's family and friends in a comment on Instagram.

"Sam was truly brilliant. An inspiration for many who followed in his trailblazing footsteps," he wrote. "A beautiful man, a national treasure who gave so much to New Zealand and the to world. God speed Sam."

Neill died Monday at the age of 78, according to a statement shared on the actor's social media account.

The veteran actor had revealed publicly in 2023 that he had undergone treatment for blood cancer, including taking a monthly chemotherapy drug, but had announced he was cancer-free in April this year.

In a statement released Monday, Neill's family and loved ones said the actor was cancer-free when he died.

"Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life," the statement read. "The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer free."

The statement also expressed "deepest gratitude to the staff at St Vincent's Private Hospital for their incredible care."

"More details will be shared later, but for now, on behalf of the family, we ask that you respect their privacy as they navigate this immeasurable loss," it added.