Stuart Fails to Save the Universe has featured cameos from several The Big Bang Theory alums — but not every cast member has made their triumphant return to the small screen.

The HBO Max spinoff follows comic book store owner Stuart Bloom, who “is tasked with restoring reality after he breaks a device built by Sheldon and Leonard, accidentally bringing about a multiverse Armageddon,” according to the official synopsis.

Stuart “is aided in this quest by his girlfriend Denise, geologist friend Bert and quantum physicist/all-around pain in the ass Barry Kripke. Along the way, they meet alternate-universe versions of characters we’ve come to know and love from The Big Bang Theory. As the title implies, things don’t go well.”

Kevin Sussman, Brian Posehn, Lauren Lapkus and John Ross Bowie were tapped to headline the show. They will all reprise their roles from the original series, with Posehn returning as a geologist at Caltech. Sussman’s Stuart owned a comic book store and found love with Denise (Lapkus).

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is the fourth project in the Big Bang Theory universe. CBS’ hit sitcom aired from 2007 to 2019 and starred Jim Parsons, Cuoco, Johnny Galecki, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch as a group of scientists and their significant others.

CBS later launched the Young Sheldon prequel, which focused on Sheldon’s life (Iain Armitage) as a child prodigy growing up in Texas. Viewers met Sheldon’s brother, Georgie (Montana Jordan), which paved the way for his love story with Mandy (Emily Osment) to inspire another spinoff, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage.

Keep scrolling to see who is — and isn’t — on Stuart Fails to Save the Universe:

Kevin Sussman

After appearing on The Big Bang Theory, Sussman is back as the lead of his own spinoff.

Johnny Galecki

Galecki a.k.a Leonard hasn’t appeared — yet.

Jim Parsons

Parsons, who hasn’t been on Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, previously expressed his preference not to play Sheldon Cooper again.

Kaley Cuoco

Cuoco has been booked and busy since playing Penny and hasn’t appeared on Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.

Simon Helberg

Helberg, who played Howard, isn’t in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe so far.

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Kunal Nayyar

Nayyar, who is best known for playing Raj Koothrappali, returned in the series premiere of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.

Mayim Bialik

Bialik hasn’t confirmed a return on Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.

Melissa Rauch

It is unclear if Rauch will be on Stuart Fails to Save the Universe in season 1.

Jennifer Garner and longtime boyfriend John Miller are reportedly facing a pivotal moment in their relationship after years of maintaining a low-key romance.

While their arrangement has worked well in the past, sources claim the couple now wants to take the next step but has struggled to determine how to move forward.

As they reportedly set aside time to discuss their future together, Jennifer Garner’s close co-parenting relationship with ex-husband Ben Affleck is also said to be creating challenges for the couple.

Jennifer Garner And John Miller Reportedly Strained Over Her Close Relationship With Ben Affleck

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Garner and Miller may be approaching a turning point in their relationship after years of keeping their romance largely out of the public eye.

For much of their relationship, the pair were comfortable maintaining a low-profile arrangement. They reportedly balanced family responsibilities and busy schedules without feeling the need to rush into living together or making other significant commitments.

“He accepted that, and for a long time their very non-traditional arrangement seemed to work perfectly,” a source explained to Star Magazine. “They were fine keeping things private and working around their custody schedules without feeling any pressure to move in together or make some big commitment.”

According to the publication, the couple’s romance has been thriving for years because Miller has “never been the type to push Jennifer and, for years, that really worked well for her because her kids were the priority.”

But things seem to be taking a turn, as the source noted that the “nature” of Garner’s “dynamic” with Affleck makes it “very difficult for her to fully merge her life with John.”

Jennifer Garner And John Miller Are Said To Be At A Relationship Crossroads

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Garner and Miller are said to be reassessing their future. Insiders claim the couple feels ready to deepen their commitment but have struggled to move beyond discussions about what comes next.

“They’ve reached a point where they both want more, and they’re struggling to figure out how to get there,” the insider said. “They’ve talked about taking the next step before, but it never seems to happen, so they’ve ended up in this weird limbo.”

To address that uncertainty, Garner and Miller are reportedly setting aside dedicated “quality time together away from all the usual distractions and want to use it to come up with a realistic step-by-step plan for their future.”

