Viola Davis attends the 32nd Annual Actor Awards at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on March 01, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)
Viola Davis is returning to TV.
The EGOT-winning actress will star in a new Paramount+ thriller series from acclaimed writer John Logan called Ascent. She’ll play a corporate fixer who must use her skills to save her estranged daughter.
“I am overwhelmingly excited about this journey with the great John Logan,” Davis says in a statement. “We won the lottery with this one! Work in which both story and character are bold, awe inspiring and deeply unique is why I became an artist.”
Davis will also be executive producing the project with her husband, Julius Tennon, for their JuVee Productions.
This will be Davis’ second lead series role, following her Emmy-winning role in How to Get Away with Murder.
Ascent is set to begin production in Los Angeles in 2027.
This graphic shows a still from 'Godzilla Minus Zero.' (GKIDS)
Godzilla Minus Zero is headed to New York City.
Film at Lincoln Center has announced that Godzilla Minus Zero will make its world premiere as the Spotlight Gala selection for the 64th New York Film Festival on Sept. 26.
Godzilla Minus Zero is the direct sequel to the 2023 Japanese film Godzilla Minus One. It is written and directed by Takashi Yamazaki. The first film was a surprise international hit and eventually won the Oscar for best visual effects. It earned $116 million worldwide at the box office, making it the highest-grossing Japanese Godzilla film.
This sequel film takes place in the year 1949, "two years after the tumultuous events of Godzilla Minus One, and continues the story of the Shikishima family as they face an all-new calamity," according to its official description. "Godzilla Minus Zero cranks up the terror while always keeping its post-WWII Japan narrative at human eye level."
The location of this world premiere is apt, as the last moments of the film's trailer find Godzilla stomping toward the Statue of Liberty on his way to New York City.
“It is truly an honor to introduce our film to a global audience for the first time in a place of such history and prestige,” Yamazaki said. “I am filled with both awe and excitement to see how far the power of Japan’s Godzilla can terrify audiences around the world, and whether they will resonate with what lies beyond that fear.”
Dennis Lim, the NYFF artistic director, said Yamazaki "continues to prove that there’s life in the old franchise" even "more than 70 years after the first Godzilla movie."
“Like its predecessor, Godzilla Minus Zero is a throwback blockbuster, a showcase for human drama and innovative craft, and we are excited to have its world premiere as this year’s NYFF Spotlight Gala,” Lim continued.
Godzilla Minus Zero releases in the U.S. on Nov. 6 and in Japan on Nov. 3.
Connor Storrie, Hudson Williams in 'Heated Rivalry.' (Sabrina Lantos/HBO Max)
Heated Rivalry wants fans to cool it as season 2 begins production.
The Heated Rivalry official account and creator Jacob Tierney’s production company Accent Aigu Entertainment posted a message to social media Tuesday asking fans not to disrupt filming locations.
“To our incredible fans and everyone who’s been sharing in the excitement for the show: Your support, enthusiasm, and kindness have meant the world to us,” reads the post. “As we gear up for more Heated Rivalry, please help us in making it the best it can be. If you happen to come across one of our filming locations, please give our cast and crew the space they need to do what they do best.”
“We promise it’ll be worth the wait!” the post concludes.
Filming for season 2 is expected to begin this month. Stars Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams have been photographed together around Toronto in recent days.
While season 1 of the Crave/HBO Max hockey romance focuses on the events of the Heated Rivalry novel by Rachel Reid, season 2 will follow its sequel, The Long Game.
Bowen Yang attends the 79th annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 7, 2026, in New York City. (Taylor Hill/Getty Images)
Bowen Yang is headed to Broadway.
The actor and comedian will make his Broadway debut by taking on the starring role of Mary Todd Lincoln in the Tony Award-winning play Oh, Mary!
Yang's run in the production will be a limited 12-week engagement starting on Sept. 15 and ending on Dec. 6.
Oh, Mary!'s official Instagram shared a poster with Yang adorned in Mary's signature bratty curls. The account also posted a video of Yang as he finds a mirror that has the phrase "I don't think so, honey" written in all caps using red lipstick. It's a reference to the segment of the same name from Yang's podcast, Las Culturistas. The phrase then changes to, "I don't Linc so, honey."
