Days of Our Lives may have four possible deaths we may get in Salem this summer. Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk) and Lexi Carver (Nikki Crawford) are on that list and possibly two babies, which is truly horrible. Plus, EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) is targeted, Dimitri Von Leuschner (Peter Porte) is back, and Sarah says, “I love you, but not to Xander.”

We’ve got the lowdown on what happens in Salem this summer. We took the big summer promo and made sense of it because it was choppy, out of order, and all over the place. But we fixed all that, but we have lots to cover. So, I’m going to be talking a little faster than usual.

EJ’s Ambitions and Lexi’s Illness on Days of Our Lives

So, first of all, EJ is determined to carry forward with Stefano DiMera’s (Joseph Mascolo) vision and preserve the empire that his dad built. And Lexi thinks the DiMera name could be something better. And Susan Banks (Stacy Haiduk) doesn’t like this at all and tells EJ he’s not Stefano and she’s not going to let him turn into that monster. Also, Lexi is soon sick. Scary symptoms start this week.

Plus, Mark found the dead rat that took the same serum. Later this week, Dr. Wilhelm Rolf (Richard Wharton) tells EJ about the rat. And once Lexi knows she’s sick, she’s going to rant that EJ never stopped to think what this would do to her. So, it looks like Lexi is going to get secret treatments from Rolf down in the tunnels because she walks out of the secret entrance. And Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk) tells Lexi she doesn’t have to hide things.

Days Spoilers: EJ Fires Sarah

She claps back at Kristen that she wouldn’t have walked into the living room if she were hiding. Also, EJ is going to fire Sarah Horton (Linsey Godfrey) after telling her she doesn’t need your help. So, maybe that’s about Chanel Dupree DiMera (Raven Bowens), but it may also be about Lexi since Rolf is taking care of EJ’s sister. We also see Lexi crying in Theo Carver‘s (Cameron Johnson) arms.

Also, Lexi winds up hospitalized again, and Abe Carver (James Reynolds) screams at EJ to get the hell out when he walks into the room to check on Lexi as Abe and Theo sit at her side on what may be her deathbed all over again. So, looks like that might be the end for her. We could get Lexi dying in Abe’s arms yet again.

Kristen’s Downfall and Gwen’s Betrayal on DOOL

We’ve also got Kristen in deep trouble this summer. EJ finds out that Kristen was plotting with Sophia and EJ screaming in Kristen’s face about her trying to murder his son. And then in a quick shot in the promo, we see Kristen getting kidnapped. She’s grabbed from behind by some henchmen.

No doubt EJ’s. We know Stacy Haiduk wrapped her run as Kristen and is over on Young and the Restless now. So, she might be dead. We also have disgruntled Gwen Rizczech (Emily O’Brien) telling EJ that he stabbed her in the back, so she’s returning his knife. He looks furious at Gwen. And I’m sure this is about her leaking dirty DiMera details to Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart) to spread across the Spectator.

Days of our Lives Spoilers: EJ Loses It

Also, EJ is in near tears, screaming at a woman that everything he did, every decision, every sacrifice, he did it for family. There’s also some pills in his clutches and there’s some sort of tainted pill outbreak in Salem this summer that EJ may literally have a hand in. Steve Johnson (Stephen Nichols) is with Brady Black (Eric Martsolf) as he tells Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) that if the tainted drugs are still out there, this could be a public health crisis.

And Johnny says on a call to somebody that he doesn’t want to be involved with any of this. And he is though because he’s sneaking around in the dark in a doctor’s office up at the hospital looking around. Doesn’t look like Marlena Evans‘ (Diedre Hall) office. So, this may be about the tainted pill crisis.

Johnny tells Theo they have an opportunity to leave a different legacy for their kids than the one left for them. Looks like they’re going to be co-CEOs. But things take a turn as Johnny sits with an injured Theo at the hospital and he’s asking Johnny what other heinous things that he’s covering up.

Chanel’s Medical Crisis on DOOL

Chanel meets with her oncologist this week and it seems like she turns down the treatment. But then there’s a crisis when she goes into labor. She’s at the hospital with Paulina Price (Jackée Harry), Lani Price (Sal Stowers), Johnny, and Kayla Brady (Mary Beth Evans). Johnny says she’s bleeding and Kayla clears the room as Chanel says she’s scared.

Cat’s Investigation and Romance on Days of Our Lives

Cat Green (AnnaLynne McCord) is still investigating EJ this summer while also trying to get a dose of the serum to give her mom who has dementia. But with Lexi getting sick, EJ might have to tell Cat no. But at the same time, she’s plotting another con job on EJ and is setting him up, maybe with a honeypot trap. Cat goes to see Marlena for hypnosis, and she asks Cat if the connection between her and EJ is personal or professional. And Cat kisses EJ again this summer.

Chad And Belle’s Romance on Days

And speaking of smooches, Chad DiMera (Connor Floyd) is heating up with Belle Black (Martha Madison) and he gives her a proper kiss in the park after they go to a ball game. Also, the chess set mystery continues as other items are delivered to John Black‘s (Drake Hogestyn) family. And Chad tells Belle whoever Stephano got to drop these breadcrumbs is still out there on Days of our Lives. One clue is a little silver key.

And Chad says it’s better if we don’t spread the word. There’s somebody in front of a chessboard watching EJ, Chad, and a woman. It’s not Cat. Maybe Marlena, maybe Belle. It’s a lady in a pants suit. And he’s watching them via a surveillance camera on a tablet. Also, Chad finds out Cat’s keeping dark secrets and confronts her.

Chad’s frantic to Cat that she knew about all this and did nothing. And Cat tries to explain, saying there’s a reason she hasn’t told him everything. So, even if Jennifer Horton (Melissa Reeves) dropped her ban on Cat dating Chad, I doubt he’s going to want anything to do with her after this.

Titan’s Financial Trouble on Days of Our Lives

We’ve also got big trouble at Titan as Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier) warns Xander Cook (Paul Telfer) and Alex Kiriakis (Robert Scott Wilson) that EJ found out they used DiMera money to make the loan payment. Philip says we’re going to lose everything and it looks like Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) is eavesdropping. Kate Roberts (Lauren Koslow) tells Xander and Philip they have to stand together or they go down.

This comes soon because Xander’s arm is still in a sling in this scene and it likely won’t be that way too much longer. There’s another scene of Philip ranting at Gabi about money, not buying forgiveness, but that happened this week already. Also, Roman Brady (Josh Taylor). Kyle Lowder is ranting at Kate about more lies and then walking off.

Sarah’s Love Triangle on Days

And we’ve got some triangle action. Brady tells Sarah he loves her and she says it back. Then they kiss in Horton Square, but Xander is telling Marlena he can see it in Sarah’s eyes and Marlena warns that he’s deluding himself that Sarah wants to get back with him. She doesn’t think so.

