The Cure’s lead singer Robert Smith blasted FIFA’s World Cup Final Halftime Show, set to feature music from Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber and more.

“The point is not really about who is curating or performing, it is about the #mugwank ideas of a football World Cup final half time show,” Smith, 67, vented via Instagram on Thursday, July 16.

Ahead of the heavily-anticipated Sunday, July 9, match between Argentina and Spain at Metlife Stadium in New Jersey, the musician mocked a FIFA press statement that described the Halftime Show as a “groundbreaking spectacle” that will “celebrate football, music and our shared values, ensuring a legacy that transcends the final whistle.”

Smith added his own unique caption, writing, “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH…”

The singer hashtagged his post with references to “bread and circuses” — a political metaphor for superficially appealing to the masses — along with “#MUGWANK” “#pleasejustf***off” to make his contempt undeniable.

In a second post, Smith clarified he was not upset with the performers who signed on to perform during the show — he simply opposed the idea of a ceremony involving FIFA President Gianni Infantino and U.S. President Donald Trump handing the World Cup trophy to the winning team.

“Sadly, there are not enough A’s left for the ‘ARGH’ that should follow,” he quipped.

FIFA announced in May that Coldplay’s Chris Martin was curating a World Cup Final Halftime Show featuring Madonna, 67, BTS and Shakira to support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million to provide education opportunities and access to football training for children across the world.

“Performing at the World Cup final in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund is deeply meaningful to me,” Madonna said at the time. “Without education, children are denied opportunity before they even have a chance. Every child deserves access to a quality learning — because education expands possibilities and creates lasting change.”

Earlier this month, FIFA expanded its all-star lineup by adding Bieber, 32, Nigerian singer-songwriter Burna Boy, L.A. Philharmonic director Gustavo Dudamel and viral sensation PS 22 Chorus.

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Since releasing her debut album in 1983, Madonna has rarely been out of the public eye — and she’s never stopped delivering floor-filling pop hits. Born in Bay City, Michigan, in 1958, Madonna — whose full name is Madonna Louise Ciccone — started dancing as a kid after convincing her dad to let her study […]

“The FIFA World Cup brings the world together in a way nothing else can,” Bieber, 32, said on July 8. “I’m grateful to be part of this Halftime Show, and even more grateful knowing it’s already helping expand access to education for children around the world.”

Burna Boy added, “The FIFA World Cup is one of the few moments that truly brings the entire world together. To represent Africa on the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show is a privilege and a responsibility that I don’t take lightly. I’m honored to be part of a performance that not only celebrates football and culture but also helps create greater opportunities for children through education around the world.”

FIFA has also confirmed that its Halftime Show will feature appearances from The Muppets and characters from Sesame Street.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 17 seconds ago

One thing that Marvel Comics fans have long joked about is the sheer number of superheroes who are based out of New York City. Spider-Man, The X-Men, The Avengers, The Fantastic Four…believe it or not, these are just a few of the characters and groups based around the iconic city. How and why did this happen? Simple: Marvel Comics has always been located in New York City, and in the formative days of the publisher, most of the writers, artists, and editors lived in that same city. Accordingly, the stories they created reflected the lived experience of walking those streets, day in and day out.

These days, however, very few comic writers live in New York City due to its notoriously high cost of living. And now, even the company itself is forsaking the city. Earlier this week, Marvel informed its employees that it would be moving its publishing division out of Midtown and to Burbank, California, which is home to both Marvel Studios and The Walt Disney Company. Along with this big change, the publisher also named Stephen Wacker as its new editor-in-chief. These major shifts at the House of Ideas have one major purpose: to help Marvel Comics beat DC and become, once more, the market share leader in comic book publishing.

DC Keeps Kicking Marvel’s Butt

If you only pay attention to superhero movies, you might wonder why Marvel would fret about beating DC. After all, the DCEU ran itself into the ground trying to compete with the MCU, which is still going strong. Now, James Gunn’s DCU is floundering: Superman was a success story last year, but Supergirl, the second film in this cinematic universe, turned out to be a critical and commercial bomb. Throw in the fact that this year’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Avengers: Doomsday are going to collectively make billions of dollars, and Marvel’s cinematic success is undeniable. Unfortunately, Marvel’s publishing side has been consistently losing ground to their biggest rival.