The insider added that they “really do love each other and neither of them wants this relationship to drift along forever, but it’s going to take some real effort on both their parts to make any significant changes.”

Inside Jennifer Garner’s Relationship With John Miller And Her Ongoing Friendship With Ben Affleck

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Garner was married to Affleck from 2005 until their separation in 2015, with their divorce finalized three years later.

The former couple share three children: Violet, Seraphina, and Samuel, and have maintained a great co-parenting relationship. Garner began dating Miller in 2018, and after a brief split in 2020, the pair rekindled their romance in 2021 and have remained together ever since.

Speculation about a possible engagement surfaced in late 2024 after Garner was photographed wearing a diamond ring on her left hand while driving.

The actress and Miller chose not to address the rumors publicly, leaving fans to wonder whether wedding plans could be in their future.

At the same time, Garner’s close relationship with Affleck has continued to attract attention.

John Miller Reportedly Feels Like A ‘Third Wheel’ Amid Jennifer Garner And Ben Affleck’s Close Bond

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In recent years, Affleck has repeatedly praised his ex-wife as an exceptional co-parent and trusted friend.

Reports have also suggested that Garner has remained a source of support for Affleck as he continues his sobriety journey.

Some insiders claim the close bond between the former spouses has created tension for Miller.

According to reports, he has occasionally felt like a “third wheel” due to Affleck’s continued presence in Garner’s life, particularly as the actor increasingly relies on her while working to maintain his sobriety after years of publicly documented struggles with alcohol addiction.

While Affleck has previously described his divorce from Garner as one of the “biggest regrets of his life,” there is no indication that the former couple’s relationship extends beyond friendship and co-parenting.

Jennifer Garner Is Concerned About Ben Affleck’s Love Life After His Split From Jennifer Lopez

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Since Affleck’s divorce from his other ex-wife, Jennifer Lopez, Garner is said to be worried about her former husband as he navigates the dating world again.

Insiders claim Garner wants Affleck to focus entirely on his own happiness, especially since he seems to be thriving in his single life.

According to a Page Six source, “Jen thinks it might actually be good for Ben to take a break from dating for a while. She cares about him a lot and only wants what’s best for him at the end of the day.”

Garner feels this time away from romance could be a positive turning point, with the insider noting that “from her perspective, he’s happier than he’s been in a long time, and she feels like it could be healthy for him to keep putting that energy into himself, his work, and his family instead of jumping into a relationship.”

Ultimately, Garner has no plans to step in or dictate his personal life, as the source noted that “she trusts Ben to make his own decisions and supports him either way.”

By Chris Snellgrove
| Updated 10 seconds ago

On paper, Marvel is on track to have an absolutely fabulous year. Season 2 of X-Men ‘97 premiered to universal acclaim, and Spider-Man: Brand New Day is on track to become the highest-grossing film of the summer, if not the entire year. And on December 18, they’ll complete the hat trick with the release of Avengers: Doomsday, an ambitious sequel that brings back countless characters in a full-court press to revive the franchise. If all goes well, Doomsday will be a well-earned victory lap. There’s just one problem: it’s not going well at all.

Concerns about the film began when popular YouTuber John Campea claimed that Marvel was having trouble editing this behemoth blockbuster and “finding the movie in the edit.” Since then, others have chimed in with their own insider reports echoing claims that the Russo Brothers are having trouble getting a workable movie out of everything they have shot. All of this has caused concern among the fandom that Marvel’s big comeback may already be, well, doomed. Such reports have underscored even larger concerns with the studio’s creative process, which includes regularly beginning shooting without having a finished script.

It’s All Falling Apart

Right now, the marketing for Avengers: Doomsday has begun in earnest, with the first full-length trailer dropping earlier this week. While this is meant to get fans hyped for Marvel’s biggest blockbuster yet, it seems that there’s some serious trouble in paradise for this ambitious crossover sequel. On his podcast, John Campea claims that sources told him the Russo Brothers were having trouble “finding the movie in the edit.” Elaborating on this, he claimed, “When they shot the movie, everything felt great, everything looked great… but now that they’re editing, they’re discovering some issues.” 

