By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 7 seconds ago

Unless you’re counting the spice that Han Solo smuggled, or maybe the death sticks that Obi-Wan turned down, Star Wars isn’t a franchise that most fans associate with drugs. Nonetheless, one of this millennium’s earliest video games set in a galaxy far, far away included a blatant homage to one of the most controversial drug films ever made. This was in the form of an Easter egg that kinda/sorta includes Ewan McGregor, the highly acclaimed actor who played Obi-Wan Kenobi in the much-maligned Prequel Trilogy. 

The game in question is Obi-Wan, an early Star Wars title for the original Xbox. If I’m being honest, the game is really, really bad, like the younger, far dumber brother of beloved third-person titles like Jedi Outcast. There’s almost nothing remarkable about the game except for a bizarre video that plays the first time that you beat it. You see, anyone who makes it to the end of this stinker is treated to a montage of Phantom Menace action scenes narrated by a bad McGregor impersonator doing a cringeworthy, Star Wars version of the opening monologue from Trainspotting!

The Star Wars Game That Time Forgot

These days, pretty much nobody talks about the Star Wars: Obi-Wan game for the original Xbox, and there’s a good reason for that: it sucks! It was a third-person action game in which you took control of the titular Padawan as he hacked and slashed his way through the events of The Phantom Menace. It’s inferior to pretty much every other Star Wars game of this era, which is why (unlike titles such as Knights of the Old Republic, Republic Commando, and even Star Wars Episode I: Racer) it was never ported or re-released. 

The only really notable thing about Obi-Wan is that after you beat it for the first time, you are treated to a weird monologue from voice actor Lewis MacLeod. In his best (which is still the worst) Ewan McGregor impression, he starts ranting about all the things you can choose (like the Dark Side, the Council, destiny, and the Force) before rhetorically asking, “Why would I want to do a thing like that? I chose not to choose the Dark Side. I chose something else. And the reasons? There are no reasons. Who needs reasons when you’ve got a lightsaber?”

So Much Worse Than Death Sticks

Now, if that Obi-Wan monologue sounded like pure gibberish, don’t worry. That doesn’t mean you’re having a heart attack or anything. What it does mean, though, is that you’ve probably never seen Trainspotting, Ewan McGregor’s 1996 breakout film. The movie begins with a similar monologue in which his character pontificates on things you can choose (like a career, a family, and fixed-interest mortgage repayments) before reminding us that you don’t have to make such choices if you have enough drugs. “Why would I want to do a thing like that? I chose not to choose life. I chose something else. And the reasons? There are no reasons. Who needs reasons when you’ve got heroin?”

This cheeky monologue sets the tone for Trainspotting, a movie about a young heroin addict trying to get clean. Unfortunately, he wanders from one misadventure to the next, which includes everything from overdoses and HIV scares to a prolonged sexual relationship with an underage girl. Because of its focus on all these heroin-related exploits, the movie gained a somewhat controversial reputation, and one-time presidential hopeful Bob Dole claimed the film was morally depraved and glorified drug use. Despite this, Trainspotting became director Danny Boyle’s breakout film (especially after getting an Academy Award nomination). It was also a breakout movie for lead actor Ewan McGregor, who would soon be cast as Obi-Wan Kenobi for the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy.

From Heroin To Hero

Even though a presidential nominee had been calling Trainspotting morally depraved only half a decade previously, there was no nationwide controversy when the Obi-Wan game homaged the film. This was most likely because the original controversy was completely ginned up. Instead of glamorizing drugs, the movie shows the horrors (and, admittedly, the humor) of heroin addiction. Between that and its Academy Award nomination, it’s hard to think of this film as being truly offensive, just like it’s hard to imagine enough people playing the Obi-Wan game to even care about the homage. 

Nonetheless, this video game Easter Egg is a perfectly preserved moment of an entirely different era. It was a time when a mainstream Star Wars game could homage one of the ‘90s most controversial films with a bizarre rant that invited us to compare lightsabers to heroin. To this day, this ruffles a few fans’ feathers, but as for me? I chose not to choose being offended. And the reasons? There are no reasons. Who needs reasons when you’ve got clicks?

