Entertainment
Michael Douglas Reacts To Catherine Zeta-Jones’ Memoir Snub
Catherine Zeta-Jones has no plans to read Michael Douglas‘ memoir, but it seems he is way ahead of her.
Zeta-Jones recently admitted that she has not read her husband’s newly released book. Her tight schedule has been the major reason for not reading the book; however, she encouraged others to read the memoir regardless.
Michael Douglas and Zeta-Jones have been married for over 25 years. There is also a 25-year age gap between the couple. The veteran actor was previously married to Diandra Luker before their divorce in 2000.
Michael Douglas Says ‘Ooh Yeah!’ To Catherine Zeta-Jones Not Reading His Memoir
During an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” Douglas was asked about Zeta-Jones admitting she had not read his memoir. Kimmel mentioned that she had told an interviewer she was not planning to read it. He then asked Douglas if he thought that decision was probably for the best.
Douglas paused for two seconds and blurted out “Ooh yeah!” before pointing to the 25-year age gap between himself and his wife. He explained that he had opened up about his past, including his relationship with actress Kathleen Turner. The pair had an affair while making “Romancing the Stone,” years before Douglas met Zeta-Jones.
The actor noted that Zeta-Jones was only seven years old when the affair happened. The actor said Zeta-Jones “wouldn’t know her husband for, you know, 25 years ahead.” “So I think she’s had to accept the fact that with having this kind of age difference, you may have had a life before you ever saw her for the first time,” he added.
Kimmel joked that Zeta-Jones might previously have believed Douglas was a virgin when they married. The actor responded that Kimmel knew she had said that, playing along with the joke. When asked whether he contacted the women he wrote about, including Turner, Douglas confirmed by saying, “I did.”
Zeta-Jones Highlighted Her Packed Schedule As Reason For Memoir Snub
Zeta-Jones’ decision not to read her husband’s book was because of her demanding work schedule. She spoke with Willie Geist on “Today.” She explained that she had only recently finished filming the third season of “Wednesday.” She said she had spent seven months shooting the series in Dublin before moving straight into another project.
After wrapping “Wednesday,” Zeta-Jones flew to London to work on “Kill Jackie.” She then traveled to Spain before appearing on the morning show with Geist. She said to him, “And now I’m here talking to you, [Willie Geist] on the fabulous Today show.”
The Welsh actress said she had “no intention” of reading about her husband when she was already tired at night. She encouraged other people to read the book. The Blast reported that she told readers to “hold onto their cowboy hats.”
‘One Helluva Of A Ride’ Is Filled With Michael Douglas’ Past Relationship Secrets
In the “One Helluva of a Ride” memoir, Douglas wrote about past romances, including his affair with Turner during “Romancing the Stone.” He also wrote about his relationship with Jeanne Tripplehorn during “Basic Instinct.”
The Hollywood actor also discussed his heavy cocaine use during the 1970s. He recalled one evening taking the drug with O.J. Simpson. He described drunkenly insulting Julia Roberts at the 1990 Golden Globes. The memoir also revealed an FBI threat connected to a possible needle attack at the 1992 Oscars.
Douglas explained his decision to become more candid about his past in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. “Your 80s may be a good time to share,” he said, reflecting on why he chose to tell these stories now. He also said that trying to do the right thing sometimes left him looking like “the bad guy.”
“One Helluva of a Ride” talked about Douglas’ relationship with his first wife, Luker. The former couple continued sharing their Mallorca home after their divorce. Douglas described the arrangement as “uncomfortable.” The actor and his wife eventually became the sole owners of the Mallorca home.
Douglas Revealed A Surprising Affair He Had
Douglas’ memoir shed light on his relationship with Tripplehorn during “Basic Instinct.” Audiences had long speculated about an offscreen romance between Douglas and Sharon Stone because of their chemistry in the 1992 thriller. Douglas’ account revealed that his feelings were directed toward Tripplehorn, who played his therapist.
“The truth is, I fell very hard for Jeanne despite our nearly 20-year age difference,” he wrote. He also revealed how deeply he considered leaving his wife for her. “In fact, I was ready to officially leave my wife for Jeanne. I was crazy about her.”
The Blast shared that the actor had separated from Luker, but they were still legally married at the time. Even after the relationship with Tripplehorn ended, he said, “But I will always think of her as an amazing actress and a truly terrific woman that I was very fortunate to spend time with.”
Michael Douglas Never Gave Up On Catherine Zeta-Jones
Douglas’ memoir also addresses the loving couple’s brief separation in 2013. Their relationship reportedly faced difficulties around that time. Douglas said his cancer was caused by HPV contracted through oral sex. Zeta-Jones was reportedly upset by the admission.
The actor later admitted that he regretted causing her embarrassment. At the time, Zeta-Jones issued a statement saying the couple was “taking some time apart to evaluate and work on their marriage.” The Independent revealed that they reunited several months later.
When Douglas was asked during an interview about how he won his wife back, “What, I won her back? It was a mutual… You know, we had our problems, but I love her dearly and, 25 years, you know,” he said. Douglas also wrote, “I never gave up hope that we would reconcile.”
Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones’ 26th wedding anniversary approaches in November 2026.
