Taylor Swift made a surprise appearance at the premiere of the highly anticipated fifth installment of “Toy Story,” more than a week after revealing that she had recorded a song for the film.

The pop superstar arrived at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, walking the red carpet in a patchwork dress. Later, Swift performed the song “I Knew It, I Knew You,” followed by a duet with legendary composer Randy Newman.

Swift has long been a fan of the “Toy Story” franchise, and her involvement was strictly kept under wraps, making the surprise reveal of her contribution to the film’s soundtrack even more exciting for fans.

On June 9, Taylor Swift was among the stars who attended the “Toy Story 5” premiere at the Dolby Theatre in L.A. The singer stunned in an adorable off-shoulder corset mini dress from Erdem’s 2026 fall/winter collection that she accessorized with a sparkling horseshoe pendant and gold heeled sandals.

Advertisement

Swift’s appearance was a welcome surprise. On June 1, the singer finally confirmed rumors that she was somewhat involved in the latest “Toy Story” movie. In an Instagram post, she shared with her millions of followers that she penned the original song “I Knew It, I Knew You,” for the film.

“I’ve always dreamed of getting to write for these characters who I’ve adored since I was a 5 year old kid watching the first Toy Story movie,” she wrote.

Tom Hanks Signed An Autograph For The Singer

According to USA Today, Swift had a fangirl moment with the film’s stars and asked Tom Hanks, who has voiced Sheriff Woody Pride for more than three decades, for an autograph.

The 36-year-old singer reportedly brought her VHS copy of the first “Toy Story” movie, which was released in 1995 when she was just 5 years old.

Advertisement

“I didn’t get a selfie, but I did sign her original VHS of the first ‘Toy Story.’ I told her she should have brought an original VHS machine, and we could have signed it. And that could go in the Smithsonian as well,” Hanks said of his interaction with Swift.

Taylor Swift Performed Her New Song Live For The First Time

Following the “Toy Story 5” screening, Swift took the stage for a surprise performance. Donning a flowing yellow dress, she sat behind the piano and did a stripped-down version of “I Knew It, I Knew You.”

The song, written specifically for Jessie’s character, is included in the “Toy Story 5” soundtrack. It marks Swift’s latest project with longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff, whom she worked with on several of her albums.

Advertisement

However, the surprise didn’t stop there. Next, composer Randy Newman took his place on the piano and performed a duet of “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” the main theme song of the “Toy Story” franchise.

A Decoy Was Created To Keep The Secret

After Swift’s revelation on June 1, “Toy Story 5” VFX Supervisor Thomas Jordan revealed that only a handful of people knew that Swift had a song in the movie. Jordan said the singer saw an early version of the film in February, wrote a song, and asked them if they wanted it.

The team then created a decoy version of “Toy Story 5,” one where Swift’s song wasn’t included, so they could show Pixar/Disney employees and press the film without spoiling the surprise. Jordan said that even the majority of the crew who worked on the movie did not know about Swift’s involvement.

Rumors Of Taylor Swift’s Involvement Spread In April

Despite the secrecy, eagle-eyed Swifties were quick to figure out several clues.

On April 30, Swift’s official website displayed a countdown clock, but it quickly disappeared. Those who saw it, however, noted that the background showed a blue sky with a few puffy clouds, which was similar to the wallpaper from “Toy Story.”

Advertisement

Later, the singer was spotted wearing a sky-blue dress paired with a yellow purse and red shoes, the signature colors of the “Toy Story” franchise. Then, billboards that featured the “TS” initials with a sky and clouds background appeared at different locations, sparking further speculation. It wasn’t until Swift’s Instagram post, however, that the rumors were confirmed.

In a post on June 5, Swift wrote, “Being a Toy Story kid from the age of 5 til now… is an adventure I plan to be on, to infinity and beyond.”

Love Island USA‘s Sol Dean got brutally honest about how the “taste” of Gabriel Vasconcelos‘ kiss made her reconsider exploring a romance with him.

During the Tuesday, June 9, episode of the Peacock show, Sol and Gabriel bonded at Soul Ties before they gave into the chemistry with a kiss.

“Gabe, he’s obviously handsome. But I can taste people’s pheromones when I’m kissing them,” Sol explained in a confessional.

The bombshell blamed the kiss for shifting her interest, adding, “Sometimes it just turns me off. My body’s just like, ‘That was not it, girl.’”