Editor’s note: The below interview contains spoilers for Star City’s premiere.From the very first scene of Apple TV’s Star City, it’s clear that this is going to be a very different show than what For All Mankind fans are used to. When a cosmonaut’s wife is pulled out of her bed in the middle of the night by the KGB, her first instinct is to assume much worse has happened — until the Soviet space program’s Chief Designer (Rhys Ifans) informs her that her husband, Alexei Leonov (Sam Wilkinson), has just become the first man to set foot on the Moon. That sense of tension, paranoia, and secrecy threads through the spin-off, with the very different opening credits only solidifying your impression of the type of show you’re about to watch.

According to Star City (and For All Mankind) co-creators Ben Nedivi and Matt Wolpert, that was absolutely intentional. “I think audiences can watch Star City without having seen a frame of For All Mankind,” Nedivi told Collider during our sitdown with the creators ahead of the show’s premiere, “and that was intentional on our part.” Below, Wolpert, Nedivi, and Ifans discuss where Star City sits in the overall franchise, whether we’ll ever learn more about the Chief Designer’s real identity, how many seasons the creators have in mind, and more.

COLLIDER: Matt and Ben, in terms of approaching this show, which sits in a really fascinating place in For All Mankind history, how did you want to strike the balance between building the backstory of characters that we already know, like Sergei and Irina, while you’re pulling back the curtain on what’s happening in Star City within the overall timeline?

MATT WOLPERT: Honestly, it was such a great creative challenge because it was very important to us that the show was not just constant Easter eggs of For All Mankind, and winking at the audience like, “Oh, you recognize this, you recognize that!” There is a little bit of that, but I think what excited us more was introducing the audience to these other fascinating characters who, because they were kept behind the Iron Curtain in this secret city in the middle of the woods that wasn’t on any map, there would be no way for them to interact with Americans at all. So that gave us a freedom. Because so much of what happened in the Soviet Union was kept secret, it gave us a freedom to tell different kinds of stories that didn’t have any overlap with For All Mankind.

One of my favorite elements with that is the story we tell with Anastasia Belikova, because in For All Mankind, you see her smiling on a television screen once, and maybe her photo in a paper, and it seems like this kind of triumphant moment, and you only get this small glimpse of her. We took that challenge to build her out, and everything that led up to that moment, but even more so, what came after that moment and how difficult her life was when she came back to Earth, because that really is the essence of the difference between the two shows — is that in Star City, it’s more dangerous once you get back to Earth than it even is in space.

‘Star City’s Chief Designer Is Meant To Be Mysterious (and Anonymous)

“It was one of the key inspirations of doing the show in the first place.”

Image via Apple TV

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Rhys’ character is obviously such a focal point of the show, but we only ever really know him as the Chief Designer. Is there a storytelling reason for that, and will we ever get a little more about his real identity?

BEN NEDIVI: [to Ifans] I’ll have to kill you if you answer this question. [Laughs] Strangely enough, this was accurate to history. The real Chief Designer was anonymous, and there was a reason for that. One, they were worried about his security. They thought, if he were discovered, if his name and identity were out there, then the Americans or some foreign agents would come for him. He was that valuable to the Soviet Union. He was a genius who basically was responsible for almost all of the successes in the Soviet space program. And then there was another element to it, that if his identity was known within the Soviet Union, he would be so big and so famous and popular that it would threaten the state, which was just as worrying to them. So that, to us, honestly, was a fascinating approach to a character.

Even though we learned a lot about the character on which he was based and inspired, for us, it was more about these other elements, as writers, that make him so intriguing to us as a kind of lead of this ensemble to bring us into this world. Also, in For All Mankind, the divergence point happens in 1966 with his death. That’s how much we respected the man on which this is based. We felt he was so crucial to the space program and so crucial to space exploration that if he wasn’t to die in 1966, the Russians would have beat the Americans to the moon and achieved many other successes. It was one of the key inspirations of doing the show in the first place, and I think just as a character study, a fascinating way to approach this incredible figure.

Rhys, I couldn’t help but think, as I was watching this show, that this is the second spin-off series that you’ve been a part of now where you’re joining an existing world, following House of the Dragon. Is there something that appeals to you as an actor about getting to join an existing story and help fill in the margins?

RHYS IFANS: No, that’s never a consideration. A good role is a good role, whether you start with them or whether they appear further down the line. And I think, actually, in both these cases, they don’t feel like second seasons; they feel like just another limb, a necessary limb. So no, it’s not like the second album, you know what I mean? That’s a whole other thing. The second season or series doesn’t figure into my choices whatsoever.

