While younger fans have done their best to rehabilitate the Star Wars prequels, most older fans still agree that The Phantom Menace was pretty bad and that Attack of the Clones was an overstuffed, equally embarrassing sequel. However, the third time was the charm for George Lucas: Revenge of the Sith felt like a proper Star Wars movie, especially after the disappointing films that preceded it. Unfortunately, the film is held back by some of Lucas’ trademark excess and bizarre dialogue. The most famous example of this is Obi-Wan Kenobi infamously warning Anakin Skywalker, “I have the high ground;” Anakin attacks anyway, getting sliced up and left to burn.
It’s a notoriously goofy moment in franchise history. Like, when they’re dunking on Star Wars writing in shows as normy as Gilmore Girls, you know you wrote something pretty stupid. Interestingly, though, this notorious line was almost removed from Revenge of the Sith altogether. In one version of the duel scene, Obi-Wan never says anything about the high ground, but he still ends up beating Anakin by accidentally slicing his former apprentice. This would have ruined the movie’s most iconic scene by turning it into accidental comedy. Fortunately, Lucas changed things up and added the high ground dialogue, effectively saving the best Star Wars prequel by giving it the worst line in the franchise!
Dueling Fates
All of this information comes to us courtesy of Revenge of the Sith stunt coordinator Nick Gillard. In an interview with Empire, he revealed how the first version of Obi-Wan and Anakin’s duel went down. “Originally, they both land on the side of the lava flow and immediately start fighting. Anakin disarms Obi and grabs him by the throat,” he said. “He’s about to chop his head off, but Obi sucks the lightsaber into his hand in a defensive move to try and block it, and in doing so cuts straight through Anakin’s arms and legs.”
What happened? George Lucas. According to Gillard, “[George Lucas] wanted something else.” He then added that, “George is the creator. We would be foolish to second-guess him.” While Gillard’s loyalty is laudable, he accidentally shed some light on why most of the stupidest stuff ended up in the prequels. Basically, Lucas would get some weird idea or another in his head, and he was surrounded by so many sycophants that nobody wanted to tell him this was a bad idea. This is presumably why Jar-Jar gets farted on, why Anakin rambles about sand, and why Qui-Gon’s obsessed with midichlorians: Lucas came up with these things without anyone to tell them these are dumb ideas.
Burn, Baby, Burn
In this case, though, George Lucas had the right idea. Sure, the high ground dialogue is dumb, but at least it’s charming, adding some levity (even if by accident) to one of the franchise’s most serious scenes. Speaking of unintentional comedy, the original scene that Gillard describes sounds like it would have been a little too goofy. Like, Obi-Wan wins the duel through an act of self-defense, which some might think seems fitting for a Jedi. But this description also makes it sound like the Jedi Master dismembered his old apprentice completely by accident, which would arguably ruin Star Wars far more than hearing Obi-Wan screaming out, “I have the high ground!”
In the final version of the duel that made it onscreen, Obi-Wan Kenobi is forced to make a haunting decision. He has to fight Anakin to save his own life, but he can’t bring himself to kill his old apprentice. Instead, he dismembers him, which ends up being far crueler: Anakin is disabled and disfigured, and instead of getting a clean death, he slowly burns, nearly to death, before getting rescued. All of this adds weight to Obi-Wan’s words about Anakin in A New Hope: he truly loved his former apprentice, and that final duel hurt him as much (okay, almost as much) as it hurt young Skywalker.
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Saving The Best Prequel With The Worst Dialogue
There you have it, Star Wars fiends. Originally, Revenge of the Sith lacked any dialogue about having the high ground, and Obi-Wan and Anakin’s final duel was very different. But George Lucas personally intervened to create the scene that we know and love (or perhaps loathe). It’s the kind of decision that only the Maker could, uh, make, and it was a good one. With a single decision, Lucas saved the best of the Star Wars prequels, and he did so by adding the worst dialogue in the galaxy.
Sadly, nobody was willing to clap back at him like Harrison Ford reportedly did on the set of A New Hope: “You can type this sh*t, but you sure can’t say it!
“The Entire History of You” is often cited as amongst the greatest episodes of Black Mirror, and for good reason. It’s a somber depiction of a near-future world where memories are no longer a finite concept thanks to an implant that records everything its user sees and hears — thereby allowing them to relive any event from their life, for good or for ill. It was a milestone for the series, and it didn’t take long for it to leave an indelible impact on popular culture.
While previous episodes of Black Mirror’s debut season had taken a sledgehammer approach to their social commentary, “The Entire History of You” opted for a gentler touch — easing up on the overtly satirical elements and instead filtering its thesis through a small group of relatable characters, ensuring that the focus was always kept on how humans use and misuse such technology rather than the technology itself. It’s a template many future episodes would replicate, guaranteeing “The Entire History of You” a permanent place in all discussions about Black Mirror’s finest moments.
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Robert Downey Jr. Once Planned a Movie Adaptation of “The Entire History of You”
Curiously, “The Entire History of You” also holds the distinction as the only episode not written by Charlie Brooker, with that honor instead going to future Succession creator Jesse Armstrong. At the time, Armstrong was mostly known for his work on British comedy shows like Peep Show and The Thick of It, making his transition to dystopian sci-fi rather unexpected. However, it was a risk that paid off — not just because of the episode’s glowing reception, but also because it allowed Armstrong to retain the rights for a potential big-screen adaptation.
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Collider Exclusive · Marvel Personality Quiz Which MCU Hero Are You? Spider-Man · Daredevil · Iron Man · Punisher · Thor · Cap
Six heroes. One destiny. Answer 10 questions to discover which Marvel Cinematic Universe hero shares your personality, values, and fighting spirit. Will you swing, fly, or thunder your way to glory?
🕷️Spider-Man
😈Daredevil
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🤖Iron Man
💀Punisher
⚡Thor
🛡️Cap
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01
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What drives you to do what’s right? Choose the answer that feels most like you.
02
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It’s 2 AM. Where are you? Your answer says more about you than you’d think.
03
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How do you handle a villain who keeps escaping justice? Every hero has a method. What’s yours?
04
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How do you feel about keeping a secret identity? The mask — or the lack of one — says everything.
05
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You’ve lost someone important because of your heroism. How do you carry that? Every hero pays a price. The question is how they pay it.
06
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What’s your role when working with a team? Who you are under pressure is who you actually are.
07
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Where do you draw the line between justice and revenge? The answer defines what kind of hero you really are.
08
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When you’re not saving the world, what does life look like? The person behind the mask is always the more interesting story.
09
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What keeps you up at night? Fear is useful data — if you’re honest about what you’re actually afraid of.
10
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The battle is lost. You’re outnumbered, outgunned, and exhausted. What do you do? This is your tiebreaker — choose carefully.
Your Hero Has Been Identified Your MCU Hero Is…
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Based on your answers, the Marvel hero who matches your spirit, values, and instincts has been revealed.
Queens, New York
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🕷️ Spider-Man
You carry the weight of the world on shoulders that are younger than they should have to be — funny, loyal, and endlessly self-sacrificing.
You do the right thing not because it’s easy, but because no one else will.
You understand that responsibility isn’t a burden you choose — it’s one that finds you.
Whether it’s a neighbourhood mugging or a multiverse crisis, you show up.
Peter Parker’s lesson — that great power demands great responsibility — isn’t a slogan to you. It’s the code you live by, even when it costs you everything.
Hell’s Kitchen, New York
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😈 Daredevil
You fight in the shadows between law and chaos, guided by a fierce moral compass that refuses to let the guilty walk free.
You use every tool available — your mind, your body, your faith — to protect those the system overlooks.
You’ve looked into the darkness and chosen not to become it, though the line has never been easy.
Matt Murdock’s duality — champion in the courtroom, devil in the alley — mirrors your own.