Related: ‘Love Island USA’ Season 8 Couples: Who Is Still Together? Who Broke Up?

Love Island USA is all about coupling up — so which Islanders are currently together and which have already called it quits in the villa? Peacock’s popular dating show returned in June 2026 with contestants Aniya Harvey, Beatriz Hatz, Bryce Alakai Dettloff, KC Chandler, Mackenzie “Kenzie” Annis, Melanie Moreno, Sincere Rhea, Sean Reifel, Trinity Tatum […]

Gabriel’s fizzled-out romance with Sol came amid him being coupled up with Beatriz Hatz. Their future remained unclear after he secretly made a move on Sol, who also formed a bond with Sincere Rhea.

The newcomer previously turned heads when the Islanders had to read out sex facts and figure out which of them it was about during a challenge. One of the revelations was that an Islander slept with someone in their 50s.

“I was out and I was having a good time with my friends. She started talking to me and she was hot as f*** for her age,” Gabriel, who is 26 years old, said about his encounter with the 52-year-old. “We had a good night together. She had a lot of experience.”

Gabriel’s sexual history was then joked about when narrator Iain Stirling compared him to a “reverse Leonardo DiCaprio” due to the actor’s dating history. In addition to Gabriel and Beatriz, season 8 of Love Island USA features Aniya Harvey, Bryce Alakai Dettloff, KC Chandler, Mackenzie “Kenzie” Annis, Melanie Moreno, Sincere Rhea, Sean Reifel, Trinity, Corbin Mims, Kayda Bosse and Zach Georgiou.

Sol, Jen Terry and Caleb McDaniel are the newest group of bombshells who entered the villa in hopes of breaking up some couples.

Love Island USA follows a group of singles who must pair off in order to stay in the show’s luxury villa. The contestants — referred to as Islanders — live in isolation in a villa under constant video surveillance. They must be coupled up to remain on the show and earn a shot at the $100,000 prize.

While the islanders are filming nonstop for weeks, viewers are watching daily episodes and casting votes that affect the couples and the fate of the contestants.

Before viewers tuned in, Peacock issued a message to remind the audience to be kind.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

“The Villa runs on good vibes, and so does this community. We love seeing your reactions, opinions, and debates, but everyone deserves to feel safe and respected,” read their statement. “This is a space for fun, not negativity – so keep it kind, keep it positive, and remember: this is LOVE Island!”

New episodes of Love Island USA are released six days a week — except for Wednesdays — on Peacock.

Join Us Weekly and Bracketology.tv in our first-ever Love Island USA fantasy league! This is your chance to predict who you think will win Season 8 and rank the Islanders weekly based on how confident you are that they will survive the next elimination. You will be playing against our editors, get access to exclusive content and have the chance to win fun prizes. Sign up for free today!

Love Island USA‘s Sincere Rhea claimed Mel Moreno‘s behavior in the villa was putting their future as a couple at risk.

The Tuesday, June 9, episode of the Peacock show picked up with Sincere questioning how Mel was behaving with other guys – while not allowing him to explore connections with other women despite them not being “closed off” as a couple.

“I feel very disrespected,” Sincere told Mel in a heated argument. “You’re sitting there kissing every single body.”

Sincere specifically called out how Mel went back and forth between kissing him and Corbin Mims over and over again in a challenge, adding, “You were literally going ping pong with me and Corbin. It’s embarrassing. I felt disrespected and embarrassed.”

Mel, for her part, tried to apologize.

“I’m sorry. But do you know that I didn’t know that that was Corbin, right? I couldn’t see,” she told Sincere, who fired back, “But you could feel … He’s clearly different than I am.”

He continued: “Have your fun and explore. You are here to play this game but don’t play the game with me. I’m here for a reason. Then the cherry on top was when all they did was say Caleb [McDaniel] and then you started jumping up and down. We literally saw his feet and you were tweaking.”

Mel defended her reaction by saying she was more excited for Kenzie Annis.

“I keep hurting his feelings and I’m not trying to hurt his feelings,” she explained in a confessional. “I’m not doing anything on purpose but I think sometimes I guess I just do too much. He genuinely believes I knew it was Corbin. I did not. Me having fun and challenges does not delete everything I feel about Sincere, and I hate that he thinks that way. I f**ked up. ”

While Mel tried to apologize, the damage was done. Sincere started to heavily pursue new bombshell Sol Dean, who was just as interested in him. They kissed twice in secret before Mel walked in on them — and Sincere came clean.

