Entertainment
48 Years Before Hugh Jackman’s Best Sci-Fi Movie, ‘The Twilight Zone’ Did It First
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+.
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Former first lady Michelle Obama is opening up about life after her two daughters have left the proverbial nest.
“I don’t miss ‘em,” Obama, 60, quipped on the Wednesday, August 26, episode of her “IMO” podcast after guest Jon Stewart asked how she handled daughters Malia, 28, and Sasha, 25, going to college. “I don’t; I love them. I’m going to see them tonight for dinner.”
She continued, “You know, Barack [Obama] cried when they went to college. I was like, ‘Bye little … Goodbye.’ Now, Friday nights aren’t wrecked with terror and fear about, ‘Where are you?’”
Michelle further gushed that she has loved her daughters’ “emancipation and growth” since the pair have left their childhood home. When Stewart, 63, asked whether the Becoming author missed the “pattern” of raising kids, she shook her head no.
“I’m good, look at all this meaning I have,” Michelle quipped, gesturing to her podcast studio and life after mothering young and later teen children. “I have a wonderful pattern. I love my schedule; I have a great schedule and it’s all mine.”
However, Michelle can understand how Stewart and her brother, podcast cohost Craig Robinson, can wax nostalgic for their kids’ younger years.
“I think fathers can be that way because you weren’t there from 6:00 to 9:00 at night, you missed a lot of it,” she stated. “I mean, I’ve had so much quality time with my children. So much; I know them inside and out.”
Malia and Sasha were by Michelle and former senator Barack’s side when he ran and was elected president of the United States. (Barack, 65, served as the Commander in Chief from 2009 to 2017.)
While Barack pursued his political career, it was often up to Michelle to handle their kids’ day-to-day.
“They were probably 7 and 3 at the time, and Barack was traveling, so I was at home trying to get the girls to bed,” the former attorney said on a December 2025 episode of her podcast. “They were great kids, but this was one night that they were just being rambunctious.”
According to Michelle, neither of her girls would listen when she asked them to get ready for bedtime that night.
“I was in my frustrated mommy time,” she recalled. “I said, ‘Well, that’s it. No one listens to me. I’m done parenting. You seem like you guys have this all figured out, and you can do this on your own. So have at it.’”
Malia, then 7, quickly changed course and stressed that she didn’t “know what [she] could do without” her mom.
“I’m thinking, ‘Yeah, this is what I wanted. I wanted her to realize that she needed me,’” Michelle added at the time. “Sasha, my 3-year-old was sitting on the stairs watching all this. She took her blankie, and she turned around and went back upstairs to watch TV. As if to say, like, ‘Thank God. At last. This is what I wanted from you, lady. I am 3. I can handle this. I’m going back upstairs.’ She got five steps up, and I was like, ‘If you don’t turn around and get back down here.’ Well, it worked for one. Didn’t work for the other.”
Whether she’s clad in a crown of animal parts in one episode, or accessorizing an oversized t-shirt with boots and a shotgun in another, Kate O’Flynn’s Patricia has become the breakout character of the year. The British actress plays the socially awkward Town Hall employee and unlikely Final Girl on Apple TV’s Widow’s Bay. From creator Katie Dippold, the horror comedy follows the inhabitants of a cursed New England island.
But O’Flynn opted for a more traditional crown just two years prior, playing a fictionalized version of King Henry VIII’s eldest daughter, Mary, in My Lady Jane. While Widow’s Bay may be a few spooks too many for horror-sensitive viewers, this Prime Video series may be her most rewatchable blending historical fiction, comedy, romance, and fantasy. My Lady Jane is based on the Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows book of the same name.
‘My Lady Jane’ Blends Historical Fiction, Comedy, Romance and Fantasy
My Lady Jane reimagined the reign of England’s “Nine Day Queen,” providing an alternative history where Lady Jane Grey (Emily Bader) and her husband Lord Guildford Dudley (Edward Bluemel) weren’t executed after her short stint as the Queen of England. Jane ascended to the throne at the behest of her cousin, King Edward (Jordan Peters), upon his presumed death. His controversial move broke tradition, leaping ahead of his sisters Mary and Elizabeth “Bess” (Abbie Hern).
