From The Love Hypothesis to Off Campus to Every Year After, Prime Video’s Obsessed Fest celebrated the streaming service’s upcoming releases — and served as the perfect backdrop for memorable red carpet moments.

The streaming service announced in April that Prime Video was branching out with Obsessed Fest, which was described as “an inaugural summer tentpole event that brings the internet’s most passionate fandoms to life.” The event took place on Saturday, June 27 at nya Studios in Los Angeles with an “all-day immersive event” that “transforms online fandom into a live, participatory celebration where fans can connect, discover, and engage like never before,” according to the press release.

Obsessed Fest celebrated highly anticipated YA titles including Every Year After, The Love Hypothesis, Elle, Off Campus, Overcompensating, Your Fault: London, Drawn Together and more. Fans who attended got exclusive first looks, appearances from casts and creators and a range of fan-focused access to the talent and creators behind the stories they love.

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The programming at Obsessed Fest also featured a central programming hub, a literary lounge, a suite of cinematic content studios and screenings, merch and concessions for attendees.

Prime Video also used the event to share news such as Ever Year After‘s renewal and a first look at The Love Hypothesis.

Keep scrolling to see what the stars wore at the memorable event:

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 9 seconds ago

We’re still living in the Golden Age of Television, with new must-see shows popping up all the time. However, there’s one that has yet to be dethroned as arguably the greatest series ever made: Breaking Bad. Courtesy of showrunner Vince Gilligan, Breaking Bad captivated the entire world with its tale of a cancer-ridden science teacher (Walter White) forced to sell meth in order to afford medical care. It soon went beyond this provocative premise with a tale about power, corruption, and redemption. Breaking Bad even became a cross-generational hit, appealing to Zoomers as much as it does to Millennials. 

The Breaking Bad franchise continued with a movie focusing on Jesse Pinkman (El Camino) and a spinoff show about  Walter’s hilariously shady lawyer (Better Call Saul). All were well-received, and the entire franchise is regarded as the standard of modern storytelling. Unfortunately, everyone’s favorite dramatic franchise just sold out. IMG Licensing and Sony Pictures Television have teamed up in order to develop an entire global licensing program dedicated to the Breaking Bad Universe.

He Is The One Who Snacks

According to The Hollywood Reporter, IMG and Sony are developing a Breaking Bad licensing program as part of a “multi-year collaboration” that “will deliver consumer products, brand partnerships and immersive fan experiences worldwide.” In conjunction with franchise creator Vince Gilligan, they hope to “identify strategic partners across key categories including premium apparel, collectibles, food and beverage, home decor, travel, publishing, and experiential activations.” The goal is simple: to appeal to existing Breaking Bad fans while bringing some new ones into the fold. What makes all of this notable is that this is “the first time Sony has appointed an external licensing agency to develop a global licensing program for the franchise.”

When I first heard this news, my heart sank a little bit. I’ve never had a problem with basic Breaking Bad merchandise; after all, as one of the most popular shows ever made, it was inevitable that the show would get its predictable bevy of t-shirts, action figures, and even blue rock candy made to look like Walter White’s signature brand of meth. However, I absolutely despised the 2023 Super Bowl commercial that brought Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul back together to sell Popcorners. It badly recreated memorable Breaking Bad scenes and ended with Cranston uttering the cringiest line of all: “I am the one who snacks.”

Breaking Bad: The Search For More Money

Maybe I’m just old and cranky, but I hated that commercial because it cheapened the entire Breaking Bad brand, all to sell some freakin’ potato chip alternative that nobody ever has or ever will actually care about. Now, that was the kind of weird stuff that was happening before executives started working with a global licensing program. Things have the potential to get a lot worse, like Star Wars-style Happy Meals, AI-powered parody commercials, reality shows, etc. Trust me: no matter how bad you think it will be, this is ultimately going to get much, much worse.

For example, I’ve got a bad feeling about those aforementioned “immersive experiences.” Are we going to get pop-up stands where you can lie down on a huge stack of fake money for a photo opportunity? Competitions where we see how well you can land an oversized pizza frisbee on top of a house? Maybe there will be an interactive game where you can attempt to save Hank from certain death. Could some of this be fun and memorable? Maybe. But all of it would serve to further dilute the IP, making Breaking Bad more like Star Wars. That is, nothing more than an excuse to sell as much merchandise as humanly possible. 

