It’s been 15 years since Shawn Levy and Hugh Jackman first teamed up for Real Steel, long before the pair reunited for Deadpool & Wolverine. The 2011 sci-fi boxing drama starred Jackman as former boxer turned robot trainer Charlie Kenton, who is forced to build a robot boxer with his son when automated machines replace the sport. While this might feel like an original concept, the film was an adaptation of a short story titled Steel, written by notable science-fiction and horror author Richard Matheson.

Of course, more well-known is The Twilight Zone episode of the same name that aired in October 1963, starring Lee Marvin as Tim “Steel” Kelly, a former boxer who decides to go a round in the ring with a robotic counterpart. Nearly five decades before Jackman stepped into the robot-boxing world, The Twilight Zone had already entered the ring. If you haven’t seen this original series episode, consider this your starting bell.

What Is Richard Matheson’s ‘Steel’ About?

Whether you prefer the short story or the television episode, both versions of Matheson’s “Steel” are incredibly similar. In each of them (set in the near future of 1974…), former boxer Tim “Steel” Kelly has resorted to becoming a boxing trainer/promoter after the sport was outlawed for humans. That might sound preposterous today, but that’s only because you weren’t living in the 1960s at the time. In 1963, the sport was filled with controversy after the death of not one, but two different boxers — Benny Paret and Davey Moore — one of whom died during a match on live television. Because of this, the massive weight of the sport was becoming clear to general audiences, and many believed that there could come a time when boxing itself was expunged from the record. This is the world of Richard Matheson’s story.

Matheson, who also penned the more iconic (and very next) Twilight Zone episode, “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet,” wrote this half-hour drama as the second to air during the fifth and final season of the show’s original run. With Lee Marvin (who had previously appeared in Season 3’s “The Grave”) in the leading role, there was no doubt that this one would thrive on its own merits, regardless of its Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction origins. While Matheson’s next Twilight Zone is infinitely more beloved, Steel has more than enough emotional draw, even if it’s a bit more understated about it. What starts as a story about a washed-up boxer trying to reclaim his glory days through the use of a machine (in this future, machines are the sole boxers of the day) slowly becomes a Rocky story that ends fairly similarly to the later Sylvester Stallone picture. After his B2 model boxing bot, “Battling Maxo” (Tipp McClure), sheds a spring, the robot is unable to fight. To make ends meet, “Steel” Kelly, himself a former boxer, decides to take on a superior B7 model himself.

Though Kelly gives a valiant effort, he doesn’t stand much of a chance in the ring. As Rod Serling‘s ending narration notes, “Portrait of a losing side, proof positive that you can’t outpunch machinery.” Despite that, the narrator also notes that “Steel” is a prime example of the courageous nature of the human spirit, and our willingness to rise to the challenge no matter how impossible the odds. One almost wonders if Stallone might’ve watched or read Steel before coming up with the plot of the first Rocky. It’s impeccable how familiar (and perhaps even relatable) the story still feels after all these years, which is a true testament to the lasting power of an author like Matheson. These days, we know him best for I Am Legend, Hell House, or Duel, which would later turn into a Steven Spielberg film of the same name.

This ‘Twilight Zone’ Episode Was Richard Matheson’s Favorite

According to The Twilight Zone Companion by Marc Scott Zicree, Steel was Matheson’s favorite of the 16 episodes bearing his name (“And When the Sky Was Opened” and “Third From the Sun” were based on his works but not written by him). More than that, the author noted that the short story/episode’s title had a double meaning of its own. “Steel was his nickname and that was his character, his backbone, that he was so determined,” Matheson explained. “When you have a monumental character like that, it’s easier to handle.” The author likened “Steel” Kelly to Captain Ahab from Moby Dick, who was so consumed with his own obsession to “win” against his opponent that it cost him everything. “He has no greys; he just wants to kill the whale.” In this case, Kelly just wants to beat the B7, Maynard Flash (Chuck Hicks), and secure the winnings he needs to continue his washed-up career. Unfortunately, he barely makes it out of the ring alive.