Sincere tried to argue that he was still committed to Mel but she was clearly worried about their future together not that he was exploring with other women. Tuesday’s episode was also brought for KC Chandler and Aniya Harvey as they tried to figure out who closed off they actually were.

Related: ‘Love Island USA’ Season 8 Couples: Who Is Still Together? Who Broke Up?

Advertisement

Love Island USA is all about coupling up — so which Islanders are currently together and which have already called it quits in the villa? Peacock’s popular dating show returned in June 2026 with contestants Aniya Harvey, Beatriz Hatz, Bryce Alakai Dettloff, KC Chandler, Mackenzie “Kenzie” Annis, Melanie Moreno, Sincere Rhea, Sean Reifel, Trinity Tatum […]

Meanwhile Zach Georgiou and Kayda Bosse realized they both had to explore other options because the other wasn’t completely writing anyone new off yet. The various cracks in the villa relationships came as Peacock opened voting up for the first time this season.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

Viewers will have the chance to choose who each bombshell should pair up with — and that will ultimately decide the next recoupling.

New episodes of Love Island USA are released six days a week — except for Wednesdays — on Peacock.

Join Us Weekly and Bracketology.tv in our first-ever Love Island USA fantasy league! This is your chance to predict who you think will win Season 8 and rank the Islanders weekly based on how confident you are that they will survive the next elimination. You will be playing against our editors, get access to exclusive content and have the chance to win fun prizes. Sign up for free today!

Rumors continue to swirl around Welsh football club co-owner Ryan Reynolds, as the fingers of MCU fans are kept tightly crossed, wishing for Deadpool to join the Avengers for the upcoming Doomsday. Scheduled for release on December 18, the confirmed involvement of a jaw-dropping ensemble — including Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Florence Pugh, Pedro Pascal, and more — is impressive enough, but a cryptic post on Reynolds’ social media and his vague comments at the Toronto International Film Festival caught the attention of fans across the world.

It is now considered a realistic possibility that Reynolds will appear in Doomsday, although a cameo is most likely. Deadpool’s return is perhaps at the top of fans’ list of Reynolds character reprisals, but another that some will be hoping to see again comes from one of the actor’s early cult classics. The hugely underrated Just Friends, a comedy flick released in 2005 co-starring Reynolds and Amy Smart, was initially panned by critics upon release, with reviewers supposedly feeling “shortchanged” by a “lackluster” comedy.

However, time has been kind to Just Friends, with the film now considered a comedic gem from the mid-noughties, thanks to its subversion of comedy stereotypes and a frankly iconic performance from Scary Movie‘s Anna Faris. During a panel hosted by Collider’s Maggie Lovitt at the recent Indiana Comic Convention, Reynolds’ co-star Smart spoke of her love for the project, naming it as the one movie she’d love to return to. “I hope that we do a Just Friends 2. I just want that one,” Smart said. But where would Chris and Jamie be over two decades on? “There’s so many variations. I do think Chris and Jamie got married, I think they have kids, but I don’t know what kind of drama ensues,” Smart answered.

Was ‘Just Friends’ a Box Office Hit?

Sure, the movie proved unsuccessful with critics, but could Just Friends find enough of an audience for financial success? Against a reported production budget of $25 million, Just Friends just missed out on the all-important $50 million mark, with a total box office haul of $42 million. Split between $32 million in domestic revenue and a further $10 million from overseas markets, the film failed to even open inside the U.S. top five in its first weekend, although it faced the all-conquering Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

For the latest movie news, stay tuned to Collider.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

November 23, 2005

Runtime

Advertisement

96 minutes

Director

Roger Kumble

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Ariana Grande is back on the road for the first time in years, but her return to touring has arrived alongside major changes in her personal life. 

Just days after launching her highly anticipated Eternal Sunshine Tour, news emerged that the singer and her “Wicked” co-star Ethan Slater had quietly ended their relationship months ago. 

While the breakup surprised some fans, sources close to Grande claim the split reflects a familiar pattern that has played out throughout several chapters of the pop star’s life.

The breakup became public just two days after Ariana Grande kicked off her Eternal Sunshine Tour in Oakland, California.