NEDIVI: And just to be clear, we approach this not as an extension of For All Mankind or a companion piece. We really looked at this as a new show, a different show that happened to be in the filmmaking universe and shared some characters. I think audiences can watch Star City without having seen a frame of For All Mankind, and that was intentional on our part.

Star City definitely has its own distinct identity, and I think one of the ways it really does feel distinct is the opening credits. That was something I wanted to pick your brains about, deciding on what that was going to look like, because it’s just so stark and austere, and it really sets the tone for the type of show that this is going to be.

WOLPERT: It’s a brilliantly done piece. My favorite image in that is this concrete hand holding a rocket. It’s both inspiring and threatening at the same time. Part of what we were trying to capture with that is the juxtaposition of these massive brutalist structures and monuments, and then these tiny people in shadow, and living in the shadow of those buildings, and this city kind of rising up in the middle of the forest and surrounding everyone. But there’s also a sense of things moving up, as if launching up into the sky, that kind of draws you up into the final image. So, it felt like a great juxtaposition of those two ideas, which is really what Star City is all about.

Rhys, I spoke with your fabulous co-star, Anna [Maxwell Martin], and one of my favorite dynamics in this show is between Lyudmilla and the Chief Designer. You don’t know, anytime they’re in a scene, who’s going to walk away triumphant and who’s going to be licking their wounds, so to speak. In terms of the experience of working with her and also how we see these characters develop over the course of the season, what can you tease about how that dynamic evolves? It does feel like as much a personal conflict as a professional one.

IFANS: Yes, there’s a great tension, and working with Anna is exquisite, because she’s so generous and playful. It’s at once gladiatorial and affectionate between the Chief Designer and her. One likes to think that if they, God forbid, were ever to make love, it would herald the apocalypse.

[Laughs] That feels like an idea for a potential follow-up season.

IFANS: Why did I say that in front of two writers?

NEDIVI: [Laughs] Spoiler alert.

‘Star City’s Co-Creators Explain Why the Spin-off Won’t Follow ‘For All Mankind’s Format

“I don’t think we’d do those kinds of time jumps, but there might be some jumps in time.”

Image via Apple TV

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Talking about the future of the show, I will say, in speaking with some of the actors, someone did drop a, “Hopefully, if there’s another season…” so now, I feel like I have to turn that question to Matt and Ben.

NEDIVI: Who said that?

WOLPERT: We want names.

NEDIVI: I’m kidding.

I think it’s good your cast wants to do more! I’m just wondering about the overall plan for the show. We know For All Mankind is coming to its natural conclusion, but I feel like there’s also so much left to scratch beneath the surface with this series. I’m not going to hold you to a firm number.

NEDIVI: We have a 30-season plan. No, I’m kidding. Obviously, we would be so lucky as to continue to tell this story, because I agree. I think the characters are so rich, the world, the setting. But if we are able to continue, I think we wouldn’t do it the same as For All Mankind. The more we worked on this, we felt one of those time jumps in For All Mankind each decade cost Matt and I many years of our lives, including the prosthetics and the actors and everything. But on the other hand, I think this world, there’s enough story to tell within it with these characters where we can stay in the ‘70s in the world of Star City. I don’t think we’d do those kinds of time jumps, but there might be some jumps in time.

Doing any TV show is a magic trick, how you’re able to pull it off. I think what happened with this show was so special. This group of people that came together in the winter in Lithuania to make this happen has really come out beyond our expectations. So yes, if we’re able to continue telling the story, we’d love to.

Star City‘s first two episodes are now streaming on Apple TV.

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Star City

Release Date

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May 29, 2026

Network

Apple TV

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Showrunner

Ben Nedivi, Matt Wolpert

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Taylor Swift’s years-long battle over her music catalog is back in the spotlight after Scooter Braun made a surprising confession about their infamous fallout. 

During a new podcast appearance, the music mogul admitted he barely knew the pop superstar despite being painted as the villain in one of the music industry’s biggest feuds. 

Braun also reflected on the backlash he faced after purchasing Swift’s masters, while insiders close to the singer insisted that her eventual victory over the catalog was achieved entirely without his help.

Braun opened up this week about the fallout surrounding his feud with Taylor Swift over ownership of her masters. 

Appearing on the “Second Thought With Suzy Weiss” podcast, the music executive admitted that the controversy completely changed how the public viewed him.