Relentless, conflicted, and unwilling to stop. That is exactly you.
Stark Industries, Malibu
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🤖 Iron Man
Brilliant, driven, and occasionally insufferable — but always the person who solves the unsolvable problem.
You lead with your mind and back it up with resources, innovation, and a stubbornness that borders on heroic.
You started out looking out for yourself, but somewhere along the way the world became your responsibility.
Tony Stark’s arc — from ego to sacrifice — is your arc too.
You build, you plan, and when the moment comes, you’re willing to give everything. Because in the end, you’re Iron Man.
New York City
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💀 The Punisher
You’ve been through fire that would break most people — and it did change you, completely. What’s left is unyielding, relentless, and operating by a code forged in grief.
You don’t ask for forgiveness, and you don’t expect gratitude.
You see a corrupt, broken world and you’ve decided to do something about it, consequences be damned.
Frank Castle’s war is born from love twisted by loss — and so is yours.
Uncompromising and unflinching — the world may not agree with your methods, but your conviction is absolute.
Asgard · Protector of the Nine Realms
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⚡ Thor
Powerful, proud, and on a lifelong journey to become worthy of the legend you carry.
You lead with strength but have learned — sometimes painfully — that true greatness comes from humility and growth.
You’re larger than life, yet more vulnerable than you let on.
Thor’s story is one of transformation: from arrogant prince to worthy king, from isolated warrior to beloved protector.
You bring the storm when it’s needed — and the warmth when it matters just as much.
Brooklyn, New York · The Avengers
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🛡️ Captain America
You believe in something bigger than yourself — and you fight for it even when the world has moved on and nobody else will.
You don’t bully the small guy, and you never stop when it gets hard.
Steve Rogers didn’t become a hero when he got the serum — he was always one. So were you.
Your strength isn’t in your fists; it’s in your refusal to compromise what’s right, no matter the cost.
In a world full of people taking the easy road, you’re the one who picks up the shield and stands up — every single time.
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Armstrong wasted no time exercising this privilege, and in 2013, it was confirmed that “The Entire History of You” would be migrating to Hollywood, with none other than Robert Downey Jr.serving as its producer. Sadly, nothing has ever come of this announcement, leaving it as a curious piece of Black Mirror history.
What Is “The Entire History of You” About?
Toby Kebbell as Liam Foxwell with cloudy eyes in the Black Mirror episode The Entire History of You.Image via Netflix
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“The Entire History of You” — the closing episode of the show’s excellent first season — centers on the (supposedly) happy couple Liam (Toby Kebbell) and Ffion Foxwell (Jodie Whittaker), who have recently welcomed a baby daughter, Jody. So far so normal, but Armstrong wastes little time introducing the twist for this latest adventure into speculative fiction. The world of “The Entire History of You” is one where a miraculous piece of technology known as a “grain” thrives, and its ability to record memories has made it as essential to daily life as phones and computers.
It’s a tool that, in many ways, poses many benefits to humanity, and Armstrong does highlight some of these uses (such as Liam replaying a performance review to bolster his skills at work). But this is still an episode of Black Mirror, and it doesn’t take an expert to predict that things won’t stay pleasant forever. To paraphrase The Doctor (appropriate given one of the episode’s main actors), the combination of amazing technology plus human stupidity is truly unbeatable, and soon the threads in this macabre tale start unraveling.
A dinner party with Ffion’s friends quickly threatens their marriage when Liam becomes suspicious of her behavior around the charming Jonas (Tom Cullen), resulting in an Inception-style descent through a mosaic of fractured memories as he seeks to uncover the truth about their relationship. This understandable desire eventually turns obsessive, revealing a darker side to Liam’s character that disrupts the established black-and-white narrative.
By the time the episode reaches its conclusion (a contender for the saddest in the entire show), this supposedly wondrous implant has cost him everything — his wife, his child, his morality… all because of his own misguided actions. It’s a terrific piece of sci-fi storytelling, and the way it takes an often-explored theme (in this case, the fear of infidelity) and reconfigures it for the digital revolution — allowing for a fresh take on an age-old story that will provide some much-needed warnings to its target audience — ensures it as the benchmark for future Black Mirror episodes.
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Downey Jr. Beat George Clooney for the Film Rights
It was no secret that Armstrong had ambitions for “The Entire History of You” beyond its television roots. In an interview a year after its broadcast, he revealed that “I always thought this idea could be a film,” with Brooker also describing his initial pitch as more akin to a conspiracy thriller movie. When Armstrong began shipping a feature-film adaptation around is unclear, but the information we have available hints that it occurred sometime during 2012, indicating that he wanted to seal a deal before memories of the recently aired episode started to fade (ironic given its plot). Rather than developing the project in his native UK, Armstrong crossed the pond to America instead, hoping that such a move would allow it to escape the budgetary restrictions that Black Mirror’s house style had imposed upon it. This doesn’t mean that he disliked his work on Black Mirror — often the best creativity comes from the toughest restrictions — but it’s clear that he had ideas for “The Entire History of You” that its original home on Channel 4 would have lacked the capability to realize.
Upon his arrival in Hollywood, Armstrong’s script caught the attention of two high-profile individuals — Robert Downey Jr. and George Clooney. Both are among the most recognizable actors of their generation, and both have also demonstrated an interest in working behind the camera as well as in front of it (to varying degrees of success). A bidding war soon followed, and in February 2013, the Hollywood Reporter announced Downey as the victor, with the film rights to “The Entire History of You” being acquired by his production company, Team Downey. Warner Bros. — the studio that Team Downey was currently partnered with — was also confirmed to be handling distribution, while Armstrong would once again be handling scriptwriting duties. Interestingly, despite having spent the previous decade reasserting himself as one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars, Downey was not scheduled to appear in the film (although it’s likely that Warner Bros. would have sought to change that).
Perhaps the project’s most intriguing aspect was its plot. Instead of retelling “The Entire History of You” with a bigger budget and then calling it a day, Armstrong intended to use the narrative foundation of a broken marriage in a near future setting as a jumping-off point to explore new ideas and themes. This time around, the plot would focus on a grieving husband who uses the grain technology to relive his time with his deceased wife, in the process uncovering a dark secret that ruptures his idyllic memories of her. It was a welcome announcement that Armstrong would be taking full advantage of his influx of creative freedom to tell a story that wasn’t shackled by what had come before and that he refused to take the safer (and blander) alternative speaks to his passion for this concept. The pieces were in place for something special, and Black Mirror fans everywhere waited with baited breaths for its next move.
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When Will We See Downey Jr.’s “Entire History of You”?
Robert Downey Jr on the red carpetJennifer Bloc/Future Image/Cover Images
And then, nothing. Years passed with nary a word, and when Armstrong did comment on it in 2018, he did so while turning said interview into one giant advertisement proclaiming that, yes, he did still want to make the film and anyone else who did should really get in touch with him about it. Seemingly, Team Downey’s option had lapsed, leaving the film under the dreaded blanket term of “development hell.” Such an outcome is not uncommon for options, or even for Team Downey — arguably the company’s most anticipated release, Sherlock Holmes 3, has also spent most of its existence in limbo — but it did result in the film languishing in the background while it was at its most identifiable, potentially hampering future attempts. There have been no announcements one way or the other since 2018, making it unknown if the project is still moving forward (something Charlie Brooker has also commented on, although it’s worth noting that there’s no indication he was ever involved with the film).
It’s been over a decade since the announcement that “The Entire History of You” would be transitioning from television to cinema, and in that time, Black Mirror has undergone a hefty realignment. The show’s move to Netflix in 2016 eradicated many of the restrictions that it had previously faced, allowing for episodes of increased scope and ambition. Some episodes — like “Beyond the Sea” and “Hated in the Nation” — have boasted runtimes longer than some feature films, while the 2018 interactive special Bandersnatch saw Brooker making the leap across mediums himself (in a typically unconventional way). Combined with the show’s exploration of data privacy and the importance of memory in other episodes like “Playtest” and “Crocodile” — all of which were released after Black Mirror had transitioned from a niche television program to a major cultural phenomenon — it’s possible that a feature-length version of “The Entire History of You” no longer has the appeal it once did.
