The Shards is based on Bret Easton Ellis‘ book of the same name, but is the author tuning in to the TV adaptation with the rest of the world.

“He saw some. He had been through a whole rigmarole with HBO [which originally planned to develop The Shards], and when he sold the book to FX and to Ryan [Murphy], he sat down with him and entrusted the characters and said, ‘Go do and go create,’” executive producer Brad Simpson exclusively told Us ahead of the Wednesday, September 9, season 1 finale.

Simpson, 53, noted that Ellis, 62, gave Murphy, 60, “permission” to “interpret his work” for a new medium.

“All I know is he’s watching week to week and occasionally mentioning it on his podcast,” Simpson continued. “You can go on his podcast and hear what he felt about the first couple episodes, and we’ll see if we hear more.”

He added: “Bret is a person who mainly speaks to the world through his podcast and through his writing these days. But I love the idea that he’s watching this unfold week to week in his living room.”

According to the official synopsis, The Shards is set in Los Angeles in 1981 and follows “a 17-year-old version of Ellis during his final year at the elite Buckley prep school.” His world is upended by the arrival of a mysterious new student, Robert Mallory, whose “unsettling presence coincides with the activities of a serial killer known as The Trawler.”

Igby Rigney portrays Ellis in the TV adaptation. The 2023 book was Ellis’ first in 13 years and has a disclaimer stating that all of its major players are fictional — apart from the narrator.

After publishing The Shards, Ellis recalled hearing from a former classmate who had seen themselves in a character. Ellis told Vanity Fair in 2023 that he received a Facebook message that read, “Of all the names you could have chosen, the name I hate the most is Debbie.”

Ellis also reflected on the larger inspiration behind The Shards.

“I’m not motivated to write a novel without feeling it, and that might be why a lot of my novels have that pervasive sense of dread,” he continued. “I think it just stems from where the books come from, and it’s a reflection of that. Conversely, if I’d been a happier guy, would I have been writing books? Would I be using the novel as a way to express this or communicate it? I don’t know. But that could have something to do with why I’ve been attracted to horror and used elements of it in my work.”

In addition to Rigney, 23, The Shards stars Kaia Gerber, Homer Gere, Hayes Warner, Graham Campbell, Evan Rachel Wood and Wes Bentley. Before the show’s August premiere, Rigney reflected on the challenges that came with the role.

“Ryan was really fun in the way that he directed us where he would have us do multiple takes multiple ways,” Rigney exclusively told Us.

The actor did not know which version would make the final cut.

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“We were never clued in on which take he was going to use. And then I’m sure some of those takes got combined to make it extra confusing,” Rigney continued. “But getting to have the narration sometimes was a little challenging on set though.”

He added: “Because everybody around me is having fun, and I’m staring deeply into the middle distance thinking about this big, long paragraph I have, but I’m not saying it out loud.”

The Shards airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on FX.

It’s hard not to love the Transformers franchise. These robots in disguise are beloved all across the world; almost every character is someone’s favorite. These robotic heroes and villains from Cybertron have been present in film for decades, and this means that every character has had the chance to get a great entrance in one of these many movies.

Cool character entrances in film can be essential to making a scene feel intense and epic, and/or creating a character moment that can do wonders for an arc. The Transformers movies aren’t always amazing—often getting flak for not being much in terms of depth or plot—but they have always been and always will be some epic flicks, and part of that comes from scenes like these character entrances.

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The Attack on Chernobyl: ‘Transformers: Dark of the Moon’ (2011)

Image via Paramount Pictures

The most popular movies of the Transformers franchise are the first trilogy directed by Michael Bay, which ended with 2011’s Transformers: Dark of the Moon. This trilogy-capper is filled to the brim with spectacle and thrilling action, and that is established early in the attack by Shockwave (Frank Welker) at Chernobyl at the beginning of the movie. This character is unlike any other Autobot or Decepticon in that he has a gigantic worm-like device known as Driller.

So, when he decides to attack the United States government—accompanied by Optimus Prime (Peter Cullen (rest in piece)) as they find alien technology in Chernobyl—it is large and destructive. Taking place about sixteen minutes into the movie, this not only introduces Shockwave but also throws the Autobots’ leader into the action, as well. This is a massively devastating scene that immediately establishes just a fraction of the kind of terrifying power the heroes are going to have to go up against in this third flick.

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The War on Cybertron: ‘Bumblebee’ (2018)

Image via Paramount

One of the most beloved Transformers movies and often considered one of the highest in quality, is Travis Knight‘s Bumblebee. This 2018 flick serves as a soft reboot of sorts and manages to be a grounded, down-to-earth Transformers movie that people genuinely adore. This is an origin story of sorts for the young Autobot, and they really set the bar for the future of the franchise with the opening of the film, which takes place amidst the legendary war on Cybertron.

This battle sequence shows off massive love for the classic 80s series and movie, with character designs that are abundantly similar to said series/movie, and that immediately had fans of Transformers falling in love. Both Optimus and the leading bot, Bumblebee (Dylan O’Brien), get awesome introductions here as they fight the war against the Decepticons (who also have their classic designs).