He recalled going from being “loved and appreciated for over a decade to literally a villain the next night.” Braun also pushed back on the idea that he and Swift ever shared a close personal relationship.

“I don’t know Taylor Swift,” he said. “I think I’ve met her in my life three times. I have never had a substantial conversation with her in my life.”

According to Braun, one of those rare interactions happened at a party hosted by the singer herself, where they exchanged mutual respect.

The businessman insisted there has long been a misconception surrounding their history.

“But I think there’s this big misconception that, like, we knew each other and we had this feud and I managed her for years,” Braun explained.

“And people are usually shocked to find out that I legitimately don’t know her and didn’t have many interactions with her and never really knew her,” he added.

Swift’s Masters Battle Sparked Industry-Wide Debate

Scooter Braun said the experience ultimately taught him a great deal about the changing music industry. He admitted he still finds the situation bizarre years later. “I’m confused that this is part of my life,” Braun shared.

The former manager of Justin Bieber explained how traditional record deals usually work, noting that labels often retain ownership of master recordings while artists maintain publishing rights.

“Labels make bets on artists, and they own the masters and the artists own their publishing,” he explained. Braun also acknowledged that Taylor Swift’s highly publicized battle may have helped shift conversations throughout the business.

“As confusing as [the situation was] to me, I think what it did bring to light is that artists are going to start wanting to own their masters,” he said.

Last year, Swift officially regained ownership of her catalog after striking a deal with Shamrock Capital. The Grammy winner reportedly spent around $360 million to purchase back the rights to her music after Shamrock acquired them from Braun in 2020.

Taylor Swift Celebrated Regaining ‘Her Entire Life’s Work’

Swift addressed the deal emotionally in a handwritten letter posted on her website after reclaiming the catalog.

The “Cruel Summer” singer explained that proceeds from her massively successful Eras Tour helped finance the purchase. 

“All I’ve ever wanted was the opportunity to work hard enough to be able to one day purchase my music outright with no strings attached, no partnership, with full autonomy,” she shared per the Daily Mail.

Swift then thanked Shamrock Capital for the “honest, fair and respectful” way the company handled the deal. 

The 36-year-old added that she truly felt they understood what the music represented to her, including her memories, hard work, handwriting, and decades of dreams.

Swift Called Scooter Braun A ‘Bully’ During Masters Fight

The controversy first exploded in 2019 when Braun acquired Taylor Swift’s former record label, Big Machine Media, for $300 million.

The songstress later accused Braun and label head Scott Borchetta of trapping her in a deal structure that would have forced her to earn back her masters one album at a time.

The singer also shared an emotional Tumblr post after learning Braun had acquired her catalog. She described leaving behind “Music I wrote on my bedroom floor and videos I dreamed up and paid for from the money I earned playing in bars, then clubs, then arenas, then stadiums.”

Swift admitted the situation devastated her. She also accused Braun of years of “incessant, manipulative bullying.”

Swift specifically referenced incidents involving Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, who were two of Braun’s clients at the time.

The singer later began re-recording her first six albums in response to the ownership dispute, eventually reclaiming several major projects, including “Fearless,” “Red,” “Speak Now,” and “1989.”

Taylor Swift’s Team Insisted Braun Played ‘Zero Part’

After Swift officially regained ownership of her music, rumors surfaced suggesting that Scooter Braun quietly helped facilitate the deal between Swift and Shamrock Capital.

However, insiders close to the negotiations strongly denied that claim. “Contrary to a previous false report, there was no outside party who ‘encouraged’ this sale,” one insider told the Daily Mail.

“All rightful credit for this opportunity should go to the partners at Shamrock Capital and Taylor’s Nashville-based management team only,” they added.

The source also made it clear Braun was not involved in Swift reclaiming her catalog. 

“Swift now owns all of her music, and this moment finally happened in spite of Scooter Braun, not because of him,” the insider shared.

What started as a celebratory graduation getaway quickly turned into a nightmare that allegedly changed one young woman’s life forever. Now, Hannah Smith is speaking out through a lawsuit that details a horrifying incident during a tropical excursion she claims spiraled dangerously out of control.