How is Marvel losing out to DC? As The Hollywood Reporter reports, Marvel “lost its position as comics market share leader for the first time this century.” In terms of numbers, ICv2 reports that DC successfully captured somewhere between 34 and 40 percent of the market share compared to Marvel’s 29 to 33 percent. This is due to multiple factors, including DC making its older works more affordable and accessible through its Compact Comics line and offering exciting new books like Absolute Batman. Compared to DC’s success, Marvel has recently looked like they were just publishing filler to keep readers interested between movies.

An Uncanny Team-Up

Now, however, Marvel is taking big swings to try to take back the market share from their greatest opponent. As Kevin Feige noted at a recent town hall event, moving remaining operations to the West Coast is intended to create better synergy between Marvel’s publication, animation, and live-action storytellers. This sentiment was echoed in a letter Brad Winderbaum (head of television, animation, comics, and franchise) and David Abdo (general manager, comics and franchise) sent to The Hollywood Reporter. “Bringing our comics, film, television, and other creative teams together will help us learn from one another, collaborate, and build on the strengths that make Marvel the true House of Ideas,” they wrote.

In a perfect world, this collaboration will give us more high-quality projects like X-Men ‘97 (when are we getting that animated cinematic universe, Brad?!) while improving the MCU, which has been very inconsistent since Avengers: Endgame. If nothing else, giving the publishing division a new editor-in-chief will give a shot in the arm to Marvel Comics and help them provide proper competition to DC once more. This, too, is good for the long-term health of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which has become successful by adapting the best comics of yesteryear. The only way to make sure the films of the future rock is to make sure the comics of today don’t suck.

If that can happen, readers and viewers alike will proudly say “Make mine Marvel” yet again. Otherwise, the audience for this storied publisher might do their best impression of Spider-Man from Avengers: Infinity War by disappearing altogether. 

Netflix plans to launch over 700 original series in 2026 alone, but there was a time in the not-too-distant past when that number was much, much smaller. Like, small enough to count on one hand. Back in 2013, the streaming giant debuted three flagship series: the infamous House of Cards, the award-winning Orange Is the New Black, and another series you might not even remember. It’s called Hemlock Grove, and you won’t even be able to find it on Netflix today, but that hasn’t stopped it from becoming a hit on another streamer.

If you’ve never heard of it, Hemlock Grove is a bizarre, bloody horror series that combines werewolves, vampires, conspiracy theories, and gothic melodrama into one seriously mixed bag. After Netflix removed all three seasons in 2022, the series found a new home on PVOD. It’s now available to buy through the Apple TV Store, where it’s actually done pretty well for itself. It’s an unexpected fate for one of Netflix’s first original shows ever… not to mention an evergreen reminder that, in the streaming era, being an “Original” doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll always be safe from the chopping block.

‘Hemlock Grove’ Helped Define Netflix Originals

Set in the fictional Pennsylvania town of Hemlock Grove, the story begins after two teenage girls are brutally murdered. Suspicion quickly falls on Peter Rumancek (Landon Liboiron), a mysterious outsider rumored to be a werewolf. Peter unexpectedly allies with Roman Godfrey (Bill Skarsgård), the troubled heir to the town’s wealthiest family, with supernatural secrets of his own. Together, they investigate the killings while navigating a town filled with hidden monsters, unethical scientific experiments, and increasingly disturbing family secrets.

The show was adapted from Brian McGreevy‘s 2012 novel and executive produced by horror filmmaker Eli Roth. What made it stand apart from other horror television of the time wasn’t necessarily originality — its DNA pretty shamelessly borrowed from gothic fiction, creature features, teen dramas, and mystery thrillers in one — but rather its willingness to embrace all of those influences simultaneously. One episode might focus on gruesome body horror, while the next leaned into family dysfunction, occult mythology, or psychological mystery. The result was often uneven, but rarely boring.

Premiering on April 19, 2013 — post-House of Cards but pre-Orange Is the New Black — Hemlock Grove arrived at a groundbreaking moment in TV history. Netflix still had a long way to go to prove that original streaming programming could compete with traditional cable and broadcast television. It clearly believed in the project early on, and for good reason: It actually drew more viewers during its opening weekend than House of Cards did, at least during that first season. The service even gave Hemlock Grove a second season just a couple of months after its premiere. Alas, a third and final season came the year after that. It was only a matter of time until Netflix’s support for the series ebbed as other originals surged.

