By Chris Snellgrove
| Updated 26 seconds ago

Right now, the state of Star Wars fandom can best be described by the opening crawl in The Empire Strikes Back: “It is a dark time for the Rebellion.” The Mandalorian and Grogu was the first franchise film in six years, one which features the most popular characters from the Star Wars shows on Disney+. Nonetheless, it really floundered at the box office, and this $165 million failure has currently grossed less than Obsession, a horror film made for $750,000. Between this, the poor performance of the sequels, and the awful fan reaction to shows like The Acolyte, things are looking bad for our favorite galaxy far, far away.

All of this is enough to make even the most diehard fans start asking a very sobering question: how do we fix Star Wars? Many ideas have been tossed around, including retconning the sequels, bringing back beloved EU characters, or just rebooting the universe altogether. Now, Darth Maul voice actor Sam Witwer has proposed a most unexpected proposal for saving his favorite franchise. According to him, Star Wars can save itself by becoming more like Star Trek!

A New Kind Of Star Wars

This came up during a recent interview that Sam Witwer gave to Naomi Kyle, someone gamers may remember from her time hosting IGN’s Daily Fix. She asked the Darth Maul voice actor if he had any ideas on how to “refresh” Star Wars and “help elevate it to a different level.” He responded that the franchise “needs to take creative risks” and compared this to the evolution of Maul. Star Wars has constantly taken this character in new directions, and Witwer sees this as a good thing and that writers “should leave him alone” if they can’t imagine how to take the character where he has never gone before.

He said that Star Wars should embrace this risk-taking philosophy, and then made a comparison to Star Trek. He said that he and other Trek fans were used to each new show being very different from what came before. This allowed the franchise to appeal to different audiences with different projects, but that “without that spirit of experimentation, you don’t get anywhere.” He then noted that Andor was a phenomenal success despite being such a departure from Star Wars and that he’s fine with the franchise taking big creative swings even if it meant that he wouldn’t connect with “everything” that comes out.

A Big Swing, And A Big Miss

To a large degree, Sam Witwer is absolutely right: from the prequels to the sequels to the Disney+ shows, the most common criticism of modern franchise entries is that they do not feel like Star Wars. With the notable exception of Andor, projects are greenlit largely on the basis of mass appeal. That’s why the prequels focused on existing characters and the sequels and shows brought many prominent characters back; the power of familiarity. Disney hopes that if a movie or show has enough familiar faces (like Boba Fett, Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, and Darth Maul), fans will be more likely to tune in. Unfortunately, this approach prematurely robs these projects of their individual identities. 

Part of the problem is that Star Wars has become a multimedia empire unto itself. While there is still a long wait between movies, Disney cranks out TV shows at a rapid-fire pace in an attempt to keep the brand alive. But as Witwer points out, this has largely led to risk-aversion. Why do something completely new if it’s not going to resonate with fans? Speaking of which, it doesn’t help that when Disney did take a big swing with The Acolyte, it became a huge flop that was canceled after only one season. But is making Star Wars more like Star Trek actually the answer?

Star Trek Racing Star Wars To The Bottom

Yes and no. Sam Witer is correct that Star Trek flourished when it embraced making very different shows like Deep Space Nine, and Star Wars could definitely flourish if we got more Andors and fewer Acolytes. But DS9 was actually the black sheep as far as Paramount was concerned, and the main reason that show was allowed to get so weird is that execs primarily cared about Voyager, which was designed to be more like The Original Series and The Next Generation. Sure, there were major differences in characters and story, but all Golden Age of Trek shows except DS9 followed the well-worn formula of starships boldly going where nobody had gone before.

To make matters worse, Star Trek has been experiencing a quiet implosion that mirrors Star Wars. Under Alex Kurtzman, NuTrek did take major creative risks: Discovery dipped into sex, nudity, and ultraviolence, while Starfleet Academy was designed as a new kind of show (less exploration, more introspection) with a new kind of crew (fewer trained officers and more rough-around-the-edges cadets). Lower Decks ribbed the franchise with gentle, animated humor, while Prodigy slowly morphed into a Voyager sequel. Even Strange New Worlds, deliberately modeled after The Original Series, took big risks, including a somewhat notorious musical episode.

