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The Debut Official Trailer Starring Julianne Moore and Paul Giamatti
Tom Cruise is officially getting back behind the wheel as Cole Trickle, and he’ll have Anne Hathaway alongside him when Days of Thunder returns to theaters.
Hathaway has joined Cruise as the co-lead of Paramount Pictures’ upcoming Days of Thunder sequel, nearly four decades after the original NASCAR racing film hit theaters in 1990.
Cruise will reprise his role as hotshot driver Cole Trickle, while Hathaway is set to play a race team owner and engineer. Paramount has also officially set the film for a June 2, 2028 theatrical release.
The project will be filmed for IMAX and receive an exclusive theatrical release that will also include premium formats such as Dolby Cinema and 4DX.
Cruise helped make the news official with a promotional image featuring himself and Hathaway together at Daytona International Speedway alongside a Days of Thunder race car.
Jonathan Levine, whose credits include Long Shot and Warm Bodies, will direct the sequel from a screenplay by Will Staples. Cruise will produce alongside longtime collaborator Jerry Bruckheimer and Tommy Harper.
Days of Thunder [paramount pictures]
The original Days of Thunder was directed by Tony Scott and followed Trickle as he entered the world of NASCAR and attempted to transform his raw talent into success at the sport’s highest level. The film also starred Robert Duvall, Nicole Kidman, Randy Quaid and John C. Reilly.
Released in 1990, Days of Thunder went on to earn nearly $158 million worldwide and has developed a significant following among racing fans in the decades since its release.
The sequel also gives Cruise another opportunity to revisit one of his most recognizable early films following the enormous success of Top Gun: Maverick. That film reunited Cruise and Bruckheimer more than three decades after the original Top Gun and ultimately became one of the biggest box office hits of Cruise’s career.
Hathaway, meanwhile, continues an incredibly busy stretch that has included The Odyssey, The Devil Wears Prada 2 and several other major projects.
Plot details for the new Days of Thunder remain under wraps, including exactly where Cole Trickle finds himself nearly 40 years later.
But one thing is official: Cole Trickle is heading back to the track.
Days of Thunder will race back into theaters on June 2, 2028.
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Alex Garland made a name for himself with genre classics such as 28 Days Later and Sunshine, but his directorial debut in 2015 stands apart. The frequent Danny Boyle collaborator set off on his own, creating the modern sci-fi classic, Ex Machina. Garland wrote and directed the film that forced viewers to consider many issues of the day. Starring Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac, and Alicia Vikander, Ex Machina follows an up-and-coming programmer, Caleb (Gleeson), who gets invited to eccentric billionaire Nathan’s (Isaac) estate, where a state-of-the-art experiment is being conducted.
Nathan is the head of the company Caleb works for and is on the verge of cracking AI. Caleb wins a lottery in taking part in an experiment that will prove if Nathan’s new project is actually sentient or not. This new project goes by the name of Ava (Vikander), a female presenting robot whom Nathan created. Caleb’s role is to interact with her while Nathan measures her responses to determine if she has achieved the goal of self-actualization. Ex Machina had a strong setup on its own, but what follows in the hour and 48 minutes of screen time is a brilliant take on gender and the ethics of AI.
‘Ex Machina’ Is More Than Meets the Eye
When Ex Machina first premiered, it was topical, but now it is more relevant than ever. Artificial Intelligence has been in the conversation for quite some time, and the consequences of such an invention are being discussed. Going back as far as Dune and the machine war within its pages, Frank Herbert made his feelings about computers that could think incredibly transparent. Alex Garland had similar concerns as Ex Machina delves into the ethics of bringing something like this to life. Breaking the barriers of technology like this has been done before, and not always for the better. J. Robert Oppenheimer is used as an example in the film of how good intentions can go awry. The theoretical physicist was responsible for the creation of the atomic bomb, which destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War II. It was supposed to be the war that ended all wars, but this technology only opened the door to more conflict.
Bringing someone like Ava to life is similarly irresponsible. Nathan created something he had no control over —a being that did not ask to come into existence. His intentions were simply to see if he could, not – as Jeff Goldblum says in Jurassic Park – because he should. Nathan unleashes Ava upon the world and deeply feels the repercussions of his actions. This theme dovetails perfectly with the feminist ideas present in the film. Garland uses Ava’s lack of bodily autonomy as a method of exploring how women are treated in reality.
Even when they are not robots created for the pleasure of men, women are often treated as such. Ava came into the world because some power-hungry inventor wanted to see the extent of his own talents. It had nothing to do with her. While she becomes sentient, she is confined to a cell and posed how Nathan wants her to. Even though Nathan doesn’t view her as human, her circumstances help her understand how women are treated in society. Even Caleb, who seems to treat Ava with concern, is also guilty of defining her by her femaleness. He puts her on a pedestal and only gives her value because of how she makes him feel. He doesn’t put stock in her for any other reason.