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The Dinobots Rise: ‘Transformers: Age of Extinction’ (2014)

Image via Paramount Pictures

While the first trilogy is the best part of the Michael Bay-directed Transformers films, he had two that came after that are universally agreed to be horrific—even in comparison to the less-than-high-quality first three films, because at least those were fun. However, Transformers: Age of Extinction does have some great character entrances, especially when it comes to the highlight of the movie, the Dinobots.

In the third act, when the chips are down, Optimus Prime decides to awaken the Dinobots for help. To do so, though, he must take on the legendary Grimlock. When he takes him on, however, the other bot transforms into his most badass form… his Tyrannosaurus Rex transformation that all Transformers fans know and love. He gets this bone-chilling moment in which he transforms into his dino form and spews a bout of fire from his mouth.

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Don’t Call it a Comeback: ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ (2023)

Image via Universal Pictures
 

After Bumblebee, the studios decided to continue the period-piece direction of the Transformers series with Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. This movie introduces classic Transformers characters, the Maximals. The best introduction of the movie, though, comes in the form of Bumblebee in the final fight. Why? Because at the beginning of the movie, when the Autobots meet the menacing villain, Scourge (Peter Dinklage), he is killed by the nasty bot.

Bumblebee is the fan favorite, though, so it was obvious they were never going to truly kill him. Which, in a way, makes the effectiveness of this reintroduction so impressive. Everyone knew he was coming back, but the how of it all made it cheer-worthy. With him playing “Mama Said Knock You Out” by LL Cool J as he jumps from a plane towards the battlefield, firing on all cylinders.

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Enter Lockdown: ‘Transformers: Age of Extinction’ (2014)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Next to the Dinobots, one of the only other highlights of Transformers: Age of Extinction is the villain of the flick, Lockdown (Mark Ryan)—a brutal assassin sent to, well, assassinate the leader of the Autobots. As Optimus Prime fights the newly-formed Galvatron (Frank Welker), he’s shot multiple times by a hidden force who walks through the smoke to reveal himself, radiating aura.

Optimus Prime can often feel like an unstoppable force in the Transformers series, especially because of how often he’s beaten death. So, when he can be seen getting brutally hurt, it makes whoever is doing the damage all the more powerful-looking. Lockdown is established here to be a genuine threat to the hero.

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Devastator Against the Pyramids: ‘Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen’ (2009)

Image via Paramount Pictures

While Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen often gets flak for being the weakest of the first trilogy, it has some extremely epic moments. One of which comes when the Constructicons all join forces in the desert to become the huge beast known as Devastator (Frank Welker). This monstrous beast is one of the most devastating Transformers out there, and it’s more than proven here.

Devastator begins its rampage here, and it’s bone-chilling. This mouth is like a black hole as it sucks in everything in its path and quickly makes its way to the Pyramids. The size of Devastator is unlike anything seen in the Transformers movie franchise and immediately sets the stakes for the team moving into the final battle of the movie.

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Return of the Autobots: ‘Transformers: Dark of the Moon’ (2011)

Image via Paramount

The third act of Transformers: Dark of the Moon is one of the best in the franchise. It’s essentially one giant war movie within a Transformers movie. People don’t come out to these movies for Shakespeare-level storytelling; they come out to see giant robots beat the crap out of each other, and that’s the entirety of this third act.

After the Autobots get sent off Earth and seemingly die, the Decepticons take over all of Chicago and cause mass destruction. Just as Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) and his friends from the military are about to ride into it to certain death, the Autobots make their triumphant return to fight off the Decepticon threat to an incredible score by composer Steve Jablonsky.

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Shanghai Skirmish: ‘Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen’ (2009)

Image via Paramount Pictures

The opening of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is genuinely iconic. Set in the streets of Shanghai, China, the military task force known as NEST and the Autobots hunt down rogue Decepticons, Demolishor and Sideways. While the Autobots and the two Decepticons get some pretty cool entrances here (Sideswipe (André Sogliuzzo) specifically), it’s Optimus Prime who takes home the award for best introduction.

The leader of the Autobot forces literally drives out of a cargo plane, transforming midair, and taking down Demolishor, despite him being so much bigger than the hero. This is an incredible way to introduce the main team, and the leader in specific. This was borderline the perfect way to introduce the sequel film.

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Sam Meets Bumblebee: ‘Transformers’ (2007)

Image via Paramount

Sam Witwicky and Bumblebee’s relationship is one of the main highlights and hearts at the core of the original Transformers trilogy and, therefore, their first introduction to each other—true introduction in Bee’s true form—is absolutely iconic. Rather than being an epic battle moment, it feels like a momentous occasion with depth.

After saving Sam and Mikaela Banes (Megan Fox) from a Decepticon, the yellow-clad Autobot walks with a nice backlight behind him as he fully shows his true form to the two teenagers. It’s an incredible moment that cemented one of the best, if not the best, friendships in the entire series to this very day.

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Autobots Assemble: ‘Transformers’ (2007)

Image via Paramount Studios.

While Bumblebee’s first introduction to Sam and Mikaela is great, nothing will ever beat the first time they met all the Autobots as one, because it’s the first time audiences get to truly meet them as well. The reveal of Optimus Prime for the first time is legendary and one of the most memorable moments in a Transformers project.

