Thomas Markle has expressed fresh heartbreak over his estrangement from daughter Meghan Markle as she and Prince Harry prepare to return to the UK with their children.

The relocation has reportedly left the father of the Duchess of Sussex fearing that his chances of ever meeting Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet have slipped entirely out of reach.

Thomas Markle, who has never met either of Meghan Markle’s children, says he learned about the Sussexes’ plans through the news rather than directly from his daughter.

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Thomas revealed that he learned about Meghan and Harry’s planned return to the UK while watching CNN, rather than hearing the news from his daughter.

“I found out about it at the same time as the rest of the world,” he told The Mail on Sunday.

The news appears to have deepened his fears of never getting to meet Archie and Lilibet, especially with the children now preparing to spend more time in Britain.

Thomas also tried to console himself that Archie and Lilibet may one day remember him and seek him out.

“One day those kids will ask about their ‘other’ grandfather – the one who isn’t King – the one that Meghan and Harry are apparently ashamed of,” he said.

The Duchess’s Father Talks Missing Out On Being A Part Of His Grandchildren’s Lives

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Thomas has admitted that Harry and Meghan’s return to Britain has made him question whether he will ever get the opportunity to meet his grandchildren.

The children, who have spent most of their lives in the United States, are expected to move to the UK with their parents.

Speaking about the situation, Thomas said, “I have never met my grandchildren, and now they are leaving America.” He also expressed concern that the move to America can erase his chances of ever meeting them.

The 82-year-old said he remains hopeful that his grandchildren will one day understand how much he wanted to be part of their lives. “I hope they know how much I wanted to meet them,” he said.

Meghan Markle Seems Not To Care About Her Father: ‘It’s Like I Don’t Exist’

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Thomas also spoke openly about how abandoned he feels by Meghan, claiming that their relationship has changed dramatically from the close bond they once shared.

“Meghan used to love me, she was always a daddy’s girl, and now it’s like I don’t exist,” he said. Thomas added that he has struggled to understand why his daughter has turned away from him, despite his open feelings towards her.

The father and daughter became estranged around Meghan’s 2018 wedding to Harry following a series of controversies involving Thomas and the media. Despite the years of silence, he insisted that his feelings toward his daughter have not disappeared.

“I will never stop loving my daughter,” Thomas said, while adding, “But I will never understand why she turned her back on me.”

Thomas Markle ‘Hurt And Upset’ By Daughter’s Decision To Move Back To The UK Without Telling Him

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Thomas’ pain over the family’s separation remains deep, particularly as he feels Meghan has shown no concern for his well-being.

He said he was “hurt and upset” by the situation and also questioned why he had not been informed about Meghan’s family relocation to the UK.

Expressing his frustration over what he sees as Meghan’s lack of care, Thomas said, “I’m hurt and upset that she doesn’t give a damn about me, even though I’m in hospital.”

His comments reflect the depth of his disappointment as he continues to hope for some form of reconciliation with his daughter.

About Thomas Markle’s Health Issues

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Thomas’ concerns about seeing his grandchildren come as he continues recovering from serious health problems.

The former lighting director underwent an emergency operation in December 2025 after a blood clot severely affected his left leg, resulting in the amputation of the left leg.

The procedure followed a sudden deterioration in his condition, which was described as a “life or death” situation. Thomas has since undergone rehabilitation while adapting to life after the amputation.

His health struggles have added urgency to his desire to meet Archie and Lilibet, particularly as the Sussexes prepare to spend more time in Britain.

In the meantime, it’s unclear if Meghan has any plans to reconcile with her father, especially with her simply sending him a letter after learning of his surgery.

Kylie Jenner is opening up about how she manages her skin while facing those annoyingly awful breakouts.

“My morning skincare routine has kind of been the same for a while. I started breaking out really bad when I turned 27. I do feel like I got my skin under control and my routine has kind of been the same for a few years,” Jenner, 29, candidly shared in a Sunday, August 23, YouTube video. “I start in the morning with a gentle cleanser.”

The Kardashians star explained that she has a “few different” gentle cleansers, though she ultimately decided to use the Sofie Pavitt Facial Cleanser in the video before applying the serum.

“This is officially the last year of my 20s, so just focusing on simple, effective skincare,” she said, before adding on an oil-free moisturizer. “This doesn’t break me out and I break out really easily from moisturizers. It’s very light and it looks nice under makeup.”

Jenner then reached for a Kylie Cosmetics Supple Glaze Primer, sharing that her “makeup tip of 2026, that [she’s] been obsessed with” is utilizing primer. She also stressed the importance of sunscreen and how she has adjusted her spray tan routine while facing breakouts.

“Turning 29, I do not miss a day of sunscreen,” she said. “I always go down my neck to blend, I get a lot of spray tans so I use a little bit of a darker shade. Once I started getting bad acne and stuff, I stopped spraying my face because I felt like it was clogging my pores.”