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Of course, this is just speculation, and Downey’s attachment to the most successful franchise of the 2010s will have stalled anything he had in the pipeline. Similarly, it’s unclear if Armstrong would have been able to commit past a certain point due to his showrunning obligations to Succession (which premiered the same year he confirmed that the film was trapped in development hell), leaving the film without its key figures. With Succession having recently come to a conclusion in one of the most masterful finales of all time, maybe Armstrong can now find the time to resurrect this often speculated-upon project. You might be tempted to dismiss it as a pointless remake given how excellent the original episode already is, but it’s hard to deny that Armstrong’s stellar track record wouldn’t pique the interest of even the most ardent of detractors.
Black Mirror is available to stream on Netflix in the U.S.
Earlier this month, Paramount Pictures announced that a brand new A Nightmare on Elm Street film is in development through its new horror label, Paramount Primal. The project is being produced in partnership with the Wes Craven estate and will be based on Craven’s original 1984 screenplay, marking the franchise’s first new theatrical chapter in more than 15 years.
With no director or cast announced, fans have already begun asking the biggest question of all:
Who should become the next Freddy Krueger?
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No one will ever replace Robert Englund, whose performance helped make Freddy one of the most recognizable horror icons of all time. Instead, Paramount has an opportunity to introduce a fresh interpretation of the dream demon while honoring the legacy that made the character legendary.
Here are five actors we’d love to see take on the role.
1. Bill Skarsgård
If there’s one actor who has already proven he can reinvent an iconic horror villain, it’s Bill Skarsgård.
His unforgettable performance as Pennywise in IT showcased his ability to transform through subtle facial expressions, unsettling body language, and an eerie sense of unpredictability. Rather than trying to imitate Robert Englund, Skarsgård could create a completely new version of Freddy that feels terrifying for an entirely new generation.
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Bill Skarsgård
2. Jack O’Connell
Jack O’Connell may not be the first name fans think of, but that’s exactly why he’d be such an interesting choice.
Whether playing violent criminals or emotionally damaged antiheroes, O’Connell brings an intensity that feels authentic. He could portray Freddy as less of a wisecracking slasher and more of a psychologically disturbing nightmare that haunts victims long before the killing begins.
Jack O’Connell
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3. David Dastmalchian
Few actors have become as respected within the horror community as David Dastmalchian.
His performances in films like Late Night with the Devil have shown that he can balance charm, vulnerability, and unsettling menace all at once. Dastmalchian’s unique voice and naturally eerie screen presence could make for one of the most unsettling interpretations of Freddy Krueger yet.
David Dastmalchian
4. Walton Goggins
Walton Goggins might be the wildcard on this list, but he possesses one quality that’s essential to Freddy Krueger: charisma.
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Freddy doesn’t simply kill his victims he enjoys tormenting them. Goggins has repeatedly demonstrated an ability to mix dark humor, intimidation, and unpredictability into every performance. That combination could make for a Freddy who is equal parts entertaining and terrifying.
Walton Goggins
5. Andy Serkis (Motion Capture)
Andy Serkis has built an incredible career bringing unforgettable characters to life through motion capture. From Gollumin The Lord of the Rings to Caesar in the Planet of the Apes trilogy and Supreme Leader Snoke in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, Serkis has repeatedly shown that digital performances can be just as emotionally powerful as traditional acting.
Rather than relying solely on practical makeup, Paramount could use motion-capture technology to create a Freddy Krueger whose movements feel unnaturally fluid, distorted, and dreamlike. Serkis’ mastery of performance capture could allow Freddy to move in impossible ways that perfectly fit the surreal nature of nightmares, creating one of the most visually unique versions of the character ever seen on screen.
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Andy Serkis
Final Thoughts
Paramount’s newly announced A Nightmare on Elm Street film is still in the early stages of development, meaning fans may be waiting a while before an actor is officially cast as Freddy Krueger.
Whoever lands the role will have enormous shoes or rather, a burned fedora and bladed glove to fill. Robert Englund’s portrayal defined the character for decades, but every horror icon eventually finds a new generation.
Whether it’s Bill Skarsgård’s haunting presence, Jack O’Connell’s intensity, David Dastmalchian’s psychological edge, Walton Goggins’ sinister charisma, or Andy Serkis’ groundbreaking motion capture performance, each actor brings something unique that could help Freddy Krueger haunt audiences once again.
Ridley Scott on the set of Exodus: Gods and Kings.Image via 20th Century Fox
Besides Christopher Nolan, Ridley Scott is perhaps the only other filmmaker working at the highest level of Hollywood who can switch seamlessly between sci-fi thrillers and historical epics. Nolan has expressed his love for some of Scott’s movies, which the older filmmaker has accepted in his own inimitable manner. Scott is returning to sci-fi shortly after a gap that lasted nearly a decade. Over this decade, the filmmaker focused primarily on historical movies such as Gladiator II, Napoleon, and The Last Duel. Nolan has been on a similar trajectory, having made several sci-fi movies before leaning into period epics. The Odyssey, his latest release, is touted as his most ambitious project yet. Over a decade ago, Scott explored the mythological genre with a big-budget epic that was headlined by Nolan’s frequent collaborator Christian Bale.
That film is now heading to Peacock. Audiences who enjoyed The Odyssey in theaters can check it out as a companion piece. Both films are based on legends that have been adapted numerous times over the years, across media. Both legends have also formed the backbone of modern storytelling as we know it. Nolan himself has mined The Odyssey for inspiration in his earlier movies, such as Interstellar, The Dark Knight Rises, and even Oppenheimer. Scott, on the other hand, doubled down on large-scale epics after Gladiator; he went on to make Kingdom of Heaven and Robin Hood before turning to the Bible for his 2014 release.
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Collider Exclusive · Middle-earth Quiz Which Lord of the Rings Character Are You? One Quiz · Ten Questions · Your Fate Revealed
The road goes ever on. From the green hills of the Shire to the fires of Mount Doom, every soul in Middle-earth carries a destiny. Ten questions stand between you and the truth of who you are. Answer honestly — the One Ring has a way of revealing what we most want to hide.
💍Frodo
🌿Samwise
👑Aragorn
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🔥Gandalf
🏹Legolas
⚒️Gimli
👁️Sauron
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🪨Gollum
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01
You are handed a responsibility that could destroy you. What do you do? The weight of the world falls on unlikely shoulders.
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02
Your closest companion is heading into terrible danger. You: True loyalty is revealed not in comfort, but in crisis.
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03
Enormous power is within your reach. Your instinct is: Power corrupts — but only those who reach for it.
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04
What does “home” mean to you? Where we long to return reveals who we truly are.
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05
When a battle is upon you, your approach is: War reveals what we are made of — whether we like it or not.
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06
Someone comes to you for advice in their darkest hour. You: Wisdom is not knowing all the answers — it’s knowing which questions to ask.
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07
How do you see yourself, honestly? Self-knowledge is the most dangerous kind.
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08
Which of these best describes your relationship with the natural world? Middle-earth speaks to those who know how to listen.
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09
You encounter a wretched, pitiable creature who has done terrible things. You: How we treat the fallen reveals the height of our character.
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10
When the quest is over and the songs are sung, what do you hope they say about you? In the end, we are all just stories.
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The Fellowship Has Spoken Your Place in Middle-earth
The scores below reveal your true character. Your highest number is your match. Even a tie tells a story — the Fellowship was never made of simple people.
