Right off the bat, I want to say, that Mufasa: The Lion King is superior to its 2019 predecessor. But the unfortunate truth is, that bar is very low. Like many people, I wasn’t the biggest fan of Jon Favreau’s The Lion King adaptation which felt soulless even though it was a massive box office success, it left people with a bitter taste in their mouth. So it was likely that we wouldn’t get a continuation of Simmba’s story, so that doesn’t leave many ways to tell another story in this universe. A prequel with a largely original story sounded like a decent direction to go in after The Lion King.

Barry Jenkins was certainly an unexpected but exciting choice for a blockbuster like this. He tries his best to breathe new life into the iconic Pride Lands by exploring the origins of Mufasa and Taka (who eventually goes on to become Scar). Jenkins, known for Moonlight and If Beale Street Could Talk, brings surprising emotional depth to what could have easily been a soulless cash grab. The facial emotions are significantly better this time and we actually get an idea of what the characters are going through. This also takes the weight off voice actors who had to do all the heavy lifting in the last one.

Technically, the movie is as stunning as expected. The breathtaking photorealistic visuals are back, with meticulous attention to every leaf, ripple of water, and blade of grass. The Pride Lands come alive in all their splendor, creating a visual experience that demands to be seen on the big screen. The character animations are fluid and much more expressive enough to evoke connection without sacrificing realism. Jenkins really tries to present a more profound emotional tone, exploring themes of family, loss, and legacy with more nuance than one might expect from a Disney blockbuster.

(L-R): Sarabi (voiced by Tiffany Boone), Taka (voiced by Kelvin Harrison Jr.), Mufasa (voiced by Aaron Pierre), and Rafiki (voiced by Kagiso Lediga) in Disney’s live-action MUFASA: THE LION KING. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2024 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.

At its heart, the film focuses on the journey that shaped Mufasa into the king we know, and how two brothers turned into enemies. His journey takes very formulaic routes and hardly offers anything new. The brothers turned enemies story is also done multiple times and doesn’t surprise or impress at any point. The story has moments of beauty but struggles to get you invested or emotionally attached to it. The script is weak and definitely needed help from the visuals to bring the entertainment value. Thankfully the lack of novelty in the writing is partly compensated by the breath-taking visuals. There are some really impressive sequences that leave you impressed and engaged solely due to the cinematography.

But where Mufasa truly disappoints is in its music. Lin-Manuel Miranda is nowhere near his best and the sings are decent at best. Not a single song stayed with me once I left the screening. The middle portions of the film are particularly strong, offering intriguing subplots and emotional beats that elevate the narrative. Miranda is master at his work, but here he really struggles to get the beats right. The voice cast is solid across the board. Aaron Pierre captures Mufasa’s spirit, while Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner are as charming as ever. Kelvin Harrison Jr., struggles with his British accent.

(L-R): Mufasa (voiced by Aaron Pierre) and Taka (voiced by Kelvin Harrison Jr.) in Disney’s live-action MUFASA: THE LION KING. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2024 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Advertisement

Another aspect that the script gets wrong is the structure and character usage. It shouldn’t have taken the flashback storytelling route as it doesn’t work at all and only takes you out of Mufasa‘s story. It also never justifies the inclusions or Pumba and Timon, and they feel forced into the story. The final act feels emotionally satisfying but it really messes up Taka’s arc. His origin story is surprisingly underwhelming and frankly lazy. The story of his rivalry with Mufasa will remind you a lot of Transformers: One that came out earlier this year, and they did it way better. It’s also as if the writers hesitated to take bold narrative risks, instead settling for a resolution that feels too safe and familiar.

Mufasa: The Lion King is a visually stunning prequel that adds compelling world-building and heartfelt moments but struggles to justify its existence. The rushed narrative underdevelops key characters, and while Barry Jenkins’ thoughtful direction adds gravitas, it can’t overcome the contrived screenplay. The voicework is solid, but the music by Lin-Manuel Miranda is surprisingly underwhelming. It is superior to its 2019 predecessor, but the film still lacks the soul needed to truly roar with life.

Mufasa: The Lion King hits cinemas on December 20.