Cole Escola created, wrote and won a Tony for starring in Oh, Mary! The show is a one-act comedy play centered on Mary Todd Lincoln in the weeks leading up to her husband Abraham Lincoln's assassination.
Yang took to his Instagram to announce the news of his casting.
“My friendship with Cole has brought me many places over the years: late-night pizzerias, cross-borough social-distance walks, a tough production of Les Misérables sung in Dutch,” Yang said in a statement obtained by Variety, which he posted on his Instagram Story. “But being part of their deranged and profound masterpiece, Oh, Mary! is my favorite one by far. I will spend the rest of my life thanking them for the best Broadway debut a cis gay guy with limited singing ability could ask for.”
Ariana Grande, Yang's friend and Wicked co-star, took to the comments of his announcement post to share her excitement over the news.
"this is the best day of my life," Grande commented.
Meg Stalter is currently starring as Mary Todd Lincoln in the production. She made her Broadway debut through this limited run. Her final performance in the role will be Sept. 12.
Sophie Nélisse, Roby Attal and Francesca Reale during the start of production on 'This Summer Will Be Different.' (Amanda Matlovich/Netflix)
Cameras have started rolling on This Summer Will Be Different.
Netflix announced that production has started on the upcoming TV adaptation of author Carley Fortune's bestselling romance novel.
Sophie Nélisse will star as Lucy in the series. Francesca Reale and Roby Attal are also part of the show's main cast. They play the roles of Bridget and Felix, who also goes by the nickname Wolf.
Additionally, Netflix has announced the actors joining the show's recurring cast. Jordan Rodrigues will play Miles Lam, Jude Wilson is set to play Zach, Natalie Brown has been cast as Christine, James Tupper will play Ken, Tom Barnett is set for Peter and Celia Owen has been cast as Joy.
This Summer Will Be Different will be "a simmering, sun-soaked romance set across multiple summers on Prince Edward Island about Lucy, a young woman navigating her 20s and her first real love with her best friend’s brother, the one person she was never supposed to fall for," according to the show's logline.
Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart serve as the adaptation's creators and showrunners. They also both executive produce the show alongside Fortune.
This Summer Will Be Different is filming on location in Prince Edward Island and in Toronto. It will span 10 episodes.
“I fell in love with Prince Edward Island first in the pages of L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables and again when I visited with my best friend in my early 20s,” Fortune told Netflix. “That vacation, the beauty of the island, the warmth of its people, and the friendships that sustain us are the foundation of This Summer Will Be Different. I’m thrilled to bring this sweeping love story to the screen with Netflix and to transport audiences to the glittering shores and windswept beaches of PEI.”
Task has added even more actors to its season 2 cast. Deadline reports Tim Blake Nelson, Jharrel Jerome, Brían F. O’Byrne, Bethlehem Million, Kevin Dunn and Andrew Russel have joined the ensemble of the second season. Mark Ruffalo is set to return to his starring role of Tom Brandis, this time alongside Mahershala Ali as Eddie Barnes. The HBO series is based on an original idea by Brad Ingelsby ...
Gavin Leatherwood has landed his next role. The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Sex Lives of College Girls actor has joined the cast of the rom-com It Happened One Summer, according to Variety. The movie will be based on Tessa Bailey’s bestselling book. Leatherwood joins Nina Dobrev, Tyler Hoechlin and Virginia Gardner in the cast ...
Kumail Nanjiani's directorial debut has landed at Amazon MGM Studios’ Orion Pictures. Deadline reports the actor will also star in the horror comedy film, which is titled Howl. The film follows a famous but troubled actor who announces on a talk show that in less than an hour, he'll turn into a werewolf on live TV ...
A photo of Marta Kauffman. (Eric Charbonneau) | A photo of Paul Scheer. (Andrew Max Levy) | A photo of June Diane Raphael. (Alexandra Genova)
A new show from the co-creator of Friends is on the way.