Soon afterward, World of Reel’s Jordan Ruimy made another astonishing claim: one of his sources had told him months ago that Doomsday’s production woes were bad enough that “some people internally at Marvel [wondering] whether it would make its intended December 18, 2026, release date.” Those same sources more recently confirmed that although Marvel is now confident about the release date, there is still “friction” in the editing room. That friction has likely been made worse by something that Mystique actor Rebecca Romijn shockingly admitted: that Avengers: Doomsday began shooting without a completed script. Even more shocking? The movie was being written and rewritten into its final week of shooting.

The Movie Is Already Doomed

Given this information, it’s not really that surprising that Avengers: Doomsday is a hot mess to edit. It’s a film with 60 actors that we know about, and there are almost certainly some high-profile surprise cameos that we don’t know about. This creates a very cluttered movie, and it will take some finesse in the editing room to turn it into more than a collection of disconnected fight scenes. Editing becomes that much more difficult with the constant rewrites, which presumably made it difficult to achieve consistent characterization or to give our favorite heroes and villains satisfying arcs.

Obviously, it’s possible for great editors to assemble a sloppy shoot into a great final cut. The most famous example of this is the first Star Wars movie, which was reportedly a disjointed mess that George Lucas’ ex-wife, Marcia, helped shape into the perfect summer blockbuster. However, editing Avengers: Doomsday will be that much more challenging, both because of the high number of characters and the sheer weight of audience expectations. Nobody knew what to expect from Star Wars in 1977, but fans are now expecting Marvel to deliver something worthy of a cinematic universe that has been blowing us away for nearly 20 years.

As a Marvel fanboy (yeah, yeah, you can steal my lunch money later), I hope the Russo Brothers manage to pull it off. Avengers: Doomsday is definitely the most ambitious Marvel movie ever made, and it’s adapting some of the greatest comic stories of the last two decades. With any luck, the movie will successfully reenergize the fandom and pave the way for an MCU filled with new heroes like the X-Men. However, the clock is ticking, and there’s not really any time left for rewrites or reshoots. Unless Avengers: Doomsday can be saved in the editing room, Marvel’s most expensive movie may be destined to become its biggest flop. 

While fans of the beloved Five-Star Weekend book may have noticed some plot changes on screen, actress Harlow Jane is confident the alterations are only enhancing the storytelling — and propelling the show forward into a potential season 2.

“There are a couple things that I do miss from the books and there are some things that I like. I think that ultimately, the changes that they have made will probably make for a much juicier season 2 if it were to happen,” Jane, 23, reflected during an exclusive interview with Us. “So I would be excited to see how that plays out in the long term.”

Based on Elin Hilderbrand’s novel of the same name, Five-Star Weekend centers around food influencer Hollis (Jennifer Garner) reuniting with friends Tatum (Chloë Sevigny), Dru-Ann (Regina Hall), Brooke (D’Arcy Carden) and Gigi (Gemma Chan) from all walks of life after the death of her husband, Matthew (Josh Hamilton). Meanwhile, Hollis’ daughter, Caroline (Jane), escapes to their Nantucket house that same weekend — and is forced to confront her rocky relationship with her mom, and her grief, head on.

While the series has yet to be renewed by Peacock for a second season, Harlow — the real-life daughter of Patricia Arquette and Thomas Jane — teased that she has a few ideas up her sleeve for a location (think: Greece) and Caroline’s story line.

Related: Biggest Changes Between ‘Five-Star Weekend’ Show and Elin Hilderbrand’s Book

Peacock adapted The Five-Star Weekend — but what changes does the TV show have compared to Elin Hilderbrand‘s book? Hilderbrand’s The Five-Star Weekend follows a grieving food blogger who invites a best friend from each era of her life to Nantucket following her husband’s tragic death. According to the official synopsis, the weekend “spirals into […]

“Theoretically, if we were picking up in like two years’ time — or it’s been a year since the last one — I’d be hoping that she’s out of school and she’s back with her mom. They’ve been working a lot on their relationship and they’re really close and they’re healing together instead of separately,” Harlow theorized. “I’m hoping that she’s following her creative passions and I think being a little more accepting of her mother’s — maybe helping her out in the kitchen.”

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Despite Caroline becoming entwined with Aubrey (West Duchovny)’s boyfriend Dylan (Henry Eikenberry) in season 1, Harlow shared that she’d “love a proper love interest” for her character in the future.