While the series is still set in the 1550s, it brings a modernity to the story with tongue-in-cheek narration and pop culture references interspersed. With a special focus on 1980s and 1990s movies, My Lady Jane reworks iconic moments from The Goonies, The Princess Bride, Clueless, and Crocodile Dundee, among others. Venturing into fantasy, this new version of events also includes a subjugated class of shapeshifters known as Ethians.
But at its core, My Lady Jane is a love story. Bader and Bluemel deliver a Bridgerton-worthy romance, fighting their undeniable chemistry as nobility thrust into an arranged marriage. The couple must contend with their shared secrets, burgeoning feelings, the potential of a divorce, and new threats faced as royalty.
O’Flynn Played The Central Antagonist
O’Flynn starred as My Lady Jane’s central antagonist, Princess Mary. She works to seize control of the throne by poisoning her brother King Edward and usurping Lady Jane Grey’s rule. Harkening back to her real-life counterpart’s “Bloody Mary” persona, she is portrayed as not just ruthless, but deranged with an aversion to bathing, an intense prejudice toward Ethians, and a manipulative relationship with Lord Seymour (Dominic Cooper). Despite being open to more advantageous matches, she continues to be romantically engaged with Seymour so he does her bidding.
This role is a sharp departure from her Emmy-nominated performance on Widow’s Bay, replacing social timidness with a self-assuredness. While Patricia tries to be a moral voice, Mary plots not just for power, but revenge. She orchestrates the events that led to Jane and Guildford’s execution. But when backed in a corner, Patricia does gain a little bit of Mary’s gumption, as she did when facing the Boogeyman. O’Flynn also brings the skillset to balance the nuance of each series with comedy, whether an evil royal rising armies to defeat her cousin or the fear of an islander facing supernatural forces and longtime mean girls.
‘My Lady Jane’ Was Canceled After 8 Episodes
While My Lady Jane manipulated history throughout the series, Jane and Guildford were confronted with their intended fates in the finale. The season ended on a cliffhanger, with the narrator (Oliver Chris) declaring, “our story is not over yet.” But despite a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a dedicated fanbase, Prime Video canceled the series less than two months after its release. Gemma Burgess adapted My Lady Jane into an 8-episode season, premiering in June 2024. The series also starred Anna Chancellor, Henry Ashton, Isabella Brownson, Robyn Betteridge, and Rob Brydon.
Luckily for fans of O’Flynn, Widow’s Bay has not suffered the same fate. The series earned 19 Emmy nominations for its first season. So it’s not surprisingly that Apple TV renewed the series for a second season, upping fan-favorite Dale (Jeff Hiller) to a series regular. The series also stars Matthew Rhys, Stephen Root, Kevin Carroll, Dale Dickey, and Kingston Rumi Southwick.
While Patricia has infiltrated the zeitgeist, O’Flynn’s turn as Mary proved she is not only a fearless performer, but she has the range to tackle even more in future seasons of Widow’s Bay. While she may be the villain of Jane’s story, O’Flynn is able to ground an otherwise bombastic character, bringing realism to her lightest and cruelest moments in My Lady Jane. But for viewers a bit too scared to wade into Widow’s Bay, My Lady Jane shares a similar comedic sensibility without interspersing jumpscares.
- Release Date
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2024 – 2024-00-00
- Showrunner
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Gemma Burgess, Meredith Glynn
- Directors
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Jamie Babbit, Stefan Schwartz
- Writers
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Jodi Meadows, Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand
Legendary country music star Garth Brooks‘ daughter Allie Colleen Brooks is opening up about her greatest fear in the wake of icon Dolly Parton’s death at age 80.
“My greatest fear in life is the day my Dad loses his life and I have to see the world mourn a man they never knew the way I knew him,” Allie, 30, wrote via Instagram earlier this week. “To the personal family and friends of Mrs. Dolly you have all my love and condolences today and forever going forward.”