Amazon MGM Studios has ordered the new show DINKS (Dual Income No Kids) from showrunner Marta Kauffman. This series will be a first-of-its kind improvised multi-camera sitcom for Prime Video.
The show stars real-life married couple June Diane Raphael and Paul Scheer. The pair executive produce and star in the show, with Jon Gabrus also set to star as a series regular.
DINKS is a comedy that follows "Josh (Scheer) and Charlie (Raphael), a couple who, in the absence of a marriage or kids, decide to literally build a life together by renovating their nightmare of a dream house," according to its official description.
Kauffman co-created DINKS with Hannah K.S. Canter. The show is produced by their Okay Goodnight banner, Lionsgate Television and Amazon MGM Studios.
“I’ve always said I wouldn’t do another multi-cam unless someone was able to reinvent it. Okay Goodnight and I got tired of waiting, and decided we should do it ourselves,” Kauffman said. “It’s what I hoped it would be: unique, hilarious and warm. Shooting this show is like being on a roller coaster in the dark. You have no idea where it’s going to go, but you know it’s going to be fun.”
Peter Friedlander, head of Global Television at Amazon MGM Studios, said, "Marta Kauffman is one of the most iconic voices in comedy, and with DINKS, she's doing what she does best — finding the humor and heart in everyday relationships — while pushing the form forward through improvisation."
Kauffman is the writer, producer and showrunner behind Friends and Grace & Frankie.
Jaafar Jackson attends the premiere of 'Michael' at Dolby Theatre on April 20, 2026, in Hollywood, California. (Christopher Patey/Getty Images for Lionsgate)
Jaafar Jackson has found his next role.
The Michael actor is set to star alongside Will Smith in the upcoming action-thriller film Supermax for Amazon MGM Studios and Miramax, ABC Audio has confirmed.
Pineapple Express and Halloween director David Gordon Green will helm the film. It is set to stream worldwide on Prime Video.
Smith will star as Rex in the film, which is described to be "a propulsive and twist-laden action thriller." It follows two FBI agents who investigate a murder that has taken place inside the world's most secure prison.
AnnaSophia Robb has also been cast in the film. She will seemingly play the second FBI agent along with Smith's Rex.
David Weil and David J. Rosen, who are known for their work on the TV shows Hunters and Invasion, wrote the film. Smith will produce the movie for his company Westbrook.
Jackson, who is the nephew of Michael Jackson, portrayed his uncle in the hit biopic Michael. The Antoine Fuqua-directed film is now the highest-grossing biopic of all time, having surpassed Oppenheimer and BohemianRhapsody.
Supermax will mark Smith's first onscreen appearance since the 2024 film Bad Boys: Ride or Die. That movie was his first major film part after the 2022 incident in which he slapped presenter Chris Rock onstage at the 94th Academy Awards. It was the same night he won his best actor Oscar for portraying Richard Williams in the biopic King Richard.
Another one of Lynn Painter's books is getting the big screen adaptation. Deadline reports Beatrice Kitsos and David Iacono will star in the film adaptation of Painter's bestselling book Better Than the Movies ...
Rebecca Hall has joined the cast of The Secret of Secrets for Netflix. She will play the role of Katherine Solomon in the upcoming series adaptation of the mystery thriller novel from author Dan Brown's Robert Langdon book series. As previously reported, Morgan Spector will also star as Robert Langdon in the show ...
It seems Samara Weaving is set to join the X-Men. Deadline reports the actress is Marvel's top choice to play Emma Frost in an upcoming X-Men film. The character was most recently portrayed by January Jones in the film X-Men: First Class ...
Tom Holland attends the 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' UK premiere on Wednesday 29th July 2026 in London, England. (Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Sony Pictures)
The latest Marvel superhero film earned an estimated $355 million in North American ticket sales during its opening weekend, making it the second-biggest domestic debut of all time, according to studio estimates. It trails only 2019's Avengers: Endgame, which opened to $357 million.
The Sony Pictures release also took in $572 million internationally, including $121 million in China, for a worldwide opening of $927 million, making it the second-largest global debut ever, behind Avengers: Endgame.