What makes Lee Marvin’s performance as Kelly especially notable is his clear commitment to the role. Matheson recalled watching the actor psyche himself up for the big sparring match, noting that Marvin went to great lengths to prepare himself for the role. “I saw the Lee Marvin character as the sort of man who never liked to ask anyone for help but chose, in the old-fashioned way, to take care of things for himself, however mad,” explained Matheson. We see this clearly through Kelly’s boisterous threats to his business partner and robot mechanic Pole (Joe Mantell), who tries unsuccessfully to pull Kelly away from his single-minded (and bullheaded) approach to, well, just about everything. “Even when he did get his brains beaten out and only a small percentage of the money, he did not give up,” the author concluded. “Not the brightest man in the world but, in many ways, pretty admirable, pretty brave.” The Twilight Zone was always a show that thrived in putting ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, something “Steel” happens to do remarkably well.

But how does Matheson’s Steel compare to the 2011 blockbuster Real Steel? Well, there are similarities, of course. Robots have indeed replaced boxers in the sport, and Hugh Jackman’s Charlie Keaton is a clear stand-in for Lee Marvin’s “Steel” Kelly, albeit a slightly more level-headed (and likable) one. But much of the content has been changed for the more blockbuster style of modern Hollywood filmmaking. Instead of adapting “Steel” into a more Rocky-esque story about one man’s obsessive quest (though those elements partially remain), Real Steel is also a heartwarming story about the relationship between a father and his son (played by Dakota Goyo). The updated special effects make Real Steel feel like most action movies you remember from the 2010s, even if this one has more entertainment value than most. Real Steel earned nearly $300 million worldwide, and the movie’s enduring fan base has continued to call for the story to return in some form.

Shawn Levy Hadn’t Seen ‘Steel’ When He Signed on for ‘Real Steel’

Funny enough, director Shawn Levy didn’t know anything about Richard Matheson’s original material before signing on for the 2011 motion picture. “I knew of Matheson as a writer. I’d not read Steel or seen the episode,” the director told Complex in 2011. “So shortly after I met with [Steven] Spielberg and talked about doing the movie, I promptly educated myself, and it got me even more excited.” Though he didn’t adapt Matheson’s short story as faithfully as the author had for The Twilight Zone, Levy pulled from the desperation of the Kelly character and poured that idea into Hugh Jackman’s Charlie Keaton. From the time he was first involved in the film, there was always this father-son dynamic present within the story, with John Gatins ultimately writing the screenplay from a story credited to Dan Gilroy and Jeremy Leven. But the filmmaker wanted to lean further into that emotional aspect of the picture: “I felt that to occupy a unique space, Real Steel needed to be more about its underdog story, more of a father-son and sports movie than just a robots-wailing-on-each-other movie.”

By changing the themes from Matheson’s obsessive underdog into a father-son bonding narrative, Real Steel certainly adapts the Steel concept for a new age. While The Twilight Zone episode allowed the Lee Marvin character to take the place of his battling robot in the ring, that wasn’t possible in the world of Real Steel, where the robots were (1) clearly machines and (2) much taller than the average man. That’s where Levy’s idea for the “shadow mode” came in, which he used as a vehicle to adapt the Kelly character’s tenacity and courage to Jackman’s. “In this last fight, yes, it’s gotta be about our robot maybe having a shot at winning, but more importantly it’s gotta be about the Hugh Jackman character returning to grace,” the director explained. “And even more critically, it’s gotta be about the son witnessing the father’s return to grace.” While Real Steel is a much different production than the original Twilight Zone episode, it captures the same tenacity of the human spirit that exists in Marvin’s signature boxer.