Mike Ditka, the legendary Chicago Bears player and coach who became one of the most recognizable figures in NFL history, has died. He was 86.
Ditka’s family announced his passing on Friday, October 9. A cause of death has not been announced.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mike Ditka,” his family said in a statement. “While the world knew Mike as a Hall of Fame football player, legendary coach, and leader of the Chicago Bears’ Super Bowl XX championship team, we knew him as the heart of our family.”
The family added, “Mike will be missed beyond measure and remembered forever.”
Known throughout his career as “Iron Mike” and later simply “Da Coach,” Ditka built a legacy in Chicago that spanned generations.
The Bears selected Ditka with the fifth overall pick in the 1961 NFL Draft. The tight end immediately established himself as one of the league’s brightest young stars, recording 1,076 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns during his rookie season and earning NFL Rookie of the Year honors.
Ditka spent six seasons with Chicago before playing for the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys. He won an NFL championship with the Bears in 1963 and later captured Super Bowl VI as a member of the Cowboys.
His accomplishments eventually made him the first tight end ever inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, earning his place in Canton in 1988.
But for generations of football fans, Ditka will forever be associated with the 1985 Chicago Bears.
Ditka returned to Chicago as head coach in 1982 and transformed the Bears into one of the NFL’s dominant teams. The 1985 squad finished the regular season 15-1 before overwhelming the New England Patriots 46-10 in Super Bowl XX.
The championship team became a cultural phenomenon, with personalities including Walter Payton, Jim McMahon, William “The Refrigerator” Perry and Mike Singletary helping make the Bears one of the most memorable teams in NFL history.
Ditka coached the Bears for 11 seasons and led Chicago to seven playoff appearances. He later returned to coaching with the New Orleans Saints.
He also remained a familiar face to football fans long after leaving the sidelines, working as an NFL analyst and broadcaster while continuing to be closely associated with the Bears and the city of Chicago.
Following news of his death, the Bears paid tribute to one of the most important figures in franchise history.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of legendary and treasured Chicago Bear and Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka,” the organization said.
Ditka leaves behind a legacy few figures in professional football could match — an NFL champion as a player, a Super Bowl champion as an assistant coach and the head coach who delivered Chicago its only Super Bowl championship.
Kai Cenat’s name has been trending on the internet streets! From different rumors to online speculation, it seems like the streamer can’t catch a break. However, Kai has been staying out of the way and enjoying himself. Since officially launching his clothing brand, Vivet, Kai hosted a pop-up shop at ComplexCon. Several fellow streamers and supporters stopped by to show love and purchase pieces from his collection. Kai has also been spending time with his AMP members. The group recently had a hilarious prank war and even enjoyed a group fair date. However, the drama continues as pregnancy rumors involving Kai and his ex-girlfriend begin circulating online. Now, Gabrielle ‘Gigi’ Alayah appears to be entering the chat amid the latest speculation.
RELATED: Gorgeous Doll Apologizes To Kai Cenat For Making Their Alleged Private Situation Public After Saying He Paid Her $150,000 To Abort Their Unborn Twins (VIDEO)
Video From Gigi’s Recent Vlog Sparks Pregnancy Rumors
On September 19, Gabrielle shared a vlog titled ‘An Unexpected Reunion’ after attending Kai Cenat’s Vivet fashion show.I n the video, she gave supporters a behind-the-scenes look at her preparations, including getting her hair and glam done. Also, in the description, she wrote, “Spend a few days with me. From shooting a special campaign, getting ready for fashion week, attending the show, and everything in between… definitely a full circle moment.”
However, a clip from the vlog later surfaced on TikTok, where a user suggested that Gigi was pregnant. The clip showed Gigi wearing a Balenciaga tracksuit with the caption, “Congrats to Kai Cents’ girlfriend Gigi as she shows off her new pregnancy.” As the video circulated, speculation about Gigi expecting a child with Kai began spreading online. Some even started sending the influencer congrats and asking about an alleged due date.
Gigi Enters The Chat To Shut Down Pregnancy Rumors
As the video began making its rounds across social media, users shared mixed reactions to the pregnancy rumors. One user wrote, “The stomach rub yea she’s pregnant.” Another added, “Aww, I don’t want her to be pregnant, just live and have fun. “While a third commented, “I’m listening to the internet this time cause Queen Straight up played in my Face.”
However, Gigi appeared to enter the chat with a comment of her own. She denied being pregnant and shared that she hasn’t been in a relationship for nearly a year.
Gigi wrote, “I am not pregnant ! and Ive also not been in a relationship for abt a year can we stop with these narratives..”
Social Media Reacts
Folks quickly gathered under The Shade Room Teens’ post to share their thoughts on Gabrielle Alayah’s response. While some still believed she was pregnant despite her denial, others defended her and questioned why people were so invested in the rumors.
