One thing that sets James Cameron apart from other filmmakers is his quality-over-quantity approach — Cameron has only directed three movies in the last 16 years, but each earned over $1 billion and is one of the highest-grossing movies of all time. Cameron has focused primarily on developing the Avatar franchise in the last 20 years, but now that the future of the series has been called into question, he could be ready to dive into other projects after spending so much time on Pandora. However, while many modern audiences have connected to Cameron through his work on the hit sci-fi franchise, he’s been directing acclaimed hits for 40 years now. Avatar: The Way of Water may have grossed over $2 billion at the box office, but Cameron has another sci-fi sequel that’s even more iconic than his long-awaited return to Pandora.
All the way back in 1986, James Cameron took the directorial reins from Ridley Scott for Aliens, the sequel to the influential 1979 sci-fi masterpiece, Alien. It was always going to be difficult for any sequel to live up to a movie as good as Alien, but Cameron delivered a sci-fi thriller just as good, and some would even argue better, than the original. Now 40 years removed from Aliens grossing over $131 million at the box office against a modest $18 million budget, the film is officially making a comeback with a new Prime 1 Studio statue of the Queen Alien from the film. Standing at nearly 30 inches tall, the figure is now available for pre-order for a whopping $8,699, and it’s expected to ship out to customers starting November 2027.
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Collider Exclusive · Sci-Fi Personality Quiz Which Sci-Fi Hero Are You Most Like? Paul Atreides · Captain Kirk · Princess Leia · Ellen Ripley · Max Rockatansky
Five iconic heroes. Five completely different ways of facing an impossible universe. One of them shares your instincts, your values, and your particular way of refusing to back down. Eight questions will tell you which one.
🏜️Paul Atreides
🖖Capt. Kirk
✊Princess Leia
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🔦Ellen Ripley
🔥Max Rockatansky
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01
How do you lead when the stakes couldn’t be higher? The way you lead under pressure is the most honest thing about you.
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02
What is your greatest strength in a crisis? The quality that keeps you alive when everything else fails.
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03
What is the thing you’d sacrifice everything else for? Your deepest motivation is your truest compass.
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04
How do you relate to the people around you? Who you are to others under pressure is who you really are.
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05
You’re facing a threat that no one else believes is real. What do you do? How you respond when you’re the only one who sees it defines everything.
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06
What has your heroism cost you personally? Every hero pays. The question is what — and whether they’d pay it again.
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07
How do you feel about the rules of the world you’re in? Every hero has a relationship with the system. What’s yours?
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08
When everything is on the line, what keeps you going? The answer is the most honest thing about you.
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Your Hero Has Been Identified Your Sci-Fi Hero Is…
Your answers point to the iconic sci-fi hero who shares your instincts, your values, and your particular way of facing the impossible.
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Arrakis · Dune
Paul Atreides
You carry a weight most people would crumble under — the knowledge of what you’re capable of, and the burden of what you might have to become.
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You see further ahead than others and you plan accordingly, even when the vision frightens you.
You are driven by loyalty to your people and a sense of destiny you didn’t ask for but can’t escape.
Paul Atreides is not simply a hero — he is someone who understands the cost of power and chooses to bear it anyway.
That gravity, that willingness to carry what others won’t, is exactly you.
USS Enterprise · Star Trek
Captain Kirk
You lead with instinct, warmth, and an absolute refusal to accept a no-win scenario — because you’ve always believed there’s a third option nobody else has thought of yet.
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You take the mission seriously without ever taking yourself too seriously.
Your crew would follow you anywhere, not because you demand it, but because you’ve earned it.
Kirk’s genius isn’t tactical — it’s human. He reads people, bends rules with purpose, and wills outcomes into existence through sheer conviction.
That combination of warmth, audacity, and relentless optimism is unmistakably yours.
The Rebellion · Star Wars
Princess Leia
You are the kind of person who holds the line when everyone else is losing faith — not because you’re fearless, but because giving up simply isn’t something you’re capable of.
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You lead through conviction. Your voice carries because your belief is unshakeable.
You gave up everything ordinary the moment you chose the cause, and you’ve never looked back.
Leia is not a supporting character in her own story — she is the moral centre of the entire rebellion.
That same fierce, principled, unbreakable core is what defines you.
The Nostromo · Alien
Ellen Ripley
You are not reckless, not grandiose, and not particularly interested in being anyone’s hero — you just refuse to stop when it matters.
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You see threats clearly, you document the truth even when no one listens, and when the time comes you handle it yourself.