Also, Xander proves that he’s there for Sarah and he helps her when a patient collapses in the square. Also, in the promo, she’s telling Xander that she hopes they stop EJ in time, and he warns Sarah she does not want to be in EJ’s crosshairs, and that could come before EJ fires Sarah.

Rachel Learning About Sophia and Holly’s Crisis

Also, it looks like Brady and Kristen tell Rachel Black (Lorelie Olivia Mote) that Sophia’s dead, or Rachel hears on the Bayview grapevine, but she’s crying in Brady and Kristen’s arms, asking what if the doctors can’t heal her like they failed to heal Sophia. Looks like Holly Jonas (Ashley Puzemis) has got a rough summer coming, even though Amy Choi (Shi Ne Nielson) couldn’t get Belle to press charges on her over Sophia’s alleged suicide.

We’ll see Holly telling Arianna Horton (Vico Escorcia) that it feels like no place in Salem is safe. And then up at the hospital with Sarah and Tate, we’re going to see Holly insisting, “Those pills aren’t mine.” Then Tate asks, “Can we just talk about this?” And Holly screams no and yells at Tate to get out as an alarmed Sarah watches. So, maybe Holly is taking pills again. Or maybe vengeful Amy is setting her up since the DA won’t hold her accountable and she blames Holly for Sophia’s death.

Stephanie’s Gun Tragedy on Days

And in what may be the most shocking moment of the summer promo, Stephanie Johnson (Abigail Klein) and her fixation on that gun may prove tragic. We see Jada Hunter (Elia Cantu) telling her that she pulled a loaded gun and fired on an innocent person, which is bad enough, but this might be Stephanie killing her marriage.

Beacause Alex rushes into a hospital room and asks Joy Wesley (AlexAnn Hopkins), “Where’s Kelsey?” And Joy falls into Alex’s arms, crying and holding their daughter’s blanket near her empty baby carrier. So, did she show up with the baby to see Alex and Stephanie actually fired a gun at Alex’s baby mama who was holding their child. Did Stephanie shoot his kid?

Other Summer Moments on DOOL

Also, we’ve got some romantic sizzle as Eli Grant (Lamon Archey) surprises Lani with some afternoon delight at the Salem Inn. And Kayla tells Steve she’s grateful to have him. However, I will say this promo is way more dark drama and tragedy than it is hugs and kisses.

And in some more of that drama, Leo asks Dimitri in front of Rafe Hernandez (Galen Gering) and Gwen if he won’t make a deal with Rafe. Will Dimitri make one with him? So, we’ll see if this is DiMera related. I think it is. And that means Peter Porte is back on the scene by Summer. And if Leo is still single, we’ll see if they mingle.

Young and the Restless delivers Matt Clark (Roger Howarth) getting his memories back. All of his vicious deeds come back to him and his heartsick reaction absolutely stuns Nick Newman (Joshua Morrow), Sienna Bacall (Tamara Braun), and everybody else. So, we’re going to talk about big things coming for Matt and also for his victims.

Matt’s Memories Return on Young and the Restless

So, Noah Newman (Lucas Adams) plan to jog Matt’s memory at the Genoa City version of the Shadow Room worked exactly as hoped. Once Nick brought him there, all of Matt’s heinous memories came flooding back to him. And now he’s utterly disgusted to recall all of the awful things that he’s done, not just to Nick, but also to Sharon Newman (Sharon Case) and to Sienna. So now Matt finally sees why they all hate him so much. And if he’s being sincere, it looks like Matt hates himself at this point.

Nick and the others saw how visibly distraught that Matt was when his memories came back. So, they’re not sure what to think. Sharon worried that when Matt’s memories returned, so would the monster that he was. That doesn’t seem to be the case. And Sienna doesn’t think this version of Matt would even survive prison. It’s interesting.

Matt’s Remorse is Pretty Convincing on Y&R

But then again, he didn’t do to Sienna what he did to Sharon, which was violent sexual assault. So, Sienna says she doesn’t even know who this version of Matt is. And Sienna says he’s not like Mitch McCall, the man she thought she knew. Bottom line is Matt seems truly remorseful, and he says he doesn’t want to be a monster anymore.

And this week, Matt is telling Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) that the world would be better off without him in it. But Matt is also desperate to make amends. And he told Victor he wants to do at least one good thing before he dies. So now we’re going to talk about what exactly is coming next for Matt on The Young and the Restless.

Victor May Give Matt A Chance on Young and the Restless

So, the first big thing that could happen is Victor may take a chance on Matt. So right now, Victor’s actually feeling indebted to Matt because he saved Nick’s life. Against all odds, Victor truly is grateful to Matt because seeing Nick overdose and drop dead really hit him hard, you know. Right now, Victor’s truly grateful to both Matt and Phyllis Summers (Michelle Stafford) for bringing Nick back to life.

I don’t think that Victor is going to kill him. And instead he seems to be willing to deal with Matt partly because Victor wants this off of Nick’s plate because we know that Victor just wants Nick to focus on getting clean and staying clean. So, Matt’s asking this week for a chance to prove himself. And I could see Victor actually giving Matt that chance.

Victor Watches Matt Like a Hawk on Y&R

But I also think Victor would keep Matt close by so that he could keep a really, really good eye on him. So, maybe Victor will have Matt working at the ranch, maybe living someplace that Victor provides for him. I don’t think he’ll take it at face value that Matt is a changed man.

But Victor may give Matt one shot, just one chance, because he owes him a life debt for saving Nick. But if Matt steps one toe out of line, I think Victor would probably kill him and they would never find the body.

Matt May Avoid Criminal Charges on Young and Restless

Another big thing I think is coming is Matt likely isn’t going to face criminal charges because honestly in Genoa City, he hasn’t broken any laws because if you remember, he had been released by the GCPD. Charges dropped and then the Newmans kidnapped him and then the car wreck and then he was hiding and then Kyle Abbott (Michael Mealor) got him and just all that.

So, then he took off to Vegas. So there is the fentanyl case the feds are looking into in LA, but that drug case could easily fall apart. And as far as the Vegas stuff goes, you know, they may not have enough proof to make what happened in Las Vegas stick in terms of a criminal case.

Young and the Restless: Matt’s Legal Stuff Slides

Yes, Sharon, Noah, Nick, and Adam Newman (Mark Grossman) were all there, but it’s their word against Matt, somebody that they hate, somebody that they kidnapped, you know. So, maybe they can’t prove that he blew them up. Maybe they don’t press charges, but there is proof that Sienna actually tried to kill Matt, which is fun. So, Christine Williams (Lauralee Bell) may not be able to prosecute for lack of evidence of any local crime.

So, I think we’re going to see that legal stuff slide away because Young and the Restless seems intent on redeeming this rapist. Josh Griffith seems to think Matt feeling bad about his crimes is enough. As much as I love Roger Howarth and I think he’s a great actor, the whole premise of redeeming this Matt character is very icky to me, but it seems pretty clear Young and the Restless is going there with Matt despite a lot of fans being appalled by it. So, I digress. Sorry.

