Until last weekend, only one movie released in 2026 had hit the coveted $1 billion mark. The video game adaptation sequel The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which features the voices of Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Jack Black, just edged past the milestone as its theatrical run came to an end, becoming the latest recent animated sequel to do so, following the likes of China’s Ne Zha 2, Inside Out 2, and Zootopia 2. Many had expected the next film to hit this milestone to be Toy Story 5, but the King of Pop has officially gotten there first.

Although an uncanny lead performance from Jaafar Jackson (Michael’s real nephew) earned widespread praise, Antoine Fuqua’s musical biopic, Michael, faced enormous backlash from critics upon arrival. However, the shiny musical experience proved enticing enough to earn praise from fans and calls for a sequel. Lionsgate film chief, Adam Fogelson, previously confirmed that a sequel was in development, saying, “We are really excited about the progress we’re making with respect to a second ‘Michael’ film. All the conversations that we’ve been having with all of the appropriate parties continue to go exceptionally well.” A sequel would inevitably have to tackle some of the more controversial aspects of Jackson’s life, which the first film almost entirely ignored.

‘Michael’ Makes Box Office History

Thanks to its run in overseas markets after an impressive display in domestic theaters earlier this year, Michael has now surpassed the $1 billion mark, split between $629.8 million overseas and $371.8 million domestically. This milestone is particularly significant, as it marks the first biopic to achieve such a feat, as well as being Lionsgate’s first billion-dollar movie. Recently, Michael also became the biggest film based on a real person in cinema history, surpassing Christopher Nolan‘s Oppenheimer just before the director debuts his most ambitious film yet in The Odyssey.

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

For the biggest movie news, including box office updates, stay tuned to Collider.

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Release Date

April 24, 2026

Runtime

130 minutes

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Writers

John Logan

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Producers

Graham King, John Branca, John McClain

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Sunscreen’s main purpose may be to protect your skin, but it’s much more than that — any product you apply to your face should make you feel good. What’s the point if it doesn’t bring you joy? That’s how Julianne Hough feels about her favorite sunscreen.

The multihyphenate has waxed poetic about the EltaMD UV Daily Tinted Broad Spectrum SPF 40 for years. Hough has always believed in the importance of taking care of her skin and putting it “first.” But beyond effective ingredients, it’s all about how a product improves her mood. “I love how this sunscreen makes me feel fresh and beautiful,” she once shared in an interview with E!.

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I’m gonna take a wild guess that the reason this sunscreen makes Hough feel “fresh and beautiful” is its tint. The sheer color works to even out skin tone so you can go about your day without any additional coverage — yep, that means no foundation — and fully embrace your skin throughout summer.

Essentially, the multi-tasking formula acts as a moisturizer, face base and sunscreen to simplify your routine so you can spend more time doing the things that you love. Hyaluronic acid keeps skin plump and hydrated, while SPF ingredients protect against the sun’s harsh rays, which contribute to signs of aging like wrinkles and fine lines.

It’s understandable why Hough — and many other celebrities, including Khloe Kardashian, Emma Stone and Sydney Sweeney — are fans of EltaMD UV Daily Tinted Broad Spectrum SPF 40. What’s not to love about a solid skincare product that not only improves your skin but also your life? You’ll understand the hype once you slather some on your skin.

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Britney Spears has found an unlikely voice coming to her defense following the freeway stunt that sparked days of intense online debate.

Just as criticism surrounding the pop star’s recent behavior reached another fever pitch, someone with one of the most complicated histories in her life urged the public to respond with compassion instead of judgment.

The unexpected comments come after a week in which Spears also defended herself an Instagram post.

Days after Britney Spears made headlines for standing through the sunroof of a moving Mercedes SUV on Los Angeles’ 101 Freeway, her former manager, Sam Lutfi, offered an unexpected response to the controversy.

Rather than criticizing the singer, Lutfi urged people to avoid rushing to conclusions.