“That would be sweet,” Harlow told Us. “I think Caroline is at a phase in life that is so interesting to be a girl. She’s, I think, 18 in season 1. She’d be around 19 in season 2. I mean 19, I remember I went through a lot at 19. 19 is hard. 19 felt like the end of the world every single day. But it was also so happy and so great and I was learning so much about myself. I guess I would like to see some of that on the screen.”

Five-Star Weekend season 1 is streaming now on Peacock.

Meghan McCain is shutting down trolls who called her “old and ugly,” revealing she is aging just like everyone else.

“I am normally an Armadillo-skinned person, and there’s been a lot of commentary about how ‘old and ugly’ I am now,” McCain, 41, said during the Wednesday, July 22, of her and Miranda Wilkins’ “Citizen McCain” podcast.

She fired back, “I’m 41 years old … I’m going to age. I’m going to get older. I am fatter because I’ve had three kids.” (McCain shares daughters Liberty, 5, and Clover, 3, and son Ransom, 6 months, with husband Ben Domenech.)

McCain noted that after a clip from their show of the women speaking about New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani went viral earlier this week, she received an onslaught of negative comments about her appearance from haters who must have never watched them beforehand.

Related: Meghan McCain Claps Back at Body-Shamers 2 Months After Giving Birth

Meghan McCain isn’t here for the postpartum body police. “Keep the fat comments coming because I’m sorry to disappoint so many of you, I will not be going on any of the ozempic shots despite just having my third child,” McCain, 41, wrote via X on Monday, March 9. “No judgment to those that do, […]

The former View cohost went on to explain that change is normal and there’s no shame in aging.

“I look different because I don’t have professional hair and makeup every day,” McCain said. “And sometimes, in the morning, it’s more important for me to get my kids ready, to spend time with them and feed my son, than it is for me to get ready, which is why I don’t always have my hair and makeup done to your liking.”

McCain noted that the comments did catch her by surprise.

Related: Meghan McCain Responds to Sheryl Sandberg After She Condemned ‘Trad Wives’

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Meghan McCain slammed author Sheryl Sandberg after she claimed “trad wives” could be “detrimental to women.” “Shut the f*** up Sheryl Sandberg,” McCain, 41, wrote via X on Wednesday, March 11, alongside a link to Sandberg’s Tuesday, March 10, interview with People. “I don’t even know why you’re still talking given the amount of abject […]

“It is a challenging cruelty to have people have such [opinions],” she confessed. “This is the first time people have reacted, ‘Oh, Meghan looks a lot older.’ I am a lot older.”

Meghan, who is the daughter of late Senator John McCain, pointed out that after growing up in the spotlight, it’s not fair that she’s constantly being compared to past versions of herself.

“I am no longer 5 years old with my dad running for senate. I am no longer 22 years old [with] my dad running for president,” she said. “I’m no longer 32 years old working for The View. I’m almost 42 years old.”

Meghan’s cohost Wilkins chimed in to reveal, “We don’t get Botox, we haven’t had the thread facelift, we’re not on Ozempic.”

Meghan admitted, “It’s tempting, but I’m not [on Ozempic].”

She concluded the episode by saying she plans to keep aging naturally and embracing her appearance.

“One thing I can promise you is I’m going to continue aging. I’m not going to look the way I looked at The View,” Meghan continued. “We are all going to have to collectively come together [and agree] that I’m going to continue aging.”

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Related: Meghan McCain Explains Why She Doesn’t ‘Want’ to Go on Ozempic

Arturo Holmes/WireImage Meghan McCain isn’t giving into pressure to take celebrity-loved weight-loss drugs like Ozempic. McCain, 39, explained her reasoning for not wanting to take the medication – and clapped back at body shamers – during the Friday, May 17, episode of her “Citizen McCain” podcast. “It’s why I don’t like being on camera as […]

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She sarcastically apologized for not being a “facelift, injectable person” who doesn’t have “professional hair and makeup” done on the daily.

“But I can promise you one thing, Miranda and I will continue keeping it very real with you,” Meghan vowed. “This is a real show. We are real people. I may be a motherf***ing nepo baby but I’m a real person. I don’t live like that.”

Meghan ended by poking fun at herself, telling listeners, “I’m going to keep looking like [a] cryptkeeper” and they need to “come to terms with” it.

More than two decades after their final studio album, Destiny’s Child fans have reason to celebrate. The iconic girl group’s 30th anniversary is on the horizon, and according to Mathew Knowles, the milestone will be marked with new music and remixes of their classic hits to honor Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams‘ enduring legacy.