Ripley’s heroism is earned, not performed. She doesn’t have a speech — she has a flamethrower and a plan.
You share her composure under the worst possible pressure, and her refusal to pretend the monster isn’t there.
When it counts, you don’t flinch. That’s everything.
The Wasteland · Mad Max
Max Rockatansky
You have been through fire that would break most people — and what came out the other side is something the world underestimates at its peril.
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You don’t ask for help, don’t need validation, and don’t wait for anyone to tell you the rules no longer apply.
Your loyalty, when it finally arrives, is absolute — but it’s earned in silence and tested in action, not in words.
Max is not a nihilist. He is someone who lost everything and found, against his will, that he still has something worth protecting.
That bruised, stubborn, ultimately human core is exactly yours.
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Is ‘Aliens’ on Streaming?
Aliens is not available to watch on any of the big streaming services in America at the time of writing, but the film is available to rent or purchase on VOD platforms like Prime Video and Apple TV for only a few dollars. Even the original Alien is absent from streaming right now, as is the controversial 1992 threequel, Alien 3, which was directed by David Fincher. More recent additions to the franchise like the TV series Alien: Earth and the blockbuster Alien: Romulus are streaming on Hulu for all subscribers.
Check out the new Queen Alien Prime 1 Studio figure from Aliens and stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of James Cameron’s future projects.
Post Malone is engaged again, marking a major romantic milestone with Christy Lee after the couple kept much of their relationship away from the spotlight.
The Grammy winner reportedly proposed with a massive engagement ring, with the news emerging through a friend’s social media post rather than from the couple themselves.
The announcement comes after the pair quietly built their relationship over the past year, first drawing attention when they were spotted together in Paris.
Post Malone and Christy Lee are officially engaged, with Lee debuting her new ring in a series of celebratory Instagram Stories shared by her friend Marina Hollyer on Wednesday, August 19.
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Hollyer posted a photo of the couple embracing as Lee showed off the diamond ring, veil, and a “Bride to Be” sash. “My best friend in the world just got engaged, Love you more than words Toph!!!” Hollyer wrote in her caption per PEOPLE.
She also shared a group photo featuring the newly engaged couple and their friends, along with another picture of Lee holding her hand to her mouth while displaying the ring.
The engagement follows a romance that initially unfolded quietly. The pair were first linked after being spotted together in March 2025.
The following month, they were seen enjoying dinner at the high-end Paris steakhouse Beefbar before stepping out for a shopping trip. During that outing, the pair were photographed kissing after visiting several designer stores.
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Now, more than a year after their first public sightings, the couple is preparing for marriage, with their engagement marking the latest chapter in a relationship they have largely kept private.
Malone’s Relationship With Jamie Park Ended Before He Found Love Again
Post Malone’s engagement to Lee marks a new chapter in his personal life, but it comes after the end of a long and largely private relationship with Hee Sung “Jamie” Park, the mother of his daughter.
Malone and Park had been together for years and became engaged in 2021, with the rapper later revealing that they had welcomed their first child in May 2022.
He kept much of their relationship away from the public eye, including Park’s identity, which was not widely known until court documents surfaced after their split.
By late 2024, however, the couple had quietly ended their relationship, with Malone subsequently linked to Lee in early 2025.
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According to reports, Malone’s relationship with Park had ended before his romance with Lee became public.
Post Malone’s Breakup With Park Led To A Custody Fight Over Their Daughter
Hee Sung “Jamie” Park, ex-noiva de Post Malone, entrou na Justiça pedindo a guarda física total da filha de 2 anos. Ela aceita guarda legal compartilhada e visitas. A menina vive com a mãe desde novembro de 2024, após o fim do romance com Malone.
Sadly, Malone’s relationship with Park ended with a complicated custody dispute involving their young daughter.
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As The Blast stated, Park filed for primary physical custody in Los Angeles Superior Court in April 2025.
The filing sought primary physical custody of their daughter, who was identified in court documents only by her initials, DDP.
Park also requested joint legal custody and indicated that she was willing to give Malone visitation rights. She further asked that Malone cover her legal fees.
The filing marked the first major public glimpse into the private relationship Malone had carefully kept away from the spotlight.
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The 31-year-old had deliberately avoided publicly identifying Park or sharing images of their child. He had previously explained that he wanted his daughter to decide for herself when she was ready to have her life made public.
Malone Scored A Legal Victory In Custody Battle With His Ex-Fiancée
The custody dispute continued to develop over the following months, with Post Malone securing an important legal development in July 2025.