RELATED: Citation Reportedly Dismissed After Officer Accused Driver With Missing Hand Of Holding Her Phone While Driving (VIDEO)

Bahamas Excursion Ends In Life-Changing Injuries

According to court documents, the 22-year-old college graduate suffered catastrophic injuries after a boat propeller allegedly tore through both of her legs during a Catamaran Ferry excursion near Pearl Island Beach in the Bahamas last May. Hannah Smith claims the incident happened while she was on a Carnival Cruise graduation trip with a friend following her recent graduation from Alabama’s Miles College.

The lawsuit alleges excursion staff continuously supplied guests with alcohol throughout the day and even encouraged marijuana use during the outing. Smith claims workers provided complimentary rum punch as soon as guests arrived on the island, with one employee allegedly pouring drinks directly into her mouth. Court filings also allege another staff member encouraged her and her friend to smoke marijuana during the excursion.

Lawsuit Details Horrific Moment Boat Propeller Struck Smith

According to the complaint, Smith became desperate to use the restroom toward the end of the trip and says staff encouraged her to get into the water to relieve herself, allegedly assuring her the boat’s engine had been shut off. The lawsuit states Smith held onto a railing for roughly 20 seconds while in the water before trying to climb back aboard when she suddenly felt herself being pulled underneath the vessel.

The filing claims the boat’s captain engaged an idling engine while Smith remained in the water, causing the propeller to spin in reverse and strike her legs. Smith reportedly managed to free herself before pleading for help from her friend. The lawsuit describes devastating injuries, alleging the propeller nearly severed Smith’s left leg below the knee and caused severe wounds across both legs and her pelvic area.

Smith Files Lawsuit After Doctors Amputated Both Legs

The situation quickly escalated into a medical emergency as Smith lost more than 60% of her blood, and medical teams rushed her to a hospital in Nassau before transferring her to Miami in critical condition. Despite multiple surgeries and blood transfusions, doctors were ultimately unable to save either leg. According to the complaint, surgeons fully amputated her left leg and later amputated her right leg below the knee.

Smith sues tour operator Sun Cay, Pearl Investment Management Group, and others tied to the excursion, alleging negligence and saying they could have prevented the tragedy. She also names Carnival Cruise in the lawsuit, claiming the cruise line promoted the excursion as a safe and vetted activity for passengers.

RELATED: Prayers Up! 88-Year-Old Carnival Cruise Passenger Dies After Mobility Scooter Falls Off Pier

Meet the Islanders! The cast for Season 8 of ‘Love Island USA’ has officially been revealed, and social media users already have plenty to say.

Related: Congrats! ‘Love Island USA’ Star Jalen Brown Marries Influencer Joiya Lanae (VIDEOS)

‘Love Island USA’ Introduces Its Season 8 Cast

The villa is getting ready to welcome a brand-new group of Islanders. On Thursday, May 28, Peacock officially revealed the first 12 contestants set to appear on an island in Fiji for Season 8 of ‘Love Island USA.’ The new cast features singles from across the United States and beyond, bringing a variety of careers and backgrounds to the villa. According to The Hollywood Reporter, among them are a former collegiate volleyball player, a Paralympic medalist, a DJ and music producer, a nurse, a police officer, and a beauty salon owner.

The cast reveal comes as anticipation continues to build following the success of previous seasons, which helped launch fan-favorite Islanders and viral friendships. Now, fans are preparing to return to the villa as a brand-new group of Islanders gets ready to begin their search for love.

See the cast below:

Social Media Reacts

Following the cast reveal, social media users flooded The Shade Room Teens’ comment section with their reactions.

Instagram user @yungara wrote, “Melanie & Trinity you have been promoted to my elite employees 😍😍😍😍 my VOTE!!!!!

Another Instagram user @miaadoll wrote, “this the tubi version?”

While Instagram user @softlifewitha wrote, “wait it’s a lot of POC 😍😍😍”

Instagram user @nyyethiiee wrote, “yall should’ve just casted me”

Another Instagram user @koziikhi wrote, “Who tf was in charge?”

While Instagram user @ammour.jass wrote, “Yeahh… ummm I’m not watching it”

Instagram user @nayayah_112 wrote, “Yall wanted regular and normal ppl. They delivered yall request 🏃‍♀️”

Another Instagram user @_laylassb wrote, “Worst line up ever I’m good 😂”

While Instagram user @quitabee_ wrote, “Be nice yall… yall know the cast photos don’t really do justice lmao”

‘Love Island USA’ Shares A Message Ahead Of The New Season

Ahead of the Season 8 cast’s unveiling, the official ‘Love Island USA’ Instagram account shared a message encouraging viewers to keep discussions respectful throughout the season.

