By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 37 seconds ago

The ‘90s were a pretty heady time for Star Wars fans. The franchise experienced a resurgence in the form of an Expanded Universe of books, comics, and video games. At the time, all of this was considered canon, which made everything that much more exciting. We had new, official Star Wars adventures for the first time since the credits rolled on Return of the Jedi back in 1983. Plus, we had new characters, some of whom instantly became fan-favorites. Two of those characters came from prolific author Timothy Zahn: Grand Admiral Thrawn and Mara Jade.

Both of those characters, along with the rest of the Star Wars EU, were de-canonized once Disney bought the franchise. Thanks to sheer fan demand, the House of Mouse eventually brought Thrawn back into canon via Rebels and, later, Ahsoka. After that, many Zahn fans figured it was just a matter of time before Mara Jade was brought back. However, Zahn and other writers recently confirmed that Disney keeps turning down their attempts to bring this popular character back into Star Wars canon.

The Coolest Star Wars Character You’ve Never Heard Of

Mara Jade was introduced in Timothy Zahn’s Heir to the Empire as a character who was once the Emperor’s Hand. As a Force-sensitive Imperial agent, she could enact Palpatine’s will all across the galaxy while maintaining mental contact with him. However, the death of the Emperor effectively ruined her career: because almost nobody knew what her role was, she had no real place in the Empire after Palpatine’s death. She had to build a new life for herself as a smuggler, but she is forever haunted by the last command given to her by Palpatine when he died: “YOU WILL KILL LUKE SKYWALKER.”

She proved to be a very popular character and eventually married Luke Skywalker and gave birth to his son (who, very cutely, was named “Ben”). After Disney bought the rights to Star Wars, though, Mara Jade and all her misadventures were no longer part of official canon. Later, however, Thrawn was brought back into canon through appearances in Rebels and Ahsoka. Furthermore, Disney commissioned Timothy Zahn to write new, canonical novels about Thrawn, who is arguably the most popular Star Wars villain since Darth Vader.

If Grand Admiral Thrawn Can Come Back, Why Not Mara Jade?

Understandably, Zahn tried to pitch Disney on reintroducing Jade into the canon in any capacity. In 2024, he told a Dragon Con audience that she is the number one character he would like to bring back to Star Wars in just about any capacity. “I keep nudging Lucasfilm, asking them if I could write a book,” he said. “The answers come back basically some place between ‘no’ and ‘heck no.’”

The matter came up again at MegaCon this year. Prolific Star Wars author Claudia Grey told the audience that she had repeatedly pitched putting Mara Jade into her books. “A couple of times I was like, ‘Really? Really, no Mara Jade?’ And they were like, ‘Nope,’” she said, putting a stern emphasis on the final word. By happenstance, Zahn was at the same panel and chimed in: “I asked them, too,” he said, before revealing that his request was similarly rejected.

It’s Time For Live-Action Mara Jade

It’s possible that Disney is hesitant to introduce Mara Jade back into canon because so much of her story doesn’t really work in the wake of the Star Wars prequels and sequels. We never really saw anything like an Emperor’s Hand in any subsequent movies, and the Inquisitors seem to fill the role of “Force-connected Imperials outside the regular chain of command.” Plus, her post-Imperial life was spent building a career with Talon Karrde, a smuggler chief who is also no longer part of established canon. Finally, the whole idea of having her marry Luke Skywalker is completely off the table, both because of Mark Hamill’s age and the fact that Luke hardly had time for love after becoming a grumpy recluse.

However, modern Star Wars writers did a solid job bringing Grand Admiral Thrawn back and gently nestling him within existing canon. It seems like it would be easy enough to do that for Mara Jade, especially with her creator doing his best to help out. However, it seems like the powers that be have decided that this fan-favorite character will never grace the screen or even the page, ever again. Which is unfortunate, because bringing her back in her own show or even film would be the perfect way to appeal to Expanded Universe fans who have felt (ahem) “jaded” by the Disney era of Star Wars.