While applying makeup, Jenner explained that she tends to “go for the same look a lot now” because knows “what works for my face and what makes me feel the best.” One aspect of her routine that she’s been loving is applying mascara to her bottom eyelashes, which she hadn’t done in a while after being influenced by sister Kendall Jenner.

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“Really into bottom mascara. Kendall kind of put me off of it for a few years because I was like, ‘Oh, I love how I look with no bottom mascara.’ She was like, ‘I never wear bottom mascara.’ I was like, ‘What have I been doing all of these years?’” Kylie recalled. “Now, I’m obsessed again. I just think it’s really sexy. I love how it gives you those doll eyes.”

Before the video came to a close, Kylie shared that she hopes to continue documenting her life on YouTube.

“That is my everyday routine,” she said. “I am so happy to be back on YouTube. I’m having the best time. Me and my cats love you.”

Editor’s note: The below recap contains spoilers for Lanterns Episode 2.

After a pilot that caused the internet to explode, Lanterns continues its slow-burn take on the Green Lantern mythos by splitting up Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) — at least for a limited time. If you thought Hal and John were already great together, this week’s episode shows how much more interesting they can be apart. That’s not to say we don’t want to see Chandler and Pierre trading verbal blows over the ring, but when separated, each Green Lantern icon can act a bit more like themselves, free from whatever anxieties plague their on-screen partnership. With major revelations, complicated questions, and a whole lot of DC Comics lore, Lanterns‘ second episode further sets the stage for what is to come.

‘Lanterns’ Episode 2 Expands on the Green Lantern Mythos

If the pilot didn’t establish the Hal and John dynamic well enough for you, then the opening sequence of this week’s episode definitely will. Hal does his usual drill-sergeant thing by pouring a bucket of water on his trainee before dragging him out of bed to learn how to fly. Of course, Hal’s lack of a training regimen doesn’t do John any favors. “It’s supposed to be instinctual,” he tells the former Marine, but John just can’t do it. Instead, John creates a small bird, which remains active even when Hal takes the ring back. But Hal isn’t about to give a compliment, and instead books John on a flight back to Coast City to retrieve his power battery (and feed Earl). John isn’t too happy about it, but it’s not like training will go any further without a recharge. Hal only has one goal for John: keep the bird alive.

After his mentee leaves, Hal revisits the Rushville High football field and discovers a series of metal detectors that he hadn’t clocked before. But these detectors don’t detect metal — and Hal is curious about their true purpose. Thus, he heads back into town. The only problem is, Rushville is practically deserted, with everyone having gathered for a local town meeting — a meeting he clearly wasn’t invited to. In fact, the local American Legion outpost also has those same strange detectors. Characteristically, Hal interrupts the meeting with the assumption that the entire thing is about him anyway, but whether it is or isn’t is inconsequential. Sheriff Kerry Kane (Kelly Macdonald) isn’t too pleased with his arrival, clearly hoping to address the town’s requests herself. Billy Macon (Jason Ritter) runs interference for his wife and informs Hal that his charges have been dropped — he’s free to leave Rushville. Naturally, Hal doesn’t like being told what to do, but a call from John keeps him from causing any more of a scene.

In Coast City, John arrives at Hal’s home — a big empty mansion gifted by someone he once saved — and searches for the battery. The house is as empty as the streets of Rushville, though Hal insists that he actually lives there. Eventually, John finds Hal’s room where his Green Lantern uniform hangs in the closet collecting dust. Lanterns offers us a very brief glimpse into John’s supposed future (and certainly his psyche) as he holds the uniform to his chest to see how he might look. We’re wondering too, but let’s be honest, John’s uniform should look a bit more like his traditional outfit rather than Hal’s (in the comics, they both wore the same type of outfit at first before John forged his own identity). While John is playing dress-up, Hal wanders over to the Rushville morgue and steals the body of one of the aliens killed on the football field — with it, he discovers that the strange metal detectors around town are actually alien detectors. Go figure.

As for John, well, he finds the power battery in Hal’s safe, which is actually a portal to a pocket dimension. Fun fact: the verbal password to Hal’s safe — “Mogo doesn’t socialize” — is a reference to the living planet that has a ring of its own and is among the most powerful Green Lanterns in DC history. Who said Lanterns wasn’t a celebration of lore? After retrieving both the battery and the Green Lantern uniform (despite Hal’s protests), John feeds Earl, who turns out to be a carnivorous living alien plant that eats raw meat. But it’s not until John tries to leave Hal’s home that things get especially interesting. After walking out the door, John is abducted by several men who shove him into a truck and take him to their leader — but not before John puts up a serious fight, dodging cars on the interstate.

John Stewart Discovers a New Threat in ‘Lanterns’ Episode 2

Image via HBO

As John is getting abducted, Hal is none the wiser. After testing the first alien body, he’s now stolen all four of the corpses before he is pulled over by Kerry. Brash and pigheaded as ever, Hal plans to just waltz up right to William Macon’s (Garret Dillahunt) ranch and confront him about the bodies, the detectors, and why his men killed them at the football game. Kerry tries to dissuade the Green Lantern, explaining that if he appears with questions and attitude, things won’t be so cordial as they were the night before. Still, Hal insists and so the sheriff decides to escort him to the ranch herself, but only if she can do the talking. Of course, Hal loves the sound of his own voice, so he tries to take control of the situation, only for Macon — who continues to cite his NDA as reason enough to evade Hal’s questioning — to tell the superhero that he’s no longer welcome on his property. When Hal pushes things too far, he’s shot.

