Entertainment
20 Years Later, This Controversial Casting Choice Still Defines a Sci-Fi Masterpiece
With Peacock’s long-gestating Battlestar Galactica reboot no longer moving forward, it’s worth looking back at the version that actually worked. There are few better arguments for the merit of rebooting a television show than Ronald D. Moore’s acclaimed reimagining of the sci-fi franchise. While the original series of the same name from 1978 was certainly a fun, Star Wars-related space adventure, it retained little more than a cult following after being cancelled after its first season.
Compared with the original Battlestar Galactica, the rebooted series developed a far richer, more expansive universe that addressed modern themes, including the war on terror, political corruption, and fears of artificial intelligence. Best of all, the reboot series created new and dynamic characters that made it all the more compelling; there wasn’t another hero in Battlestar Galactica whose arc was more satisfying overall than Katee Sackhoff’s Lieutenant Kate Thrace.
Set in the distant future, Battlestar Galactica is centered on the crew of the titular spacecraft as it searches for a new home for mankind. The last established civilization of humanity, known as the Twelve Colonies, was destroyed in a critical attack by the Cylons, a malevolent group of man-made androids. While there is tension between the new President Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell) and the military Commander William Adama (Edward James Olmos), the fleet is reliant on brave pilots like Thrace, who goes by the callsign “Starbuck.” The boldness of Sackhoff’s casting was very beneficial to Battlestar Galactica, ensuring its place among the greatest television dramas of all time.
Katee Sackhoff’s ‘Battlestar Galactica’ Casting Earned Backlash
Although Moore’s reboot drew some inspiration from the original 1978 series, the two shows were unique in their narrative complexity. While some characters were brought back and reinterpreted, they were only similar in name. The original Battlestar Galactica featured Dirk Benedict as Lieutenant Starbuck, a womanizing fighter pilot who could be compared to Harrison Ford’s Han Solo in the Star Wars franchise. Battlestar Galactica had already been hit with comparisons to George Lucas’ space opera; in order to differentiate the two, Moore decided that “making Starbuck a woman was a way of avoiding” what” he “felt would be ‘rogue pilot with a heart of gold’ cliché.’”
Many characters from the original Battlestar Galactica were radically changed from the original series; while the 1978 shows featured John Colicos as an entirely malevolent version of Gaius Baltar, James Callis turned the character into a somewhat sympathetic, far less competent anti-hero. However, Sackhoff’s casting was met with backlash from those who opposed the gender swapping of Starbuck. Benedict himself even chimed in, posting a tirade expressing his dismay that “Starbuck would go the way of most men in today’s society.” Unfortunately, Benedict’s opinion was shared by many of the show’s doubters; Sackhoff was booed during her first appearance promoting the show at the 2004 Comic Con in San Diego and even received some death threats prior to the show’s airing.
Although Moore was insistent that the gender swap was essential to distinguish the new series, Sackhoff wasn’t the first choice to play Starbuck. Moore revealed that the show’s producers were originally looking for an actress in her mid-30s who had a tough demeanor, as they wanted someone who had believable military experience. However, it was Sackhoff’s acting ability that ultimately won them over; Moore stated that Sackhoff “auditioned for the role along with many other actresses, and simply blew them all away,” admitting that they were “lucky” that she agreed to play the role.
Starbuck Became a Fan-Favorite Hero in ‘Battlestar Galactica’
Starbuck was quickly established as one of Battlestar Galactica’s most complex characters. Like many of the Galactica’s pilots, Starbuck is brave to a fault; she’s willing to put herself in danger for the sake of her crew and consistently goes on risky missions in an attempt to cheat death. While her hot-headed personality added energy to the series, there was a deeper reason for Starbuck’s erratic personality; she is still grieving the loss of Zak Adama (Tobias Mehler), her secret fiancé, as well as a pilot under her command whose death hangs over her. This speaks to Starbuck’s selflessness; although she isn’t as interested in the political machinations in the fleet, she is completely loyal to those who serve alongside her. Starbuck’s empathy becomes more powerful in later seasons that reveal her backstory as an abused child.
Starbuck’s relationship with the Adama family is among the show’s most profound dynamics; despite her involvement with Zak’s death, Kara begins to develop romantic feelings for his brother, Lee (Jamie Bamber). It’s a romance that’s doomed from the start, as both characters end up finding different romantic partners in the aftermath of the occupation by Cylon forces in the third season. However, their on-again, off-again affair indicated that the two couldn’t deny their feelings for each other; similarly, Bill Adama comes to view Starbuck as a daughter, giving her important guidance over the course of the series.
Katee Sackhoff’s Performance Succeeded Even When ‘Battlestar Galactica’ Didn’t
Despite the acclaim that the series received in its initial seasons, Battlestar Galactica declined in quality, significantly thwarting Starbuck’s story arc. Her romantic relationship with Samuel Anders (Michael Trucco) grew much more compelling, particularly upon the revelation that he was one of the “Final Five” Cylons hidden within the fleet. Unfortunately, Starbuck’s strange departure and miraculous recovery made for an uneven storyline that didn’t reflect her trajectory up until that point. Nonetheless, Sackhoff certainly committed to the material; her emotional performance almost made these strange plot twists tolerable.
While it could be said that Battlestar Galactica ended on a disappointing note, Sackhoff has since become an icon in multiple sci-fi franchises. After voicing the character Bo-Katan Kryze on Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Sackhoff was able to portray the live-action version in The Mandalorian’s second and third seasons. She also delivered a scene-stealing performance alongside Vin Diesel in the sci-fi sequel Riddick.
Battlestar Galactica is streaming on Prime Video in the U.S.
Entertainment
Catherine O’Hara’s Raunchy, Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Is A Forgotten 1980s Gem
By Jennifer Asencio
| Published