By Robert Scucci
| Published 39 seconds ago

If you’re wondering why speculative, apocalyptic sci-fi thrillers aren’t often presented through a documentary framework centered on real-life world events and public figures, it’s because it leads to disasterpieces like 2073; a film with a clear message that’s delivered to is audience in the most disjointed way possible. As ambitious as this film may be, it’s incredibly difficult to watch, and highlights a unique problem: it’s not allegorical, but rather too real to handle. I wish I was as original as Rotten Tomatoes reviewer Glenn Dunks, who simply referred to this film as “Doomscrolling: The Movie,” because that’s exactly what 2073 is despite the promising thumbnail and synopsis you’ll see when looking to stream the title on Max. 

I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed, because even though 2073 is categorized as a documentary and a thriller, it’s, like, 10 percent thriller, if that, and the rest is just the kind of stuff you’ll see while swiping through your Instagram feed in a panic while wondering how close we actually are to the dystopian reality that, according to the film, we’re fast approaching. 

The Future Is A Bleak Place In 2073

2073 starts with promise as it follows the point of view of a lone woman simply known as “Ghost” (Samantha Morton). Living under a long-abandoned shopping mall with other condemned humans, narrations from Ghost explain just how fargone society has become, and aims to tell a story about how humanity arrived at such a bleak destination. In constant fear of getting investigated and silenced (killed) by the government, Ghost dumpster dives for food and supplies when it’s safe to do so, and retreats back underground to her dilapidated compound occupied by other survivors who are equally worse for wear. 

And let me tell you, these post-apocalyptic scenes are absolutely stunning. I wanted to learn more about how society functions in the year 2073, and I would have loved to see more of this. The hierarchy of power, the desire to reeducate the masses so they can overthrow their oppressors, and the state of constant surveillance that society is living through is captivating, to say the least, and this fictional yet unfortunately believable setting is fertile ground for some next-level storytelling about a society in disrepair that hasn’t yet discovered how to pick up the pieces and start the next chapter in our collective human history. 

Well, That Got Dark

The best part about 2073 is the sequences set in the dystopian future that will fill any sensible viewer with an absolute sense of dread, and then suddenly the worst possible thing ever happens: we get a documentary that’s reminiscent of the fear-mongering Zeitgeist film series that did a great job pointing out the dangers of a totalitarian government, but never even tries to reassure audiences by presenting a viable, or even realistic, solution to the problems we face so we can actually make concerted efforts to get on the right side of history and prevent such a bleak future from happening. 

In other words, 2073 is trying to be two different movies: a dystopian sci-fi thriller set in a fictional not-so-distant future, and a documentary using real, archival footage from the present day used to explain how this dystopia was created.

But therein lies the problem. 

While watching the documentary sequences that make up most of 2073’s runtime, I felt like Alex from A Clockwork Orange, who was forced to sit in front of television sets with his eyes pried open so he could take in all of the footage at an alarming rate. This kind of delivery strips the mystique from the more interesting story – the fiction set in 2073 – that could have been used as a vehicle to propose solutions for a society that’s been driven underground by the powers that be. 

Two Different Failed Films In One

While I appreciate what 2073 was trying to accomplish, it left a bad taste in my mouth because it comes off as if it’s preaching to a choir that’s already aware of the current state of affairs, but feels powerless to act in any meaningful ways to prevent things from getting worse.  

We already know that wealth is concentrated in such a way that keeps the working class under its ruler’s thumb. We already know that politicians and tech bros are sweeping humanity under the rug so a select few people in power can explore space while the rest of us suffer. We already know that data mining billionaires and chronically online worry warts are a terrible combination for humanity because it suggests how artificial intelligence will soon control the masses as it finds a way to become smarter than the humans it’s aimed to manipulate. 

That’s all well and good, but what do we do about it? The interesting story – the story I wanted to see – in 2073 is how future humans cope with societal collapse and set their sights toward a brighter future. What we get instead is a rapid-fire news feed of the present day that’s beamed into our eyeballs as if to say “there’s nothing you can do about this,” and “we’re already doomed.”