Meanwhile, John is brought before Antaan (Paul Ben-Victor), an alien outlaw who asks the GL-in-training about Manhunters. John hasn’t a clue what Antaan is talking about, but the alien-in-disguise wants to recruit him to his cause anyhow. It’s here that Lanterns offers some important exposition: Before the Green Lantern Corps, the Guardians created the Manhunters to deal with the chaos in the galaxy. These synthetic beings were shapeshifters who could pass as anyone at any time. They annihilated plenty of civilizations, including Antaan’s — a holocaust that he shows John through the use of some psychic device. After their tragedy, a Green Lantern (likely Abin Sur) was sent to capture and execute the Manhunter in question — only, Antaan’s tech has discovered that the creature is still alive in America’s heartland. Because Antaan and his forces cannot get into Rushville undetected, they need John to locate the Manhunter for them. If they don’t get their prize, they’ll blow up half of Nebraska.

While John is dealing with his own alien menace, Hal wakes up haunted by his own. In the hospital, the wounded Green Lantern finds himself cuffed to a hospital bed with Kerry sitting patiently at his bedside. Macon’s sniper only fired a warning shot, but Hal is humbled (as humble as he can be) either way. Things get a bit more complicated, however, when Kerry asks about “Sinestro,” a name Hal called out in his sleep. It’s a bit of a trick question, as it’s apparently public knowledge that Sinestro was a former Green Lantern who attempted a coup, killed a Guardian, and was ultimately taken down by Hal. Of course, the sheriff being able to pull all that information up with a quick Google search is a bit strange, right? Why would anyone on Earth know any of that if it all took place in space? Who knows, perhaps Sinestro’s coup made it to Earth before Hal stopped him? Maybe he was searching for the Manhunter (or something else) too? Either way, Hal brushes it off, prompting the sheriff to once more assert her authority in Rushville, reminding him that she’s on her own side, just trying to hold the town together.

Hal promises to stay out of trouble (not that we believe him), and we learn that Kerry is worried the town will become a powder keg if Macon stirs everyone’s fears about invasion. As they leave the hospital, Hal makes a curious observation about the facility. For one thing, the sign-out sheet is completely blank except for his name. For another, there’s plenty of cutting-edge medical equipment that has never been touched. The scene ends with a brief reference to Kerry being from Gotham, but that’s nowhere near as interesting as what the empty hospital may imply. Is everyone in Rushville an alien? Is everyone a Manhunter? It’s unclear, but there’s certainly something fishy in the water.

‘Lanterns’ Episode 2 Goes to Intergalactic Heights With Sinestro

Image via HBO Max

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That night, John makes his way back to Rushville and stops at a local diner. After everything he went through between his two flights to California, he needed to clear his head. Naturally, that clarity is interrupted when he finds Zoe (Poorna Jagannathan) there. He joins her in his booth, noting that he wouldn’t have slept with her if he knew she was married. “I’m glad you didn’t,” she replies before they go on about how her husband is a bit of a freak. But Zoe is clearly something of a freak too, because, despite her opinions of Macon and his beliefs (not to mention her willingness to sleep with John), she loves the wannabe cowboy/alien hunter anyway. Afterward, she drives John back to his motel, where he finds Hal waiting for him.

After a day full of revelations, Hal gets another when John asks about Manhunters. He’s also forthcoming with Hal about everything that happened to him with Antaan, reminding him that the alien outlaw is willing to nuke the state if they don’t find the synthetic in 48 hours. Antaan’s recruitment of John puts two and two together for Hal, who concludes that Abin Sur was killed by the missing Manhunter, which is how he got the ring in the first place. But none of that matters to John. What matters to him is that his construct is more advanced and impressive than anything we’ve seen Hal do, at least according to Antaan. Even so, Hal refuses to properly encourage his trainee, asking instead what’s the deal with the bird. John refuses to answer, collapsing the construct instead.

After John retires for the night, Hal does something a bit unexpected. Putting on his Green Lantern uniform, he shoots into space, soaring to an undisclosed location in the galaxy where he enters a prison to confront his former ally, Sinestro (Ulrich Thomsen). When Hal asks the former Green Lantern what he knows about Manhunters, the incarcerated traitor responds with a question of his own. “If one still existed, it would be the second-greatest threat you’re currently facing,” Sinestro replies. “So why don’t you tell me about John Stewart?” If there’s one thing this episode of Lanterns wants us to understand, it’s that John Stewart is really, really important.

New episodes of Lanterns air Sundays on HBO.