As always, I could be wrong. Maybe we’ll get plenty of tasteful merch and genuinely awesome experiences, especially since Vince Gilligan is involved. But if this licensing program produces mostly crap, it will be the worst of both worlds, keeping Gilligan from meaningfully working on anything new while lowering our general opinion about his integrity as a creator. With that said, though, we can agree on one thing: all will be forgiven if they introduce Los Pollos Hermanos as a global brand selling fried chicken. Be sure to get a side order of blue meth for the most immersive experience of them all!

Sammi “Sweetheart” Giancola is setting the record straight after fans speculated she might be expecting another child. The “Jersey Shore” star responded to social media comments after photos from Jenni “JWoww” Farley‘s surprise wedding sparked rumors that Giancola was pregnant again. Rather than ignore the speculation, the reality star candidly addressed the challenges she’s faced since welcoming her first child less than a year ago.

After appearing in photos from Farley’s wedding celebration, Giancola noticed some fans questioning whether she was expecting another baby. The reality television personality quickly responded in the comments section of an Instagram post shared from the event. “Guys.. I’m not pregnant again, it’s so hard to lose this baby weight!” she wrote.

The comment immediately resonated with many followers, who rushed to reassure Giancola that she looked beautiful and had nothing to explain. “You look amazing,” one supporter wrote, while others praised the star for being honest about the realities of postpartum recovery.

The Reality Star Recently Welcomed Her First Child

Giancola’s response comes less than a year after she and her husband, Justin May, welcomed their son, Vincent Keith May, in August 2025. The couple’s road to parenthood was not without challenges.

Before Vincent’s arrival, Giancola openly documented her IVF journey and the heartbreak of experiencing a miscarriage, earning support from fans who followed her story. “Some people don’t believe in IVF and stuff, so I was nervous to tell anybody,” she explained in 2024. “I was leaning on other platforms like Instagram or TikTok and seeing what other people were going through.”

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Wedding Photos Sparked The Speculation

The rumors began after Giancola attended Farley’s surprise wedding to Zack Carpinello earlier this week. In photos shared from the celebration, Giancola posed alongside the bride and groom while wearing a sheer floral dress.

One image showed May gently resting his hand on her waist, leading some followers to wonder whether the couple had another baby on the way. Instead, Giancola made it clear that what some fans interpreted as a baby bump was simply the normal process of postpartum recovery.

JWoww’s Surprise Wedding Brought The ‘Jersey Shore’ Family Together

Farley’s wedding celebration came just months after Giancola and May celebrated a milestone of their own. The couple tied the knot in December 2025 after becoming engaged in March 2024.

As for Farley and Carpinello, the newlyweds managed to surprise nearly everyone in attendance. Guests reportedly arrived at Madison Modern Social in New Jersey believing they were attending a screening for Farley’s upcoming film, “Nanny Cam,” only to discover they had actually been invited to witness the couple exchange vows.

“It was a beautiful reminder of how fortunate we are to have such incredible people in our lives,” Farley later said of the intimate ceremony.

Farley and Carpinello put their own spin on the traditional wedding entrance by skipping the customary walk down the aisle in favor of personalized musical selections. A longtime James Bond enthusiast, Carpinello made his entrance to “The Name’s Bond… James Bond,” the iconic track composed by David Arnold for Casino Royale.

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Farley, meanwhile, opted for a song that held special meaning for her and one of her closest friends. The reality star walked in to Lana Del Rey’s “Young and Beautiful,” the same song Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi used for her first dance at her wedding. “It’s a tribute to my best friend,” Farley explained, highlighting yet another heartfelt detail from the intimate ceremony.

JWoww And Zack Carpinello Chose A Nontraditional Wedding Venue

Rather than opting for a traditional wedding venue, Farley and Carpinello chose Madison Modern Social for their intimate ceremony because it let them focus on what mattered most: celebrating their love with close family and friends.

The couple said the restaurant setting helped eliminate many of the pressures often associated with larger weddings, creating a more relaxed and meaningful experience. “We wanted to focus on the moment itself instead of the pressure and expense that often comes with weddings,” the pair explained.

Despite keeping the celebration intentionally intimate, the newlyweds didn’t skimp on the details. Deep ruby-red tones, rose gold accents, candlelight, and romantic floral arrangements transformed the space into an elegant setting worthy of a fairy tale.