Streaming 2073 On Max 

If you’re looking for an ultra-condensed rundown of current affairs as told through various news sources that leads to a high-concept depiction of the future that may very well become a reality, then 2073 might pique your interest. But if you’re expecting to see how humanity aims to rise from the ashes through its speculative sci-fi storytelling, you’re going to be gravely disappointed. By juxtaposing real-life, present-day world events with what is by all measures a work of fiction, 2073 misses the mark on both fronts because it’s real, it’s scary, and it offers a disturbing take on how we’re collectively marching down a miserable path at an alarming rate, but never uses the fiction it establishes to meaningfully explore how we’re going to get out of this seemingly unavoidable mess.

2073 gets an A for effort and concept, and an F for execution. If you want to see how messed up the world is, just fire up your news apps, or hop on TikTok or Instagram, to get a crash course because it’s basically the same thing. If you want to just get it over with quickly and move on with your life, you can stream 2073 on Max. 

You want a high-end aesthetic, but not the price tag that comes with it. I can understand that. Luckily, I find great deals for a living, and these 13 markdowns are seriously rich mom-coded. I’m talking deals on classy sandals, Zimmermann-style dresses and spring blouses that go with everything, all from just $4.

Whether you’re searching for an easy spring staple or a special-occasion stunner, you’ll find it below. My expensive-looking favorites are flying off the shelves, so don’t wait to score your new go-to pieces. Oh, and when people ask about your private yet, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

13 Chic-Looking Pieces on Mega Sale — From $4

1. Dreamy Maxi: Everything about this short-sleeve maxi dress channels boutique vibes, including the baby blue color and delicate floral print — was $36, now $18!

2. Spring Sweater: Transitional weather calls for this scallop-hem cardigan that works just as well at the office as it does at brunch — was $46, now $34!

3. Picnic Date: Gingham print is totally in right now. These pull-on pants nail the aesthetic while feeling like sweats — was $20, now $14!

4. Corporate Queen: Your colleagues will assume you got promoted when you wear this lantern-sleeve blouse. The fabric is ultra-lightweight for comfortable spring and summer wear — was $23, now $11!

5. Midi Maven: This 100% cotton midi balances laid-back style with luxe vibes, making you look effortlessly put together no matter what shoes you wear — was $148, now $33!

Related: Kate Middleton and Jennifer Garner Agree on This Ultra-Classy Blouse Style

Kate Middleton and Jennifer Garner are both fashionistas, however we wouldn’t expect them to agree on a single blouse style — let alone wear practically the same one. But we can confirm that both fashionistas have tie-neck blouses in their closets, and you can get the look with these styles starting at just $9! Middleton […]

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6. Sleek Sandals: Speaking of shoes, you’ll wear these comfy LifeStride sandals nonstop from May through September — was $70, now $40!

7. No Buttons Needed: Breezy and soft, you might forget you’re wearing these beachy palazzo pants. I adore the smocked waist element — was $27, now $14!

8. Go-To Accessory: Black bags are always ‘in’ — just ask rich moms like Heidi Klum and Katie Holmes who carry this structured style all year — was $338, now $89!

9. Hamptons Flair: I can’t believe this short-sleeve peasant blouse is only $10. The flattering peplum shape seals the deal — was $17, now $10!

10. Office to Yoga: These polished joggers transition seamlessly from the office to the mat, thanks to their tailored design and breathable fabric — was $18, now $10!

11. Braided Beauty: Braided detailing makes any sandals look expensive. These cushiony numbers even have memory foam support — was $40, now $20!

12. Designer Vibes: Zimmermann, is that you? This square-neck mini dress looks straight from a resort catalog — was $20, now $15!

13. Could be Linen: Both billowy and structured, this button-front shirt could totally be linen. Good luck choosing just one color — was $13, now $4!

Related: These Amazon Spring Pieces Channel Zara‘s Boho-Luxe Vibe, But Start at $5

We get it: You love everything about Zara’s boho-luxe aesthetic, but the price tags make your wallets shudder. Luckily, you don’t need a six-figure shopping budget to get the look. Amazon is quietly stacked with chic spring pieces that capture Zara’s stylish vibe, and our top elevated options will make you do a double take […]

If sticking beside him was a person, it would definitely be Keyshia Ka’oir. She recently made it crystal clear where her loyalty lies as she dropped a message for her hubby Gucci Mane on social media.