Phyllis May Become Matt’s Protector

Another big thing I see happening involves Phyllis. She seems very invested in Matt this week. She’s asking Nick what’ll happen to Matt if she goes to prison. Like Phyllis is his protector and caretaker and she seems very worried about his fate. So, it seems that Phyllis is going to give Newman back this week because Nick forces her hand.

And once Victor presumably gets Christine to back off, then Phyllis is going to be at loose ends and I think Matt’s going to be her pet project and possibly her future boyfriend. That would make a lot of sense because we know Michelle Stafford and Roger Howorth have really good chemistry. They played a romantic pair over on General Hospital several years back. They were a very popular pairing with GH fans and they’re actually close friends in real life. So, I could definitely see them coupling up eventually.

Patty May Pursue Matt on Y&R

And that brings us to another big thing we could see because, as you know, Patty Williams (Stacy Haiduk) is also really interested in Matt. She’s still checking on him even while Patty’s trying to get Diane Jenkins (Susan Walters) out of the way so she can make a play for Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman). But once Diane is found, probably by the end of this week, she and Jack reconcile.

We know this because Diane and Jack are reunited and all smiles next week on a crossover on Beyond the Gates. So, with Jack out of reach, I’m thinking Patty’s going to circle back and pursue Matt and he may be her next obsession. Plus, Patty may want to take him from Phyllis just for spite.

Sharon May Help Matt Heal

And then the fifth and final shocking thing that we could see is that Sharon may let Matt get closer. I could see Sharon working with Matt kind of as his casual therapist. It’s not like Sharon’s got an office with a couch, but right now she seems cautiously optimistic about Matt and she may give him the benefit of the doubt kind of like Victor’s trying to do.

And I think it could be healing for Sharon to talk to him and reassure herself that he truly is in danger so she doesn’t have to live in fear. I think Matt is going to likely want to make amends to Sharon because he’s disgusted by what he did to her.

So, in a really bizarre twist, they might wind up where Matt actually has Sharon helping him. And if there’s nothing grosser than them redeeming rapist Matt, it would be them redeeming him and using his victim to help. And I say this because I really think they are going to go there, but at the same time, again, I’m disgusted.

Matt Headed for Redemption on Young and the Restless

So, Sharon may help Matt sort through his feelings over the monster that he was and help him learn how to live this new life that he’s been lucky enough to get. Plus, Sharon is a forgiving person, even when people really don’t deserve the grace she gives them. And it certainly looks like Matt is on the fast track to redemption, whether fans like it or not.

So, buckle up. But hey, maybe there’s a chance Victor goes ahead and kills him anyway. Or Nick, you know, sneaks away from the family, sneaks into the room, and chokes the life out of him. That’s honestly what Matt deserves. But I don’t think he’s going to get what he deserves. I think he’s going to get redeemed.

Hard science fiction is a subgenre that strives to be as scientifically accurate as possible. It’s obsessed with mathematics, engineering, astrophysics, biology, and cold scientific possibilities. The terror and wonder of these stories come from the realization that these futures, discoveries, and disasters might genuinely happen someday.

With that in mind, this list looks at the very best hard sci-fi novels ever written, from stories of lonely astronauts stranded millions of miles from home to epics about civilizations confronting incomprehensible alien intelligences. They make for engaging, informative, and revelatory reads, proving that sci-fi can be just as affecting even at its most cerebral.

10

‘Children of Time’ (2015)

Image via Tor UK

“WE ARE GOING ON AN ADVENTURE.” In this one, a human project to terraform a distant planet accidentally causes a species of spiders to evolve at a rapid rate, leading to the rise of an entirely new civilization. From here, the book alternates between the remnants of humanity aboard a failing ark ship and the gradual development of the spider civilization over thousands of years. It’s a truly colossal and ambitious tale.

Author Adrian Tchaikovsky’s greatest achievement here is making the spiders genuinely alien while still emotionally understandable. Their religion, politics, warfare, gender dynamics, and scientific revolutions evolve in ways shaped by their biology rather than by human assumptions; they’re not simply just eight-legged people. In the process, Children of Time becomes a deeper meditation on intelligence itself, while still serving up an engrossing survival story.

9

‘The Andromeda Strain’ (1969)

Image via Alfred A. Knopf

“This organism attacks and feeds upon blood-clotting factors.” This banger was Michael Crichton‘s first novel under his own name, putting his name on the techno-thriller map. The story begins when a military satellite crashes near a small Arizona town, leaving almost the entire population mysteriously dead. A team of scientists is brought into an underground laboratory to investigate what appears to be an extraterrestrial microorganism capable of wiping out all life.

The premise is juicy, and Crichton elevates it with a realistic, documentary-like storytelling approach. The author went to Harvard Medical School, after all. He immerses us in procedural detail, scientific jargon, diagrams, bureaucratic protocols, and medical analysis, really helping with the suspension of disbelief. These techniques are pretty common today, but back in the late 1960s, they were innovative, and they’re still effective.

8

‘The Forever War’ (1974)

Image via St. Martin’s Press

“You can conquer a million planets and still lose yourself.” Drawing on author Joe Haldeman‘s experiences in Vietnam, The Forever War is a time-twisting work of military sci-fi with a bleak emotional edge. The protagonist is William Mandella, a soldier drafted into an interstellar war against a mysterious alien species known as the Taurans. Because of relativistic time dilation caused by near-light-speed travel, he experiences only a few years of combat while centuries pass back on Earth. Every time he returns home, humanity has changed beyond recognition.

This setup becomes a powerful metaphor for the alienation many veterans feel on reintegrating into civilian life, as if they can no longer relate to the society around them. The battle scenes themselves are also unusually grounded for 1970s sci-fi. Here, combat is chaotic and brutally impersonal; less space opera adventure, more industrialized catastrophe.

Image via Simon and Schuster

“Small moves, Ellie. Small moves.” Penned by the great astronomer and science communicator Carl Sagan, Contact follows Dr. Eleanor Arroway, a scientist working on the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence project, who discovers a mysterious signal transmitted from deep space. Hidden within the message are instructions for constructing an enormous machine whose purpose humanity cannot fully comprehend. Sagan builds this first contact premise into a deep intellectual and philosophical statement.

Indeed, rather than being about alien invaders or wondrous technology, Contact is really concerned with humanity’s longing for meaning in a vast and seemingly indifferent cosmos. It suggests that science and spirituality both emerge from our desire to understand existence, even if they approach truth differently. Themes aside, Arroway stands out as one of the genre’s greatest protagonists: she’s intelligent, emotionally complex, skeptical, ambitious, flawed, and deeply devoted to scientific truth.

6

‘The Martian’ (2011)

Image via Ballantine Books

“I’m pretty much f—d. That’s my considered opinion.” The Martian is a stubbornly practical sci-fi book, in the best way. It centers on Mark Watney, an astronaut who is accidentally stranded on Mars during a disastrous mission evacuation. Believed dead by NASA and abandoned by his crew, he must survive alone on a hostile planet with limited supplies, failing equipment, and almost no margin for error. Watney is forced to solve one problem after another, drawing on his knowledge of botany, chemistry, engineering, and mathematics, as well as his deep reserves of sheer grit.