💍 Frodo
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🌿 Samwise
👑 Aragorn
🔥 Gandalf
🏹 Legolas
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⚒️ Gimli
👁️ Sauron
🪨 Gollum
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You carry something heavy — and you carry it alone, even when you don’t have to. You were not born for greatness, and that is precisely why greatness chose you. Your courage is not the roaring, sword-swinging kind; it is quiet, stubborn, and terrifying in its refusal to quit. The Ring weighs on you more than anyone can see, and still you walk toward the fire. That is not weakness. That is the rarest kind of strength there is.
You are, without question, the best of them. Not the most powerful, not the most celebrated — but the most essential. Your loyalty is not a trait; it is a force of nature. You would carry the person you love up the slopes of Mount Doom if it came to that, and we both know you’d do it without being asked. The world needs more people like you, and the world is lucky it has even one.
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You were born to lead, and you have spent years running from it. The crown is yours by right, but you know better than anyone that right means nothing without the will and the worthiness to back it up. You are tempered by loss, shaped by long roads, and defined by a code of honour you hold to even when no one is watching. When you finally step forward, the world shifts. Because it was always waiting for you.
You have seen more than you let on, and you say less than you know — which is exactly as it should be. You are a catalyst: you do not fight the battles yourself, you ignite the people who can. Your wisdom comes not from books but from an age of watching what happens when it is ignored. You arrive precisely when you mean to, and your presence alone changes what is possible. A wizard is never late.
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Graceful, perceptive, and almost preternaturally calm under pressure — you see things others miss and act before others react. You do not need to make a scene to be remarkable; your presence speaks for itself. You are loyal to those you choose to stand beside, and that choice is not made lightly. You have lived long enough to know that the most beautiful things in this world are also the most fragile, and that is why you fight to protect them.
You are loud, proud, and absolutely formidable — and beneath all of that is one of the most fiercely loyal hearts in Middle-earth. You don’t do anything by half measures. Your friendships are forged like iron, your grudges run as deep as mines, and your courage in battle is the kind that makes legends. You came into this fellowship suspicious of everyone and ended it willing to die for an elf. That is not a small thing. That is everything.
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You think in centuries and act in absolutes. Order, dominion, control — not because you are cruel by nature, but because you have decided that the world left to itself always falls apart, and you are the only one with the vision and the will to hold it together. You were not always this. Something was lost, or taken, or betrayed, and the version of you that stands now is the answer to that wound. The tragedy is that you’re not entirely wrong — just entirely too far gone to course-correct.
You are a study in contradiction — pitiable and dangerous, cunning and broken, capable of both cruelty and something that once resembled love. You are defined by loss: of innocence, of self, of the one thing that gave your existence meaning. Two voices war inside you constantly, and the tragedy is that the better one sometimes wins, just not often enough, and never at the right moment. You are a warning, yes — but also a mirror. We are all a little Gollum, given the right ring and enough time.
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Here’s When You Can Watch Ridley Scott’s Epic on Peacock
The movie in question is Exodus: Gods and Kings. The movie features Bale as Moses and Joel Edgerton as Ramses II, with Aaron Paul, John Turturro, Sigourney Weaver, Ben Mendelsohn, and Ben Kingsley in supporting roles. Produced on a reported budget of $200 million, Exodus grossed around $268 million worldwide, falling short of its fellow 2014 biblical epic Noah. The Odyssey was able to eclipse Exodus‘ lifetime haul in four days flat. Nolan’s movie has also been infinitely better received than Scott’s epic, holding a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes compared to the 29% score of Exodus. The aggregator website’s consensus reads, “While sporadically stirring, and suitably epic in its ambitions, Exodus: Gods and Kings can’t quite live up to its classic source material.” You can watch the movie on Peacock starting August 1. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
Nearly four years after Sumner Stroh became embroiled in Adam Levine’s sexting scandal, the model-turned-singer is confronting the damage caused by the controversy while attempting to reclaim her identity. Stroh now acknowledges that her actions hurt multiple people, including Levine’s wife, Behati Prinsloo, and their family. However, she also believes that her worst mistake should not determine the direction of her entire life.
As she launches a new chapter in music, Stroh is opening up about the intense public scrutiny she endured, the effect it had on her loved ones, and why she is no longer allowing fear of criticism to keep her from pursuing her ambitions.
In 2022, Stroh publicly alleged that she and Levine had engaged in a year-long affair involving intimate messages while Prinsloo was pregnant with the couple’s third child. Levine denied having an affair but acknowledged that he had “crossed a line.” Stroh subsequently claimed that she felt “manipulated” by the Maroon 5 frontman.
Looking back on the controversy, Stroh admitted it was an incredibly turbulent chapter of her life. “It was an absolute sh-tstorm, that period of my life,” she told the Daily Mail. However, the 26-year-old stressed that she does not want to portray herself as the victim of a scandal that affected several other people.
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“I don’t want to sound like a victim,” Stroh said. “I hurt a lot of people, so I don’t want to by any means say like, ‘Oh, woe is me.’ I know it’s a conversation that is stuck with me and I have to live with that, but I believe that people are more than their mistakes and more than their past.”
Stroh also publicly apologized to Prinsloo and the couple’s children in a 2022 TikTok video. “I’m not the one getting hurt in this,” she said at the time. “It’s Behati and her children. And for that, I’m so, so sorry.”
The Public Scrutiny Sent Her To A ‘Dark Place’
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Stroh said the scandal erupted while she was already dealing with other problems in her personal life, leaving her in an emotionally difficult place. “It was traumatic, just the level of public scrutiny,” she recalled. “The bandwagon effect and the whole cancellation of it all, it really gave me time to look inward and process that shame, process that guilt, process even childhood traumas.”
The fallout allegedly extended beyond online criticism and began affecting her family’s sense of security. “The drones flying over my family’s house … that affected my entire family,” she told the outlet. “So that physical safety aspect, for not myself, but for my family was something that was really hard, not for just me, but also my family.”
Stroh grew up in a traditional Texas household and said her family encouraged her to pursue a law degree rather than relocate to Los Angeles. She moved to the West Coast anyway while hoping to join a girl group, but those ambitions were soon eclipsed by the Levine scandal.
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Sumner Stroh Is Turning Her Pain Into Music
Stroh is now pursuing the musical career she originally envisioned, even though she knows some critics may accuse her of attempting to capitalize on the controversy. “I’ve already heard all of that,” she said.
The former model explained that she has had to stop trying to control how others perceive her. “I think that I’ve had to relinquish control of what other people think and what they’re going to say,” Stroh shared. “Because at the end of the day, I can’t control that. All I can control is showing up authentically as myself.”
“I just realized I’m either going to do what I love and people are going to say what they’ve always said about women for hundreds and hundreds of years or I can live forever in fear and never have pursued what I love, and I think that is a much more miserable existence for me,” she added.
Her new single, “Miss America,” reflects her determination to continue despite the setbacks. On the song, Stroh sings, “I don’t even need to wear a crown / Can’t wear me out.”
“‘You can’t wear me out’ as I’m actively getting worn the f-ck down and facing setback after setback,” Stroh said of the lyrics.
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She then admitted that hearing her own music can still trigger a deeply emotional response. “It makes me cry when I listen to my own music, which is ridiculous,” she confessed.
The Singer Refuses To Deny What Happened
Although Stroh wants to separate her future from the scandal, she does not intend to erase or minimize her involvement. “I have f-cking put blood, sweat, and tears into choosing myself and that’s okay because we’re all inherently flawed,” she said.
“I’ve been working my a-s off to separate myself from that and grow and learn,” Stroh continued. “But also, I’m not going to sit here and say that nothing ever happened and that’s just part of my story and that’s something I have to live with.”
She now considers the painful period pivotal to the artist she has become and no longer measures success according to public approval. “My definition of success is what I’m doing every day and that’s creating,” Stroh explained. The experience also taught her a blunt lesson: “Don’t kiss and tell.”