‘Hemlock Grove’s Disappearance From Netflix Says a Lot About Streaming Today

Critics didn’t love Hemlock Grove, with some calling it one of the worst horror TV shows ever, but that didn’t stop it from building a devoted cult following during its relatively short run. Fans embraced its dreamlike atmosphere, its unapologetic gore, and its willingness to swing for the fences creatively… even when those swings occasionally missed. Horror is a genre that rewards excess, and Hemlock Grove certainly had an abundance of it.

Seven years after its final season, Netflix announced that all three seasons would leave the service in October 2022. Streaming rights were later acquired by FilmRise, and today the show lives on through the Apple TV Store instead of its original home. There, it’s gone on to become one of the most-watched shows on the platform. As studios continue licensing, removing, and reshuffling content across competing platforms, don’t be surprised to see more of this happening. Audiences have seemed to pick up on the fact that digital exclusivity doesn’t mean true exclusivity at all. If you don’t have a subscription to this platform or that, just wait a little bit for it to show up somewhere else — “original” or otherwise.

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Release Date

2013 – 2015-00-00

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Netflix

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Despite having no previous acting experience before landing the lead role in “Michael,” Jaafar Jackson has made cinematic history with his debut performance.

The biopic has grossed more than $1.001 billion worldwide at the box office, making Jaafar the first debutant to headline a film to cross the billion-dollar mark.

Following the film’s massive success, a second installment has been confirmed. However, it remains unclear which chapter of Michael Jackson’s life the sequel will explore.

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Jaafar Jackson’s performance as his late uncle, Michael Jackson, in “Michael” has now reached a record-breaking box-office milestone.

Following its theatrical debut in April, the biopic opened to a strong $97 million domestically and $217 million worldwide during its first week. At the time, the figures set a new opening-week record for a music biopic.

The film has now surpassed the $1 billion mark, taking its global box office total to $1.001 billion, per Variety. The achievement makes Jaafar the first leading actor in history to debut in a billion-dollar film.

“Michael” also became the first biopic to join the billion-dollar club while overtaking “Bohemian Rhapsody” as the highest-grossing musical biopic of all time.

International markets contributed an impressive $629.8 million to the film’s worldwide earnings, with the remaining revenue coming from North America.

‘Michael’ Director Reacts To Film’s Billion-Dollar Success

Director Antoine Fuqua was particularly pleased by the milestone and expressed his excitement in a statement.

“Reaching this extraordinary $1 billion milestone with ‘Michael’ is a deeply humbling moment that celebrates the tireless dedication of our incredible producers, cast, crew, and partners,” Fuqua stated. “This achievement belongs to everyone who came together with a shared vision to honor one of the greatest artists the world has ever known.”

Fuqua also thanked the fans who made the milestone possible by turning out at cinemas across the world over the past few months.

“This historic milestone is a testament to the enduring power of cinema to bring us together, and it is a chapter in movie history I will never forget,” he also noted.

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Jaafar Jackson Recalls His ‘Surreal’ Transformation Into Michael

During an April appearance on “The Tonight Show,” Jaafar opened up about the lengthy journey that led to him landing the lead role in “Michael.”

The actor revealed that he first learned about the biopic through an online article announcing that producer Graham King had secured the rights to tell the King of Pop’s story.

At the time, Jaafar never imagined that he would play his late uncle. However, months later, King contacted him for a Zoom meeting, which eventually led to months of acting lessons, screen tests, and coaching despite Jaafar having no previous acting experience.

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The audition process lasted nearly two years before he was officially cast. Jaafar also said the emotional experience of seeing himself transformed into his uncle through hair, makeup, and prosthetics was “surreal” and “deeply spiritual.”

Jaafar Had 20 Days To Master Michael’s Dance Moves

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During the interview, Jaafar also reflected on the demanding process of recreating some of the “Thriller” singer’s most iconic performances.

He revealed that filming began with the concert scenes, meaning he was thrown straight into the deep end on his very first day on set.