Destiny’s Child officially disbanded 20 years ago. Still, the trio (Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams) remain incredibly close and have performed together a handful of times over the years. Now, Mathew Knowles is teasing what the girl group has in store for their 30th anniversary.

Mathew, who managed Destiny’s Child, is teasing what fans can expect for the milestone celebration. He said the group has about 10 to 15 urban and dance mixes of their songs, as well as never-before-heard tracks that have been in a vault. “It’s time to share that,” he told TMZ.

In another interview, he teased that guest rappers will be featured, including Missy Elliott. As for when the songs will be released, Mathew said it can be expected “in the next 30 days.” “We have so much music that hadn’t been put out yet on Destiny’s Child,” he added.

A Destiny’s Child tour isn’t planned at the moment, but Beyoncé’s father isn’t ruling out a few performances here and there.

The Beginnings Of Destiny’s Child

In the early ’90s, Beyoncé and Rowland were part of the group Girl’s Tyme, together with four others: LaTavia Roberson, Támar Davis, and sisters Nikki and Nina Taylor. They joined “Star Search” in 1992, but lost the talent competition. Mathew took over the group’s management duties, and the sextet became a quartet.

LeToya Luckett was added to the group, which included Beyoncé, Rowland, and Roberson, and in 1996, they rebranded as Destiny’s Child. In the next few years, the group changed their lineup due to tensions with the management. The definitive trio was formed in 2000. Beyoncé and Rowland were the only two original members who remained, and Williams became the last addition.

The Girl Group Released Five Studio Albums

Destiny’s Child released five studio albums, dropping chart-topping hits, including “Say My Name,” “Bills, Bills, Bills,” “Survivor,” and “Independent Women Part I.”

In the course of their time together, they received 14 Grammy nominations and won three awards: Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group and Best R&B Song in 2001, both for the song “Say My Name,” and Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group in 2002 for “Survivor.”

In 2006, Destiny’s Child received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “We started when we were 9 years old, and here we are getting a Hollywood star. Dreams do come true. So thank you all so much for supporting us,” Beyoncé said at the ceremony.

Destiny’s Child Disbanded To Pursue Individual Careers

The girl group was in the middle of the “Destiny Fulfilled… and Lovin’ It Tour” in 2005 when they announced that they were disbanding. At their performance in Spain that June, Destiny’s Child told the audience of 16,000 that they would be going their separate ways after the tour ended. The final concert took place in Canada that September.

In a statement, Destiny’s Child said, “After a lot of discussion and some deep soul searching, we realized that our current tour has given us the opportunity to leave Destiny’s Child on a high note, united in our friendship and filled with an overwhelming gratitude for our music, our fans, and each other.”

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The Group Reunited At Beyoncé’s Tour

After Destiny’s Child disbanded, each member carved a successful solo career. Rowland scored chart-topping hits, won Grammy Awards, and hosted and judged reality competition shows. Williams found success in gospel music and Broadway, while Beyoncé became a record-breaking global superstar and one of the most influential artists of her generation.

The group has since reunited on stage a few times, including the Super Bowl Halftime Show in 2013 and the Stellar Gospel Music Awards in 2015. Rowland and Williams also performed a medley with Beyoncé at her Coachella headlining set in 2018. Their most recent performance was in July 2025, at the finale of Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter Tour” in Las Vegas.

When a movie takes off, it can lead to a long and prosperous life. One film can lead to another, ultimately opening the door to a fully fledged franchise. Then, that franchise goes beyond just the films; it can open the door to other media as it further impacts pop culture. But the sad truth is that all good things must come to an end.

Many epic franchises have had the chance to extend beyond their means, hurting their legacies in the process. Others have ended at just the right moment. The film franchises on this list are a mix of both. Some are ending as their source material has concluded. Some are due to the completion of a trilogy. And then there are some who simply just have no more tales to tell. Let’s celebrate these film franchises one last time before we say goodbye.

1

Dune

Image via Warner bros.