She continued, “What a huge, beautiful, special life to have loved and to grief. Thank you for sharing her with us all.”
Allie, a country singer and songwriter in her own right, captioned the post, “What a beautiful privilege it is to mourn.. to grieve is to know you loved deeply and fully. To the woman we all loved and to those who grief for her — I love you all. Please respect the family and her personal friends.”
Us confirmed on Tuesday, August 25, that the legendary country music star died after a private and brief battle with an undisclosed type of cancer.
“My sister was one of the most generous, thoughtful and kind people I’ve ever known,” the country star’s sister, Stella Parton, said when breaking her silence in the wake of her sibling’s death.
“What the world saw is exactly who she was, so much so, she told me recently that their was no hope for her, she would still allow her medical team to try experimental drugs in the hope of helping others in the future,” she wrote via social media at the time.
In honor of Dolly’s legacy, Garth — who shares Allie and her siblings Taylor and August with his ex-wife Sandy Mahl — and his current wife and fellow singer Trisha Yearwood announced September 25 will be “Dolly Day’ at their Nashville bar, Friends in Low Places Bar & Honky-Tonk, with all profits going towards children’s literacy.
Allie’s public confession in the wake of Dolly’s death received mixed reactions from her many followers, with some condemning her statement as selfish while others — including children of other country music stars — offered their solidarity in the comments section.
Dolly Parton’s loved ones gathered at her burial site in Nashville three days after the singer’s death. Parton’s closest relatives, including her nephew and head of security, Bryan Seaver, were spotted arriving at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville on Friday, August 28, as seen in photos obtained by Page Six. Seaver reportedly coordinated […]
“No one is allowed to be sad except the family? That’s wild,” one user wrote, prompting a response from the country singer’s daughter.
“This is my account – I am saying I don’t know how to respond to these things in my industry because of my life experiences,” she wrote. “I’m not telling anyone else how to grieve. I’m just acknolwedging the family. You do you babe.”
Mackenzie Adkins, daughter of fellow country music star Trace Adkins, wrote, “I’m more of an avoidant when it comes to fears like this. But that is very very scary and real for my sisters and I. Thank you for explaining it better than I could.”
“I know you understand babe,” Allie responded. “Should the day come — we’ll get through it.”
A co-branded golf commercial has spiraled into a corporate — and very public — fight.
Good Good Golf and Callaway Golf released — and then pulled — a promotional video in August 2026 that showed Good Good cofounder Garrett Clark shoving a woman to the ground. Apologies, a $1 million pledge and a severed partnership swiftly followed in an attempt to assuage the swift online backlash.
Scroll below to get to the bottom of the controversial ad:
The Good Good Golf and Callaway Ad That Sparked the Backlash
The commercial promoted the co-branded Callaway Quantum driver. In the spot, Garrett Clark ran toward Good Good employee Alexis Miestowski and shoved her to the ground after she attempted to pick up his driver, telling her, “Do not touch my new driver.”
Viewers online quickly criticized the ad as a depiction of violence against women. The campaign was quickly pulled.
According to Clark in a social media statement, his marketing team pitched a concept meant to riff on the 2026 horror movie Obsession — but reframed as being between Clark and his driver. Clark also stressed that he did not physically touch Miestowski during filming.
Garrett Clark’s Nine-Minute Apology
Days later, Clark posted a nine-minute video statement on Instagram, addressing his role in the ad.
“I personally want to apologize for playing a role in this skit [and] this ad at the magnitude that I did,” Clark said. “On Good Good’s behalf and Good Good marketing’s behalf, I wanted to say an apology as well because this is not at all what we stand for. The way that this ad was received was not how Good Good is, and it’s not what we stand for, once again.”
Clark claimed that his “skin was crawling” once he watched the finished commercial, calling the concept “super dumb.”
He added, “I was cringing, even just minutes after I saw it get posted everywhere online. I thought it was the worst ad known to man. … I want everyone to know that I do not support DV, abuse or any of that of any kind.”
Callaway’s Response
Callaway CEO Chip Brewer issued a statement on Instagram that same month, acknowledging Callaway’s role in approving the ad.