The world recently lost comic actress Catherine O’Hara, known for classics like Beetlejuice, Home Alone, and the series Schitt’s Creek. She has been endlessly memed and mimicked, and her work is constantly viewed by fans all over. In the 1983 Canadian animated feature Rock n’ Rule, she makes an unexpected appearance as an unusual character in a place nobody expected to find her.
Rock n’ Rule takes place in a post-apocalyptic future that is now populated by intelligent anthropomorphs and abominations mutated from the remains of a nuclear war in the distant past. A rock band led by Omar strives for fame in Ohmtown, but when Omar is upstaged at their big show by his girlfriend Angel, it causes a rift between the two.

However, Angel has caught the attention of the sinister superstar Mok, whose evil plot to raise an eldritch demon requires a very special singing voice. When Mok kidnaps Angel to raise his demon, Omar and his bandmates Izzy and Stretch head off to Nuke York City to rescue her and fight the rock star on his own turf: the stage.
I’ve been a huge fan of this movie since I saw it in the late 1980s, and I had never noticed that Catherine O’Hara plays Izzy’s aunt Edith, a grizzled Nuke Yorker who runs a tattoo parlor and helps the band while they’re in town. It features a smorgasbord of celebrity voices and musical appearances, including Cheap Trick and Debbie Harry as Omar and Angel’s band, Lou Reed and Izzy Pop as Mok; the dialogue voice talent is a little less well-known but stars Paul LeMat, Susan Roman, and Don Francks.

The story is a fun rock n’ roll romp about the rise and fall to stardom. The soundtrack definitely delivers on the magic and majesty of music, even when it’s not intentionally being used for occult purposes. Debbie Harry absolutely delivers with her performance, and it is easy to see why it would get Mok’s attention. The fantastical blend of magic and technology Mok uses for his sorcery ignites the imagination in ways that a more traditional story about a demonic summoning doesn’t accomplish.
The lingering aura of nuclear war is constantly emphasized throughout the movie, from the names of places to the smoggy and desolate settings the characters inhabit. Mutant creatures that evolved from waste are looked down upon by mainstream society, as illustrated by warnings and security measures at the venues visited during the film. In this respect, the movie is very dated, as the early 1980s were a time of such fear of nuclear war that we had “civil defense drills” against bombs rather than the “active shooter drills” of today.