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Release Date

August 16, 2026

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Network

HBO

Directors

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James Hawes

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Pros & Cons

• From Manhunters and Mogo to Sinestro himself, it looks like Lanterns may just go cosmic before this thing is done!
• Kyle Chandler looks great in a Green Lantern uniform.
• The action this week was a blast.

• I’m still not fully sold on Aaron Pierre’s John Stewart. He’s certainly more interesting apart from Hal, but he still comes off a bit stale compared to other adaptations of the character.

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2026 has been the textbook definition of a roller-coaster year for Star Wars fans, who have had exceptional highs like Maul — Shadow Lord but also painful lows like The Mandalorian and Grogu. Sam Witwer reprises his role in the Star Wars Disney Plus show, which was renewed for Season 2 before a single episode of Season 1 hit streaming. No word yet on when the show will return, but it’s expected to be sometime in 2027. The Mandalorian and Grogu wrapped up its theatrical run after setting an unwanted record as the lowest-grossing Star Wars movie in history, but the film has since become a hit on VOD in the last month. It’s due to arrive on Disney Plus early in September, joining the first three seasons of its predecessor, The Mandalorian.

2025 brought on some great Star Wars projects for long-time fans of the franchise, but few had the same cultural impact as Andor. The first season of Andor dropped all the way back at the end of 2022, and after a three-year hiatus, it finally returned with its second and final season last year. The prequel series began years before the events of Rogue One and the final episodes led directly into the opening minutes of the film, serving as the perfect connective tissue. During the first half of 2026, a full year after Andor went off the air, the show still drew nearly 1 billion minutes watched, 918.1 million to be exact, making it one of the most-watched shows of the first six months of the year on Disney Plus. The series earned even more views than The Punisher: One Last Kill, starring Jon Bernthal.

When Does the Next Star Wars Movie Come Out?

After waiting seven years after The Rise of Skywalker for a new Star Wars movie, fans won’t have to wait nearly as long for a new feature film from the franchise. The next Star Wars movie, Starfighter, is coming to theaters on May 28, 2027, almost exactly one year after the premiere of The Mandalorian and Grogu. Ryan Gosling (Project Hail Mary) leads the Star Wars film under director Shawn Levy, who also recently directed Deadpool & Wolverine. Levy and Gosling are reuniting barely one year after the premiere of Starfighter for the MCU’s new Ghost Rider movie, which rides into theaters on July 28, 2028.

Check out both seasons of Andor on Disney Plus, and stay tuned to Collider for more Star Wars updates and coverage.

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Release Date

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2022 – 2025-00-00

Network

Disney+

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Showrunner

Tony Gilroy

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Directors

Susanna White

Writers

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Dan Gilroy

Franchise(s)

Star Wars

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In the realm of fantasy, magic systems are typically sorted into two main categories: soft and hard magic systems. A soft magic system is generally pretty loose about its rules, with the magic rarely having clear limitations. This type of magic system typically doesn’t have a lengthy explanation about how or why it works — it just does. On the flipside, hard magic systems are very structured and rife with rules. There are clear limits, and some even dive into the physics behind them.

These magic systems can be found across many forms of media, from books to movies, and even to television. Lots of fantasy TV shows have adopted some pretty complicated magic systems. This is especially true with shows that are based on novels, as the novels are able to detail their systems and relay the information in a way that the screen simply cannot. Though that hasn’t stopped them from trying. These are the best fantasy TV shows with hard magic systems, which are almost always complicated and difficult to grasp for new fans.

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‘Shadow and Bone’ (2021–2023)

Image via Netflix

Shadow and Bone is based on a novel series by Leigh Bardugo, who wrote an extensive literary universe known as the Grishaverse. The name “Grisha” is the name of the magic users in this universe. Grishas are gifted with magic from birth, meaning not everybody can learn how to harness the power of magic. Even then, Grishas are pretty limited in what they can and can’t do. They are divided into several clans, which are in turn divided into sub-clans based on their particular abilities or talents.

First, there are the Corporalki, who can manipulate the human body. These are divided into Heartrenders, who control the heart and organs, Healers, and Tailors, who alter DNA and physical appearance. Then there are the Etherealki, who command natural elements. These are separated into Squallers (wind), Inferni (fire), and Tidemakers (water), with some rarer individuals able to manipulate light or shadow. Lastly, there are the Materialki, the Fabrikators, who control physical objects. These Grishas consist of the Durasts, who manipulate wood, glass, and other materials, and the Alkemi, who control chemicals and poisons. However, each Grisha can only manipulate their environment and cannot conjure things out of thin air; they can typically only use their abilities when their element is present nearby. The magic is treated like a science, and even dives into the physics of things a little bit. It gets even more complicated than that though, which is surprising for a YA series.

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‘The Magicians’ (2015–2020)

Image via SYFY

The Magicians might be a low fantasy TV series, but it still does a good job of presenting an intricate and detailed system of magic. Originally based on the novels by Lev Grossman, the story concerns a man who enrolls at a university to study magic, only to discover that the world from his favorite childhood storybook is real, and more dangerous than he anticipated. This fantasy series is all about magic, so it’s important to make the magic system feel rigid, structured, and well-planned.