“The villa runs on good vibes, and so does this community. We love seeing your reactions, opinions, and debates, but everyone deserves to feel safe and respected,” the statement read. “This is a space for fun, not negativity — so keep it kind, keep it positive, and remember: this is LOVE Island!”

The message arrives as conversations surrounding the show spark strong reactions online during prior seasons.

Related: Issa Wrap! ‘Love Island USA’ Star Chelley Bissainthe Confirms Breakup With Ace Greene (VIDEO)

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s son Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt wants to legally drop “Pitt” from his last name.

Maddox, 24, filed to remove his father’s surname from his own, according to legal documents seen by Us Weekly on Thursday, May 28.

If the request is granted, Maddox will legally be known as “Maddox Chivan Jolie” in future. (Us has reached out to Pitt’s representatives for comment.)

Hours before the filing made headlines, news broke that Pitt, 62, landed a victory in his legal battle with his ex over their Château Miraval winery, with a judge granting in part the actor’s motion to “compel” former Stoli general counsel Todd Culyba for further deposition.

“It’s not a surprise this news was released shortly after Brad had a significant evidentiary victory in the Miraval case,” a source tells Us of Maddox’s request.

Related: Brad Pitt ‘Isn’t Ready to Give Up on His Children’: Source

Julien M. Hekimian/Getty Images Brad Pitt remains hopeful about reconnecting with his kids. “After years of legal battles, Brad still isn’t ready to give up on his children,” a source exclusively tells Us Weekly. “But knowing his children are dropping his last name is upsetting.” The update comes on the heels of several of Pitt, […]

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In February, Maddox cut “Pitt” from his name in the credits of Couture, the movie he worked on with his mother.

After working as Couture’s assistant director, Maddox was listed as “Maddox Jolie” in the project’s credits.

Angelina, 50, and Pitt, 62, were married from 2014 to 2016 and have been embroiled in messy legal battles in the years following their split.

During their relationship, the former couple welcomed six kids together: Maddox, Zahara, 21, Shiloh, 20, Pax, 22, and twins Vivienne and Knox, both 17.

While the children all initially used the surname Jolie-Pitt, several of Maddox’s siblings have denounced the Pitt suffix following their parents’ separation.

In June 2024, Zahara appeared to use the moniker “Zahara Marley Jolie” when she joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

The previous month, sister Vivenne went by “Vivienne Jolie” in the Playbill when working on the play, The Outsiders.

Meanwhile, Shiloh distanced herself from the Moneyball actor by legally filing to drop Pitt’s surname from hers on her 18th birthday. The request was granted in 2024.

“[Shiloh] hired her own lawyer and paid for it herself,” a source exclusively told Us Weekly in June 2024, adding that Angelina “can’t speak” for the legal proceedings.

A second insider told Us at the time that Pitt was “devastated by this choice.”

Referencing Shiloh’s name change, the source continued, “To him, it was more than a change of name — it was a symbol of a deeper estrangement that has been brewing for years.”

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Pitt previously opened up about his shortcomings as a parent during an interview with GQ in 2017.

“I grew up with a Father-knows-best/war mentality… instead of really knowing the man and his own self-doubt and struggles. And it’s hit me smack in the face with our divorce: I gotta be more. I gotta be more for them. I have to show them. And I haven’t been great at it,” the actor said.

The Fight Club star also spoke to the magazine about his desire to prioritize his family, adding, “People on their deathbeds don’t talk about what they obtained or were awarded. They talk about their loved ones or their regrets.”

The world of horror is a broad one that continues to break the mold on what’s possible. Of all the cinematic genres out there, horror might be the one with the most subgenres, thanks to all the creative minds that have continued to push the boundaries and blend other themes and ideas with what some might think to be a one-trick pony. Leading the charge as a modern contributor to the craft is filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun, who first entered the conversation with their 2021 film We’re All Going to the World’s Fair. A look into loneliness, what it means to be a teenager, and the feeling of being an outsider, the movie sparked plenty of discussions upon its release and paved the way for Schoenbrun to become a booming voice in Hollywood.