Advertisement

Sources revealed that the singer and Ethan Slater had actually ended their relationship several months earlier after nearly three years together. 

By the time the news surfaced, some fans had already noticed the pair had not been photographed together for months.

Their romance began in late 2022 while filming the two-part “Wicked” adaptation, where Grande portrayed Glinda and Slater played Boq.

At the time, both stars were married. Grande later separated from her husband, Dalton Gomez, while Slater filed for divorce from Lilly Jay shortly after news of his relationship with Grande became public. 

Advertisement

However, because of the timing, the relationship immediately attracted scrutiny and accusations that the pair had become involved while still with their spouses.

The “God Is A Woman” singer repeatedly denied claims of an affair, but the controversy reignited discussions about her past relationships and dating history.

Now, sources say the romance ultimately faded as Grande shifted her focus toward a demanding new chapter in her career.

Grande’s Inner Circle Claims A Familiar Pattern Has Emerged

According to insiders, those close to Ariana Grande have observed a recurring trend when it comes to her relationships.

“Ariana and relationships have always been a bit of a complicated mix. She tends to fall hard and fast, and when she does, it’s all-consuming,” one source told the Daily Mail.

Advertisement

The insider claimed that the 32-year-old often becomes fully immersed in whichever relationship she enters, but major career opportunities can eventually redirect that focus. According to the source, a new film, album, or tour can quickly become her primary focus.

“The person she’s with gets her full attention, and it’s easy to get swept up in that. But then something shifts. That’s a pattern people around her have seen play out more than once,” they added.

The source also revealed that Slater reportedly hoped the relationship would continue. However, Grande reportedly “followed her own instincts,” and decided it was time to move on. 

Despite the breakup, another source stressed that the separation was amicable and that both stars remain supportive of one another.

Advertisement

Ariana Grande Entered A New Era After Leaving The World Of ‘Wicked’

For much of the past three years, Grande’s life revolved around “Wicked.” The former Nickelodeon star transformed her appearance for the role, traded her signature brunette hair for blonde locks, and largely stepped away from music while bringing Glinda to life on screen.

However, once excitement surrounding “Wicked: For Good” began winding down, Grande quickly pivoted back to her music career. 

In August 2025, she surprised fans by announcing the Eternal Sunshine Tour, her first major tour since 2019.

The ambitious schedule includes 40 shows across North America and Europe. Following stops throughout California, the southern United States, New York, Boston, Montreal, and Chicago, Grande will head overseas for a lengthy run at London’s O2 Arena.

The tour supports both her 2024 album “Eternal Sunshine” and her upcoming album “Petal,” which is scheduled for release on July 31.

Advertisement

While fans initially speculated that the new music could be inspired by her breakup, reports indicated that “Petal” was not created around her relationship with Slater or their split.

Grande’s Health Continues To Worry Fans And Loved Ones

As Ariana Grande embarks on months of performances, concerns about her health have resurfaced. During the “Wicked” press tour, reports suggested some of her loved ones feared she was “not in a healthy place” and had been struggling under mounting pressure.

Additional concerns emerged after a frightening incident at the Singapore premiere of “Wicked: For Good,” where an overzealous fan reportedly confronted her.

Friends and family are also said to worry about the Grammy Award winner’s anxiety levels and lingering PTSD stemming from the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing.

“The concern from people close to her is that she’s spent so much time taking care of everyone else that she hasn’t given herself the opportunity to slow down and recharge,” one source said.

Advertisement

Another insider claimed that those around her remain anxious about the demands of touring. According to them, “People who know her well and care deeply are anxious that she might have taken on too much.”

The source noted that Grande’s perfectionist tendencies add another layer of pressure because she remains heavily involved in nearly every aspect of the production.

Ariana Grande Faces Growing Concern As The Tour Moves Forward

Grande’s ongoing tour began on June 6 and in a matter of hours, photos and videos from the opening nights quickly sparked concern among fans, many of whom commented on her noticeably thin appearance and apparent lack of energy.

“I just can’t look at some of these pictures, it breaks my heart,” one fan wrote. Another added, “I hope she’s taking care of herself throughout this tour.”

A third supporter expressed concern that the demanding schedule could impact her overall wellbeing.

Advertisement

The scrutiny is something Grande has addressed before. During a 2024 interview, she reflected on spending much of her life under public observation.