The movie also saw pushback from Rolling Stones superstar Mick Jagger. Mok was originally supposed to be called “Mok Swagger” and was drawn to resemble the strutting singer with a dash of fellow musical collaborationist David Bowie thrown in. Mok is portrayed as being narcissistic and drunk on his own stardom, a portrait that Jagger didn’t seem to appreciate, even fictionally. He succeeded in having the character’s surname dropped, but otherwise, as he sings in the movie himself, “My name is Mok/thanks a lot.”
Rock n’ Rule may be a throwback to previous social trauma, but it’s still a worthwhile watch today, and I watch it every time I find it because it is just that much fun. It’s raunchy, with slapstick comedy and a thoughtful premise, and most importantly, great music that keeps you coming back to hear it again.

Check out this secret Catherine O’Hara gem, streaming free on Tubi.
Entertainment
Don Cheadle Replaces Anthony Hopkins In An Obama-Backed Revival
By TeeJay Small
| Published

If you’ve been keeping up with entertainment industry trends in recent years, you may already know that Barack and Michelle Obama have launched a production company called Higher Ground. This company generally partners with distributors and streamers such as Netflix to bring inspirational stories to new audiences, with such projects under their belt as Leave The World Behind, Waffles and Mochi, and Michelle Obama’s Becoming. Now, thanks to an exclusive report from Variety, we can confirm that the former President and First Lady will be making their Broadway production debut with a revival of Proof.
Proof is a play written by David Auburn, which originally premiered back in 2000. The story follows a brilliant mathematician as she struggles to piece together her genius father’s unpublished works from the years leading up to his death. As she unravels his semi-coherent ramblings regarding theoretical mathematical proofs, she is assisted by one of his up-and-coming grad students. The original play won a Pulitzer Prize and a Tony Award, and it even received a film adaptation in 2005.

Per Variety, the Obama-produced revival of Proof will star The Bear‘s Ayo Edebiri in the lead role, with Marvel’s Don Cheadle portraying her father. This is sort of ironic casting, considering the 2005 film adaptation almost exclusively starred Marvel talent as well, before they joined the Disney-owned franchise. 2005’s Proof had Gwyneth Paltrow and Anthony Hopkins in the lead roles, with Jake Gyllenhaal portraying the grad student.
Having recently downgraded their overall deal with Netflix into a first-look deal, it seems as though Barack and Michelle Obama are experimenting with new and exciting storytelling avenues. If the Broadway revival of Proof does well, it could serve as the basis for a motion picture remake with a new cast. While discussing their decision to revive the story, the Obamas explained “Proof is exactly the kind of story Higher Ground was built to champion, a play that asks profound questions about brilliance, doubt, and what we inherit from the people we love most.”