“I think compassion is a better response than mockery,” he told the Daily Mail.

Calling for empathy, Lutfi added, “She’s a human being before she’s a celebrity. People are very quick to judge, especially when it’s Britney.”

He also cautioned against speculation surrounding Spears’ well-being, saying, “Social media isn’t someone’s medical chart,” and stressed that he had no desire “to diagnose [or] criticize” the Grammy winner.

Acknowledging the extraordinary level of public scrutiny Spears has faced throughout her life, Lutfi concluded, “She’s already spent her life under a microscope, so why don’t we show her the same grace we’d want for ourselves, period? I wish her nothing but the best.”

Lutfi’s comments marked a striking departure from the years of legal conflict that once defined the pair’s relationship.

Britney Spears Has Already Responded To The Freeway Backlash

Lutfi’s remarks arrived after Spears had already addressed the viral freeway incident herself.

As The Blast previously reported, photographs captured the singer standing through the moonroof of a black Mercedes SUV while traveling along the 101 Freeway near Studio City. The images quickly spread online, with many questioning whether the moment had been unnecessarily dangerous.

Spears, however, dismissed the assumptions in an Instagram post.

“What people see is two seconds of insanity of me arching me to the lords !!!!!” she wrote.

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She continued, “Yet the days and hours of my reality !!!!!! Nothing is what it seems.”

Spears jokingly added, “Psss I think I need to come out of the roof quite a bit more.”

Spears Shares Her Innermost Thoughts

Only hours later, the singer returned to Instagram with another lengthy reflection, sharing thoughts about mythology, vampires, mermaids, hidden worlds beneath the ocean, and the power of fiction.

She also described feeling as though she briefly looked “6 or 7 years old” after reading a novel reminiscent of “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.”

Taken together, the posts suggested Spears wanted followers to look beyond viral snapshots and understand that her inner thoughts and daily life are far more complex than a single headline.

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Britney Spears And Sam Lutfi Share A Long And Complicated History

Lutfi’s defense has drawn attention largely because of his deeply controversial history with Spears.

He became closely involved with the singer during the turbulent period surrounding her highly publicized struggles in 2007 and early 2008, shortly after her divorce from Kevin Federline. His role in Spears’ life quickly became the subject of intense legal disputes involving her family.

In 2008, Spears’ mother, Lynne Spears, sought a restraining order against Lutfi while making numerous allegations about his conduct. Lutfi denied wrongdoing.

The legal battle ultimately became part of the wider events surrounding the conservatorship that governed much of Spears’ personal and financial life for the next 13 years.

The conflict continued over the following decade. After filing a lawsuit against Spears and her family that was eventually settled out of court, Lutfi later became the subject of another restraining order in 2019 after the singer’s legal team accused him of harassing her family and attempting to interfere with matters related to her conservatorship. Lutfi again denied the allegations.

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Against that backdrop, his latest public comments stand out because they contained no criticism, accusations, or legal threats, only a call for compassion.

Sam Lutfi Has Defended Spears More Than Once Since The Conservatorship

Although Lutfi’s relationship with Britney Spears ended in years of courtroom battles, his public comments about the singer have changed considerably in recent years.

Following the end of Spears’ conservatorship in 2021, Lutfi repeatedly voiced support for her right to make her own decisions and argued that many public assumptions about her personal life had been unfair.

More recently, he also pushed back against claims made about Spears in Kevin Federline’s new book, saying the public had never been given the complete picture of what happened during the final months before the conservatorship began.

Lutfi has maintained that he witnessed much of that period firsthand and has consistently argued that Spears has long been judged through headlines rather than context.

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Whether people agree with his account or not, his latest comments after the freeway incident follow a pattern that has emerged over the last several years: publicly urging people to resist making sweeping conclusions about the singer based on isolated moments.

Laura Dern is breaking her silence on former Jurassic Park costar Sam Neill’s death with a meaningful tribute.