Instagram user @nakiyadeasia wrote, “Idk but what I do know is you said you haven’t been in a relationship in over a year but that don’t mean you ain’t been hunching Imaooo”
Instagram user @og.prettycee added, “she def rubbed her belly lol weird to do if you’re not preg or postpartum”
While Instagram user @rr.rred wrote, “Chile if the internet say you pregnant, then you pregnant 😭😭😭 They ain’t been wrong yet 😂🤦🏾♀️”
Instagram user @sheiladollxoxo wrote, “If you ever rub your tummy as a celebrity even for a sec they always claim you prego lol😂”
Instagram user @swayyoo added, “Kai can’t catch a break 😂😂”
While Instagram user @jaysopretti_ wrote, “So women can’t be bloated ?? I would be cussing yall out every day”
Instagram user @shaeee_shaeeee wrote, “My thing is, Why Deny it if we Can CLEARLY see that you are.. like who cares 🤷🏾♀️”
Instagram user @_shantel added, “Why do yall be caring so much?? So yall can say yall were right?? That just makes yall so happy to be right about somebody yall don’t know being pregnant”
RELATED: Kai Cenat Sets The Record Straight On Where He & Gabrielle ‘Gigi’ Alayah Stand Following Relationship Speculation (VIDEOS)
What Do You Think Roomies?
Young Mazino has officially signed with Creative Artists Agency, a move that cements the rising actor’s status as one of Hollywood’s most in-demand new talents following an Emmy-nominated breakout and a fast-growing slate of film, television and video game projects.
The news, confirmed exclusively by The Hollywood Reporter, lands at a pivotal moment for Young Mazino, whose career has accelerated rapidly since his star turn as Paul Cho in Netflix and A24’s dark comedy “Beef.” That performance, opposite Steven Yeun and Ali Wong, earned him an Emmy nomination for best supporting actor in a limited series and opened doors that had previously been shut to the Asian-American actor, who spent years in smaller television roles on shows like “Blindspot,” “New Amsterdam” and “Blue Bloods” before his breakthrough.
From Supporting Roles to Leading Man: Young Mazino’s Rise
Mazino’s trajectory mirrors a broader shift in Hollywood casting, where streaming hits have increasingly become launching pads for actors who once struggled to land substantial roles. After “Beef” put him on the map, Mazino landed the role of Jesse in the second season of HBO’s acclaimed drama “The Last of Us,” created by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, further raising his profile among prestige television audiences.
He also appeared alongside Ayo Edebiri in A24’s psychological thriller “Opus,” written and directed by Mark Anthony Green, adding another credit to a filmography that increasingly leans toward buzzy, critically watched projects rather than one-off guest spots.
A Packed Slate Across Film, TV and Gaming
The CAA signing comes as Young Mazino’s workload spans multiple entertainment mediums simultaneously. He currently stars in “Via Negativa,” director Hannah Peterson’s adaptation of Daniel Hornsby’s novel of the same name, which premiered at the 2026 Tribeca Festival to industry attention. He is also lending his voice to the character Gef in Netflix’s animated feature “Steps,” appearing alongside Ali Wong and Stephanie Hsu when the film premieres in November.
Perhaps most notably for fans outside traditional film and television circles, Mazino is stepping into the video game world as the voice and motion-capture performer behind Private Park, the lead protagonist of Activision’s highly anticipated “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4,” slated for release on October 23. The role marks a significant crossover moment, placing Young Mazino at the center of one of gaming’s most commercially dominant franchises and signaling studios’ growing interest in casting recognizable screen actors for motion-capture leads.
What the CAA Deal Signals
Representation shifts like this one are often read by industry insiders as a bellwether for where an actor’s career is headed next. Signing with a major agency like CAA typically precedes a wave of higher-profile film offers, awards-season campaigns, and brand partnerships, suggesting that Young Mazino’s team is positioning him for an even bigger few years ahead.
Mazino will continue to be represented by Gerald Lee at 1V1 Entertainment, Stephanie Moy at M88, and Michael Auerbach at Jackoway Austen, alongside his new partnership with CAA and continued work with Narrative PR. For an actor who spent years in background and supporting parts before his “Beef” breakout, the combination of awards recognition, prestige television, acclaimed independent film and a tentpole video game franchise suggests Hollywood has taken notice — and that Young Mazino’s rise is only accelerating.
- Young Mazino Signs With CAA (Exclusive) (The Hollywood Reporter)
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James Gunn isn’t wasting any time moving on to his next project.
The DC Studios co-CEO has confirmed that he is already writing his next movie as work continues on Superman: Man of Tomorrow, although he isn’t revealing what the mysterious project will be just yet.
Gunn shared the update on Threads after a fan asked whether he was ready to begin writing another film.
“Already in it. I had to do something while I was waiting for the assembly!!” Gunn responded.
Gunn also confirmed that the assembly cut of Man of Tomorrow has now been completed, moving the highly anticipated Superman sequel further into post-production.
Production on the film wrapped in August.
For now, what Gunn is writing next remains a mystery. He has not revealed the title, characters or story for the project, leaving plenty of room for speculation about where the DC Universe could be heading after Man of Tomorrow.
Gunn currently serves as co-CEO of DC Studios alongside Peter Safran while also remaining heavily involved creatively in the growing DCU. His next screenplay could potentially involve another major DC character or continue building toward a larger crossover, but nothing beyond Gunn actively writing another movie has been confirmed.
[Warner bros. pictures]
Before Gunn’s mystery project arrives, audiences will see David Corenswet return as Superman in Superman: Man of Tomorrow.
The sequel will see Superman forced to work alongside his longtime enemy Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult, against an even greater threat in Brainiac, played by Lars Eidinger.
