There is an unspoken Hollywood adage: With a long-running franchise, comes a more ridiculous retcon. Retcons themselves can be a useful storytelling tool when they’re used to expand a universe or add new layers to beloved characters. Without retcons, there would never be X-Men: Days of Future Past and a Creed trilogy. Even the Fast & Furious franchise would be dead decades ago if they did not retcon Dominic Toretto into globe-trotting heist masterminds. However, most of the times, retcons are just simply lazy excuses when the filmmakers ran into a storytelling obstacle. And yes, unfortunately, the Toretto family is guilty of some of the worst ones.

The movies on this list, except for one, are part of enduring movie franchises. These movies have the responsibility to continue and therefore, make increasingly weird choices in order to do so. These retcons include undoing hard-earned victories or resurrecting obviously dead characters, and these choices frustrated fans and even left lasting scars on some of Hollywood’s biggest franchises.

7

‘Fast X’ (2023)

Image via Universal Pictures

With all the villains from the previous movies being either locked up or turned into one of the family members, Fast X introduces Dante Reyes, played by Jason Momoa as the big bad for the final installments of the physics-defying franchise. Dante is revealed to be the son of drug lord Hernan Reyes, the villain defeated in Fast Five. Dante was present in the events of that movie and has spent the last decade meticulously planning revenge against Dominic Toretto and his family.

While not impossible, this retcon is hilarious because during their recon in Brazil, Dom and his crew never even noticed the hulking son of their main target. Dante himself is a larger-than-life character so it feels difficult to suspend disbelief that he is part of the Reyes family. He could very well be his own man. Momoa’s performance is entertaining, and arguably one of his best yet, but this is just another example of the series trying to reach for straws. The franchise has increasingly relied on surprise connections to create new villains, and by this point the formula was becoming predictable. In their defense, it’s the tenth film in the long-running franchise after all.

6

‘Spider-Man 3’ (2007)

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

The first Spider-Man established that Uncle Ben’s death was caused by a criminal Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) selfishly allowed to escape. That tragic mistake formed the foundation of Peter’s guilt and ultimately inspired him to become Spider-Man. Spider-Man 3 rewrites this history by revealing that Flint Marko (Thomas Haden Church), who later becomes the Sandman, was actually the man who fired the fatal shot.

Sam Raimi‘s Spider-Man movies, albeit great and influential, follow a formula. The villain has to have a personal connection with Peter and later, Mary Jane becomes the damsel in distress. In this third film, there are too many coincidences, and Sandman being the person who killed Uncle Ben, is the biggest offender of them all. The reveal feels unnecessary because Sandman was already a sympathetic and complex villain without being connected to Uncle Ben. Instead of enriching the story, the retcon makes the universe feel smaller as though New York City only consists of ten people max.

5

‘Kingsman: The Golden Circle’ (2017)

Image via 20th Century Studios

The first Kingsman film features one of its most shocking moments when Harry Hart (Colin Firth) is shot directly in the head by the big bad, right after defeating a congregation of crazed villains. His death serves as a turning point for Eggsy’s (Taron Egerton) growth, forcing the young recruit to step into the role of hero. Instead of committing to it, Kingsman: The Golden Circle reverses this by revealing that Harry survived thanks to advanced medical technology developed by the American Statesman organization.

The retcon damages the emotional weight of the original film because Harry’s death was supposed to matter. It demonstrated that the superspy world is dangerous and that even the best spy could die. Bringing him back feels very much like an empty fan service, even though Colin Firth is spectacular and charismatic. The explanation itself stretches credibility even within the fantastical world of Kingsman. In doing so, the film kept it small and went back to Harry, instead of expanding the universe and putting the focus on new characters like the Statesman agents, who are practically window dressing in the film.

4

‘Halloween: Resurrection’ (2002)

Image via Dimension Films

Halloween H20 appeared to provide a definitive ending to Laurie Strode’s (Jamie Lee Curtis) story. After years of trauma and fear, Laurie finally confronted Michael Myers and decapitated him in a brutal final showdown. Released just four years later, Halloween: Resurrection immediately undoes this by revealing that Michael had secretly switched places with a paramedic before the decapitation. Laurie had unknowingly killed an innocent man while Michael escaped unharmed, allowing the killer to continue his rampage.