A year after the word-of-mouth success of the four-part series Adolescence, Netflix released the documentary film Louis Theroux: Into the Manosphere, which revisited similar themes. Now, some months later, Adolescence writer Jack Thorne finds himself returning to ideas of masculinity and power once again in another four-part series for Netflix. Well, to be precise, the series was acquired by Netflix for domestic release, but it was aired in its home country of the United Kingdom back in February on BBC One. The new series has been met with near-universal acclaim, and it has a Rotten Tomatoes score that’s only one point below that of Adolescence.

We’re talking, of course, about Lord of the Flies. The series was released domestically on May 4, and according to FlixPatrol, it has already found a spot for itself on the streamer’s viewership chart. It trails the runaway hit true-crime series Should I Marry a Murderer and the recently released action-thriller Man on Fire. But Lord of the Flies ranks ahead of the second season of Running Point and the six-part drama-thriller series Unchosen. Based on the classic 1954 novel by William Golding, Lord of the Flies follows a handful of boys — they’re played by Lox Pratt, David McKenna, Ike Talbut, and Winston Sawyer — stranded on a tropical island after a plane crash. They create a makeshift society that descends into chaos.

Jack Thorne’s New Show Has All the Makings of a Word-of-Mouth Sensation

Lord of the Flies currently holds a “Certified Fresh” 96% score on the aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, where the consensus reads, “Fleshing out William Golding’s text with thoughtful observations about boyhood and sharpened by a uniformly terrific troupe of child actors, this retelling of Lord of the Flies seizes the conch shell and commands attention.” By comparison, Adolescence is now sitting at a 97% score. In his review, Collider’s Shawn Van Horn noted Lord of the Flies‘ similarities to the recent series Yellowjackets and wrote, “If its four episodes had been a bit shorter, and a few changes to the source material had been reversed, Lord of the Flies could have achieved greatness; instead, it settles for being pretty good.” Incidentally, an animated adaptation of the similarly themed novel “Animal Farm” is currently playing in theaters, albeit not too successfully. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

Advertisement

Release Date

2026 – 2026-00-00

Advertisement

Network

BBC One

Advertisement

Directors

Marc Munden

Writers

Advertisement

Jack Thorne

Advertisement

Cast

• 
• 

  David McKenna

  Advertisement

  Nicholas (Piggy)

Advertisement

Advertisement

Nick Cannon is clearing the air after his daughter, Monroe, posted about her siblings, which went viral on Instagram. Speaking with Shannon Sharpe on his famous “Club Shay Shay” podcast, the “Wild ‘N Out” host made it clear that his daughter, who has a twin brother, Moroccan, doesn’t have any issues with her half-siblings.

Cannon is used to being in the headlines when it comes to his children, and today is no different. On “Club Shay Shay,” the actor and rapper clarified his daughter’s earlier comment about having “one” sibling, assuring listeners that her post had been taken out of context.

“My daughter just recently went viral,” Cannon told the Super Bowl champion. “And it’s so funny because the world thought that it was about a conversation that was something that it wasn’t.”

For those who may be unfamiliar, Monroe made a post in November 2025, stating that she has only one brother and many half-siblings. Cannon said that his daughter’s post wasn’t a dig at his 10 other children with multiple women, but rather was meant to stop rumors spreading about their family.

“There was like some, a couple kids online saying that they were my kids’ siblings. Like, ‘Oh that’s my sister, oh that’s my brother.’ So my daughter wanted to clear it up and be like, ‘I only have one brother, like literally in her age group. All these other guys that are saying they’re my brother are not my brother,’” he said.

Nick Cannon Said His Daughter Learned A Valuable Lesson After Posting About Her Siblings Online

As the conversation continued, Cannon said his daughter learned a valuable lesson about sharing information online as a public figure.

“I was like, ‘But let this be a lesson that you gotta be very careful what you say on social media. People will take something very small and blow it up to something that you don’t have control over anymore. So be very careful on what you share,’” the “Drumline” actor said.

Cannon said that despite how the comments sounded, his eldest daughter was upset that the situation had been blown out of proportion. “It was a great lesson for my teenage daughter to learn where, like, you don’t have to say everything that you feel on social media because people ‘gon take it and run with it,” he said.