The first Transformers movie is all-around unforgettable, and it’s because of moments like this one. It shows that the Transformers franchise can make “epic” moments out of things other than big battles and spectacle. Not to mention the score track playing over it by Steve Jablonsky defines it as something truly amazing.

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Transformers

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Release Date

July 3, 2007

Runtime

144 minutes

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Writers

Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, John Rogers

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  Mark Ryan

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  Bumblebee (Voice)

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  Peter Cullen

  Optimus Prime (voice)

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For Brandi Glanville, what began as a baffling health struggle has evolved into a costly and emotionally draining battle that shows no signs of ending anytime soon. 

As the former reality star continues searching for answers about the alarming condition affecting her face, those closest to her are stepping in to help. 

Now, a longtime friend is making a public plea for support as Glanville faces mounting medical bills, multiple surgeries, and months of treatment while being unable to work normally.

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While Brandi Glanville remains focused on treatment, friend Gina Rodriguez has taken matters into her own hands by launching a GoFundMe campaign to ease the financial pressure of the television personality’s health crisis. 

The fundraiser seeks to raise $28,000 and urges supporters to “help Brandi on her journey to get her health back.” According to Rodriguez, Glanville’s fight is far from over. 

“Brandi has been fighting this for years and still has months of costly treatments and surgeries ahead,” she told the Daily Mail. Rodriguez explained that Glanville has been unable to return to regular work while dealing with her condition, making the growing medical expenses even more difficult to manage.

The fundraiser details just how expensive the situation has become. Rodriguez said treatment costs alone are estimated at roughly $3,300 to $6,000 every month, even with insurance coverage. 

Those figures do not include additional expenses tied to surgeries, medications, dental procedures, doctor visits, and daily living costs. As of Wednesday evening, the campaign had raised only a small fraction of its overall goal.

Glanville Reveals Doctors Found Something ‘Alive And Moving’ In Her Face

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The fundraiser comes as Glanville continues sharing shocking updates about her medical condition. 

In a recent social media post, she revealed she had been diagnosed with highly resistant ESBL Klebsiella and Enterobacter with biofilm, Coccidioidomycosis, also known as Valley Fever, Demodex dermatitis, and Mononucleosis.

According to Glanville, an MRI showed abnormalities concentrated on the left side of her face. However, the ultrasound delivered the most startling discovery.

“We did the ultrasound in the doctor’s office and the technician said that there was something alive in my face and that it was moving and she’d never seen anything like it,” she revealed on Instagram.

The former model also spoke about a self-described “fungal ball” that she says remains lodged in her face. The discovery has only intensified her determination to find effective treatment as doctors continue investigating the cause of her symptoms.

Brandi Glanville Faces Surgeries, IV Treatments, And More Major Procedures

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Beyond the mystery surrounding her condition, Glanville is preparing for an extensive medical road ahead. In another post, she revealed that the fungal growth must be removed and that several other health-related procedures are expected to follow.

“I also have a fungal ball in my face that needs to be removed. I have to get the metals from old dental work out of my mouth, my breast implants need to come out, and I’m looking at 4–6 months of daily IV treatment,” she explained.

The former “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star admitted the process has been grueling. According to her, “The treatment has NOT been easy and so far I’ve had very little improvement. I still have a couple surgeries ahead of me and months of treatment to go.”

Despite the setbacks, Glanville has remained vocal about her goal, stating, “I just want this s**t OUT of my body. I want my health back. I want my life back. I want to feel like me again.”

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Glanville Revealed She Spent More Than $200,000 Searching For Answers

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If Brandi Glanville’s latest update showed just how difficult treatment had become, the story behind how she got there may be even more shocking. 

Long before doctors identified the conditions she is now battling, the former reality star was trapped in a years-long search for answers that drained both her finances and her hope.

In February, Glanville revealed that she consulted 21 different doctors and spent more than $200,000 trying to determine what was causing the facial disfigurement and other symptoms that had taken over her life. 

The ordeal stretched on for years as she moved from specialist to specialist while receiving conflicting opinions and treatments. 

As The Blast reported, Glanville revealed that the breakthrough eventually came when doctors linked many of her issues to a ruptured silicone breast implant that had been in place for 18 years. 

She said the discovery finally explained her symptoms after countless appointments, procedures, and dead ends. 

Brandi Glanville Admits Daily 18-Hour IV Treatments Leave Her Feeling ‘Like Death’

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Unfortunately, answers didn’t mean immediate relief. In fact, Glanville has revealed that her current treatment regimen is so intense that it now dominates nearly every hour of her day.

The 53-year-old recently shared videos showing the reality of undergoing approximately 18 hours of IV infusions daily. 

According to The Blast, one of the medications she receives is Imipenem, a powerful antibiotic used to treat severe infections. The treatments are administered through a PICC line and often continue overnight while she sleeps. 

The physical effects have been dramatic. “I know I’m so skinny right now. I can’t eat because the IVs that I do decrease my food. I feel like death, I look like death,” Glanville told followers. 

In another update, she explained that treatment has become her entire routine. “So now I have to start my IVs, I mean I’m on IVs almost 20 hours a day. The only time I leave my house is to do my podcast.” 

Despite the grueling schedule, Glanville said she is finally getting some long-awaited answers. Still, she admitted there is a long road ahead that includes additional surgeries, continued IV treatments, and recovery from a fungal growth that doctors plan to remove from her face.