Starring Tom Holland and Zendaya, Spider-Man: Brand New Day also became Sony Pictures' biggest opening weekend in history. The film set a new opening-day record with $168 million on Friday, surpassing Avengers: Endgame's previous mark.
The film follows 2021's blockbuster Spider-Man: No Way Home, which grossed more than $1.9 billion worldwide and became the first movie to surpass $1 billion globally after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The film, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, has earned strong reviews, holding a 90% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes and an "A" CinemaScore rating from audiences.
The blockbuster opening helped deliver the biggest weekend ever for North American movie theaters, with an estimated $430 million in total ticket sales. Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, which also stars Holland and Zendaya, finished second at the domestic box office with $51 million in its third weekend.
Here are the top 10 films at the box office:
1. Spider-Man: Brand New Day — $355 million 2. The Odyssey — $51 million 3. Toy Story 5 — $6.3 million 4. Minions & Monsters — $5.8 million 5. Moana — $5.3 million 6. Hadestown: The Musical — $2 million 7. The Invite — $1.2 million 8. I Want Your Sex — $600,000 9. Evil Dead Burn — $527,000 10. Young Washington — $477,727
Marvel is owned by Disney, parent company of ABC News.
Ariana Grande attending the 83rd Golden Globes awards at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California, January 11, 2026. (by Sthanlee Mirador/PA Images via Getty Images)
Ariana Grande plans to step back from public appearances after completing The Eternal Sunshine Tour, her representative confirmed to ABC News.
The singer will also no longer star in the upcoming West End revival of Stephen Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George, which would have reunited her with her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey.
"Ariana will be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour," her representative said in a statement to ABC News on Sunday.
"She looks forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily, and then taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances, which has led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny," the statement continued. "This tour has been a beautiful experience for her. She loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much."
A source close to Grande said the singer is disappointed to leave the production but remains supportive of the creative team.
"She cannot wait to support the brilliant team bringing this project to life," the source added.
The representative did not specify what prompted Grande's decision to step back, though the statement cited "endless, ongoing public scrutiny" tied to her public-facing work and appearances.
Grande's appearance has been the subject of public discussion and body-shaming in recent years, with renewed online commentary following the release of the music video for her latest single, "Petal," from her newly released album of the same name.
The Grammy winner has previously addressed comments about her body, including in her 2024 song "Yes, And?," in which she sings, "Don't comment on my body."
Grande launched her The Eternal Sunshine Tour in June in Oakland, California. After wrapping up the remaining U.S. dates, she will head to London, where the tour is scheduled to conclude Sept. 1.
The tour marks Grande's return to the stage after several years focused on acting and recording music, including her starring role as Glinda in the Wicked films.
After the tour concludes, Grande is next set to appear on the big screen in Focker-in-Law, the latest installment of the Meet the Parents franchise, alongside Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro. The film is scheduled to be released in theaters Nov. 25.
This image provided by the FBI Feb. 5, 2026, shows a missing person Nancy Guthrie. (FBI)
The Pima County Sheriff's Department has released two ransom notes received by local media in Tucson, Arizona, in the days after Nancy Guthrie was taken, while calling for the public's help in identifying their writer.
The redacted versions of the notes arrive six months after the mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie was kidnapped from her Tucson-area home. The 84-year-old remains missing.
ABC News has previously described the contents of the notes.
"These communications reveal distinctive patterns of word choice, syntax, and phraseology that reflect the writer's unique linguistic style," the Pima County Sheriff's Department said in a press release on Friday. "They also provide valuable insight into the person's mindset, motives, and the evolution of their tone over time."
The department said they "believe these distinctive linguistic characteristics may be recognizable to someone who knows or has interacted with the notes' writer."
The first note was sent to the local CBS Tucson affiliate KOLD-TV on Feb. 2, according to the sheriff's department, and is addressed to Savannah Guthrie.
"We have your mother Nancy. She is safe but scared," the note stated, while asking for millions of dollars in Bitcoin for her release. If payment was not received, "she will be killed," the note stated.
The note included descriptions of a smart watch near her bed and a damaged floodlight in the home's backyard.
The second note was sent on Feb. 6, according to the sheriff's department, and is addressed to the Guthrie family. The note stated that Guthrie died and "is buried in nature now."