Nick Cannon Sparks Controversy After Sharing Why His Daughter Isn’t Allowed To Date Just Yet

According to The Blast, Cannon was back in the spotlight earlier this week when a clip of him saying his daughter wasn’t allowed to date was shared online.

“There is a difference when parenting a son and then when parenting a daughter. I am more protective of my daughter because there’s things out there that I have to protect my daughter from,” Cannon said.

Cannon explained that his rules for his children are more about protection than anything else.

“My son isn’t calling me that, Dad, she hit me,” the podcast host said. “He’s not doing that. But if someone puts their hands on my daughter. I’m going to jail. I’m doing 25 to life if somebody puts their hands on my daughter.”

Social media users slammed the comedian over what some believed was an antiquated stance, while others said the A-lister might be fearful of his child ending up with someone like him.

“It’s going to happen,” someone posted. “Somebody is going to use her the same way Nick used other people’s daughters.”

Cannon Says His 12 Children Were Due To Him Being ‘Careless’

This isn’t the first time Cannon has spoken publicly about his children. Per The Blast, he previously spoke openly about how he wound up with 12 children from six different women, admitting he was once “careless with my process.”

“… I had the money [and] because I had the access to whoever and however I wanted to move,” he said, adding that he was more concerned with having fun than anything else. The actor hinted, however, that his life would look different today if he could change some of his past behavior.

“Being almost 45 now, I could sit back and like, yeah, if I would have thought the process through a little bit more and took time to actually do the inner work,” he said. “Things might have been a little different in certain scenarios.”

Cannon Says He Let Jesus Down When He Did This One Thing

Another report from The Blast details Cannon’s candid admission about losing his virginity as a young teenager at a church event. The actor said he was “too young” to do the deed and, in turn, felt like he “let Jesus down.”

Cannon went on to say that the moment still lives in his head, revealing that he felt “pressured” to perform because the person was a few years older than he was.

While the act itself wasn’t a great experience for Cannon, he said he learned a lot from that moment and recalled it when he engaged in it again years later.

“Real Housewives of Potomac” star Stacey Rusch was one of the select few reality stars honored with a recent cover story. Now, following the milestone, one of the former “RHOP” cast members, Candiace Dillard Bassett, is complimenting her and throwing a subtle jab at the veterans on the show who were not featured.

Dillard-Bassett took to her “Undomesticated” podcast in May 2026 to react to Rusch’s inclusion in Vulture’s “The Mastermind of Reality TV” issue. Notably, Rusch joined the show in 2024 and quickly became a fan favorite.

Regarding the honor, she said, “I have to give flowers to the people. Shout out to Stacey “QVC” Rusch. She was with the Vulture people.” After that, the new mom said, “I love Stacey. I love that she’s getting her flowers. I love that she’s getting her flowers.”

From there, the beloved reality star revealed that her husband, Chris Bassett, had pointed out that a newer cast member had been included instead of a veteran. According to her, “Where were they? Y’all let the new girl come in and get on the cover before ya’ll get on the cover.”

Dillard-Bassett Says Stacey Isn’t Faking Drama For ‘RHOP’

The commentary about “RHOP” continued with Dillard-Bassett’s cohost, Michael Arceneaux, noting that “Stacey has breathed new life into the show since other favorites have left, and she’s actually why I watch the show.”

The former Bravo star went on, “A lot of people love her. And she’s so easy-going about it. She’s so chill,” before stating that Rusch seems to be “having a good time.”

Later, she acknowledged that Rusch doesn’t seem to be “manufacturing the drama,” subtly hinting that this is a tactic taken up by other ladies on the show. She added, “When you just let it go and let it flow, you get the covers.

‘RHOP’ Fans Are Reacting

Following Dillard-Bassett’s comments about Rusch and “RHOP,” fans of the show weighed in. While some were positive, others accused the former cast member of being jealous. One person said, “Candiace and Stacey would get along so well. Aries and Sagittarius together is the perfect storm.”

A different fan claimed on X, “This girl swears she never watches anything #RHOP related, but she sure is leaving her commentary every week! Also, yeah, they’re on the 11th season… something you ain’t part of no more, honey boo boo.”