The Blast revealed that the “Sunflower” singer had scored a victory in the battle with Park over their daughter.
The development came after both sides had filed competing custody proceedings in different states. Park had sought primary physical custody in Los Angeles, while Malone’s filings maintained that Utah was the more appropriate jurisdiction for their daughter’s custody case.
The jurisdiction mattered because Malone and Park had previously shared custody in Utah, where their daughter had lived, and California generally had higher child-support obligations.
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Sources close to the case said Park had moved to California after the couple split in late 2024, allegedly to establish residency before pursuing custody there.
Malone disputed that arrangement in court, arguing that their daughter had strong ties to Utah and should remain there.
His attorneys had also sought to have Park’s California petition dismissed, describing the move as an attempt to shift the case to a more favorable jurisdiction.
On July 21, 2025, Park voluntarily dismissed the California case, meaning the custody dispute would continue in Utah instead.
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Post Malone And Park Eventually Settled Their Custody Battle
The legal battle between Malone and Park ultimately ended later that year, when the former couple reached an agreement regarding their daughter.
According to court documents filed in Utah on November 13, 2025, the duo’s agreement addressed custody, visitation rights and child support, while another report revealed it also addressed paternity and parenting time.
However, the precise terms of the agreement were not made public. TMZ also noted that the arrangement could include other matters, such as health insurance for their daughter, but those details were likewise unavailable because of the sealed agreement.
“In the beginning when it first started, I was not used to it. I was a dancer, and when you’re a dancer, you’re used to everybody loving you. So I went from that to becoming sort of a villain in so many ways,” Carrie Ann, 58, exclusively told Us while promoting her partnership with Novartis.
Carrie Ann has held her position at the judges table since the show’s 2005 premiere, most recently sitting beside Bruno Tonioli and former DWTS champion Derek Hough. For Carrie Ann, staying true to herself is vital when navigating all the online noise.
“I think in this life, everybody’s dealing with that. Everybody’s got an opinion about something. We’re also divided about everything. So I think everyone is going through that,” she said. “I want people to be able to have their opinion, just like I have my opinion. I think that that’s fair. So I really have this strong fairness thing. Like I need everything to be fair. So if I get to have my opinion, I have to be strong enough to hear other people’s opinion. I’ve always told myself that from day one.”
Carrie Ann Inaba hasn’t always been able to score her health a 10. While the Dancing With the Stars judge consistently brings positive energy, helpful feedback and pivotal scores to the ballroom every week on ABC’s hit reality show, Inaba has found herself experiencing some health struggles that have kept her sidelined during filming. Ahead […]
She continued, “When people give me their opinion, sometimes I engage because I want to know why. Because we’re all learning, right? I think it’s always interesting to hear people’s opinion. And sometimes when I know it’s just being cruel, then I don’t engage.”
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Carrie Ann pointed to the fact that DWTS is a “group collaborative effort,” noting that fans are “what make the show” and — of course — ultimately cast their votes on the competing couples.
“They are the ones who get those people going,” she said. “I mean, I think last year we had like 75 million votes in the finale. Yeah, I mean that’s a lot of people getting involved, and that’s wonderful. So how could I ever be upset about whatever their opinion is? I’m just happy that they have one.”
After fellow judge Len Goodman died, Carrie Ann recalled feeling an innate need “as the woman” on the panel to “always, kind of, step in and fill the holes.”
Carrie Ann Inaba is getting real about the challenges of being the only female judge on Dancing With the Stars. “There have been times where I’ve almost walked away,” Inaba, 55, said at the Variety Women Of Reality TV event in Beverly Hills on Wednesday, November 29, per footage shared via social media. “As the […]
“Sometimes I think we need to just put down the foot right, but I’ve always been that way. Like I just always trust what I see and I always trust myself in those moments because you have to, right?” she explained. “The truth is, you know, we get a lot of feedback, and me, I get a lot of feedback about what I say and what I do because I’m a woman, and we know that. But that’s OK. So therefore, I must be sure, and I must feel good in what I say, so I always just check in here and I say what I really mean, and I know my intentions.”
She continued, “I’m always there to help the person who’s in front of me. I’m not there for anyone else. I’m not there to look good. I’m not there to be popular. I’m there to make sure that the person dancing in front of me gets any information that could help them get what they want out of the show, and so that’s what I’m always doing with my comments. Sometimes I don’t get them out in the most eloquent way. I don’t know any of the people who are watching who think they could do it either in 15 seconds.”