There might not be a bigger sci-fi movie franchise that debuted this century than Dune. Lifting Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel to life, director Denis Villeneuve has taken what has been deemed unadaptable and done the unthinkable. The sweeping sci-fi epic set in a distant future tells the story of a galactic struggle for control of Arrakis, an inhospitable desert planet and the universe’s only source of “spice.” This rare resource is essential for interstellar travel and unlocking superhuman potential, making it the most valuable commodity in existence. The central narrative follows Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet), the young heir of the noble House Atreides. When his family is granted stewardship of Arrakis, they are quickly caught in a deadly, politically motivated trap set by their bitter rivals, House Harkonnen, backed by the Padishah Emperor (Christopher Walken). Blending intense space opera action with deep political intrigue, religious prophecy, environmentalism, and the dangers of charismatic leaders, the Villeneuve trilogy arrived at just the right time.

The first two films, Dune and Dune: Part Two, took the world by storm, proving that audiences were eager to see the blockbusters fit for the big screen. Across the three films, the ensemble has been part of the big draw. With a cast that includes Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Zendaya, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Robert Pattinson, among others, why wouldn’t your butt be in the movie theater seats? While Herbert’s original saga spans 3,500 years through six novels with subsequent sequels written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, proving there could be more story for film, as of now, the Villeneuve edition is ending this December with Dune: Part Three. Meant to be the icing on the cake, the film operates as the natural and definitive end to Paul Atreides’ storyline. Following the novel Messiah, the books jump centuries into the future and shift away from the surviving characters established in the first two films, thus Villeneuve’s conclusion. Now, the cinematic universe will carry on via a television series with Season 2 of Dune: Prophecy. For now, the three-part film series will have reached its epic end come this winter. ​​

2

Fast & Furious

Image via Universal Pictures 

Just because a franchise has a more than two-decade lifespan doesn’t mean it’s beloved by all. What it does mean is that it has a devoted fan base that has been part of the family since the beginning. That’s a major reason as to why the Fast & Furious film franchise has had such an enduring legacy. A juggernaut in pop culture, the Universal Pictures action series follows street racer Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his tight-knit crew as they evolve from underground car hijackers into a global team of elite operatives. Centered on themes of loyalty and found family, the series has transitioned from local street racing into high-stakes international heists and espionage. The series begins through the lens of undercover cop Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker), who infiltrates Dom’s crew but ultimately forms a deep bond with him, allowing him to escape the law. It moved internationally as the team executes massive, physics-defying heists across the globe in locations like Rio de Janeiro and London. Then, they teamed up with government agencies as they face off against cyberterrorists and rogue operatives. A high-stakes, unrelenting thrill ride, Fast & Furious fans will be playing “See You Again” as the mainline franchise will conclude with Fast Forever.

The Fast & Furious franchise popularized street racing culture, championing unprecedented diverse casting long before it became an industry standard. Across the various films, the family has wonderfully expanded, featuring a revolving door of stars including Jordana Brewster, Michelle Rodriguez, Ludacris, Tyrese Gibson, Dwayne Johnson, and Jason Statham. The franchise knew the original premise could take it so far, so it pioneered the self-awareness to pivot. By moving into new subgenres, Fast & Furious extended long beyond its means. When the box office continues to deliver, no wonder more movies are always in the cards. As Diesel has stated, it will be the “most amazing finale.” Though it is quite a bit away before the end of Dom’s story, the franchise is set to retain a future in other media and potential spin-offs. Many casual watchers may have come and gone, but Fast & Furious has proven that family extends beyond the screen. While the final film is likely to be stuffed with fan service, the truth is, they deserve it.

3

Jackass

Image via Paramount Pictures

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The fact that there have been as many Jackass films is a discussion of its own. Nevertheless, the cult classic franchise that defined the turn of the century has come to a close. Or at least what the team says. Beginning as a reality slapstick comedy series on MTV, created by Jeff Tremaine, Spike Jonze, and Johnny Knoxville, Jackass featured a compilation of pain-inducing stunts and pranks. As a pinnacle of pop culture, the antics that were too much for television were brought onto the big screen for six outrageous movies. On the big screen, the films featured a close-knit group of daredevils who perform highly dangerous stunts, absurd pranks, and gross-out humor on each other and the public. It functions as a celebration of reckless camaraderie, humor, and long-term male friendship. Though they operate less as traditional narrative stories and more as compilations of comedic segments, each film is just bigger and wilder.

