Mumbi Maina knows just how far a dream can take you.

The actress reached an international audience through the Netflix series “Sense8,” before later reuniting with the Wachowskis’ creative world for “The Matrix Resurrections.”

In this exclusive interview with The Blast, Mumbi speaks about how those experiences changed both her life and her understanding of what was possible as an artist. She also gets candid about Hollywood’s portrayal of Africa, recalling one bizarre encounter involving a supposedly “Kenyan” accent.

Mumbi Maina credits her international work on “Sense8” and “The Matrix Resurrections” with transforming both her career and her understanding of what was possible as an artist. In our conversation, she said the projects had “shifted the trajectory” of her life “in the most wonderful and fulfilling ways.”

Mumbi broke into the global spotlight with the Netflix show in 2017, before later joining “The Matrix Resurrections,” reuniting her with filmmakers and cast members from the sci-fi series.

In a 2023 interview with TRACE, Mumbi recalled receiving an email about a mysterious project called “Ice Cream” during the COVID-19 lockdown. With several “Sense8” cast members involved, she initially thought it was a documentary series being made while production on “The Matrix” remained paused.

Then came another email making the connection clear. “I was done, finished,” Mumbi recalled, describing tears, prayers and jumping around the house. She kept the news largely secret for months, telling only her lawyer-manager while waiting for her German visa.

Mumbi Would Be ‘Ecstatic’ To Return To ‘The Matrix’

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Stepping into productions of that caliber expanded Mumbi’s creative outlook and exposed her to a level in the industry she had long dreamed of experiencing firsthand. “I could never have properly understood how eye-opening and inspiring being in those environments would be,” she told us.

Just as important was the way she was treated once she got there. The actor recalled being met with “grace, kindness and professionalism,” adding that she felt valued for her work and presence. The experience also reinforced her belief in the wider impact art can have and showed her the value of working alongside people deeply invested in their craft.

That influence has stayed with her. We asked Mumbi whether she saw potential for more stories in the world of “The Matrix” beyond “Resurrections,” and whether she would return to the universe if offered the chance.

“Yes,” she replied. “That’s the thing about art. Just like the human experience, there’s always room to evolve. If [‘The Matrix’] did continue, I’d be ecstatic to return to that world!”

The Actress Weighs In On Questions Around African Storytelling In Hollywood

Mumbi’s experience navigating both African and Hollywood productions also gave us an opening to ask how she feels African stories and characters are being represented on the global stage.

The conversation about Hollywood’s handling of African stories has found new life with “Children of Blood and Bone,” particularly in its use of accents. The upcoming film, based on Tomi Adeyemi’s eponymous debut novel, has faced criticism well before its release.

To start, the casting of Amandla Stenberg and Thuso Mbedu drew complaints of colorism, and Adeyemi later said she had distanced herself from the film.

Reaction to the trailer has also been mixed. Reddit users criticized everything from the performances and costumes to the production, with several saying it felt disconnected from its Nigerian inspiration.

Mumbi Maina Recalls Producers Searching For A ‘Kenyan’ Accent

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For Mumbi, it brings back memories of one particularly puzzling experience of her own. A few years ago, producers approached her about a voice-acting role after seeing her work on “Sense8.” She was cast, recorded the part, and thought everything had gone smoothly.

Then, through a friend who had no idea she had already landed the role, Mumbi discovered the production was looking for someone with a “Kenyan” accent. “We genuinely all scratched our heads at that because… what is a Kenyan accent?” Mumbi tells The Blast.

The actress was born and raised in Kenya and has lived there all her life. Even so, she says fellow Kenyans have occasionally told her that she has an accent. “I just talk how I talk,” Mumbi says. “And that raises a bigger question for me: who is the authority on what an African should sound like?”

Mumbi Maina Wants African Film To Follow The Afrobeats Blueprint

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What made the experience even stranger was that the producers already knew exactly what she sounded like before casting her. Mumbi suspects they may have been searching for the generic “African” accent Hollywood audiences have heard for decades.

“I think that’s where the conversation becomes disheartening,” she says. “The narratives that are pushed about Africa aren’t always true to home.”

That doesn’t necessarily mean only Africans can tell African stories, in Mumbi’s view. For her, the bigger issue is how those stories are handled.

“I don’t know if it matters so much who is telling the story as much as how the story is being told, who is included in the process, and whether there is a genuine understanding of the people and culture it comes from,” she explains.

Mumbi ultimately wants African film to follow a path similar to Afrobeats, reaching audiences worldwide without losing the identity that made it resonate in the first place.