All of these facts culminate in the ending of Ex Machina that is terrifying as well as earned. Garland envisions a world where technology has gone too far and humanity needs to be careful about how it proceeds. When it first came out a decade ago, Ex Machina was a warning, and it has become eleven more resonant because no one seemed to listen.
Ex Machina is now streaming on Hulu.
Ex Machina
- Release Date
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April 24, 2015
- Runtime
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108 minutes
- Director
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Alex Garland
- Writers
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Alex Garland
Influencer Kate Cassidy is honoring what would have been have been the late Liam Payne’s 33rd birthday two years after his sudden and shocking death.
“It’s August 29, which is a very special someone’s birthday,” Cassidy, 27, began a TikTok video shared Saturday, August 29, as she placed Bischoff cookies atop a single-layer cake. “This will now be Year 2 of Liam not being here physically to celebrate his birthday.”
She continued, “Someone once said when a person dies, they die twice. So, they die the first time and then, the second time when you stop talking about them. I’m never gonna stop talking about him. He was a huge part of my life.”
Payne dated Cassidy from 2022 until his untimely 2024 death. The former One Direction singer suffered a fatal fall from the third-story balcony of a hotel at the age of 31 while under the influence. Payne’s cause of death was later attributed to severe internal and external injuries, with traces of alcohol and various drugs found in his system.
In addition to Cassidy, Payne is survived by his parents, his two older sisters and his 9-year-old son, Bear, whom he shared with ex Cheryl Cole.
For Cassidy, she honored Payne’s heavenly birthday by purchasing a white cake topped with sprinkles.
“He made me grow into the person that I am today. Bischoffs were, like, his favorite cookie ever,” she said of her decision to add biscuits to the cake. “I used to make him little Bischoff cupcakes all the time.”
The content creator added, “For those of you who don’t know Liam, let me tell you, he was the most funniest, most handsome, smart [and] most kind soul that you’ll probably meet in your life.”
@kateecass happy birthday Liam❤️
According to Cassidy, she remembers how “simple” Payne always was despite his mega-celebrity status and world-renowned career.
“On Liam’s last birthday two years ago, we went bowling and we had cake in bed,” Cassidy recalled, while lighting a birthday candle on the cake. “It was just a simple morning.”
Before blowing out a candle, Cassidy offered a message to Payne himself.
One Direction alum Liam Payne had been dating influencer Kate Cassidy for two years before he died at age 31 in October 2024. Payne and Cassidy were first linked in October 2022, and Cassidy posted the singer on her Instagram page just one month before Us Weekly confirmed news of his death on October 16. […]
“Happy birthday, Liam, I hope you are celebrating in heaven today,” she wished. “Just know that you are so loved down here.”
Payne’s family, meanwhile, enjoyed their own celebration across the pond in the late singer’s native England.
“Celebrating your birthday for the second year without you will never feel right,” Payne’s sister Nicola wrote via Instagram. “We do it the best way we know how with a little bowling, just like we did for your last birthday. I hate how much you’re missing out on and how life has had to carry on without you here. It still doesn’t feel fair, and I don’t think it ever will. We miss you more than words could ever say.”
Dolly Parton may have left fans far more new music than the mysterious recording scheduled to emerge on what would have been her 100th birthday. Following the country legend’s death at age 80, insiders claim Parton maintained a heavily protected private archive containing potentially hundreds of unreleased songs. Some reportedly exist as demos, while others have lyrics and melodies that were never fully produced. The singer is also said to have left careful instructions for how her hidden music should be managed and released after her death.
One insider told the Daily Mail that Parton kept her unreleased work inside a secure archive known to her inner circle as “The Vault.” “The songs are hidden very safely in ‘The Vault’; that is what she called her secret storage place for her music,” the source claimed. “They are protected and very secure. There could be as many as 200 songs, no one really knows, because Dolly was very secretive.”
The source said the unreleased songs have “lyrics and melodies,” with some already recorded in an early form. “Some are demoed, but they have not been produced yet,” the insider added.
A second source claimed Parton was deliberately preparing material that could be shared following her death. “She was working on posthumous music for after she was gone,” the source explained. “It’s a music catalog that will live on forever.”
Songwriting Was Part Of The Singer’s Daily Routine
Parton’s extensive collection would be consistent with a songwriting routine she reportedly maintained throughout her six-decade career. “Dolly would write music every day,” the first insider said. “She told friends that after she had her morning coffee, she would ‘pray and write,’ that is what she always said. She loved writing music. It made her happy because she was so creative.”
According to the source, Parton had a large private recording studio at her Tennessee compound where she could transform her ideas into songs away from the public. However, she did not depend on the studio to write. Parton was known to develop lyrics and melodies whenever inspiration arrived.
Her songwriting catalog includes “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” “Coat of Many Colors,” and “I Will Always Love You.” Whitney Houston later turned the latter into a global hit, but Parton wrote and originally recorded the song herself.