Rachel Brosnahan will return as Lois Lane, with Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner and Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific.
Milly Alcock will also return as Kara Zor-El following Supergirl, while Aaron Pierre is set to bring John Stewart to the big screen after portraying the Green Lantern in Lanterns.
Superman: Man of Tomorrow is scheduled to arrive in theaters on July 9, 2027.
Whatever Gunn is writing next, DC fans now know another movie is already taking shape behind the scenes.
A great movie needs a good story, and a good story needs a great character. Whether they’re flawed and embarking on a growth journey or strong individuals who save the day, an engaging protagonist is often the recipe for success. We love seeing a protagonist win, and sometimes victory comes through brains and intellect.
We are here to celebrate 10 of the cleverest leads. From literal geniuses to individuals who can adapt to any situation, these brilliant characters are exciting to watch because they are clever, ingenious, and even admirable. Though there are certainly many other films with brilliant protagonists, this list represents a smattering of characters on the clever spectrum.
‘A Beautiful Mind’ (2001)
There are so many brilliant individuals who have played an impeccable role in shaping the world, including John Nash. His story was brought to life in the Ron Howard-directed A Beautiful Mind. Played by Russell Crowe, the film depicts the story of the brilliant mathematician as he develops groundbreaking economic theories alongside paranoid schizophrenia, suffering from severe delusions and visual hallucinations.
Showcasing Nash’s harrowing journey and ultimate triumph, A Beautiful Mind combines a compelling character study with an immersive, empathetic portrayal of mental illness. Structured like a psychological thriller, the film lets the audience experience the inner turmoil Nash faces as he makes extraordinary scientific and mathematical strides. From the revolutionary concept of the Nash equilibrium to his ability to break Soviet encrypted codes, Nash’s genius was on full display. A Beautiful Mind remains a profound film because it shows how complex brilliance can be.
‘Arrival’ (2016)
Denis Villeneuve‘s masterpiece Arrival is one of the greatest hard sci-fi dramas of the 21st century. It centers on linguist Dr. Louise Banks (Amy Adams), who, after 12 massive alien ships land in different locations around the world, learns a circular alien language to prevent a global war while discovering that the language changes her perception of time. A smart, language-focused alien drama, Arrival centers on grief, time, and human connection.
In a story with a plethora of smart individuals, it’s Louise who emerges as the smartest. Arrival depicts her journey through the lens of a massive global crisis using rigorous methodology, deep empathy, and linguistics rather than violence or brute-force code-breaking. Louise does not decode an alien language in a single “aha” moment; she builds a vocabulary word by word, tests hypotheses, watches them fail, and systematically revises her approach. Perhaps the smartest thing she does is choose empathy over fear, something our real world could all learn from.
‘Catch Me If You Can’ (2002)
Listen, Frank Abernathy Jr. may have been a conman, but he did so with pizzazz, and you can’t help but be endeared to him. In Steven Spielberg’s crime dramedy, Leonardo DiCaprio stars as the brilliant teenage con artist who runs away from home, forges payroll checks to survive, and begins to be a master of deception, posing as a Pan Am airline pilot, a hospital doctor, and a state prosecutor, cashing millions of dollars in fake checks worldwide. FBI banking fraud agent Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks) makes it his mission to hunt Frank down.
Catch Me If You Can is a high-stakes globetrotting cat-and-mouse chase that explores themes of identity, family breakdown, loneliness, and the strange bond that forms between the fugitive and his pursuer. Though it may seem shocking that Frank achieved what he did before turning 21, that’s the story’s allure. His cleverness comes from using human psychology, quick thinking, and deep charm to beat the FBI. His ability to read people became his greatest feat. His quick thinking and adaptability are remarkable.
‘Good Will Hunting’ (1997)
While Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are the true geniuses for writing the film, Good Will Hunting is a story about a self-taught genius. Directed by Gus Van Sant, the film follows Will Hunting (Damon), a working-class genius in Boston who works as a janitor at MIT. After Will is arrested for a street fight, Professor Gerald Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgård) bails him out on one condition: Will must study mathematics with him and attend therapy sessions with Sean Maguire (Robin Williams).
Will is an incredibly accessible character, using defense mechanisms and arrogance to protect himself from past childhood abuse and the fear of abandonment, and watching him slowly dismantle these walls makes for a deeply cathartic journey. Then we have his quick-thinking mind: Will uses his quick mind and vocabulary to tear down pompous, wealthy people, mock professional therapists, and quote history or law to win arguments. He also has a photographic memory and genius-level math skills. He’s smarter than MIT, but he’s an example of how only the wealthy have the means to grow intellectually.
‘Home Alone’ (1990)
Let’s face it, we all wished we could be Kevin McCallister as a kid. In the iconic ‘90s classic Home Alone, 8-year-old boy Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) is accidentally left behind when his large family flies to Paris for Christmas. While having fun alone, he soon discovers two local thieves, Harry and Marv (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern), known as the Wet Bandits, plan to rob his house. Kevin must defend his home, rigging it with clever, painful booby traps like icy stairs, blowtorches, and paint cans.