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While navigating criticism from fans, Carrie Ann has also been quietly battling Sjögren’s disease. Per the Mayo Clinic, Sjögren’s disease leads to the body accidentally attacking its own tissue and can affect glands that make moisture in the eyes and mouth.
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“It’s challenging because you can’t see this disease on the outside,” she said. “Especially, I think for me, it’s a very unique situation because I work in television, and I have a team that puts me together. So if I’m really not feeling good, I look like I’m feeling good, right? That’s kind of the point of having the 19 people that are standing right here helping me out.”
While Carrie Ann previously worried that Sjögren’s disease may impact her DWTS career after she missed the first episode of last season, she’s hoping that speaking about her health battle through Novartis for the Sjöut for Sjögren‘s campaign can help spread awareness.
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“I think a lot of people who deal with something like Sjögren’s disease and are battling chronic illness go through these moments where you wonder if you can keep going, if you can keep your job,” she said. “That’s why it’s so important to have conversations like this about it.”
Matthew Rhys weighed in on the chance of working with Keri Russellon Widow’s Bay — or any other project — after their beloved collaboration on The Americans.
“Well, Keri and I discussed that. And then I discussed coming on The Diplomat and then playing Tom Loftis on The Diplomat, which is usually met with silence,” Rhys, 51, joked during an exclusive interview with Us at Brooklyn Bridge Marina on Tuesday, August 18, for the Brunswick Boat Group Event.
Rhys enjoyed the idea of sharing the screen with Russell, 50, again.
“There’s the danger [though] if you’re trying to recreate something,” he told Us about the couple not being in a rush to work together unless it felt like a good fit for both of them creatively. “If the right project came about and that made sense for us to be both in it. Because I think there’s a degree of, ‘Oh, you know why they’re doing it.’”
Life imitating art. Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys played a married couple on The Americans — and then they fell in love in real life. The Felicity alum and the Welsh actor played undercover Russian spies Elizabeth and Philip Jennings on the FX drama, which aired from 2013 to 2018. When Russell landed the role, […]
Rhys added: “If it made sense, absolutely. I’d love to.”
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The Americans, which ran from 2013 to 2018, followed Elizabeth (Russell) and Philip Jennings (Rhys) as two Soviet KGB intelligence officers posing as an American married couple living in a Virginia suburb of Washington, D.C.
Rhys and Russell met while working on the critically acclaimed FX series and have been together ever since. They both branched out to different roles since their days on The Americans, with Russell being nominated for her work on The Diplomat and Rhys for his efforts on Widow’s Bay.
“I was fortunate enough to produce on Widow’s Bay and they were very gracious enough to include me,” Rhys told Us about being involved behind the scenes as well. “So I enjoy that inclusion. It feels like you’re an adult being asked to the adult’s table. But I also love the shock of reading and going, ‘Oh my God, I wasn’t expecting that.’”
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While Rhys doesn’t know what comes next after Widow’s Bay got renewed for season 2 — and scored 19 Emmy nominations — he doesn’t mind speculating wildly.
“The question I’ve been asking Yana Grebenyuk Katie [Dippold] the most is, ‘What is the curse? The monster? The island? What is it?’ he noted. “So I’m so intrigued as to whether it’s something physical and tangible to be reasoned with or something inside us. I have no idea. I just know I’m glad I’m not writing it.”
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He continued: “There’s a part of me that wants Hamish Linklater’s character, Richard, to come back. So I kind of want that to be the curse. He keeps knocking on my door and I’m always like, ‘What?’ And he is the curse and always ever present. I think there could be a lot of fun with that.”
As Rhys awaits the scripts for season 2, he is keeping busy by partnering with Brunswick Corporation in honor of the company’s latest innovations across boating, propulsion, navigation and marine technology.
“I remember thinking how calm it was. I think how calm water is in general and just thinking, ‘Oh, it’s just such a lovely way to spend some time,’” Rhys recalled how he fell in love with boating. “You’re just looking at the water.”
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He added: “After a hectic day, there’s literally nothing I prefer more than coming to Brooklyn Bridge Park and ultimately Brooklyn Bridge Marina and just looking out at the water. That I think is the gold of what we have as New Yorkers is you are so close to looking at the water. It’s the greatest asset and to me is one of the most calming.”
Rhys spoke with Uswhile enjoying the views on the NAVAN C30. Brunswick also has other options including the Boston Whaler 405 Conquest, 210 Guardian and 330 Outrage, the Sea Ray SLX 360, the Elite, the Mercury Racing x MTI 440X Catamaran, the Textron TSUNAMI 25′ and more.