H20‘s ending was celebrated because it gave the franchise a rare sense of closure. So naturally, fans hated this retcon because it invalidated one of the most satisfying endings in slasher history. Laurie’s victory was meaningful because she finally overcame the monster that had haunted her life. By introducing a last-minute body-switch explanation, the sequel effectively tells audiences that the emotional payoff they celebrated never actually happened. Nevertheless, the film shows that the Halloween franchise is everlasting. This is evidenced by five films, including three that continued Laurie’s story, released after this one.

3

‘Spectre’ (2015)

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

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For decades, Ernst Stavro Blofeld is portrayed as the ultimate James Bond’s nemesis. After losing the rights to the character for several years, Spectre brings the adversary to face off against Daniel Craig‘s Bond. However, the new backstory reveals that Blofeld (Christoph Waltz) and Bond grew up together after Bond was taken in by Blofeld’s father. Blofeld became jealous of the attention Bond received and spent years building a global criminal empire. Taking a page from Fast & Furious villains, Blofeld claimed that all his previous enemies are part of his organization.

But that sounds like a stretch, right? What are the odds of Britain’s greatest spy and the world’s most dangerous man being foster brothers? In previous iterations, Blofeld was frightening because he represented a vast criminal threat with ambitions beyond Bond himself. Turning him into a jealous surrogate brother reduces his mystique and makes his motivations petty. Skyfall was acclaimed because it explored Bond’s personal side, but Spectre took it too far, making it downright ridiculous. Instead of being personal for Bond, this somewhat mirrors Austin Powers and Dr. Evil’s story, in which they are secretly twin brothers.

2

‘F9: The Fast Saga’ (2021)

Image via Universal Pictures

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The writers of the Fast & Furious franchise are like The Avengers travelling in time. They have moved timelines to work around Han’s (Sung Kang) death in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. As the breakout character of the spin-off, Han was brought back until his death seemed certain in the post-credit scene of the sixth film. Apart from revealing that Dom has an actual brother, one of the most surprising moments in F9: The Fast Saga is that Han is actually alive, thanks to the help of Mr. Nobody (Kurt Russell).

As one of the fan-favorite characters, many fans are happy to see Han return. But the problem is that the explanation requires audiences to disregard years of established continuity and emotional investment. Han’s death shaped major storylines, particularly Deckard Shaw’s (Jason Statham) redemption arc. Once Han is revealed to be alive, many of those emotional beats lose their impact. The retcon highlights a growing problem in the franchise where death becomes increasingly meaningless because any character can potentially return. Up next, Gisele (Gal Gadot) is slated to return in Fast Forever, even though her death set up Han’s journey in Japan. It’s so confusing.

1

‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ (2019)

Image via Lucasfilm

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Perhaps no modern blockbuster retcon generated more backlash than the revelation that Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) somehow survived his apparent death in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. This reveal undermines Anakin & Luke Skywalker’s story from the previous six films. Palpatine is said to be a clone created by Sith cultists, and shares a lineage with Rey (Daisy Ridley). The movie couldn’t even muster a proper explanation, as Oscar Isaac‘s Poe said it best: somehow Palpatine returned.

The retcon is widely criticized because it shows that the sequel trilogy was made without a clear plan in mind. The previous films never properly set up Palpatine’s return. But after the fan backlash for Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the folks at Disney and Lucasfilm thought they needed to course correct and win back those fans who had blown things out of proportion. They opted for the safe route: bring back J.J. Abrams and reinforce nostalgia by bringing back Palpatine, instead of developing Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) further to threaten Rey and the new rebellion. Star Wars never fully recovered after this mess. The franchise resorted exclusively to making shows set in past timelines and never explored post-Rise of Skywalker storylines. This hopefully will change with next year’s Star Wars: Starfighter.

Jersey Shore’s Jenni ‘JWoww’ Farley is taking aim at people who criticized her for not inviting them to her wedding to Zack Carpinello.

Taking to her Instagram on Thursday, June 25, Farley, 41, doubled-down on her decision to leave some people off the guest list, telling them via a video: “You proved my point.”

“I’m doing this once because it’s so infuriating that while I am trying to enjoy being a wife to my husband, I am now getting caught up in retweets and tabloids about who was invited and who wasn’t invited, and who retweeted it, and who commented under it,” she said.