Along the way, the reader becomes emotionally invested in crop yields, oxygen calculations, pressure seals, and improvised repairs because every tiny technical success or failure determines whether Watney lives another day. At the same time, the novel avoids becoming dry because Watney is such a charismatic narrator. His sarcasm and humor give the book enormous energy.

5

‘Neuromancer’ (1984)

Image via Apple TV+

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“The sky above the port was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel.” Neuromancer introduces us to Case, a washed-up computer hacker living in the criminal underworld, who is recruited for a dangerous mission involving artificial intelligence, corporate espionage, and cyberspace infiltration; all the juiciest sci-fi noir essentials. Alongside the razor-sharp street samurai Molly Millions, Case descends into a future dominated by multinational corporations and invasive technology.

Here, William Gibson imagines technology not as sleek utopian progress, but as something grimy, addictive, overwhelming, and deeply entangled with capitalism. This approach was deeply influential, becoming a permanent part of the genre’s DNA. At the same time, he was years ahead of the curve in his treatment of cyberspace. He understood early on that the future would be about information and the merging of human consciousness with digital systems.

4

‘The Three-Body Problem’ (2006)

Image via Tor Books

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“Weakness and ignorance are not barriers to survival, but arrogance is.” Few sci-fi novels this century have generated as much global discussion as The Three-Body Problem. It begins during China’s Cultural Revolution, where astrophysicist Ye Wenjie witnesses brutality and ideological fanaticism that permanently shatter her faith in humanity. Years later, her actions lead to first contact with an alien civilization from the unstable three-sun system of Trisolaris, and humanity slowly realizes it may already be facing an existential threat.

The story that follows is packed with real-world physics, nanotechnology, virtual reality simulations, and more than a little dread. The intellectual ambition here is off the charts, with Liu Cixin diving into all the toughest sci-fi questions. How would humanity react to proof of alien intelligence? Would advanced civilizations cooperate or destroy one another? Does technological advancement make civilizations safer or more dangerous? The Netflix adaptation is solid, but the book is unbeatable.

3

‘The Moon is a Harsh Mistress’ (1966)

Image via Berkley Medallion Books

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“Don’t explain computers to laymen. Simpler to explain sex to a virgin.” The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is one of the defining works by genre legend Robert A. Heinlein, who also wrote the classics Stranger in a Strange Land and Starship Troopers. Set on a lunar penal colony governed by Earth, the story follows Manuel Garcia O’Kelly-Davis, a computer technician who becomes involved in a rebellion against Earth’s oppressive authority, teaming up with a small group of revolutionaries and a self-aware supercomputer named Mike.

Like Neuromancer, this book resonated strongly with the up-and-coming crop of sci-fi writers and left a lasting imprint on hacker culture. It’s very political and scientifically realistic, earning praise for its layered depiction of a possible future human society. Heinlein gets granular with issues like orbital trajectories, low-gravity physiology, and agriculture in closed environments. Not to mention, here he also popularized the phrase “There Ain’t No Such Thing As a Free Lunch.”

2

‘Rendezvous with Rama’ (1973)

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“The Ramans do everything in threes.” Another genre cornerstone, Arthur C. Clarke‘s Rendezvous with Rama takes place in the 22nd century, with humanity detecting a gigantic cylindrical alien object entering the solar system. A crew aboard the spacecraft Endeavour is sent to investigate before the mysterious vessel continues its journey into deep space. Once inside Rama, the astronauts discover an enormous artificial world filled with technologies far beyond human understanding.

While that setup sounds pretty far out, Clark approaches it with restraint. There are no massive battles, evil aliens, or melodramatic twists; instead, the book focuses almost entirely on scientific exploration and discovery. Rama itself becomes the protagonist: an incomprehensible object whose scale and engineering create a nearly spiritual sense of wonder. Clarke, who had deep expertise in physics and space science, carefully grounds everything in plausible concepts.

1

‘Foundation’ (1951)

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“Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.” Isaac Asimov‘s landmark Foundation series casts a long shadow over all of sci-fi. Originally published as a series of stories before being collected into a novel, the first book follows mathematician Hari Seldon, who develops a revolutionary science called psychohistory capable of predicting the large-scale behavior of civilizations. Seldon foresees the collapse of the Galactic Empire and the coming of a thirty-thousand-year dark age, and sets out to prevent it.

The scale of the story on offer here is dazzling. The plot spans millennia and examines whole civilizations rather than just individual characters. Asimov treats history almost like physics, attempting to locate the rhyme and reason in the rise and fall of political systems, economic structures, religions, and empires. It was all a radical break with the pulpy sci-fi that was popular in the 1950s, opening up rich new possibilities for the whole genre.

“Summer House” star KJ Dillard recently made a heartbreaking admission about his relationship with girlfriend Dara Levitan. Speaking with his co-star, Carl Radke, on his “More Life” podcast, Dillard, 28, said the pair actually broke up during the height of his mental health struggles.

“Summer House” viewers watched Dillard and Levitan become an official couple during season 10 of the series. However, Dillard said that the pair actually took a break when the cameras went down due to some of the mental health challenges he was facing.

“Pre-show, nothing was really going on for me. Modeling was slow. I’d taken a break during the summer to focus on the show,” Dillard said. “Financially, I was in a terrible place. Me and Dara were struggling because I was taking out what I was going through out on her. I wasn’t even aware of it.”

KJ Dillard Says His Co-Star, Mia Calabrese, Encouraged Levitan To Break Up With Him

Dillard went on to tell Radke that some of his challenges were exacerbated because he wasn’t in therapy at the time. “I was only on one medication for my anxiety and depression, but I didn’t realize that I had another diagnosis,” he shared.

Later in the conversation, Dillard said that his co-star, Mia Calabrese, whom he’s called a “sister,” actually encouraged Levitan to take a break from Dillard while he worked on himself.

“Dara, I think, was gonna hang on … but that wouldn’t have been good for either of us,” he said. “I needed the time, because after the hospital, I went to recovery … and that’s when we broke up.”

KJ Dillard Believes His Break From Levitan Was For The Best

According to Dillard, his break from Levitan was for the best. “Looking back, if me and Dara were dating when I was in recovery, it would have been a mess,” he told Radke. “I would have been focused on saving the relationship rather than focusing on my health. Recovery changed my life.”

According to a previous report from The Blast, Dillard shared that he was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder during part 1 of the season 10 “Summer House” reunion.

“In the fall, I went through some heavy stuff mentally,” Dillard said. “I actually had to go to the hospital for self-harm, and I was there for a week.”

Elsewhere during his segment, Dillard told host Andy Cohen that he was thankful to be alive and surrounded by love.