Alongside Knoxville, the Jackass films have featured a plethora of familiar faces, including Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Jason “Wee Man” Acuña, Ehren McGhehey, and Dave England, all of whom willingly subject themselves to physical and psychological challenges. Jackass was not made for everyone. In fact, its niche audience kept the franchise alive. Push back as you might, it revolutionized modern comedy by proving that unscripted, stunt-based, gonzo-style visual storytelling could become a massive global phenomenon. It legitimized pain as art, much to other artists’ chagrin. Jackass, as we know it, has officially ended. Knoxville and the original crew concluded the series with the film Jackass: Best and Last, which was released in theaters on June 26, 2026. Director Tremaine cited the cast’s age and severe injuries as the reason for its end. The final film served as a retrospective farewell, combining new stunts with never-before-seen archival footage and emotional reflections from the cast. The franchise has had false ends before, but this isn’t a hiatus; it’s a genuine conclusion.

4

Jumanji

Image via Columbia Pictures

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In 1995, families were completely taken by the adaptation of the children’s book Jumanji. It served as a definitive film for a generation. Then, two decades later, a new iteration of the story, explored through a modern technological lens, arrived. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle not only worked, but it inspired a newfound film franchise. And later this year, it’s coming to an end. The reboot trilogy shifts the action from a board game into a video game when four high schoolers — Spencer Gilpin (Alex Wolff), Anthony “Fridge” Johnson (Ser’Darius Blain), Bethany Walker (Madison Iseman), and Martha Kaply (Morgan Turner) — in detention, are sucked into Jumanji. They are transformed into adult avatars with distinct strengths and weaknesses — Dr. Xander “Smolder” Bravestone (Dwayne Johnson), Professor Sheldon “Shelly” Oberon (Jack Black), Franklin “Mouse” Finbar (Kevin Hart), and Ruby Roundhouse (Karen Gillan) — and must complete a perilous quest to return home. Filled with chaos through a humorous lens, the Jumanji series offered a refreshing take on a beloved story while remaining respectful.

The reason why the Jumanji reboot didn’t stop with one film lies in the dynamic chemistry of the on-screen quartet. The adult avatars are well written, but each actor elevates the tropes into hilarious, fully realized characters with so much potential. Rather than a direct remake, the film functions as a continuation, even with a touching homage to Robin Williams‘ original character, Alan Parrish. In turn, it bridges the gap between fans of the classic 1995 film and modern moviegoers. The final installment of the reboot, Jumanji: Open World, is set to conclude this December. The twist for this film will see the characters drop the chaos into cities and suburbs. This means large animals and creatures are now loose in populated areas, a touching tribute to the original film. Rather than stretching the storyline indefinitely, this final film was the perfect time to give the beloved adventure a heartfelt and emotional conclusion.

5

The Hunger Games

Image via Lionsgate

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No other young adult novel series took the world by storm quite like The Hunger Games. Originally adapted from Suzanne Collins’ book series for the big screen, the first three books, crafted into four films, served as the ultimate blockbuster event. The original saga tells the story of the wealthy Capitol controlling 12 surrounding impoverished districts and forcing them to send two children as “tributes” to fight to the death in an annual battle royale called The Hunger Games. The story follows teenager Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) as she survives a deadly, televised government tournament and inadvertently sparks a massive national rebellion. But it didn’t end there, as Collins wrote two prequel stories. In The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, set 64 years before the original films, this story follows a young Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blythe) — the future tyrannical president — long before he comes to power, as he mentors a District 12 tribute during the 10th annual games. Now, the last remaining Collins book — Sunrise on the Reaping — will conclude the decade-and-a-half epic on-screen journey.

In Sunrise on the Reaping, set 24 years before The Hunger Games, the story focuses on the Second Quarter Quell, or the 50th Games. It centers on a young Haymitch Abernathy (Joseph Zada) and chronicles his experience surviving a brutal edition of the games in which the Capitol doubled the usual number of tributes. Upon the conclusion of this blockbuster, there simply isn’t any further source material to pull from. When the final film finishes, it will mark a monumental era of the young adult genre. The Hunger Games proved that gritty, female-led dystopian stories could be massive, generation-defining hits. The entire Hunger Games universe paved the way for character-centric stories and bold storytelling. By prioritizing deep political commentary, anti-war themes, and complex world-building over typical romance, the films gave viewers something novel to attach to. There’s no doubt that the media franchise will carry on, but the films have marked its end. ​​​​​​​