Although Stroh acknowledged that she still dates people in entertainment, she has changed how much she shares publicly. “I continue to date people in my industry and in Los Angeles,” she admitted, “but I like to keep that private.”
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Adam Levine And Behati Prinsloo Remain Together
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Levine and Prinsloo have remained married since the scandal. The couple was recently photographed enjoying time aboard a yacht in St. Tropez shortly before their 12th wedding anniversary. Prinsloo has never publicly discussed Stroh’s allegations or explained why she decided to stay with Levine.
An insider recently claimed, however, that the couple’s marriage is now in a better position than it was immediately following the controversy. “Their relationship is in a much healthier place than it was in the immediate aftermath of the scandal,” the source told the Daily Mail.
“That doesn’t mean everything is perfect… but Adam has made enough changes to keep the marriage intact and avoid repeating the mistakes that nearly cost him everything,” the insider added.
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Styling shorts can feel surprisingly tricky. It’s easy to default to a basic tee or tank, but sometimes the finished look ends up feeling a little too casual for brunch plans, date nights or even the office. As a shopping editor, my solution is a blouse that strikes the perfect balance between relaxed and tailored, adding instant polish without making your outfit feel overdressed.
As someone who’s covered fashion and shopping for years, I’ve learned that the right top can completely transform a pair of shorts. Amazon has become one of my favorite places to find breezy blouses with thoughtful details like peplum hems, puff sleeves, smocking and crisp cotton-inspired fabrics that elevate denim, linen and tailored shorts alike. Below are the styles I’d reach for whenever I want my summer outfits to look a little more refined with very little effort.
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9 Flattering Loose Blouses That Instantly Elevate Shorts
1. Our Favorite: Structured necklines and voluminous sleeves continue to dominate celebrity street style for good reason. This blouse delivers that elevated look while balancing the relaxed feel of your favorite summer shorts.
2. Runner-up: Elegant puff sleeves and a sculptural peplum hem give this top an expensive-looking finish. It’s the kind of blouse that makes simple white or black shorts feel worthy of dinner reservations.
3. Editor-Approved: A softly structured peplum silhouette instantly makes even cutoff denim shorts feel more intentional. The lightweight fabric and flattering shape create definition without clinging, making it an easy piece to dress up or down.
4. Designer-Looking: Between the smocked bodice and flowy peplum hem, this blouse creates a polished silhouette while staying comfortable in the heat. Pair it with tailored shorts and simple sandals for an outfit that looks effortlessly put together.
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5. Everyday Essential: The relaxed fit of this floral V-neck top keeps things comfortable while subtle texture adds visual interest without overwhelming your outfit. It works just as well with denim shorts as it does tucked into tailored pairs.
Finding a top that’s comfortable, flattering and easy to wear can feel surprisingly difficult, especially when you want a little extra coverage through the midsection. Luckily, this budget-friendly blouse has earned a loyal following for exactly that reason, with shoppers saying it offers a relaxed fit that skims the body without looking boxy. The bestselling […]
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6. Vacation MVP: Airy fabric and delicate Swiss dot detailing make this blouse ideal for warm-weather getaways. It instantly softens linen shorts while keeping the overall outfit feeling light and breezy.
7. Office-to-Weekend Pick: Clean pleats and a structured drape help this blouse transition seamlessly from work meetings to weekend lunches. Add polished shorts and loafers for an outfit that’s equal parts professional and relaxed.
8. Closet Staple:Soft ruffle sleeves add just enough femininity without overpowering the rest of your outfit. It’s an easy way to elevate classic denim shorts for everything from errands to outdoor dinners.
9. Most Versatile: An oversized button-down is one of the hardest-working pieces in any summer wardrobe. Wear it tucked, tied at the waist or open over a tank with shorts for multiple polished looks using one versatile staple.
Welcome to summer with our biggest sale of the year. This summer’s chicest dresses, tops and swimsuits are all over 30% + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.
Some people confront things head-on, while others run away from them altogether, but Sam Asghari is accepting his interesting fate!
The model has moved on from his relationship with Britney Spears, but the shadows of the past still haunt his present, with his hands tied and a loud acceptance that they are forever attached at the hip.
Sam Asghari and Britney Spears were involved in a seven-year relationship that began after meeting on a music video set in 2016, until their divorce in 2024 after a 14-month marriage.
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The media personality admitted that when it comes to expecting the public interest in his relationship with the pop star to fade or escaping the tag “Mr. Britney Spears,” even though they parted ways years ago, it is “never going to happen.”
He noted that he has reached a point in his life where sitting down to discuss the years spent with her no longer has the emotional impact it once did. One of the highlights of Asghari and Spears’ marriage is him being by her side while she battled to be let go from her 13-year conservatorship.
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The duo had gotten married in 2022, in a star-studded ceremony attended by Madonna and Drew Barrymore. Asghari has since moved on with girlfriend Brooke Irvine and has lived together in Los Angeles for two years now as he continued to explore his acting career.
On the career side, Page Six shared that the model previously appeared on the NBC hit show “The Traitors” and the public will get to see him play Victor in “The Gentleman Thief,” due to be released on July 31.
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Asghari walked away from his marriage to the pop star amicably without spousal support, a decision he proudly stands by. In his latest conversation with the publication, the dancer reiterated that the past stays in the past and reflection has become a pleasant reminder of what could have been.
In his words, “You can’t change the past. The things that happened happened. And like I said, I would never complain about one thing that changed my life for the better or for the worse.” The actor also broke his silence on Spears’ latest controversy, from her DUI arrest to rehab visit, opting to say nothing and rather focus on the ongoing situation in Iran.
He revealed that his focus has stayed on that situation in his home country, and all his projects have gone towards that. Asghari also registered that he does not immerse himself in clickbait and entertainment news because he does not exactly believe everything he sees.
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Sam Asghari Previously Spoke About The Plus Side Of Marriage To Britney Spears
The singer’s blinding star power rubbed off on Asghari during and even after their union, a privilege he is not shy to admit. As stated by The Blast, the model stated in an interview that being in such a public relationship provided him with a platform to build his career and make vital connections towards making a life for himself.
From moving to America at 12 years old from Iran and watching John Travolta films to help him learn English, Asghari has now found himself working alongside big names in the industry, including John Cena, Jean Smart, and Don Cheadle.
Although Spears had once referred to her marriage to Asghari as a distraction to help her deal with the pain of being away from her children and the conservatorship, the model saw their union from a different angle.
Asghari explained that his time with the pop singer remained as real as ever to him, although the timing was short. He referenced the lengthy timeline of their romance, which spanned for nearly a decade, and how he was in love with her the entire time.
The 32-Year-Old Addressed Britney Spears’ Conservatorship In Recent Interview
Back in March, the actor hopped on Piers Morgan’s show “Piers Morgan Uncensored” for a lengthy discussion about his life and career. When he was asked to share his thoughts on Spears’ DUI arrest, Asghari declared that the actress has had a tough life in the past and experienced oppression by several people in her life.
Referencing the situation of women being oppressed in Iran, Asghari established that it broke him to witness Spears’ struggles during their short-lived marriage. He had earlier shared his experience watching Spears fight her way through the program and finally breaking free after 13 years.
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In the 2023 interview, the model revealed that he found it terrible that people in her life at the time had told her story like it was theirs, silenced her voice, and used her as a money-making machine while limiting her freedom.
Sam Asghari And Britney Spears’ Relationship Was Fiction Brought To Life
One year after he played her love interest in Spears’ music video shoot for “Slumber Party” in 2016, the duo came out as lovers. Their relationship involved attendance at high society events and displaying affection in front of the ever-flashing cameras.