Higher Ground has already taken home numerous Academy Awards for its previous works. To date, the production company has earned six Emmy Awards, three Grammys, and an Oscar. If Barack and Michelle Obama manage to strike gold with their reimagining of Proof, it could make them the very first President and First Lady to earn the coveted EGOT status. That’s not usually the sort of thing politicians pull off in their retirement, but then again, sitting politicians have been doing much stranger things in recent years.
Entertainment
Dolly Parton explains health struggle in first major public appearance in months: 'Needed to build myself back up'
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Dolly-Parton-Dollywood-031326-2642f5bb908f476bb3a127fe4b58130c.jpg)
The icon’s Dollywood theme park welcomed the singer-songwriter back for its 2026 opening weekend celebration, where she also confirmed she isn’t in a new relationship following the death of her husband.
Entertainment
Jimmy Kimmel says 'ex-con' Donald Trump is 'gaslighting' Americans about gas prices: 'The stupidest president'
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/jimmy-kimmel-donald-trump-031326-72fc79b791fe4316a823577e5d21ba12.jpg)
“You know, you hear the term gaslighting a lot,” the comedian said, “but rarely when it comes to actual gas.”
Entertainment
Lil Durk Levels Up His Defense Squad With Lawyer Brian Steel
It looks like Lil Durk isn’t taking any chances with his defense! The rapper just added heavyweight defense attorney Brian Steel to his legal squad as he gears up for a federal murder-for-hire trial. And fans are already speculating that the team’s glow-up is about to be next-level.
RELATED: She Said WHAT?! Lil Durk’s Daughter Prank Calls Him In Jail And The Timeline Is Rolling (VIDEO)
Durk Just Leveled Up His Legal Squad
According to legal documents filed on March 6, Brain Steel is joining Lil Durk’s defense team as a pro hac vice, meaning he can step into the case even without a California law license. He’ll be taking over for Jonathan M. Brayman. Jury selection kicks off August 20, nearly two years after Durk and several members of his Only the Family collective were first arrested. Additionally, Drew Findling, another legal heavy hitter, remains on the team. As the date nears, Durk’s case is seemingly shaping up to be one of the most high-profile rap trials of 2026.
Brian Steel is officially representing rapper Lil Durk in his murder-for-hire case in Los Angeles federal court.
Jury selection is to begin Aug. 20. pic.twitter.com/dHNxgheShV
— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) March 9, 2026
Does Steel’s Name Ring A Bell?
Known for handling the biggest hip-hop cases, Steel made headlines defending Young Thug in the YSL RICO trial and later representing Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs in criminal proceedings. Speaking to Billboard, Steel described his hands-on approach: “I get very close to my clients. I meet their families… I gotta believe in the person… God willing, something good will come out.” Translation: Durk isn’t just getting a lawyer — he’s getting a ride-or-die defense.
The Story Behind Durk’s Legal Battle
As previously reported, Durk faces serious charges, including conspiracy, murder-for-hire, and firearm use in connection with a 2022 alleged attempt on Quando Rondo’s life. Furthermore, the rapper has pleaded not guilty and, based on his recent posts, he’s been feeling the pressure. Earlier this year, Durk hinted at the personal toll of being behind bars, writing on Instagram, “Crazy how you gotta wait until it’s dark out to see who really with you.”
Fans Can’t Stop Buzzing About Durk’s Legal Upgrade
Fans immediately flooded X to let y’all know Brian Steel is about to get Durkio signed, sealed, delivered, and home — because let’s be real, this lawyer does not play. Comments are blowing up with hype, jokes, and straight-up excitement over the courtroom.
oh yeah durk coming home now brian don’t play
— 𝐽𝑎𝑧 ‘ ꨄ (@thadollxx) March 9, 2026
3PEAT STEELE DURK GOIN FREE
— hppu (@ItsNotupph) March 9, 2026
Bout that time
— D.B.C ✭ 🕷️ (@J0Y30irTY) March 9, 2026
durk gon be free by end of the year im callin it
— YeatEmpire (@YeatEmpire) March 9, 2026
Oh yea durk gon be home soon pic.twitter.com/3osLNCpT1n
— It’s Yo Boy Wiz (@jiggywizz) March 9, 2026
Brian about to do a sweep 😩
— Shannon (@Shannonddcq123) March 9, 2026
RELATED: Big 31! India Royale Shares Birthday Message Lil Durk Sent Her From Behind Bars (LISTEN)
What Do You Think Roomies?
Entertainment
New Kids on the Block's Joey McIntyre celebrates 2 years of sobriety: 'Can you believe it?'
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Joey-Mcintyre-031326-dcfc4e2e0b1840a1b8569d1355dae24b.jpg)
“Is my life perfect? No. Is it better? Yes,” Joey McIntyre said of his sobriety journey thus far.
Entertainment
‘X-Men ’97’ Season 2 Expands With Unexpected Summer Release
It’s been almost two years since X-Men ‘97 aired its Season 1 finale, and fans around the world are still waiting to see how the story continues in Season 2. It’s been confirmed that X-Men ‘97 Season 2 will premiere this summer, but Marvel has yet to assign the animated series a slot on its Disney+ calendar for the year. It’s safe to say X-Men ‘97 is one of the most anticipated new releases of 2026, though, especially considering the show is still the highest-rated Marvel project ever, despite not taking place in the MCU. It holds a nearly flawless 99% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and a 91% on the audience-driven Popcornmeter, and it’s already been renewed for Season 3 before the Season 2 premiere. It’s a textbook example of a successful show.
There may still be a few months until X-Men ‘97 is playing on Disney+ around the world, but Marvel has just given a gift to fans of its most popular mutants. Marvel has officially announced a new prequel comic book, X-Men ’97: Season Two, which will take place between the events of X-Men ‘97 Seasons 1 and 2. The book was written by Steve Foxe with art from Salva Espin and a cover from Todd Nauck, and there will be variant covers available from Jhony Caballero, Natacha Bustos, and Dan Jurgen. The comic goes on sale on June 3, likely around the same time that X-Men ‘97 will premiere, and the official synopsis for the new story reads as follows:
“X-MEN ‘97: SEASON TWO will lead directly from the end of the acclaimed first season to the start of the upcoming season two, setting the stage for the time-sprawling saga that awaits viewers, exploring the season’s biggest plot threads, and spotlighting the major new characters—and teams—joining the cast.
Extinction-day has come and gone, and your favorite X-Men are lost in time! Spinning out of Marvel Animation’s X-Men ’97 series, follow the X-Men left behind in a world that hunts and hates mutantkind! Can they survive? And just where – or when – are the X-Men now?! No X-Men ‘97 fan can miss this one!”
When Will ‘X-Men ‘97’ Season 3 Come Out?
There’s been a two-year gap between the first and second seasons of X-Men ‘97, but fans can rest assured that this won’t be the case between seasons two and three. X-Men ‘97 star Lenore Zann, who voices Rogue in the hit Disney+ series, confirmed to Collider last year that she was about to head to the voice booth to begin recording lines for Season 3. The most likely window of release for X-Men ’97 Season 3 is likely sometime in 2027, only one year after Season 2.
Stay tuned to Collider for more updates on the new X-Men ‘97 prequel comic and updates on Seasons 2 and 3 of the hit Disney+ series.
- Release Date
-
March 20, 2024
- Directors
-
Jake Castorena
- Writers
-
Beau DeMayo
Entertainment
Sofia Vergara Lets Loose In Oscars Throwback Dance Videos
Sofia Vergara appears to be getting into the Oscars spirit early after posting two throwback videos from the 2025 Oscars after-party.
The actress shared the clips on her Instagram Story, including one of her dancing with her “America’s Got Talent” co-star Heidi Klum.
In another video, the “Modern Family” alum showed off solo moves on the makeshift Oscars dance floor.
The two television personalities have built a close friendship both on and off the screen during their time on “AGT.”
Vergara’s post comes just two days before the 2026 Academy Awards are held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
Sofia Vergara Turns Back The Clock With Oscars Dance Throwbacks