Farley continued, “And I’m just sitting here being like, ‘If you were a true friend, if you were a true family member, none of this would be public right now, you would have came to me.’ But you can’t come to me, because then you can’t play victim to your own fake-ass narrative, because the reality is less than 50 people were in it, and these 50 people would f**king go to jail for me. That is the fact.”

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The Jersey Shore: Family Vacation star went on to explain that the guest list for the surprise wedding was limited. She added that the couple knew these people would attempt to attend or if they were unable to make the event, they would still be happy for her.

“Not only would they be happy, they would not sh*t talk if they even weren’t invited,” she said.

Farley suggested that those complaining only had themselves to blame for the situation and added that running to the tabloids and putting her on blast via social media “proved” her point that she was right to not invite them in the first place.

“You’re in it for the wrong reason, you’re not in it to show love, you’re not in it for the most beautiful part of my life, which is getting married to the person I could not love more, while my children are by my side,” she said.

She continued, “You’re in it for the f**king drama, and it’s a f**king joke. So I’m saying this once, and I’m saying it with my whole chest. You get what you deserve, and when you continue to play victim to your own narrative, and you continue with this bullsh*t, you will never succeed in life.”

Farley and Carpinello surprised their friends and family by tying the knot in a secret wedding ceremony on Wednesday, June 24.

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“After all these years together, being able to celebrate our love surrounded by the people who have supported us throughout our journey meant everything,” the couple said in an exclusive statement to Us Weekly. “The day was filled with laughter, happy tears and so much gratitude. We couldn’t be more excited for this next chapter of our lives.”

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Guests arrived at Madison Modern Social in Old Bridge, New Jersey, expecting a film premiere of Farley’s new movie, Nanny Cam, only to discover the venue had been transformed with deep red décor and elegant floral arrangements inspired by a modern-day Beauty and the Beast fairytale.

Old Bridge Mayor Debbie Walker officiated the ceremony, which also featured meaningful roles for Farley’s two children. Farley shares daughter Meilani, 11, and son Greyson, 10, with ex-husband Roger Mathews, whom she split from in 2019.

Love Island USA‘s Corbin Mims made it clear that his mind isn’t on Kenzie Annis days after they had sex in the villa.

During the Thursday, June 25, episode of the Peacock show, Corbin told the guys he “hasn’t thought” of Kenzie at all since making the move to Casa Amor. Kenzie, for her part, is just as focused on finding someone new.

The reaction from Corbin comes after the Sunday, June 21, episode briefly showed Kenzie and Corbin in bed before Trinity Tatum said the next morning that she heard someone performing “French fries,” which sounded “too wet” to just be a kiss.

In a confessional, Kenzie confirmed she shared a heated exchange with Corbin. “I was definitely getting some French fries. Feeling good,” she gushed. “We were probably doing a bit much honestly but I feel a strong connection with Corbin. We probably got a little bit carried away.”

Related: What Does ‘French Fries’ Sex Mean on ‘Love Island USA’? Code Word Explained

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Based on the footage, French fries sex means manual sex acts such as a hand job.

Love Island USA originally premiered in the U.K. in 2002 before it expanded worldwide with various spinoffs, including Love Island USA on Peacock. The series follows a different group of singles every season who have to pair off in order to stay in the show’s luxury villa.

The contestants — referred to as Islanders — live in isolation in a villa and are under constant video surveillance. They must be coupled up to remain on the show and stand a chance at receiving the$100,000 prize.

While finding a connection that you want to explore more intimately isn’t out of the question, season 7 of Love Island USA seemed to set some sort of record with the amount of times Islanders were caught hooking up — until season 8.

From Hannah Fields and Pepe Garcia to Huda Mustafa and Jeremiah Brown, the reality stars found ways around having to address their sexual encounters for all of America to hear.

“We had a code name for intimacy,” Hannah exclusively told Us Weekly in June 2025. “We would say, ‘How was your journey? What was this journey like?’ Huda [started it when she] said something like, ‘Oh, I had a journey. My journey went all the way.’”

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Season 8 escalated the sex that took place in the villa with multiple couples going all the way while sharing a bedroom in the villa. The potential has only escalated with Casa Amor being introduced halfway into Sunday’s episode.