Next, they wowed audiences and critics alike with 2024’s neon-soaked fever dream I Saw the TV Glow, which continued to build on the themes of World’s Fair, while also focusing its lens on the experience of coming out as trans. Starring Justice Smith and Jack Haven, the movie is truly a one-of-a-kind journey of nostalgia as it uses fandom as its base to tell a deeply moving story about two outsiders who bond over their favorite TV show. Next, Schoenbrun will work alongside Hannah Einbinder and Gillian Anderson for their highly anticipated third feature-length project, Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma. Today, we’re thrilled to share a brand new image from the slasher flick as part of Collider’s Exclusive Preview event that sees Anderson’s final girl set the stage for a bit of romance. Surrounded by candles and a bottle of champagne, the one-time final girl spreads a slew of rose petals on a bed.

What Is ‘Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma’ About?

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With its title alone, Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma is bound to turn a few heads. In it, Einbinder stars as a young queer filmmaker named Kris, who has just landed the opportunity of a lifetime to helm the next installment in the cult-classic slasher franchise Camp Miasma. In hopes of making this one stand out more than the rest, Kris goes on a mission to track down and win over the reclusive final girl (Anderson), who has faded into the background since stardom hit her in her youth. When their paths cross, the two women embark on a bonkers adventure filled with intrigue, sensuality, and loads of horror.

In addition to Einbinder and Anderson, the film also features the talents of favorites like Zach Cherry (Severance), Amanda Fix (Daisy Jones & the Six), Jasmin Savoy Brown (Scream VI), Arthur Conti (Beetlejuice Beetlejuice), Eva Victor (Billions), Dylan Baker (Road to Perdition), Patrick Fischler (Mad Men), Sarah Sherman (Saturday Night Live), Quintessa Swindell (Black Adam), and more.

Check out our exclusive image above and see Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma in cinemas on August 7. And stay tuned for more exclusive looks from our summer preview series.

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Release Date

August 6, 2026

Runtime

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112 minutes

Director

Jane Schoenbrun

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Writers

Jane Schoenbrun

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Producers

Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner

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As Zahara Jolie celebrated one of the biggest achievements of her life, another painful chapter reportedly unfolded behind the scenes for Brad Pitt. 

The actor’s already fractured relationship with his children has once again become the focus of public scrutiny after claims surfaced that he never congratulated his daughter following her Spelman College graduation. 

While sources close to Angelina Jolie have continued to criticize Pitt’s role as a father, multiple insiders are now pushing back, insisting the story surrounding the Oscar winner is far more complicated than it appears.

Brad Pitt found himself at the center of renewed criticism following Zahara’s recent college graduation.The 21-year-old proudly walked across the stage at Spelman College in what should have been a joyful family moment. 

However, shortly afterward, reports surfaced claiming Pitt never reached out to congratulate his daughter. 

“Nothing prevented him from showing up for her. Or ever visiting her. The day was about all she accomplished. Not whether he was willing to attend,” TMZ reported on May 18.

The report quickly sparked backlash online against Pitt, whose strained relationship with several of his children has remained a topic of public fascination for years. However, insiders close to the actor strongly disputed the narrative.

“When you’ve made clear that you’re pushing him away from the children, a reasonable person cannot then complain that he’s not close to the children,” a source told the Daily Mail.

The insider insisted Pitt continues to want a relationship with all six of his children, Zahara, Maddox, Pax, Shiloh, Knox, and Vivienne.

Pitt’s Family Reportedly Tried To Maintain Connections

According to multiple insiders, Brad Pitt has not been alone in trying to repair the family divide. One source claimed the 62-year-old’s extended family also made repeated attempts over the years to remain connected to the children.

“His family did try to do things and there were, at some points, communication,” the source explained. 

They admitted, however, that communication eventually faded, noting, “I know that there have been attempts with the cousins,” the source shared, adding,. “[Growing up], they did have a good relationship, so that’s been cut off also. Nothing’s really changed.”

A second insider claimed those closest to Pitt have largely respected the boundaries surrounding the family situation while continuing to support him privately.

The source said those closest to him, including friends and family, were not judging him through the situation because they believed he was “genuinely trying his best” while dealing with incredibly difficult circumstances.

The painful divide reportedly became even more emotional last year when Pitt’s mother, Jane Etta, died at age 84. 

Sources alleged at the time that she had not spoken to the children in nearly nine years before her death.

“The most gut-wrenching part is that Angelina kept the kids away from his parents, from their own grandparents,” one insider claimed. “The question Brad has – that we all have – is: Angelina, where is your heart?”