As the world mourns the loss of the great Dolly Parton, her publicist revealed the beloved icon’s cause of death. Parton died on Tuesday, August 25, and tributes from celebs like Beyoncé and King Charles are pouring in.

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Dolly Parton’s Publicist Reveals Cancer Was Her Cause Of Death

The world was saddened to hear of Parton’s death at age 80 on Tuesday. Her publicist Marcel Pariseau revealed that the ‘I Will Always Love You’ singer-songwriter died after “a brief battle with cancer.” Pariseau noted that Parton died in Nashville at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, per WCVB.

“After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.”

According to PEOPLE, Parton was admitted to the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center four days before her death for kidney and autoimmune issues.

Beyoncé Shares Tribute To Dolly Parton

Parton wrote hundreds of songs, and many were covered by other artists, such as Whitney Houston’s cover of ‘I Will Always Love You.’ Beyoncé covered Parton’s hit song ‘Jolene‘ for her country album, ‘Cowboy Carter,’ and she shared a tribute to the late singer on her website following her death.

“You were the barometer. The north star. Bold and brilliant. Talented and tenacious. You taught so many lessons on how to be uniquely oneself,” she wrote. “I am grateful for your art, your heart, your generosity, your humor, your entrepreneurship. I’m honored that I had the privilege to work with you. I will treasure that forever. Thank you for your profound impact on the world. You are an angel who has made this world a happier place because of your joyful art. You are truly one of one. Rest peacefully.”

Empire State Building Lights Up For Dolly As Celebs Pay Tribute

The Empire State Building also paid tribute to the legendary country artist and movie star. In addition to being an 11-time GRAMMY-Award-winning artist, Parton also starred in several films such as ‘Steal Magnolias,’ ‘9 to 5’ and ‘Rhinestone,’ and the Big Apple honored the actress with a tribute. A pink light show lit up the Empire State Building on Tuesday night. The “pink sparkle” was in honor of Parton’s 70-year career.

Other tributes poured in from Dionne Warwick, Keke Palmer, Kamala Harris, former president’s Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and Joe Biden, Mick Jagger, Pink, Parton’s ‘9 to 5’ co-stars Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda, Donatella Versace, Kelly Clarkson, Jeff Bezos and The Muppets, and countless others.

Former President Barack Obama noted Parton’s 11 GRAMMY Awards, commitment to child literacy and her assistance in accelerating COVID vaccine research.

It’s hard to imagine many people having a bigger impact than Dolly Parton. Born in a one-room cabin, she earned 11 Grammys and an Emmy, built a business empire, helped millions of kids learn to read, and — as if that wasn’t enough — helped accelerate the research that led to the… https://t.co/gl4KGm4vnk

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 25, 2026

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Not only are folks paying tribute to the legend in the U.S., but they are doing so world-wide. The Royal Family honored the late country singer in London during the Changing of the Guard ceremony as the Band of the Coldstream Guards played the theme song from ‘9 to 5.’ A video of the tribute was shared on Instagram with the caption:

“Remembering the late, great Dolly, who brought joy, comfort and inspiration to so many – including the millions of children given free books through her Imagination Library. We will always ❤️ you.”

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Amid his split from Serayah, an old tweet has resurfaced in which Joey Bada$$ called out Tristan Thompson for cheating.

RELATED: Whew! Fans Are Goin’ IN On Joey Bada$$ Following Serayah Alleging He “Repeatedly” Cheated On Her (VIDEO)

Old Tweet Resurfaces Of Joey Bada$$ Calling Out Tristan Thompson For Cheating

On Wednesday, August 26, The Shade Room reposted a resurfaced tweet shared by Joey Bada$$ on X, formerly known as Twitter. Furthermore, the tweet was shared on January 4, 2022.

“Tristian Thompson gotta stop being a sorry ass nigga. Tell Khloe you’re a fucking gyalist and you need more than one woman. Straight up. Whats so hard about being honest with our women fellas? Fuck this western bullshit. Relationships should be expansive and beneficial for all,” he wrote at the time.

Social Media Reacts To Joey Bada$$’s Resurfaced Tweet Amid His Split From Serayah

Social media users reacted to Joey Bada$$’s resurfaced tweet in TSR’s comment section.

More On Serayah’s Tweeting Claims

As The Shade Room previously reported, earlier this month, Serayah went online, exposing Joey Bada$$ for allegedly cheating on her “repeatedly” throughout their relationship. Additionally, she stated that she called off their engagement while sharing audio of Joey speaking to another female about their relationship.

Subsequently, Serayah showed off how one of her close friends surprised her with a cake and other pleasantries to celebrate her “release.”