“Everyone here has somewhat shown support in their own way, so I appreciate that,” Dillard shared. “And I’m very thankful that the audience is just embracing that because it’s my truth, you know, and I’m not gonna not be honest about what I go through, especially if it can help others.”

Dillard Opens Up About His Strained Friendship With West Wilson

Dillard also opened up about his strained friendship with West Wilson while speaking with Radke. Although Wilson brought him on the show, Dillard confirmed that the pair were no longer close. Things soured between the pair after Wilson confirmed his romance with Amanda Batula.

“I know people make mistakes. I’m someone that gives grace, trust me,” Dillard said. “I’ve made plenty of mistakes, and people have given me grace, but it just seems like he’s not learning from his mistakes.”

Dillard said that he’s continued hearing things about Wilson and has questioned his motives. “I’m just like, ‘Bro, what is going on? Are you actually sorry?’”

He continued, “My dad has apologized to me and said, ‘I’m gonna do this. I’m gonna be better.’ Then, it just continues to repeat these cycles. It’s just like, ‘What is going?’”

Wilson And Batula Release Joint Statement

According to The Blast, Wilson and Batula said their connection was unexpected.

“We’ve shown up for each other as friends over the years, through all the highs and lows, and what’s developed recently was the last thing either of us expected. Our connection grew out of a genuine, long-standing friendship, which made it especially important for us to approach this with care,” their joint post stated.

Part 2 of the “Summer House” reunion airs tonight on Bravo at 8 PM ET.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 14 seconds ago

You know how it’s possible to turn Bucky Barnes back into the Winter Soldier by repeating a few gibberish words in the right order? I used to think that this was the kind of stuff of film fantasy. After all, how could just a few words send an intelligent man into an utterly mindless frenzy? However, this is exactly what happened to me yesterday. Nobody had to repeat gibberish to me; I simply had to read the absolute worst news of the year: Zack Snyder will be rebooting John Carpenter’s Escape From New York.

The original Escape From New York is a singular classic, one that comfortably straddles the line between action epic and dystopian horror. It’s the movie that transformed leading man Kurt Russell into a convincing action hero, all while proving that horror maestro Carpenter would never be tied down to a single genre. Unfortunately, this masterpiece is now being rebooted by the guy who helped destroy the DCEU. On many levels, Snyder is the absolute worst guy to be handling this project, and now all fans of the original movie can do is sit back in dread as the Batman v. Superman director prepares to ruin another franchise.

Somehow, New York Returned

Recently, The Hollywood Reporter exclusively reported that an Escape From New York reboot will be directed by Zack Snyder, the man best known for tights-and-flights films like Watchmen and Justice League. The film will be produced by Picture Company partners Alex Heineman and Andrew Rona, thanks to the deal they made with StudioCanal. That studio and original director John Carpenter own the rights to this particular property. Carpenter will serve as an executive producer on this new film, and Snyder will also produce through his Stone Quarry production company.

If all of this is giving you a keen sense of deja vu, that’s because there has been talk of rebooting Escape From New York for many, many years. At one point, New Line Cinema had the rights to the IP and considered handing the reins to several very different directors, including Breck Eisner, Len Wiseman, and (deep shudder) Brett Ratner. When 20th Century Fox owned the rights, they wanted Robert Rodriguez to direct. Later, Radio Silence (who brought us Ready or Not and the recent Scream movies) had the rights, but they never got as far as naming an intended director.

Zack The World

So far, I’ve got a very bad feeling about StudioCanal’s Escape From New York reboot. The only really notable film this studio made with Picture Company was Gunpowder Milkshake, a good-but-not-great attempt at turning the John Wick formula into a girl-power ensemble piece. As for Zack Snyder, his recent track record is pretty bad. The first Rebel Moon movie currently has a 22 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, and the second one has an abysmal 16 percent. The director’s cuts fared mildly better, but it’s not a good sign when a director repeatedly needs two attempts to make a half-decent film.

Plus, Snyder is the man most responsible for the failure of the DCEU. While the director has his fans and his Justice League was much better than Whedon’s (a very small hurdle to clear), his earlier movies like Man of Steel and especially Batman v. Superman established this cinematic universe filled with colorful superheroes as a grimy, grimdark kind of place. Later movies like The Suicide Squad and even The Flash tried to reverse course, but it was too late: as it turns out, making multiple movies aimed squarely at angry little edgelords is one of the best ways to alienate mainstream audiences, and the DCEU eventually died with a whimper.

No Franchise Is Safe 

Will Zack Snyder ruin yet another franchise when he directs the Escape From New York reboot? Maybe not: THR reports that “Snyder aims to make a more down and dirty movie, using plenty of practical effects or locations” more akin to his Dawn of the Dead reboot than his “slick” DCEU movies. Dawn remains Snyder’s best film, and an Escape film in that vein could be very thrilling. But considering that he went from ruining DC’s first cinematic universe to releasing three aggressively disappointing movies direct to streaming, you probably shouldn’t hold your breath that this will be anything other than another shameless vanity project that will be forgotten as soon as it’s released.

Psychopaths. These kinds of people are incapable of remorse, lack guilt for the actions they commit, and use superficial charm to manipulate those they love most. Furthermore, they always seek thrills because they are easily prone to boredo. For some, killing and other criminal behavior is the way they use to satisfy their darkest desires.

Hollywood has tried to replicate, in different movies, throughout the years, how a psychopath would behave. Examples are iconic characters such as Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs, or Norman Bates in director Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece Psycho. The following is a compilation of movie villains based on their psychopathic tendencies. So, get ready to deep dive into the inner psyche of these unforgettable villains.

10

Voldemort from the ‘Harry Potter’ Franchise

Image via Warner Bros.

After Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was released in 2001, based on the books written by J.K. Rowling, it became a worldwide frenzy. Decades later, with over eight films under its belt, the franchise of this fantasy story has created a legion of fans that is not easily forgotten. Furthermore, it now even includes a Broadway play in its catalog, named Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, in which Tom Felton, who portrayed the character of Draco Malfoy in the movies, returned to reprise his iconic role for a short time.

However, the franchise’s true villain is Voldemort, portrayed by Ralph Fiennes in the movies. Voldemort can be considered a psychopath, definitely. He has no moral compass and does not feel empathy for the people around him. He is a master of manipulation, as seen in his interactions with Harry Potter. His obsession with his plan to take over the world shows narcissistic traits, which can be seen in psychopaths. Furthermore, his moves were strategic and calculated, making him an unforgettable villain after all.

9

Loki Laufeyson from ‘The Avengers’ (2012)

Image via Marvel Studios

One of the most beloved superhero classics, The Avengers was a milestone for the Marvel franchise. All superheroes in this movie are still considered to have strong ensemble chemistry, as well as being able to deliver unforgettable comedy and humor throughout the film. But what was truly unforgettable was the performance of Tom Hiddleston as the Norse god Loki Laufeyson, after viewers got a taste of his insanity in the previous Thor movie.