Time For A New Direction

Unfortunately, NuTrek died because of a dwindling audience, proving that simply taking creative risks does not translate to pleasing fans. In its own way, Star Wars tried to do the same thing. Until it became bogged down in established lore, The Mandalorian was nothing more than a fun, no-frills space western like the franchise had never done before. The Book of Boba Fett was a very unconventional redemption story, and The Acolyte was an attempt to get away from tired franchise lore altogether. But it all comes down to the ability to tell a good, crowd-pleasing story, something both Star Wars and Star Trek have been struggling to do.

While it’s easier said than done, that’s the real way to fix Star Wars: by doing what George Lucas did so long ago and coming up with an original story. Sam Witwer is correct that Lucasfilm needs to take risks and tell new stories rather than being beholden to what comes before. If they take risks but tell a poor story, the franchise will fail; if they avoid risk altogether and serve up nothing but nostalgia slop, the franchise will fail. But with more visionary showrunners like Andor’s Tony Gilroy, Star Wars will have more showrunners who understand a crucial lesson: if you make big swings, you better be able to hit the ball!

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 1 hour ago

If you like cartoons, it’s been one heck of a week. That’s because we keep getting one awesome announcement after another from the Annecy Animation Film Festival. For example, we’ll be getting multiple direct-to-video films adapting Batman’s famous Knightfall storyline, and we’ll be getting even more of the Caped Crusader when Dynamic Duo hits the big screen in a couple of years. Additionally, the Powerpuff Girls will get a new movie, effectively introducing these pint-sized superheroes to a new generation. The original Craig McCracken show was a staple of late-90’s Cartoon Network. That show’s secret weapon was Dexter’s Laboratory creator Genndy Tartakovsky, the writer/producer/director who gave the girls their signature style.

Tartakovsky went on to direct the Powerpuff Girls movie and created iconic shows, like the 2D Clone Wars cartoon and Samurai Jack, which focused on a time-displaced warrior and his struggles to get back home. More recently, Tartakovsky created Primal, about a neanderthal and his loyal T. rex. To put it mildly, Primal was the animator’s greatest work yet, and everyone wondered what he’d be doing next. At Annecy, Tartakovsky gave the surprising answer: he’s working on a Conan the Barbarian animated series for Cartoon Network and Prime Video.

A Barbarian Cometh

Conan the Barbarian began way back in 1932 as a series of literary works from the late, great Robert E. Howard. While this unconventional hero has always been popular with fantasy fans, he didn’t really become a household name until the release of the 1982 film Conan the Barbarian. This film was Arnold Schwarzenegger’s first real breakout role, and the bodybuilder did an excellent job portraying this insanely muscled warrior. The film got one sequel, but after that, the Conan franchise was mostly sustained through comics, TV shows, and a surprisingly good MMORPG. Unfortunately, the brand has become largely dormant, and the Conan remake film with Jason Momoa was a critical and commercial failure.

Now, Samurai Jack creator Genndy Tartakovsky is working on a new Conan animated show for Cartoon Network and Prime Video. The logline for the new cartoon reads as follows: “After finding love in the pirate queen, Bêlit, a battle-hardened Conan defies gods, fate, and even death to save her from a dark sorcery that threatens to destroy everything.” This description makes it sound like the cartoon will take place when Conan is still a relatively young man, as opposed to when the character is King of Cimmeria in his later years. That’s something that we’ll see on the big screen once Schwarzenegger reprises his role for the long-awaited King Conan movie.

Return Of The King

That movie doesn’t have a release date yet, and neither does Tartakovsky’s Conan the Barbarian cartoon. At Annecy, the filmmaker confirmed (via pre-recorded video) that the series had just started development and that he was hopeful that he’d have some animatics to show off next year. In that same video, the animation legend discussed how he always felt a connection to Conan creator Robert E. Howard. That will be no surprise to anyone who has watched Primal, Tarakovsky’s Emmy-winning show that just happens to feature a beefy, Conan-style barbarian fighting his way through a similar world of monsters and magic.