Nicole Kidman may have been promoting “Practical Magic 2,” but the conversation surrounding the Hollywood icon has taken a very different turn. 

The actress’ latest red carpet appearance has ignited a fresh wave of cosmetic surgery speculation, with fans dissecting photos from the film’s premiere and experts offering their own theories. 

While Kidman has long faced scrutiny over her youthful appearance, this time attention has shifted from her face to another feature that has become the subject of intense online discussion.

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For years, Nicole Kidman has been at the center of discussions about beauty, aging, and cosmetic enhancements. 

That familiar debate resurfaced when the actress arrived at the Los Angeles premiere of “Practical Magic 2” in a head-turning Atelier Versace creation designed by Pieter Mulier.

The dramatic black gown showcased intricate lace detailing and a plunging neckline that immediately drew attention. 

Paired with a coordinating lace choker, statement earrings, and matching heels, the look delivered one of the evening’s most memorable fashion moments.

Yet much of the reaction centered on Kidman’s noticeably fuller bust. Observers quickly began comparing recent photographs to older appearances, with some questioning whether the 59-year-old’s look could be attributed solely to styling choices. 

Kidman’s Fuller Bust Prompts Expert Assessment

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As the speculation intensified, Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Cat Begovic weighed in on the conversation after reviewing photographs from the premiere. 

Although she stressed that she has never personally examined or treated Nicole Kidman, the surgeon pointed to specific features she believed stood out in the images.

Dr. Begovic told the Daily Mail that the “Babygirl” actress appeared to have “more defined cleavage and upper pole fullness,” characteristics sometimes associated with breast augmentation. 

Based solely on the photographs, she estimated that the look could be consistent with implants in the range of “225-250 cc moderate projection.”

“They look to me to be around 225-250 cc moderate projection,” she speculated, before adding, “They are proportionate to her frame and she looks feminine and stunning.”

The discussion also showed the different implant projection options available, ranging from lower-profile designs that create a softer contour to higher-profile implants that produce a rounder, fuller appearance. 

Nicole Kidman Revealed Why She Stopped Using Botox After Trying It

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As speculation about Kidman’s appearance continues to surface whenever she steps on the red carpet, the actress addressed one of the biggest questions about her looks years ago. 

Long before the latest “Practical Magic 2” debate, Kidman openly admitted that she had experimented with Botox but ultimately decided it wasn’t for her. 

Speaking in an interview in 2011, the Hollywood star shared with PEOPLE, “I’ve tried a lot of things, but aside from sports and good nutrition, most things don’t make a difference. I have also tried Botox.”

She added, “I didn’t like how my face looked afterwards. Now I don’t use it anymore – I can move my forehead again!”

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Kidman Once Insisted She Was ‘Completely Natural’ Amid Plastic Surgery Speculation

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Even before her Botox admission became public, Nicole Kidman had repeatedly found herself defending her appearance against rumors that she had undergone extensive cosmetic work. 

As scrutiny intensified throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s, the actress consistently maintained that she had not undergone plastic surgery. 

In one of her most widely quoted responses, Kidman told Marieclaire in 2007, “I am completely natural. I have nothing in my face or anything.” 

She paired those comments with a detailed explanation of the habits she believed helped maintain her appearance. Kidman said she was diligent about sunscreen because of her fair skin, avoided smoking, and prioritized exercise and overall wellness. 

The actress also made it clear she wasn’t interested in criticizing others for their personal choices. “Anybody can do anything to themselves – I don’t judge,” she said, while reiterating that she personally believed in being physically fit. 

Nicole Kidman’s ‘The Hours’ Transformation Sparked Years Of Appearance Speculation

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Long before Kidman found herself at the center of fresh cosmetic-surgery speculation, one of the biggest debates surrounding her appearance came from a transformation that had nothing to do with plastic surgery at all. 

Instead, it revolved around the prosthetic nose she wore while portraying Virginia Woolf in the 2002 drama “The Hours.” The physical transformation became one of the film’s most talked-about elements and eventually sparked a fierce behind-the-scenes battle in Hollywood. 

The prosthetic was designed to help Kidman resemble the acclaimed British author, and the makeover was so dramatic that many viewers barely recognized her. 

In 2023, Vanity Fair revealed that powerful Hollywood figures clashed over whether to use the nose at all. 

Costume designer Ann Roth and producer Scott Rudin supported the transformation, believing it helped Kidman disappear into the role. However, Harvey Weinstein reportedly opposed the prosthetic and attempted to intervene before the film’s release. 

The debate became so intense that the nose nearly overshadowed the movie itself. Kidman later admitted she worried audiences would laugh when they first saw her in character, saying she feared the transformation might distract from the performance. 

Ironically, the controversy became part of Oscar history. When Kidman won Best Actress for “The Hours” in 2003, presenter Denzel Washington famously announced the winner with the words, “By a nose.”

The Shards executive producers are breaking their silence on the finale’s shocking departure from Bret Easton Ellis‘ book.

During the Wednesday, September 9, episode of the FX series, Bret (Igby Rigney), Susan (Kaia Gerber), Robert (Homer Gere), Debbie (Hayes Warner), Thom (Graham Campbell), Liz (Evan Rachel Wood), Ryan (Daniel Dale) and Steven (Jordan Roth) are all revealed to be under suspicion as The Trawler.