Farley described the overall aesthetic as “a modern ‘Beauty and the Beast’ fairy tale with a dark romance twist,” blending classic romance with a sophisticated edge that reflected the couple’s personal style.

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By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 22 seconds ago

Star Trek and Doctor Who are two of the world’s longest-running sci-fi franchises, with each show making its debut in the ‘60s and continuously telling new stories over the decades. There is some interesting parallelism to each franchise: both Trek and Who constantly reinvent themselves with new casts, and both have been off the air for long periods before coming back. Now, both of these iconic IPs are in the same boat. Doctor Who is off the air indefinitely until the BBC finds a buyer, and Trek is no longer producing shows as part of a (likely doomed) pivot to film. 

For all of these similarities, however, the two franchises almost had something else in common: shared onscreen adventures. Former Doctor Who showrunner Russell T. Davies previously confirmed his desire to have a crossover between his show and Enterprise, but the cancellation of this Star Trek spinoff made that impossible. Now, Strange New Worlds showrunner Akiva Goldsman confirmed that he also worked with Davies for years to try to make a modern crossover happen. Unfortunately, history repeated itself, and they were unable to make a crossover happen before both shows were finished.

Crossover Plans Were Bigger On The Inside

Fans of both fandoms thought we might be getting a crossover when the Doctor Who episode “Space Babies” streamed in 2024. At one point, new Companion Ruby compares the technology of the TARDIS to the technology of Star Trek. She is clearly referring to the sci-fi franchise as a work of fiction. However, the Doctor smiles and enthusiastically responds, “We’ve got to meet them one day!” He seemed to think these characters were very real and worth a visit, strongly hinting that we might get a crossover. One year later, Trek upped the ante with an episode that made multiple references to Doctor Who.

The Strange New Worlds episode “The Sehlat Who Ate Its Tail” featured two very prominent Doctor Who homages. The first was the long-lived Pelia claiming that she had traveled with a Doctor, and her dialogue highly implies that she was a Companion to the Doctor. On top of that, eagle-eyed viewers noticed that the TARDIS was visible in some of the outer space shots. Between these references and the earlier Doctor Who episode, it seemed like a crossover was on the horizon, but we never got one. Now, Strange New Worlds co-showrunner Akiva Goldsman has revealed how heartbreakingly close we really got. 

The Woman Who Lived (And Lived, And Lived, And Lived)

In a recent interview with Awards Radar, Goldsman was asked about “The Sehlat Who Ate Its Tail” and its reference to a certain timey-wimey someone. “We were trying with Russell to do a crossover. We were for years,” he said. “Again, these are the near misses, but we got not unclose, and we had some really cool conversations about it. And so, certainly in our view, I mean, Pelia traveled in the TARDIS. Why not?” 

Back in 2024, Goldsman had announced his desire for a Star Trek/Doctor Who crossover at a fan convention. In response to a montage video showing what that might look like, he gushed, “That shows you what it would feel like, what it would look like… the joy of it. It must happen!” However, he also declared how difficult this would be and what role fans played in the whole thing. “If anyone can make that happen… it’s fans that can make that happen! Two great big broadcasters, two great big empires–and their lawyers!–would have to come together, but we can do that, can’t we?”

Doctor, To The Bridge!

Sadly, that confidence was obviously misplaced. Goldsman didn’t delve into details, but it’s almost certain that the lawyers for these two sci-fi franchises never saw eye to eye. Eventually, the crossover became outright impossible: Strange New Worlds finished shooting its fifth and final season. More recently, the BBC and showrunner Russel T. Davies (the man who pushed for a crossover in the first place!) confirmed that Doctor Who was going on indefinite hiatus. 

However, fans still wanting a taste of what that crossover would look like can always read the engrossingly weird crossover comics from IDW Publishing. And we can all cross our fingers that someday, we’ll see David Tennant’s Doctor on the bridge of the Starship Enterprise ordering warp speed as only he can: “Allons-y!” 

There’s something undeniably cheerful about a pair of colorful sandals in the summer, and no one makes the playful trend look more effortless than Kristen Bell. Whether she’s running errands or spending time with her family, the actress has a knack for pairing practical pieces with laid-back style. Her rainbow-hued hiking sandals are proof that comfort and personality can go hand in hand.

Bell was spotted pairing the colorful hiking sandals with a lavender T-shirt and blue sweatpants for an effortlessly off-duty look that proved comfortable style can still feel fun. While her exact Teva pair has since sold out, Amazon has a nearly identical option for just $24. The Cior Sport Arch Support Hiking Sandals capture the same sporty silhouette and vibrant multicolor straps for a fraction of the price.