“I have no idea why but I had the mad idea of owning a boat, which is ridiculous. What you need are friends with boats. That’s what you should aim for,” Rhys joked. “Or what we try and offer here with Brunswick is an accessibility to the water without necessarily boat ownership, which is far more reasonable.”
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Christie Brinkley knows how to show up and show out, and yes, we’re referring to the gorgeous coastal-chic outfit she flaunted for a ‘fit check.’ Her look gives instant Hamptons rich mom style, thanks to a few staple pieces that are flowy, comfortable and downright flattering. We’re obsessing over the entire ensemble, but her striped top really seals the nautical deal.
The supermodel was on her way to a Solving Kids Cancer benefit when she stopped to give fans a glimpse at her outfit of the day. For the rainy weather, Brinkley styled a yellow waterproof jacket over a Jean Paul Gaultier maxi skirt, adding a wicker tote bag, rope belt and Loewe sandals. However, what gave the star’s outfit that quintessential beachy look was her top, which she calls “a classic French T-shirt.” We may not know where she got her exact shirt, but we found a near-identical option that transitions so well from summer to fall.
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Get the LilyCoco Striped Long-Sleeve Shirt for $10 (was $29) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
The LilyCoco Striped Long-Sleeve Shirt is relaxed yet polished, giving the same vibes as Brinkley’s top for (probably) much less than her actual style. In fact, this shirt is 66% off right now on Amazon, bringing the price down to only $10 — although no one would ever think you got this elevated-looking pick for such a steal.
Meghan Markle will forever be a style icon in our eyes. She has a knack for effortlessly piecing together fashion essentials that feel elevated, relaxed and California cool. Yes, it’s totally a tall order! While we’re usually looking at her clothes, this time, we’re eyeing an accessory the star has been wearing constantly: a garden […]
Similar to Brinkley’s choice, this Amazon find has a white base with blue Breton stripes, long sleeves and a high neckline. We also really like the elongating boatneck style, which is super trendy at the moment. Brinkley didn’t tuck her top in, but the loose fit allows you to do so with jeans, trousers and skirts.
Made from a cotton-blend fabric, the shirt is ideal for both summer and fall events. It’s breathable and light enough for warm temperatures and layering-friendly days. Shoppers confirm that the body-fitting shirt is soft, provides a decent amount of stretch and feels structured, so you can wear it over and over without showing ‘wear.’
Brinkley isn’t the only one fawning over the Breton shirt style. Over 800 shoppers gave the piece a perfect five-star rating, including one personready to buy it in other colors.
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“The fit was perfect, and the fabric looked much more expensive,” they wrote. “I have worn it with jeans and under a sweater to dress it up. The cut is very flattering and versatile to wear at several different places. I received several compliments.”
Another person who claims to be a “clothing snob” wrote, “I feel the quality of this tee is as nice as the Boden tops, and I do own a few of them. I will definitely be ordering more of these in more colors!”
You may not have a benefit event to attend, but that shouldn’t stop you from scoring this chic striped tee to channel Brinkley’s look. And because the top transitions well from season to season, you’ll get so much use out of it! Grab the on-sale shirt now while it’s only $10.
Get the LilyCoco Striped Long-Sleeve Shirt for $10 (was $29) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
Jennifer Lopez doesn’t shy away from making a statement, especially when she’s out and about in Europe. The “Save Me Tonight” singer was spotted walking around Paris wearing an effortlessly chic all-white outfit that simply stunned. However, we couldn’t help but look down at her brown mule pumps style that contrasted beautifully with her neutral […]
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.
“I have no words to express the loss of our beloved Hayden,” Jackson, 44, wrote via Instagram on Wednesday, August 19. “She had such a bright light within her. She was a sensitive soul. Incredibly funny and witty. Amazingly gifted, with a great sense of empathy and compassion. We both grew up in the industry, although she started even younger than me, but we shared that. A silent knowing of how intense the struggles can be.”
The two worked closely on the music-themed drama series, which ran from 2012 to 2016 on ABC and later from 2016 to 2018 on CMT. Panettiere played rising country music star Juliette Barnes while Jackson portrayed Juliette’s husband, bad boy Avery Barkley.
“She was an absolute joy to work with. Focused, spontaneous and brilliant,” Jackson remembered. “The most important thing between friends and coworkers is trust, and we had this. Lisa [Vultaggio, his wife] and I both love and cherish her deeply, like our own sister. She holds that place in our hearts. My prayer for her every day we worked together was that she would know how loved she is, and that she would find the peace that she was looking for.”