“I’ve been kind of doing this in front of the public and kind of been a specimen in a petri dish, really, since I was 16 or 17,” she said.

The Hollywood star also criticized people who felt comfortable commenting on others’ bodies, describing the behavior as “really dangerous for all parties involved.”

Despite her public stance, sources say Grande is fully aware that concern about her wellbeing has intensified only days into the tour. Her inner circle is reportedly monitoring the situation closely and hopes she adopts a healthier routine once the tour settles into a rhythm.

Advertisement

Still, some worry the larger issue may come after the final show. “They’re hopeful that she’ll slow down,” one source suggested, but the fear remains that Grande may jump directly into another major project without taking time to rest after the tour concludes in September.

Amanda Batula made a declaration of love to husband Kyle Cooke on In the City, just months before she told him she was done with their marriage.

“My biggest fear is losing you,” Amanda, 34, told Kyle, 43, on the Tuesday, June 9, episode of the Bravo series. “And that’s scary. And I get frustrated with how badly I want it to work.”

Amanda’s honesty about her feelings toward Kyle, whom she married in September 2021, came to light amid her and Kyle’s conversation about her moving out of their shared apartment in New York City.

“Do you feel like you’re in love with me?” Kyle asked as the pair had lunch together in October 2025. Amanda didn’t hesitate, responding, “Yes, that’s why I’m doing this. Are you even still in love with me?”

“Of course, I love you,” Kyle said. Amanda interrupted asking again, “Are you still in love with me?”

Kyle started to laugh because of how intensely Amanda was looking at him across the table. “Of course. Stop! I love you,” he responded.

Amanda was also giggling as she pointed out to him, “I’m a f***ing catch and I want you to treat me like that.”

Kyle got serious, responding, “K. Then let’s bring that back.”

Amanda explained that while they were living apart, she wanted to feel like Kyle was “doing everything you can to fight for this relationship and that you don’t want to lose me.”

“OK,” Kyle replied.

Earlier in their conversation, Amanda confirmed that she had gotten the keys to her new apartment — a furnished property with a year-long lease as opposed to a month-to-month setup she initially pitched — and would be moving that week.

“This hasn’t been an easy decision for me to make,” Amanda claimed to Kyle. “The reason that I feel like I’m able to get through it is because I’m really hoping this move is going to make a shift in our relationship.”

When Kyle asked whether he would be getting a key, Amanda said “no,” but reminded him that she would be keeping her keys to their place.

“You tell the front desk you’re coming to see me. Then you go to the elevator, push my floor and just go up. You don’t need keys,” Amanda explained.

Kyle called the situation “uncharted territory,” wondering whether Amanda would give him a “heads up” when she was coming over. She agreed, saying she would text before dropping by.

As Kyle tried to get onboard with their relationship shift, he asked Amanda to do one thing for him.

“Speak to me like we’re making decisions together, not that you’ve already made up your mind,” he said. “That’s all I’m saying.”

Amanda nodded in agreement, telling him, “OK. You’re not single. I’m not single,” once again outlining their new roles while living separately.

“I know, I still have my wedding ring on,” Kyle said before noticing that Amanda wasn’t wearing hers. “What the s*** is that?”

Amanda laughed it off, claiming, “I don’t have any jewelry on!”

Kyle and Amanda later outlined their guidelines to living apart while still being together, with Amanda saying, “I feel like we should be at each other’s places at least two times a week.”

She also wanted to keep up with couples therapy weekly, telling Kyle, “I think that’s going to be our saving grace.”

Kyle, for his part, was in total agreement.

Related: Summer House’s Amanda Calls Couples Therapy Her and Kyle’s ‘Last Option’

Amanda Batula admitted on Summer House that couples therapy was her and husband Kyle Cooke’s “last option” to save their marriage — just months before they announced their divorce in January. “Last weekend was really, really bad,” Amanda, 34, said during the Tuesday, April 7, episode of Summer House, which filmed in August 2025. Amanda […]

Advertisement

While Amanda admitted to Lindsay Hubbard during the episode that she felt like she was in a “weird limbo” by living on her own amid her marriage to Kyle, she told the cameras she was hopeful for their future.

“The plan is still the same. To try and reconnect again. We’re not dating other people. We’re not seeing other people,” Amanda insisted. “This is to create space to actually try to date each other again. In my delusional little mind I think that this could actually work.”