New episodes of Love Island USA are released six days a week — except for Wednesdays — on Peacock.

Join Us Weekly and Bracketology.tv in our first-ever Love Island USA fantasy league! This is your chance to predict who you think will win Season 8 and rank the Islanders weekly based on how confident you are that they will survive the next elimination. You will be playing against our editors, get access to exclusive content and have the chance to win fun prizes. Sign up for free today!

Footage of Tom Sandoval’s heated altercation with Victoria Lee Robinson and her dad, Will Robinson, has emerged.

The video, which was shared via Reddit and reportedly first posted by Will in a Facebook group on Thursday, June 25, shows Sandoval, 44, pushing Will after the Vanderpump Rules star accused Victoria, 33, of recording him without permission during an argument.

Initially, Sandoval can be seen arguing with Victoria and Will, who were sitting around a fire pit at their home.

Sandoval becomes increasingly animated with his hand gestures in the footage as he voices his strong disagreement after Will accuses Sandoval of saying something he insists he never said.

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In the midst of the argument, Sandoval approaches Victoria and furiously asks, “Are you recording me right now?”

The footage then shows Sandoval appearing to wrestle her phone or recording device away from her, causing Victoria’s father to intervene to attempt to pull Sandoval away from his daughter.

“What the f**k?” Sandoval says as he shoves Will, who falls backwards over the fire pit.

Sandoval moves inside the home, with Will getting up and chasing him inside. The heated argument continued inside away from the camera’s vision.

Us Weekly has reached out to Sandoval for comment.

According to court documents obtained by Us Weekly on Thursday, Sandoval claimed he was subject to “verbal and physical abuse” by Victoria and Will after a night out on June 3.

In a statement to the court, Sandoval alleged that Will physically attacked him while he argued with Victoria about whether she was recording him without permission.

“[Will] grabbed my arms and shoulders and wrapped his arms around me. Feeling trapped and violated, I pushed him away from me in order to protect myself and create distance, which caused him to fall,” Sandoval wrote to the court. “[Will] was the first person to put his hands on me. At no point did I pursue [Will].”

He went on, “After he grabbed me, I retreated into the residence and locked myself in the spare bedroom to remove myself from the confrontation. While I was barricaded inside the spare room, [Will] followed me, threatened me and punched a large hole approximately 12 x 12 inches in the spare bedroom door, where I had taken shelter.”

Sandoval accused Victoria of entering the room without his permission to “hit my face and temple area towards my hairline.” The reality star recalled that the pain was so intense that his vision was blurred and he allegedly continued to suffer medical side effects for weeks.

Related: Tom Sandoval and Girlfriend Victoria Lee Robinson’s Relationship Timeline

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Sandoval called authorities, leading to Victoria’s arrest. She was released the same day on bond.

The filing noted that Sandoval has been living with his girlfriend and her dad. Sandoval stated in the documents that he wants the pair out of his house.

A source exclusively told Us earlier on Thursday that Sandoval and Victoria have since called time on their romance.

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“They are broken up,” the insider told Us. “Tom has endured this abuse for many months. For the most part, Tom has been supporting Victoria and her dad as Tom has been paying the rent and utilities. Victoria’s dad has been living in the house for free. He put up with far too much for too long.”

Sandoval and Victoria have been together since 2024, after he famously cheated on now-ex-girlfriend Ariana Madix with their Vanderpump Rules costar Rachel “Raquel” Leviss.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.

Love Island USA‘s Jen Terry and Kenzie Annis tried to avoid a feud after both showing interest in the same “older man” in the villa.

During the Thursday, June 25, episode, Jen’s connection Gal Tshnieder pulled Kenzie for a chat, which didn’t go over well. Jen wasn’t thrilled that Kenzie — who was talking to other guys — was also exploring something with her man.

Kenzie, however, defended her actions in a confessional when she revealed she was interested in someone older than her. (Gal is 29 while Jen is 23 and Kenzie is 24.)

The pals sat down and seemingly worked out their issues but it remained unclear which guys they would be pursuing. Kenzie is also technically still coupled up with Corbin Mims after facing many highs and lows on Love Island USA.

After Kenzie initially formed a bond with Zach Georgiou, she recoupled with Corbin — but then America stepped in and switched her partner to Caleb McDaniel. She was reunited with Corbin shortly before he headed to Casa Amor.