In 2022, they exchanged vows at their home in Thousand Oaks in the presence of friends and family, but unfortunately parted ways over a year later, citing irreconcilable differences.
Asghari and Spears were seemingly married during a period the singer described as one of the hardest in her life, when she was being cut off from her two kids, James and Preston. In 2023, the boys moved to Hawaii to live with her ex, Kevin Federline, with a reunion happening a year later in 2024.
Spears and Federline were married for two years between 2004 and 2006 after meeting in a Hollywood club where Federline was a backup dancer.
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Will Britney Spears react to Sam Asghari’s stance?
Tom Cruise has reportedly set his sights on wooing A-list star Charlize Theron to be his new woman after his romance with Ana de Armas ended last year and left him crushed.
The actor has been looking to work with her for some time now, and his close circle reportedly encouraged him to text her after she called for him to join the “Fast & Furious” franchise.
Tom Cruise is understood to have a checklist that his next woman must fulfill, with previous reports claiming that he has enlisted an A-list pal to help find his next partner.
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Tom Cruise is seemingly ready to begin a new chapter in his love life and would be keeping it within the film industry.
According to industry insiders, the “Top Gun: Maverick” star has set his sights on a high-profile romance with Charlize Theron, with reports claiming she’s been eyed for an undisclosed role in “The Edge of Tomorrow 2.”
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“Charlize has been on Tom’s radar for a long time, and he’s incredibly impressed by her,” a source told Globe Magazine. “The timing is right for him and Charlize to get together and do something big and interesting.”
Cruise and Theron have been acting for decades but have yet to share the screen, with their 2008 lineup in “The Tourist” eventually going to Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp.
“Putting them in a film together, be it ‘Edge of Tomorrow 2’ or something else, makes a ton of sense. In fact, it’s long overdue,” the insider continued. “She has that same ‘no guts, no glory’ risk-taking attitude that made Tom an international superstar in the first place, and like Tom, she sees moviemaking not as just a job but a calling.”
However, for the action star, their partnership on screen is said to be “more than just business.”
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The Actor Noticed When Charlize Theron Made A Warm Gesture Toward Him
Cruise has been with a slew of Hollywood actresses, including Mimi Roger, Nicole Kidman, Katie Holmes, and has been linked with stars like Cher and Penelope Cruz. Most recently, he was in a whirlwind romance with Ana De Armas, but has long been a silent admirer of Theron.
Several years ago, Theron called for him to join the “Fast and Furious” franchise, but her wish never materialized. However, reports suggest he took notice of that, and she remained in his soft spot with the warm gesture.
“He would love to work with her, and of course, it didn’t go unnoticed when she publicly called for him to join the Fast and Furious franchise alongside her a couple of years ago,” a source said, per reports.
“People in Tom’s world have been telling him to reach out to her ever since, and he’s now saying he’s going to do it,” they added.
Tom Cruise Has Some Preferences For His Next Woman
The “Mission: Impossible” star is said to have a checklist of requirements for his next lady. However, it doesn’t appear that Theron meets a few of them.
A source previously told a news outlet that he’s looking for an English “Mrs. Right,” especially if she came recommended by his pal, ex-football star David Beckham.
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The insider went further to add that he was “ready to be set up” at the time, and would ideally love to get with a “woman that is part of the British High Society.”
“The ideal candidate must come from good stock [and] be in her late 20s or early 30s,” a source told the news outlet, adding that “ties to the royals” are also important, as the actor is determined to keep building on his friendship with Prince William and Princess Kate.
Not only is Theron a South African-American actress and producer, but it’s also not known that she has any ties to the British monarchy, save for when she was seen chatting with Prince Harry in 2011, per People Magazine.
The Actor Is Said To Be His Own Greatest Enemy When It Comes To Love
Earlier this year, reports emerged suggesting the “Jack Reacher” actor was “lonely,” especially after his romance with De Armas came crashing down last October after nearly a year.
Apparently, the actor is said to be his own greatest enemy when it comes to love, due to his strict work ethic, which makes it hard for him to stay put in one place for a long time.
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“Tom’s work will always come first, regardless of who he’s dating,” a source told Star Magazine about the actor’s chaotic love life.
“That’s been a major issue over the years. He puts on a brave face, but he’s clearly lonely right now,” the insider added.
Tom Cruise’s ‘Hyper-Intense’ Ways Have Made Dating Him Hard, Source Says
Cruise is said to be intense when he’s in love, which sometimes comes off as overwhelming. He reportedly blew more than $11,000 to impress De Armas on a trip to the U.K., complete with helicopter rides and luxury gifts.
“He’s so hyper-intense with the women he’s dating,” the insider explained, per Star. “The way he jumps into everything can be a turn-off.”
“Tom’s the master of grand gestures; he loves to whisk women away in his private jet and treat them like princesses,” the source noted, likening his behavior to “high-end love bombing.”
Orville Peck has revealed the devastating circumstances that led him to abruptly halt his “Bronco Tour” in 2023. The country singer, whose real name is Daniel Pitout, said he was struggling with addiction and alcoholism before attempting suicide during what he described as “one of the worst places” of his life.
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The 38-year-old musician said the harrowing experience forced him to confront what was happening in his life. “I was a bad addict, a coping alcoholic,” Peck told Rolling Stone. “And I had this spiral moment, where I went back to my hotel and tried to take my life … It was a big turning point for me, with a lot of realizations to come. It was something that needed to happen.”
The difficult period reportedly also included the end of a relationship and a stint in rehab. Peck has now turned those experiences into his fourth studio album, “Mule,” which is scheduled to arrive on September 18.
The country star announced the project on Instagram, describing it as an intensely personal and chronological retelling of the year in which his life unraveled. “’Mule’ – my fourth studio album arrives 9/18/2026,” he wrote. “This record is a chronological account of the year I lost my way. You can pre-save it tonight at midnight EST, and listen to the first single, ‘Too Little, Too Late’ on all platforms.”
Peck also spoke candidly about his initial reluctance to accept treatment, admitting that he did not believe he belonged in rehab. “I didn’t want to be there. I thought it was a waste of time, that I’m unique and didn’t have a problem,” he said.
The singer attempted to cope with the experience through humor and songwriting. “So I was like, I’m going to write the funniest song about this experience, because at the time I was just like, ‘F-ck this. I want to leave,’” Peck recalled. That period ultimately inspired “Rehab Blues,” one of the songs created from his experience.
Orville Peck Previously Cited His Mental And Physical Health
When Peck postponed the remaining dates on his “Bronco Tour” in 2023, he did not disclose the full extent of what he had been facing. As The Blast reported at the time, the masked country singer instead told fans that his mental and physical health had made it impossible for him to continue performing at his best.
“I am completely heartbroken as I share this news, but I have made the incredibly difficult decision to postpone all of my upcoming shows effective immediately,” Peck wrote. “This was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, but I’ve come to realize that my current mental and physical health won’t allow me to bring you my best.”
He emphasized how much he valued his audience and the opportunity to perform. “My fans mean the absolute world to me and I am so incredibly thankful to every single person who has bought a ticket to come and see us play, I do not take it for granted,” he continued. “Being on stage is my favorite thing in the world.”
Peck explained that stepping away was necessary if he wanted to return healthier and continue making music. “But I have to take this time to replenish my mind and body so that I can come back stronger and healthier than before, to do what I love for many years to come,” he added. “I truly hope you can understand.”
Peck said honesty became essential while translating the painful chapter of his life into music. “What I was really trying to capture in terms of the concept, there was no way to gloss over or sugarcoat it,” he told Rolling Stone.
“Mule” follows his third album, “Stampede,” which was released in August 2024. Peck later made his Broadway debut in “Cabaret” during the summer of 2025, telling People at the time that he was “having the best time of my life.”
His upcoming album appears to offer a far more vulnerable account of the struggles that preceded those professional highs.