Just a few months after Kyle and Amanda filmed In the City, they announced their split. The pair were married four years before they released a statement in January saying they’d parted ways. (Amanda later revealed that she was the one that initiated the statement and told Bravo they were breaking up.)

The following month, rumors surfaced that Amanda was hooking up with Summer House costar West Wilson, but they downplayed the speculation. However, Amanda and West, 31, later released a joint statement on March 31, confirming that their platonic relationship had turned romantic.

The development sent shockwaves through the Bravo universe because of how soon after Kyle and Amanda’s split she moved on with West.

West’s past romance with Summer House costar and Amanda’s former BFF Ciara Miller also raised eyebrows among the cast. (West and Ciara, 30, dated in 2023 but were very cozy during summer 2025 and into the fall after season 10 of Summer House.)

“Was there any physical activity? I don’t care if there’s any emotional affair, because at this point that’s subjective. Did you ever hook up in 2025?” Kyle asked West and Amanda during part 3 of the Summer House reunion, which aired on Tuesday, trying to get clarification on their timeline.

West replied, “No, f*** no.”

Advertisement

Related: West Wilson Weighed in on Kyle and Amanda’s Marriage 2 Months Before Romance

West Wilson weighed in on Kyle Cooke and Amanda Batula’s marriage — and rocky relationship — two months before confirming his romance with Amanda. “They are very different people,” West, 31, exclusively told Us Weekly in January of Kyle, 43, and Amanda, 34, after the then-couple’s marriage struggles were teased in a trailer for season […]

Amanda was on the same page, telling Kyle, “On my f***ing life, on the dogs’ life, no,” referring to the exes’ two puppies.

While Lindsay, 39, told Kyle that “an emotional affair is so much worse,” he admitted he agreed, but added, “But we’re never going to be able to prove that.”

The Summer House reunion concluded with Kyle telling Amanda off stage, “I hate when our 10-year relationship gets talked about as if it was 100 percent bad.”

The former couple exchanged a big hug and Kyle cried as Amanda responded, “I know. I’m sorry.”

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

Kyle later told host Andy Cohen that he made a “big effort to just be at peace” when he and Amanda called it quits.

However, he confessed, “I don’t know where we go from here. … This was not something I ever thought was going to be possible.”

In the City airs on Bravo Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 1 second ago

Lately, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about one of the coolest things from the Star Wars prequels: podracing! Even the biggest critics of The Phantom Menace readily admitted that the podracing scenes were some of the most thrilling moments ever captured on film. This high-speed racing in a galaxy far, far away was so popular that it led to multiple podracing video games. Now, another game is on the horizon: Star Wars: Galactic Racer. Releasing on October 6th, this game will feature a solo campaign mode as well as a variety of multiplayer modes that pit players against different races.

Between excitement for this game and social media users rediscovering the darkly hilarious story of racer Ratts Tyerell, it’s clear that excitement for podracing is greater than ever before. That excitement is so great that it seems like a no-brainer for Lucasfilm to create a Star Wars TV show about a plucky young racer trying to win big. Unfortunately, we’re never going to get this or countless other great show ideas for a simple, depressing reason: the MCU. You see, Star Wars authorities like Dave Filoni are obsessed with creating their own Marvel-style cinematic universe, meaning that any shows that don’t directly connect to other series or movies will never see the light of day.

The Mando Cinematic Universe

If you somehow don’t know (what, you didn’t feel a disturbance in the Force?), there’s a slowly growing mountain of exciting Star Wars projects that got canceled before they ever got off the ground. This includes things like Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron movie, Guillermo del Toro’s Jabba the Hutt film, an untitled movie from Taika Waititi, and even an entire new trilogy from The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson. Some canceled projects were later transformed into TV shows for Disney+. This includes a solo Boba Fett movie and what was meant to be a solo Obi-Wan Kenobi trilogy. Interestingly, both TV shows featuring these characters underscore why Star Wars is doomed to fail.

You see, part of why The Book of Boba Fett sucked is that a huge chunk of its runtime was dedicated to other characters. Like, midway through its first and only season, this Boba Fett spinoff focuses on the Mandalorian and Grogu, with a bit of Ahsoka thrown in for good measure. Similarly, Obi-Wan Kenobi couldn’t simply focus on the wacky dessert misadventures of its titular character: instead, Lucasfilm inexplicably threw in both Darth Vader and Princess Leia, which threatened to disrupt established Star Wars lore. Ahsoka is, of course, a live-action Rebels sequel with plenty of character overlap, and even The Acolyte features appearances by familiar names like Yoda, Ki-adi-Mundi, and even Darth Plagueis.