“While the video was produced by Good Good, it was approved by Callaway prior to posting. That approval should never have happened,” Brewer said. “Mistakes were made, and we are taking the matter very seriously.”
Brewer added, “To be clear: We are unequivocally against discrimination, domestic violence or threatening behavior of any kind. … We believe we have been a positive force for diversity and inclusion in the game of golf. This video was completely inconsistent with that. I assure you that we will learn from this and do better.”
The Callaway exec further revealed that the company was conducting internal and external investigations and has already changed future approval processes.
Callaway later announced it would donate $1 million “to support organizations working to prevent violence against women, provide resources to survivors and advance education and awareness efforts.” In addition, the firm “significantly strengthened” approval procedures moving forward.
Matt Kendrick Accuses Callaway of a ‘Coordinated Media Blitz’
The story took a sharp turn when Good Good CEO Matt Kendrick publicly accused Callaway of scapegoating his company.
“Interesting that @CallawayGolf asks us to make an ad then approves it then asks us to take the fall then drops us in a coordinated media blitz and covers it up by giving a million dollars away thinking everyone will be ok with it,” Kendrick wrote on X.
Kendrick’s post laid out the sequence he says played out: Callaway requested the ad, signed off on it and then terminated the partnership while shifting public attention through a coordinated response and the seven-figure charitable pledge.
The Good Good CEO didn’t spare his own company either. Responding to a user who said the ad “wasn’t that good,” Kendrick added: “Agree we made a terrible ad. No denying that. We apologize for that.”
What Happens Next for Good Good Golf and Callaway
For now, the partnership between Good Good and Callaway is over. Callaway has committed to its $1 million donation and says it has overhauled its approval process. Good Good, a social-first golf content and apparel brand cofounded by Clark, is publicly pushing back on how the fallout has been framed.
Us has reached out to representatives for both companies for further comment.
This story was compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists.
Rumer Willis‘ ex Derek Richard Thomas has legally objected to her recent court request to modify their court orders regarding custody arrangements of their 3-year-old daughter, Louetta.
Thomas, 30, filed court documents on Thursday, August 27, and obtained by Us, requesting a judge uphold the June 9 decision, in which he and Willis, 38, would not take Louetta out of California without a valid court order or written agreement between the exes.
Thomas claimed in his filing that Willis “has done everything in her power to interfere, block and frustrate [his] relationship” with Louetta.
“I have had a very close and loving relationship [with our daughter]. At no time if I ever placed our daughter in danger of any kind whatsoever,” he wrote in a declaration. “I’m now, and always have been, fully capable of providing Louetta with the care she requires and deserves.”
Rumer Willis and her boyfriend, Derek Richard Thomas, have broken up after two years together. In an “uncensored” ask me anything session via her Instagram Stories on Thursday, August 22, Willis, 36, confirmed the split. “I am single-moming it and coparenting,” Rumer, the eldest daughter of exes Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, wrote via Instagram […]
He continued, “I reject completely, and without reservation, [Rumer’s] claims concerning my alleged abuse of drugs, any conduct on my part that endangers Louetta and any failure at efforts to cooperate with her and coparent.”
Thomas further claimed that Rumer, the eldest daughter of exes Demi Moore and Bruce Willis, raised the issue of his alleged drug use at a June court hearing, which the judge found no basis or concern for her allegations. In his new motion, Thomas stated that the judge ordered a six-week period of monitored visits before he could begin having un-monitored and overnight visitation sessions with his daughter.
Per Thomas, he alleged that Rumer has “made excuse after excuse that has frustrated my visitation,” including “several requests to change the location and schedule dates and time.” He also claimed that Rumer allegedly offered to eliminate the need for a monitor in exchange for his agreement that someone of her choosing would accompany their daughter to his upcoming wedding in October. (Thomas announced via Instagram in June that he recently proposed to girlfriend Lizzie Loch.)
In his motion, Thomas claimed that Rumer “has treated supervision as something to trade,” and that he never refused supervised visits.
