Halle Bailey was in full mermaid mode for her 26th birthday. She gave fans a peek into her tropical trip, and fans were living for the vibes, saying she’s glowing while serving bawdy!

RELATED: New Era Loading! Halle Bailey Comes Through With Rare Life Update Ahead Of Major Career Move

Halle Bailey Serves Mermaid Energy & Fans Can’t Get Enough

Halle Bailey was doing it like it was her birthday — literally! She turned the vibes all the way up as she celebrated her 26th with her loved ones on a yacht on Friday, March 27. The singer popped out glowing in a green bikini, and her hair gave very much ‘Poetic Justice’ vibes, styled in large knotless braids. She dropped flicks on Instagram posing on a boat with a drink in hand, while videos showed her jumping into the water and cheesing from ear to ear. Fans loved seeing the Disney princess in her element, saying happiness looks good on her.

Halle Has Fans Gagging Over Her Glow

After The Shade Room reposted Halle’s pics, fans flooded the comment section with fire and heart-eye emojis. Some said she was giving happy and healthy, while others couldn’t get over her snatched bawdy!

Instagram user @theblacklawyerspodcast wrote, “She looks so healthy, happy & free ❤️” 

Instagram user @niccitattedbeauty wrote, “Confidence on 10! Luv that for her! 💯🔥” 

While Instagram user @qveenpva.__ wrote, “A Disney Princess, mind you 😍🥹🫶🏽” 

Then Instagram user @_joyyay wrote, “Come through natural body 😍” 

Another Instagram user @kcruz_muahh wrote, “She’s radiating, it’s giving happiness ❤️” 

Instagram user @malikadiza08 wrote, “Only 26 wow …still so young and full of life ❤️” 

While another Instagram user @theladyerika wrote, “We are all rooting for her ❤️” 

Then another Instagram user @thatsher92 wrote, “Love seeing natural beautiful bodies.” 

Finally, Instagram user @p.mizzlee wrote, “Natural body 🔥😍” 

Halle’s Birthday Glow Gets Even Sweeter With Chloe’s Heartfelt Shoutout

While fans locked in on Halle’s birthday pics, they also lived for her big sis Chloe Bailey’s sweet message. Chloe dropped a heartfelt caption with a throwback pic of them as kids and another photo of her kissing Halle on the cheek on her Instagram Story. “I will always love and protect you no matter how old we get,” Chloe wrote. Peep the sweet photos below.

RELATED: Two Goats With Goats! Would You Try Chloe & Halle Bailey’s Family Day At The Farm? (VIDEO) 

Social media users are droppin’ questions after footage is shared of Tristan Thompson speaking at the White House.

RELATED: Daddy Duties! Tristan Thompson Shares Rare Photos With His Eldest Son Prince And It’s Giving Copy & Paste

Footage Is Shared Of Tristan Thompson Speaking At The White House

On Thursday, March 26, Jake Traylor, a reporter for MS NOW, took to X, formerly known as Twitter, took to the platform to share a photo of Tristan Thompson speaking in the White House press room.

Basketball player Tristan Thompson is at the White House.

photo cred: @emilyhung_ pic.twitter.com/Yw8t1pXJJv

— Jake Traylor (@jake__traylor) March 26, 2026

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Additionally, Margo Martin, Special Assistant and Communications Advisor to President Trump, took to her Instagram Story to share a clip of Thompson speaking. Furthermore, the footage was reposted by Thompson.

In the clip, Thompson appeared to be speaking about college athletes and policies around NIL deals. For context, Thompson reportedly played 13 seasons in the NBA and is now a free agent. He was also a college athlete.

“We need to create a system to protect them,” Thompson is heard saying in the clip. “Not everyone has the ability and [is] fortunate to play in the NFL or the NBA, so those that might not make it to that level, how can we set them up for their future?”

Per AOL, amid his visit, Thompson also shared a photo with Vice President JD Vance, expressing him excitgement to have met him. Furthermore, Yahoo Sports notes that Thompson also shared a photo of himself meeting RFK Jr.

Social Media Users Are Droppin’ Questions

Social media users entered TSR’s comment section, droppin’ questions about Tristan Thompson speaking at the White House.