Love Island USA follows a group of singles who must pair off in order to stay in the show’s luxury villa. The contestants — referred to as Islanders — live in isolation in a villa under constant video surveillance. They must be coupled up to remain on the show and earn a shot at the $100,000 prize.

While the islanders are filming nonstop for weeks, viewers are watching daily episodes and casting votes that affect the couples and the fate of the contestants.

Before viewers tuned in, Peacock issued a message to remind the audience to be kind.

“The Villa runs on good vibes, and so does this community. We love seeing your reactions, opinions, and debates, but everyone deserves to feel safe and respected,” read their statement. “This is a space for fun, not negativity – so keep it kind, keep it positive, and remember: this is LOVE Island!”

Host Ariana Madix has also had to previously issue a message for those Love Island USA viewers who are taking things too far when expressing their frustrations with the show.

“I do want to say something to some of those people who are online,” she said during a June 2025 episode of Aftersun. “Don’t be contacting people’s families. Don’t be doxxing people.”

Related: ‘Love Island USA’ Season 8 Couples: Who Is Still Together? Who Broke Up?

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Ariana questioned the behavior she saw on social media.

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“Don’t be going on islanders’ pages and saying rude things. You still have time to delete all of that because the islanders don’t have their phones,” she noted. “So we are giving you a chance because this is a fun, amazing and beautiful show. We should be thanking each one of these islanders every single day for giving us themselves.”

New episodes of Love Island USA are released six days a week — except for Wednesdays — on Peacock.

Join Us Weekly and Bracketology.tv in our first-ever Love Island USA fantasy league! This is your chance to predict who you think will win Season 8 and rank the Islanders weekly based on how confident you are that they will survive the next elimination. You will be playing against our editors, get access to exclusive content and have the chance to win fun prizes. Sign up for free today!

The “Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special” premiered on Disney+ in March 2026, featuring most of the main cast members, including Miley Cyrus, for the Alex Cooper-hosted reunion. However, Mitchel Musso and Emily Osment were notably absent. Now, months later, he’s revealing why fans didn’t see him on the special.

Musso appeared on “The Joe Vulpis Podcast” in June 2026 to discuss his life post Disney Channel success. During the chat, the topic of “Hannah Montana” came up, and the actor confirmed he had been invited to appear on the special. He began, “It wasn’t the right thing.”

According to him, “Of course they asked me.” Regarding his decision to skip, he stated, “It wasn’t presented correctly.” Musso then explained that he would have preferred Disney to produce a new episode or even a movie, with him stepping back into his character, Oliver Oken, instead of using the reunion format.

He continued, “The kid in me was banking on it. Do an episode. Do a show. The set is still there. They just did it differently, and it is what it is, but it wasn’t the right thing.”

Mitchel Says He Was Too Busy For The Special

Musso continued explaining his absence from the “Hannah Montana” 20th Anniversary Special, saying, “I was busy doing something that was more important.” However, had the decision been made to film an original episode to celebrate the show’s anniversary, it would have been “way more important” than what he did instead.

The 34-year-old continued, “It would’ve been everything. I would’ve dropped everything—eat, breathe, sleep. I’m flying in early. I’m gonna be there. It didn’t turn out that way.”

He then reflected on the special, highlighting that timing also played a factor, saying, “It’s too long of a wait to do it in a way that isn’t even close to, in my opinion, correct.”

Musso added about his desire to return to the character, “I’d want to feel the part again. I’d want to put on that little polo again and wear the plaid shorts with the goofy shoes—I’d want to play the character.”

‘Hannah Montana’ Fans Are In Agreement With Mitchel

Following Musso’s reasoning for not appearing on the special, fans of the iconic Disney Channel series largely agree. This is the case, as many found what aired on Disney+ in March to be underwhelming compared to what they expected from the reunion.

One person said on X, “I think we can all agree with him a bit.” Someone else said, “He’s right.” After that, another social media user chimed in, writing, “It was fun and enjoyable and really emotional to hear her sing ‘ This Is the Life,’ but he’s also not wrong.”

However, despite the support, some took issue with his stance, saying he robbed the fans of the full experience. One person stated, “He still could have shown up.” Someone else wrote, “I think he just wanted a bigger paycheck from Disney.”