Get the Cior Sport Arch Support Hiking Sandals for $24 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

The colorful design is just one reason they’re a summer must-have. The sandals also feature a cushioned yoga mat footbed, supportive arch support, adjustable hook-and-loop straps and a soft skid-resistant rubber outsole for stability. They’re even water-friendly, making them a practical choice for everything from beach vacations and lakeside walks to everyday errands.

Related: Supermodel Heidi Klum Called This Cult-Loved Sandal Her ‘Absolute Favorite’

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Heidi Klum has spent decades walking some of the world’s biggest runways in sky-high designer heels, but off duty, her footwear philosophy is surprisingly practical. When someone with access to virtually every luxury shoe calls one comfy pair her “absolute favorite,” it’s worth paying attention. The supermodel told The Strategist that the Birkenstock Arizona Soft […]

Available in sizes 6 through 11, the sandals come in black, cream and several colorful prints. There’s an option for nearly every style, so you’re bound to find one that fits with the rest of your closet.

Unsurprisingly, shoppers are obsessed with these shoes, with thousands of people rating the pair five stars. One reviewer called the sandals the “perfect, cheaper alternative” to the pricier name brand, adding that they “got so many compliments” while wearing them.

Another customer raved about the “smooth, soft and extremely comfortable” feel, adding that wearing them is like “walking on clouds.”

Bell has always gravitated toward comfortable, unfussy fashion, and these sandals fit that aesthetic perfectly. Better yet, you can recreate her look for just $24! Pair the Amazon sandals with denim shorts, a breezy sundress or your favorite linen pants, and you’ll have an easy summer outfit that channels the star’s playful style.

Get the Cior Sport Arch Support Hiking Sandals for $24 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

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

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Jennifer Aniston has been serving swimsuit inspiration for decades, and one of her most unforgettable vacation looks is still that dreamy Capri-blue bikini she wore while soaking up the sun in Europe. The timeless triangle silhouette, vibrant blue hue and effortless styling felt equal parts classic and carefree. Years later, it’s still the kind of […]

You might be excited about the return of the MCU for Doomsday this December, or perhaps the release of Dune: Part Three, the final installment in Denis Villeneuve‘s acclaimed adaptation of Frank Herbert‘s Dune novels, on the very same day (December 18). But the big blockbuster sequel coming this December that is the most surprising treat for theatergoers is undeniably The Hunt for Gollum, the first standalone, live-action theatrical release set in the main timeline of Middle-earth since the original Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Scheduled to hit theaters on December 17, 2027, the film sees a host of fan-favorite faces from the original return, including Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, and Elijah Wood as Gandalf, Gollum, and Frodo, respectively. Serkis also takes over directing duties from Peter Jackson. Excited about The Hunt for Gollum? Of course you are, and, to get you in the mood, one of Wood’s most underrated movies is about to come to free streaming. The film in question is Cooties, a horror zombie comedy that stars Wood alongside The Office‘s Rainn Wilson.

Also starring The Invisible Man director Leigh Whannell, Alison Pill, and more, Cooties is a fun, fresh, and brilliantly silly zombie story that follows a trio of elementary school teachers who must protect themselves from children who have been transformed into evil by contaminated chicken nuggets (yes, you heard that correctly). The film received a very limited theatrical release in 2015, as well as some pretty poor reviews from critics. However, its nonsense has aged well, with its gory irreverence helping it become a cult classic today. You can check out this movie for free next month, when it starts streaming on Plex on July 1.

Elijah Wood Was in One of 2026’s Best Horror Comedies

Earlier this year, Wood was the standout new addition to a starry cast in Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, a sequel to the hit 2019 horror comedy. Sarah Michelle Gellar, Shawn Hatosy, Néstor Carbonell, Kevin Durand, and David Cronenberg also joined the cast, once again led by Samara Weaving, who returns to the role that established her as one of the best modern Scream Queens. It has just been announced that Ready or Not 2 will be available to stream on July 2 on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the U.S.

Cooties is streaming on Plex next month. Stay tuned to Collider for more streaming stories.