RELATED: Thank You, Next! Serayah’s Friend Gets Her A SPICY Custom Cake To Celebrate End Of Her Engagement To Joey Bada$$

America’s Got Talent judge Howie Mandel claims he “almost died” after self-medicating during the coronavirus pandemic.

“I’m medicated and I have a lot of therapy,” Mandel, 70, said on the Monday, August 24, episode of Hoda Kotb’s “Joy 101” podcast. “I have such a fear of those lows, because they’re incredibly painful and hard to navigate, so my life consists of trying to balance up here and manage the medication.”

Mandel, who has long been candid about his battles with anxiety and OCD, further opened up about how he managed his mental health during the 2020 pandemic lockdown.

“I’ve medicated myself, and I’m talking about prescription medication, I’m not self-medicating, though I did that during COVID, and I almost died,” he said. “So, I’m medicated. I’m surrounded by professionals.”

According to Mandel, he particularly struggled getting to sleep during the COVID shutdown.

“I’m sober right now, but during the pandemic I couldn’t sleep because part of my rumination is …  I’m a germaphobe, and a pandemic? I live, like, I’m in a pandemic anyhow,” he quipped. “When there’s a real one, it was hard for me to handle. It was hard for a lot of people, but I wasn’t strong enough to handle it. I couldn’t sleep, so I started taking [marijuana-infused] gummies to go to sleep.”

In addition to THC-infused gummies, Mandel began smoking and drinking to “escape and make [himself] unconscious.”

“There were times when my wife couldn’t wake me up or she thought she was going to take me to the hospital,” the TV star recalled, referring to wife Terry Mandel. “There’s no middle ground with me. I don’t smoke or I haven’t had a beer, anything, I can’t do anything in moderation. It wasn’t healthy and it wasn’t good. It’s not an excuse, but it was really bad.”

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Related: How Just Like Us in Howie Mandel? We Put Him to the Test

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Amanda Edwards/Getty Images Howie Mandel proves he’s just like Us through his latest binge-watching picks. “The last thing I streamed was Baby Reindeer,” the America’s Got Talent judge, 68, exclusively shares in the newest issue of Us Weekly. “It’s amazing.” The series, which premiered back in April, was inspired by comedian Richard Gadd’s real-life experiences […]

Howie further gushed that Terry, 71, has been “like a hero” in supporting his mental health struggles.

“I don’t know how she does it. She got me to therapy through an ultimatum,” he stated. “My wife just went, ‘I can’t do this, this is really tiring, go talk to somebody.’ The ultimatum was, ‘Try to find some help, because I can’t do this anymore.’ She’s a hero because she put up with it and sent me to therapy.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Roommates, Hollywood is once again saying goodbye to one of its memorable talents! ‘Home Alone 2’ and ‘Scary Movie 2’ actor Tim Curry has reportedly passed away. He was 80.

RELATED: Prayers Up! Nephew Of Dolly Parton Announces Her Death At Age 80 (VIDEO)

Tim Curry Dies At 80 Following Health Complications

TMZ was the first publication to exclusively report the death of Tim Curry. Sources reportedly told the publication that Curry had been experiencing serious health issues for over 10 years. He died on Tuesday (August 25) night at his home in Los Angeles. Local police allegedly didn’t suspect foul play after arriving at the actor’s residence at around 11:23 p.m. for a death investigation. Also, the LA Fire Department reportedly visited the home earlier that evening for “a medical emergency.” Officials later pronounced Tim Curry dead at the scene.

His cause of death has not been revealed. However, his memoir last year, revealed he was still unable to walk and wheelchair bound. In 2012, he had a massive stroke that resulted in brain surgery.

Fans Mourn Actor’s Sudden Death 

On The Shade Room’s Instagram feed, more than 18,000 reactions flooded the comment section of the Tim Curry post within an hour. Fans recalled some of his best on-screen work, applauding his comedic skills and versatility. Others expressed shock at another entertainment icon dying during the same week as Dolly Parton and a week after Hayden Panettiere.

@thatgirljaycole commented, “AUGUST CHILL MAN WTF!!!!!!!”

@__lashai added, “You know what I love god but lord please get the right ones😂😂😂😂😂.” 

“Bro what is happening?!” @shone_brianna said.

“Ffs first Dolly now Tim this is so sad 😢❤️,” @thattattooedchickgoldz commented.

@honeeyy.bee wrote, “Y’all do understand some of these famous people are OLD they lived their lives 💕hate to say it but we all will have to go. Just stay prayed up and do what’s right.”

“Every time I open this app. this too much I’m logging off 😭🤦🏽‍♀️,” @therealtatted.hippie commented.