RELATED: There She Is! Keyshia Ka’oir Shares New Video Amid Kidnapping & Robbery Case Involving Pooh Shiesty & Gucci Mane (WATCH)

Keyshia Ka’oir Doubles Down On Her Loyalty To Gucci Mane

On Saturday, April 18, Keyshia Ka’oir and Gucci Mane popped out for a lil’ date night — and of course, they stepped out in style! Mrs. Davis looked stunning in a red-and-white fit, dripping in diamonds as per usual, while Big Guwop matched her vibe in a red-and-white tee with shorts and sneakers. During their pop-out, Keyshia came through with a sweet message for Gucci. She hopped on her Instagram Stories, making it known that when it comes to her man, she’s standing all ten behind him, no questions asked! “My husband is my world & I’ll 4Eva ride fa him. MRS. GUWOP!” 

Fans React As Keyshia Shows Love To Gucci

After TSR shared Keyshia Ka’oir’s message, folsk online slide into the comment section with reactions. Plenty of fans dropped hearts and fire emojis, saying Keyshia has always been down for Gucci and will always ride for him. Meanwhile, others said the love they have for each other could never be denied!

Instagram user @redhott_hairstylist wrote, “As you should 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥” 

Instagram user @kikimama_ wrote, “& beeeen riding for him 👏❤️ solid.” 

While Instagram user @kingclassic90 wrote, “That’s that real love, me and you against the world…. 👑🤞🏾🔥❤️” 

Then Instagram user @play_u_lay1 wrote, “That’s my girl 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏😍” 

Another Instagram user @iamspanishbadd wrote, “Listen she’s beeeeeen riding with him! Cant nobody say otherwise!!!!!” 

Instagram user @blacdahlias wrote, “I love this ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️” 

Then another Instagram user @flowergoddess22 wrote, “I know thats right ✅” 

Finally, Instagram user @mg3peat wrote, “Periodttttt‼️ she ain’t wrong.” 

Keyshia’s Message Comes Days Amid Reactions To Pooh Shiesty’s Mugshot

One thing for certain and two things for sure, Keyshia Ka’oir has always been about Gucci Mane. She has been holding down for years and is never shy about professing her love for him online. However, folks on social media have been keeping a close eye on her amid Pooh Shiesty’s arrest tied to the alleged kidnapping and robbery of Gucci.

Authorities took Pooh into custody after reports stated that he along with his father Lontrell Williams Sr., and seven others robbed Gucci during an armed takeover. After his arrest, Pooh’s mugshot hit the internet. The photo shows Pooh in a gray hoodie with his dreads out, staring straight into the camera.

RELATED: Pooh Shiesty, His Dad, Gucci Mane & Keyshia Ka’oir Were All Active On Social Media Around Time Of Alleged Robbery — Here’s What They Posted

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 2 minutes ago

These days, Star Trek is a bona fide pop culture phenomenon. But during the development of The Original Series, there was anxiety that the general public wouldn’t really understand Gene Roddenberry’s mashing up Western tropes with a sci-fi setting. Making matters worse was that the original pilot, “The Cage,” had been rejected by NBC for being too brainy. Fortunately, Roddenberry got a chance to shoot another pilot, one which impressed the network enough to order an entire season worth of episodes.

Several episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series had already been shot when the time came for this new show to make its broadcast premiere. The first episode that the general public saw was “The Man Trap,” which featured a shapeshifting monster that was revealed to be an alien salt vampire. This good-but-not-great episode was an odd choice, and it was one that the cast and crew hated. As it turns out, though, this episode was very carefully selected by executives because it served as an inoffensive, relatively straightforward encapsulation of everything Star Trek had to offer.

It’s A Trap!

Most of the information we have about why “The Man Trap” was selected as Star Trek’s first episode comes from the book Inside Star Trek: The Real Story. Within this impressive reference tome, Robert H. Justman and Herbert F. Solow revealed something surprising: NBC had several other episodes to choose from for the premiere, including “The Corbomite Maneuver,” “Charlie X,” “Mudd’s Women,” “Where No Man Has Gone Before,” and “The Naked Time.” All of them had already been shot and were mostly finished, so it was just a matter of figuring out which episode would serve as the best introduction to Star Trek, a heretofore unknown sci-fi series.