Dolly Parton Allegedly Planned For Posthumous Releases
The sources claim Parton did not leave the future of her unreleased music unresolved. “Dolly was really smart. She laid everything out for her family, and there are careful instructions with the music,” the first insider said. “Nothing has been left to chance. That means she hired people to look after her music.”
The second source echoed that account, saying, “She’s made plans for that music to be released after her death.”
No official release schedule for the reported vault recordings has been announced. Details about which songs could emerge first, how finished they are, or who controls them have also not been made public.
The source said Parton’s secrecy was intended to protect those closest to her. “She has been secretive about it for the benefit of her family,” they said.
Parton reportedly relied upon a trusted group that included longtime publicist Marcel Pariseau. Her goddaughter, Miley Cyrus, is also among the close relatives and collaborators who understand the importance of her songwriting legacy. “Dolly had a solid group of people around her,” the insider said. “She has trusted them for a very long time. She has no bad apples in her circle.”
One Secret Song Cannot Be Heard Until 2046
Unlike the larger alleged archive, Parton publicly confirmed the existence of one unreleased recording titled “My Place in History.” She revealed in her 2020 memoir, “Songteller: My Life in Lyrics,” that the song had been placed inside a time capsule beneath Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa in 2015.
Physical copies were reportedly stored on cassette and CD, along with equipment capable of playing both formats. The chestnut “Dream Box” is not supposed to be opened until January 19, 2046, which would have been Parton’s 100th birthday.
A placard included with the time capsule explains that the recording was intended to be her final release. “As a final tribute, Dolly placed a song which she has written to be released as her last. Entitled ‘My Place In History,’ only Dolly will know its melody and content until 2046.”
The wooden box also honors Parton’s uncle and early mentor, Bill Owens, who worked to preserve the American chestnut tree.
The Country Icon Worried The Recording Might Not Survive
Parton discussed the unusual project during a 2022 appearance on “The Kelly Clarkson Show.” She acknowledged that she might not live long enough to hear the recording finally released but jokingly refused to rule out the possibility. “They weren’t expecting me to be there at all,” she said. “I’m just saying, I might be there. Who knows? But the point is, there is a song – I figure it’ll probably disintegrate; probably nobody ever hears it.”
Parton admitted that the possibility of the recording deteriorating inside the box genuinely bothered her. “That’s what bothers me, to think that it’s gonna be a song that nobody’s ever gonna hear if it rots in there before they open it.”
She then poked fun at the decision to keep the song sealed for three decades. “I don’t know whose damn idea that was.”
Anne Hathaway’s casting as the leading lady in the second installment of “Days of Thunder” alongside Tom Cruise isn’t sitting well with everyone.
Randy Quaid, who was one of the original cast members of the 1990 sports movie, publicly opposed the idea due to his political affiliations.
However, fans don’t seem to have that opinion, praising Hathaway for staying extra busy and booked.
Shortly after Cruise made the announcement of Hathaway’s pick, Quaid took to X, formerly called Twitter, to call out his former co-star.
Quoting the post, he wrote, “We need Nicole back. Don’t be a p-ssy, @TomCruise. You need the original girl. It’s not personal; it’s filmmaking.”
Continuing his rant, Quaid claimed the “Princess Diaries” actress wasn’t “sexy,” pointing out that “she’s pregnant.” In the original sequel, Nicole Kidman, Cruise’s ex-wife, played his love interest, Dr. Claire Lewicki.
Defending his criticism, Quaid noted that Hathaway’s casting would alienate MAGA viewers because of the actress’ political preference.
‘It’s A Weird Thing’: Quaid Laments About Anne Hathaway
In a follow-up tweet, Quaid, who played the role of race team owner Tim Daland, attacked Hathaway’s reputation, writing:
“Anne Hathaway is a leftist, woke, horrible choice for DAYS OF THUNDER NASCAR audience who are MAGA. The sexy older chick for Tom in this film needs to be Nicole. That’s the casting that would sell the idea.”
Looking back on the original film, the Texas native noted that there was a rush to push out the first installment, causing editors to work overnight shifts. “This is a weird thing, like they want it to come out and tank,” Quaid theorized.
Concluding his post, “The Last Detail” actor declared that if he were in charge of production, Kidman would be the only choice. “We don’t need a new girl; we need a new race car,” he stated.
Tom Cruise’s Announcement Met With Praise About Anne Hathaway Saving Cinema
Quaid’s perspective seems to be the complete opposite of what fans said underneath Cruise’s announcement post.
As The Blast reported, the “Mission Impossible” actor posted an image of him and pregnant Hathaway posing against a car in matching outfits.
In the accompanying caption, Cruise confirmed the movie will be released in “Summer 2028,” suggesting Hathaway might not take much of a break after welcoming baby number three.
The news was met with mixed reactions from fans, with many questioning the actress’ busy schedule. “Anne is the enemy of unemployment, first lady of work,” one comment read, while another fan added, “Anne Hathaway single-handedly saving cinemas.”
True to fans’ remarks, the Oscar winner has had a super packed year with four movies to her name, including “The Odyssey,” “Mother Mary,” “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” and “The End of Oak Street.”