Before Footage Was Shared Of Tristan Thompson Speaking At The White House, He Made Headlines With His Oldest Son

Before the footage of Tristan Thompson speaking at the White House was shared, he made headlines alongside his oldest son, Prince Oliver. As The Shade Room previously reported, in August 2025, Thompson turned heads by sharing footage of himself taking his son to school for his first day of third grade. Furthermore, the clip showed Thompson asking his son what he was most excited about this school year.

RELATED: Daddy Duties! Tristan Thompson & His Son Prince Oliver Kick Off The School Year With Cute Drop-Off Moment (VIDEO)

Sometimes the critics just get it wrong, and a great movie is given a rating it doesn’t deserve.

Rotten Tomatoes may offer an aggregate score based on reviews from critics, but oftentimes that doesn’t really reflect the true quality of a movie.

Art is more than just a simple number, after all.

This March, Watch With Us has taken to Netflix to pick out three of our favorite movies with bad Rotten Tomatoes scores.

Our first choice is the ensemble zombie-comedy movie The Dead Don’t Die starring Adam Driver, Bill Murray and Tilda Swinton.

Related: 5 Best Netflix Movies of 2025, Ranked

At the midpoint of this year, Netflix‘s slate of original films was largely disappointing and wildly uneven. Thankfully, Netflix apparently saved its top-notch flicks for the second half of 2025. Now, a handful of these films may actually be legitimate Oscar contenders. The Watch With Us team has narrowed our choices down to the best […]

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‘The Dead Don’t Die’ (2019)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 55 percent

In the small, rural town of Centerville, USA, strange things start happening seemingly out of nowhere. In addition to unusually long hours of daylight and an oppressively large moon hanging in the sky, animals begin behaving in an odd manner and the dead are reanimating from their graves. After Police Chief Cliff Robertson (Murray) and Officer Ronnie Peterson (Driver) respond to a report involving a missing chicken, two corpses kill two employees at a diner, and the cops are suddenly involved in the weirdest night of their lives.

Jim Jarmusch‘s absurdist horror-comedy The Dead Don’t Die polarized audiences and critics at the Cannes Film Festival, and it has continued to divide viewers for its off-kilter, languid atmosphere that shifts between disparate tones with an inelegant lack of ease. Nevertheless, the screenplay is full of deadpan wit and manages to be constantly entertaining. Plus, the ensemble cast is superb, and includes Selena Gomez, Austin Butler, Chloë Sevigny and Iggy Pop.

‘Honey Don’t!’ (2025)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 45 percent

Private eye Honey O’Donahue (Margaret Qualley) investigates the death of Mia Novotny (Kara Petersen), a woman who had reached out to Honey fearing for her life, and whose dead body has been subsequently found in a wrecked car. Seeing that Mia’s body was actually stabbed first, then placed into the car, Honey investigates further. She discovers that Mia had possessed belongings related to a mysterious religious organization known as the Four-Way Temple, run by the charismatic preacher Reverend Drew Devlin (Chris Evans), who uses his church for nefarious purposes.

Honey Don’t! has been viewed by some critics as too chaotic and empty to be a good film, let alone a decent neo-noir. However, the performances — particularly from Qualley — and the sheer number of goofy gags, slapstick humor and “live-action cartoon” vibes make Honey Don’t! a rollicking good time for those of us who like having one. The terrific supporting cast also includes Charlie Day, Aubrey Plaza and Billy Eichner.

‘The Kissing Booth’ (2018)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 17 percent

Late-blooming teenager Elle (Joey King) enters junior year of high school and finds herself surprised by the amount of attention she’s suddenly getting from her male classmates. Elle agrees to run the kissing booth at her school’s upcoming fundraiser, and a snafu causes her to accidentally kiss her lifelong best friend’s older brother, Noah (Jacob Elordi). Having had a secret crush on Noah for years, Elle finds herself torn between her close friendship with Noah’s younger brother, Lee (Joel Courtney), and her budding romance with Noah.