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Release Date

September 18, 2015

Runtime

88 Minutes

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Director

Jonathan Milott

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Alan Jackson‘s final concert nearly got off to a disastrous start after severe weather forced thousands of fans to seek shelter just moments before the country music legend was set to take the stage. The 67-year-old singer’s retirement show, “Last Call: One More For The Road – The Finale,” was delayed Saturday night at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium after lightning moved into the area, creating a tense situation during what was supposed to be a celebratory farewell. Fortunately, the weather eventually cleared, allowing Alan Jackson to take the stage and continue with the emotional sendoff marking the end of his touring career.

Concertgoers were already packed into the sold-out stadium when officials issued a weather alert warning that lightning was approaching the venue.

“At this time, lightning is approaching Nissan Stadium and the event has entered a weather delay,” the stadium wrote on X. “Please proceed to covered areas of the concourses or other interior areas at this time.” The announcement sent fans scrambling for shelter while organizers monitored the storm.

After a tense wait, officials confirmed the severe weather had passed and gave attendees the all-clear to return to their seats. “Inclement weather has cleared the area and fans are welcome to go back to their seats,” the venue later announced. “Alan will take the stage at approximately 9:25 p.m.!”

Opry announcer Kelly Sutton also reassured attendees that the show would continue while encouraging everyone to remain sheltered until conditions improved.

Country Music’s Biggest Stars Gathered To Celebrate Jackson’s Legacy

The farewell concert attracted some of the biggest names in country music, many of whom were on hand to celebrate Jackson’s decades-long impact on the genre. Lainey Wilson, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, and Lee Ann Womack were among the stars in attendance as fans gathered to honor one of country music’s most beloved performers.

The event served as both a concert and a celebration of a career that produced dozens of chart-topping hits, including “Remember When,” “Livin’ On Love,” “Chattahoochee,” and “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.” For many fans, the evening represented the end of an era.

Alan Jackson’s Farewell Comes Amid His Battle With Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease

The significance of Jackson’s final performance extends beyond retirement. The country icon has been living with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a rare inherited neurological disorder that affects muscle strength, balance, and mobility.

Although Jackson was diagnosed in 2011, he publicly revealed his condition a decade later, opening up about the challenges it presents while performing. Despite the diagnosis, Jackson continued touring and recording music, earning praise from fans for his determination to remain on stage for as long as possible. His farewell concert marked the culmination of that journey.

Alan Jackson Wanted To End His Career Where It All Began

When Jackson announced his final concert in October, he made it clear there was only one place he wanted to close this chapter of his life. “We just felt like we had to end it all where it all started for me, and that’s in Nashville, Music City, where country music lives,” Jackson told PEOPLE at the time.

The two-time Grammy winner said he couldn’t imagine a better location for his final bow after spending decades building his career in the heart of country music. “It’s been a long road… and it’s taken me places I never imagined,” Jackson reflected.

The singer also promised fans that the finale would include many of the special people who helped shape his remarkable career.

Fans Across Nashville Joined In The Celebration

Demand for the concert was so high that many fans were unable to secure tickets to the sold-out event. To ensure more people could be part of the historic evening, organizers livestreamed the concert on a large screen along Nashville’s famous Broadway district.

Even with the unexpected weather delay, fans remained determined to witness Jackson’s final performance, whether inside Nissan Stadium or gathered downtown.

For a singer whose music helped define modern country music, Saturday night wasn’t just another concert. It was the closing chapter of a legendary career that has spanned more than three decades, countless hit songs, and generations of devoted fans.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 15 seconds ago

Last summer, the DCU got off to a strong start with James Gunn’s Superman. Bright, colorful, and unapologetically silly, this cinematic universe seemed like the perfect alternative to the grim and gritty DCEU and the grounded, snarky MCU. As if to drive that point home, Gunn’s movie ended up beating out two highly anticipated Marvel movies: The Thunderbolts (a quirky, comedic blockbuster featuring several familiar faces) and The Fantastic Four: First Steps (an established brand name starring Pedro Pascal, Hollywood’s latest wonderboy). Now, we have a rematch between Marvel and DC, with Supergirl and Spider-Man: Brand New Day both competing to be the biggest film of the summer.

While Brand New Day won’t come out until July 31, it seems Marvel has already won this rematch. Supergirl’s opening weekend is far worse than anyone initially predicted, and the Woman of Steel is going to be slugging it out to get just $40 million domestic (less than a third of Superman’s $125 million). This poor initial box office, combined with poor word of mouth, means that the movie may not manage to get $200 million worldwide by the time all is said and done. By contrast, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is projected to earn $200 million domestically in its first weekend, more than Supergirl is likely to get in its entire run!