Though his targets may be hilariously bumbling fools, Kevin shows quick ingenuity. Not necessarily an ideal role model, Kevin manages basic survival tasks like grocery shopping, avoiding stranger danger, and running a household. He transforms everyday household items into weapons and traps while using audio recordings from a fake 1930s gangster movie to trick the burglars into thinking an armed man is inside the house. Though it may not be the most realistic film, it remains a timeless classic that taps into our eternal childhood whimsy.
‘Iron Man’ (2008)
The MCU is filled with some incredible characters, but none is more of a genius than Tony Stark. It all came to light in the first film in the franchise, Iron Man. The origin story follows Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), a billionaire genius and weapons manufacturer who, while being held prisoner, builds a miniature arc reactor and constructs a heavy prototype suit of armor, which becomes the basis of his new superhero identity, Iron Man.
A revolutionary superhero flick, Iron Man set the course for the entire MCU, establishing the titular character as the ultimate genius mentor. The combination of Downey Jr. and an iconic character was truly a perfect match. He gave him an enigmatic charisma and bravado, but backed it up with practical cleverness that diminished the arrogance. Tony relies entirely on his genius, engineering skills, and rapid problem-solving, giving the character a tangibility rooted in skill rather than magic or supernatural powers, pairing sharp, rapid-fire humor with a pragmatic approach to crisis management.
‘Oppenheimer’ (2023)
Starring Cillian Murphy as the titular character, Oppenheimer chronicles the life of the American physicist who led the secret Manhattan Project to build the first atomic bomb during World War II. Told through two timelines, Oppenheimer showcases Oppenheimer and a team of scientists building and successfully testing the nuclear weapon at the Trinity Site, as well as his testimony during a high-level security clearance hearing orchestrated by Lewis Strauss (Robert Downey Jr.) from the Atomic Energy Commission, driven by political motives and personal animosity.
Directed by Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer is a masterpiece that dives deep into Oppenheimer’s mind as he morally questions his actions and feels immense guilt years later. Nolan opted against a standard biopic that would read as a documentary. Instead, it’s a masterful mix of brilliance and psychological burden and how they interacted, depicted as a deeply complex, multi-layered vessel of both creation and destruction. Oppenheimer’s greatest feat isn’t solving an equation; it’s managing the Manhattan Project, successfully managing thousands of erratic, ego-driven, Nobel Prize-winning scientists, and keeping them focused on a singular goal under extreme military pressure.
‘The Imitation Game’ (2014)
Another example of real-life geniuses, The Imitation Game follows brilliant British mathematician Alan Turing. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, the Morten Tyldum-directed film tells the tale of Turing and his team designing an early electromechanical computer to break Nazi Germany’s Enigma code during World War II. Turing’s team must carefully manage their intelligence to alter the course of the war without letting the Germans know their code has been compromised.
Combining a high-stakes historical thriller with an emotionally resonant character study of a deeply misunderstood genius, The Imitation Game does a remarkable job of presenting a fascinating individual. Turing is more than just a mastermind: he’s a lone, misunderstood visionary who outsmarts both the Nazi military and his skeptical superiors. Long before AI inundated the world with power, Turing proved the Bombe could do what no human mind could calculate in time. He uses a complex calculus of war, figuring out not just how to crack the code, but how to strategically withhold victories so the enemy never realizes their code has been compromised.
‘The Martian’ (2015)
Based on Andy Weir‘s brilliant novel, The Martian is a space nightmare that becomes a survival thriller of epic proportions. Directed by Ridley Scott, botanist and mechanical engineer astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is struck by debris, separated from the team, and presumed dead. Stranded alone on Mars, Watney must use his scientific ingenuity and unique skill set to stay alive.
Damon makes Watney one cool dude who just happens to have a massive brain. His intelligence is rooted in practical, real-world science rather than convenient sci-fi tropes or unexplained genius. There are no MacGuffins here: Watney survives entirely by understanding his environment’s rules and systematically exploiting them; in short, he truly does “science the s—t out of this.” The story showcases immaculate human resiliency. While Weir’s other major protagonist from Project Hail Mary could have snuck in here, Watney did it on his own without the assistance of a beloved alien.
‘The Shawshank Redemption’ (1994)
To close our journey out, a protagonist whose cleverness was a long game: Tim Robbins as Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption. Based on the novella by Stephen King, The Shawshank Redemption tells the story of Dufresne, a banker who is wrongfully sentenced to life in prison for a murder he did not commit. Rather than let the institution break him down, Andy uses his banking and financial skills to help corrupt prison guards and the cruel warden, Samuel Norton, launder money. While forming a lifelong friendship with fellow inmate Ellis “Red” Redding (Morgan Freeman), Andy executes a secret, brilliant escape plan.
A unique individual, Andy uses his quiet patience, professional background, and a two-decade-long plan to outsmart a brutal prison system. Andy uses a tiny rock hammer to tunnel through his cell wall, hiding the hole behind posters while playing off the warden’s arrogance. By secretly playing the corrupt system by double-crossing the warden, Andy makes himself indispensable, earning protection and securing resources like the prison library. His psychological misdirection becomes his greatest asset, as he establishes a false identity that lets him walk out and become a whistleblower against the laundering.