Spells have to be cast in a very exact way — one small slip-up, and it won’t work in the way the caster intends it to. First, the caster must perform a highly precise finger gesture paired with an incantation, usually in a dead language like Old Slavonic or Latin. This won’t work every single time, though. Each gesture and incantation must be adjusted for the variables in the environment, including weather, time of day, geographical position, and more. This means every magician is practically an advanced scientist, able to perform complex magical calculations of sorts. It’s not ideal, but with enough practice, any magician can become an expert at their craft. Though it works slightly differently in the show than it does in the books, it’s still pretty complicated.

Image via Studio Bones

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Fullmetal Alchemist is a Japanese anime based on a manga series by Hiromu Arakawa. The show is a bit of a blend of fantasy and steampunk, which has helped it appeal to a broader audience both domestically and internationally. Though short-lived, the show did take a pretty long look at how magic actually works in its weird and wonderful world. As the title suggests, it is heavily related to the concept of alchemy, an ancient practice that served as a precursor to modern chemistry.

As such, most of the magic in the show is about the use of metals or chemicals. First, an alchemist must know the theory of what they’re doing so that they can understand what they’re doing and not cause a catastrophic explosion. Once this is done, the alchemist uses their gift to break down the material at a molecular level before reconstructing it into an entirely new material, object, or shape. Like most hard magic systems, though, there are limits. It closely follows the real laws of physics, such as the law of equivalent exchange. This means you cannot create something from nothing. It also follows conservation of mass, meaning matter cannot be truly destroyed. For any act of transmutation, it is crucial for the alchemist to transform something into an object that is closely related. This means you cannot turn a rock into fire. You would be better off turning it into a brick, since they have more in common. Should any of these rules be broken, the universe forces a “rebound,” giving the alchemist a heavy physical or psychological burden in return. This is just how it works at base level — it actually goes even deeper than that.

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‘The Wheel of Time’ (2021–2025)

Image via Prime Video

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The magic system in The Wheel of Time is meticulously detailed in the original novel series by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson. It is rigidly structured and has clear and distinct rules. First, there is the matter of inherent power levels. This is a 72-point scale, with every magic user, called a Channeler, falling somewhere on that scale. Women can only access 66 of those points, meaning men are more powerful. However, women are also more likely to be able to Channel, whereas men are doomed to lose their minds eventually due to the Dark One tainting saidin, the male half of the One Power. The female half is known as saidar.

One’s power level determines the efficiency with which they can channel. Once the One Power is accessed, a Channeler must weave together magical threads of fire, earth, air, water, and spirit. These can be used as is, or combined to produce different effects, such as healing, coercion, or lightning. This process comes at a cost, however. Each time a Channeler uses their power, it drains a bit of their physical energy. This means excessive magic use can quickly exhaust a Channeler, and in some cases, even kill them. Thus, it is not something to be used lightly. The magic system is complicated enough as it is, but it’s made even more intricate by the fact that female Channelers, the Aes Sedai, divide themselves into seven different Ajahs, each focusing on different areas of strength in the power. For example, the Green Ajah is very competent with combative magic like lightning bolts and fireballs, whereas the Yellow Ajah leans more towards healing weaves. The show never got much of a chance to dive as deep into things as the books do — especially due to The Wheel of Time‘s unfortunate cancelation — but it’s still a lot to take in.

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‘The Legend of Vox Machina’ (2022–Present)

Image via Prime Video

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The Legend of Vox Machina comes from pretty humble beginnings. It initially began on a podcast called Critical Role, which is about custom campaigns for the popular tabletop role-playing game, Dungeons & Dragons. The podcast absolutely blew up, sparking a deal with Amazon Prime Video, which became the TV show that fans know and love today. What’s really cool is that the original actors from the podcast actually voice their in-game characters on the show, making it a treat for the fans who have been there since day one.

As for the magic system, because it’s based on Dungeons & Dragons, it uses the same system of magic that the tabletop RPG does. Every spell cast requires three specific elements: an incantation, a gesture, and a catalyst. Typically, the catalyst is a physical item or a consumable item used as a fuel source. This sounds simple at first, but it goes deeper than that. Mages also have to consistently level up their spells, which scale separately from their character. They also take up spell slots, meaning a mage must choose their arsenal of magic carefully. This magic system is actually fairly complicated, which fits considering its origins. Though fans of the original game or of the show will know it like the back of their hands, it can be a lot to digest for newcomers.

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Release Date

January 27, 2022

Network

Prime Video

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Showrunner

Brandon Auman

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Directors

Young Heller, Eugene Lee, Alicia Chan

Writers

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Eugene Son, Travis Willingham, Chris Wyatt, Kevin Burke, Suzanne Keilly, Mae Catt, Todd Casey, Ashly Burch, May Chan, Marc Bernardin

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Nicolas Cage is back on the fierce mission for a hunt once again! 