Hours before sharing the two #TBT clips on her Instagram Story, Vergara attended “An Unforgettable Evening,” a charity gala aimed at raising money for the Women’s Cancer Research Fund (WCRF).
The actress posted a series of updates from the event on her Story, including a brief snippet of a speech she delivered to attendees.
After the more serious posts, Vergara then took a trip down memory lane, revisiting last year’s Oscars and the joyful moments she shared with Klum at the after-party.
Neither “America’s Got Talent” alum was nominated or scheduled to present at the 2025 Oscars. Still, it is not uncommon for major stars to attend the celebrity events surrounding Hollywood’s biggest night.
Sofia Vergara And Heidi Klum Went Viral On The Oscars Dance Floor In 2025

Vergara and Klum attracted significant online attention for their looks and moves at the 2025 Oscars after-party, hosted by Vanity Fair.
Both videos from the night showed the TV stars dancing along to Michael Jackson hits, with the pair grooving to “Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough” in the first clip.
Klum shared that moment on her own Instagram at the time, accompanied by three emojis in the caption.
Fans quickly filled the comments section with compliments, many praising the pair for their beauty and chemistry.
“OMG, you girls are just gorgeous,” one user wrote, while another added, “The cutest,” alongside a heart emoji.
In the second clip shared on Vergara’s IG Story, the actress was seen dancing solo to “Billie Jean.”
Vergara Said Klum Is ‘Like A Latin Girl Trapped In A German Body’