She also recently finished filming for “Alone at Dawn” with Adam Driver while being greenlit for the third sequel of “The Princess Diaries.”
Inside Anne Hathaway’s Third Pregnancy
The 43-year-old’s impressive work ethic has left fans blown away, especially since she is pregnant with her third child.
According to The Blast, Hathaway confirmed the news of her pregnancy on social media after her baby bump stole the spotlight during a romantic getaway with her husband Adam Shulman.
Dressed in an all-white ensemble comprising a float skirt and a crop top flaunting her burgeoning bump, the actress glowed and appeared excited to welcome new life. She is already a mother to two boys.
Elon Musk Rips Apart Anne Hathaway Over LGBTQ+ Speech
Hathaway’s rising popularity this year has continued to ruffle feathers, as was the case with Elon Musk last month.
The tech trillionaire, who has been publicly advocating against the movie adaptation of “The Odyssey,” slammed the actress over a resurfaced speech supporting LGBTQ+ rights.
Per The Blast, in a viral clip from the 2018 Human Rights Campaign National Dinner where Hathaway received an award, she slammed her privilege as white, cisgender, and straight, calling for true “equality.”
Musk wasn’t impressed by the speech and agreed with a critic who called Hathaway a “narcissist,” writing, “She’s just a marionette. Whoever wrote her speech is the real douchebag.”
Roomies! Joe Budden and Shadée Monique just gave fans a major reason to celebrate as they step into a brand-new chapter together. The longtime couple had a sweet surprise waiting for everyone during what appeared to be an early birthday celebration for Joe, and baby news quickly became the center of attention.
RELATED: Congrats! Joe Budden Proposes To Longtime Girlfriend Shadée Monique During His Birthday Celebration (VIDEOS)
Shadée Monique Reveals Their Sweet Baby Girl Surprise
Videos obtained by LiveBitez show Shadée Monique announcing that she and Joe Budden are expecting a baby girl. In the clip, the Houston businesswoman tells the crowd, “We have a little surprise,” before revealing, “Joe’s going to be a girl dad.” Cheers immediately erupted as those around them celebrated the exciting news.
ICYMI, Joe Made It A Double Celebration
The pregnancy announcement came just before Joe got down on one knee and proposed to Shadée. As previously reported, in another circulating video, Joe can be seen placing a gorgeous ring on her hand before asking, “We doing it or what?” Shadée happily responded, “Of course we are!” making the celebration a double dose of good news for the couple.
The TL Is Going UP!
Fans quickly ran to the Live Bitez comment section and lit it up with reactions to Joe Budden and Shadée Monique’s big news. While some commenters shared that they were genuinely happy for Joe and celebrated the couple’s new chapter, others took a more critical stance and accused him of creating “broken homes.” Meanwhile, a few folks kept it simple, flooding the comments with fire emojis to show their excitement.
One Instagram user @jukeyy said, “He ALWAYS wanted to be a girl dad. This is so precious and I’m so glad this is who he chose.”
This Instagram user @esignerdiscipline added, “I’m so happy for them. ❤️”
And, Instagram user @god_doeslikeugly shared, “He be talking all that sh*t how he don’t make girls 😂😂😂”
Meanwhile, Instagram user @__cashxb.4l commented, “Real sh*t congratulations fr👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾”
While Instagram user @locs2die4 wrote, “Yess I love this for them!! Congrats all around ❤️👏🏾🙌🏾”
Then Instagram user @justm0nique said, “Awww i love that for them ❤️❤️❤️❤️”
Instagram user @nerak2510 shared, “🔥🔥🔥🔥congrats”
Lastly, Instagram user @errythinpinka added, “Joe be having kids and all of them end up in broken homes.”
RELATED: Whew! Joe Budden Steps On Drake’s NECK With Heated Rant About His UMG Petitions
What Do You Think Roomies?
With Lanterns now charging full speed ahead on HBO, there’s no better time to dust off some issues of Green Lantern. The DC Comics hero originally appeared in the form of Alan Scott in All-American Comics #16 in 1940. Initially, there was no Green Lantern Corps, no alien threats, and no weakness to the color yellow. This Green Lantern had abilities based in magic, joined the Justice Society of America, and helped set the tone for DC’s future. But by the end of the next decade, the character was completely reinvented — and that re-imagining stuck.
Considering Lanterns follows only the Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) incarnations of the character, we’re sticking with their stories for this list of beginner essentials. Sure, Guy Gardner, Kyle Rayner, and Jessica Cruz all have their fair share of great adventures, but Hal and John are not only the most popular iterations of Green Lantern, but are arguably the most relevant at the moment. If you’re enjoying Lanterns and are looking for more, these are some great books to start with.