In addition to reacting to his reasoning for not appearing on the “Hannah Montana” special, social media users are also reacting to how happy and healthy Musso appears.

The Actor Previously Reflected On The Anniversary Of The Show

Despite not filming the “Hannah Montana” reunion special, Musso took to his official Instagram page in March to reflect on the series’ legacy. He did so by posting photos from the show and penning a lengthy statement.

He said, “Hannah Montana wrapped around my heart and never really let go. We literally grew up with ya’ll — long days, crazy schedules, learning lines, cracking up between takes, and figuring out life while the cameras rolled.”

After that, the actor noted what he gained from the show, saying, “It taught me so many wonderful values, but the most important to me is that laughter can get you through the tough days. That confidence still sticks with me every single day.”

In tributing the audience, he said, “To all of you who grew up right alongside us… your friends were our friends too.”

The ‘Hannah Montana’ Alum Has A New Movie In The Works

Though not on screen as often as during his original Disney Channel days, Musso has remained active in Hollywood, with roles in projects such as “The Rinse” in 2025, “Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe” in 2020, and “The Sand” in 2015.

However, according to Deadline, he was cast in 2025 to star in the upcoming comedy film “Mister Fun,” alongside Jesse Metcalfe, Cocoa Brown, and others. The movie is currently listed as being in post-production.

Dolly Parton is giving fans another reason to breathe a sigh of relief.

The beloved singer made a surprise appearance on Wednesday at the opening of her Tennessee Travel Stop in Cornersville, Tennessee. It was a small but powerful moment that sent a wave of relief across her devoted fanbase.

While the appearance eased some fears, Dolly Parton has remained the subject of speculation in recent months following reports about health struggles and the cancellation of a highly anticipated residency.

Dolly Parton surprised fans with her appearance for the grand opening of Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop in Cornersville, Tennessee.

On Wednesday, the country music star was in attendance to showcase some of the site’s new features, such as a barbecue restaurant and a coffee shop called “Cup of Ambition.”

The look was one of Parton’s rare public appearances in recent times, and it brought smiles to the faces of her many fans who’ve worried about her health.

Fans had been particularly looking forward to the singer’s return and were ecstatic to see her smiling and interacting with people after a hiatus, as she made several appearances.

She had previously stepped back from several other events while recovering physically and emotionally. The turnout on Wednesday indicated that the legendary entertainer might be making her comeback to the stage she has illuminated for more than 50 years, per TMZ.

The Country Star Previously Made An Appearance In March

The Blast covered Parton’s first major public appearance in March, when she delivered the keynote address at the opening of Dollywood’s 41st season in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. It was her first time in front of a large crowd after months out of the spotlight.

That night, addressing an audience, Parton admitted to experiencing health challenges, as well as the loss of Carl. She told the crowd, “I’ve had a few little health issues, and we’re taking good care of them.” “All is good. It didn’t slow me down.”

The Dollywood season also kicked off a new attraction, the $50 million NightFlight Expedition roller coaster. Parton co-owns the theme park, which has been a cornerstone of the Pigeon Forge community since the 1980s.

Dolly Parton Opened Up About Grieving Carl Dean While Juggling Health Issues

Beyond the health battles, Parton has been open about the emotional weight of losing Carl Dean, who passed away in March 2025 at the age of 82 after a long illness. The two had been together for nearly six decades, marrying in 1966 after meeting outside a Nashville laundromat in 1964.

Parton said she needed to recover after his death, spiritually, emotionally, and physically. She said she was “worn down” and “worn out” as she grieved the death with her health issues. 

Dolly Parton, in another interview, expressed her peace knowing that Carl was no longer suffering, yet she spoke of the great loneliness he had left behind. Fitting in has been a big adjustment for a woman who had been living with someone for almost 60 years.

Insiders Say Carl’s Death Hit Parton Harder Than Anyone Realized

The Blast has previously reported that people who knew Parton said that life was heartbreaking without Carl Dean. The insider said the singer’s grief affected her physically, as she stopped eating properly, and some of her former health care regimens were neglected.

Another source alleged that it was the first time in decades that Parton really slowed down. Later, the country girl admitted the challenge to herself, writing to fans that she was experiencing a “year of firsts” without Carl, including holidays, anniversaries, and even Carl’s death anniversary.