Entertainment
New York Comic-Con Turns 20: Ben Stiller Joins Shatner’s Star Trek Panel as ‘Princess Murders’ Debuts Disney-Style Trailer
TITLE: New York Comic-Con Turns 20: Ben Stiller Joins Shatner’s Star Trek Panel as ‘Princess Murders’ Debuts Disney-Style Trailer
KEYWORD: new york comic-con
DESCRIPTION: New York Comic-Con’s 20th anniversary lineup pairs Ben Stiller with William Shatner for Star Trek’s 60th, plus a gruesome Disney-parody comic trailer.
New York Comic-Con is celebrating its 20th anniversary this weekend with a lineup that spans from the final frontier to a blood-soaked fairy tale kingdom, proving once again that the convention has become one of the entertainment industry’s most reliable showcases for both nostalgia and the subversion of it.
The marquee moment comes Saturday, Oct. 10, when actor and filmmaker Ben Stiller moderates a conversation with William Shatner on the Empire Stage as part of a “Star Trek” panel marking the franchise’s 60th anniversary. Variety reported exclusively that Stiller, a lifelong “Star Trek” devotee who has long credited the original series with shaping his career, will sit down with Shatner for what promises to be one of the convention’s most anticipated sessions. The two have crossed paths professionally before: Shatner made a cameo alongside Stiller in “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story,” and Stiller appeared in “The Truth Is in the Stars,” a documentary Shatner hosted.
The conversation runs from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. ET and is just one part of a broader “Star Trek” presence at New York Comic-Con this year. Immediately following the Shatner-Stiller talk, the panel shifts to the cast and creators of “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy” Season 2, moderated by Collider’s Perri Nemiroff. That panel will bring together stars Holly Hunter, Sandro Rosta, Bella Shepard, Karim Diané and Robert Picardo alongside co-showrunners Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau. Notably, Season 2 — which does not yet have a premiere date but is expected in 2027 — will be the series’ last, a detail Variety first reported back in March.
Stiller arrives at New York Comic-Con amid a packed slate of his own. He’s currently starring in “Severance” Season 3 for Apple TV alongside the streamer’s “Off Weeks” and “Protective Custody,” and he’ll soon return to the “Meet the Parents” universe in “Focker-in-Law,” co-starring Robert De Niro and Ariana Grande, which hits theaters Nov. 25.
A Darker Spin on Fairy Tales Also Debuts at New York Comic-Con
While Stiller and Shatner draw crowds to the Empire Stage, another corner of New York Comic-Con is reveling in a very different kind of franchise homage. Comic creators Tony Fleecs and Tim Seeley used the convention as the launchpad for “The Princess Murders,” an Image Comics series that mashes up the gauzy romanticism of classic Disney animated musicals with the bloody theatrics of Italian giallo cinema.
The series follows Princess Lottie and her scheming stepsister Edwige as they travel to the Kingdom of Sardinia to vie for the hand of Prince Carlo — only for a black-gloved killer to start picking off the competition. It’s a premise squarely in line with Fleecs and Seeley’s track record of twisting beloved aesthetics into something stranger: Fleecs previously reimagined the slasher genre through the lens of 1980s Don Bluth-style animation in “Stray Dogs,” while the pair collaborated on “Local Man,” a murder mystery steeped in 1990s superhero comic nostalgia.
Timed to their New York Comic-Con panel, Fleecs and Seeley released a trailer engineered to look and sound exactly like a classic Disney princess musical, right down to an original song, “Can’t You Feel It,” composed by Nima Fakhrara and performed by vocalist Maria Schafer. “We wanted Princess Murders to feel as close to those classic animated princess movies as possible,” Fleecs said, adding that the team wanted audiences to actually hear what the comic’s embedded songs might sound like rather than simply imagining them on the page. “It’s exactly what Tim and I imagined these princesses would sound like… before they get murdered,” he said.
“The Princess Murders” will run as an ongoing series co-written and co-drawn by Fleecs and Seeley, with colors by Brian Reber. The first issue arrives in stores Dec. 9.
Why These Panels Matter at New York Comic-Con’s 20th Edition
Taken together, the Shatner-Stiller conversation and the splashy unveiling of “The Princess Murders” illustrate what New York Comic-Con has become over two decades: a place where legacy franchises and irreverent reinventions of them share equal billing. For “Star Trek,” the 60th-anniversary programming offers fans a bittersweet moment, celebrating the franchise’s endurance even as “Starfleet Academy” heads toward its final season. For comics readers, Fleecs and Seeley’s genre mashup signals that even the most wholesome corners of pop culture, like Disney’s princess musicals, remain fair game for creative subversion.
With organizers also teasing expansion plans, including a possible Coney Island tie-in and the prospect of growing the event to five days next year, New York Comic-Con’s anniversary edition is shaping up as a milestone not just for its history, but for the breadth of entertainment it now commands, from decades-old science fiction icons to brand-new comic book series looking to make their own mark.
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Teresa Giudice’s daughter, Milania Giudice, appears to be looking at her mother a little differently after their recent airport clash.
The 20-year-old reality star’s daughter offered Teresa a public apology this week after a video of their shocking confrontation drew online attention.
Rather than letting the airport drama define their relationship, she turned to social media with a surprisingly affectionate message for the Real Housewives of New Jersey star.