Blake Lively encouraged people to “be kind” following the deaths of her late Gossip Girl costar Michelle Trachtenberg and Hayden Panettiere. Lively, 38, shared a clip of Trachtenberg and Panettiere in their 2005 comedy Ice Princess via her Instagram Story on Monday, August 17, along with a reminder that everyone has private struggles. “You never […]
The Greenville Police Department announced on Sunday, August 16, that Panettiere was found “unresponsive” at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina. She was later pronounced dead from a suspected overdose.
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An autopsy completed on Monday, August 17 determined that “no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed” to Panettiere’s death. The Greenville County Coroner’s Office clarified that an official cause of death will be announced “pending further investigation and the completion of additional studies.”
“It’s not possible to express the shock and grief that so many of us feel right now,” Jackson wrote in reference to Panettiere’s death. “Our humble prayers are with her family. May God’s angels carry you to your place of rest and true peace. We love you Hayden. You will always be in our hearts. Always.”
Several Nashville cast members have publicly paid tribute to Panettiere in the days since her death was announced. Connie Britton — who played Juliette Barnes’ rival Rayna Jaymes on Nashville — described her late costar as “bursting with brilliance [and] shining so bright.”
Hayden Panettiere and Jonathan Jackson on “Nashville.”Mark Levine / ABC / Courtesy Everett Collection
“I have no words for this sad song. Just heartbreak. I love you girl. Sleep easy now,” Britton, 59, wrote via Instagram on Monday.
Charles Estenshared the charming story of how he met Panettiere during the show’s audition process. (He appeared as songwriter Deacon Claybourne on Nashville.)
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“I will never forget the first time I met her,” Esten recalled via Instagram on Monday. “In a sound stage office in Hollywood, I was finishing up my very first Nashville audition. I had read two Deacon scenes before pulling out my guitar and singing two songs. I said my goodbyes and, hoping I’d done well, went to open the door to leave. Instead of swinging all the way out, the door bumped into somebody. Kinda hard.”
The actor continued, “To my complete surprise, It was Hayden Panettiere, who — in full Juliette Barnes mode — had been listening with her ear to the door. Instead of looking even a little bit caught, her face instantly bloomed into the most beautiful smile. Eyes twinkling, she clapped her hands and said, ‘That was so good!!’”
Ice Princess fans are mourning the unfathomable death of Hayden Panettiere less than two years after the loss of Michelle Trachtenberg. Emotional tributes for the former costars have filled social media after news broke that Panettiere died at age 36 on Sunday, August 16, following an apparent overdose. “Our ice princesses are together again ❤️,” […]
Esten remembered developing an instant rapport with his future costar in that moment.
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“I told her that, along with my Heroes-watching family, I was already a big fan of hers, and that I was grateful for the very kind words. It was her turn to go in, so as I went to leave, I said a jokingly cocky, ‘See you on the set,’” he wrote. “I was, of course, many auditions away from landing that incredible role. But when I finally did, and showed up in Nashville to start work, she walked right up to me, pointed in my face, and with that magical grin said, ‘See you on the set!’”
On Wednesday, PETA revealed that Panettiere shot a new animal rights campaign for them weeks before her death. The campaign features the late star posing in a bathtub in protest of the plight of marine animals living in extreme captivity in theme parks across the world.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
“One thing about Americans is we can see through bulls*** and we don’t like entitled grifters,” McCain, 41, tweeted on Wednesday, August 19. “They could never hack it here and truly no one gives a s*** about d list royals.”
On Wednesday, People reported that Harry and Meghan are planning to move back to the U.S. six years after stepping down as working royals. The royal couple have reportedly already made plans for their son Prince Archie, 7, and daughter, Princess Lilibet, 5, to attend school there in September. (Harry and Meghan are expected to keep their U.S. home in Montecito, California, as well as other international properties.)
Offering the Duke and Duchess of Sussex a less-than-friendly goodbye, McCain tweeted, “Good luck to our friends in the UK, they’re your problem now.”
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McCain has been a consistent critic of Harry and Meghan as they branched out into a production deal with Netflix and launched the Duchess’ As Ever lifestyle brand.
The former View panelist dismissed Meghan’s Netflix lifestyle show, With Love, Meghan, as “highly curated, produced and out of touch” when a trailer debuted in January 2025.