To prepare, he worked closely with renowned choreographers Rich and Tone, who had previously choreographed for his uncle during his uncle’s tour. Together, they meticulously studied the singer’s legendary Motown 25 performance of “Billie Jean,” breaking it down frame by frame.

Jaafar said he was given just 20 days to prove that he could master the routine well enough to convince the filmmakers that he was right for the role.

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Although he initially doubted himself and found the challenge overwhelming, Jaafar said the months of practice ultimately paid off, with the finished performance bearing little resemblance to his early rehearsals.

Jaafar Jackson’s Record-Breaking Debut Is Getting A Sequel

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In the closing scenes of “Michael,” producers hinted at plans for a sequel with the message, “His Story Continues.”

The possibility of a follow-up became more apparent when Deadline reported that Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chair Adam Fogelson had expressed excitement about the progress on a second installment.

However, it remains unclear which direction the sequel will take. According to Fogelson, they “can go forward and backward in telling this story as there are so many other events that happened that weren’t touched upon.”

“So, we’re very, very confident that we’ve got an incredibly entertaining movie that will appeal once again to a global audience as the pieces come together,” Fogelson added.

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Y’all! Jaidyn Alexis may have just given the internet a glimpse into a new chapter, and folks are already paying attention. The social media personality sparked conversation after a cozy kitchen moment surfaced online, leaving many wondering if she was quietly introducing someone special. And, you already know, folks wasted no time bringing Blueface into the conversation.

RELATED: Blueface & Nevaeh Akira’s Maternity Photoshoot Has Social Media Mentioning Jaidyn Alexis (PHOTOS)

Jaidyn Alexis May Have Just Introduced Her New Man

During a recent Twitch live-stream, Jaidyn was seemingly cooking at her stove while wearing a matching black set with shorts, her hair styled in a ponytail. Standing nearby is Kai Bandz, dressed in a black sweatsuit with an iced-out wrist, a goatee, and his phone in hand, who appears to playfully smack her on the butt. Jaidyn reacts by saying, “Oh my god,” before the man wraps his arms around her, sings along to a song, and smiles toward the camera.

The two appear comfortable as they laugh and chat about what they’re making to eat, while others in the kitchen joke that they’re “doing too much.” The man playfully responds that they’re actually “not doing enough,” adding more fuel to the speculation that Jaidyn may have just hard-launched her new relationship.

Jaidyn Alexis started getting wild with her new man Kai Bandz on stream last night after officially moving on from Blueface 👀 pic.twitter.com/PGgJ3qUTaI

— keeno ✧ (@ayekeeno) July 18, 2026

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Jaidyn Alexis’ Vegas Photo Dump Has Fans Connecting Dots

Jaidyn Alexis also appeared to further fuel relationship speculation after sharing what looked like a joint photo dump featuring herself and Kai during a Vegas getaway. The post, captioned “Kai & Jai 🥂🖤…,” showed the pair posing together, with Jaidyn wearing a black lace outfit while Kai rocked an all-black fit with his arm wrapped around her.

In another shot, the two appeared to be enjoying the views of Vegas from a balcony, with the Strip in the background. Jaidyn was seen leaning against Kai in the photo, adding more attention to the pair’s seemingly close connection.

Jaidyn Alexis Has The Comments Going Off

Folks quickly made their way to Jaidyn Alexis’ Instagram comment section to share their thoughts on the viral moment. While some commenters joked that Blueface is “clearly punching the air right now,” others said the clip explains why he has been spending so much time with Never. Meanwhile, others jumped into the comments with questions, trying to figure out what’s really going on.

One Instagram user — @officialjaialexxis herself shared, “thanks for da best weekend 💋🖤 same time next week?”