“Sam was my beloved lifetime friend,” Dern, 59, said in a statement shared with Us Weekly on Monday, July 13. “He showed me the depths of loyalty, protectiveness and love always with the driest of wit.”

She added, “He was a true and noble gentleman, wrapped up in my dream leading man. I will love you forever, Dr. Alan Grant.”

Dern played Ellie Sattler in 1993’s Jurassic Park alongside Neill’s Dr. Alan Grant. The duo reprised their roles for 2001’s Jurassic Park III and 2022’s Jurassic World Dominion.

Neill’s family announced in a statement on Monday that he died at age 78.

“It is with immense sadness that the whānau of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday 13th July, in Sydney Australia,” wrote via his Instagram page, using the Māori word for family. “Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterized his whole life. The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer free.”

The statement concluded, “They would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at St Vincent’s Private Hospital for their incredible care. More details will be shared later, but for now, on behalf of the family, we ask that you respect their privacy as they navigate this immeasurable loss.”

Related: Celebrities Mourn Sam Neill‘s ‘Sudden‘ Death at 78

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Celebrities are mourning the loss of Jurassic Park and Peaky Blinders star Sam Neill. Neill’s family announced on Monday, July 13, that he died unexpectedly at age 78. They promised “more details will be shared later,” asking for privacy as they navigate the loss. “It is with immense sadness that the whānau of Sam Neill […]

Neill revealed in his 2023 memoir that he was diagnosed with stage III angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma. He was put on an anti-cancer drug after chemotherapy failed. While he was considered to be in remission, doctors told him that the medication would eventually stop working.

“I know I’ve got it, but I’m not really interested in it,” Neill told Australian Story in October 2023. “It’s out of my control. If you can’t control it, don’t get into it.”

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Before his death, the actor became known to a new generation of fans as Chief Inspector Chester Campbell in the first two seasons of Peaky Blinders.

“We are devastated to hear that Sam Neill has died. Sam’s portrayal of Chester Campbell is one for the ages,” the official Peaky Blinders Instagram shared in a statement on Monday. “A villain who is despicable, petty, manipulative, but also charismatic, vulnerable, funny, and supremely entertaining to watch.”

He added, “Sam was one of the key forces that got Peaky Blinders off to a running start, for which we will be forever grateful. Our love and thoughts are with his family.”

By Jonathan Klotz
| Published 26 seconds ago

Fans are feeling the loss of Stargate all over again following Amazon’s cancellation of the revival series while it was still in pre-production. Joseph Mallozzi, longtime writer for the franchise who wrote Stargate SG-1’s “Window of Opportunity,” “Wormhole X-Treme,” Stargate Atlantis “Enemy at the Gate,” and Stargate Universe’s “Incursion” two-parter with his longtime writing partner Paul Mullie, among many, many other acclaimed episodes, shared on X the scrapped plans for a Stargate Atlantis movie. Called Stargate: Extinction it would have served as a wrap-up movie for the series, and Mallozzi went into great detail for the fans. 

Joseph Mallozzi Pulls Back The Curtain On Stargate: Extinction

Stargate: Extinction would pick up after the end of Season 5, with Atlantis relocated to the Milky Way Galaxy and now resting on the surface of the Moon. Rodney McKay (David Hewlett) and Richard Woolsey (Robert Picardo) are among those who think the IOA is making a bad choice, but their pleas to keep fighting the Wraith in the Pegasus galaxy fall on deaf ears. Upon firing up the Stargate, everyone learns The Ancients put in a failsafe, and now, removed from the Pegasus Galaxy, the Stargate is rigged to explode. 

Woolsey “gets the band back together” as Mallozzi calls it, including John Sheppard (Joe Flanigan), Ronon (Jason Momoa), and Todd the Wraith (Sanctuary’s Christopher Heyerdahl), as they attempt to use the wormhole drive to reach Pegasus. It falls short, burning out some 300,000 light years away, leading up to “a high-flying adventure involving a mysterious civilization tapping the limitless potential of the accretion streams between two stars, time travel, and a race against time to avert not only the destruction of Atlantis but the extinction of an entire race.” That right there sounds fantastic, but Mallozzi goes even further, and highlighted two sequences that would leave fans screaming. 