“And that’s when things really got crazy,” Bret said in a voiceover before the credits rolled.

Fans who read Ellis’ novel know that the book had an entire conclusion that wasn’t included in Wednesday’s episode — but there was a reason for that.

“Everyone assumes Ryan Murphy is doing a limited series because that’s what he does a lot of. That’s what we do a lot of,” executive producer Brad Simpson exclusively told Us during a joint interview with Nina Jacobson about The Shards actually planning to have a multiple-season arc. “But it feels like book fans may be looking at it and thinking, ‘Oh, my God, they’re going to rush the end of the book.’ Which we definitely didn’t do.”

The vision is for The Shards to go “for at least two seasons.”

“We haven’t finished the story, so that is the hope. It could go further if we wanted it to. But we haven’t made it to the end of the book yet, so we’ll see,” he continued. “The other thing that I would say about the adaptation is the adaptation has you always in Brett’s point of view. It’s a first-person narrator and he’s telling everything from his point of view. Part of the fun of the show was we got to go into other people’s point of view.”

Simpson argued there was still a lot of story to tell — especially after Terry’s (Wes Bentley) mysterious murder. “Terry is pushed off the balcony on the second floor of his house at a big Halloween party and this is a mystery in the book who did it. And it’s presented as the sort of cliffhanger mystery at the end of our season,” he explained. “But in the book, it’s what propels you to the last half of the story. For our show, it marks the end of the season.”

The Shards is a TV adaptation of Ellis’ fictionalized memoir about his high school years. Released in2023, the book was Ellis’ first in 13 years and has a disclaimer stating that all the major players in The Shards are fictional — apart from the narrator.

“Bret’s book is a very condensed timeline. The book really takes place from the start of school until early fall. We wanted to do it over at least two seasons and so we were both needing to compress the timeline even further but also expand the world,” Simpson shared. “We needed more than what was there, and so part of the joy of collaborating with Ryan Murphy is that you know Ryan is known for the imagination and his storytelling.”

He continued: “What we had to do was keep true to the book, not race till the end but also add in new elements. So Ryan added in characters who weren’t in the book. Characters that were in the book went to places they didn’t go and it was a lot of fun. It was a lot of fun to have the time to stretch stuff out. Usually, when you’re doing adaptation, you’re chucking stuff out of the book or compressing. But we got to do the opposite.”

While the show left Us with many unanswered questions, Simpson hinted that Murphy “definitely has the answers.”

“He has an idea of who he thinks the killer is. At the end of Bret’s book, there’s no definitive answer on who the killer is. He lets it be a mystery with different suspects having fingers pointed at them,” Simpson noted. “Part of the joy of the book and what we’re doing on the show is more akin to Twin Peaks. You start off with this question about who killed Laura Palmer, but really the show is about the journey that all the characters are on through this weird and increasingly bizarre world. While we have an idea of who the killer is and have an idea how things are going to come together, nothing is set in stone. Part of the point is to remain true in spirit — at least to Bret’s book — where even when he thinks you’ve identified the killer, you’re not quite sure.”

Jacobson, meanwhile, pointed out how Bret will start to be questioned.

“This is the first time in this season that you really start to ask yourself whether Bret can be trusted as a narrator. We wanted to keep that part of the book to nod to it subtly by the end of the first season,” she teased to Us. “What your relationship to Bret is will continue to change and morph as the show goes on.”

Jacobson confirmed that season 2 would stay true to some parts of the book while introducing new elements, adding, “That spine of the season will probably [be] that basic format of some things that you know from the book, mixed in with inventions and creations that create more complications between the characters and more perspectives. It would be that sort of same hybrid.”

According to Simpson, the writers have been keeping an eye on public reception to the show.

“One of the things we’ve been doing is sort of monitoring what people love. You’re definitely see more of our main cast. I think you’ll see some more of our supporting cast come to the front,” he teased. “As we talk about the next season right now, nothing is set in stone. So there’s nothing I can really tip or tease, except that Ryan always makes some left turns and I’m sure we’ll see some special guest stars. One of the pleasures of a show like this is that we really want to — from the jump — if we’re doing another season and get back to our core cast.”

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The possibilities don’t stop at season 2. Simpson and Jacobson hinted that there could be more episodes beyond that — and maybe even a spinoff.

“I think we’re in a season by season world here in this streaming economy,” Simpson teased. “So let’s see.”

The Shards is currently streaming on Hulu.

Being one of the most popular film franchises in history — with some of the highest-grossing movies in history — it only makes sense that the Marvel Cinematic Universe would put some major budget into its movies as the company grows more and more successful. Sometimes these investments greatly pay off, like with Avengers: Endgame. Other times, they unfortunately don’t.

Sometimes, they put a high budget into a movie, and for a while, it becomes the highest-grossing release of all time. However, there are other times in which they put these large sums of cash into production, and they lose a ton of money in the process. Regardless of the success or lack thereof, there’s no denying that few studios pour as much cash into their projects as the MCU, and the films on this list are the most expensive in their history so far.