Someone else stated, “This woman was on the show for many seasons and never got a feature, either she needs to shut up.” A different social media user wrote, “And comments like these are the reason why everyone hates her.”

Lastly, another fan remarked, “Nothing for Ashley or Gizelle. Stacey deserves honesty.”

Candiace Left ‘RHOP’ In 2024

Dillard-Bassett joined “The Real Housewives of Potomac” in 2018 for its third season. She quickly became a fan favorite before departing in March 2024 ahead of the show’s 9th season.

She told PEOPLE, “As I embark on a new chapter after six remarkable years with The Real Housewives of Potomac, I am filled with gratitude for the enriching friendships, personal growth, and moments of introspection that have defined this journey.”

The reality star added, “With a whirlwind of new opportunities and responsibilities on my plate, I have decided to take a break from ‘RHOP.’ This is not a farewell, but a ‘see you later.’”

Roughly a month later, the “Driveback” singer announced that she and her husband were expecting their first child. She later admitted to Entertainment Tonight that her pregnancy was “95%” of the reason she left the show.

Dillard-Bassett stated, “I was really adamant about creating a space for not just the baby, but for me — for us — for this time in our lives. I wanted the space around us and around our child to feel peaceful and to feel free and to feel positive.”

She Recently Opened Up About Her New Music

Dillard-Bassett pursued her singing career while on “RHOP.” This led to her debut album, “Deep Space,” released in 2021, featuring the much-buzzed-about “Driveback.” Now, years later, she has a new single, “If Only,” which was released in February 2026.

Currently, she’s hard at work on her second studio album and preparing to join Tamar Braxton for a summer tour on select dates.

If there is one song that Queen is known for, it’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Released in 1975, what was once a heavily criticized track eventually became beloved by many, despite its six-minute runtime. Since then, the song has found new life thanks to its choke hold on pop culture, receiving covers from Glee and The Wiggles. Additionally, the song charted in multiple countries, entering the Top 10 in Australia, Europe, and the US Billboard Hot 100. It was also certified Platinum in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, and the U.K.

One reason people like “Bohemian Rhapsody” is its musical artistry. What starts as a piano ballad evolves into an energetic rock track before reverting into an emotional ballad. Another reason is the lyrics. There are so many notable lines sung by Freddie Mercury, and the way they’re performed, especially live, is breathtaking. But there is one line in “Bohemian Rhapsody” that people still find unforgettable.

The Most Memorable Line in “Bohemian Rhapsody” Is…

Out of the 372 words in “Bohemian Rhapsody,” there are a handful of lines that are memorable and iconic. But apparently, the lyric that people still find unforgettable is “I see a little silhouetto of a man…” sung at around the 3:06 mark. One reason this line remains unforgettable to listeners is that it marks the start of the song’s genre shift. The first three minutes are an emotional piano ballad, but by the time that lyric kicks in, “Bohemian Rhapsody” transforms into a vocal opera filled with call-and-response lyrics performed like a choir.

Who’s Your Perfect Classic Rock Band?

Another reason: “I see a little silhouetto of a man…” is considered “Bohemian Rhapsody’s” most memorable line is because it tells listeners the song isn’t over yet. Typically, a pop or rock song lasts around three minutes, and many of Queen’s greatest hits range from three to four minutes. “Bohemian Rhapsody” is one of the few songs that not only goes beyond the average duration, but also feels like you’re listening to a completely different track halfway through. “Somebody to Love” is a five-minute song, but it maintains a sense of musical and lyrical consistency throughout. “Bohemian Rhapsody” feels like three music genres combined into one track, and “I see a little silhouetto of a man…” marks the start of that transition.

The Decision to Add the Opera Section

In the 2018 musical biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, a scene shows Queen recording “Bohemian Rhapsody,” revealing they were behind schedule and that the repeated “Galileos” were wearing the tape thin. In a 2005 New York Times article, music producer Roy Thomas Baker recalled recording the song with Queen using the “24-track technology” available at the time. He noted the amount of work that went into producing the track and how it immortalized Queen’s “theatrical and bombastic sound in the 70s.” In a separate interview with Sound on Sound, Baker claimed that “Bohemian Rhapsody” was the first time opera had been “incorporated into a pop record,” and that the section alone took at least three weeks to record.