“The Man Trap” won out, mostly because the powers that be worried that other episodes would be off-putting to general audiences in some very specific ways. For example, they worried that audiences would find “Charlie X” a story that was “too gentle” because it focused on an adolescent with special powers. This was probably the right call, in retrospect: when Variety gave a negative review of “The Man Trap” (an episode chosen, in part, because of its relative maturity), they declared that Star Trek: The Original Series was “better suited to the Saturday morning kidvid bloc” (ouch!).

A Monster Hit Of An Episode

“The Corbomite Maneuver” was a great potential choice, but this episode’s impressive special effects were still in post-production, and almost all of its action took place on the ship. “Where No Man Has Gone Before” really outlined the premise of the new show, but it was deemed “expository” for general audiences expecting more action and danger. Justman thought “The Naked Time” was a killer introduction to the crew’s personalities, but the network passed, presumably because of how over-the-top (half-naked, swashbuckling Sulu? Oh, my!) that episode gets. “Mudd’s Women,” meanwhile, was deemed too offensive because the plot involved literally selling women to miners.

Through this process of elimination, executives decided that “The Man Trap” was the best intro to Star Trek. It had cool scenes on both the Enterprise and a distant outpost (a strange new world) and featured a straightforward action plot you didn’t have to be a sci-fi aficionado to understand. Finally, it was all about finding and defeating a creepy monster, which offered thrills to audiences of all ages. The network’s choice paid off, and Star Trek: The Original Series became the most popular sci-fi show in television history, even though the cast (including William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy) thought “The Man Trap” was the worst possible episode they could have chosen.

All of this is a keen reminder of how much thought and work went into putting Star Trek’s best foot forward. It might be a reminder that Paramount’s current upper leadership needs, as Starfleet Academy hit the ground running with the worst episodes of Season 1. The show got better after that, but it didn’t matter because the prospective audience had already been driven away. As it turns out, today’s execs need to learn something that the network execs of the ‘60s had learned very well: series succeed when you give the audience what they want to see and not what you want to show!

Cardi B concluded her “Little Miss Drama Tour” on April 18 with a stop at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta. However, before the show, she got into a heated exchange with the venue staff, which almost led her to cancel. Not only was the clash documented on social media, but the rapper also addressed it on stage.

Cardi B Slams State Farm Arena Staff In Heated Exchange

Cardi B went live on Instagram before her show at the State Farm Arena, saying she and her entourage had been disrespected while preparing for the concert. Notably, she can be seen in the footage addressing the staff and saying she would cancel due to their alleged behavior.

She said to the unseen area staff in the clip, “You and your f-cking employees are being disrespectful… I am not gonna perform today. Because you’re being disrespectful.” After that, she demanded of whoever she was addressing, “Go get your boss, as you said.”

Cardi went on, “I’m not performing today. Let me tell you why, because [when] we got in here, your employees are being f-cking rude for no reason. Pointing the fingers for no reason. Touching people for no reason.”

She added, “I did 35 shows, and I never had a problem, and we’ve been kind to everybody. So now I’m leaving.”

The Rapper Addressed The Drama On Stage

Ultimately, Cardi B took to the stage for the crowd of adoring fans despite the dustup with event staff. However, she vulnerably opened up while performing for the sold-out audience, venting her frustrations about what happened backstage.

She said, “I’m pissed off right now. This area been playing a lot of f-cking games with me. This will be the last time I’m ever in this b-tch.” After that, Cardi B joked that she would host her concert in the parking lot rather than perform at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

The mom of four continued, “I’m tired of ya’ll playing with me. This is the f-cking second time.” She then gave a shout-out to the Atlanta Hawks.

Fans Are On Cardi B’s Side

There has been no official confirmation of what transpired backstage at Cardi B’s State Farm Arena show. However, fans are on her side as she clearly felt disrespected by the staff. Notably, many fans think the rapper should opt for stadiums in the future, saying she has the popularity to fill even larger venues.

One person said on X, “Nah, they really must’ve annoyed her. She’s had over 30 shows with no issue.” Cardi has been packing arenas for years and still gets this level of nonsense backstage?”