“I would have told her to do a show helping bring fresh food [and] desserts in low income neighborhoods. Do something to help people instead of your ego,” McCain tweeted at the time.
The conservative pundit later railed against Meghan during a February 2025 episode of her Meghan McCain’s Happy Hour digital series.
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“I cannot stand her,” McCain declared. “I love people that I can relate to, like every other 40-year-old mom. I don’t want to eat her jam. I love Princess Kate [Middleton].”
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.Mathis Wienand/Getty Images
McCain is not the only one questioning the Sussexes’ move back to the U.K. Royal author Christopher Andersenexclusively told Us on Wednesday that Harry and Meghan’s U.K. return is likely to cause chaos within the royal family.
“All I can think of is: here we go again,” Brothers and Wives writer Andersen told Us. “For starters, I can only imagine that William and Kate are tearing their hair out. They have so much on their plate as it is trying to shore up the monarchy and propel it into the future; they don’t really need to cope with having Harry and Megan on their proverbial doorstep.”
Anderson, 77, continued, “By returning to the U.K., the Sussexes will inevitably suck up all the oxygen in the room. They will generate countless tabloid stories and take the focus away from other members of the Royal family, which is a major no-no. King Charles and Queen Camilla, in particular, don’t like to be upstaged, and the same goes for William.”
The royal expert speculated that the couple’s decision to move back to the U.K. could also raise “obvious privacy” and “security concerns.”
Meghan McCain is shutting down trolls who called her “old and ugly,” revealing she is aging just like everyone else. “I am normally an Armadillo-skinned person, and there’s been a lot of commentary about how ‘old and ugly’ I am now,” McCain, 41, said during the Wednesday, July 22, of her and Miranda Wilkins’ “Citizen […]
“The King and Prince William were apparently gobsmacked by the announcement. Oh well, here comes the drama,” Andersen teased. “The Palace is scrambling to make sense of this. After all, it was not that long ago that Meghan and the children cut short their stay in the U.K. after a meeting with the King and Queen that was described as perfunctory.”
Harry and Meghan announced in January 2020 that they were stepping down from their duties as active royals. They initially moved to Vancouver Island, British Columbia, for an extended stay that same month, before relocating to Montecito in July 2020.
Us has reached out to Harry and Meghan’s spokesperson for a comment on McCain’s tweet.
Thanks to a developer portfolio, a cancelled Star Wars RPG gameplay video has officially resurfaced on the internet, and it looks like Apex Legends meets the 2010-2015 era vibe of perhaps Splinter Cell — as evident by the gameplay and character selection models that seem half-cooked; the game had playable Jedi and Mandalorian classes. Per GameRant, the game was reportedly cancelled in June 2025 when Zynga shut down Echtra Games. Its early gameplay and concept footage have surfaced publicly just now in August 2026.
Although gameplay mechanics weren’t really unveiled in detail, some of the known features included an NPC bond system to unlock deeper companion interactions alongside mission objectives involving base infiltration and communication network sabotage. In the surfaced video, the player can be seen using a Jedi character to slash enemies and a Mandalorian shooting things and other player classes around. The video also has hints of shoot-and-loot (just like a traditional PUBG loot), overall mission objectives in the sidebars, and crosshair-target distance in meters, among other mechanics. The in-development gameplay footage comes from the cancelled Star Wars: Magellan. It was an RPG that was largely planned to focus on multiplayer gameplay and had an NPC bond system similar to that of Persona’s Social Link System.
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Collider Exclusive · Sci-Fi Survival Quiz Which Sci-Fi World Would You Survive? The Matrix · Mad Max · Blade Runner · Dune · Star Wars
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Five universes. Five completely different ways the future went wrong — or sideways, or up in flames. Only one of them is the world your instincts were built for. Eight questions will figure out which dystopia, galaxy, or desert wasteland you’d actually make it out of alive.
💊The Matrix
🔥Mad Max
🌧️Blade Runner
🏜️Dune
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🚀Star Wars
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01
You sense something is deeply wrong with the world around you. What do you do? The first instinct is often the truest one.
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02
In a world of scarcity, what resource do you guard most fiercely? What we protect reveals what we believe survival actually requires.
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03
What kind of threat keeps you up at night? Fear is useful data — if you’re honest about what you’re actually afraid of.
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04
How do you deal with authority you don’t trust? Every dystopia has a power structure. Your approach to it determines everything.
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05
Which environment could you actually endure long-term? Survival isn’t just tactical — it’s physical, psychological, and very much about where you are.