Perhaps that’s another reason “I see a little silhouetto of a man…” is such a memorable line in the song. Not only does it signify a genre shift, but it also marks the beginning of a section that required a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to create. Given the risk and uniqueness of this part of the song, and the time it took to make it work, the opening line needed to leave a strong impression to keep people listening. That line, combined with the instrumental build-up leading into the next section, was enough to keep audiences engaged regardless of the song’s duration. If I could quote a line from the Bohemian Rhapsody film, “I pity your wife if you think six minutes is forever.”

What “Bohemian Rhapsody” Sounds Like Live

When watching live performances of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” the moment the opera section begins, the audience becomes immediately more engaged. During Queen’s performance at Wembley Stadium in 1986, people started clapping along to the piano before the first line even began. Even outside of Queen concerts, audiences stayed engaged whenever the song played in the background. One notable example occurred during Green Day‘s 2017 Hyde Park performance, when “Bohemian Rhapsody” played over the speakers and the audience sang along. Just like at Queen’s concerts, Green Day fans started clapping to the piano once the opera section began. Even when Panic! At the Disco performed the song, the crowd went wild the moment the opera section started.

So not only is “I see a little silhouetto of a man…” memorable because of its role in the song and its placement, but it also builds anticipation for what’s coming next. It’s not just the vocal choir that listeners have to look forward to, but also the rock section that follows the genre shift.

“I see a little silhouetto of a man…” Is More Than Just a Lyric

If you ask someone what lyric first comes to mind when they hear the name “Bohemian Rhapsody,” most people would probably respond with “Galileos” or “Nothing really matters to me.” But deep down, “I see a little silhouetto of a man…” is the line that gets people excited when listening to the song. While it may not be everyone’s first answer when asked to name a lyric from “Bohemian Rhapsody,” it reminds listeners that the song is about to become something bigger. It marks the start of a section worth anticipating and introduces a part of the track where a lot of effort went into making it unforgettable.

“X-Men” star James McAvoy has weighed in on controversial influencer Andrew Tate, suggesting it “must be really hard” being him.

The actor made the remarks during a recent podcast appearance where he discussed how people often react when their favorite public figures are criticized. McAvoy’s comments also revived attention around his past comparison between Tate and his “Speak No Evil” character.

Tate’s polarizing reputation came up during McAvoy’s recent appearance on “The Romesh Ranganathan Show.”

The conversation shifted to Tate after the host noted that people often react strongly when the public figures they love most are criticized. He argued that Tate continues to receive support despite his controversial behavior and recent sex trafficking allegations.

In response, McAvoy focused less on Tate’s views and more on how the influencer presents himself, particularly the intense, aggressive tone he often uses when expressing his opinions.

“There’s something regardless of the things that he asserts and his opinions and all that kind of stuff,” McAvoy said. “The seriousness and the anger with which he delivers everything. I’m just like, ‘Oh man, it must be really hard being you.’”

McAvoy Couldn’t Stop Laughing At Andrew Tate Lifestyle Dig

Ranganathan went ahead to point out that, despite the lavish lifestyle Tate frequently showcases on social media, he still does not come across as someone enjoyable to be around.

“It is a sort of combination of like he talks about smoking cigars and like being by the pool and all these women and having a sports car. And despite all of that, he doesn’t look like any fun to hang out with at all,” the comedian said.

Advertisement

The remark drew laughs from McAvoy, who replied, “I know,” while appearing to agree with the comparison and the exhausting image Tate projects publicly.

Ranganathan then joked that spending time with Tate would probably be “the most intense, horrible evening you could ever have.”

Fans Back James McAvoy’s Andrew Tate Remarks

Online, many social media users appeared to agree with McAvoy after a clip from the interview discussing Tate went viral.

“Two things can be true at once. His message can be moronic, and his delivery can be embarrassing,” one individual wrote on X.

“I agree with this. He always sounds miserable and complains about everything,” another user commented.

Advertisement

“Spot on, though. Setting aside the horsesh-t views he’s constantly yelling about, he seems way too intense and un-fun,” a third person remarked.

“He’s either miserable and whining, or angry and yelling. There doesn’t seem to be much in between,” another follower added.