Maybe this recommendation doesn’t really count for this particular article, but we’re going to include it anyway. You see, The Kissing Booth isn’t a good movie; it’s a really bad movie, and so are the subsequent sequel films, The Kissing Booth 2 and The Kissing Booth 3. But The Kissing Booth movies are so bad that they actually wrap around to being good. They feature an unbelievably bad lead performance from King, a pre-Euphoria Elordi doing his best and a very stupid plot. And you know what? It is so awesome to behold.

Corey Feldman is finally speaking out after noticeably missing from a major moment at the 98th Annual Academy Awards. The actor, who starred in the iconic 1986 film “Stand By Me,” revealed his reaction after he was not included in the emotional tribute honoring the late Rob Reiner during this year’s ceremony.

Corey Feldman Reacts To Oscars Snub

While fellow “Stand By Me” stars Jerry O’Connell and Wil Wheaton appeared on stage for the tribute, Feldman said he was left watching from the sidelines.

“I think Jerry and Wil did what had to be done,” he told Entertainment Weekly. “It was a fleeting moment, so I don’t feel like I missed much at all. I personally was probably maybe a little bothered by the fact that nobody got to speak or do or say anything from their own heart.”

Despite downplaying the situation, Corey Feldman admitted the moment still struck a chord. “It is what it is,” he said, before adding that “it felt a little bit like a family reunion I wasn’t invited to.”

Feldman Says ‘It’s A Tragedy’ After Reiner Loss

Even with the disappointment, Corey Feldman made it clear he isn’t looking to turn the moment into drama. “We’re not going to use this time to go into my feeling about that,” he explained. Instead, the actor shifted his focus to honoring the legacy of the beloved filmmaker and the tragic circumstances surrounding his passing.

Feldman shared that the loss of Rob Reiner has been devastating for those who worked closely with him. “Instead I just want to say that I’m with the rest of us, we’re all very destroyed that things went down the way they did,” he said. “Losing Rob when we all thought he’d be joining us at some point for this tour and it’s a tragedy.”

Tragic Death Of Rob Reiner And Wife Sends Shockwaves Through Hollywood

Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead inside their Los Angeles home on December 14, 2025, sending shockwaves through Hollywood. The couple’s daughter, Romy, is said to have found her father’s body in their bedroom.

The circumstances surrounding the couple’s deaths quickly became the focus of an ongoing investigation. A spokesperson for the Reiner family confirmed the heartbreaking news, stating, “It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner. We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time.”

Authorities later took Rob’s son, Nick, into custody in connection with the case.

Suspect Pleads Not Guilty As Case Moves Forward

During a recent appearance at Los Angeles Superior Court, the suspect, Nick, appeared in a jail-issued jumpsuit and entered a not guilty plea through his attorney. He spoke briefly during the hearing, responding “yes” when asked if he understood he was waiving his right to a speedy trial.

Nick is currently being held without bail at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility as he awaits the next phase of the case, with his next court date set for April 29. Sources close to the family say communication between Nick and relatives has since been cut off as they continue to process the shocking events.

Corey Feldman Was ‘Devastated’ Before Speaking Out

Before Corey Feldman publicly addressed the situation, insiders revealed just how much the snub impacted him behind the scenes. Sources said the actor was “devastated” after learning he would not be included in the Oscars tribute lineup honoring Rob Reiner, especially given his role as Teddy Duchamp in Stand By Me.

According to one insider, Feldman had every reason to believe he would be part of the moment alongside his former co-stars. “He loved Rob and expected to be asked,” the source said, noting that others from the film were reportedly contacted to participate.

The situation, the insider claimed, felt less like a scheduling issue and more like a personal blow. “Corey wants nothing more than to honor Rob, and the fact that he currently isn’t allowed is an absolute slap in the face,” they continued. “Even if he wasn’t on the stage, he’d love to be there, to honor Rob.”

For a Western that is more than just your standard soapy drama fare like Yellowstone, one of the very best modern depictions of the American West doubles as a mysterious sci-fi drama on par with Lost in the way it presents its mysterious world. The show? None other than Prime Video’s Outer Range, which continues to bend minds even after it was prematurely canceled. We miss the neo-Western sci-fi series greatly, but even though it was axed before its time, it more than deserves a revisit.

What Is ‘Outer Range’ About?