Just days after Rumer Willis’ opened up about her “brutal” decision to end her relationship with her baby’s father, musician Derek Richard Thomas, Us Weekly can reveal new behind-the-scenes details of their split. Willis and Thomas began dating in 2022, welcoming daughter Louetta the following year. By 2024, Willis confirmed that the twosome had gone […]
“She has never let me weigh in on her choice of nannies, schools, or doctors for Louetta,” he wrote. “Despite our joint legal custody, my views on what is in [her] best interest is not something [Rumer] asks for or takes into account.”
He also claimed that Rumer has not followed the June court order that requires them “to confer in good faith and agree in advance” on Louetta’s travel plans and school enrollment, arguing that he has not consented to their daughter joining Rumer on her recent move to Nashville.
Thomas further stated that he has a room for Louetta in his house that is “furnished for her, with her own bed, her own clothes, her books and her toys.”
“[The] food she likes is always in the house,” he wrote. “Everything she needs while she’s with me, I provide.”
Thomas also opposed Rumer’s request to reduce their daughter’s calls with him to three or four times a week for 10 to 15 minutes because of an alleged scheduling difficulty.
Rumer Willis is getting real about single parenthood. “Just had a good cry in the woods. Some days being a single mom is hard,” Willis, 37, wrote via her Instagram Stories on Wednesday, November 19. “[My daughter] is not hard (ever) but some days doing everything alone can be.” Willis welcomed daughter Louetta in April […]
“Almost every call ends with [Louetta] not wanting to say goodbye,” he alleged. “What has been missing is not my willingness. It is time in person, which has been canceled, cut short or conditioned on terms the order does not contain.”
Rumer responded to Thomas’ motion the next day, filing a declaration of her own through an attorney.
“[Rumer] holds her position that [Derek] is using drugs,” her motion obtained by Us alleges, claiming Thomas apparently “refuses to drug test voluntarily.”
“There is no other explanation for his unusual and erratic behavior and lack of safe judgment for Louetta,” Rumer claimed. “[Derek] is 30 years old. He does not hold employment that [she] is aware of. He pays no expenses for the minor child and he refuses to offer any financial support to [Rumer], yet he causes problems with [her] every chance he finds.”
In response, Thomas’ lawyer slammed her claims, calling his client a “very capable, loving and devoted father.”
“Ms. Willis continues to perpetuate lie upon lie upon lie concerning Mr. Thomas. The Court has previously ordered that Mr. Thomas unmonitored, overnight visits were to begin the last weekend of August,” attorney Mike Kretzmer told Us in a Saturday, August 29, statement. “In a desperate attempt to avoid compliance with the Court’s orders favoring Mr. Thomas, Ms. Willis filed a reckless and demonstrably false pleading with the Court attacking Mr. Thomas on a number of issues which will all be heard by the court on September 10th.”
He continued, “Ms. Willis has also, without permission or valid court order, stated she has moved to Nashville with their child further thwarting the Court’s orders for custody and visitation for Mr. Thomas. Ms. Willis continues to flaunt court orders, engage in an unwarranted smear campaign against Mr. Thomas. There will be consequences to be paid by Ms. Willis for her conduct. To be absolutely clear, Mr. Thomas is a very capable, loving and devoted father to their daughter. Mr. Thomas has not at any time engaged in the use of any illicit substances or in any conduct of any kind whatsoever that has placed or would place their child at risk of any harm.”
Us has reached out to Rumer’s attorneys for comment but did not hear back at the time of publication.
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As much as we’re looking forward to the official start of fall, plenty of warm days remain before it’s time to bundle up. The solution? Transitional pieces that go from summer to fall, and Jennifer Lopez wore the ideal end-of-season dress style we’re copying ASAP.
Lopez stepped out in West Hollywood wearing a white flowy maxi dress, Louboutin tote bag, Bottega Veneta earrings and oversized sunglasses. Her accessories were luxe, but her designer dress instantly drew our attention. We don’t particularly love the high $187 price tag, so we looked for an equally ethereal style, which led Us to the Lunaeu Lace Spaghetti-Strap Maxi Dress — it’s over $123 less.