This Instagram user @girlnextdoorkouture said, “Oh so this why Blue acting like he’s about to be loyal to Naveah. Noted 😂”

And, Instagram user @dejax_divine added, “It’s just giving He using her for clout and a clip & she tryna make blue mad 🤣”

Meanwhile, Instagram user @toocold.juan30 commented, “U gon have Mr. Tender real tender🤣🤣🥶🔥🔥🔥🔥”

While Instagram user @corrina_jennifer0420 shared, “😂 blue is flipping out rn 🤣 go jaydin”

Then Instagram user @jess_livingstone88 wrote, “Damn he is handsome as hell 🙌 I’d be mad to if I was blue”

Instagram user @crisstinacassti claimed, “BLUE IS CRYING RNNN I LOVE THISSSSS”

Lastly, Instagram user @keepingupwithnat1000 claimed, “BD gone be in the hospital for a heart attack after seeing this 😂🥰😍”

RELATED: Here We Go! Blueface & Jaidyn Alexis Trade Accusations Amid Heated Online Drama As Fans Weigh In (VIDEOS)

Like many people, Ricky Gervais has multiple interests. High on that list would be cats and comedy. His fascination with cats is visible throughout his social media, where he regularly shares pictures of himself with his cats. Meanwhile, his relationship with comedy is also quite strong, as he is one of the most celebrated voices in the medium. His claim to fame is for creating the British version of The Office, which inspired numerous global remakes, including the 2004 American remake that went on to become one of the most popular comedies of the 2000s and the 2010s. Gervais has also created and acted in other shows in addition to his stand-up comedy work.

The Konttori creator has an ongoing deal with Netflix, through which he writes, produces, and stars in projects for the streamer. He has released several stand-up specials on Netflix, including Humanity, SuperNature, Armageddon, and Mortality. Additionally, he created the wildly popular Netflix comedy After Life, which follows a man who sheds his nice-guy persona after losing his wife. Gervais is back with a new series, which marks a departure from what his fans are familiar with, but it’s still Ricky Gervais to the core.

It combines two of his biggest interests: cats and comedy. The animated series is different from the live-action stuff fans are used to, but with Gervais as the writer and voice actor, it remains infused with his DNA. Titled Alley Cats, the series focuses on numerous feral British cats from all walks of life. The comedy series is a commentary on life, which can be funny and absurd at times, and through its main characters, the show ruminates on certain aspects. Cast members include Gervais (Gus), Tom Basden (Ponce), Andrew Brooke (Fang), David Earl (Puke), Kelly Godliman (Lara), Jo Hartley (Kitten), Diane Morgan (Olive), Natalie Cassidy (Samantha, Mum), and Tony Way, who voices numerous characters.

What Else Is Coming to Netflix in August?

Alley Cats is just one of the numerous Netflix Original series coming next month. One Hundred Years of Solitude returns for the second and final chapter on August 5, followed by the third season of Netflix’s teen drama My Life With the Walter Boys on August 6. The Spanish comedy Death Inc. is back for Season 4 on August 7, and on the same day, the romance K-Drama Our Sticky Love premieres. José Mourinho‘s documentary, aptly titled Mourinho, premieres on August 11, while Shane Gillis‘ comedy Tires returns for Season 3 on August 13. Moria Casán is also ready to tell her story in the documentary Moria, premiering on August 14. August 20 marks the end of an era as Outer Banks concludes after five seasons. Leanne Morgan‘s comedy Leanne is back for Season 2 on August 27, and the list of originals closes out on August 28 with the Turkish detective drama Graveyard and the Spanish comedy All the Truth in My Lies.

Alley Cats premieres on Netflix on August 7. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

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August 7, 2026

Writers

Ricky Gervais

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With a reported production budget of $150 million, one of the biggest sci-fi box office bombs in recent memory grossed just over $67 million worldwide during its theatrical run. Released alongside Paramount’s slapstick comedy Jackass Forever, the film brought in $9.9 million in its opening weekend. While it managed a second-place finish, it unfortunately suffered a brutal 70% decline in its second weekend, pulling in just $2.9 million. However, years after its disastrous theatrical debut, the star-studded disaster epic is getting a second chance to find its audience on Prime Video.

Directed by the “master of disaster” himself, Roland Emmerich, the filmmaker behind genre staples like Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow, and 2012, the 2022 release follows an unlikely team racing against time after a mysterious force knocks the moon out of orbit, sending it on a collision course with Earth. Unsurprisingly, the sci-fi flop leans heavily into Emmerich’s signature blend of world-ending catastrophe and increasingly outrageous narrative twists, which ultimately alienated a large portion of critics and viewers alike.