One, involves Sheppard on the enemy mothership, with nowhere to run from the hordes of soldiers after him. He winds up in a storage room that contains stolen Atlantis tech. The camera would show the aliens lined up outside the door, ready to finish him off, when we hear thumping against the door. That’s when Sheppard emerges inside an Asgard exo-suit. All of a sudden, he’s not the one who’s trapped. 

The second featured Todd the Wraith facing off a Future Version of himself. They fight, argue over their philosophy, and then, at the last moment, Todd is saved by Rodney McKay. Alongside Sheppard, they fight together for the greater good while Carson Beckett (Paul McGillion) has the helm of Atlantis in a head-to-head battle against the mothership. Against the odds, they pull out a victory, and Atlantis is returned to the Pegasus Galaxy. 

The Death Of The DVD Was The End For Atlantis

That sounds incredible. Joseph Mallozzi explained that what happened was the bottom fell out of the DVD market and with it, the green light to make Stargate: Extinction. What Mallozzi and the rest of the talented crew in the writer’s room put together is the send off that the series deserved. Stargate SG-1 had a series of direct-to-DVD movies to wrap up the battle against the Goa’uld, and while the movie didn’t finish the fight against the Wraiths, it would have solved the gigantic cliffhanger from Season 5, while setting up the crew for more adventures. 

Instead, Atlantis was canceled and any plans for a follow up film or Season 6 went with it. Mallozzi and Mullie went on to create Dark Matter, one of the best SyFy original shows, while Stargate was put on the backburner following the end of Stargate Universe. Someday Amazon, the current rights holder for the franchise, will decide to bring it back, and do it right, but after the last sudden cancelation it doesn’t look good. Until then, fans have their memories, and three great shows that are all available for rewatching right now, while we dream over what could have been.

Nolan Xavier Wells‘ mom, Christine Wonsley, has shared a message for those “joking” about her son’s death alongside words for her son’s friends.

RELATED: UPDATE: Ben Crump & Nolan Xavier Wells’ Parents Share New Details About The Night He Went Missing & Their Search For Him (VIDEO)

Nolan Xavier Wells’ Mom Shares Message For Those “Joking” About Her Son’s Death

On Sunday, July 12, Christine Wonsley took to Facebook to share a message “for those… making light or joking” about the death of her son.

“For those of you making light or joking about my son’s death I pray you never have to go through this pain,” she wrote. ” However if you are ever in this situation or similar, I pray people give you grace. I pray that people WILL NOT joke about you losing your loved one. I saw the comment of two people that I went to high school with and it was absolutely disgusting. I’ll pray for you. Losing my son is not a joke. #JusticeForNolanWells #Forever18″

She Also Shared Words For Her Son’s Friends

Previously, on Saturday, July 11, Christine Wonsley also took to Facebook to share a separate message. This one was shorter and focused on her family, friends, and her son’s friends.

“The internet is unhinged. To my family, friends, and to Nolan’a friends please do not engage and take care of your mental,” she wrote.

Prior to this, Wonsley had shared a photo post regarding her son and his friends.

More On The Ongoing Investigation Into The Death Of Nolan Xavier Wells

As The Shade Room previously reported, Nolan Xavier Wells was reported missing after heading out to Horn Island with a group of white male friends on July 4. On Monday, July 6, his body was found on the north side of the island. However, this was after his parents allegedly circled the island on Sunday, July 5.

A state autopsy was reportedly conducted on the teen’s body. However, the results are pending. Additionally, an independent autopsy is reportedly being conducted by Christine Wonsley, Elmore Wonsley, and attorney Ben Crump.