“got dam. august got the grim reaper on bankroll,” @prncesspopit_ added.

“ATP THROW THE WHOLE AUGUST AWAY,” @itsjustmarieeee said.

“Mannnn my childhood is damn near gone. Then they closing my elementary school . SMH,” @qveen_sha_sha added.

“Not Dolly & Pennywise in the same week! I am goneeeeeee! 😩,” @seekproverbness commented.

“We’ve had enough. us millennials losing so many people,” @vibesofessence wrote.

“Bruhhhhhh Hayden, Dolly, and Tim and Tim on on my birthday I can’t!!! August, you’re killin us 🥺🥺🥺,” @pittsburgh_girl0826 said.

Recap Of Tim’s Legendary Resume

For more than 50 years, Tim Curry stacked his acting resume with roles that fans still bring up in conversation! Here’s a few memorable roles he has starred in over the years:

• (1975) Dr. Frank-N-Furter in ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’
• (1982) Rooster Hannigan in ‘Annie’
• (1985) Wadsworth in ‘Clue’
• (1985) Darkness in ‘Legend’
• (1990) Pennywise the Clown in ‘It’
• (1992) Mr. Hector in ‘Home Alone 2: Lost in New York’
• (1993) Cardinal Richelieu in ‘The Three Musketeers’
• (1996) Long John Silver in ‘Muppet Treasure Island’
• (1998-2004) Voice of Nigel Thornberry in ‘The Wild Thornberrys’

@paworld007

Tim Curry’s Legendary Journey Through His Greatest Roles – From Rocky Horror to Iconic Voice Work! #timcurry #lifejourney #evolution #memories #history

♬ Forever Young – Alphaville

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The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has already been renewed for season 6 — but who is returning after offscreen cast exits?

Viewers were originally introduced to The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives cast after the show premiered on Hulu in 2024. Among the stars front and center were Jen Affleck and husband Zac Affleck, Demi Engemann and husband Bret Engemann, Whitney Leavitt and husband Conner Leavitt, Mikayla Matthews and husband Jace Terry, Mayci Neeley and husband Jacob Neeley, Jessi Draper and Jordan Ngatikaura, Taylor Frankie Paul and then-partner Dakota Mortensen and Layla Taylor.

Miranda McWhorter, meanwhile, joined the show in season 2 after her split from Chase McWhorter.

Amid production on season 5, filming was halted after an alleged domestic violence incident between Taylor and Dakota in February 2026. Dakota and Taylor subsequently filed temporary restraining orders against each other.

The Bachelorette canceled Taylor’s season of the ABC reality dating series in March 2026 — days before its premiere — following leaked footage from 2023 showing Taylor attacking Dakota during a dispute.

A Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson said at the time, “In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family.”

Taylor confirmed the assault charges she faced “were all dropped” during a September 2025 interview on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, describing the incident as “the hardest time” in her life.

In April 2026, authorities confirmed that Taylor would not be charged with any crime for the February incident with Dakota. That same month, Us confirmed that SLOMW was set to resume production on season 5.

Hulu, meanwhile, subsequently renewed the hit series for 20 more episodes, which will span across seasons 6 and 7. Keep scrolling to see who is — and isn’t — returning for season 6:

Taylor Frankie Paul

A source previously confirmed to Us that Taylor would shoot scenes for season 5’s opening montage but was not expected to film anything else at the time. The insider shared that Taylor would be filming her montage scenes separately from the rest of the cast.

It isn’t clear how she would be involved in season 6. Dakota, meanwhile, “will not be involved” in the show moving forward.

Jen Affleck

Jen and husband Zac will presumably appear in season 6 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives amid her fourth pregnancy.

Demi Engemann

After having a limited role in season 4, Demi isn’t expected to return full time to the show.

Whitney Leavitt

After Whitney and her husband, Conner Leavitt, moved to New York City for her stint on Broadway, the reality star announced her departure from Mormon Wives after season 5.

Mikayla Matthews

Mikayla — and husband Jace — will likely be part of season 6.

Related: ‘Mormon Wives’ Couples Status Check: Who Is Still Together? Who Broke Up?

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For some The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives couples, going on a reality TV show made their marriage stronger — while others crumbled under the pressure. When Hulu debuted The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives in September 2024, viewers were introduced to Jen Affleck and husband Zac Affleck, Demi Engemann and husband Bret Engemann, Whitney […]

Mayci Neeley

Mayci is also presumed to be part of season 6 after her sister McCall DaPron headlined The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Orange County cast.

Jessi Draper

Amid her divorce from Jordan Ngatikaura — and romance with Marciano Brunette — Jessi is expected to be back on Mormon Wives.