Created by Brian Watkins, Outer Range is not what you expect when you sit down to watch the first episode. When rancher Royal Abbott (Josh Brolin) discovers a strange black hole on his Wyoming property — around the same time that his oldest son, Perry (Tom Pelphrey), kills a man — things for the Abbott family begin to shift beneath them. Between their financial troubles and the usual day-to-day struggles of the cowboy way of life, pressure mounts as a drifter named Autumn (Imogen Poots) waltzes into town, onto their property, and pries into their family business. What begins as a familial conflict between the Abbotts and the rival Tillersons turns into far more than a simple Western range war. Instead, the show takes a strange, supernatural turn by introducing time travel into the equation — and dark family secrets come to light.

Over the course of Outer Range‘s two seasons and 15 episodes, the thrilling time-travel drama pushes the limits of what the audience can handle, as characters begin to unravel at the realization that time can be altered. Brolin’s Royal and Lili Taylor‘s Cecilia are really the breakout stars here, who try to carry the family through such an unforeseen crisis, only to find that a wedge has been driven between them. Of course, the family’s dynamics prove more complicated than that, as the Abbotts’ youngest son, Rhett (Lewis Pullman), finds himself torn between his loyalties to his family and his lost love Maria (Isabel Arraiza), who continues to pull him away from them. We’re not even diving into all the weirdness of the Tillerson family, whose patriarch, Wayne (Will Patton, doing his best to both frighten and fascinate us), is completely off his rocker — and only gets more psychologically strange in the second season.

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Even better, Outer Range begins as a metaphysical neo-Western set in the contemporary era that quickly falls into straight-up “Weird Western” territory, but it doesn’t stay there. In the show’s sophomore season, Deputy Sheriff Joy Hawk (Tamara Podemski) — who had been investigating the strange happenings around their town of Wabang — finds herself thrust into the Old West in the 1880s, and it’s with that shocking turn that the series starts to double as a classic Western. Pulling some of the most compelling genre elements of both period and contemporary tales of the American West, Outer Range goes to strange places, leading to countless fan theories that felt similar to how audiences responded to the island in Lost.

‘Outer Range’ Was Canceled Before Its Time, but the Ride Is Worth It

The only downside to a show like Outer Range is that you will get profoundly invested in the series and its complex mythology, only for Prime Video to pull the rug out from under you. Tragically, the sci-fi neo-Western was cancelled before its time (which is a bit crazy given the buzz around this highly rated show), but when each episode costs around $6 million to make, we can understand the steep cost.

Still, the streamer ought to have given Outer Range another season, if only to close the loop it (and that black hole) opened in the west pasture, or at the very least a feature conclusion that gave viewers more closure after all those cliffhangers. Regardless, Outer Range is one powerful ride that will keep you guessing until the very end, wondering how in the world you got so invested in a science fiction drama with Western trappings. Even with the expectation that not all of your questions will be answered, we can’t help but recommend this brilliant take on the genre.

Toosii is making a major career pivot, trading studio sessions for the football field. After months of navigating multiple college opportunities, the Syracuse native has officially landed with the Louisiana State University football program.

Related: Toosii Opens Up About His Mental Health While Adjusting To Being An LSU Student (VIDEO + PHOTOS)

Rapper Toosii Joins Louisiana State University Football Program

Toosii has stayed committed to proving the doubters wrong surrounding his new journey. In August 2025, the 26-year-old artist announced he was stepping back from his music career to chase a dream of playing college football. Now, that goal has become a reality. The rapper, whose real name is Najour Grainger, is officially enrolled at Louisiana State University and appears on the Tigers’ roster as a freshman wide receiver. He is listed wearing jersey No. 89.

News of his addition to the team quickly gained traction online, with fans reacting to both the unexpected move and the determination behind it. Following the announcement, Toosii shared a photo of himself suited up in LSU gear. “If nobody told me, I’m proud of ME 🙏🏽🐯 Geaux Tigers,” he wrote, celebrating the milestone.

Social Media Reacts

As news spread, social media users flooded TSR Teens’ comment section with a mix of support, curiosity, and humor.