As the public awaits answers, questions have surfaced around viral footage showing an argument on Horn Island on July 4. Wells’ best friend has refuted that the clip showed the 18-year-old. This, while the teen allegedly involved in the altercation has detailed what allegedly transpired.

Additionally, questions remain on whether Wells drowned. While the public ponders why his phone was found with his friends, and apparently wiped.

Most recently, a pool party photo showing Wells sparked speculation of whether it was taken on July 5. Furthermore, it was promoted by attorney Ben Crump. However, more context has arisen on when the photo was allegedly taken.

Amid this, Christine Wonsley is requesting the public’s help in finding more information about what really happened to her son.

RELATED: Teen Clarifies Timing Of Pool Party Image Speculated As Part Of Nolan Xavier Wells’ Last Moments, Says Ben Crump Is Taking “Advantage” Of His Parents

Chancery Judge Ashlee Cole, the mom of Warren Hudson, a teen who was on Horn Island with Nolan Xavier Wells, says her family is receiving death threats in the wake of his passing.

RELATED: Mom Of Teen Who Was On Horn Island With Nolan Xavier Wells Speaks As Ben Crump Alleges 18-Year-Old Was Involved In “Argument”

Chancery Judge Ashlee Cole, Mom Of Teen Who Was On Horn Island With Nolan Xavier Wells, Says Family Is Receiving Death Threats

On Thursday, July 9, Chancery Judge Ashlee Cole took to Facebook with a message for the public, and a few screenshots. Furthermore, Judge Cole wrote, “We have decided that we will not be speaking to the press at this time. The Media is not the appropriate forum to further elaborate on the facts of July 4, 2026. We realize that the truth will not stop the calls for the death of our small children.”

Another comment reads, “There’s gonna be a bomb sent to your office… I’m gonna get you when you leave work… Slow painful death… I got your email, your phone number, your address…”

To note, the various comments appear to have been shared by one Instagram account, @yaeyae962.

Lastly, Judge Cole shared a look at message requests from various users.

See her post below.

Chancery Judge Ashlee Cole Previously Spoke On The Death Of Nolan Xavier Wells

As The Shade Room previously reported, Chancery Judge Ashlee Cole initially made headlines when she shared a statement on the disappearance and death of Nolan Xavier Wells. On Tuesday, July 7, she took to Facebook, acknowledging her son, Warren Hudson, traveled to Horn Island with Wells on July 4.

Additionally, Judge Cole admitted that she had deactivated her social media due to the “heightened emotional state” online. At the time, she noted that she feared for her children’s safety due to images of them being circulated online.

Furthermore, she wrote that her family’s prayers were with Wells’ family. But she and her husband were not on Horn Island on July 4. And she believes her son “cooperated fully” with law enforcement.

“He saw Nolan last at around 3 pm on July 4th. They left around 4:30 pm when the boat was taking on water and they had an issue with the bilge pump. Nolan made a decision to stay on the island and return inland later with another group of friends,” she added.

Before concluding, the judge wrote that she hoped her post would redirect attention to Wells’ family.

What’s The Latest On The Case?

Most recently, one of Nolan Xavier Wells’ friends, Tracestin Shepherd, has come forward, addressing a viral photo of him. As The Shade Room previously reported, Ben Crump, the Wells family’s attorney, reposted a photo showing Wells at a pool party. Furthermore, the caption alongside it suggested it was taken back on the mainland. This, specifically suggesting Wells had made it back from Horn Island before ultimately being discovered there deceased.

After the photo gained traction, Shepherd shut down the speculation. Furthermore, he stated that the photo was taken on June 27, and not on July 5, per The Shade Room. Additionally, he suggested that Crump is taking “advantage” of the Wells family’s vulnerability. This, as Wells’ mom shared a message for those “joking” about her son’s death.

RELATED: Nolan Xavier Wells’ Mom Shares Message For Those “Joking” About Her Son’s Death Alongside Words For His Friends