Another way we can tell how passionate Genndy Tartakovsky is about this upcoming project is that this is the first time he has worked with someone else’s IP since he worked on the 2D Clone Wars cartoon. That show gave everyone a taste of just how over-the-top his onscreen battles could get, and as Primal proves, he’s only gotten better over time. Will this iconic animator be able to breathe life back into Conan the Barbarian, the world’s greatest fantasy hero? With Tartakovsky’s track record, I certainly wouldn’t bet against him!

Nia Long is letting the fellas know that if they plan on stepping to her, they better come correct or don’t come at all. She dropped a lil’ message on social media about her dating deal-breakers, and the internet wasted no time reacting to her post.

RELATED: Mommy Mode Activated! Nia Long Melts Hearts With Rare Flick Alongside Her Two Sons (PHOTO) 

Nia Long Spills On Her Dating Deal-Breakers

Recently, Nia Long gave the internet a lil’ kii when she dropped a post on her Instagram Story about her dating deal-breaker5s. The actress reposted a message that basically said she keeps a checklist for her men, and at this point, she feels like it’s old-fashioned, clearly implying that the fellas using come with some of the baggage on her list. “Call me old fashioned but I like my men without wives, girlfriends, or personality disorders.” Folks online quickly weighed in, saying they must be old-fashioned too because their standards are just as high as hers.

Social Media Weighs In After Nia Keeps It Real About Her Deal-Breakers

Reactions to Nia’s post kept popping off over in The Shade Room’s comment section, with some Roomies even dropping a few of their own deal-breakers. Peep some of the responses below.

Instagram user @prettyprettyshelly wrote, “Me too sis … me too 😊” 

Instagram user @wiggz_entertainment wrote, “I’m old fashion right with you bookie 🙌🏾” 

While Instagram user @britt.posey wrote, “And those standards is why she still look good at almost 60 take notes ladies.” 

Then Instagram user @snerryveryberry wrote, “AND STRAIGHT! 😂” 

Another Instagram user @respectfullysweettea wrote, “Well that leaves about 10% of the male population 😂” 

Instagram user @rp3_mommiana wrote, “Helloooooo ‼️ like when did y’all make this normal to date people with partners & I’m glad she didn’t forget the personality disorder part 😂” 

Then another Instagram user @tamashintl wrote, “She also forgot to mention mommy issues 😂😂” 

While another Instagram user @therealfamatta wrote, “And feminine mood swings.” 

Finally, Instagram user @thevirgin94 wrote, “And not in love with their homeboys!!” 

Nia Spills On Dating Rules, NDAs & What Gives Her The Ick

Nia Long previously kept it 100 about dating during a convo with Playboy in April, sharing her biggest turn-off with them. She said people who talk to much give her the ick, and if she ever plans to have a one-night stand, she rather have them sign an NDA. On top of that, she said she doesn’t want to wait a whole day for a text reply.

“I need them to shut up. If we’re going to have a one-night stand, I almost feel like I need to have them sign NDAs.” She continued, “The new way of dating is so—I don’t even understand what’s happening! First of all, if I text you and you take a day, I’m never talking to you again. Never talking again.”

RELATED: Come Thru, Then! Nia Long Poses For Playboy & Opens Up About Where She’s At With Dating (PHOTO) 

For decades, Batman: Knightfall has stood as one of the most influential storylines in the Dark Knight’s history. Now, DC and Warner Bros. Animation are finally bringing the legendary comic arc to life with a multi-part animated film series, and longtime fans have every reason to be excited.

Originally published between 1993 and 1994, Batman: Knightfall redefined Batman by pushing Bruce Wayne to his absolute limits. Rather than relying on brute strength alone, Bane orchestrates a calculated campaign to wear Batman down, releasing the inmates of Arkham Asylum and forcing the Caped Crusader into an endless battle before delivering one of the most iconic moments in comic book history—breaking Batman’s back.