Instagram user @therealmaxieeeee wrote, “can’t even hate fr you got it”

Another Instagram user @murdamann.2x wrote, “Goes to show you kan do anything you put your mind to 💯🤲🏾”

While Instagram user @jorriaaa wrote, “Somebody said they gone hit him so hard he gone think he at a concert 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂”

Instagram user @prettygirl.plut0 wrote, “He really making history regardless of the jokes, mad love for my people doing everything they can with their talents and getting recognition 👏👏”

Another Instagram user @notterickk wrote, “bro we’re never beating bama again 🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️”

While Instagram user @carahvashti wrote, “He literally proved yall wrong 😂”

Instagram user @e4sssz wrote, “This his 3rd team mind you”

Another Instagram user @whyxkaay wrote, “Does anybody know if he’s actually any good tho”

While Instagram user @kamartm_ wrote, “Why not just stay in the studio you already made it 😂”

Toosii Previously Had Stops At Sacramento State And Syracuse University

LSU is just the latest stop in Toosii’s football journey. In September 2025, the rapper first revealed he had received an offer from Sacramento State’s football program, signaling his initial journey to the sport. Just a few months later, in December, he announced his commitment to Syracuse University, his hometown school.

However, that decision was short-lived. By early 2026, Toosii announced he would no longer be joining the program, leaving fans to question his next move. Now on the LSU football roster, Toosii’s path reflects his resilience and commitment to pursuing football despite setbacks.

RELATED: Social Media Reacts After Toosii Calls Syracuse Football Coach A “Bozo” & Announces First Day At Louisiana State University (VIDEOS)

For the fourth weekend of March 2026, Watch With Us can’t wait to dig into some Netflix shows that are way too slept on.

While everyone else watches Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen and Virgin River, we’ll be watching Netflix’s hidden-gem TV shows.

We want to highlight three great shows on the platform that you either forgot existed or never even heard of.

Our first pick is Godless, a neo-Western miniseries starring Sinners’ Jack O’Connell.

Read on to see all three of our great selections.

‘Godless’ (2017)

In New Mexico in 1884, an infamous outlaw named Frank Griffin (Jeff Daniels) and his band of criminals seek vengeance on a former member and Frank’s protege, Roy Goode (O’Connell), who betrayed them. On the run from those who want him dead, Roy stops down in La Belle, NM, a mining town run almost entirely by women, where he takes refuge with Alice Fletcher (Michelle Dockery). When word gets out that Frank and his gang have their sights set on La Belle, Alice and her fellow citizens lock arms to stand against the ruthless gang.

Godless instantly stands out by taking the male-dominated Western genre and focusing on a female-led ensemble instead. In addition to this instantly hooky twist, the series also features some stunning production design and cinematography that make it easy for viewers to become fully immersed in this world. The fast-paced narrative and complex plotlines are riveting, and standout performances from Daniels, Dockery, and Merritt Wever in particular make Godless can’t-miss TV.

‘Mindhunter’ (2017-2019)

In the late 1970s, criminal psychology and criminal profiling were just in their early stages, as the FBI tried to get inside the heads of serial killers to help solve an ongoing case. FBI agents Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) and Bill Tench (Holt McCallany) and psychologist Wendy Carr (Anna Torv) operate the Behavioral Science Unit of the Training Division at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Season 1 sees them interviewing notorious serial killers Edmund Kemper (Cameron Britton) and the BTK Killer (Sonny Valicenti), with season 2 focusing on Charles Manson (Damon Herriman).

Mindhunter is infamous among fans for its far-too-short run, despite rave reviews from critics and a passionate fan following. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough for Netflix, which axed the series after only two seasons. Still, the series (executive produced and partly directed by David Fincher) stands among the best of the best of crime dramas, weaving exceptional storytelling and intense character drama with a unique filmmaking style.

‘Bodyguard’ (2018)

British Army war veteran David Budd (Rocketman‘s Richard Madden) is working as a police sergeant in London when he is assigned to protect the Home Secretary and Conservative Party Member of Parliament Julia Montague (Keeley Hawes) — a deeply controversial political figure with ambitions that have her marked as “sociopathic” by those in her inner circle. While privately dealing with PTSD from his time in the war, David finds himself increasingly at odds with his new charge, torn between his duty and his personal morals.