Spider-Man Versus Supergirl 

Box office projections are a tricky thing. Initially, they are based on many factors, including early ticket sales and online buzz. However, the rubber really meets the road when the film makes its debut. Once analysts know how much a movie makes in its opening weekend, it becomes easier to estimate how much it will make in its entire run. With very occasional exceptions like Obsession, movies almost always make less money in every subsequent week. Based on real-time audience data gathered through CinemaScore, PostTrak, and other tools, it’s easier to get an idea of a film’s “legs”, i.e. how slowly its box office will decline from week to week. 

As you might imagine, Supergirl is looking pretty bleak right now. Earning $40 million in its opening weekend is a bad sign because several superhero movies with a similar opening box office only ended up earning about 2x their opening box office. That means Supergirl could earn only about $80 million domestically. International box office is likely to be weaker than usual (because the movie features a female-centric movie based around a less popular character), so things get even bleaker. Even if the domestic legs are better than anticipated, this film will very likely end up earning less than $200 million worldwide. Meanwhile, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is estimated to earn $200 million domestically in its opening weekend.

He’s Ready For The Fight

So, why is Supergirl likely to only earn about 2x, domestically, of its opening weekend? Basically, it comes down to how much money superhero movies with similar opening weekends ended up making. The Marvels (the first MCU film to lose money) earned $47 million domestically in its opening weekend and only ended up earning $206.1 million worldwide. Morbius earned $39.1 million domestically in its opening weekend and only ended up earning $167.4 million worldwide. Finally, Joker: Folie à Deux earned $37.8 million domestically and ended up getting only $207.5 million worldwide.

Now, Joker 2 is an example of how Supergirl could still earn over $200 million globally after a $40 million domestic opening weekend. But it’s worth noting that Joker is a much more popular character, and this was a sequel to a movie that earned over a billion dollars at the box office. That movie also came out in October 2024, when its primary competition was Venom: The Last Dance. Supergirl is currently getting its butt kicked by Toy Story 5, and its hopes of earning more in July will be dashed by highly anticipated blockbusters like The Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day. 

No Matter What, Supergirl Will Lose Money

Even if Supergirl could achieve a worldwide box office greater than Brand New Day’s domestic opening weekend, that would be only a symbolic victory. Studio insiders have previously claimed that the film will need $300 million just to break even, and it’s not going to achieve that, much less turn a profit for the studio. That means the second DCU feature film is going to lose money, just like The Marvels did. Notably, it took the MCU a decade and a half before it made a movie that lost money. 

The DCU managed this in less than a year, and with Supergirl flopping the same year Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Avengers: Doomsday premier, the DCU may end up dying much, much quicker than the DCEU. Fans hoping to see these two cinematic universes slug it out are likely disappointed at how quickly the fight ended. After all, James Gunn set out to battle the MCU only to learn the most bitter lesson of all: Marvel’s got hands!

Landman‘s Ali Larter weighed in on how creator Taylor Sheridan has written female characters on his shows.

“I love that he creates dynamic and powerful women,” Larter, 50, recently told Us Weekly at the Newport Beach TV Fest sponsored by Visit Newport Beach.

Larter was excited to see what Sheridan, 56, created for her character, Angela, in season 3, adding, “With someone like Angela, she’s someone who loves her family, loves to have a good time and she has this big, huge heart.”

She continued: “For me, it’s been a dream getting to play her. I never know what’s going to come out of her mouth — but we figure it out on set — and it’s always a joy and a blast to play her.”

Based on the “Boomtown” podcast, Landman is Sheridan’s newest hit series, joining the ranks of Yellowstone, Mayor of Kingstown, Tulsa King, Lawmen: Bass Reeves and Lioness. The hit Paramount+ series introduced Billy Bob Thornton as a corporate fixer working for an oil titan in a West Texas-set drama with life-and-death stakes.

Larter, meanwhile, plays Tommy’s (Thornton) wife alongside their onscreen daughter Ainsley (Michelle Randolph). Before filming began on season 3, Larter teased what might be explored in future episodes.

“I really can’t even assume or try to guess what Taylor is going to imagine for season 3,” Larter shared at the event. “One thing I know is that to be able to get this far into our story lines, we all know each other. So the characters really understand what their dynamics are.”