Whether audiences will ever return to the world of Real Steel, however, is looking increasingly uncertain. A Disney+ series based on the movie entered development in 2022, but Levy offered a discouraging update in late 2025, saying the project’s status was “unclear” and admitting that he wished he felt it was more likely to happen than he currently did. Fifteen years after the movie’s release, then, Real Steel may still stand on its own. But its connection to Matheson’s Steel ensures that the story itself has already survived far longer than one movie — stretching all the way back to one of The Twilight Zone‘s most underrated hours.

The Twilight Zone is available for streaming on Paramount+.

Off Campus star Ella Bright is addressing speculation surrounding her costar Belmont Cameli’s social media feed.

Eagle-eyed fans recently noticed that Cameli, 28, appeared to delete or, at the very least archive, several promotional photos featuring Bright, 19, from his feed. Us can confirm that the Along for the Ride actor currently has other images with different Off Campus costars on his page. As fan chatter rose about a potential feud, the actress clapped back at speculation there’s tension between the pair.

“Everything is fine,” Bright reportedly wrote via Instagram comment, according to a fan’s screenshot shared via TikTok on Friday, August 28. “Just move along with your day.”

Neither Bright nor Cameli have further publicly addressed the speculation. Us reached out to reps for both actors for comment but did not hear back at the time of publication.

Related: Will There Be an ‘Off Campus’ Season 2 on Prime Video? What to Know So Far

Prime Video isn’t messing around with its newest swoon-worthy hockey romance. Off Campus — the much-anticipated adaptation of Elle Kennedy’s BookTok-famous novels — received a second season order before its May 2026 premiere. Even better news for fans falling hard for the first season’s couple? Stars Ella Bright and Belmont Cameli are sticking around. Keep […]

Bright and Cameli star as Hannah Wells and Garrett Graham, respectively, in Prime Video’s Off Campus, which was adapted from author Elle Kennedy’s bestselling hockey romance series of the same name. The eight-episode season raised eyebrows for its racy sex scenes.

“Listen, I came into this job and during the chemistry reads — with more than enough information and knowledge and understanding of what this role required in the show — I just fell in love with Hannah and these scripts immediately,” Bright said on the “Not Skinny But Not Fat” podcast in May, addressing her character’s partial nudity. “There was never a question that I wouldn’t want to do this.”

Bright further acknowledged that some “people” were also allegedly concerned about her and Cameli’s 10-year age difference in the steamy scenes.

“Not once did I feel one left out from being younger than everybody,” she said. “We’re all such a family, and like, everyone was just more than perfect. I couldn’t be more comfortable on the set with these people. So, it is funny when they said that.”

Bright and Cameli will pass the torch to Stephen Kalyn and Mika Abdalla for Off Campus season 2, currently in production. The new episodes will follow the third book in Kennedy’s hit series as Garrett’s teammate Dean Heyward-Di Laurentis falls in love with Hannah’s best friend, Allie Hayes.

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Related: ‘Off Campus’ Leads Reveal Whether They Will Return for Future Seasons

The first season of Off Campus is focused on Hannah and Garrett’s love story — but will Ella Bright and Belmont Cameli return for future seasons of the show? “I totally understand your concern,” Cameli, 28, exclusively told Us Weekly about each season of the Prime Video show being focused on a different fictional couple. […]

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“I’m just really looking forward to digging deeper into who Allie and Dean are. They both, kind of, have these fronts, these personas that are hard to kind of crack through,” Abdalla, 26, exclusively told Us in May, teasing season 2. “They are kind of stereotypes of themselves. But in the books, as we know, there’s so much beneath the surface of Dean, and there’s so much beneath the surface of Allie.”

She added at the time, “I’m excited to dig emotionally into that a little bit more, because, you know, we see Allie and Dean as their exteriors a lot in season 1. While that is fun, and they are super fun characters to play, I think as actors, selfishly, both of us are really excited to, kind of, like, get psychological.”

Off Campus also stars Antonio Cipriano and Jalen Thomas Brooks, who are expected to lead future seasons of the hit hockey drama.

Tim McGraw probably left a lasting charm on gravity that it could not resist pulling him closer!