In a 2023 interview with Extra correspondent Terri Seymour, Vergara explained how the differences in her and Klum’s backgrounds actually helped her realize how similar they are.
“It was a surprise because you know I’m Latin, Heidi’s German,” Vergara said. “I was like, ‘Oh, I don’t think I’m gonna have anything in common with her.’ And then suddenly I realized she’s like a Latin girl trapped in a German tall model!”
Vergara went on to elaborate on the qualities in Klum that gave her that impression.
“She can dance, sing, go to a crazy party,” the actress added. “Energy, it’s like crazy. I want to be her when I grow up.”
Sofia Vergara’s Bikini Snap Prompted A Playful Reply From Klum
Vergara and Klum’s unique friendship was once again on full display when the “Griselda” star shared a bold Instagram photo of herself sunbathing poolside in a thong bikini back in June 2025.
Klum playfully jumped into the comments, joking that Vergara should join her because she was also sunbathing wherever she happened to be at the time.
For Vergara, the extra attention on the photo likely signaled success, as the post was part of a promotional campaign for her Toty sunscreen brand.
In an interview with E! News, the actress explained her company’s “suncare first” philosophy.
“Once I learned the sun not only causes cancer but also aging, I made suncare my first priority,” Vergara said.
Vergara Still Waiting On An Oscar Nomination

While Vergara continues to show an affinity for the Academy Awards, she has yet to earn an Oscar nomination for any of her work.
The Colombian-born star has spent most of her career dominating television rather than film, and her accolades reflect that trajectory.
Vergara is a five-time Emmy and Golden Globe nominee, with all ten nods recognizing her performances in “Modern Family” and, more recently, “Griselda.”
Intriguingly, the one small “chink in the armor” of her friendship with Klum came when the supermodel told ET Online she was “upset” that Vergara did not cast her in “Griselda.”
Entertainment
Blake Lively Fights To Keep Justin Baldoni Case Alive
Blake Lively’s legal dispute with her “It Ends With Us” costar Justin Baldoni is entering a crucial stage as the case edges closer to trial.
The actress is now asking a federal judge to reject efforts to dismiss her claims, arguing that the evidence already collected should be considered before the lawsuit can be thrown out.
Blake Lively Urges Court To Consider Evidence Already Gathered

Blake Lively is pushing back against attempts by Justin Baldoni and other defendants to have her claims dismissed before trial.
Her legal team recently filed a letter in federal court urging Judge Lewis J. Liman to allow the lawsuit to continue rather than ending it through legal motions.
In the court filing obtained by PEOPLE, Lively’s attorneys referenced a recent decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
They argued that the ruling supports their position that courts should examine the evidence gathered during litigation rather than relying solely on the wording of the complaint.
Quoting the appeals court decision, the lawyers wrote that dismissing a complaint under such circumstances “would hardly serve the efficient or just resolution of disputes” if evidence collected during the case may be enough to support the claims.
Lively’s legal team maintains that the same reasoning should apply to her lawsuit.
They say the court should consider the full body of evidence already collected during the discovery process, including documents and testimony, before deciding whether the claims should move forward.
Lively And Baldoni’s Legal Fight Moves Toward Trial

The filing marks the latest development in the ongoing legal dispute tied to the film, “It Ends With Us,” where Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni worked together.
Baldoni and other defendants have filed several motions asking the court to dismiss Lively’s claims.
One of those motions seeks summary judgment, which would allow the judge to decide the case based on the evidence already gathered without sending it to a jury trial.
However, Lively’s attorneys argue that the case deserves to be evaluated through a full trial rather than being resolved prematurely.
If the case proceeds as currently scheduled, both Lively and Baldoni are expected to take the stand.
According to their attorneys, each actor may testify when the trial begins.
For now, the case remains on track for a trial date set for May 18.
Blake Lively Case Heads Toward Critical Pretrial Phase

Even though the courtroom showdown appears to be approaching, legal experts say there are still several steps remaining before the trial begins.
Brian C. Stewart, a trial attorney at Parker & McConkie who is not involved in the case, explained that preparations will soon intensify if the case continues toward a jury trial.
“With a trial scheduled to begin on May 18, the parties and the court will move into final pretrial preparations, deciding on witness lists, exhibit lists, and arguing about what evidence the jury will be allowed to hear,” Stewart said.
He also noted that both legal teams will begin building their courtroom strategies as if a trial is guaranteed.
“A settlement can still happen, right up to and even during trial, but both sides will want to prepare as if trial is inevitable. Both sides will do their best to look like they are confident and ready to convince the jury,” Stewart told PEOPLE last month.
Settlement Talks Could Continue Behind The Scenes