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Layla Taylor

“We’re not done with season 5, and we’re filming for season 6 right now,” Layla said on an August 2026 episode of Hulu’s “Get Real” podcast before admitting she felt “exhausted.”

“But honestly, it makes sense,” she explained of the timeline. “It’s so hard. We have this battle that we — all of us girls talk about. When we’re not filming, I miss it. And I honestly get kind of bored and so much happens too conveniently when the cameras go down. So, it’s like at this point, just let’s just film the whole year.”

Miranda McWhorter

Miranda is presumably meant to return for more episodes of the show.

Open-world games live or die by what happens between the objectives. A giant map means very little when every road leads to another icon, another checklist, and another activity designed to keep the completion percentage moving. The essential ones make wandering feel worthwhile. They give the player enough freedom to become curious, enough systems to create unexpected stories, and enough personality that the world starts feeling familiar long before every corner has been explored.

These eight games changed that formula in different ways. One helped establish the modern 3D city sandbox. Another gave players a world they could physically rebuild. And while Skyrim turned distraction into a lifestyle, later games pushed environmental storytelling, systemic exploration, and player freedom much further. The best open worlds rarely need to tell you where the fun is. They make getting lost feel like the correct decision. That’s what these 8 essential games gave to the world.

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‘Grand Theft Auto III’ (2001)

Image via Rockstar Games

Grand Theft Auto III dropped players into Liberty City and made the simple act of ignoring the mission feel revolutionary. This was long before waiting for GTA VI was cool. This was after those 2D graphics of GTA 1 gave the world something actual. GTA III follows Claude as he arrives in a criminal world divided among gangs, corrupt officials, mob families, and hustlers, but the city itself quickly becomes the main attraction. Cars can be stolen almost anywhere, police attention escalates according to your behavior, pedestrians react to chaos, and missions can be approached with enough freedom to encourage experimentation. Earlier open-world games had already explored many of these ideas, but GTA III put them together in a 3D city that millions of players could immediately understand.

Its importance is difficult to overstate because so much of the modern urban sandbox followed its basic grammar. Drive anywhere. Take work from different characters. Learn which districts are dangerous. Cause trouble simply because the systems allow it. Liberty City might look tiny beside later Rockstar maps, and the shooting and camera controls have aged considerably, but the sense of possibility remains easy to recognize. GTA III belongs here because open-world games after 2001 had to reckon with what Rockstar had just made possible.

7

‘Minecraft’ (2011)

Image via Mojang

Most open worlds give players a place to explore. Minecraft gives them a world and then hands over the construction rights. A new map begins with almost nothing beyond terrain, resources, animals, hostile creatures, and whatever goals the player decides to invent. Survival creates immediate priorities through food, shelter, tools, and danger after sunset. Creative Mode removes those limits and turns the same landscape into an unlimited building space. That flexibility is why a child constructing a dirt house and a technical player designing automated machinery can both be playing Minecraft correctly.

Its procedural generation also changed how people thought about exploration. A distant mountain, cave entrance, village, or strange biome matters because nobody placed a quest marker there asking for attention. The player noticed it. Redstone adds logic and engineering, multiplayer turns construction into collaboration, and years of updates have layered new dimensions, creatures, materials, and structures onto an already enormous foundation. Minecraft may barely resemble the cinematic open worlds surrounding it on this list, but that difference strengthens the argument. Few games have given players this much literal ownership over the space they inhabit.

Image via Bethesda

Bethesda’s The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim begins with dragons returning to a northern province already fractured by civil war, and the player eventually discovers that their character is the Dragonborn. That sounds urgent. Skyrim then places a cave, village, ruin, strange stranger, or suspicious-looking mountain in your peripheral vision and happily lets the main crisis wait for another fifty hours. The province is built around distraction, with guilds, Daedric quests, ancient tombs, political conflicts, random encounters, and small stories competing constantly for attention.

Bethesda’s great strength here was making exploration feel conversational. A bartender can mention a rumor that becomes an entire questline. A road can lead to a fort that hides a journal pointing toward another mystery. Character progression reinforces that freedom because skills improve through use, allowing a heavily armored warrior to gradually become a stealth archer through the ancient RPG tradition known as changing your mind. Skyrim has bugs, repeated dungeon pieces, and combat that newer games have surpassed. Its pull, however, remains extraordinary. More than a decade later, people still reinstall it because returning to Whiterun somehow feels less like replaying a map and more like revisiting a place.