"We did not fully grasp the seriousness of her physical condition. We never intended to hurt her, that was not our intention. She perished shortly after she was taken," the note stated.
The note included an apology and said to the family, "Nothing you could have done could have changed the outcome. We want your family to know this and hope you all can find peace."
After receiving the second note, Savannah Guthrie posted a statement in a Feb. 7 Instagram post.
"We received your message and we understand," Savannah Guthrie said at the time. "We beg you now to return our mother to us. ... . This is very valuable to us, and we will pay."
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II attends the MLB Opening Night Game: Yankees vs. Giants, at Momo's on March 25, 2026, in San Francisco, California. (Kelly Sullivan/Getty Images for Netflix)
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is opening up about the cancellation of his Marvel TV series Wonder Man.
Abdul-Mateen took to Instagram to post about the surprise cancellation of the series, which had previously been renewed for season 2 on Disney+.
"Word just dropped that Wonder Man won’t be coming back for Season 2. (And if you don’t knowww, now ya knoww!)" Abdul-Mateen captioned his post. "That’s life, right? Everything will shake out."
The actor, who played aspiring actor and superhero Simon Williams in the show, continued his post by thanking the series' fans.
"I wanted to say thank you to everybody who WATCHED the show, ENJOYED the show, and SHARED that they enjoyed the show in some way or other. The show worked. And that’s my favorite thing about it," Abdul-Mateen wrote.
Destin Daniel Cretton and Andrew Guest created Wonder Man while Cretton directed its first two episodes. Guest served as the series' showrunner. Ben Kingsley, X Mayo, Demetrius Grosse, Zlatko Burić, Arian Moayed, Josh Gad and Olivia Thirlby also starred in season 1.
Season 1 of Wonder Man premiered on Jan. 27. Disney announced the show had been renewed for season 2 in March. Earlier in July, Abdul-Mateen was nominated for an Emmy for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series for his work on the series. He is already an Emmy winner for his work on Watchmen.
Despite the renewal reversal, Abdul-Mateen continued his post with positivity.
"I can see in the messages I get saying how the show reminded some of you not to give up, and I feel it in the genuine love shared when I bump into some of you all during the day. So, thinking of you all today. I’m glad we got to be a part of something cool. Thank you for watching… And uhh… See you at the EMMYS," Abdul-Mateen wrote.
Disney is the parent company of ABC News, Disney+ and Marvel.
Claire Foy and Matthew Macfadyen are teaming up for a new drama series. The actors are set to star in You Are Here for STARZ and BBC. The new show will be based on the love story written by author David Nicholls. He adapted his own story as an eight-part series to be directed by Normal People's Lenny Abrahamson ...
Fake Skating is headed to the big screen. Sony Pictures has tapped The Fault in our Stars director Josh Boone to direct the film adaptation of the high school hockey romance book by Lynn Painter. It marks the first book by the bestselling author to get a screen adaptation. Morgan Lehmann and Victoria Bata wrote its screenplay while Boone and his writing partner Knate Lee handled its revisions ...
The official teaser trailer for Alix Earle's Netflix documentary series has arrived. Earle Meets World follows the Gen Z influencer's everyday life as she balances making big moves in her career while staying true to herself. The series consists of eight 45-minute episodes. It premieres on Sept. 4 ...
Howard Charles plays a heavyweight championship boxer in Fightland, the new Starz series that follows Duke Kilroy as he seeks vengeance for the death of his brother, whom he believes was killed by criminal kingpin and former promoter Kingsley Marshall.
Though Howard was already in shape before landing the role, he says portraying Duke required a different kind of physique.
"I had to put on weight for the role, actually. I was a bit too lean. That's the first time that's actually happened. So I was eating a bit more than I usually do. I was lifting a bit heavier than I usually do," he tells ABC Audio.
Howard says he was drawn to the character the moment he read the script.