Despite critics saying he is more of a sociopath, Loki Laufeyson clearly exhibits traits of a psychopath in The Avengers, in my opinion. Loki is a narcissist who believes he should reign supreme over others, considering everyone to be below him, as seen when he forces civilians in Stuttgart to kneel before him. Additionally, he uses manipulation to get information, and psychologically tortures the people he speaks with, gaining pleasure from doing so. An example of this is the interrogation scene with Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) aboard the S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier. To conclude, he is blinded by a strong desire for power, yet has a huge sense of insecurity lurking below the surface. So, still not psychopathic enough to bring chills to your spine.

8

Billy Loomis from ‘Scream’ (1996)

Image Via Miramax

With a new movie in the works, it is clear that the Scream franchise has taken over the slasher horror genre for years now. The seven movies have created a wide range of different killers that took over the persona of Ghostface, executing savage killing sprees. The reason for this is that they were fueled by revenge on the people who ruined their families.

The killer that started it all was the one in the 1996 blockbuster, Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich). With hatred for Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), he pretends to be her boyfriend to execute his revenge on her family. That is because her mother was the one who had an affair with his father, tearing his family apart. Billy showcased traits of psychopathy, as he had no remorse against his victims, while fueling his vendetta against Sidney’s family. Billy’s intelligence was what made him a scarier psychopath than his accomplice, Stu Macher (Matthew Lillard), who found pleasure in murdering. Specifically, he carefully deceived everyone who knew him with extensive manipulation tactics, yet obsessively trying to control the narrative of the killings.

7

J.D. from ‘Heathers’ (1988)

Image via New World Pictures

With a legacy over 30 years later, Heathers is a movie that remains timeless. The 1988 dark horror-comedy is something that is unique in its genre, condemning teen angst and toxic masculinity, putting empowering women at the top of everything it stands for. This is seen in the phenomenal main characters of outcast Veronica Sawyer (the legendary Winona Ryder) and the brooding Jason Dean (a young Christian Slater).

Jason Dean is the emblem of a psychopath: his brutal killings are the focus of the movie, which are fueled by a hate for school cliques, believing he is morally superior to his peers. His strength is manipulation, as he ensures that Veronica believes that three of the movie’s killings happened because of her. Furthermore, he is cynical and a misogynistic person, which makes him even scarier. In the end, Veronica ultimately understands the real personality of Jason, killing him in the end, after a gruesome fight. Still, one of the scariest performances.

6

Patrick Bateman from ‘American Psycho’ (2000)

Image via Lionsgate

Based on the novel of the same name written by Bret Easton Ellis, American Psycho is a film that can also be considered a mirror of today’s society. Specifically, what’s scary about this movie is the fact that the corporate world is all about appearances, but truly hollow if you look into it. Furthermore, this movie is definitely a way to show how much humans aspire to become powerful and live a luxurious life. It’s criticizing that fact, which makes this film even more amazing to watch.

The main character here is Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale), a 27-year-old VP for the fictional company named Pierce & Pierce, who has clear psychopathic tendencies throughout the movie. Patrick lacks empathy and has severe mental instability, as seen by the ending of the movie, which makes viewers wonder if the killings were all in his head or if they were real. He has a massive ego, a fair share of manipulation tactics, and irresponsible behavior. What makes him scarier to the viewer is the fact that he blends perfectly into society, hiding his true psychopathic nature.

5

Annie Wilkes from ‘Misery’ (1990)

Image via Columbia Pictures

One of the most disturbing movies of the late 90s, Misery is an adaptation of Stephen King’s book of the same name. It tells the story of author Paul Shedon (James Caan), who is involved in a car accident. Afterward, he is rescued by former nurse Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates), who takes him to her remote cabin in the mountains. She claims that she is his biggest fan, and she takes care of his injuries. However, when Annie finds out that Paul has killed off her favorite character in the book, Annie’s true dark and obsessive side is revealed as she begins being controlling and violent, forcing the author to rewrite the story according to what she wants, or else he will be killed.

Throughout the movie, Annie Wilkes’ secret is revealed: she is a nurse who killed all of her patients back when she worked in the hospital, and escaped, hiding in her cabin in the mountains. She shows classic psychopathic traits: manipulation, as she pretends she is good to Paul at first, but then becomes insane, showcasing her darkest side. She is impulsive, as seen in the scene where she pounds Paul’s legs with a hammer because he didn’t do what she wanted. Furthermore, she is definitely mentally unstable, as seen from the easily noticeable mood swings she showcases throughout the movie. Bates’ Academy Award win here was rightfully deserved!

4

Oliver Quick from ‘Saltburn’ (2024)

Image via MGM

Saltburn is a psychological thriller directed by Emerald Fennell. It follows the story of Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan‘s most terrifying performance), an outcast Oxford student who becomes enthralled by Felix Catton (the talented Jacob Elordi), befriending him and getting an invitation to stay at his family’s estate for the summer. What Felix doesn’t know is that Oliver’s true intentions are darker than they seem. This movie can be considered the most disturbing yet fascinating piece of media I have ever seen. And you should watch it also.

Without a doubt, Oliver is considered a psychopath in this film. Oliver purposefully manipulates his way into Felix’s life because he is obsessed with him and his wealth, wanting to have him yet be him at the same time, at all costs. He shows a grand lack of empathy, as seen in the scene in which Felix’s family finds his corpse. Yet, he is overwhelmed by emotion every time he is around Felix. Maybe it’s because psychopaths are used to mimicking people’s emotions. This is still a big question mark that fans overanalyze. His impulsive behavior truly bursts out in abnormal acts, examples being the bathtub and the grave scenes (not going into further details about those). Furthermore, what makes Oliver scary enough as a psychopath is the fact that he is strategic in his moves, all this being a twisted chess game for him, in which every single person he speaks with is a pawn, and whoever gets in his way gets killed. Truly a mastermind.

3

The Joker from ‘Batman: The Dark Knight’ (2008)

Image via Warner Bros.

One of the most famous and beloved superhero movies, Batman: The Dark Knight is an unforgettable piece of media. The storyline follows Batman (Christian Bale) and Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) as they join forces to stop the Joker (the late Heath Ledger). Furthermore, The Joker represents the traits of an actual psychopath, after all.

The Joker is highly methodical, as seen in the moments when he plans every move he has to pull next. Also, he believes people have no morals and goes to great lengths to prove his point. Everything he does has a specific reason: destroying society entirely. The Joker, with his unhinged personality, is one of the most outstanding psychopathic villains out there, who has stood the test of time, becoming an icon in the film industry. Ledger’s performance as The Joker is something truly iconic, as his portrayal of this role will never be forgotten.