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The Strangers

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Horror franchises have become a cornerstone of the entertainment industry. There have been horror series that have lasted decades and lingered on for far too long. The Strangers have opted to end following the third film of the reboot (especially since all three films received generally negative reviews). The Strangers franchise is a series of psychological horror films that centers on a trio of masked, psychopathic home invaders who target isolated individuals and couples. The franchise is defined by its nihilistic randomness, as the killers subject their victims to brutal, motiveless violence and psychological torment just because they happen to be home. The reboot trilogy, directed by Renny Harlin, spans three consecutive chapters in which a couple, Maya and Ryan (Madelaine Petsch and Froy Gutierrez), are forced to spend the night in a remote Airbnb after their car breaks down. It’s there that the masked trio attacks them. Unlike the original, this trilogy explores the aftermath of the attack and attempts to delve into the killers’ origins.

Known for the killers wearing the signature disturbing, toy-like masks, the killings serve as a jarring juxtaposition between childhood innocence and brutal violence. The terror stems from the fact that the killers have no personal vendetta or material greed. They target ordinary, unsuspecting people in remote locations. Though the masked antagonists — Dollface, Pin-Up Girl, and Scarecrow (Ella Bruccoleri, Ema Horvath, and Gabriel Basso) — are iconic and intrinsically creepy villains, there remains a strong possibility they could be revisited down the line. However, the reboot’s poor reception may prevent that potential. Especially since the original allure of the mystery of the motives was hidden, further exploration could dilute the future. Since all three films were filmed back-to-back and released in subsequent years, audience burnout was real. Nevertheless, the revitalization of the home invasion horror subgenre is thanks to The Strangers.

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The Strangers: Chapter 1

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Release Date

May 17, 2024

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Runtime

91 minutes

Director

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Renny Harlin

Writers

Alan R. Cohen, Alan Freedland

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Netflix’s One Piece is still sailing strong. Season 2 hit No. 1 after its March debut with 16.8 million views, while the manga recently crossed a wild 600 million copies in print.

So naturally, the casting discourse is already somewhere deep in Wano.

Susann Alicia, the German content creator known online as LienSue, has turned handmade anime costumes into a seven-figure career and amassed more than 6 million followers across her platforms. Now she’d like to add one more credit: playing Yamato if Netflix’s live-action adventure ever reaches that part of the Grand Line.

“I’ve read the manga, watched the anime and defended Yamato in more comment sections than I can count,” Sue said in a statement. “At this point, I basically am Yamato. Learning the lines would be the easy part.”

For anyone who needs the quick pirate briefing, the role is a big one. Yamato is Kaido’s horned child — a Wano arc powerhouse who idolizes the legendary samurai Kozuki Oden. Fans adore the character, who ranked No. 17 out of more than 1,500 contenders in the midterm results of this year’s global One Piece popularity poll.

Sue isn’t coming to the role cold, either. Her cosplay work has gone viral multiple times across Reddit, Instagram and Twitch since 2022 and even earned coverage from gaming publications.

In 2024, she entered streamer Emiru’s fourth annual cosplay contest as Yamato and placed second in the fan-voted Chat Favorite category, winning $2,500. The contest awarded more than $50,000 to cosplayers overall, with Sue standing out in a field packed with Diablo, Elden Ring, Destiny 2 and Final Fantasy XIV builds.

Still, the OnlyFans model knows winning over the internet in horns and a wig isn’t the same thing as stepping onto a set. “You can’t fake loving Yamato,” she explained. “This fandom would see right through it, which is exactly why I think a cosplayer should at least be in the conversation.”

That idea isn’t as far-fetched as it sounds. Viral cosplayer Jessica Nigri built her name on the convention circuit before landing voice roles in RWBY and Super Sonico. Even the current cast makes Sue’s pitch sound a little less wild. Emily Rudd grew up watching anime, fell hard for One Piece and said she wanted “one shot” at playing Nami. She landed the part from a single audition tape.

The good news for Sue is that she has plenty of time to make her case. Season 3 wrapped production in June and is headed to Alabasta, with Xolo Maridueña joining as Ace and Cole Escola as Bon Clay. In other words, Wano is still a long way down the map. “One Piece fans know how to wait,” she teased. “I’m just making sure Netflix knows where to find me when the story finally reaches Yamato.”