"I saw a man who on the face of it appeared to be dangerous and capable of terrible things, and sometimes even reckless, but this was not a man who was a monster. You know, this is someone who's wounded, someone who is carrying grief, rage ... and he is a man with a heart," he explains. "I just really felt for the guy, you know, I really, really felt his pain and I wanted to play him and I wanted to represent him and I wanted to honor him. And luckily, I was given the opportunity to do that."
Fightland is executive produced by 50 Cent, who is known for starring in, creating and promoting the Power universe. Despite that franchise's long-running success, he believes Fightland is an even better series.
"When you watch that show, you go, well, this is better than where we started with Power," he says, noting it took more effort to promote Power in its early days.
"I took $17,000 to be a reoccurring actor, to write the theme song for Power, to do the marketing and promotions for it because they didn't know who Omari Hardwick was in the very beginning," he says. "So Good Morning America wouldn't accept the cast without me being available. I'm in a nightclub. I got to put a suit on and go to Good Morning America. Like that, it was really interesting."
"I knew I had something going when they would accept them without me season 3," 50 continues. "Then it gradually got to that point."
By contrast, Fightland is captivating from the start. "I'm excited because I think after people see the first [episode] ... they'll understand why I'm been saying that."
Disney is the parent company of ABC News and Good Morning America.
George Clooney and Amal Clooney attend the 51st Chaplin Award Gala honoring George Clooney at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on April 27, 2026 in New York City. (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
George Clooney and Amal Clooney evacuated their home in Brignoles, France, this week as wildfires tore through the region, sending a moving note to the town's mayor as they left.
The actor and human rights attorney informed Didier Bremond, the mayor of Brignoles, of their departure in a note shared with ABC News by a representative for Clooney on Thursday.
"At this point we have no idea whether our beautiful home makes it through this terrible moment and as we evacuate Brignoles we want to emphasise 2 things," the note read. "First we hope you and the people of our city are safe and second that Amal and i are committed to making sure that whatever happens to our village, we are part of this community and we'll be part of making it whole."
"We love Brignoles and our friends who live there," the note concluded.
Brignoles is located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France and has a population of around 18,000, according to a recent census.
A wildfire broke out near the town on Wednesday, burning approximately 321 acres of vegetation before it was contained around 3 a.m. local time, but not fully extinguished, according to local authorities. Four firefighters were injured while battling the blaze, authorities said in an update Thursday, adding that firefighters were still working to put out the flames.
Wildfires are currently burning through large swaths of southern Europe, including parts of Greece, France and Spain, and as far north as the U.K. Hundreds of thousands of residents have been evacuated amid the fires, with sweltering heat waves blanketing the region, worsening conditions.
George Clooney and Amal Clooney reportedly purchased their home in France in 2021, according to The Associated Press.
George Clooney discussed his life in France in a 2025 interview with Esquire, describing what it was like for his family to live on farm in the country.
"Yeah, we're very lucky," he said at the time. "You know, we live on a farm in France. A good portion of my life growing up was on a farm, and as a kid I hated the whole idea of it. But now, for [my kids], it's like — they're not on their iPads, you know? They have dinner with grown-ups and have to take their dishes in. They have a much better life."
The streaming service has greenlit a sequel series to the classic '90s film Clueless. Alicia Silverstone is set to reprise her starring role as "it" girl Cher Horowitz in this new event series based on the teen comedy movie.
Silverstone will also executive produce the series. It is set to start production in LA in 2027.
The upcoming show picks up 30 years after the events of the original film. "Beloved Beverly Hills icon Cher Horowitz has figured out a lot: She’s successful in business and has mastered motherhood — that is, until her daughter’s high school years, and Cher finds that parenting a teenager makes her feel 'clueless' all over again," according to an official description.
The OC's Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage wrote and will executive produce the series. It will be produced by CBS Studios. Amy Heckerling, who directed the 1995 film, will also executive produce alongside Robert Lawrence.
"Clueless is coming home," Jane Wiseman, head of originals for Paramount+, said. "Thirty-one years ago, Alicia Silverstone's Cher Horowitz captivated audiences with her signature chic style, sharp wit and relentless optimism, helping make Clueless a box office hit and instant pop culture classic. We're especially proud to be filming this much-anticipated series in Los Angeles, honoring its starring role in the original film while investing in the city’s exceptional talent and crews.”