While that shocking image has been referenced in films, television, and games over the years, the complete Knightfallsaga has never received a faithful screen adaptation. That is finally changing.

According to Collider, the upcoming animated project has the opportunity to become the definitive adaptation of one of DC’s greatest comic stories. The publication praised Warner Bros. Animation’s recent success with comic-faithful adaptations and suggested that the multi-part format is exactly what Knightfall needs to properly tell its sprawling story.

Batman Nightfall [credit: Warner Bros. Animation]

Unlike a single feature film, the multi-part approach allows the adaptation to cover the full scope of the original event. Beyond Bane’s victory over Batman, the story follows Jean-Paul Valley (Azrael) as Gotham’s new Batman, whose increasingly violent methods tarnish the symbol Bruce Wayne spent years building. Eventually, Bruce returns to reclaim the mantle, leading to one of the most compelling redemption arcs in Batman history.

The animated adaptation is being directed by Jeff Wamester from a screenplay by Jeremy Adams. Warner Bros. has confirmed that the project is envisioned as a multi-part animated event rather than a standalone movie, giving the creative team room to faithfully adapt the massive comic storyline.

The first trailer, released this week, showcases the brutal confrontation between Batman and Bane while teasing the emotional journey ahead. Fans also received a first look at several iconic moments pulled directly from the comics, suggesting the filmmakers are embracing the source material rather than reinventing it.

Warner Bros. Animation has earned praise over the years for adaptations such as Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, and many fans hope Knightfall will join that list as another faithful translation of a beloved comic classic. Given the scale of the original story and the creative team’s commitment to preserving its biggest moments, this could become one of DC’s most ambitious animated projects to date.

If the finished film delivers on what fans have seen so far, Batman: Knightfall may not simply adapt one of Batman’s greatest stories—it could become the definitive animated Batman epic for a new generation.

Doubling Down With the Derricos alum Karen Derrico has reportedly been accused of threatening to kill her ex-husband, Deon Derrico, and their kids.

Karen, 46, was recently arrested in Las Vegas and charged with harassment, violating a restraining order, preventing a witness from testifying through threat of violence and aggravated stalking, according to documents obtained by TMZ on Wednesday, June 24.

Per the outlet, prosecutors alleged that Karen sent several threatening emails to Deon, 55, with whom she shares 14 children.

“I want you dead,” she allegedly wrote in a June 14 email, per court records obtained by Oxygen True Crime. ”I could kill you, and it won’t even bother me to go to jail and I’ll kill any of my kids if they take your side.”

Related: Karen Derrico Calls Deon Derrico the ‘Best Father Ever’ Amid Divorce

Days after announcing their divorce, Karen Derrico had nothing but good things to say about her estranged husband, Deon Derrico, on Father’s Day. “Happy Fathers Day to the best father any 14 children can ask for! @deonderrico,” Karen, 44, wrote via Instagram on Sunday, June 16, alongside a photo montage of Deon, 53, and their […]

In a May 2 email, Karen allegedly warned Deon to “watch out” because she planned on “getting a gun and/or will have someone kill him before he can go to court.” She allegedly tried to prevent Deon from attending a court hearing about a temporary protection order he requested.

Authorities claimed that the emails left Deon “in reasonable fear of death or substantial bodily harm,” according to Oxygen.

Karen was arraigned on the felony charges on Tuesday, June 23, and pleaded not guilty.

“The allegations are completely false,” her attorney Jess Marchese told Oxygen. “And we will prove they were completely fabricated by Mr. Derrico.”

Marchese told TMZ that Karen was released from custody on a $2,000 bond and outfitted with an ankle monitor. Her next hearing is scheduled for August 6.

Related: Doubling Down With the Derricos’ Deon Shares Telling Message After Divorce

Courtesy of Deon Derrico/Instagram Doubling Down With the Derricos star Deon Derrico shared a telling message following news of his divorce from Karen Derrico. “When you have nothing else in this world as long as you have your great health, and family nothing else really matters!” Deon, 53, captioned an Instagram post on Tuesday, June […]

Karen and Deon rose to fame on the TLC reality series Doubling Down With the Derricos, which documented the former couple’s life raising their 14 kids, including sets of twins, triplets and quintuplets. The show ran for five seasons from 2020 to 2024, when Karen and Deon got divorced.

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The exes confirmed their split to Us Weekly in June 2024, noting that they remained “unified in the parenting of our 14 beautiful children.”

Deon previously shared an update on his divorce in December 2025.

“At this point, we are just working it out as a family collectively,” he said on “The Sarah Fraser Show” podcast at the time. “No, I am not ‘dating.’ She is not ‘dating.’ We have talked about how that would look because our biggest concern is our children. It is a unique, complicated, different, esoteric, and I cannot think of enough words to describe it because of the 14 children.”

RELATED: Close Enough? Tems Calls Sasha Obama The Wrong Name Before Issuing An Apology (VIDEO)

Barack Obama Said It Politely… But It Was Still A Read

In a recent appearance on the ‘All the Smoke’ podcast, Obama called Trump’s continued focus on him and his family an “obsession,” even saying, “I obviously have a room in his head…a suite in his head” He went on to explain that during his presidency, he wasn’t spending time worrying about predecessors or critics, adding that his focus was always on doing the job rather than tracking what others were saying or doing. Obama also suggested the repeated criticism reflects someone not fully focused on governing, calling the fixation “a strange thing.”

And The Shade Didn’t Start Here…

This didn’t come out of nowhere. In recent months, Trump has continued to take shots at Obama online, including sharing an AI-generated Truth Social post that depicted the Obama Presidential Center as a trash can. He has also called Obama a “traitor” and even accused him of plotting a coup while calling for his arrest—claims that sparked immediate backlash across political circles. And that’s not all. Earlier this year, Trump faced criticism after posting an AI-generated video showing Barack and Michelle Obama depicted as gorillas, which he later deleted. Republican Sen. Tim Scott called it “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House,” as the post fueled widespread controversy online.

Meanwhile, the Obamas have also made subtle remarks of their own. At the opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, Michelle Obama drew cheers after referencing her husband “winning a peace prize,” a moment widely seen as a subtle jab at Trump.

Barack Admits He Had To Make It Up To Michelle

Now, former President Obama also gave us a rare peek into what life looked like after leaving the White House—and let’s just say, it wasn’t all speeches and ceremonies anymore. He kept it all the way real, admitting that his first priority was repairing what he called a “deep deficit” with Michelle Obama, even saying, “I had a lot of making up to do.”

Obama acknowledged the intense pressure Michelle carried as the first African American First Lady, and shared that stepping away from the spotlight meant finally getting back to the basics—family time, travel, and just enjoying life without the constant weight of the presidency. And while he says he doesn’t miss the formal events or daily suit-and-tie routine, he did admit he misses the “foxhole” energy of working closely with a tight-knit team to make high-stakes decisions.

RELATED: Oop! Social Media Jumps To Michelle Obama’s Defense After UFC Fighter Josh Hokit Calls Her “A Man” At White House Event

One TikTok user @H claimed, “She ain’t acting – she a bad a** kid“

This TikTok user @Vee2 added, “My husband and I cuss a lot too and both my kids didn’t grown up cussing 🤷🏻‍♀️”

And, TikTok user @Takeila Brown said, “Pinkface is the Million $$$ baby 😁”

Meanwhile, TikTok user @Rue shared, “I cuss and my son knows not to even say that ..“

While TikTok user @M⋆V⋆U⋆L⋆I⋆Z⋆A⋆N⋆A⋆ wrote, “Born actress right if you say so“

Lastly, TikTok user @Steven commented, “Idc she funny asf“

Karlissa Said Y’all Got Her Twisted

RELATED: Karlissa Weighs In As Chrisean Rock Discusses Blueface Being “Madly In Love” With Her And Their Co-Parenting Struggles (VIDEO)