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‘The Avengers’ (2012) – $220 million

Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection

When it came to finishing off Phase One of the MCU, it’s certain that Kevin Feige and the rest of Marvel Studios wanted to invest enough budget into their first big crossover event to ensure that this cinematic universe could continue with the popularity it was gaining. Bringing the likes of Captain America (Chris Evans), Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), and Hawkeye together for the first time was going to take some money and effort.

The Avengers was a movie unlike any other, depicting a day unlike any other. Despite the popularity the MCU was gaining at the time, The Avengers was still somewhat of a risk for Marvel Studios. They needed this movie to succeed and secure the popularity of the MCU going forward. It most certainly worked out for them, given how popular this flick ended up being.

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‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ (2026) – $225 million

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

Spider-Man: Brand New Day was a gigantic success. It’s not even a question that Marvel Studios’ $225 million investment is being paid back in full, and then some. With the fourth Tom Holland solo Spider-Man film becoming one of the highest-grossing movies of all time, there’s zero doubt that the studio is going to continue pumping good money into their Spider-Man franchise.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is the definition of an abundant success. Thanks to how well director Destin Daniel Cretton utilized his budget, how great the performances are, and the amount of genuine love, passion, and soul that was put into this flick, Holland’s Spidey outing is everything Marvel Studios needed at this time in their career. It’s thanks to Spider-Man: Brand New Day‘s success that one can be sure that Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment will be putting an even larger budget into the fifth entry.

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‘Captain America: Civil War’ (2016) – $230 million

Image via Marvel Studios

Everyone loves the Steve Rogers Captain America trilogy, thanks to the fact that it gave people one of the most beloved superhero movies of all time: Captain America: The Winter Soldier. While the second is one of the best superhero movies, the third is a legendary one, bringing not just the MCU heroes against each other by adapting the famous “Civil War” comic storyline, but also introducing Spider-Man into the universe.

Despite not being as good as the first sequel, Captain America: Civil War is still a great product and has a huge impact on the cinematic universe as a whole. Having action sequences that have spectacle and others that are extremely personal, Captain America: Civil War feels like another The Avengers film in all the best ways. It keeps the deep emotions a good story needs, while continuing the epic stakes of the other big team-up movies.

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‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ (2023) – $250 million

Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

With how absurdly popular the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise became after the first entry in the series. Thanks to James Gunn, a lot of the Guardians became fan-favorite characters in the MCU. So, it only makes sense that when the final movie in the trilogy was put into production, Marvel Studios was going to invest in making it the best movie it could be.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was made on a $250 million budget, and boy did Gunn use it in the best way he possibly could. This third project is iconic in almost every way. The cinematography by Henry Braham is stellar, the performances from the entire cast are excellent, and the director and writer use this entry to finish up everyone’s arcs with grace and prowess. Safe to say, this investment definitely paid off.

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‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ (2022) – $250 million

Image via Marvel Studios

Some may be surprised that one of the worst Marvel movies also has one of the largest budgets in the studio’s history. Thor: Love and Thunder‘s $250 million budget, unlike other movies, cannot really be appreciated on the screen. This Taika Waititi movie gets a ton of flak for its abysmal visual effects quality, and rightfully so. There are far too many moments where the visuals are genuinely laughable.

While it was a success at the box office, grossing$760.9 million, it didn’t save Thor: Love and Thunder from the rough reviews it received. So, while it may have been somewhat of a success at the box office, the investment didn’t matter because the film was a flop critically. This negative reception surely contributed to Waititi reportedly not returning for movie five, which is probably for the best.

10

‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ (2022) – $250 million

Image via Marvel Studios

A $250 million Marvel Studios film that was far more successful both at the box office and in reviews is Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. After the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman, audiences and critics alike were worried about the Black Panther sequel. They wondered if it was going to be possible to pull it off and whether the studio would decide to recast the role of T’Challa or not. Thankfully, the direction they went in not only served the movie well, but also audiences who were grieving Boseman right alongside the cast and crew.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a moving tribute to Boseman and his legacy, while also being a strong and emotionally compelling film. The middle act slightly lags, but outside of that, it’s incredibly well done and one of the best post-Avengers: Endgame movies. Not to forget, it has a phenomenal score — nobody was really surprised — thanks to the efforts of returning composer Ludwig Göransson.

9

‘Eternals’ (2021) – $272.6 million

Image via Marvel Studios

Not only were fans and critics generally not pleased with 2021’s Eternals, but neither was Marvel. Noted by Forbes as “… one of the biggest failures of the 30 films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe”, this project was rough and even considered over-budget by many. Moreover, its worldwide box office was only $402 million… yikes.

It’s honestly quite sad that Eternals didn’t pan out the way Marvel Studios intended, because the director, Chloé Zhao, is extremely talented. She’s behind movies like Hamnet and Nomadland, and if her vision had been better translated, it could have really been something different in the MCU. The Marvel movie should have been more appreciated in general, thanks to the great technical quality — people commonly note Makkari’s (Lauren Ridloff) abilities as one of the best visual representations of super speed in superhero cinema — and the wonderful performances.

8

‘Black Widow’ (2021) – $289 million

After over a decade of people asking for a movie about Black Widow, fans finally got what they were asking for in 2021 with the aptly titled Black Widow. While it didn’t turn out as well as many would have liked—partially because Marvel Studios questionably decided to wait until after she died in Avengers: Endgame to make her solo movie, lessening the impact of the project by a lot.