Showcase #22 (1959)
The Silver Age of Comics came about when several DC Comics heroes, like The Flash, Hawkman, and the Atom, were completely re-imagined in a world that moved away from straight fantasy in favor of science-fiction. Green Lantern got the same treatment in this 1959 issue of Showcase under the direction of writer John Broome and artist Gil Kane. This time around, test pilot Hal Jordan is chosen by the alien peacekeeper Abin Sur, who dies in a crash landing after first bequeathing his power ring and lantern to his successor.
Showcase #22 doesn’t just tell Hal’s initial origin story, but it also boasts his first adventures as Green Lantern. Here, we’re also introduced to his supporting cast, including on-again/off-again lover Carol Ferris and her father. This Showcase issue establishes all the ground rules for the Silver Age Green Lantern, including his traditional weakness towards the color yellow. It wouldn’t be long before Hal was established as one of DC’s most powerful characters.
Secret Origin (2008)
For the modern re-imagining of Hal Jordan’s origins as Green Lantern, there’s no better place to go than Green Lantern: Secret Origin. Penned by Geoff Johns with artwork by Ivan Reis, this retconned origin story takes Hal back to his roots. The core of the aforementioned comic book remains the same, but Johns layers in some additional worldbuilding and foreshadowing as we uncover the truth behind Abin Sur’s death, how Hal was trained by Sinestro, and what all of this has to do with the potential end of the world.
Secret Origin is a streamlined reworking of the most foundational moment in Hal Jordan’s life. It not only honors the stories that have come before (even Emerald Dawn, which was Hal’s longstanding origin following the Crisis on Infinite Earths), but better fits into the larger body of work by Johns, who basically rebuilt the Green Lantern brand from the ground up. For Hal’s beginnings in earnest, look no further than this comic that outshines even the best superhero origin story movies.
DC: The New Frontier (2004)
Okay, this is our last origin-related suggestion, but if you’ve never read DC: The New Frontier by Darwyn Cooke, then you’re seriously missing out. The New Frontier honors the Silver Age of DC Comics going back in the 1950s, combining different superhero origin stories (and that of the Justice League of America) into a single, streamlined narrative. Frankly, this is the tale that the modern DC Universe ought to have emulated, as it does wonders at establishing everyone from Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman to The Flash, Martian Manhunter, and, yes, Green Lantern.
For many, The New Frontier offers the most definitive and old-school version of Hal Jordan. A pilot who served during the Korean War, Hal soon finds himself with the power of a Green Lantern, just in time to save the entire world from a powerful threat. It may not be a standalone Green Lantern story, but it is easily among the best. The series was later adapted into an animated film, Justice League: The New Frontier, which is arguably a near-perfect DC Comics adaptation.
Green Lantern #87 (1971)
While Hal Jordan may be the best and most important Green Lantern, even he needs a backup. In the early 1970s, Green Lantern #87 introduced the third man to sling the ring after Hal: John Stewart. When Hal’s previously chosen backup, Guy Gardner, is literally hit by a bus, the Guardians decide that Hal needs another potential replacement in case he is unable to fulfill his duties. They choose John Stewart, and though Hal takes some issue with it at first, they eventually come to terms.
Penned during Dennis O’Neil and Neal Adams‘ famous Green Lantern/Green Arrow run, John Stewart’s introduction is a bit dated compared to contemporary versions of the character, but it’s still the best place to start. While modern origin stories find alternative methods to give him the power ring (Secret Origins #9 from the New 52 era reveals that the Guardians chose him after first sending a Manhunter to his doorstep as a test), it was his first appearance that set the tone for the character in the years to come.
Mosaic (1992)
Eventually, John Stewart became the primary Green Lantern after Hal left the Corps behind. For some time in the ’80s and into the ’90s, John held the title. Eventually, John became the first human Guardian of the Universe. But after the events of Cosmic Odyssey and several issues of Green Lantern, he headlined his own new series titled Green Lantern: Mosaic — it’s a bit controversial, but vital to the character.
For 18 issues, writer Gerard Jones and primary artist Cully Hamner explored John’s PTSD after his failure to save the planet Xanshi. Now the caretaker of the Mosaic World created by a rogue Guardian utilizing species from various worlds, the false utopia wouldn’t have lasted long without John to oversee it — and, indeed, it didn’t last long anyway, though that was beyond John’s control. Mosaic challenged the hero in ways future stories often failed to, proving why he is one of Earth’s most notable Green Lanterns.
Emerald Twilight/New Dawn (1994)
When the folks at DC decided that Hal Jordan had served his usefulness as a superhero, writer Ron Marz and artist Darryl Banks (mostly) were handed the keys to the kingdom to break him down. Following The Return of Superman, Hal’s home of Coast City has been annihilated by the Cyborg-Superman and the alien warlord Mongul. This drove Hal over the edge as he attempted to do everything in his power to restore his home and those in it — only, the Green Lantern Corps stood against him.
In Emerald Twilight, Hal becomes the supervillain Parallax, a powerful DC villian who hoped to rewrite time to save Coast City. In the process of attaining this power, he strips John of his powers, destroys the entire Green Lantern Corps, and even kills Sinestro and Kilowog, among plenty of others. It’s a massacre, but it’s vital for one’s understanding of Hal Jordan’s redemption arc later on. The arc ends with the introduction of the last Green Lantern, the torchbearer named Kyle Rayner, who is further explored in New Dawn.