Prime Video Gives ‘Moonfall’ a Second Chance

Titled Moonfall, the movie arrived in North American and UK theaters on February 4, 2022, courtesy of Lionsgate and Entertainment Film Distributors, respectively. It debuted to mixed-to-negative reviews, with critics slamming its complicated plot despite praising its visual effects. Now, Prime Video subscribers are deciding for themselves whether the movie deserves a better reception than its box-office receipts and critical ratings suggest. At the time of writing, Moonfall has broken into the top ten most-watched titles on Prime Video overall, and at the same time comfortably sits in the top 5 movie charts on the streamer in the U.S.

Featuring an ensemble cast led by Halle Berry, Moonfall is proving to be one of those big-budget spectacles that doesn’t need a successful theatrical run or a coveted “Certified Fresh” Rotten Tomatoes score to be appreciated. Currently holding an underwhelming 35% Tomatometer score, its arrival on Prime Video has clearly sparked renewed interest. Although this streaming comeback might not sway everyone’s opinion about the film’s odd choices, the data shows there’s still a large audience for high-budget, low-stakes disaster movies. Alongside Berry, Moonfall also stars Patrick Wilson, John Bradley, Michael Peña, Charlie Plummer, Donald Sutherland, and Eme Ikwuakor.

Moonfall is streaming now on Prime Video.

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Release Date

February 2, 2022

Runtime

131 minutes

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Director

Roland Emmerich

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Writers

Harald Kloser, Spenser Cohen, Roland Emmerich

Producers

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Carsten H.W. Lorenz, Harald Kloser, J.P. Pettinato, Karl Spoerri, Stuart Ford, Ute Emmerich, Wang Zhonglei, Marco Shepherd, Wang Zhongjun, Spenser Cohen, Alastair Burlingham, Edward Cheng, Gary Raskin, Hu Junyi, Raymond Hau

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By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 12 seconds ago

As a longtime Marvel fan, one of my favorite things about X-Men ‘97 is how many fun Easter eggs are stuffed into every single episode. Sometimes, these are winking references to earlier episodes; more often than not, they are connections to the comics and to the larger Marvel universe. Of course, these references are often of the blink-and-you’ll-miss-them variety. Because of this, you sometimes need to be as fast as Quicksilver on the remote control if you want to catch every wacky bit of trivia that pops up onscreen.

That was certainly the case with the recent episode “Weapon X, Lies, and DVDs.” This episode follows up on an earlier Animated Series episode (“Weapon X, Lies, and Video Tape”) and has Wolverine and a team of oddballs discovering major secrets about Weapon X. It’s an episode filled with some jaw-droppingly weird X-Men lore, including an appearance from everyone’s favorite xenomorph knock-offs, the Brood. However, that’s not the weirdest thing about this terrifying tale. The episode provides a list of characters attached to the Weapon X program, and if you pause at the right moment, you’ll see names from the raunchiest, bloodiest Marvel movies ever made: Deadpool and Logan!

The Ultimate In ’90s Media Technology

In Marvel Comics, it’s revealed that Weapon X wasn’t actually the name of the program. Instead, it was the Weapon Plus program, and Wolverine was referred to as “Weapon X” because he was the tenth experiment created by the program (X is the Roman numeral for 10). Incidentally, Weapon I was Captain America, who was turned into the world’s greatest soldier through an experimental super-serum. Later, the project switched to experimenting on mutants, with the goal of creating weaponized warriors who would be easy to control. There have been many characters experimented on or otherwise connected to the program, which is why so many names appear in “Weapon X, Lies, and DVD.”

The episode doesn’t get into the full tangled history of the program, which is consistently referred to as Weapon X. However, the characters do find test subject data on DVDs, all of which are helpfully labeled with the name of the person who was experimented on. One set of DVDs is very easy to view, and the other appears for only a brief moment. With the help of the pause button, though, you can identify some major names. This includes Bucky Barnes, better known to MCU fans as the Winter Soldier. It also includes characters who have only appeared in the comics, including the creepy villain, John Sublime.

The X-Men Get Raunchy

Unsurprisingly, Wolverine and his crew from this episode (including Maverick, Garrison Kane, Sabertooth, and Lady Deathstrike) all appear on the DVDs, as do other characters from Wolverine’s past, including Silver Fox. But for fans of the live-action movies, the most notable names that appear in the episode are Ajax and Deadpool (the villain and hero, respectively, of the first Deadpool movie) and X-23, who appeared in both Logan and Deadpool and Wolverine. Amusingly enough, this effectively connects the (mostly) family-friendly X-Men ‘97 with some of the raunchiest and most vulgar Marvel movies ever made!