Let Me See That Thrawn

Why are potentially solid Star Wars shows getting clogged with characters that ultimately hurt the overall story? Simple: Dave Filoni wants this franchise to be more like the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Part of the MCU’s charm is that characters can pop into each other’s movies. Iron Man is in the first Spider-Man movie, Black Widow is in the second Captain America movie, and so on. Done well, this lays the groundwork for major team-ups, like The Avengers. For years, there have been rumors that Star Wars is trying to put its own interconnected characters in place to loosely adapt Timothy Zahn’s Heir to the Empire book into a show or film.

That sounds fine on paper; after all, Heir to the Empire is one of the best Star Wars books ever written. But it’s a book featuring characters that Disney likely won’t feature in their own adaptation, including all of the Original Trilogy’s primary heroes and fan-favorite new characters like Mara Jade. Even if we do eventually get an Heir to the Empire adaptation, it’s clear that it would have almost nothing in common with the book besides the presence of Thrawn. Adding some salt to the wound, the lack of any official updates means that this project is very likely dead.

No Heir, No Spare

If Filoni’s dream of creating an Heir to the Empire movie or series is over, then it means that we’ve had years of wasted Star Wars TV shows. Why bother using The Book of Boba Fett to set up more Mandalorian stuff? Why use The Mandalorian to set up Ashoka? Why try (and fail) to cause Ahsoka to set up Heir to the Empire? From the outside looking in, it seems like these shows were extensively tweaked to set up a project that we’ll never see. Episodes and entire series that could have been great ended up sucking, and for what? To set up yet another franchise project that ended up getting canceled.

Star Wars is dying because it can’t stop copying the MCU, which itself is on life support thanks to superhero fatigue. Just like that, two great franchises ruined themselves because they were too busy setting up the next big thing instead of giving fans what they really want: something original, for once!

Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers from Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed Episode 5

We are halfway through Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed‘s first season, and, while a lot has happened over the course of five episodes, there is still quite a bit of unresolved chaos and mystery for Tatiana Maslany‘s Paula to sort through. The twisty Apple TV thriller — which is infused with moments of levity in between the bloody murder investigation and blackmail — works as well as it does thanks to its eclectic and talented cast, which includes Murray Bartlett and Brandon Flynn.

Bartlett and Flynn play Dennis and Trevor, respectively, two characters who are definitely not how they seem. The two men — who start out as a seemingly loving couple — quickly evolve into anything but that. Bartlett’s Dennis is a cold, calculated killer trying to track down Paula, and Trevor’s a Cam Boy-turned-victim who thrusts Paula into a maddening kidnap-blackmail plot. During this conversation with Collider, Murray Bartlett and Brandon Flynn talk about their first impressions of the story, what it was like playing such complicated characters, and how they pulled off that ambitious murder scene in Episode 5.

Apple TV’s ‘Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed’ Allowed Murray Bartlett and Brandon Flynn To Play Several Characters

“Trevor has many truths going on.”

COLLIDER: It’s so great to meet you both. I really enjoy the show, and your storylines go in quite a few unexpected directions, which made it that much more fun to watch. I want to start with a fun, silly question. Paula clearly finds an outlet for pleasure. Is there something like a show, a movie, or activity that will bring you out of a funk instantly and will turn your mood around?

MURRAY BARTLETT: Oh, my God. I mean, I can’t think of anything as racy and kind of cool as what Paula does. I live in the woods, so I go and walk on the beach. [Laughs] That pulls me out of a funk. I take my dog out and just hang out with my dog. That’s basically what I do. But I can’t think of anything that’s more fun and interesting than that. That’s my go-to.

BRANDON FLYNN: Usually go see something, play or museum or something.

BARTLETT: I mean, yeah, going to see movies is kind of the solution to many things.

FLYNN: It really is, yeah.

BARTLETT: It’s a mood lifter. Even if it’s sad or depressing or dark.

FLYNN: Even if it’s bad.

BARTLETT: Even if it’s bad, yeah.