“National Treasure” is now moving closer to reality after two decades of uncertainty surrounding the beloved Disney series. The development also puts Cage back in the conversation as Benjamin Franklin Gates.

The first “National Treasure” arrived in 2004 and became a major part of Nicolas Cage’s blockbuster career. Its 2007 sequel, “National Treasure: Book of Secrets,” also continued with Cage.

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Director Jon Turtletaub came to Philadelphia’s first National Treasure weekend with a massive surprise for loyal followers. He confirmed that “it’s happening” during a live recording of the “National Treasure Hunt” podcast. The audience reportedly erupted after the director revealed that the project had finally reached a serious stage.

Turteltaub said the movie is “Hollywood real,” while explaining that he and Disney have a script they both like. He also indicated that the cast could return “to whatever extent we can,” including Cage. That puts the actor’s possible return firmly back in the picture after years of uncertainty. 

Turteltaub also joked about Hollywood’s unpredictability after calling the project “finally real.” He pointed out that unforeseen circumstances could still derail the movie before production. Still, his confirmation marks a major shift after years of speculation about another sequel.

The Political Climate Blocked The Franchise For Decades

The gap between the second and potential third films has become part of the franchise’s story. “National Treasure: Book of Secrets” arrived in 2007, leaving fans waiting for another chapter for nearly two decades. Turteltaub has now explained that the long delay wasn’t simply about putting another script together.

According to The Inquirer, the director said the political climate in the United States contributed to the delay. He recalled former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy asking him for a private screening of the original movie for Congress. Turteltaub said the film’s political themes eventually became harder to navigate as people increasingly read politics into entertainment.

He also suggested that the third movie will address that reality. Turteltaub said the filmmakers need to include the idea without alienating viewers. He did not reveal specific plot details or confirm whether Philadelphia will appear in the new film.

Nicolas Cage Once Called The Franchise ‘Profoundly Ridiculous’

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In 2023, Cage revisited one of the most memorable scenes from the 2004 film during a Vanity Fair video interview. He burst out laughing while watching Benjamin Gates declare that he was going to steal the “Declaration of Independence.”

The line has remained a major part of Cage’s career and inspired countless memes and parodies. Rather than dismissing the scene, Cage explained why he believes it worked so well.

He questioned how anyone could take something “so profoundly ridiculous” and genuinely sell it to an audience. He also praised Benjamin, his character’s positivity, and the character’s sincere reverence for the historical document.

The actor said the scene became funnier because he and Justin Bartha played it completely seriously. He noted that making it intentionally funny would have turned it into a screwball comedy, which was not his approach.

Variety shared that Cage also praised director Turtletaub for filming the “Declaration” with such reverence. “I think Jon Turtletaub shot it lovingly,” Cage said.

The Actor Turned Down Massive Roles 

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Cage has also turned down some of Hollywood’s biggest opportunities because of his family. He reportedly rejected the role of Aragorn in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy because filming in New Zealand would have kept him away from his family for about nine months. He later made a similar decision with Neo in “The Matrix,” which was filmed in Australia.

Cage also passed on the chance to voice Shrek after Chris Farley, initially cast in the role, died before completing the project. He turned down the DreamWorks role because he did not want children to picture him as the famous green ogre. Years later, Cage appeared to reconsider, admitting in 2013, “Maybe I should have done it.”

Cage now describes his life as “extraordinarily boring” and “monastic,” saying he has become more cautious about taking risks. Much of his time centers on raising his youngest child, August Francesca, whom he welcomed with his wife, Riko Shibata, in 2022. He shared that he spent a lot of his time doomscrolling on the internet. 

Nicolas Cage Finally Makes His Famous Surname Official

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Cage’s Hollywood identity has always been separate from his famous family background. He is the nephew of director Francis Ford Coppola and the cousin of filmmaker Sofia Coppola and actor Jason Schwartzman. Despite building his career under the Cage name, he only recently made it his legal surname.

The Blast shared that Cage legally changed his name after decades of using it professionally. He explained that becoming “Cage” allowed him to establish his own identity rather than remain on the margins of the influential Coppola family. He said he wanted to be “the patriarch of my own little family” rather than “the clown cousin on the margins of someone else’s.”

The actor also explained where the surname came from. He was inspired by Marvel’s Luke Cage, also known as Power Man, and by composer John Cage, whom he admired. Cage kept “Nicolas” because it was the name his father gave him, despite joking about its French spelling.

After years of twists and turns, Nicolas Cage’s treasure hunting is finally coming back!

Miss Universe contestant LaToya Malcolm’s family is continuing to honor her legacy after her sudden death at age 35.

Malcolm’s family held a funeral service for the late beauty queen at Central Assemblies of God church in Kingston, Jamaica, on Saturday, August 22, according to a graphic shared with People by one of her family members.

“Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure, you are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure,” the flyer read.

During the service, a scholarship for Malcom was announced by Delano Seiveright, who serves as the Minister of State in the country’s Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, according to the Jamaica Observer.