Teresa Giudice’s Daughter Milania Has A Change Of Heart
Milania Giudice made her feelings clear in an Instagram Stories post on Tuesday, reposting a photo that reflected on appreciating how someone was raised and who raised them.
According to the Daily Mail, she added a personal message directed toward Teresa Giudice, noting, “You are the best. sorry mother,” followed by a white heart emoji.
The post came after a video captured the mother-daughter confrontation at an airport.
The viral video showed Milania walking through the airport with Teresa and Gia Guidice while police officers stood nearby.
Milania repeatedly asked, “This is what we do now,” as Teresa told her, “I love you.” Gia then told Teresa, “Let her do what she wants to do,” before Milania angrily told her mother to “Shut the f*** up.”
Teresa’s Daughter Was Reportedly Experiencing A Serious Mental Health Crisis
The police account of Milania’s airport incident revealed that the confrontation involved concerns about the 20-year-old’s mental health.
Accoridng to The Blast, officers were told Milania was “having suicidal thoughts” and experiencing a “mental breakdown.”
She had reportedly been released from a nearby hospital and was traveling with Teresa Giudice, her sister Gia and a counselor when she separated from the group.
Authorities were informed that Milania had recently been evaluated under Florida’s Baker Act, which allows someone experiencing a mental-health crisis to be taken for emergency evaluation.
Officers ultimately located her and escorted her to her gate. Police did not arrest her or transport her to a hospital, and according to reports, no police report was created at the time.
Teresa Giudice’s Family Scrambled To Find Milania After She Left Them At The Airport
Police turned the response into a search operation when Milania separated from the group at Tampa International Airport.
The U.S. Sun obtained 911 dispatch audio from the incident, revealing that a counselor at the United Airlines ticket counter contacted authorities after Milania reportedly ran away.
The caller described Milania as a 20-year-old woman wearing a tan hat and yellow sweatsuit. Officers began gathering information about where she might have gone, and airport surveillance helped track her movements.
Police also learned that she was carrying a cat in a pink carrier. The search eventually narrowed through information about Milania’s cellphone.
Teresa later spotted her daughter, while an officer accompanying Gia learned Milania had gone down a hallway, potentially toward the Marriott. Officers subsequently used her cellphone location to help find her.
According to the outlet, police located Milania about 12 minutes after they were called and about 45 minutes after she first separated from the group.
More From The Blast
Teresa Told Milania She Wanted To ‘Save Your Life’ In Airport Bodycam Footage
The police search provided only part of the picture, while body-camera footage captured Teresa Giudice speaking directly to her daughter during the confrontation.
As The Blast reported, the footage showed Milania holding her phone as Teresa, Gia and police officers attempted to communicate with her.
The “RHONJ” alum told officers that Milania had fentanyl in her system and told her daughter she wanted to “save your life.”
Milania responded that she “was laced.” The footage also showed officers discussing Milania’s recent release following a Baker Act evaluation.
The family had arranged for a counselor to accompany Milania, and the bodycam footage showed Teresa and others attempting to keep her engaged while police remained nearby. At one point, Milania expressed concern about being sent “back in the psych ward.”
The footage later showed Milania walking through the airport in her yellow sweatsuit, checking her ticket and using her phone. Officers eventually instructed her to sit down while the situation was handled.
Teresa Giudice Asked For Privacy As Her Daughter Dealt With Personal Loss
Teresa subsequently addressed the circumstances surrounding Milania’s behavior, asking the public to give her daughter privacy while she dealt with what the reality star described as an exceptionally difficult period.
Per The Blast, Teresa said the previous several months had been “incredibly difficult” and described Milania as being in an “extremely vulnerable time in her life.”
She revealed that her daughter had experienced “tremendous heartbreak and significant psychological trauma” after losing two close friends.
One of those friends was Victoria Zardoya, who died in July after sustaining fatal injuries while exploring the ruins of Fort Dade during a trip to Tampa. The 54-year-old noted that the loss had been particularly painful for Milania.
The reality star said her priority was making sure her daughter was surrounded by “love, family, support, and the care she needs.” She acknowledged that the family’s public profile could invite scrutiny but emphasized that Milania’s well-being remained the focus.
Eva Marie Saint, the last surviving star of Hollywood’s golden age and the oldest living Academy Award winner, has died at her Los Angeles home at the age of 102. A family representative confirmed she died on Tuesday of natural causes, surrounded by relatives and loved ones, bringing to a close a career that stretched from the earliest days of live television to blockbuster filmmaking in the 2000s.
For audiences who came of age watching classic American cinema, Eva Marie Saint was never a single type. She was Edie Doyle, the quietly moral heart of Elia Kazan’s “On the Waterfront,” and five years later she was Eve Kendall, the glacial, seductive spy who entangled Cary Grant’s advertising executive in Alfred Hitchcock’s “North by Northwest.” Few actors of her era moved so convincingly between gritty realism and high Hollywood glamour, and fewer still are remembered as fondly for both.
From Teacher-in-Training to Oscar Winner
Born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1924, Saint originally planned to become a teacher before falling in love with theatre. She trained at the Herbert Berghof Studio and later the Actors Studio, the famed home of method acting co-founded by Kazan himself. That pedigree paid off almost immediately: her very first film role, as Edie in “On the Waterfront” opposite Marlon Brando, earned her the 1955 Academy Award for best supporting actress.