2

Norman Bates from the ‘Psycho’ franchise

Image via Paramount Pictures

Ah, yes. The most terrifying Anthony Perkins performance. Psycho is one of the best horror movies directed by Alfred Hitchcock. This movie follows the story of Marion Crane, portrayed by Janet Leigh, who steals money from her company to flee with her lover, detective Sam Loomis (John Gavin). Because of the rain, she stops at the Bates Motel for the night, a few miles outside of Sam’s town, Fairvale. In the motel, she meets Norman Bates (Perkins), a shy and seemingly kind man who lives with his mother in a Gothic house near the motel, which they also own. What she doesn’t know is that this family is not what it seems, which sparks an investigation from Sam and Lila Crane (Vera Miles), Marion’s sister.

Norman Bates’ inner psyche is truly captivating, yet horrifying at the same time. He suffers from Dissociative Identity Disorder, in which he has two distinctive personalities: one of himself, and one of his mother, who goes on a killing spree. Psychologists think that he was most likely traumatized by his mother’s incestuous and abusive behavior towards him when he was a child, after his father’s death, which led to him becoming an unhinged psychopath. After the infamous shower scene and the psychologist analyzing Bates’ mental state at the end, it is up to the audience to break down and analyze every single aspect of Bates’ psychopathic tendencies.

1

Hannibal Lecter from ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1991)

Image via Orion Pictures

The scariest thriller I have ever seen in my life, even more than Psycho, contrary to popular opinion, The Silence of the Lambs is a movie that transcended the test of time. After decades, it is still acclaimed and beloved as if it were released today. It tells the story of Clarice Starling (the talented Jodie Foster), an FBI detective in training, who has been assigned the case of Buffalo Bill, a killer who skins women and unalives them. To get more clues and be able to solve this case, Clarice is sent by FBI detective Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn) to speak with a famous killer, Hannibal Lecter (the phenomenal Anthony Hopkins), who is locked in the Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane.

Hopkins’ portrayal of Lecter is truly terrifying, as he portrayed perfectly the insane, cold, calculating psychopath that Lecter truly is. Lecter is a prime example of a functioning type of psychopath who is aware of what he does. However, he has no morality towards anyone, believing he is truly doing god’s work in eliminating people that he considers rude. This also showcases the high narcissism that he exudes. Hannibal Lecter is the best psychopathic villain out there, and no one can say otherwise.

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Release Date

February 14, 1991

Runtime

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119 minutes

Director

Jonathan Demme

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Writers

Ted Tally, Thomas Harris

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Producers

Edward Saxon, Kenneth Utt

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While Marvel fans are preparing for a few big movies this year, like Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Avengers: Doomsday, it’s angling to be a quieter year for DC in 2026. The studio does have a few big new releases coming later this year, like Supergirl, which features stars like Milly Alcock and Jason Momoa. The second and final DC movie of the year is Clayface, starring Tom Rhys Harries, which is coming to theaters this October. Both films are operating under James Gunn’s new DCU banner, but there’s another DC film in development set in Elseworlds that may be the most anticipated superhero movie of the next few years. The film in question is The Batman Part II, which comes from director Matt Reeves, who also helmed the 2022 Batman film.

At the time of writing, The Batman Part II is scheduled to be released on October 1, 2027. The film was previously supposed to be released much earlier, but it was subject to several delays and setbacks. Now, after all this time, cameras are finally rolling on The Batman Part II, which should leave it plenty of time to hit its planned release date. Bruce Wayne actor Robert Pattinson recently sat down for an interview to promote his new movie, The Odyssey, and he provided an interesting timeline for The Batman sequel’s production schedule, confirming that there are “11 weeks of night shoots” planned. “I just heard it from the stunt guy the other day, he said, ‘Ooh, 11 weeks of nights.’ I’m like, ‘Excuse me?! No one has even sent me a schedule.” Pattinson also hit back at the critics who said he was “too small” to play Batman, insisting that he worked out “every single day.”

Who Else Stars in ‘The Batman Part II’?

Returning to star alongside Pattinson in The Batman sequel are Jeffrey Wright and Andy Serkis, who will star as Commissioner Gordon and Alfred, respectively. A pair of Marvel veterans, Sebastian Stan and Scarlett Johansson, will also have key roles as Harvey and Gilda Dent in The Batman Part II, with Game of Thrones veteran Charles Dance joining the ensemble as their father, Christopher Dent. Colin Farrell is also confirmed to return as The Penguin in The Batman Part II, and Brian Tyree Henry has been cast in an undisclosed role. Reeves is directing with a script he wrote with Mattson Tomlin.

Stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of The Batman Part II.

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Release Date

October 1, 2027

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Director

Matt Reeves

Writers

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Matt Reeves, Mattson Tomlin, Bill Finger, Bob Kane

Franchise(s)

Batman

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Fans were left stunned after Michael Jackson’s brother, Marlon Jackson, suffered an unexpected fall during a recent performance with The Jacksons. The music icon, who is 69 years old, was performing alongside his brother Jackie Jackson during the Wichita River Festival when what began as a high-energy performance suddenly took an alarming turn.

Video shared online captured Marlon hyping up the crowd during a performance of Michael Jackson’s hit “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” before unexpectedly plunging headfirst onto the stage. As stunned band members looked on, one shocked fan could be heard yelling, “Oh sh-t!” in the crowd. The scary moment quickly made the rounds online, with fans expressing concern for the singer after seeing the sudden tumble.

Though the performance appeared to briefly lose momentum after the incident, Marlon and Jackie have continued performing as part of The Jacksons’ latest tour, bringing decades of music history to audiences around the world. The group, once led by Michael Jackson, now consists of surviving original members Marlon and Jackie as they continue honoring the family’s legendary musical legacy.

Fans React To Marlon’s Unexpected Fall

As clips of the incident spread online, fans quickly flooded the comments section with a mix of concern, jokes, and disbelief over Marlon’s sudden tumble. Some viewers couldn’t help but reference Michael Jackson while reacting to the awkward moment. “The Ghost of MJ wasn’t having it..!!” one person commented, while another joked, “That’s Michael saying stop doing my songs!”

Others were more focused on Marlon’s well-being, especially given his age. “I hope he’s okay. It’s not good for older folk to fall at all,” one concerned fan wrote.

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Meanwhile, others tried to inject humor into the viral mishap. “He wanted to be stumbling something 👀,” one person joked, while another added, “I hate when they quit recording. I wanna see the aftermath.” One commenter even referenced the Jackson family patriarch, writing, “This [is] why Joe was always whopping his a-s for always missing steps.”

Despite the online chatter, many fans appeared relieved that Marlon seemingly recovered quickly enough to continue the show.

Michael Jackson Rose To Fame Alongside His Brothers

Long before becoming the King of Pop, Michael Jackson first found fame alongside his brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon in the Jackson 5. After releasing their debut single “Big Boy,” the family group opened for legendary acts including James Brown, Gladys Knight & The Pips, and Sam & Dave.

Their career skyrocketed after Motown founder Berry Gordy signed the group in 1969, leading to major success with Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5. The Jackson 5 soon became household names thanks to chart-topping hits like “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” and “I’ll Be There,” while also launching the animated Saturday morning series “The Jackson 5ive.”