Larter teased that Sheridan will “just lean into that,” adding, “And I think what’s nice is that it’s not the first time. So when you’re going back down, it’s not the anxiety and the nervousness. You’ll get a little bit of the jitters, but to be able to go down and just do what we love [is wonderful].”

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Related: What Has the ‘Landman’ Cast Said About Working With Creator Taylor Sheridan?

The Landman cast has often spoken about their experiences working with Yellowstone’s Taylor Sheridan on his new hit series. Sheridan’s work started in front of the camera before he transitioned to writing credits on Sicario, Hell or High Water and Wind River. From there, Sheridan created Yellowstone, which broke records at Paramount Network. The hit […]

Her costar Andy Garcia revealed he was just as in the dark about what is still to come.

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“I’m in Taylor’s hands. I’m in it to win it. So, whatever he wants or has plans for me, I’m ready to execute,” he told Us. “It all starts from the writing. He’s the writer — and he’s the storyteller — and I think he writes all the characters in a very specific way. They are very well rounded and the stories are intertwined in a way that’s very engaging and he has a flair for the dramatic.”

Garcia, 70, continued, “He also [has] an understanding of humanity and empathy and he has an insight into relationships that are very keen. Whether it’s husband and wife, or father and daughter, or father and son, or in case maybe a businessman. It’s a privilege. When you have great writing, it’s always a privilege.”

Landman is streaming on Paramount+.

By Jonathan Klotz
| Published 14 seconds ago

Star Trek has always had, at its core, the belief that humanity will come together over time, see past manmade differences, and approach the stars as a unified species. Gene Roddenberry’s series includes plenty examples of that not happening, but the basic tenet is the same, while J. Michael Straczynski’s  Babylon 5 starts off with a different belief: humans are humans, we’ll argue, fight, disagree, and always find a way to separate ourselves and others. In the case of Season 1 Episode 7, “War Prayer,” it’s the introduction of the Homeguard, a militant anti-alien group that reveals humanity still has its bad apples. 

The War Prayer Introduces The Homeguard

“The War Prayer” kicks off with a string of alien attacks onboard the space station with the expected response from the different ambassadors. Deleen (Mira Furlan) wants Sinclair (Michael O’Hare) to investigate, while G’kar (Andreas Katsulas) is rallying the aliens demanding more be done to keep them safe and punish those responsible. At the same time, and completely unrelated, Ivanova’s (Claudia Christian) former lover Malcolm (Soap Opera star Tristan Rogers) arrives on Babylon 5. 

Jeffrey Sinclair and Ivanova are one-step ahead of the attackers, purposely putting on a public display of anti-alien sentiment to gain their trust, which works. Malcolm reveals that the use of Earthforce stealth technology lets his group get close to the aliens with the goal of killing the ambassadors, thus kicking off an alien race war. It didn’t work when Charles Manson tried it in 1969, and it still didn’t work in 2258. What it does succeed at, is reinforcing the underlying currents of “Infection,” and “Mind War,” by showing viewers that there’s a dark side to the world of Babylon 5.

Babylon 5 Is About Hope For Tomorrow

The Homeguard remains in the background of Babylon 5 but it was only the precursor to something worse in later seasons: Nightwatch. Under the reign of President William Clark, the paramilitary group conducts a reign of terror that doesn’t differentiate between aliens and those insufficiently loyal to Clark. To the Nightwatch, Homeguard is where the misfits who couldn’t hack it in their ranks go. 

Looking back at “The War Prayer,” Malcolm’s plan is quaint compared to what happens with the Earth Alliance. It also sticks out as an early example of Babylon 5’s cynical worldview which exists, not to be the status quo, but to highlight the work of Sinclair, John Sheridan (Bruce Boxleitner), Garibaldi (Jerry Doyle), and Ivanova in working for a better tomorrow as a sign of hope that eventually humanity can change. Instead of Star Trek’s optimism tempered by later signs that not all is right with the Federation, Babylon 5 goes the opposite direction, and by the end of the series, there’s no doubt that humanity, and the universe, is in a better place.

Babylon 5 was one of the darker sci-fi series of the 90s but that’s what helped it become a huge hit with a rabid following to this day. The world-building on display within the first season pays off throughout the rest of the series with intricate, character-driven storylines and elaborate political machinations that have their roots within the first few episodes of Season 1. It’s a masterclass in writing science fiction and “The War Prayer” is only one example of creator JMS lanting seeds that pay off later.