You’re like, “I got out of the house and ate candy. It’s fine.”

BARTLETT: You’re still in a cinema. I think particularly for us, even if something isn’t working very well, you’re kind of still like, “These people made this thing!” There are always things to learn from it or take from it or whatever. That is sort of a joyful experience that kind of soothes anything, I think.

Dennis and Trevor are two very complicated characters. What were your impressions when you first read the script and were introduced to the story?

BARTLETT: I loved that Dennis just kind of shifts on a dime and is all these different things to different people. That’s just a great thing to play. That was a very tantalizing thing for me. I just found the story to be relatable. I think we’re in a period of time where it’s very easy to feel overwhelmed. The amazing Tatiana Maslany, who anchors our show, is going through this kind of overwhelmedness, and what you do when you’re feeling overwhelmed. I feel like that’s super relatable, particularly at this point in time. And then the fact that the show just keeps jumping and changing and surprising you. It was a really compelling read. I was like, “Oh yeah, I want to be part of this.”

FLYNN: Trevor felt so fun and like he was the ultimate performer, giving the people what they want. I was excited to be a part of that journey with him, where I think the audience is going to get a kick out of where it goes.

Going off of that, Brandon, I know you studied at the Globe Theater. Trevor’s kind of constantly acting himself. Was there anything from when you were studying at the Globe that you took and that you feel really connected with this project specifically?

FLYNN: Oh my God. I mean, Shakespeare’s in everything. I’m sure there’s some sort of Shakespearean character that Trevor could be linked to. I mean, he’s kind of like Plato’s idea of an actor, right? At the Globe, I was always just taught, “Tell the truth.” Like, that’s it. And Trevor has many truths going on [laughs], and they were all fun to tell.

Murray Bartlett Studied What It’s Like To Be a Sociopath for ‘Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed’

“They learn to imitate social cues and become great actors.”

Image via Apple TV

Murray, I love watching you be really bad and scary. I’m sure it was very fun to play a villainous role. Did you prepare for this character differently than you have with other characters, or do you kind of have the same method when you get into a story?

BARTLETT: I think it’s always different, for me, anyway. There are certain steps that I always take to make sure I’ve covered my bases, but I feel like I’m always on high alert to pull in music or movies or films or people I’ve met, or little videos that I’ve seen, or whatever, to kind of make this kind of collage that becomes the character in a way. Sort of pulling on things from yourself that resonate with the character. But with this, I felt like, because he shifts and changes and can sort of switch emotion on and off, it felt very sociopathic.

I read this book about a sociopath, and it was super helpful. It was just fascinating because the woman who wrote the book, who is a sociopath, has a very small spectrum of emotions, so they learn to imitate social cues and become great actors, basically. That was a really wonderful kernel that I kind of held to, amongst other amazing things about sociopaths, like a lack of empathy. I am proud to say that I feel like I have a lot of empathy, but I’m a very, very emotional person, and to play someone who isn’t that was kind of exciting and challenging in a great way for me.

When he was in the car and trying to channel crying and how he should feel, it was very unnerving in the best way. I want to talk about Episode 5 a little bit because that was a very brutal kill, and I want to know how choreographed that scene was in the motel. What was it like when you read it, and then how was it when you filmed it?

BARTLETT: There’s a technical aspect. You want to make sure that everyone feels safe and comfortable and all that kind of stuff. It’s disturbing shit. Because we’re seeing the cameras and stuff, to a certain extent, you can objectify it. But that’s when the sociopathic stuff came in. He doesn’t feel the things that I would feel here. So, what would that be like? He’s just getting the job done. The stuff is here that I’m going to use to get the job done. There is some sort of glee in it for him, which was enjoyable to imagine. It’s horrible, but it’s all play, so we had a lot of fun with it. The way into that brutal stuff that I find personally hard to watch [laughs]… It was helpful to have that sociopathic thing of, “Well, this person doesn’t actually respond like most people would.” That’s how sociopaths and psychopaths do this stuff. They don’t have that sort of capacity in their being to feel empathy or feel the things that most of us would.

Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed airs new episodes Wednesdays on Apple TV.

Advertisement

Release Date

May 19, 2026

Advertisement

Network

Apple TV

Showrunner

Advertisement

David Rosen

Directors

Damon Thomas, Alethea Jones

Advertisement

Writers

David Rosen

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement