Entertainment
Christopher Nolan’s Strange Set Rule Finally Explained
Christopher Nolan‘s latest filmmaking rule has become one of the most talked-about details from the set of “The Odyssey,” and it has nothing to do with cameras or special effects.
Instead, the Oscar-winning director has drawn attention for banning one surprisingly ordinary fashion item, a decision he says helps actors remain fully immersed while bringing Homer’s legendary epic to life.
The conversation began when Anne Hathaway appeared on Brittany Broski’s “Royal Court,” where she was asked about Christopher Nolan’s famously disciplined productions.
Rather than discussing the scale of “The Odyssey,” Hathaway revealed one of the director’s more unexpected “commandments.”
“Thou shalt not wear Uggs,” Hathaway said, prompting laughter during the interview.
Her co-star Matt Damon followed with another claim about working with Nolan.
“Thou shalt not sit down. There are no chairs on set,” Damon joked. The actor expanded on Nolan’s dislike for Uggs, noting, “Oh yeah, that’s a good one. He hates Uggs. I think they just symbolize leisure in a way that he’s not comfortable with.”
Those remarks quickly spread online, fueling renewed interest in the filmmaker’s unconventional production style. However, the “no chairs” claim has long been disputed.
In 2020, a representative for Nolan responded to similar stories by saying the only items officially prohibited on his sets are cell phones and smoking, not chairs.
Still, Hathaway’s comment opened the door for Nolan himself to explain why something as simple as a pair of boots matters so much.
Nolan Says Modern Items Break The Illusion
During an appearance on “CBS Mornings,” Christopher Nolan was asked directly about Anne Hathaway’s revelation.
Rather than dismissing it, the filmmaker explained that modern objects can interrupt the atmosphere actors need while performing period stories.
“The funny thing is you can be on set where you’ve got, you know, a guy holding a microphone. You’ve got a giant camera, you’ve got crew everywhere, but something like [UGGs] can actually weirdly take you out of the reality,” Nolan said per Entertainment Weekly.
He explained that the issue extends beyond footwear, noting, “There are just certain things that remind you you’re in the real world as opposed to the world we’re trying to create for the actors. I want to stay in the moment, we want the actors to stay in the moment.”
The comments fit neatly into a philosophy Nolan has embraced throughout his career.
The British filmmaker has never owned a smartphone and has repeatedly said he prefers not to use email, believing constant digital communication can become a distraction.
His productions have similarly developed a reputation for minimizing interruptions, allowing cast and crew to focus almost entirely on the work in front of them.
Christopher Nolan’s Demanding Sets Go Beyond Dress Codes
The rules on “The Odyssey” extend far beyond wardrobe.
Earlier this year, GQ documented one of the production’s most physically demanding locations while profiling stars Matt Damon, Tom Holland, and Robert Pattinson.
Filming at Sicily’s Castello di Santa Caterina required actors and crew to climb roughly 900 feet to reach the set because construction crews had been unable to build an access road before production began.
Pattinson later recalled making the trek wearing sandals that matched his costume. When asked about the story on “CBS Mornings,” Nolan confirmed it was accurate.
He said per the Daily Mail, “When [Pattinson] started on the film, we were shooting at the top of a mountain a thousand feet in the air and we hadn’t been able to get any kind of road built up or anything.”
He added, “But yeah, we’re starting with this tremendous hike and then absolutely exhausted you [before starting] your day’s work.”
The difficult climb reflected another hallmark of Nolan’s productions, a willingness to work in real environments whenever possible instead of recreating locations on soundstages.
Christopher Nolan Has Built A Career On Authentic Filmmaking
The same philosophy behind the UGG rule has shaped many of Nolan’s biggest films.
Rather than relying heavily on computer-generated imagery, he has consistently favored practical filmmaking.
“The Dark Knight” famously featured a real truck flip, “Tenet” included the destruction of an actual Boeing 747, and “Oppenheimer” relied extensively on practical effects to depict the Trinity nuclear test instead of using CGI.
Those creative decisions have become part of Nolan’s reputation, helping distinguish his work from many modern blockbusters.
“The Odyssey,” adapted from Homer’s ancient Greek poem, continues that tradition. Universal Pictures assembled one of the director’s most impressive ensembles for the movie, including Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyong’o, Jon Bernthal, and Mia Goth.
Nolan’s Methods Have Earned Praise From Longtime Collaborators
Christopher Nolan’s demanding approach has become a recurring theme among actors who return to work with him.
Matt Damon, who previously collaborated with the filmmaker on “Interstellar” and “Oppenheimer,” signed on for “The Odyssey” after publicly praising Nolan’s preparation and the confidence he gives performers once production begins.
Anne Hathaway has also become one of Nolan’s most frequent collaborators, with “The Odyssey” marking their third film together after “The Dark Knight Rises,” and “Interstellar.”
She has repeatedly spoken about the trust she places in the director, while Robert Pattinson returned following his acclaimed performance in “Tenet.”
That growing list of returning stars suggests Nolan’s strict rules are rarely viewed as obstacles by the people working alongside him.
Instead, many of Hollywood’s biggest names continue to embrace the immersive environment he creates, even if it means leaving modern comforts and UGG boots behind while the cameras are rolling.
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By Chris Snellgrove
| Published
Growing up, I wasn’t a huge fan of King of the Hill. Sure, I found it enjoyable enough, but I never went out of my way to regularly watch it. To my teenage sensibilities, Mike Judge’s other major cartoon, Beavis and Butt-Head, was more endearing. Fast forward more than a decade later, though, and I discovered just how brilliant this show was. It helped that I had become a father, raising my own son in a tiny Southern town full of colorful personalities. Hank Hill was no longer a character I couldn’t understand; rather, he was someone I knew a little bit better every time I looked into the mirror.
That kinship with Hank is a big part of why I loved King of the Hill’s triumphant return on Hulu. Much of the revival’s first season focused on the relationship between Hank and Bobby, one which had changed since Bobby (much like my own son in the intervening years) had become his own man. Once more, Hank felt like my own reflection: someone trying to find his place in a world where everything changed but him. That consistency is at the heart of the newest season, which uses top-notch characterization to give us the best storytelling in this show’s history.
Bobby Loves Connie
To me, the most exciting thing about the King of the Hill revival was seeing the kind of man young Bobby had grown into. Making him a chef and restaurant owner was a stroke of genius because it highlighted the character’s passion and strengths while also underscoring that he still has more than a few things to learn. Bobby grew over that season in several ways, but none more so than finally beginning a relationship with his childhood crush, Connie Souphanousinphone. These two hooking up was the emotional climax of the previous season, and this season explores how their relationship has evolved.
As usual, the King of the Hill revival approached their changed dynamic with humor and bemusement, like when they wrestled with the decision to give their relationship a hard launch or a soft launch. They faced some predictable relationship woes, including arguments over exes and flirtatious women. All of this felt very real, but the show never resorted to cheap tricks by making us think they are going to break up. They always work things out and always lift each other up. Just as Hank constantly models good fathering, Bobby and Connie model a healthy relationship, and it is just infinitely rewarding to watch this couple do its thing.
Never Too Old For An Arc
If the King of the Hill revival’s first season had one weakness, it was that it arguably focused a bit too much on Hank and Bobby. While these two are still front and center in most stories, many of the newer episodes focused on other older characters, with a special emphasis on how they have changed over time. For example, we see Nancy finally decide to work on her relationship with Dale rather than constantly cucking her husband with John Redcorn. We also see more of the fallout of Kahn and Minh’s divorce. Heck, even Bill gets major development, both as Kahn’s roommate and as a man suffering from crippling depression.
Giving the older characters these major arcs infuses the new season with a special power. After all, these are characters most fans grew up with, and seeing their evolution is a keen reminder that it’s never too late for any of us to change. Plus, the resolution to these arcs is often emotionally rewarding. My favorite was seeing Hank go all out to help Peggy with her menopause; overwhelmed, she asked him to be the one thing that never changes. It’s a beautiful moment because Peggy’s praise reinforces Hank’s idea of himself. As for Hank, we see his biggest secret: that he’s willing to make major changes to help the ones he loves.
As an avowed wife guy, moments like this are absolutely beautiful. Fair warning: you may want to keep some manly tissues handy because it’s hard not to tear up at the sheer sweetness of these characters.
He Walks The Line
The last thing I wanted to highlight about the King of the Hill revival’s latest season is how well it walks the scariest tightrope of them all: politics. Hank is a conservative character living in a very conservative area, but he is defined more by a personal moral compass than a political compass. The show often emphasizes this by showing how reasonable and moderate Hank is, especially in the face of weird extremism. The mildest example of this is when some Comic-Con nerds mock Hank for being old and out-of-touch; he ultimately bonds with them by watching their favorite nerd show and crafting a hero-quality prop of their favorite fantasy weapon.
The most extreme example involves a hen becoming a rooster, something that is rare but scientifically possible. When Hank innocuously mentions how this is neat, some parents start screaming at him about teaching false gender ideology and how he must support trans kids playing sports. Hank doesn’t pop off a speech about trans rights; instead, he calmly reminds his accusers that they were talking about something entirely different and trying to twist his words. The whole plot is a perfect satire of trans panic, keeping Hank Hill in character while highlighting that the loudest voices on any political issue are more interested in being heard than actually having a discussion.
Time To Grab Some Brews With The Boys
A stinging satire of culture war bullsh*t that doesn’t get preachy and merely points out how stupid extremist positions are? Simply put, there is no other modern comedy (cartoon or otherwise) firing on all cylinders like King of the Hill.
If you were waiting for my TL; DR review, here it is: the new King of the Hill season is television at its finest. You should really drop whatever you’re doing and go stream it on Hulu. And here’s a little recommendation: while you’re up, get in some comfy clothes and grab your favorite drink and coziest blanket. All the episodes are out now, and trust me: you’ll want to binge this bad boy all night long!
KING OF THE HILL REVIEW SCORE
Jennifer Garner is opening up about the lengths the paparazzi would go to for pictures of her and Ben Affleck’s children.
“If I went through a yellow light, 15 cars would go through the red [light] behind me. They would drive up onto people’s lawns, even on a hillside,” Garner, 54, recalled in an interview on the Tuesday, July 21, episode of the “Shut Up Evan” podcast.
Garner and Affleck, 53, were married from 2005 to 2018 after costarring in 2003’s Daredevil. They share three children: Violet, 20, Seraphina, 17, and Samuel, 12.
“We were trying to have our little one play soccer, and the association asked us to stop because there were 20 cars coming,” the Five-Star Weekend actress remembered. “It wasn’t just about us, it was just an industry that had gotten out of control.”
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner have been coparenting pros since their 2015 split. The exes became parents with the birth of their daughter Violet in December 2005, followed by Seraphina in January 2009 and Samuel in February 2012. Affleck and Garner announced they were separating after 10 years of marriage in June 2015 via a […]
“If you show up and you’re trying to get into the pediatrician and you have a sick kid on your shoulder and you’re scared, and you can’t get into the door because you’re blocked by photographers, there’s something wrong with that,” Garner said. “And the kids are paying the price.”
“Kids were getting knocked over coming out of preschool by photographers who were so hungry to get to me or to Ben, trying to get to our kids,” she added.
According to Garner, photographers were particularly interested in snapping pictures of her and her children despite “more famous” people living nearby.
“It just got silly,” she said. “I mean, I lived on the street with a lot of much more famous and successful people than I, but they followed me because I had the kids.”
Garner continued, “They wouldn’t follow Ben, they wouldn’t follow Matt Damon … they were like, ‘There’s the chick with the kids.’”
The Alias alum said she is still followed by at least two photographers and has developed something of a rapport with one of them.
“I have two [photographers] every day who’ve been assigned to me for 20-plus years, 25 years,” Garner said. “I have a very interesting relationship with my main guy. I’ve done anything to ask him to leave, and at the same time, we have an odd respect for each other.”
Jennifer Garner offered a glimpse into her coparenting dynamic with ex-husband Ben Affleck. “There is a time in your life where you do get caught in all of that. And that’s OK,” Garner, 54, told Entertainment Weekly in an interview published Thursday, July 16, while reflecting on finding the balance between a successful career and […]
“We’ve had some really real-life moments together,” the actress explained. “I was followed by someone who, for whatever reason, I thought was gonna hurt me, and I ran to him because I knew him and trusted him, and I knew he and I would be OK.”
Garner added, “There’s kind of a Stockholm syndrome thing and at the same time, I’ve called the cops on him a million times and been like, ‘Can you please just give me a walk around the block with my kids and my dog?’”
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If you’ve been looking for an excuse to refresh your shoe collection, there’s never been a better time than right now. Macy’s brought Black Friday-level deals to July, and the sale is overflowing with summer sandals, like flip-flops, kitten heels, slides and more. Oh, and the steep deals start at as low as $15.
Macy’s summer Black Friday sale runs from today through July 26th, which means you have five full days to save up to 60% off. The catch? The chicest summer sandals are selling out as we type, including pairs from Steve Madden, Marc Fisher, Michael Kors and Dolce Vita. Snag your favorites for this season (and the next) below!
17 Summer Sandals Deals at Macy’s — From $15
1. Shiny Chic: These gold Michael Kors sandals make any outfit look expensive, thanks to the low profile and minimal ‘M’ logo — was $100, now $50!
2. Total Classic: Everyone needs staple ankle-strap sandals, and these Steve Madden wonders are ones to consider — was $99, now $59!
3. Cute Kitten: Kitten heels are everywhere this summer. Nail the look with this colorful version — was $89, now $45!
4. Super Comfy: You can’t go wrong with these jewel-adorned FitFlop sandals, which combine comfort and style in one — was $140, now $70!
5. Hamptons Vibes: With a woven strap and a faux leather base, these slip-on slides radiate old money energy — was $79, now $47!
6. Pretty Platforms: Or should we say, ‘flatforms.’ These espadrille sandals are available in solid hues and a logo print that adds even more polish — was $100, now $50!
7. Sassy Slip-ons: When you’re running out the door, you’ll be glad you have these easy Marc Fisher slip-ons — was $89, now $45!
8. Wedding Guest: Instead of stilettos, opt for these classy, understated sandals that let the rest of your outfit shine — was $69, now $41!
9. Center of Attention: These pearly heels are the main event, so don’t even worry about your dress. The 1.75-inch heel ensures they’re walkable, too — was $129, now $77!
10. Year-Round Pick: Dolce Vita’s sleek blade-heel sandals come in a rich toffee color that transitions seamlessly from summer to fall — was $69, now $41!
11. Elevated Flip-Flops: Flip-flops can totally be sophisticated, and these cushiony wonders prove it — was $60, now $36!
12. Rustic Appeal: With a real leather strap, low block heel and studded detailing, these Naturalizer slides give off major boutique energy — was $138, now $83!
13. Cork, Yes: Nothing says ‘cool girl’ like these double-strap cork sandals. Every color is marked down — was $55, now $33!
14. Mesh Maven: Toe-loop styles don’t always feel secure, but these mesh sandals stay put while padding your foot — was $50, now $20!
15. Seriously Wealthy: Chunky thongs can downgrade an outfit, but these luxe-looking flip-flops have the opposite effect — was $79, now $40!
16. Block Heel: Low and luxurious, these triple-strap sandals work for brunches, work events and even weddings — was $40, now $15!
17. Designer Vibes: This logo-adorned style should costs hundreds, but it’s only $25 right now. Nobody will know the difference — was $69, now $25!
UsNow Summer Sale Alert: These Chic Fashion Finds are over 30% off – Plus Free Shipping
Welcome to summer with our biggest sale of the year. This summer’s chicest dresses, tops and swimsuits Swimsuits Under $25)” data-tag-index=”1″ data-tag-occurrence=”1″ data-tag-variant-id=”swimsuits-1″ data-tag-variant-mode=”random” data-tag-variant-name=”Swimsuits Sale” data-tag-variant-index=”0″ data-add-to=”first” data-tb-shoptags-tracking-bound=”true” data-tb-tracking-bound=”true” data-tb-tagrender-tracked=”true” data-tb-core-handler=”true” data-tracked-events=”click,mouseover,mouseout”>(
Swimsuits Under $25) are all over 30% + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.
If you find yourself stuck in a tee-jeans-and-sneakers rut, we hear you. But you don’t have to give up your staple outfit to look chic. By swapping sneakers with luxe-looking sandals, you elevate your aesthetic without even trying. These 13 stylish pairs make it easy, comfy and shockingly affordable — we’re talking picks from only […]
Entertainment
Maria Sten and “Neagley” showrunners preview audacious first season of “Reacher ”spinoff (exclusive)
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The star joins showrunners Nick Wootton and Nick Santora in previewing the action-packed spinoff ahead of San Diego Comic-Con.
Godzilla vs. Kong star Rebecca Hall shared an emotional tribute to her onscreen adopted daughter, Kaylee Hottle, following the teenager’s death at age 18.
“Devastated to hear this news. My heart goes out to your family. You will be missed, Kaylee,” Hall, 44, captioned a series of photos of herself and Hottle on the set of 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong and its 2024 sequel, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, posted to her Instagram account on Tuesday, July 21.
Hottle played Jia, a deaf youngster who is adopted by Hall’s Dr. Ilene Andrews, in the fantasy films. Her character communicated with King Kong via sign language.
Hottle’s father, Joshua Hottle, told TMZ that the actress died following a car accident in Maryland in the early hours of Tuesday. He also confirmed the news to his followers on Facebook in a livestream, stating that he was flying from Texas to claim her body.
Hollywood mourned the deaths of some of its most legendary stars in 2026. The year started off with Broadway performer and influencer Bret Hanna-Shuford’s death at age 46. At the end of the month, comedy acting icon Catherine O’Hara died at age 71. In February, Dawson’s Creek actor James Van Der Beek died at age […]
The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that authorities responded to a fatal single-vehicle collision in Ijamsville, Maryland, at 2:52 a.m. on Tuesday.
“The preliminary investigation revealed that a 1995 Honda Accord, operated by a 19-year-old Frederick man, traveled off the right side of the two-lane roadway and struck a culvert,” a press release said. “Excessive speed is believed to be a contributing factor in the collision.”
The police department said that two passengers were in the car as well as the driver. The driver was taken to a local hospital with what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries, while the other passenger declined medical assistance at the scene.
“The second passenger was identified as Kaylee Hottle, 18, of Kyle, TX,” the release said. “Hottle was transported from the scene to an area trauma center, where she was later pronounced deceased.”
Hottle was born in Atlanta and comes from a multi-generational deaf family. She was raised in Austin, Texas, and attended the Texas School for the Deaf.
As well as the Godzilla vs. Kong films, she appeared in a 2021 episode of CBS’ Magnum P.I. playing a character called Joon.
In 2021, Hottle’s Godzilla vs. Kong costar Alexander Skarsgård revealed that he learned American Sign Language (ASL) in order to communicate with the young actress on set.
“It’s her first movie. It’s fascinating how comfortable she is in front of the camera and how quickly she takes notes from the director Adam [Wingard],” he told Junkee. “He’ll explain something and she’ll be like, ‘Got it, got it.’ Then she’ll just do it and everyone’s like, ‘The f*** … how did she?’”
“She’s so professional,” the actor added. “There’s so much going on on her face, her expression, and the subtleties of that is fascinating to watch.”
Entertainment
New details revealed in “Godzilla vs. Kong” actress Kaylee Hottle’s fatal car accident
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The incident occurred in Ijamsville, Md., on Tuesday morning.
While all eyes are on Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Avengers: Doomsday coming later this year, it will be hard to top Simon Williams as the biggest breakout star of the MCU in 2026. Marvel stunned everyone with the release of the show-stopping Wonder Man on Disney+ back in January, not only reintroducing a character who has been a part of the company’s comic history since the 1960s, but also using him for a satirical exploration of Hollywood and the process behind superhero movie-making. The meta-comedy series was an instant hit with both critics and audiences, earning a Season 2 renewal and the first acting Emmy nomination in five years for the MCU for Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as the lead. It’ll be a while before Destin Daniel Cretton and Andrew Guest get Simon’s next chapter to the screen, but fortunately, there’s another story featuring the character that’s just wrapping up.
Marvel Comics has released the fifth and final issue of Wonder Man Vol. 4 onto store shelves, concluding prolific Deadpool writer Gerry Duggan‘s run with the character, which began earlier this year. Like the new show, it’s been one big love letter to the history of Simon Williams on the page and to Hollywood itself, as the hero picks himself from the lowest of lows to return to super-heroic stardom. That is until his old cellmate comes around, kicking off a series of events that see Simon framed for murder, starting a whirlwind romance with Hellcat, and facing down The Spot as he threatens L.A. In Issue #5, everything finally comes together for the hero, but not before Simon finally drops his terrible representation.
Accompanying the release, a new preview was shared that combines both the thrill and comedy of Wonder Man into one sequence. The pages catch up with Simon after he learns from the Avengers where Matthew Walters’ plane is heading and decides to pay an in-flight visit to the Hollywood weasel. Walters certainly isn’t expecting to see his client casually fly up beside him and ask where his old pal, Rudolph Chancellor, is. When the agent can’t give him an answer, he stops asking nicely, getting a panicked story about how Chancellor leaped out of the Cessna to his death out of sheer guilt. Unfortunately for Walters, Simon is familiar with his slimy tricks and decides on a different approach, ripping the door off and dangling Walters until he reveals the very stupid truth. Walters was a terrible investor, buying into the future of NFTs and specifically, a certain line of JPG monkeys, leading him down a path of embezzlement and murder. It’s so dumb and evil that Simon simply drops his former agent over the water, but surely he wouldn’t just let a man die without facing justice, right?
Will ‘Wonder Man’ Issue #5 Give Simon Williams His Hollywood Ending?
Much of Wonder Man #5 revolves around finally piecing together the answers to all the chaos that has taken over Simon’s life. His confrontation with Walters shows the who and the very idiotic why behind the deaths close to him, but there are still questions left to untangle about how this all happened. Among the most burning, unrelated to the series’ central mystery, is whether the will-they-won’t-they between Simon and Patsy is built to last after a run full of romantic tension. All signs are pointing to a climactic and comedic finale for Hollywood’s greatest hero. Joining Duggan for the issue is artist Phil Noto, with Marco Checchetto and Frank Martin handling the cover.
Wonder Man #5 is now out on store shelves. Check out a sneak preview of the issue in the gallery above.
- Release Date
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2026 – 2026-00-00
- Network
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Disney+
- Writers
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Andrew Guest, Madeline Walter, Paul Welsh, Zeke Nicholson, Roja Gashtili, Julia Lerman
Video game fans have had plenty of massive projects to dive into this year, including a new James Bond game, 007 First Light, and one of the most anticipated Assassin’s Creed games of all time, Black Flag Resynced. The former stars Patrick Gibson as the iconic MI6 agent, and the latter is a ground-up remake of one of the most beloved Assassin’s Creed games of all time, centered around the legendary pirate Edward Kenway. There are also a few big games coming in the second half of the year to look forward to, including Wolverine, the new Marvel game from Insomniac, developers of all three popular Spider-Man games. The biggest release of the year — and maybe even of all time — belongs to Grand Theft Auto 6, the first game from Rockstar after the colossal success of Red Dead Redemption 2.
Games based on already-established IPs, like Wolverine and James Bond, have become increasingly popular in recent years, as they give developers a chance to tap into a large fan base and add to existing lore. One game series to emerge in the last few years that has exploded in popularity is Star Wars Jedi, which centers around the young Jedi Cal Kestis, who is played by Cameron Monaghan. Respawn has put out two Star Wars Jedi games, Fallen Order in 2019 and Survivor in 2023, and while it’s been confirmed that a third game is in the works, there have been few updates on its progress in recent years. Fans of the franchise are getting a new release later this year, though, when the third chapter of the Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order manga series hits shelves everywhere on December 1.
What Is ‘Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order Volume 3’ About?
The official synopsis for the new Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order release reads as follows: “The multi-volume manga adaptation of the best-selling Star Wars video game continues! The saga of Cal Kestis continues in volume three of the manga adaptation of the hit video game! Haunted by tragic memories and with his lightsaber destroyed, Cal’s quest is about to test him in ways he never could have imagined. As he journeys to new planets, Cal delves into his painful past and his relationship with his deceased master [Jaro Tapal]. With striking visuals and an action-packed story, readers will be immersed in Cal’s quest like never before.” Greez, Cere, and the Mantis even feature on the cover for the new release, which is now available for pre-order before it launches on December 1.
Stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of the Star Wars Jedi franchise starring Cameron Monaghan as Cal Kestis.
- Released
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November 15, 2019
- ESRB
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T
- Developer(s)
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Respawn Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
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Electronic Arts
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These nine actors saw their careers change dramatically after serious health diagnoses.
For the last decade or two, fans have watched the changing landscape of Hollywood with more interest than usual. Not only has the streaming era thrown the entire business for a loop, it has pushed companies into mergers, acquisitions, and re-brands that would have seemed unthinkable in the past. Fans have seen firsthand how these deals can affect their favorite TV shows and movies, yet it has begun to seem inevitable that every merger will be approved. Paramount‘s impending merger with Warner Bros. was no exception, but this week, federal Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin gave us real hope that the two companies might be kept apart.
Martinez-Olguin is a judge in the U.S. District Court for Northern District of California in Oakland. On Friday, she heard arguments from a coalition of 12 states arguing that the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger would be a violation of federal anti-trust laws, and would be detrimental to the film industry — and the economy as a whole. According to a report by Variety, Paramount and Warner Bros. had previously agreed not to close their deal before July 22. With that deadline fast approaching, Martinez-Olguin approved a 14-day temporary restraining order, putting it off at least a little longer.
Two weeks may not sound like a lot — especially for a deal this big with so much momentum behind it — but it is the first ray of hope we’ve seen in a case like this for years now. After Disney absorbed both LucasFilm and Marvel Studios, it seemed hard to imagine any other giant mergers coming into question, but this time might be different. If the court finds serious fault with this merger, it could represent a whole new era for Hollywood.
The Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger Will Make Movies Worse
The coalition of states opposing this merger is led by California, and the state’s attorney general, Rob Bonta issued a celebratory statement on after Martinez-Olguin’s order. Bonta said that this “megamerger” would lead to “fewer opportunities for more people,” and “worse products and services for all people.” It’s a sentiment that many critics have shared over the last few years, yet usually with an air of defeat. Here, it seems like the case against the merger might actually have a chance now.
As we’ve seen before, a merger between two massive companies like this typically starts off with mass layoffs. The newly-formed corporation no longer needs two people doing each job now that they’re one entity, and protecting the employment rate is a major part of the state’s case. However, anti-trust laws are meant to protect the economy from “anticompetitive” behavior, meaning that companies can collude to set fixed prices on their goods and services. Under a monopoly, consumers have nowhere else to go, so they’re forced to accept the quality and prices offered.
This could be a real concern in today’s day and age, as consumers have watched streaming take over the entertainment industry only to fluctuate wildly in price. However, a spokesperson for Paramount was confident that they could overcome the anticompetitive argument in particular. They told Variety that these claims do not reflect “modern market realities,” adding: “This merger is lawful, pro-competitive, and will benefit consumers, creators, workers, and the entertainment industry.”
Judging by other massive mergers in Hollywood, public sentiment seems to be against these deals in general. There are hardly any Star Wars discussions these days without mention of the drop in quality since Disney took over, and the same is said of Marvel. Warner Bros. already suffered a major blow to its prestigious branding when it combined with Discovery several years ago, putting reality TV titles alongside some of the most esteemed films ever made on HBO Max. These deals have definitely detracted from the quality of entertainment in some cases, and more importantly, critics and fans have their eyes out for it to happen again in any future mergers.
Canceling The Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger Would Have Consequences
With all that said, the battle against this merger is hardly over, and there is too much money on the line for the corporations themselves to give up easily. If Martinez-Olguin did rule that the merger violated anti-trust laws, Paramount and Warner Bros. might need to pay up to $7 billion in breakup fees. On top of that, all the plans for the merger would need to be scrapped, taking with it all the plans both companies have been making as they’ve assumed this deal would go through.
The next move in this case will likely be to determine how much longer the merger can be stalled. Martinez-Olguin’s restraining order could reportedly be extended as long as 28 days in total, during which time she will need to decide on the coalition’s request for a preliminary injunction to hold off the merger indefinitely while their lawsuit takes its course. Historically, injunctions like this have worked to unravel merger deals before they can be finalized, regardless of the outcome of the lawsuits themselves.
Meanwhile, Paramount’s lawyers argue that the entertainment industry would be less competitive if this deal falls through, claiming that neither Paramount nor Warner Bros. alone can rival Netflix, Amazon, and other players on that level. If they merge, the two companies believe they can put up more of a fight. Whatever the outcome is, it will likely be decided by the end of September, and the future of Hollywood will be a bit easier to predict.
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