The Actor Once Compared Tate To A Character He Played

McAvoy’s recent remarks about Tate come nearly two years after the actor compared the influencer to a character he portrayed in the psychological horror film “Speak No Evil.”

While discussing his role as Paddy in the movie, McAvoy explained that he partly drew inspiration from what he described as a more polished version of Tate’s brand of masculinity.

Advertisement

“The thing I thought I could exploit in the character was [that] he thinks he’s a bit of a… West Country Andrew Tate,” McAvoy said, per Deadline.

The actor went on to explain that Paddy hides toxic masculinity beneath an outwardly polite and charismatic persona, using it to manipulate and intimidate others.

“He’s like, ‘I’m going to teach you what it’s like to be a man again,’” McAvoy explained. “But there’s a sort of polite face on it that isn’t quite Andrew Tate, enough of a sheen of, ‘I’m not one of those guys.’”

Weeks after his remarks about “Speak No Evil” sparked headlines, McAvoy addressed the controversy during an interview with Complex.

The actor said his earlier comments had been “taken out of context” and made it clear that he had no interest in continuing the conversation further.

Advertisement

McAvoy did, however, acknowledge that his character in the film displayed several traits tied to toxic masculinity. Despite that, the “Wanted” star insisted the role was not directly inspired by Andrew Tate, whose name he reportedly avoided mentioning on camera.

Harlan Coben has become one of the biggest names in the world when it comes to the classic crime thriller. Coben has penned several novels that have been turned into limited series on some of the biggest streaming services in the world, like Netflix, Paramount Plus, and even Prime Video. It hasn’t exactly been a busy year for Coben in 2026 so far, though, whose only scripted project was Run Away. All episodes of the thriller series debuted on Netflix on New Year’s Day, and although it was going up against the Stranger Things series finale, it still held its own on streaming charts. Coben also recently teamed with Peaky Blinders star Sam Claflin and Bill Nighy for Lazarus, the hit series streaming exclusively on Prime Video.

This morning, Netflix debuted the first teaser trailer from Coben’s next project, I Will Find You, which will be released globally on June 18. The show is based on Coben’s book of the same name that was published back in 2023, and it was adapted to TV by writer and executive producer Robert Hull. Bryan Wyndbrandt, Steven Lilien, and Heather Mitchell are also writing episodes of I Will Find You, with Brad Anderson, Maja Vrvilo, Adam Davidson, and Maggie Kelly directing. Additional producers include Bryan Wynbrandt, Steven Lilien, John Weber, Brad Anderson, John G. Lenic, and Heather Mitchell. I Will Find You consists of eight 45-minute episodes, so the show will be the perfect mystery series for fans to jump in and binge over one weekend, or maybe even one night.

What Is ‘I Will Find You’ About?

Netflix has released the official logline for Harlan Coben’s I Will Find You, which reads as follows:

“An innocent father serving life for the murder of his own son receives evidence that he may still be alive — and must break out of prison to find out the truth.”

Starring in recurring roles in Harlan Coben’s I Will Find You are Sam Worthington (Avatar: Fire and Ash), Britt Lower (Severance), Milo Ventimiglia (Countdown), Logan Browning (Dear White People), Erin Richards (The Crown), Chi McBride (I, Robot), and Jonathan Tucker (The Ruins). Guest stars include Hugh Thompson (Sea of Love), Peter Outerbridge (Lucky Number Slevin), Christopher Redman (The Old Man), Eric Johnson (Fifty Shades Darker), Greg Bryk (Saw V), Kate Vernon (Malcolm X), Tara Rosling (Star Trek: Discovery), Darrin Baker (The Man From Toronto), Aaron Ashmore (Veronica Mars), Nicola Correia-Damude (Shadowhunters), Rachel Wilson (In The Tall Grass), Billy MacLellan (Nobody), Clancy Brown (The Shawshank Redemption), and Madeleine Stowe (12 Monkeys).

Check out the first teaser for I Will Find You above and stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of all future Harlan Coben-related projects.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

January 7, 2026

Network

Paramount

Advertisement

Showrunner

Jeff Zimbalist

Advertisement

Cast

Advertisement

• 

Advertisement

Advertisement