Clueless celebrated its 30th anniversary in summer 2025. Additionally, the movie was recently added to the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.
A Clueless sequel series was previously in development at Peacock. ABC Audio confirmed Peacock was no longer moving forward with the series back in April.
Along with Silverstone, the original movie starred Paul Rudd, Stacey Dash, Brittany Murphy, Donald Faison, Elisa Donovan, Breckin Meyer and Dan Hedaya.
Jamie Ding and Ben Affleck celebrate winning a million dollars on 'Who Wants To Be a Millionaire.' (Eric Mccandless/Disney)
Ben Affleck and Jeopardy! champion Jamie Ding scored the winning prize on the ABC television show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire on Wednesday.The pair earned $1 million for the nonprofit Eastern Congo Initiative.
Affleck and Ding clinched the win on a Thanksgiving trivia question.
The final question read, "In an annual Thanksgiving tradition, all but which of these have been the names of turkeys pardoned by a U.S. president?"
The four options the pair could choose from to answer the question were "Peanut Butter & Jelly," "Tater & Tot," "Mac & Cheese" and "Spaghetti & Meatball."
Affleck and Ding selected the correct answer, "Spaghetti & Meatball."
Lights flickered across the stage and confetti fell as Affleck and Ding celebrated the win with host Jimmy Kimmel, receiving an oversized $1 million check written out to Eastern Congo Initiative.
At the start of the round, which aired the previous week, Affleck shared why the Eastern Congo Initiative holds a special place in his heart.
"I've been working with them for about 15 years," Affleck said of the nonprofit. "And right now, of course, as I'm sure most people know, there's an Ebola crisis there, and so this is in large part designed to try to relieve that, contain the spread of Ebola."
According to the Eastern Congo Initiative website, Affleck co-founded the charity with businesswoman Whitney Williams in 2010 to "elevate local solutions" in eastern Congo.
The group says its mission is to "transform humanitarian aid into a locally driven model by directly funding community-based organizations and advocating for greater international visibility for the region."
"We support locally led organizations to expand access to essential services, strengthen economic opportunities, and promote justice," the website states. "Our work is designed to create scalable, sustainable impact across eastern Congo."
Affleck and Ding's big win for charity comes one year after Affleck's longtime friend and collaborator Matt Damon earned $1 million on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire alongside Jeopardy! star Ken Jennings, benefiting Damon and Gary White's nonprofit, Water.org.
John Legend attends The Gordon Parks Foundation Awards Dinner and Auction 2026 at Cipriani 42nd Street on May 19, 2026, in New York City. (Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for The Gordon Parks Foundation)
You may be more used to John Legend onstage behind his piano, but in the new film The Road Home, he takes on the role of civil rights activist Harry Belafonte.
“I was honored to know Mr. Belafonte as my friend, mentor and collaborator in the struggle for justice,” he tells Variety. “He was an incredible human being who lived a monumental, revolutionary life. He was the epitome of an artist and activist who set a standard for me and so many others who stand on his shoulders. I count it a privilege to be entrusted with the role of Harry Belafonte in this special film.”
John previously acted in La La Land, Underground and American Dreams.
The Road Home will be directed by Bill Condon from an original script by Michael Bronner, with a story by Bronner and South African writer Zakes Mda. Ittells the story of Hugh Masekela during the aftermath of Paul Simon's 1986 Graceland album, and the ensuing tour with Miriam “Mama Africa” Makeba and Simon.
Graceland drew criticism from Masekela's mentor, Archbishop Trevor Huddleston, who believed the album violated the United Nations' call for a boycott of apartheid South Africa. Masekela hit the road with his fellow musicians to bring the country's voice to the world; as Variety notes, Masekela viewed "music as a mighty weapon in the struggle."
South African actor Thabo Andrew Rametsi will be playing Masekela, Wicked's Cynthia Erivo will play Makeba and Ripley's Johnny Flynn will play Simon.
Music producer Hilton Rosenthal will oversee new recordings from Masekela and Makeba’s catalog for the soundtrack.
Principal photography is happening in South Africa.