Peck will release “Mule” on September 18, the same day he is scheduled to headline the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles and launch his “Man Turned Mule Tour.”
“Just Announced! Country crooner Orville Peck to headline the Hollywood Bowl on Friday, September 18th,” read a joint Instagram announcement from Peck and the venue. “Fresh off his Broadway debut in ‘Cabaret’ and musical collaborations with the likes of Willie Nelson, Elton John, Kylie Minogue & Beck – you won’t want to miss this very special performance in the city Orville calls home. Tickets info and more in bio.”
Peck later shared his excitement while announcing the tour’s opening dates. “Yeeeeehaw. I’m so excited to announce the first leg of the Man Turned Mule Tour,” he wrote. “Sign up for early access now at orvillepeck.com/tour.”
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Presale opens next Tuesday, July 28, at 10 am, and general on sale next Friday, July 31, at 10 am.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, mental health concerns, emotional distress, or substance use, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. Free, confidential support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Rom-coms have always been the best viewing experiences when they make love feel messy, hilarious, hopeful, and personal, which is why so many of the top romantic comedies come from fantastic books. A great adaptation is one that goes far beyond simply copying its source material; it artfully captures the emotional pull, charm, and character voice that made readers fall in love in the first place.
Films like To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, which brings to life a beloved YA romance with fake-dating charm, gushing sweetness, and the awkward thrill of first love, and the cult classic Confessions of a Shopaholic, which delivers a bright story featuring romance, ambition, denial, and self-discovery, are just two fantastic movies that prove how compelling source material can become an entertaining and long-lasting romantic comedy. Compiled on this list are such rom-com gems that showcase just how well-beloved book stories can be reimagined for the big screen.
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‘Love, Simon’ (2018)
Nick Robinson and Keiynan Lonsdale in ‘Love, Simon’Image via 20th Century Studios
This 2018 film is a strong modern rom-com that feels special because it uses all the familiar tropes of a traditional movie in the genre, yet it still feels meaningful and long overdue. Based on Becky Albertalli‘snovel, Love, Simonfollows the high school student, Simon Spier (Nick Robinson), as he keeps his sexuality private while secretly emailing another closeted classmate that he is beginning to fall for.
With its romantic and incredibly sweet hook,Love, Simon masterfully blends identity, first love, friendship, fear, and the desire to be known. It’s an emotionally deep teen love story with a queer protagonist, showcasing important representation while delivering a universally heartwarming coming-of-age good time. Love, Simon is a true defining book-to-screen romance that is a fantastically brilliant bout of sincerity and rom-com goodness, making it the ideal pick for this list of great films.
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‘The Kissing Booth’ (2018)
Joey King and Jacob Elordi leaning on each other to kiss in The Kissing BoothImage via Netflix
The Kissing Boothmay be an incredibly cringy movie based on a Wattpad novel, but it’s the guilty pleasure watch that has been hailed as one of the most entertaining rom-coms ever created. The teen drama film centers on the fun-loving high school junior Elle Evans (Joey King), who finds herself falling in love with her best friend Lee Flynn’s (Joel Courtney) older, playboy brother Noah (Jacob Elordi).
Despite its low review on Rotten Tomatoes, The Kissing Booth has earned itself a massive and devoted fan base that truly adores it. For anyone who loves teeny rom-coms, the movie is the perfect 90-minute watch that makes for a surprisingly fun viewing experience. The film is a true bingeworthy book-to-screen adaptation that wields steamy chemistry and angsty drama. The Kissing Booth is no doubt overdramatic, an often genuinely cheesy watch, but it stands as a brilliant teen hit that proves book-adapted Netflix rom-coms can stand among some of the best of the genre.
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6
‘Confessions of a Shopaholic’ (2009)
Isla Fisher as Rebecca Bloom in ‘Confessions of a Shopaholic’Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
This film, based on Sophie Kinsella’s book series, delivers fashion-heavy humor, bright rom-com energy, and a heroine whose personal life is as chaotic as her credit card bills. Confessions of a Shopaholic focuses on the shopping-obsessed journalist Rebecca Bloomwood (Isla Fisher), who gets a job interview at her dream fashion magazine, but sadly, a drunken mistake leads her to become a financial columnist at a business magazine instead.
Confessions of a Shopaholic may not be as highly rated as some of the greatest rom-coms on this list, but its bubbliness is quite cherished by many, especially those drawn in by the film’s comedic spark. It’s a pretty fast-paced movie, making slapstick moments, Parisian clothes montages, and gags feel quite snappy. Confessions of a Shopaholic is the perfect escapist treat that is highly rewatchable for its silly moments and victorious ending, cementing it as an easy feel-good rom-com based on a book.
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5
‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’ (2001)
Bridget Jones, played by Renée Zellweger, and Darcy, played by Colin Firth, in Bridget Jones’s Diary.Image via Miramax Films
Bridget Jones’s Diaryis a book-based rom-com film that has definitely shaped the genre for the better. Adapted from Helen Fielding‘s novel, the movie centers around the thirty-something, single PR consultant, Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger), as she navigates her ever-increasingly messy life, while juggling family pressure, work, embarrassing mistakes, and romantic confusion between two very different men.
Bridget Jones’s Diary is genuinely a fantastic film with comedy that works incredibly well because its protagonist is never presented as a perfect heroine. The film, at the time of its release, truly rejuvenated the rom-com genre, as it treated audiences to a rather fun-filled viewing experience. Today, Bridget Jones’s Diary is frequently hailed as the ultimate comfort film, a watch that is no doubt a great example of a fantastic romantic comedy based on a book.
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Collider Exclusive · The Sorting Hat Awaits Which Hogwarts House Are You? Gryffindor · Slytherin · Hufflepuff · Ravenclaw
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Four houses. One destiny. The Sorting Hat has considered thousands of students — now it’s your turn. Answer honestly and discover where you truly belong at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
🦁Gryffindor
🐍Slytherin
🦡Hufflepuff
🦅Ravenclaw
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01
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What quality do you value most in yourself? Answer as honestly as you can — the Hat always knows.
02
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A friend is being treated unfairly. What do you do? How you protect others says everything about who you are.
03
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What does success look like to you? What you’re working toward defines who you’re becoming.
04
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What is your greatest fear? Fear is the most honest thing about a person.
05
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The rules say no. Your gut says go. What do you do? Every institution has rules. What you do with them is a choice.
06
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What kind of friend are you? Who you are to the people you love is who you really are.
07
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You look into the Mirror of Erised. What do you see? The mirror shows the deepest desire of your heart.
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The Sorting Hat pauses. It whispers: “You could do well in any house. But what matters most to you — truly?” This is your tiebreaker. The Hat always listens.
The Sorting Hat Speaks Your House Has Been Chosen
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After careful deliberation, the Sorting Hat has made its decision. This is the house your values, your instincts, and your particular way of being in the world were made for.
Gryffindor Tower · Scarlet & Gold
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🦁 Gryffindor
You have nerve. Not the reckless kind, but the deep, quiet courage that shows up even when you’re terrified — especially then.
Gryffindors don’t act because they’re fearless — they act because they understand that some things are worth being afraid for.
You stand up for people when it would be easier to look away.
You charge toward what’s right even when the odds are terrible.
Harry, Hermione, Ron — the heroes of Hogwarts’s greatest chapter — all called the tower with the scarlet and gold home. And now, so do you.
Slytherin Dungeon · Emerald & Silver
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🐍 Slytherin
You are driven, sharp, and utterly clear-eyed about what you want and how to get there.
Slytherin has long been misunderstood — painted as the house of villains when it is, at its best, the house of those who refuse to accept limits placed on them by others.
You are resourceful, strategic, and you play the long game.
You know your worth. You protect your own fiercely.
The dungeon common room with its view of the Black Lake is yours — and the ambitions that will take you further than anyone expects are yours too.