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Several former pageant queens have tragically died after winning their crowns. Kseniya Alexandrova won Miss Universe Russia in 2017, eight years before she died following a fatal car accident at the age of 30. “It is with deep sorrow that we announce that our colleague and friend, model Ksenia Alexandrova, passed away last night,” her […]

The scholarship, titled the LaToya Malcolm Scholarship for Resilience, will provide two high school students with $100,000 to use toward their educational development.

News broke in July that Malcom, who competed to be Miss Universe in Jamaica, died.

“🕊️ In Loving Memory of LaToya Malcolm🤍,” the pageant franchise announced via Instagram at the time. “We mourn the passing of MUJ alumna LaToya Malcolm, who proudly competed in the 2024 Miss Universe Jamaica Competition.”

The tribute continued, “Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and loved ones. Rest peacefully, LaToya. You will never be forgotten. 🤍🕊️.”

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The current Miss Universe Jamaica, Gabrielle Henry, also honored Malcolm via social media.

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“After many years of experiencing loss and hardship, I’ve learnt the deep relevance of pausing and reflecting on the lives of those who lived fully, unapologetically and with great passion,” she said. “To hear of Latoya’s passing is a great loss to her family and the wider community, Jamaica, her impact will always be remembered and her voice will not be forgotten. Wishing her family my deepest condolences. May she rest in peace.”

No further details surrounding her death have been publicly disclosed at the time of publication. Malcom was best known as a finalist for Miss Jamaica in 2024, where she won the title of Miss Jamaica Bikini International and dedicated the honor to her late father.

“My beloved father, Mr. Malcolm, this win was for you,” she wrote via Instagram in August 2024. “Your one and only daughter continues to make you proud. I know you’re smiling down on me from heaven 🕊️💙.”

Roomies, Vanessa Bryant knows some memories hit a little different, especially when they come with a glimpse of a love story fans watched grow over the years. On what would have been Kobe Bryant’s 48th birthday, Vanessa took a moment to honor her late husband with a throwback that has fans looking back at their love story.

RELATED: Mamba Forever! Vanessa Bryant Honors Late Husband Kobe With Heartfelt Message On His 47th Birthday (PHOTO)

Vanessa Bryant & Natalia Shares A Heartfelt Birthday Tribute To Kobe

On Sunday, Vanessa Bryant shared a sweet Instagram post featuring a younger version of herself and Kobe enjoying a candid moment together. In the photo, Vanessa sits in a lawn chair wearing a white cardigan and dark lipstick, while Kobe sits on her lap in a blue shirt, dark pants, and sunglasses as she wraps her arms around him with a smile. “Happy birthday, baby. I love you so much,” Vanessa wrote in the caption, adding emojis and the date. She also took to her Instagram Story to share another birthday message, writing, “Happy birthday boo-boo.”

Natalia Bryant also took a moment to honor her late father, Kobe, on Instagram Stories. She first shared a sweet throwback of herself as a toddler walking down the street with Kobe, adding “Happy birthday Daddy” alongside a red heart emoji. Natalia also reposted a Lakers tribute to her dad and shared a photo of him smiling as he blew out birthday candles.

You Already Know This Messed Fans Up

Fans quickly ran to The Shade Room’s Instagram comment section, and the emotions were definitely flowing, with many admitting they were in absolute tears. Some said the throwback made them sad all over again, while others shared how much they love seeing Vanessa continue to honor Kobe and keep his memory alive. A few were simply left without the words, filling the comments with heartfelt emojis and plenty of love for the late Lakers legend.

One Instagram user @vanaisa commented, “Unreal, still. ❤️‍🩹 Happy Heavenly Birthday!! 🪽”

This Instagram user @tre_x_maris_pops said, “Just broke me all over again 😔 Rest Well 🐍💛💜”

And, Instagram user @keilariley shared, “I love how she’s still honoring him.”

Meanwhile, Instagram user @raregem_92 claimed, “Death couldn’t do them apart ♾️🥺✨”

While Instagram user @jamealz242 wrote, “Who cuttin onions Gaddam it!😮‍💨”

Finally, Instagram user @salimah367x added, “😭😭😭😭😭💔😭😭😭😭😭😭💔💔😭😭😭💔💔😭🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️”

Vanessa Had Us In Tears Last Year Too

Vanessa Bryant has never missed a chance to honor Kobe Bryant on his birthday, and her latest tribute is once again tugging at fans’ heartstrings. Last year, Vanessa had us balling our eyes out with her heartfelt message to Kobe, and this year, she’s keeping that same love front and center with another touching throwback.

In the photo, Vanessa plants a sweet kiss on Kobe’s cheek as he smiles toward the camera, with what appears to be a breathtaking cathedral in the background. The intimate moment feels both sacred and timeless, much like the love they shared. Last year, Vanessa wrote, “We love and miss you and Gigi so much. Sending our love to you. Happy birthday, baby,” giving fans yet another emotional reminder of how deeply she continues to love and miss them.