Get the Lunaeu Lace Spaghetti-Strap Maxi Dress for $64 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
Like Lopez’s dress, this Amazon version has adjustable spaghetti straps that can easily be layered with a denim jacket or cardigan when the time comes. And while Lopez’s pick doesn’t cinch under the bust like this affordable version does, we don’t mind because the breezy silhouette means it’ll disguise the midsection and give off a flattering fit.
With adorable lace and bow detailing on the chest, this V-neck dress has a similar dainty-like appearance, making it wearable for the day to day. However, we can also see this pick elevated with heels, a clutch bag and tons of gold jewelry.
The white color offers a fresh vibe, and channels Lopez’s style the most. But if you want to try something a little different, the dress also comes in solid blue and floral options, which are both so pretty. All it needs is a pair of sandals in the summer (and loafers in the fall) to complete the outfit.
This is a new offering on Amazon, but from the handful of reviews we do have, shoppers are impressed by the ease of throwing this dress on.
“This maxi dress has a relaxed, flowy style that’s ideal for vacations, beach days or casual summer outings,” an Amazon reviewer shared. “The spaghetti straps and smocked bodice provide a comfortable fit while allowing the skirt to drape nicely.”
Another happy shopper who appreciates the tummy-hiding design wrote, “The skirt of the dress drapes over my lower stomach, completely concealing a lower tummy pooch. The fit is extremely flattering!”
With summer temperatures staying where they are, this celeb-approved style is the ideal dress to snag. It has Lopez’s rich-looking appearance with the versatile summer-to-fall appeal we love.
Get the Lunaeu Lace Spaghetti-Strap Maxi Dress for $64 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
Looking for something else? Explore more maxi dresses 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.
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.
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.
Ella Bright and Belmont Cameli Liane Hentscher/ Prime
“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.
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. […]
“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.
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.
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.
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!
Entertainment
James Bond Star’s ‘Schindler’s List’ Replacement Is Officially Being Removed From Paramount+
As the world prepares to welcome a new James Bond, it’s worth remembering that the job isn’t without its drawbacks. In addition to the frenzied attention that actors cast as Bond attract, they also find themselves typecast for the first few years of their stints. It’s only after they retire from the role that their experiments are appreciated. Daniel Craig was embraced as Benoit Blanc in the Knives Out movies after playing a similarly over-the-top character in Steven Soderbergh’s Logan Lucky. His three other attempts to headline a potential franchise-starter — The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Golden Compass, and Cowboys & Aliens — didn’t work out. His indie project, Kings, grossed less than $1 million and received a 10% score on Rotten Tomatoes. But one of his earliest non-007 movies released during his tenure as Bond is currently available for fans in the United States to discover on Paramount+.
The film was released in 2008, the same year as his second Bond movie, Quantum of Solace. It was directed by the journeyman Edward Zwick, who’d previously made Blood Diamond and The Last Samurai. Unlike those films, however, Zwick’s project with Craig wasn’t a box-office smash. Nor did it excite critics. Set during World War II, the film tells the true story of four Belarusian brothers who worked together to rescue Jewish people. The movie also featured Liev Schreiber, Jamie Bell, and George MacKay.
Here’s How Long You Have Left to Watch Daniel Craig’s WWII Movie on Paramount+
We’re talking, of course, about Defiance. Produced on a reported budget of $32 million, the film grossed a little more than $50 million at the worldwide box office. It now holds a 58% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, where the consensus reads, “Professionally made but artistically uninspired, Ed Zwick’s story of Jews surviving WWII in the Belarus forest lacks the emotional punch of the actual history.” Defiance will be available on Paramount+ until September 1. Craig will next be seen in Greta Gerwig’s mega-budget Netflix film Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew, and in a mysterious new project directed by Damien Chazelle and co-starring Cillian Murphy. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
- Release Date
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December 31, 2008
- Runtime
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137 minutes
- Director
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Edward Zwick
- Writers
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Edward Zwick, Clayton Frohman
- Producers
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Pieter Jan Brugge
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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?
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.
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 […]
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