While it gave the world the ever-iconic Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) and made her a commonly beloved hero in the MCU cast, it didn’t spawn as much good as people expected. This isn’t to say it’s a bad movie, but it certainly was underwhelming for many. It’s not clear whether Marvel Studios was pleased with how much money—$289 million—they put into it, but the result can be assumed.

7

‘The Marvels’ (2023) –$374 million

Image via Marvel Studios

If anything is certain, it’s that after Avengers: Endgame, Marvel struggled critically and financially. In 2023, they’d experience one of their largest financial losses of all time with the Captain Marvel sequel, The Marvels. With a budget of $374 million, the follow-up only brought in a truly painful $206 million. When accounting for the fact that the budget typically doesn’t include the marketing costs for the movie, this number hurts to even think about.

Many will argue, though, that The Marvels didn’t deserve such a reception. Is it perfect? Definitely not, but this project is not nearly as bad as some would say. Many attribute the negativity to a large group who have pretty unfair opinions of both the character and Brie Larson. The film has an audience score of 79% on Rotten Tomatoes, with a critics’ score of 63%, which is pretty sad, as the movie is, at the very least, fun and not nearly rough enough to warrant such a horrible financial reception. Also, the power gimmick between the three protagonists is unique and makes the fight scenes some of the coolest post-Avengers: Endgame.

6

‘Avengers: Infinity War’ (2018) – $300–400 million

Image via Marvel Studios

Stepping away from Marvel Studios’ losses, Avengers: Infinity War is one of their biggest successes in the company’s history, and is considered the best film in the Avengers franchise. It’s the first part of the finale to the Infinity Saga and a gigantic accomplishment on the part of directors Joe and Anthony Russo. On paper, it should not have worked as well as it does, but it’s a great example of how studios and filmmakers can correctly utilize a large budget, which in this case comes out to an estimated $300–400 million.

Avengers: Infinity War uses its budget to manage a gigantic cast of main characters alongside huge spectacle action sequences. Thanos (Josh Brolin) is also a fully CGI character and looks convincing and terrifying. Truly, Infinity War has some of the best visual effects in the MCU and even superhero films in general, and it was a huge success, with a worldwide box office of a whopping $2 billion.

2026 has been a quiet year for Tom Cruise so far, but one of his movies with another huge star that’s more than 30 years old is finally getting its due on streaming. Cruise hasn’t starred in a movie so far this year, but he’s coming for his first official Oscar next month with the release of Digger, the sweeping drama/epic directed by Alejandro G. Iñárittu. Cruise is all but guaranteed to earn an Oscar nod for his performance in the film, and many experts are predicting he’ll win the award, especially knowing how much Oscar voters love a good narrative — few stories can match Cruise finally winning for Best Lead Actor after all he’s given cinema over the years. Cruise last graced the screen in 2025 with his Mission: Impossible swan song, The Final Reckoning.

Tom Cruise is, without question, the biggest movie star of his generation and one of the most important Hollywood figures of all time. Few can say they’ve accomplished as much as he has over the course of his career, but one who has come close is Brad Pitt. Pitt may not have long-running roles like Ethan Hunt and Pete Mitchell, but he’s starred in some of the biggest blockbusters of all time, like World War Z and F1. Cruise and Pitt have only teamed up once during their lengthy careers, and it came all the way back in 1994 with Interview with the Vampire, the fantasy film based on the novel of the same name by Anne Rice. Interview with the Vampire has recently found a streaming home on HBO Max, where it’s quietly become one of the top 10 most-watched titles in America.

What Is ‘Interview with the Vampire’ About?

The official synopsis for Interview with the Vampire, which earned scores of 66% from critics and 86% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, reads as follows: “Born as an 18th-century lord, Louis is now a bicentennial vampire, telling his story to an eager biographer. Suicidal after the death of his family, he meets Lestat, a vampire who persuades him to choose immortality over death and become his companion. Eventually, gentle Louis resolves to leave his violent maker, but Lestat guilts him into staying by turning a young girl whose addition to the “family” breeds even more conflict.” The 1994 film was directed by Neil Jordan, and it also features stars like Antonio Banderas, Christian Slater, and John McConnell.

Check out Interview with the Vampire on HBO Max in America and stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt’s future projects.

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Release Date

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November 11, 1994

Runtime

123 minutes

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Director

Neil Jordan

Writers

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Anne Rice

Producers

David Geffen

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There are cute hiking outfits, and then there are Kate Middleton hiking outfits — and hers are enough to make me want to plan a day on the trails. The Princess of Wales has mastered making practical outdoor pieces look surprisingly polished, and her favorite khaki hiking pants are no exception.

Earlier this spring, Middleton stepped out in a pair of khaki Fjallraven hiking pants, styling them with a navy top, matching jacket and hat and brown hiking boots. Her exact $250 pair is currently sold out, but I found a similar style on Amazon for just $35.

Get the Moosehill 5-Pocket Hiking Pants for $35 (Was $40) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

The Moosehill 5-Pocket Hiking Pants have the same outdoorsy-but-polished feel as Middleton’s pair, right down to the khaki color and streamlined silhouette. They also come in sage green, black, gray and several other versatile shades, with sizes ranging from 2 to 18.