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Related: 3 Great New Netflix Movies to Watch in March 2026, Ranked

Netflix seems to have a smaller number of new movies in March compared to a normal month, but it’s certainly an interesting lineup. Whoever procures films for the streamer has a knack for picking up titles that were ignored or underrated in theaters. As we’ve seen time and time again, these are often the films […]

Bodyguard is a supremely addictive psychological thriller with top-notch performances from Madden and Hawes that blends political drama with complex character relationships. The high-stakes tensions only get more and more intense as the series goes on, couched by a fast pace that makes the show the perfect binge-watch. Ultimately, Bodyguard is an exceptional and nuanced look at power and gender dynamics that is thrilling while being grounded in realism.

Taylor Swift was riding high after a major night at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards, but the celebration didn’t end without drama. The pop superstar stepped out to celebrate her wins at the exclusive Bird Streets Club in West Hollywood, where she marked yet another record-breaking achievement in her career. Taylor Swift took home seven out of nine nominations, further cementing her status as the most awarded artist in iHeartRadio Music Awards history.

Security Steps In As Influencer Tries To Reach Taylor Swift

Things took a tense turn as Taylor Swift exited the Bird Streets Club around 1:30 a.m. Brazilian influencer Liziane Gutierrez was seen attempting to approach the singer outside the venue, prompting Swift’s security team to quickly intervene.

According to The Daily Mail, at one point, Gutierrez reportedly stood in front of Swift’s car while holding a Brazil T-shirt, as security restrained her and prevented her from getting closer. The situation escalated as she resisted guards and created a scene outside the exclusive hotspot.

Who Is Liziane Gutierrez?

Gutierrez, a reality TV personality with 1.6 million Instagram followers, is no stranger to controversy. She has appeared on Brazilian reality shows like “A Grande Conquista 2” and “A Fazenda 13,” and previously made headlines in 2016 after accusing Chris Brown of assault at a Las Vegas nightclub, claims that were denied, with no charges filed due to lack of evidence.

Taylor Swift Thanks Travis Kelce In Emotional Acceptance Speech

But before the drama, Taylor Swift had an incredible night. During the ceremony, Swift gave fans a glimpse into her personal life while accepting Pop Album of the Year for “The Life of a Showgirl.”

“I think that this album probably also feels very happy and confident and free because that’s the way that I get to feel every single day of my life…because of my fiancé, who’s here tonight,” she said. “So thank you, thanks for all the vibes.”

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The camera quickly cut to Travis Kelce, who was seen smiling proudly as he applauded his fiancée from the audience.

Swift ‘Very Overwhelmed’ Planning Wedding To Travis Kelce

While Taylor Swift is riding high professionally, things behind the scenes may be a bit more stressful.

According to a source, the singer is feeling the pressure as she plans her upcoming wedding to fiancé Travis Kelce. “Travis handed off most of the planning to Taylor because she has a real vision of what she wants,” the source shared. “The downside of that is she’s getting very overwhelmed.”

The insider added that constant speculation about the couple’s wedding details hasn’t helped. “She’s someone who likes to control every detail and keep big moments private, so the fact that their timeline and all sorts of other details have already leaked out has really rattled her,” the source explained.

“To the point where she’s even floated the idea of changing their plans completely to throw everything off and avoid having it turn into a circus,” they added.

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Travis Kelce Signs Major Contract

Meanwhile, Travis Kelce is making big moves on and off the field, and he’s doing it in style. The Kansas City Chiefs tight end officially confirmed his return to the NFL on March 23, signing a multi-year deal reportedly worth over $57.7 million. And while celebrating the major milestone, Kelce gave a subtle nod to his fiancée. He marked the moment by rocking a standout piece: a gold Santos de Cartier Skeleton watch.

“Chiefs Kingdom, let’s go, baby, it’s official! Excited for 2026 and just excited to put on a Chiefs uniform in front of you guys again,” Kelce said in a clip posted to the Chiefs’ Instagram account.