The country singer had a slight tumble on stage as he wowed his audience in his Cincinnati show with great tunes, but he took all the bumps in giant strides, even making a joke out of it.

Tim McGraw is currently on his “Pawn Shop Guitar” tour across North America that started on July 9, 2026, and is scheduled to wrap up on September 29, 2026, after which his five-night residency in Las Vegas will run through October and November,

The musician took to his Instagram account to give his own version of the fall on the stage story, and it was laced with so much humor, which made the narration sound less concerning.

McGraw broke the ice with a smooth caption accompanying several snapshots of himself on stage, serving it hot to his teeming fans with his vocals and his wardrobe choice.

Right there in the middle of these scintillating views is a clip capturing the epic fall with the viral “yup, that’s me” voice-over. McGraw paused the clip to reveal his cowboy boot heel had caught on the stage floor, sending him tumbling backward with his arms flailing before landing on his butt.

Despite the unexpected fall, the famous vocalist proved his experience by holding firmly to his microphone and quickly gathering himself after the fall by flashing off a smile.

“Cincinnati, you started our weekend off on the right foot even if I couldn’t stay on mine. We appreciate you coming out and singing along! Detroit, you’re up!” the musician noted in the caption.

McGraw’s post and the way he gracefully portrayed his stage accident absolutely impressed his followers and fans who trooped under the post to share their thoughts. “He has such a great looking body, glad he didn’t get hurt and had a great sense of humor regarding his fall,” this commenter declared.

Another fan claimed it was very nice to finally see a public figure make the most of a very embarrassing situation and not treat it like the end of the world. This commenter urged the singer to take care of himself and not retire yet because attending his show is right atop their wish list.

One fan reassured the singer that his fall may not completely be his fault, as they observed that the stage floor may have a flaw, as another Instagram user charged his fall to his new shoes and their slick bottoms.

McGraw can take consolation in the words of his fan who described his Cincinnati show as a great one, and his reaction to his fall made it even better.

Tim McGraw’s Recent Fall Is Not His First Rodeo

Nearly four years ago, the 59-year-old sent his fans into a frenzy when he fell off during a stage performance at the Boots In The Park concert series in Arizona. As noted by The Blast, McGraw was deep into his performance of “I Like It, I Love It” when he tumbled off the stage as he walked towards the end.

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He had attempted to give his guitarists his flowers with hands stretched out, but while it was a successful attempt at praising a member of his team, his balance getting back up paid the ultimate price. Due to his poor attempt at getting up, McGraw slipped off the stage and tumbled backward toward the audience. 

Fortunately, the Grammy winner managed to catch himself before the fall resulted in any serious harm. McGraw then jumped down from the stage and landed safely on the lawn with help from attentive security guards. 

Once back on his feet, the singer laughed off the mishap and greeted concerned fans standing behind the barricade; sources later confirmed that he left the show without any injury.

The Grammy Winner Previously Sounded Alarm Over A Disturbing Pattern With Concert Goers

In 2023, as he geared up for his “Standing Room Only Tour,” McGraw left a standing order for the attendees about the terrible trend of hurling dangerous objects at artists on stage.

The Blast shared that McGraw addressed the topic during a CNN interview where he described the behavior as dangerous and capable of destroying great events.

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McGraw explained that the dislodged object can cause severe injuries to the performer or even accidentally strike an innocent member of the audience, leading to an abrupt end to the concert.

The singer added that he was a stranger to items being thrown at him on stage, but they have been harmless, lightweight objects which did not bother him.

McGraw was subsequently asked if he would flip out if he encountered such an uncomfortable situation himself, to which he responded that he would try his best to keep his cool and not overreact.

Inside Tim McGraw’s Enduring Bond With Faith Hill

Through the stage falls and his coping mechanism, one thing has stood firm in McGraw’s life, which is his marriage to Hill. The country music stars met in 1994 during a gig in Nashville, and while they were seeing different people at the time, fate brought them together two years later.