5

‘Grand Theft Auto V’ (2013)

Image via Rockstar Games

Los Santos in Grand Theft Auto V is less a backdrop than an enormous satire with traffic and still sits in the heart of millions because of its online counterpart. The story rotates among Michael, Franklin, and Trevor, three criminals at different stages of ambition and self-destruction whose lives collide through robberies, government interference, and increasingly complicated schemes. Switching instantly between them gave Rockstar an elegant way to move across the map and made major missions feel broader than one character could manage alone.

The world around that story is ridiculously dense. Radio stations comment on the culture, strangers generate side stories, businesses and neighborhoods change the social texture of different areas, and the geography stretches from wealthy Los Santos streets to mountains, deserts, highways, and the communities around Blaine County. Its heists remain the structural highlight because preparation, crew selection, and execution give large missions a sense of scale without disconnecting them from the sandbox. GTA Online later became its own phenomenon, but the single-player map already demonstrated how much activity could coexist inside one convincing region. There is always another road worth taking, even when the GPS is begging you to behave.

4

‘The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’ (2015)

Image via CD Projekt

Geralt of Rivia crosses The Witcher 3 searching for Ciri, his adopted daughter, while war and supernatural danger reshape the Northern Kingdoms around him. The emotional urgency of that search could have made every side activity feel like procrastination. Instead, CD Projekt Red filled Velen, Novigrad, Skellige, and the surrounding regions with stories substantial enough to justify stopping. A missing person can uncover family abuse. A monster contract may expose a human crime. A seemingly ridiculous village problem can become surprisingly sad before Geralt collects his payment.

That quest writing changed expectations for open-world RPGs because secondary content was given consequences, characters, and moral uncertainty rather than functioning as map cleanup. The Bloody Baron storyline remains famous for exactly that reason, though smaller contracts often achieve the same effect on a tighter scale. Geralt’s Witcher Senses, alchemy, signs, monster knowledge, and preparation also connect exploration to his profession. Even Gwent (the card game) gives taverns and merchants another reason to matter. The Witcher 3 contains an enormous amount of content, but quantity is never its best argument. The world stays memorable because so many detours feel authored with the same care as the road everyone was supposedly following.

3

‘Elden Ring’ (2022)

Image via FromSoftware

Elden Ring takes FromSoftware’s demanding action RPG design and places it inside the Lands Between, a fractured realm where the player seeks the power necessary to become Elden Lord. The major bosses and legacy dungeons provide obvious milestones, but the game rarely treats them as appointments. A ruined church may conceal an upgrade. An elevator can descend into an underground region large enough to feel like another world. A harmless-looking cliff edge might hide a path that changes the next several hours.

That refusal to over-explain gives discovery genuine weight. The map begins incomplete, quest logs are minimal, and NPC storylines demand attention rather than constant interface reminders. Players learn through architecture, item descriptions, enemy placement, and the simple suspicion that FromSoftware probably hid something behind that wall. Build variety also makes exploration mechanically meaningful because spells, weapons, summons, talismans, and upgrade materials can completely alter how a character develops. The difficulty receives most of the conversation, but curiosity is the stronger engine. Elden Ring keeps rewarding the player who asks what is over there and then actually goes to check.

2

‘Red Dead Redemption 2’ (2018)

Image via Rockstar Games

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Red Dead Redemption 2 follows Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang in 1899 as the American frontier closes around people who built their identities outside conventional society. The gang moves between temporary camps while robberies, law enforcement pressure, and Dutch van der Linde’s increasingly unstable leadership threaten the family Arthur has spent most of his life serving. Rockstar gives that story extraordinary space, allowing camp conversations, hunting trips, quiet rides, and encounters with strangers to build Arthur as carefully as any major mission.

The open world succeeds because it appears to continue without needing the player. Animals hunt one another. Travelers get robbed. Weather transforms roads and visibility. Towns carry different economies and social tensions, while Arthur’s appearance, horse, equipment, and relationships develop through ordinary routines. Some players find the deliberate animations slow. That physicality is also why actions develop weight. Cleaning a weapon, brushing a horse, cooking food, or returning to camp reinforces the feeling that Arthur inhabits this world rather than simply passing through it. Red Dead Redemption 2 is enormous, but its finest moments are often surprisingly small. Give it time and the frontier starts feeling painfully alive.

1

‘The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’ (2017)

Image via Nintendo

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Hyrule opens almost immediately in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Link awakens after a century, learns that Calamity Ganon has devastated the kingdom, and eventually receives the familiar responsibility of saving Princess Zelda. Nintendo then does something far more important. It lets the player decide how to get there. Mountains can be climbed from almost any direction, distant landmarks can be marked manually, and the physics and chemistry systems encourage solutions that feel discovered rather than prescribed.