Despite a recent mediation session that ended without an agreement, legal experts say settlement discussions could still happen at any time.
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni spent approximately six hours in federal court earlier this year for a court-ordered mediation session with Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave.
The meeting is a common step in civil litigation designed to encourage both sides to resolve disputes without going to trial.
Although the session ended without a deal, attorneys say that does not necessarily mean negotiations are over.
Steven Jensen, another trial attorney at Parker & McConkie who is not connected to the case, explained that settlement talks often continue quietly while both sides prepare for trial.
“Settlement talks will likely continue informally all the way up until the eve of trial,” Jensen said.
He also outlined the type of work attorneys will now begin behind the scenes.
Jensen explained, “Each side will resume discovery and begin preparing pre-trial motions, which set the stage for permissible evidence at trial. Additionally, each side will need to map out a plan for trial – witnesses to call, cross-examinations of defense witnesses, exhibits to use, jury consulting and questionnaires, opening and closing arguments, and other preparations. Many cases do settle before trial despite multiple failed attempts at settlement. There is still a likelihood the parties [will] settle the case before trial.”
Judge Decision Could Shape Blake Lively Case Outcome

Another major development could arrive when Judge Lewis J. Liman rules on the pending summary judgment request.
Greg Doll, an attorney not involved in the dispute, said the judge’s decision could determine whether the lawsuit moves forward to trial or ends sooner.
“The next step in the case is that Judge Liman will issue his summary judgment order, which he is no doubt holding in abeyance until after the settlement conference to increase the chance of settlement based on the parties’ uncertainty about how he intends to rule,” Doll explained.
He added that if the judge allows the claims to continue, the case will likely move directly into the final stage before trial.
“Unless Judge Liman disposes of Lively’s case on summary judgment, the next step will be pre-trial motions and trial,” he added.
For now, Blake Lively’s legal team is pressing the court to allow the case to proceed, setting the stage for what could become one of the most closely watched celebrity legal battles of the year.
Entertainment
Everything we know about “Virgin River” season 8 so far (including which cast members aren't returning)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Virgin-River-Martin-Henderson-Alexandra-Breckenridge-031026-a107bfa83ca84a778966583cf3ec40c0.jpg)
“Virgin River” season 7 is now on Netflix, but what can viewers expect going forward?
-
News Videos4 days ago10th Algebra | Financial Planning | Question Bank Solution | Board Exam 2026
-
Tech2 days agoA 1,300-Pound NASA Spacecraft To Re-Enter Earth’s Atmosphere
-
Crypto World4 days agoParadigm, a16z, Winklevoss Capital, Balaji Srinivasan among investors in ZODL
-
Tech3 days agoChatGPT will now generate interactive visuals to help you with math and science concepts
-
Business3 days agoExxonMobil seeks to move corporate registration from New Jersey to Texas
-
Sports6 days agoThree share 2-shot lead entering final round in Hong Kong
-
Sports6 days agoBraveheart Lakshya downs Lai in epic battle to enter All England Open final | Other Sports News
-
NewsBeat2 days agoResidents reaction as Shildon murder probe enters second day
-
Entertainment7 days agoHailey Bieber Poses For Sexy Selfies In New Luscious Lip Thirst Traps
-
Business2 days agoSearch Enters Sixth Week With New Leads in Tucson Abduction Case
-
Business5 days agoSearch for Nancy Guthrie Enters 37th Day as FBI Probes Wi-Fi Jammer Theory
-
NewsBeat4 days agoPagazzi Lighting enters administration as 70 jobs lost and 11 stores close across Scotland
-
Tech4 days agoDespite challenges, Ireland sixth in EU for board gender diversity
-
Business4 days agoSearch Enters 39th Day with FBI Tip Line Developments and No Major Breakthroughs
-
NewsBeat2 days agoI Entered The Manosphere. Nothing Could Prepare Me For What I Found.
-
Business7 days agoIran war enters second week as Trump demands ’unconditional surrender’
-
Sports4 days agoSkateboarding World Championships: Britain’s Sky Brown wins park gold
-
Crypto World3 days agoWill Chainlink price reclaim $10 amid volatility squeeze?
-
Sports2 days agoPWHL, Senators discussing plan to keep Charge in Ottawa
-
Sports5 days agoTomorrow’s Top 25 Today: Florida jumps to No. 4; Louisville, Wisconsin enter projected rankings