McGraw had asked Hill to marry him spontaneously in a dressing room trailer in 1996, and they got married the same October in a surprise backyard wedding in McGraw’s hometown in Louisiana.

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The couple welcomed three daughters and together advanced their careers as singers, winning awards including a Grammy for their duet “Like We Never Loved At All.”

In 2023, McGraw took to Instagram to rave about Hill and their love story on their 27th wedding anniversary, where he recalled the first time he set eyes on her, and how he felt love at first sight.

He confessed that he still felt the same way every day she walks into the room and exists in their beautiful family, as he flaunted the first picture they ever took together at the gig in 1994.

Great to see Tim McGraw doing well after that slip!

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Gwyneth Paltrow loves showing off her OOTDs, and Us Weekly editors can’t stop dissecting them for fashion inspiration. Her outfits are always strategically styled, looking polished yet totally attainable, and that’s exactly how we feel about her French-inspired look that she calls the “best summer walking outfit in Paris.” Listen, when the Goop founder refers to something as “the best,” we listen . . . and then race to find the lookalike.

The Strangers actress shared what her “48 hours in Paris” looks like, which included sipping tea, visiting museums and snapping pics of her ‘fits. Naturally, we stopped in our tracks when we saw Paltrow wearing a striped bow-neck blouse that gave off major Parisian vibes, especially when styled with black shorts, oversized glasses and gold jewelry. The whole ensemble was très chic but her $525 Gwyn striped shirt felt quintessentially posh and upscale. We sadly don’t have that kind of cash on hand, however, we found something that looks almost identical — and it’s on sale.

Get the Blooming Jelly Bow-Neck Blouse for $20 (was $23) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

The Blooming Jelly Bow-Neck Blouse looks like something hanging in a luxury store off the Rue Saint-Honoré. The luxe-like style features vertical black and white stripes, a button-down front and simple bow accent which all embody Paltrow’s pick. And honestly, can you get any more French?

Related: Martha Stewart Loves a Zip-up Jacket — She‘s Wearing the Style Early

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Martha Stewart is the queen of home decor, hosting and even pumpkin spice lattes. And while she hasn’t written a book on fashion, we say she’s an expert in the style department, too. Her wardrobe blends rich mom style with effortless everyday pieces that feel so attainable. And just in, we spotted the A-lister wearing […]

In addition to the designer-inspired style, this Amazon option is made with a blend of cotton and polyester to give you a comfortable piece that’s breathable, soft and durable. Shoppers also confirm that the flowy top feels lightweight and lays nicely on the body, making it appropriate for sightseeing at the Louvre or working at the office.

“This shirt is even better than I expected,” wrote one shopper. “The bow detail around the neck adds such a cute, feminine touch.”

Another reviewer who appreciates the flattering style said, “I absolutely love this blouse! It has the perfect balance of professional and stylish, making it a great choice for the office or any business casual outfit.” They even admitted that it “looks much more expensive than the price suggests.”

Whether you’re heading on a European vacation or just want the French-girl style in your closet, this Paltrow-inspired top will get you the look without fail. The bow-neck blouse is arguably the kind of everyday staple that will make you look and feel so chic, even if you’re simply heading out for un café. Grab the on-sale pick while it’s still $20.

Get the Blooming Jelly Bow-Neck Blouse for $20 (was $23) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more bow-neck blouses here, and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

UsNow Summer Sale Alert: These Chic Fashion Finds are over 30% off – Plus Free Shipping

Welcome to summer with our biggest sale of the year. This summer’s chicest dresses, tops and swimsuits are all over 30% + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.

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Related: Vanessa Hudgens‘ Dress Is Flattering on Women 35+ — The Look for $33

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According to Vanessa Hudgens, “magic is always made with Disney.” But if you ask Us, the body-hugging dress style she wore to the Disney Entertainment Showcase is arguably the most enchanting thing we saw during the event. It’s everything dreams are made of with a gorgeous fall-ready hue, flattering details and elevated embellishments that steal […]