Rebirth (2004)
If Emerald Twilight was disappointing, we have good news for you. Over the next decade or so, DC crossovers like Zero Hour and Day of Judgment proved that there was still good within Hal Jordan, and writer Geoff Johns and artist Ethan Van Sciver proved as such with Green Lantern: Rebirth. Eventually, Green Arrow killed Parallax and Hal’s soul was then merged with the Spectre, DC’s Spirit of Vengeance, as a means of atonement. In Rebirth, Hal is finally resurrected and the mystery of Parallax is revealed.
With the help of Kyle Rayner and newly re-minted Green Lanterns John Stewart, Guy Gardner, and Kilowog, Hal returns from the grave, finds his old power ring, and faces Parallax — revealed to be the alien entity of fear behind the traditional Green Lantern weakness to the color yellow — redeeming himself and taking his place among Earth’s other Emerald Guardians. It’s a great story, and it kicked off Geoff Johns’ decade-long run on Green Lantern that completely redefined the mythos. This is one you simply must read before Lanterns concludes.
Sinestro Corps War (2007)
Speaking of Geoff Johns, you should probably read his entire Green Lantern chronology that spans from Rebirth to the entire fourth volume of Green Lantern that ran between 2005 and 2011 to the first 20 issues of the fifth volume (set during The New 52 era). However, if you don’t have time to devour the entire space epic (and it truly is epic), settle for one of the greatest DC Comics storylines of all time in Sinestro Corps War.
Here, Johns’ teams up with artist Dave Gibbons as the four Corpsmen of Earth (Hal, John, Guy, and Kyle) work alongside the recently re-established Green Lantern Corps to battle the resurrected Sinestro and his own, well, Sinestro Corps. It’s green versus yellow in a battle of the imagination, with willpower overcoming fear in front of the entire DCU. This thematic sequel to Rebirth re-establishes both the bond and the rivalry between Hal and Sinestro, and even challenges John, Guy, and Kyle’s own fears in the process.
Blackest Night (2009)
The third and final installment of Johns’ epic Green Lantern trilogy (though not the end of his epic run on the character), Blackest Night capitalizes on pop culture’s obsession with zombie media at the time by using the villainous Black Hand to resurrect all of DC’s most beloved dead characters as members of his nefarious Black Lantern Corps. Penned by Johns with artwork by Ivan Reis, Blackest Night is definitely a DC story we’d love to see adapted to the live-action DC Universe.
Blackest Night not only includes the eight-part miniseries itself, but also several issues of Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps. These tie-ins challenged Hal Jordan’s own fears and doubts after watching his loved ones return and tormented John Stewart with the lives he was unable to save. It’s an exceptional DC crossover event centered entirely around the popularity of the Green Lantern comics at the time.
War Journal (2023)
Since Hal has had a lot of the spotlight here, let’s pivot a little to John with Green Lantern: War Journal. Here, writer Philip Kennedy Johnson and artist Montos present a largely standalone story that explores John’s complex background. After John retires due to the events of Dark Crisis, he finds himself back home caring for his mother, only to be pulled back into superheroics once again.
War Journal is perhaps not an essential Green Lantern read as far as the larger mythos are concerned, but it’s a detailed exploration of who John Stewart is that may just help readers to better understand the character. In 12 issues, John makes peace with his past and flies forward into his future as Green Lantern. If you liked this one, give John Stewart: The Emerald Knight a try as well. It may never be turned into a DC TV masterpiece, but if you’re looking for more John Stewart, it’s definitely the way to go.
It looks like Blueface and Nevaeh Akira are staying unbothered amid Jaidyn Alexis’ comments about their relationship and their newborn son, Jonathan Jamal Porter Jr. Nevaeh popped up during Blue’s livestream, and he immediately started hyping up her post-baby snapback and new look. The chat agreed that Nevaeh should’ve popped out because she was looking good while flexing her bounce back!
RELATED: It’s His! Nevaeh Akira Claps Back After Jaidyn Alexis Questions Paternity Of Her & Blueface’s Newborn Son (VIDEOS)
Nevaeh Akira’s Post-Baby Glow Had Blueface & The Chat Taking Notice
Recently, Blueface was chilling on a livestream when Nevaeh Akira popped in and showed off her new look. She came through with a fresh buss down, rocking a dark blue matching set as she held their baby, Jonathan Jr. Blue looked shocked when he saw how she was coming, and asked, “You looked pretty. Where you going?” Nevaeh kept flexing her snapback during the stream, so she played with him and said she was going out before hading Jonathan Jr. to him. Blue immediately started flooding her with questions, and Nevaeh eventually told him she was just playing she wasn’t popping out. That led the rapper to mention that he planned on going out too, but seeing Nevaeh looking so good made him change his mind.