That freedom reshaped open-world design because the landscape itself became the interface. Smoke suggests activity. Unusual rock formations invite inspection. Cold regions require preparation, thunderstorms make metal equipment dangerous, and abilities such as Magnesis, Stasis, and Remote Bombs can interact with the environment in ways that produce wonderfully personal solutions. Shrines teach individual ideas without dictating how those lessons must later be used. Weapon durability remains divisive, yet even that system keeps players experimenting instead of settling permanently into one loadout. All this essentially expands what GTA III or perhaps Elden Ringbrought to the table. Breath of the Wild makes curiosity feel like progress. You see something strange on a mountain, change direction, and an hour later realize the journey there became the story you will remember.

Britney Spears‘ sons are a living example of the apple not falling far from the tree!

One of the singer’s adorable boys may debut his musical project soon, making him the first in the family to follow in his iconic mother’s footsteps while also pursuing other creative endeavors.

Britney Spears welcomed Sean Preston Federline and Jayden James Federline with her former husband Kevin Federline in 2005 and 2006, respectively, before their parents parted ways in 2007.

The actress’ son, who landed his first cover of MAC Cosmetics’ digital editorial platform, MACzine, said the next item on his agenda is to share his music with the world “when he’s ready.”

Jayden, the singer’s youngest child, has shown interest in fashion and music by appearing on runways alongside Sean, who has also decided to focus on music and a modeling career.

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In a previous interview with Vogue, Sean described music as the foundation of everything for him, noting that it is what he and Jayden have gravitated toward their whole lives. In his latest cover shoot with MACzine, Jayden also touched on another interest: self-care, especially his skincare routine.

He broke down the steps to make his face look flawless, including a face wash, moisturizer, and a facial spray. In the same breath, Jayden praised his girlfriend, Gabrielle, for making sure he never skips a day of his routine.

“My girlfriend does my whole routine for me, so if you wanna ask her about that, I think she’s the better person,” Jayden declared as reported by US Weekly.

How Jayden James Federline And Sean Preston Federline Took Over Paris Fashion Week

Britney Spears’ sons are stepping into the fashion world. ✨

Sean Preston Federline, 20, and Jayden James Federline, 19, made their runway debut at the Vetements Menswear Spring/Summer 2027 show during Paris Fashion Week.

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Sean walked in a sleek black silk jacket layered over a… pic.twitter.com/mElXI5cmDZ

— HouseOfVanity (@HouseOfVanity88) June 27, 2026

The Vetements Paris show in June marked a major milestone for the boys, as they made their runway debut and brought their meanest, fiercest catwalk. Jayden and Sean have kept a relatively low profile all these years, making this appearance a rare one for the budding celebrities.

Sean kept it bold on the runway with a flawless catwalk in an all-black ensemble featuring baggy jeans, an oversized satin blazer and tie. Jayden raised the roof by pairing a white tank top with light-wash jeans and topping off the look with accessories, including a brown belt and silver chains.

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The outing comes months after both brothers appeared on their mother’s Instagram while spending time together in March. Around that time, Sean was also reported to have adopted the “Spears” last name, and Britney couldn’t be more grateful to be around her kids once more. 

The singer and her ex, despite their failed marriage, seemed to have one thing in common: giving their sons a normal upbringing, as Kevin himself acknowledged earlier.

Britney Spears’ Youngest Son Broke Decade-Long Red Carpet Hiatus Amid New Career Chapter

E! Online noted in May that Jayden appeared on the red carpet for the Dior Cruise 2027 fashion show in Los Angeles, marking his first red carpet appearance since 2015.

Jayden looked super stylish in a green bomber jacket, plaid shirt, distressed jeans, and black boots combo as he posed alongside an unidentified brunette woman at the star-studded event.

The superstar’s increasingly public presence follows his move back to Los Angeles after previously living in Hawaii with his father and stepmother, Victoria Prince. The family relocated to Hawaii in 2023 with Britney’s legal consent after Victoria got a job offer and Kevin found new opportunities to pursue.

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However, fashion is not Jayden’s only creative interest, as his father revealed in his 2025 memoir “You Thought You Knew” that Jayden returned to L.A. to pursue his musical ambitions.

He described his younger son as naturally energetic and creative, recalling his childhood talent for imitating sounds, stressing that those qualities have since developed into a passion for music.

How The ‘Toxic’ Singer’s Sons Influenced Her Rehab Journey

Sean and Jayden’s renewed relationship with Britney has yielded positive results in the actress’ life, giving them considerable influence as concerns over Britney’s health intensified.