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Dolly Parton Canceled Her Las Vegas Residency But Refuses To Quit

Parton announced in May that she was canceling her Las Vegas residency after previously postponing it from December 2025 to September 2026.

In a candid video, she revealed that her immune and digestive systems were “all out of whack” and that some medications left her feeling “swimmy-headed.”

Despite the setback, Parton made it clear she has no plans to retire, telling fans, “Don’t worry about me quittin’ the business because God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet.”

Seth Rogen has established himself as one of Hollywood’s most versatile creatives, building a successful career as an actor, writer, director, and producer. Despite his busy schedule, however, he hasn’t directed a movie in over a decade. His last film project as a director was “The Interview,” released in 2014, which sparked tensions between the U.S. and North Korea. Rogen has since directed for TV, and will slowly ease back into helming movies.

Seth Rogen is starring in a new movie directed by Olivia Wilde, “The Invite,” alongside Wilde, Penelope Cruz, and Edward Norton, and at the premiere, he discussed his own experience directing. The last film he helmed was “The Interview,” released in 2014, which he co-directed with childhood friend and longtime collaborator Evan Goldberg.

“It has been a while. The last one we did almost started a war, so that made us maybe a little gun-shy for a little while,” Rogen said, per The Hollywood Reporter.

The actor said that directing for TV has been going well, and he’s welcoming the idea of directing for the big screen once again. “We do talk about maybe, hopefully, directing a film next year, actually. We’re not the biggest problem anymore,” he added.

North Korea Threatened The U.S. Over ‘The Interview’

“The Interview” starred Rogen and James Franco as producer Aaron Rapaport and TV host Dave Skylark, who land an interview with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. After being recruited by the CIA to assassinate the leader, their journalistic assignment turns into a high-stakes mission.

North Korea vehemently condemned “The Interview,” claiming that it was an act of war against them and an insult to their people. They demanded that the movie not be released, to no avail. It was followed by a cyberattack on Sony by a group called Guardians of Peace, which resulted in a leak of confidential emails, personal information, and copies of unreleased films. The FBI later confirmed the cyberattack originated from North Korea.

“If the U.S. persists in American-style arrogant, high-handed and gangster-like arbitrary practices despite the repeated warnings of the DPRK [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea], the U.S. should bear in mind that its failed political affairs will face inescapable deadly blows,” North Korea threatened.

Seth Rogen Feared His Career Was Over

Sony Pictures canceled the traditional theatrical release of “The Interview” following the threats. Instead, the movie was released digitally, followed by a limited theatrical release in a few hundred, mostly independent movie theaters.

Then-President Barack Obama criticized Sony, saying “they made a mistake” in cancelling the theatrical release, wishing they had consulted him on the steps to take. “We cannot have a society in which some dictator someplace can start imposing censorship here in the United States,” Obama said.

In 2025, Rogen recalled how he thought his career was done after the international debacle. “I legitimately thought I had eliminated myself as someone who was viable to work with,” he said, adding that he worried he pushed things too far in “The Interview.”

The Actor Was Happy To Take A Back Seat In His Latest Film

Elsewhere in the interview, Rogen said that he enjoyed working on “The Invite” solely as an actor. The filmmaker often takes on multiple roles in his projects, but this time, he had one mission: to act.

“It’s nice when there’s a conversation happening over there, and you’re like, ‘Normally I’d be a part of that conversation that everyone looks pretty miserable to be a part of.’ And I can just scroll Instagram and talk to Edward,” he shared.

Rogen also praised Wilde for fulfilling her role as both director and actor in the movie. “She was very bold in both respects, which I found to be really impressive,” he said.

Seth Rogen’s ‘The Studio’ Is A Massive Success

Apple TV+’s “The Studio,” which Rogen writes, directs, executive produces, and stars in, has been a critical success, earning widespread praise for its sharp satire, witty writing, and standout ensemble cast.

“The Studio” took home a record-breaking 13 Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Rogen. The show also won two awards at the Golden Globes for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy and Best Performance by a Male Actor in a TV series.

“The Studio” is coming back for Season 2, but a release date has yet to be announced. Meanwhile, fans are eager to see which film Rogen will direct next.