Hufflepuff Basement · Yellow & Black
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🦡 Hufflepuff
You are the kind of person that makes the world genuinely better just by being in it.
Hufflepuff is not the “safe” house or the “leftover” house — it is the house of those with the greatest heart and the most unwavering integrity.
You show up. You work hard. You don’t need glory or recognition — you do what’s right because it’s right.
Your loyalty never wavers, even when tested.
Nymphadora Tonks, Cedric Diggory, Newt Scamander — some of the wizarding world’s finest. And now you join them.
Ravenclaw Tower · Blue & Bronze
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🦅 Ravenclaw
Your mind is your greatest gift, and you’ve always known it.
Ravenclaws are the thinkers, the questioners, the ones who find a puzzle irresistible and a good book better company than most people.
Ravenclaw is not merely about intelligence — it’s about the love of learning, the pursuit of truth, and the rare courage to admit you don’t know something yet.
You see the world with unusual clarity and depth.
Luna Lovegood, Filius Flitwick, Rowena Ravenclaw herself — all extraordinary, all original. And so are you.
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4
‘Love, Rosie’ (2014)
Sam Claflin and Lily Collins looking at each other in ‘Love, Rosie’Image via Lionsgate
This woefully underrated filmdefinitely deserves its flowers for being one of the best guilty pleasure watches to ever exist. Based on Cecelia Ahern‘s Where Rainbows End,Love, Rosiefollows childhood best friends Rosie Dunne (Lily Collins) and Alex Stewart (Sam Claflin), whose growing feelings for each other are constantly being interrupted by relationships, distance, minor and major mistakes, as well as life itself.
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Despite the frustration it might cause viewers, Love, Rosie has an addictively adorable plot that has earned it a pretty devoted cult following. The romantic comedy is often praised for its raw view of life and love, appreciated for its depiction of just how messy life can get. Love, Rosie is well-loved for its underrated authenticity, an overlooked gem that stands among some of the most entertaining book-based films.
3
‘Crazy Rich Asians’ (2018)
Nick (Henry Golding) and Rachel (Constance Wu) on the couch together in ‘Crazy Rich Asians’Image via Warner Bros.
Crazy Rich Asiansis a beloved movie that stands out as one of the best modern rom-coms of the decade. The film, based on Kevin Kwan‘s bestselling novel, centers on economics professor Rachel Chu (Constance Wu), who accompanies her boyfriend, Nick Young (Henry Golding), to Singapore for a friend’s wedding. There, she learns that Nick is part of one of the wealthiest families living on the island.
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Crazy Rich Asians was a true hit upon its release. The movie dazzled, earning a solid rating of 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, as critics and fans alike sing its praises for its charming romance, lavish visuals, and memorable ensemble cast. From stunning performances to the movie’s brisk pacing, Crazy Rich Asians feels somehow both classic and fresh, an enticingly rewatchable adapted film that’s so entertaining it became one of the highest-grossing romantic comedies in years.
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‘To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before’ (2018)
This fantastic movie is a memorableteen masterpiece that definitely earned its status as a true Netflix phenomenon. Based on Jenny Han‘s novel, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before focuses on teen Lara Jean Covey (Lana Condor), whose little sister sends out her private love letters to her former crushes, forcing her to confront old and new feelings.
Audiences completely adore To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before for its charm and iconic performances. It’s an incredible, swoon-worthy, heartwarming coming-of-age story with undeniable chemistry, which made it an instant fan favorite. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is genuinely iconic, an emotional yet hilariously funny film that has instant rewatch value, marking it a hugely beloved Netflix book-based YA romance.
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‘Think Like a Man’ (2012)
Kevin Hart in the movie Think Like a Man laughing.Image via Sony Pictures Releasing
Adapted from Steve Harvey’s bestselling advice book Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, the film Think Like a Manis a slightly more unique book-based romcom than the other traditional watches on this list. The movie follows several couples whose relationships are affected when the women, tired of struggling on their journey of love, begin using Harvey’s dating advice to better understand the men in their lives.
Think Like a Man is honestly one of the most defining rom-coms to make it out of the 2010s. The movie is lauded for its charismatic cast, sharp humor, and relatable look at modern relationships. Think Like a Man is incredibly clever as it transforms dating advice into an entertaining battle of the sexes that keeps audiences entertained from beginning to end. This makes it a true number one book-inspired romcom that’s just as heartfelt, funny, and unforgettable as any original screenplay.
Larry the Cable Guy is recovering at home after a sudden case of appendicitis sent him to the hospital for two days. The 63-year-old comedian, whose real name is Daniel Lawrence Whitney, became ill in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Thursday night. His medical emergency reportedly forced him to postpone taping episodes of his forthcoming CBS syndicated series, “American Mayhem.” Larry the Cable Guy was discharged on Saturday and is said to be in good spirits as he continues recovering at home.
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Larry the Cable Guy was hospitalized after doctors diagnosed him with appendicitis. His representative subsequently confirmed the medical scare in a statement to the Daily Mail. “I can confirm that Larry was hospitalized with appendicitis. He was discharged today and is recovering well. He’s in good spirits and feeling much better,” the representative said.
No additional details about his treatment were included, and it was not stated whether the comedian required surgery. Following his release from the hospital, he returned to his 180-acre farm outside Lincoln, where he lives with his wife, Cara, and their two children, 19-year-old Wyatt and 18-year-old Reagan.
The unexpected hospitalization interrupted production on Whitney’s newest television project. He reportedly had to postpone recording episodes of “American Mayhem,” although no information was provided about when taping will resume. The comedy clip series is scheduled to premiere this fall through CBS syndication.
Whitney was announced as the host of the 52-episode weekly program in May. While the format has been compared to “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” “American Mayhem” will take a more extreme approach to user-generated content. Rather than focusing primarily on family-friendly clips involving pets, children, and everyday accidents, the new show will spotlight wild and “out of control” videos.
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The series marks another television venture for the comedian, who built his public persona around Southern humor and his signature “Git-R-Done!” catchphrase.
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When Whitney is not performing, recording his radio show, or working on television projects, he keeps busy on his Nebraska property. The comedian breeds horses, cares for cattle, and helps his son with bull riding and other rodeo activities. He is also an avid golfer.
Whitney spent several weeks touring his stand-up act earlier this year. His shows included stops in Florida and Atlantic City before the run concluded in Erie, Pennsylvania, on May 17. He also hosts “Larry the Cable Guy and The Fun Bunch” on SiriusXM channel 97.
His representative’s positive update suggests that Whitney is already improving, but no revised production schedule for “American Mayhem” has been announced.
Before his hospitalization, Larry the Cable Guy made it clear that he had no plans to soften his comedy because of America’s politically divided climate. “We live in the United States of America – somebody doesn’t want to like your act then don’t go see that person’s act. It’s as simple as that,” the comedian told Us Weekly.
Much like choosing one soda over another, Larry the Cable Guy argued that audiences can simply avoid entertainers whose material they dislike. With an established fan base behind him, Whitney said he feels comfortable continuing to perform the jokes he finds funny.
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“I don’t worry about it,” he explained. “I already got a pretty good, built-in following and I got some awesome fans. You know, if I think it’s funny I’m going to do it and we’ll see where it goes.”
He Credits Shane Gillis With Surviving Cancellation
Larry the Cable Guy also pointed to Shane Gillis as an example of a comedian whose career grew after he faced backlash. “If you let it bother you, yeah it’s going to be tough,” he said. “But I think Shane Gillis pretty much proved to everybody that you can get canceled and if you wanna double down on that that’s what people want you to do because they’re sick of it to.”
He added, “Shane Gillis got even more popular after he got fired from ‘Saturday Night Live’ for being ‘too woke’ from stuff he did 10 years ago, you know? And now look at him.”
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