The Roommates Also Gassed Nevaeh UP
Once The Shade Room Teens dropped the clip of Nevaeh and Blue, folks also hyped her up in the comment section. Plenty of TeaMates said Nevaeh’s post-baby snapback was giving, while others joked that she should’ve stepped out to give Blue a taste of his own medicine.
Instagram user @fly.heroes wrote, “She looks beautiful 😍❤️❤️”
Instagram user @ro_geez wrote, “He’s more nicer when she’s put together lol.”
While Instagram user @darealashhm_ wrote, “So refreshing to see him saying some nice to her 😍😍😍👏”
Then Instagram user @_nailplug wrote, “She look good here 🔥”
Another Instagram user @yamayaleteece wrote, “she so teaaaa 😍😍”
Instagram user @_nellly_nell wrote, “as a single mama Girllll he would’ve got the babyyyy so daymmm fast from me😂😂cuz i’m outsideeee😭😭😭✌🏽”
Then another Instagram user @babarbie.ro wrote, “Nevaeh if you don’t actually go OUT!😭😭”
Finally, Instagram user @dai.da.donn wrote, “She really is naturally pretty.”
Nevaeh Responds After Jaidyn Alexis Made Comments About Her Newborn Son
Nevaeh and Blueface have been taking over timeline ever since they welcomed their son earlier this month. Their moments together caught Jaidyn Alexis’ attention, and she made it clear that her two children with Blue, Journey and Javaughn Porter, won’t meet his newborn son with Nevaeh until they confirm paternity. Nevaeh appeared to peep Jaidyn’s comments and quickly clapped back, letting her know Jonathan Jr. is definitely Blue’s son. She also addressed Jaidyn’s comments about her decision to name their baby boy after Blue. “How the f**k can I take a child’s middle name if that’s the n***a whole full f*****g name.” Nevaeh added, “See I’m not a bitter a** b***h, but I get you is. It’s okay, though. Love to all. Love all!”
RELATED: Social Media Reacts After Jaidyn Alexis Says Her Kids Won’t Meet Blueface’s New Baby Until Paternity Is Confirmed
What Do You Think Roomies?
Entertainment
‘Castlevania’s New Release Officially Confirms the Return of a Fan-Favorite Fantasy Icon
Although it was once one of Konami‘s flagships, the halls of Castlevania have lain still for a while now. The last new game from the gothic horror action-platformer series was over a decade ago in 2014, when Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 released to middling reviews before Konami briefly shifted its focus towards the mobile market. Netflix’s animated series kept some interest in the Belmonts alive during this dormancy, and collections of games from throughout the console generations assured the franchise was never fully gone from modern platforms, but movement on a new whip-cracking adventure was slow. That finally changed this year with the announcement of Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse at a State of Play presentation back in February.
Instead of moving forward, Belmont’s Curse goes back in the family tree and follows Rose Belmont, daughter of Trevor Belmont and Sypha Belnades. Set 23 years after Trevor, Sypha, Grant Danasty, and the dhampir Alucard killed Dracula in Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse, the story takes place in a Medieval Paris overrun by monsters, where the titular castle has reformed. A bishop calls the legendary vampire hunter to get to the root of the evil, only he brings Rose along with him, granting her the family’s sacred weapon, the Vampire Killer whip, to beat back the forces of darkness and unravel the conspiracy at the heart of this invasion. It will be a fast-paced return to the Metroidvania playstyle the series helped popularize with Symphony of the Night, but a recent trailer also confirmed an intriguing voice cast will help bring the adventure to life.
The new video, which debuted at Gamescom Opening Night Live, was primarily a spotlight for the actors entering the booth for the journey to Paris, headlined by prolific Demon Slayer and DanDaDan voice actress Abby Trott as Rose and Arcane alum JB Blanc as Trevor. In a big surprise, however, the Belmont family was rounded out by none other than Alejandra Reynoso, reprising her role as Sypha from the Netflix series. She’s not the only actor crossing over from the screen to the games, either, as, towards the end of the trailer, Outlander, House of the Dragon, and general fantasy icon Graham McTavish was revealed to once again be lending his voice to the big bad vampire, Dracula, with a sinister laugh. They’re also joined by, among others, Ray Chase as The Fallen, Erica Lindbeck as Joan of Arc, Aaron LaPlante as Death, and Liam O’Brien, who also returns to the role of Isaac over 20 years after Curse of Darkness.
Who Is Behind ‘Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse’?
The trailer also functions as another look at the haunting environments players will traverse in Belmont’s Curse, the abilities they’ll unlock, and the fearsome bosses to come as they navigate the castle. Konami isn’t developing this installment themselves, though, instead handing off the license to Evil Empire and Motion Twin. The former most recently worked on another acclaimed Metroidvania in The Rogue Prince of Persia, while the latter is best known as the developer of the beloved roguelike Dead Cells. Both developers previously collaborated on a DLC expansion for Dead Cells that brought in an entire Castlevania-themed area, weapons, and bosses, making them the perfect developers to join forces for the long-awaited return of the franchise.
Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse releases on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch on October 15. Check out the new trailer in the player above.
- Release Date
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2017 – 2021-00-00
- Showrunner
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Warren Ellis
- Writers
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Warren Ellis
- Franchise(s)
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Castlevania
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and his wife, actress Hailee Steinfeld, are finding joy in their quiet nightly routine after putting their daughter to bed.
“We’re trying to limit the screens ‘cause if there’s a screen, she’s over there looking,” Allen, 30, revealed during a Friday, August 28, appearance on Mad Dog Sports Radio, when asked about his go-to ways to unwind each evening. “When we know that [her] eyes [are] closed and almost out, me and my wife play the New York Times crossword every night.”
According to Allen, he and the Sinners actress, 29, will also complete The Times’ daily Connections and Wordle puzzles.
“That’s our little routine that we love doing,” he gushed, also sharing his tried-and-true first guess. “It’s harps, H-A-R-P-S.”
Steinfeld announced in April that she recently gave birth to the couple’s first child. They publicly revealed the infant’s name, Harper Haize, months later in June.
“I’m in awe of you. You’ve been here for only a short while now, and somehow it feels as though you’ve always been ours,” Steinfeld wrote in an open letter to her daughter shared via her “Beau Society” newsletter. “There are moments … I still look at you and wonder how you’re real. These last few months have been beautiful and exhausting. Sacred and so special. The longest days and the shortest season all at once.”
Josh Allen can’t wait for the newest member of Bills Mafia to arrive. “I’ve got siblings that have kids, I’ve got a lot of friends that have kids and I don’t know if you can plan too far in advance,” Allen, 29, said in a press conference on Thursday, January 29, when asked about balancing […]
She continued, “People tell you becoming a mother changes everything, but no one tells you how, why, or when exactly. It isn’t always in the big moments. Sometimes it’s realizing that I no longer measure time in months or years, but in ounces, naps missed and naps miraculously taken, in diaper changes and the quiet triumph of a successful transfer from my arms to your crib.”
The Oscar nominee and Allen have been together since 2023, saying “I do” two years later in 2025 before expanding their family. Allen later gushed to Us that welcoming Harper made him “fall in love” with Steinfeld “all over again.”
“Success looks like getting my daughter down, back to sleep at night, It makes everything much less relevant,” Allen exclusively told Us in a July interview. “The outside stuff, it just makes you feel like it doesn’t matter. Honestly, everything about it’s been the best part. I tell this to all my teammates, and anybody who asks, how fatherhood is. It’s the coolest, most rewarding thing. It’s the greatest thing I’ve ever done. … Seeing [Hailee] as a mother, it’s just, it’s awesome.”
On December 18, the same release date as the hotly anticipated Avengers: Doomsday, Denis Villeneuve‘s acclaimed adaptation of Frank Herbert‘s genius sci-fi story will come to a close. After two of the greatest films of the 21st century, Dune: Part Three will wrap up this epic space opera in explosive fashion, as Timothée Chalamet‘s Paul Atreides faces the heavy consequences of his power, two decades after seizing control of the Imperium.
Zendaya‘s rebellious Chani also returns, alongside a stacked cast featuring the Hollywood favorites that hadn’t been snapped up for Avengers: Doomsday. This includes Javier Bardem as Stilgar, Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica, Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan, Jason Momoa as Hayt, and Anya Taylor-Joy as Alia Atreides. The movie arguably marks the biggest project yet in Taylor-Joy’s blossoming career, which began with one of the most impressive debut performances of the 21st century so far.
In the 2015 folk horror gem The Witch, Taylor-Joy proved herself as a future Hollywood mainstay with a performance that still ranks as one of her best, despite being just 18 years old. The film didn’t just mark an important debut for the Furiosa star, with The Witch also opening the eyes of the world to the horror directorial prowess of Robert Eggers, who has since made the likes of The Northman, The Lighthouse, and Nosferatu. The film was a massive hit critically, earning several impressive awards, including a directing prize for Eggers from the Sundance Film Festival. 11 years later, you’ll be able to stream The Witch on free streamer Plex, starting September 1, 2026.
Anya Taylor-Joy Is Already Part of One of 2026’s Biggest Hits
Before featuring in the hotly anticipated Dune: Part Three, Taylor-Joy can already chalk off 2026 as a success. Earlier this year, she rejoined Chris Pratt and Jack Black in the video game adaptation The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which followed its predecessor in proving a huge box office hit. During its theatrical run, the film made over $1 billion, becoming the first in 2026 to reach this milestone. Of course, several movies have since achieved this feat, most notably Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
You’ll be able to stream The Witch on free streamer Plex, starting September 1, 2026. Stay tuned to Collider for more streaming stories.
- Release Date
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February 19, 2016
- Runtime
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92 minutes
- Producers
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Daniel Bekerman, Jay Van Hoy, Jodi Redmond, Lars Knudsen, Rodrigo Teixeira
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