Michael Jackson’s Solo Career Changed Music Forever

Michael eventually branched out into a solo career while still performing with his brothers, releasing early albums like “Got to Be There,” “Ben,” and “Music and Me.”

His superstardom reached new heights with 1979’s “Off the Wall,” produced by Quincy Jones, before exploding globally with “Thriller” in 1982. The record remains the best-selling album of all time, with more than 67 million copies sold worldwide, according to Guinness World Records.

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Michael died on June 25, 2009, at age 50 from acute propofol intoxication combined with other sedatives, which resulted in cardiac arrest. His former physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, was later convicted of involuntary manslaughter.

His death sent shockwaves through the music world and devastated millions of fans across the globe. At the time, Michael was preparing for his highly anticipated “This Is It” comeback concerts in London, which were expected to mark his return to the stage.

Michael Jackson’s Story Is Reaching New Audiences

Even years after his death, interest in Michael Jackson’s story continues to grow. The biopic “Michael,” which follows the singer’s rise to fame before later allegations of child sexual abuse emerged, has become a massive box office success.

According to Variety, the film has now earned $788,047,189 worldwide and is reportedly on track to surpass “Bohemian Rhapsody” as the highest-grossing musical biopic of all time.

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Tom Holland is giving fans a fascinating look behind the scenes of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, revealing that Christopher Nolan’s upcoming epic The Odyssey may have played a major role in shaping the next chapter of Peter Parker’s story.

Speaking about the development of the highly anticipated Marvel sequel, Holland explained that Spider-Man: Brand New Day was originally scheduled to film alongside Nolan’s adaptation of The Odyssey. However, the scheduling conflict forced him to make a difficult choice.

Rather than rushing into production, Holland pushed for Spider-Man: Brand New Day to be delayed, allowing the creative team additional time to refine the script and find the right direction for the project.

According to Holland, the decision ultimately paid off.

“I convinced the studio to delay the movie,” Holland said, explaining that the extra development time gave the filmmakers an opportunity to strengthen the story and fully realize their vision.

The actor also credited his experience working with Christopher Nolan for changing the way he approaches filmmaking. Holland said Nolan’s commitment to preparation, purpose, and storytelling inspired him to push for a higher standard on Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Tom Holland, The Odyssey [credit: Universal Pictures]

“I wanted it to be a real movie,” Holland explained, emphasizing that he wanted the project to focus on storytelling rather than simply becoming another blockbuster production.

The additional development time reportedly allowed Marvel and Sony to bring in director Destin Daniel Cretton and spend several months refining the screenplay before cameras rolled. Holland now believes the result could be the strongest Spider-Man film yet.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day serves as a fresh start for Peter Parker following the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, which erased Peter’s identity from the world’s memory. Holland previously described the new film as a “fresh start” and a “rebirth” for the character as he returns to a more street-level version of Spider-Man.

The film is directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and stars Tom Holland, Zendaya, Sadie Sink, Jon Bernthal, and Mark Ruffalo. The movie is scheduled to swing into theaters on July 31, 2026.

Meanwhile, Holland will also appear in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, which arrives just one week earlier on July 24, setting up a massive summer for the actor.

Karamo Brown made headlines in January 2026 when he opted not to promote the 10th and final season of Netflix’s “Queer Eye” alongside his costars. Now, months later, the former daytime talk show host is not only sharing more details about his decision but also reflecting on his sobriety journey following a prior relapse.

In addition to Brown, the “Queer Eye” cast featured Jonathan Van Ness, Antoni Porowski, Tan France, and Jeremiah Brent. Bobby Berk also appeared on the show for the first eight seasons before leaving in 2023. Brent joined in 2024.

Brown interviewed with PEOPLE in June 2026. During the discussion, he detailed his decision to first appear on “CBS Mornings” with his costars and to then opt out of all other promotional engagements with them.

Brown first noted that he and the Fab Five “had always come together because of the fans.” However, ahead of the appearance, he had a change of heart. According to him, “But because of the work I’d done on myself, I asked, ‘If I stay quiet right now and pretend I’m sick or something, whose peace am I protecting?’”

The 45-year-old media personality went on to tell the outlet that the group had become toxic and that there had also been examples of bullying. Unfortunately, per his experience, the executives behind the show never took a firm stance against it.

He said, “Everyone would just say, ‘Well, that’s just that person,’ instead of saying, ‘This behavior does not fly in a professional environment.’ It impacted me negatively, consistently.”

The Talk Show Host Shared The Final Straw With The Cast

Brown continued the interview by describing what ultimately led to his final fallout with his “Queer Eye” costars. As has been previously reported, the media personality stated that his mother had visited him on the set of the Netflix show in 2025. During the visit, she overheard some of his costars speaking ill of him.

For context, multiple sources have confirmed that the conversation included Van Ness, France, and Porowski. However, Brown did not name the culprits. He explained, “The thing I know is the tears I saw in my mother’s eyes.”

Brown added, “[She kept repeating], ‘I thought they were your friends.’ It made me realize I can no longer stay silent about how often I was made to feel like an outsider.”

Regarding what initially led to the group’s demise, Brown shared that it stemmed from an anonymous sexual harassment complaint filed against him early in the show’s run. It’s important to note that he was cleared of any wrongdoing.

Karamo Released A Statement Ahead Of Planned ‘CBS Mornings’ Appearance

Brown and the “Queer Eye” cast were scheduled to appear on “CBS Mornings” on January 20. However, amid his absence, host Gayle King read a statement he’d prepared.

Per Variety, it read, “I hope everyone remembers the main theme I have tried to teach them over the past decade, which is to focus on and to protect their mental health/peace from people or a world who seek to destroy it, which is why I can’t be there today.”

During the awkward interaction, King also mentioned that Brown’s assistant had also discussed bullying from the cast.

Brown Also Opened Up About His Sobriety

Later in the PEOPLE interview, Brown also reflected on his years-long sobriety journey, revealing that in 2006, following a suicide attempt, he learned that he had become a father. He recalled, “The minute I saw [Jason], something in me healed. I understood my purpose.”

The former “Queer Eye” star went on, “My son saved my life, 1000 percent. Because he existed, it made me realize what was bigger in life.”

However, Brown then relapsed in 2018, noting, “a drink would lead to weed, cocaine, pills. I wasn’t coping right, but I pretended like I was. I was so broken.” Regarding his life today, he shared, “I’ve not had a single drink, cocktail, nothing.”

He also shared that he used a 12-step program and attends regular meetings as part of his recovery.

Brown’s Daytime Talk Show Was Recently Canceled

Brown’s syndicated daytime talk show, “Karamo,” premiered in 2022. The show quickly became a hit with audiences, and its segments often went viral on social media. However, NBCUniversal pulled the plug on the conflict-driven talker in March 2026, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

It’s worth noting that his show wasn’t the only talk show canceled. The long-running “Steve Wilkos” show also suffered the same fate as did “Access Hollywood.” “Karamo” is scheduled to air through the summer.