Deadpool effectively paved the way for modern, R-rated superhero movies with a film that combined over-the-top ultraviolence and hilariously crass dialogue. It was also unapologetically raunchy, with a naughty Morena Baccarin sex scene that likely made the pre-cancerous Wade Wilson wish that his booty had a healing factor. Logan, meanwhile, was more serious but no less brutal, connecting X-23 (who was created for the kids’ show X-Men: Evolution) to a violent and heartbreaking film where we bid farewell to both Logan and Professor X. Now, that same character (who made a fan-favorite return in the wonderfully offensive Deadpool & Wolverine) is permanently tied to X-Men ‘97. 

Does that mean we’re likely to see X-23 onscreen? Not really: even if X-Men ‘97 runs for several more seasons, there are so many ‘80s, ‘90s, and early ‘00s stories to adapt before the writers would ever get to her story. Deadpool might be likelier to appear: after all, he appeared in X-Men: The Animated Series via things like flashbacks and Morph transformations, and Morph continues to take on this appearance in X-Men ‘97. Is all of this leading up to a proper appearance from the Merc With a Mouth? Maybe. Somehow, though, I think Jean Grey will be too busy fighting Apocalypse to help Deadpool properly celebrate International Women’s Day!

Sydney Sweeney is preparing to place one of classic literature’s overlooked women at the center of a seductive supernatural mystery.

The “Euphoria” actress is attached to star in “Hollow,” a feminist reimagining of Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” Rather than once again following Ichabod Crane’s encounter with the Headless Horseman, the adaptation will unfold from Katrina Van Tassel’s perspective, transforming her from a romantic prize into the driving force of the story.

The project will also introduce psychological suspense and erotic-thriller elements, placing Sweeney’s character inside a dangerous supernatural love triangle.

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According to Deadline, “Hollow” is based on filmmaker Lindsey Anderson Beer’s forthcoming debut novel. Beer is set to write, direct, and produce the screen adaptation of her own book, while Sweeney will reportedly produce in addition to starring as Katrina. The film is described as blending “gothic atmosphere, psychological intrigue and erotic thriller elements” in a high-concept reinvention of Irving’s 1820 short story.

In the original tale, Katrina is the wealthy daughter of Baltus Van Tassel and the object of affection for both the schoolmaster, Ichabod Crane, and his rival, Brom Bones. She possesses considerable influence over the men around her but is largely treated as the prize in their escalating competition.

“Hollow” will instead make Katrina the central figure in the mystery, giving her a perspective and narrative agency missing from many earlier adaptations.

‘Hollow’ Introduces A Supernatural Love Triangle

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While specific plot details remain limited, Katrina will reportedly find herself caught in a seductive and dangerous supernatural love triangle. That premise suggests “Hollow” will significantly expand the romantic rivalry found in Irving’s original story, potentially giving its supernatural elements a more direct connection to Katrina. However, the identities of the other figures in the love triangle have not been announced. No additional cast members or release date have been confirmed.

The project also offers Sydney Sweeney another opportunity to combine sexuality with psychological tension, a space she previously explored in “The Voyeurs,” “Euphoria,” and “The Housemaid.”

Sydney Sweeney Continues Her Erotic-Thriller Streak

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Sweeney starred in Amazon Prime Video’s “The Voyeurs” as Pippa, a woman whose fascination with the couple living across from her develops into a dangerous obsession. She later found major box-office success with “The Housemaid,” the psychological thriller based on Freida McFadden’s bestselling novel.

The film’s performance quickly led Lionsgate to approve a sequel, “The Housemaid’s Secret,” which is scheduled to arrive in theaters in December 2027. Sydney Sweeney will reprise her role as Millie and return as an executive producer. Michele Morrone is also expected back, while Kirsten Dunst has joined the sequel’s cast.

Although “Hollow” has been described as an erotic thriller, it will add gothic horror and supernatural intrigue to the genre territory Sweeney has already explored.

The Film Reimagines A Familiar Horror Story

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“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” has inspired numerous film and television adaptations, but most have centered on Ichabod Crane and the mystery of the Headless Horseman.