The circumstances of her win became part of Hollywood lore. Nine months pregnant at the ceremony, she joked to the audience, “I may have the baby right here!” She wasn’t exaggerating by much — her son arrived just two days later.
Brando, famously intense and immersive in his method, left a lasting impression on his co-star. “I felt that he could see right through me,” Saint recalled in a 2013 interview with Turner Classic Movies, admitting she found him both “adorable” and “a little frightening.”
Becoming the Definitive Hitchcock Blonde
If “On the Waterfront” established Eva Marie Saint as a serious dramatic actress, “North by Northwest” transformed her into a cinematic icon of an entirely different kind. Alfred Hitchcock, notoriously exacting with his leading ladies, built her performance from the outside in. “My hair, my makeup, my shoes, my jewellery, my purse, my gloves, everything,” she said. “And just from creating that exterior for me, he gave me the sense of a spy lady.”
The result was a character who critics now credit with helping shape the template for the “Bond women” who followed decades later — sophisticated, sexually confident, and intellectually a match for her male co-star. Film critic Peter Bradshaw, reflecting on her death, noted that her Eve Kendall carried “the airily sexy entitlement” of Grace Kelly alongside something more vulnerable, visible in moments like the art auction scene where her character’s fear and wretchedness break through her polished exterior.
Yet those who worked closely with Eva Marie Saint over the decades insisted the glamorous persona never fully defined her. Her television work in the 1940s and 1950s, including a live musical adaptation of Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” alongside Paul Newman and Frank Sinatra, showcased a performer capable of comedy, drama and emotional nuance long before Hollywood pigeonholed her as Hitchcock’s icy blonde.
A Career That Refused to Fade
After starring opposite Paul Newman in “Exodus” and Warren Beatty in “All Fall Down,” Saint stepped back from major film roles to raise a family with her husband, director Jeffrey Hayden, to whom she was married for 65 years until his death in 2016.
But she never fully left the industry behind. In 1990, she won an Emmy Award for her role as the wealthy widow Lil Van Degan Altemus in the television miniseries “People Like Us.” Then, remarkably, in her 80s she made a widely noted big-screen comeback as Clark Kent’s adoptive mother in 2006’s “Superman Returns,” introducing her to an entirely new generation of moviegoers. She continued acting well into her 90s, appearing in “Winter’s Tale” alongside Colin Farrell and Russell Crowe, and in 2019’s “Mariette in Ecstasy.”
Reflecting on her unusually long career, Eva Marie Saint credited her longevity with deepening her craft rather than diminishing it. “The longer you live, the smarter you get, because you’ve been around, you’ve seen things,” she told Turner Classic Movies. “You’ve gone through different emotional experiences in your own life, and hopefully, you understand things better. And that makes you a better actress.”
She leaves behind two children and two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, recognising both her film and television work. With her passing, the industry loses one of its last direct links to the golden age of studio filmmaking — but her performances, from the Brooklyn docks of “On the Waterfront” to the speeding train of “North by Northwest,” remain as vivid and studied as ever.
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David Corenswet’s future as Superman reportedly looks secure even as major changes are coming to Warner Bros. Discovery and DC Studios.
According to a new report from insider Jeff Sneider, Corenswet is expected to remain the DC Universe’s Superman for years following the merger involving Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery.
The report indicates that Corenswet’s position as the Man of Steel is not expected to be affected by potential changes surrounding DC Studios once the merger is completed. One source reportedly suggested Corenswet could remain in the red cape for as long as the next decade.
While that should not be treated as an official commitment from DC Studios or the incoming company, it is an encouraging sign for the future of the current Superman.
Corenswet made his debut as Clark Kent/Superman in James Gunn’s Superman, officially launching the theatrical side of Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DC Universe.
He is already set to return in Man of Tomorrow, continuing the story established in Superman. The film is currently scheduled to arrive in theaters on July 9, 2027.
David Corenswet as Superman [Warner Bros.]
The timing of the report is particularly interesting because Warner Bros. Discovery is preparing for another major change in ownership. Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery have announced that their merger is expected to close on October 6, bringing Warner Bros., DC and Paramount under the same corporate umbrella.
Major ownership changes frequently lead to questions about existing franchises, executives and long-term creative plans. DC fans experienced exactly that during the transition from the previous DC film universe to Gunn and Safran’s DCU, which ultimately resulted in Henry Cavill departing the Superman role shortly after announcing his return.
Corenswet, however, reportedly isn’t facing the same uncertainty.
David Corenswet as Superman [Warner Bros.]
There is also an existing connection between Corenswet and the incoming Paramount leadership. The actor stars in Paramount’s upcoming Mr. Irrelevant, giving the studio another major project with the actor outside of his Superman role.
Exactly what the merger means for the leadership and long-term structure of DC Studios remains to be seen. Gunn and Safran currently oversee the DC Universe, but the new ownership structure could eventually bring changes throughout Warner Bros. and its major franchises.
For now, though, one of the biggest pieces of the DCU reportedly appears to be staying in place.
David Corenswet is Superman — and if the latest report proves accurate, he could be wearing the cape for a long time.
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