Meanwhile, sources close to Angelina have repeatedly rejected claims that Pitt is being unfairly portrayed. One insider previously insisted that the “F1” actor’s damaged relationship with the children stems from his own actions.

“Brad continues to play the victim. His fractured relationship with his children is a direct result of how he has treated them,” the source said.

Pitt Reportedly Accepted Responsibility After The Plane Incident

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were married from 2014 until 2019, though their relationship reportedly deteriorated long before their divorce became official.

Their split followed the now-infamous 2016 private plane incident and years of allegations involving abuse. 

Pitt has consistently denied allegations of physical abuse and was never charged following the FBI investigation into the incident.

Still, one source insisted the producer acknowledged mistakes from that period of his life. “His behavior wasn’t criminal, but he took responsibility for his actions,” the insider said, further revealing, “He got his act together.”

Another source added that Pitt has reached a painful realization about the limits of what he can currently do. “Brad has come to understand that there is little more he can do beyond continuing to be present and available if his children ever decide they want him back in their lives,” the source continued.

They also described the situation as emotionally surreal for Pitt explaining that he had been hoping for some kind of breakthrough with his children but currently felt it was impossible. 

According to the insider, the situation seemed so unreal to the Hollywood star that it felt more like a bad joke than his actual reality.

Brad Pitt’s Relationship With His Children Changed After The Custody Battle

A third source suggested that Angelina’s extremely close relationship with the children has shaped how they view Brad Pitt today. 

The insider claimed the actress and her children are inseparable. “They are her entire world and she has convinced them Brad isn’t a good person,” the source alleged. 

They further explained that the children were now old enough to make their own decisions, but added that it was difficult to suddenly unlearn beliefs after being taught the same things for so long.

Angelina herself has rarely spoken publicly about the family conflict publicly, but she defended her decision to leave the marriage during a 2020 interview with Vogue. She described her choice as “the right decision,” noting that she was focused on healing. She also added, “Some have taken advantage of my silence, and the children see lies about themselves in the media, but I remind them that they know their own truth and their own minds.”

Jersey Shore: Family Vacation’s Angelina Pivarnick has revealed she suffered a miscarriage after announcing her pregnancy news on the show.

The reality TV star, 39, discussed the sad update on her fertility journey during the Thursday, May 28, episode as well as confirming the miscarriage in a teaser for next week’s episode.

“I’m just not feeling myself. Some stuff’s happening with me and my pregnancy and I don’t know what’s going on and I don’t even know what to do,” Angelina said in a confessional, as she spoke about her concerns on Thursday’s episode.

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Angelina visited her costar, Sammi Giancola, who was also pregnant at the time, and shared her fears.

“I’m spotting,” Angelina told Sammi. “I’m wearing a pad right now.”

Angelina’s comment worried Sammi, who had previously endured a pregnancy loss during her own fertility journey.

“I’m going to be honest with you, when I miscarried – like a chemical pregnancy – I was spotting right away, and then it, like, just, it happened,” Sammi, 39, said.

She continued, “So to me, I’m getting a little concerned for you. I don’t want to think the worst but for your own peace of mind, go to the ER and just check. They can see what’s going on.”

In another confessional, Angelina admitted she was “definitely scared about what I might find out.”

A promotional clip teasing next week’s episode of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation confirmed Angelina’s worst fears.

“I woke up in the middle of the night,” she said in the short clip. “I’m actively miscarrying.”

Angelina first shared the news of her pregnancy in the May 14 episode, where she was filmed showing Sammi a positive pregnancy test.

“There’s no way that it just happened naturally. There’s no sperm donor now,” said Angelina at the time, referencing her fertility struggles that have been at the center of her storyline this season.

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Angelina further opened up about her surprise and excitement in a confessional during the episode.

“I did not think I was able to get pregnant, but, wow, I’m … pregnant,” she said. “This could be a great thing. This could be my fairy tale, my path, my baby.”

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During the episode, she called the father, who was referred to as “John Doe-Nor” (a play on “donor”) to inform him of her pregnancy.

“So, I have some news for you,” she told him over the phone. “I am officially, definitely pregnant — we’re having a baby!”

The same night the show aired, Angelina wrote, “I’m pregnant !!!! #jsfamilyvacation.” She did not share any further updates via social media after the episode was filmed in March 2025.