One of the best-known versions is Tim Burton’s 1999 film “Sleepy Hollow,” starring Johnny Depp as Ichabod and Christina Ricci as Katrina. That adaptation significantly expanded Katrina’s role but still positioned Depp’s character at the center of the investigation.

Fox later aired a contemporary “Sleepy Hollow” television series starring Tom Mison and Nicole Beharie. The show ran for four seasons between 2013 and 2017 and transformed the original legend into an expansive supernatural drama.

By telling the story through Katrina’s eyes, “Hollow” will attempt to distinguish itself from earlier adaptations while reconsidering a character traditionally defined by the men who pursue her.

Sydney Sweeney Has Several Major Projects Ahead

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“Hollow” joins an increasingly varied lineup of upcoming projects for Sweeney. The actress is currently starring alongside Noah Centineo in Netflix’s live-action “Gundam” adaptation. Production began in Australia in April, with the film following rival mech pilots fighting on opposing sides of a war between Earth and its former space colonies.

Outside of acting, Sydney Sweeney recently expanded into fashion with the launch of her lingerie brand, Syrn. The actress modeled pieces from the company’s new Small Town Girl collection in a campaign released this week.

Cynthia Jade is proving she’s not afraid to get down and dirty in her latest hobby, which has overtaken her social media feed.

Fans may remember that back in 2025, the content creator revealed she was renovating her 7,000-square-foot Colorado home, including building a custom soundproof studio to keep her work separate from the rest of the house.

Months later, Cynthia is still embracing home improvement projects. From repainting the house and planting hundreds of flowers to learning how to use power tools, she’s been giving followers a behind-the-scenes look at what has become an unexpected new hobby.

According to Cynthia, renovating the property has become an unexpected hobby.

“We are currently painting our entire house and I recently planted over 20 roses! And over 100 other plants!” she shared.

As for her growing collection of tools, she already has a favorite.

“My favorite tool is a brad nailer because it’s the least scary tool out of all the ones I’ve used!”

Her latest social media posts show she’s been gradually becoming more comfortable tackling projects herself, even if a few of them still make her nervous.

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Her Dad’s Joke Leaves Her Cringing

One recent video featured Cynthia asking her dad for help as she worked on patching holes throughout the family’s Colorado home.

“Dad, Dad, Dad, I need your help to fill all the holes, please,” she said.

Her father pointed her toward the filler before joking, “You know what? I have my own holes to fill somewhere else.”

The comment immediately made Cynthia recoil.

“Eeeeewwwwww!” she replied, laughing at the unexpected joke.

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After the lighthearted exchange, Cynthia reminded viewers that the task was no small undertaking.

“I am actually filling all these holes on a house that’s like 7,000 square feet,” she explained, highlighting the scale of the renovation project.

She captioned the clip, “I’m traumatized,” poking fun at her dad’s cheeky sense of humor and the massive DIY job she had taken on.

While Cynthia has embraced home improvement, some tools still leave her feeling anxious.

In another video, she attempted to cut a piece of wood using a power saw, carefully talking herself through every step.

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“I’m gonna be sick. I’m gonna be sick. I’m so nervous. Terrified of that,” she admitted before successfully making the cut.

Once the job was finished, she celebrated with her trademark humor.

“Okay, well, this is my stick… Yeah, I’m practically a carpenter now,” she joked.

She has also shared clips of herself trimming tree branches with a chainsaw, operating a skid steer around the property, and taking on other outdoor maintenance projects, giving followers a glimpse of just how much work goes into maintaining the sprawling Colorado estate.

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Fans Are Seeing A Different Side Of Cynthia Jade

While Cynthia is best known for glamorous photo shoots and modeling content, her recent posts have showcased a much different side of her personality.

Whether she’s planting more than 20 roses and over 100 additional plants, patching walls, repainting the house, or learning how to use power tools, Cynthia has been documenting both the successes and the learning curves.

The projects mark the latest chapter in her ongoing Colorado home renovation, which first made headlines in late 2025 when she shared plans for a custom-built soundproof studio. Now, followers are seeing that the renovations extend far beyond a single room, as Cynthia continues transforming the property one DIY project at a time.