RELATED: Mambacita Forever! Vanessa Bryant Has Tears Flowing With Her 18th B-Day Post For Gianna Bryant

Karlissa Saffold is making it real clear that she’s a grandmother first and will always hold down her grandbabies Javaughn and Journey Porter. She recently sparked reactions after seemingly calling out Blueface following Jaidyn Alexis’ previous claims that he said their son and daughter could be replaced.

RELATED: New Baby On Board! Blueface & Nevaeh Akira Welcome Their Son & Surprise Fans With Name Switch-Up (VIDEOS)

Karlissa Saffold Says She’s NOT Playing About Her Grandbabies!

Recently, Karlissa Saffold dropped a message on Instagram that had folks stopping mid-scroll. She didn’t name-drop Blueface but fans took the post as a lil’ call-out after she wrote in her caption that “no one was coming before her Journey Pie.” Karlissa shared videos of Journey and Javaughn, whom Blueface shared with Jaidyn Alexis, and reminded him that his family held him down during his 2024 prison stint. Her post came shortly after Jaidyn went OFF on a livestream, accusing Blue of saying their kids could be replaced after he welcomed his newborn son, Jonathan Porter Jr., with Nevaeh Akira.

“Ain’t no one coming before my Journey Pie 😂 F**k cuh! Nobody was there when you was in that cell. They would have let you rot 🤷 I’m not playing with them demons for you and nobody else. They already told you what it is 😂,” Karlissa wrote.

Karlissa Said Accountability Starts With Her & She’s Standing On Business

Karlissa didn’t stop there! She also took to her comments, saying she’s ready to take accountability for what she supports when it comes to Blueface. She added that she won’t join anything involving folks who don’t truly rock with Blue, Javaughn, or Journey.

“I know you was genuinely hurt I wasn’t there but it’s time for me to hold my self accountable for what I support you on. I’m not sharing my presence with them people I know that don’t really f**k with you or my grandkids for a couple dollars. I’m always here praying for you. The lord don’t let you keep what he don’t ordain that’s why you don’t have s**t you should from the first go round. It ain’t worth it 🙏🏾,” Karlissa added.

Jaidyn Previously Made It Crystal Clear That Her Babies Could NEVER Be Replaced

Karlissa’s latest comments come after Jaidyn Alexis previously went OFF on Blueface during a livestream over their co-parenting drama. Blueface told Jaidyn she would be “stuck” with their kids, while he could find another woman and have another child. He also said he was tired of her monitoring how he spends time with their kids. “I guess your kids won’t have a father,” the rapper said in a clip.

Jaidyn clapped back after peeping his viral comments, making it clear that her kids will never be replaced and she will never be “stuck” with them because she will always be their mom.

“You better hope on your last day that you’re not talking about Javaughn and Journey. You better not be. My kids will never be replaceable. You tried to replace them with that last baby — look how that turned out. This baby still won’t pop […] it will never be Javaughn and Pinkface. I’m sorry, it won’t be. You’re a s**t person.”

RELATED: Buss Down! 6 Blueface Facts That Might Have You Saying “Now Wait A Minute!” 

Kourtney Kardashian is soaking up the final days of summer by flaunting some of her most sizzling swimwear choices.

“Big family vacation girl,” Kardashian, 47, captioned an Instagram carousel of photos from her brood’s recent getaway in the desert.

In one pic, the Lemme founder rocked a tiny silver two-piece that she accessorized with a pair of cross necklaces. Kardashian later traded the metallic bikini for a leopard-print version from sister Kylie Jenner’s Khy collection.

Kardashian enjoyed the summer getaway with her blended family. She shares sons Mason, 16, and Reign, 11, as well as daughter Penelope, 14, with ex Scott Disick, in addition to son Rocky, 2, with husband Travis Barker. (The Blink-182 drummer, 50, is a father of three from his past marriage to Shanna Moakler.)

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Kourtney Kardashian has been soaking up life on the Italian coast while making core memories with husband Travis Barker and baby Rocky. The Poosh founder, 46, turned her family trip into a full-on fashion moment in photos shared from their visit to the San Fruttuoso cove beach in Liguria on Thursday, August 14, in which […]

Kardashian and Barker welcomed their rainbow baby, Rocky, in November 2023, after the reality TV star suffered a previous pregnancy loss. After the miscarriage, Kourtney and Barker underwent multiple rounds of now-failed IVF cycles. They ultimately conceived Rocky without medical intervention.

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“The truth is, I felt like I was doing something that wasn’t right for me,” she told Vanity Fair Italia in an October 2023 profile of her IVF experience. “My intuition was telling me that it wasn’t suitable for me. I don’t even take medicine, [so] imagine that it was working against my body rather than for it.”

Later in her pregnancy, Kardashian faced an undisclosed medical complication that required emergency fetal surgery.

“Right after the surgery, I reached the point where I let myself go and I stopped worrying,” she recalled to the outlet. “Now I talk to the baby every day, have a positive mindset, keep my head straight, and say a lot of prayers. I feel really lucky and grateful. I have a lot of gratitude. Not that I didn’t have it before, but perhaps since it came easy to me, I took the pregnancy for granted.”