According to reports, the deal also includes a staggering $40 million roster bonus for the 2028 season, but there’s a twist. The Kansas City Chiefs would be required to pay that bonus by June 8, 2027, meaning the structure of the contract may not be as long-term as it appears. Because of that setup, insiders suggest the deal is essentially a short-term commitment for now, unless it undergoes a major restructure down the line.

In terms of what makes a good trailer, Spider-Man: Brand New Day should be considered one of the best released in recent times, and considering how effective the Dune: Part Three and Disclosure Day trailers have been in generating hype, that is a great achievement. Spider-Man: Brand New Day‘s trailer nails exactly what such a promotional release should do. We understand the general premise will follow Peter’s (Tom Holland) abnormal mutations and his complex relationships with Ned (Jacob Batalon) and MJ (Zendaya), along with appearances from Punisher (Jon Bernthal) and Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo). Yet there is still much for audiences to ponder.

One of the most glaring omissions from the Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer is the absence of a clearly defined central villain, and that’s a good thing, as it allows for speculation that can give clues for larger implications on the MCU. One of the candidates for this role is the mysterious character that Tramell Tillman, of Severance and Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, will be playing, as he, along with Sadie Sink, is one of the few actors who have not had their character officially announced. However, a closed caption may have hinted that he is key to the future mutant saga beyond Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which would be a perfect role for Tillman.

Signs Point to Tramell Tillman Playing William Metzger in ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’

The Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer included many snippets that have fans scratching their head, from who was narrating the scientifically incorrect information of spiders supposedly having “three life cycles,” which they do not, to Tillman’s character giving his character’s motivation, but not his specific role. Tillman’s character appears to talk to a suited-up Peter, telling him that they are facing a “danger we can’t control. One we can’t even see.” It would seem he is referring to Sadie Sink’s character, given the trailer’s editing, and yet it was the closed captions, which refer to Tilman’s character as “Bill,” that are more informative.

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This would point to Tillman playing William Metzger, as there were unverified rumors that he would be playing this character in the past. This is a relatively obscure character from the comics, though he is an anti-mutant crusader who works for the government. Considering that the trailer frames him as a government operative hunting down Sink’s character, who many believe to be a powerful mutant, potentially even Jean Grey, the character of William Metzger would fit nicely with Tillman’s role. Not only does it give comic book context, but Metzger is a small enough character that it allows Tillman to make the role his own, especially since it could be laying the groundwork for him to be a future foe for the mutants.

Tramell Tillman’s Role in ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Could Set Him Up For a Larger Role in the Mutant Saga

Now, of course, Tillman’s character would not be the first character we have seen in the MCU who works for the government and seeks to limit the dangers that superpowered individuals pose, even crossing lines to do so. We saw the same with General Ross (William Hurt) in Captain America: Civil War, as well as Agent Cleary (Arian Moayed), who worked for the DODC in both Spider-Man: No Way Home and Wonder Man. However, with Sink seemingly being a mutant, and Tillman’s growing notoriety, it would seem that he could be taking his first steps towards a larger role in the MCU, specifically as the main government antagonist against the mutants.

Since the X-Men were originally based on the civil rights movement, and the Fox movies updated their context to be a metaphor for the LGBTQIA+ movement, there is always a threat of the ruling class against mutants. Tillman’s Metzger would serve this role perfectly. Additionally, his role in Severance as Milchick, a complex corporate slave willing to crush anyone’s liberties to advance his own goals, would make Tillman an excellent choice to develop the threat to mutants, rather than as a one-and-done character in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Few would have expected Spider-Man: Brand New Day to be the film that introduces mutants to the MCU, and there is still a chance it won’t. However, more and more evidence, from Sink’s potential character to Tillman’s, keeps pointing to the idea that it will indeed kick off the mutant saga. If that is the case, and Spider-Man Brand New Day intends to introduce one of the most powerful mutants in Jean Grey, then also introducing the mutants’ greatest critic would be a smart choice, creating a throughline that connects the pre-Avengers: Doomsday MCU to the post-Avengers: Secret Wars MCU.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day comes to theaters on July 31.

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Release Date

July 31, 2026

Director

Destin Daniel Cretton

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Writers

Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers, Steve Ditko, Stan Lee

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