Related: Jennifer Aniston’s $2,995 Crossbody Is an Oddly Chic Fall Staple

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Jennifer Aniston has practically perfected the jeans-and-a-sweater uniform, but her accessories are usually what make those simple outfits feel a little more special. Her latest bag is proof: the slightly unexpected shape gives an otherwise classic fall look just enough personality while still feeling completely polished. The Friends alum was recently spotted in New York […]

Better yet, these pants aren’t just cute enough to make me want to hit the trails — they’re designed for actually doing it. The quick-dry, water-repellent fabric can handle everything from unexpected rain to sweaty climbs, while a partially elastic waistband keeps things comfortable. Adjustable drawstrings at the hems let you turn them into capris, and five pockets give you plenty of room for your phone, keys and other hiking essentials.

Shoppers confirm they can handle a serious adventure, too. One reviewer who wore them on a “5-day hike in Patagonia” said they “held up so well” and loved the pockets because you “don’t need to carry a bag.” Another buyer called them “super comfy and flattering,” pointing to the “slight boot cut shape” and breathable material.

It’s the polished silhouette that really makes me want to add Middleton’s outdoorsy style to my fall rotation. These look just as cute paired with hiking boots for a day outside as they would with sneakers for running errands or grabbing coffee afterward. Suddenly, a crisp fall hike sounds even better.

Get the Moosehill 5-Pocket Hiking Pants for $35 (Was $40) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more from Moosehill here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

UsNow Fall Sale Alert: These chic fashion finds are up to 60% off – plus free shipping

Welcome to fall with our biggest sale of the season. Our favorite dresses, tops, handbags, and shoes are all on sale + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.

Shop the UsNow Fall Sale —>

Related: Cindy Crawford’s Slouchy Tote Is the Perfect Work-to-Travel Style

There are bags, and then there are the big, slouchy totes that somehow make everything you wear look cooler. Cindy Crawford stepped out with the latter, and suddenly we’re ready to give our tiny purses a break. Between the rich brown leather and relaxed shape, it’s the kind of bag we’d want beside Us from […]

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Chrissy Teigen knows how to rise to the occasion with a polished, rich-looking outfit. Another superpower she has? Dressing down in the most chic everyday pieces that actually feel comfortable. Case in point: The model showed off a series of pictures “winding down,” and in one, we spotted her wearing the easiest travel-ready pants. It only took Us a few minutes before we were hunting for a pair of our own.

The Cravings cookbook author took a full-body mirror selfie, showing off her unbelievably relaxed daytime look. The outfit featured a black tucked-in tank top, an oversized embroidered bag and simple jewelry; however, the major eye-grabber is her Dries Van Noten pants that cost a few hundred. That’s a little out of our budget, so we found an equally comfy pair on Amazon for only $22.

Get the Lepunuo Wide-Leg Drawstring Palazzo Pants for $22 (was $25) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Similar to Teigen’s designer style, these affordable palazzo pants have a loose fit, a high waist and those leg-lengthening vertical stripes that make you appear model-tall. And of course, these pants are available in the same color scheme, featuring a white base and white lines, just like the celeb’s.

Related: Gwyneth Paltrow‘s French-Girl Blouse Is So Classy — Copy the Look for $20

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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 […]

What makes this Amazon find arguably more comfortable comes down to a few details. In addition to the easy-going fit, the pants also have a drawstring waistband, which allows you to adjust the fit just the way you like it. These pants also appear to have a much more manageable length, so you can skip the visit to the tailor.

Even better? You’ll love the comfortable fabric, which feels breathable for late-summer wear and early fall outfits. Plus, they’re lightweight enough to pack nicely in your luggage . . . or wear directly on the plane. Chances are the palazzos are so airy, you’ll feel like you aren’t wearing, well, nothing.

We prefer this exact black-and-white striped combo to channel Teigen’s relaxed look; however, there are so many other options to choose from. The pants also come in solid neutral colors, flashy boho patterns and even animal print styles (which are so ‘in’ right now).

Teigen isn’t the only one who’s grabbing this pants style — Amazon shoppers are, too. “I absolutely love these pants,” wrote one shopper. “They are lightweight, comfortable and have a nice flowy fit. The elastic waistband and drawstring make them easy to adjust, and I love the wide-leg style. The material has a nice textured look and feels great for all-day wear.”

Other shoppers wear them while lounging at home, running errands and vacationing, including this one person who said they’re “perfect for summer and summer travel.” They even admitted, “[I] liked these so much I ordered another pair!”

You can easily style these free-flowing palazzo pants with a T-shirt and sneakers for a quick errand run, a blouse and H-band sandals for brunch or do as Teigen does and style them with a fitted tank, heeled booties and a tote. Either way, you’ll feel comfortable for every activity on the agenda, and look good while doing so.

Get the Lepunuo Wide-Leg Drawstring Palazzo Pants for $22 (was $25) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

UsNow Fall Sale Alert: These chic fashion finds are up to 60% off – plus free shipping

Welcome to fall with our biggest sale of the season. Our favorite dresses, tops, handbags, and shoes are all on sale + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.

Shop the UsNow Fall Sale —>