After being arrested for driving under the influence, family members and loved ones reportedly tried and failed to get her into professional treatment until her sons intervened.

As shared by The Blast, close sources claimed that concerns grew when Britney also fired her sobriety coaches, forcing her sons to approach her with firmness and care, insisting that treatment is not something they would compromise on.

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At that point, Britney had no choice but to do what her sons wanted, as refusing could affect their relationship, so she signed up for the 30-day program, although she initially stalled the process. The Grammy winner was arrested in March on suspicion of driving under the influence in Ventura County, California. 

Authorities alleged the singer had been weaving between lanes on Highway 101 and appeared impaired by drugs and alcohol.

Britney Spears Revealed Her Sons Were Behind Her Decision To Agree With Conservatorship

In her 2023 memoir, the singer gave a more in-depth look into how deep her emotional bond with Sean and Jayden ran. Beyond the several slides of images on social media of the singer and her children on vacation, in parks, and everywhere else, she admitted that they stood at the center of one of the most crucial decisions of her life.

Britney revealed that her need to maintain that bond and access to her boys was one reason she agreed to sign up for the conservatorship program, which held her for 13 years.

She explained that following the rules allowed her to regain access to her kids after a tumultuous custody battle where she was often faced with the fear of never seeing them again.

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In “The Woman In Me” memoir, Britney described motherhood as a very transformative experience that gave her life a new meaning and left her with intense love for her kids. She recalled growing a protective instinct towards them as they grew up before a very rowdy media era.

Ready for an adventure, Los Angeles? After the rousing success of Paramount+’s video game adaptations for Sonic, Among Us, and Halo, SEGA’s side-scrolling brawler, Golden Axe, became a no-brainer priority. Now, as the streamer gears up for the 10-episode animated series to drop on September 16, Collider is proud to announce that we’re partnering with Paramount+ to offer our readers the only chance to see Episodes 1 and 2 on the big screen before the official debut on Paramount+. Not only will attendees get to see the series’ first two episodes before anyone else, but we’ll also welcome stars Lisa Gilroy (Jury Duty), Liam McIntyre (Spartacus), Danny Pudi (Community), and creators and executive producers Mike McMahan (Rick and Morty) and Joe Chandler (American Dad!) to the stage after the episodes for an exclusive Q&A conversation!

If you’re in the Los Angeles area or have the means to get there, come hang out with us for this very special chance to see Golden Axe, Episodes 1 and 2, on the big screen. Join us on Tuesday, September 15. The screening will take place at the Landmark Sunset Theatre and begin at 7:00 p.m. The Q&A will be moderated by our own Steve Weintraub. All guests will receive free popcorn and soda! Read on for more information on how you can enter for your chance to win free tickets to this advanced screening and Q&A.

How to Get ‘Golden Axe’ Screening and Q&A Tickets

Don’t miss out on your only chance to experience the first two episodes of Paramount+’s new series, Golden Age, on the big screen, plus an exclusive Q&A conversation with the series’ stars and executive producers. This special fan event is going to go fast, so don’t wait to claim your tickets! For your chance to win free tickets to the event, hit this link to provide us with your email address. The theater will fill up quickly, so grab your seats before they’re gone. Be sure to let us know if you’d like to bring a guest with you, and RSVP as soon as possible to secure your spot.

What Is ‘Golden Axe’ About?

Whether you’re a longtime fan of the SEGA game or new to the world of Golden Axe, the Paramount+ series has something for everyone. From the minds behind animated hit series like Star Trek: Lower Decks and American Dad!, Golden Axe is a hilarious homage to the original 1989 video game series that follows veteran warriors Ax Battler (McIntyre), Tyris Flare (Gilroy), and Gilius Thunderhead, voiced by Emmy Award winner Matthew Rhys (Widow’s Bay). This trio once again unites to protect Yuria, facing foes head-on, time and time again, to wage war against the evil giant Death Adder (who just won’t stay dead!). Matters are made infinitely more difficult when Hampton Squib (Pudi), an eager but sorely inexperienced adventurer, joins their ranks to fulfill his dreams of questing.

Keep an eye out for an email from us. Only confirmed RSVP’s will gain admittance to the screening.

Golden Axe premieres exclusively on Paramount+ on September 16. Check back with Collider for more special event screenings.

Image via Paramount+

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Release Date

September 16, 2026

Network

Paramount+

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Showrunner

Joe Chandler

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Writers

Joe Chandler, Mike McMahan, Taylor Cox

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Cast

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  Gilius Thunderhead (voice)

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  Lisa Gilroy

  Tyris Flare (voice)

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  Liam McIntyre

  Ax Battler (voice)

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