Someone else wrote, “Cardi, you could sell out the Benz stadium!!! And their concessions are cheaper.” Another person replied, “Yup, stadiums next!:

Lastly, another fan joked, “I’m sure the parking lot will be sold out.”

Cardi B’s ‘Little Miss Drama Tour’ Was A Success

Cardi B kicked off her “Little Miss Drama Tour” on February 11 in Palm Desert, California. This followed the release of her sophomore album, “Am I The Drama?” in September 2025. The tour proved to be a success from the start, with Live Nation confirming on February 20 that Cardi had become the first female rapper to sell out two back-to-back shows at the Kia Forum.

That’s not all. According to Pollstar News, the “Little Miss Drama Tour” grossed a staggering $32 million by the halfway point of its run. This comes from over 200,000 ticket sales from the 17 shows performed as of March 2026.

Regarding attendance up to the midway point, Cardi B’s concerts averaged about 12,330 people. The largest crowd gathered on February 13 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with 13,839 attendees.

Cardi Plans To Release Another Album This Year

There was a seven-year gap between Cardi B’s first two studio albums, with her first, “Invasion of Privacy,” released in 2018. However, following the release of “Am I The Drama,” the rapper assured fans that the wait wouldn’t be nearly as long before their third album.

She said on X spaces in October 2025, “I see you guys asking for a deluxe or asking to do a remix album like Charli X[CX] or something. Unfortunately, I am not doing none of that. However, I want to put out a project another album in less than a year, so I’m really planning on that.”

Cardi B continued, “I want a new era, I kinda know what I want it to look like. It’s gonna be different from ‘Am I the Drama?’”

It’s currently unclear when she will begin work on the album.

A pair of cool-girl denim jeans can be the base for an endless amount of stylish outfits, whether you want to keep things laid-back and casual or get a little dressed up. And if you’re looking for a new pair for spring, you’re in luck – Reese Witherspoon has just helped us discover the most chic loose jeans, and they cost less than $35.

While doing some shopping in SoHo, the actress was photographed wearing a pair of perfectly fitted loose jeans – you know, the kind that have a wide leg but are snug in all the right places. We were able to find a pair that are almost the same, and even though they’re budget-friendly, they definitely look more expensive.

Get the Dokotoo Wide Leg Jeans for $33 (was $55) at Walmart! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change. 

The Dokotoo Wide Leg Jeans offer a similar loose fit with a side seam that makes them look surprisingly flattering. They hug your hips and waist in a good way, showing off your curves without feeling too restrictive. And we love the medium wash they come in as a versatile pick that can be dressed up or down, although they do come in a few other denim shades as well.

Related: Lindsay Lohan’s Relaxed Jeans Feel Cooler (and Comfier) Than Skinnies

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At a certain point, skinny jeans just stop being the easiest clothing option. They’re restrictive, hard to style and don’t quite give that effortless look most of Us are going for anymore. A pair of relaxed denim, on the other hand, does all of that without sacrificing comfort — and Lindsay Lohan just proved it. […]

One thing we love about these jeans is that they have a raw hem that gives them a distressed look. It’s not so distressed that they come off as too worn or messy, but it’s just distressed enough to give them that “I’m not trying too hard” vibe. You can pair them with flat sandals or sneakers, but they would also look great with heels.

And we’re not the only ones who are impressed with this pick – they come with tons of happy reviews from shoppers who love the fit and style. “Don’t hesitate to get these,” one shopper titled their review. “I have a very difficult time finding jeans that fit me, so I normally don’t wear jeans,” they continued. “These are soft, fit perfect and are comfortable. I’ve had tons of compliments from people who I didn’t know when I’d wear them.”

Several shoppers have also raved about how comfortable the jeans are. “The fit strikes a perfect balance – snug but not restrictive, giving a modern silhouette without sacrificing comfort,” one reviewer wrote, noting that the fabric feels “impressive.”

Don’t wait on these loose jeans – they’re the perfect wardrobe staple you can wear all year long. And because they have such a classic fit, they’ll never go out of style, so they’re a win all around.

Get the Dokotoo Wide Leg Jeans for $33 (was $55) at Walmart! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change. 

Looking for something else? Explore more jeans here and don’t forget to check out all of Walmart for more great finds!