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06
Who do you want in your corner when things fall apart? The company you keep is the clearest signal of who you actually are.
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07
Where do you draw the line — if you draw one at all? Every survivor eventually faces a moment that tests what they’re actually made of.
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08
What would actually make survival worth it? Staying alive is one thing. Having a reason to is another.
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Your Fate Has Been Calculated You’d Survive In…
Your answers point to the world your instincts were built for. This is the universe your temperament, your survival instincts, and your particular brand of stubbornness were made for.
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The Resistance, Zion
The Matrix
You took the red pill a long time ago — probably before anyone offered it to you. You’re a systems thinker who can’t help but notice the seams in things.
You’re drawn to understanding how the system works before figuring out how to break it.
You’d find the Resistance, or it would find you — your instinct for spotting constructed realities is the machines’ worst nightmare.
You function best when you have access to information and the freedom to act on it.
The Matrix built an airtight prison. You’d be the one probing the walls for the door.
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The Wasteland
Mad Max
The wasteland doesn’t reward the clever or the well-connected — it rewards those who are hard to kill and harder to break. That’s you.
You don’t need comfort, community, or a cause larger than the next horizon.
You need a vehicle, a clear threat, and enough fuel to outrun it — and you’re good at all three.
You are unsentimental enough to survive that world, and decent enough — just barely — to be something more than another raider.
In the wasteland, that distinction is everything.
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Los Angeles, 2049
Blade Runner
You’d survive here because you know how to exist in moral grey areas without losing yourself completely.
You read people accurately, keep your circle small, and ask the questions others prefer not to answer.
In a city where humanity is a legal designation rather than a feeling, you hold onto something that keeps you functional.
You’re not a hero. But you’re not lost, either.
In Blade Runner’s world, that distinction is everything.
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Arrakis
Dune
Arrakis is the most hostile environment in the known universe — and you are precisely the kind of person it rewards.
Patience, discipline, and political awareness are your core strengths — and on Arrakis, they’re survival tools.
You understand that the long game matters more than any single victory.
Others come to Dune and are consumed by it. You’d learn its logic and earn its respect.
In time, you wouldn’t just survive Arrakis — you’d begin to reshape it.
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A Galaxy Far, Far Away
Star Wars
The galaxy far, far away is vast, loud, and in a constant state of violent political upheaval — and you wouldn’t have it any other way.
You find meaning in being part of something larger than yourself — a cause, a crew, a rebellion.
You’d gravitate toward the Rebellion, or the fringes, or whatever pocket of the galaxy still believes the Empire’s grip can be broken.
You fight — not because you have to, but because standing aside isn’t something you’re capable of.
In Star Wars, that willingness is what makes all the difference.
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Why Was ‘Star Wars: Magellan’ Canceled?
Echtra Games was owned by Zynga, and the parent company ended up shutting the developer down in June 2025. Although the exact reason for its cancellation is not revealed, it is largely believed that, tragically, Magellan was caught in that particular crossfire. The question that arises here is why it wasn’t continued, and that’s probably because, after the strategic realignment within Zynga and Take-Two, the franchise continued to push out more games, including but not limited to the Star Wars Jedi, not to mention the continued traction of Star Wars: Outlaws. Star Wars: Starfighter is also currently in production.
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Star Wars: Magellan is cancelled now, and its recent gameplay video comes from a developer portfolio. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
Sam Asghari and Britney Spears may have gone their separate ways, but the model and actor still has plenty of admiration for his former wife. In a recent interview, Asghari discussed the legendary pop star’s music career, praising her talent and the lasting impact she has had on pop culture. His comments offer a glimpse into how he views her years after they ended their relationship.
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Britney Spears and Sam Asghari‘s relationship ended in 2023, but the actor appears to harbor no ill feelings toward his ex-wife. In fact, he has nothing but praise for the singer, speaking highly of her talent.
In a recent episode of “Page Six Radio,” Asghari said he didn’t really listen to Spears’ music before they began their relationship. He leaned toward other music genres back then, citing Eminem, 50 Cent, and Tupac as some of the artists he listened to the most.
“I didn’t know much of it, and I didn’t know about pop culture, what it meant to the world,” he said. He only understood the magnitude of Spears’ influence after getting to know her and listening to her music.
“The second I realized that these songs actually meant and why people resonated with it and why they were icons like Michael Jackson, Madonna, and her, you know, King of Pop, Queen of Pop, and Princess of Pop. Then I understood, and it made me appreciate the music even more,” Asghari explained.
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The Actor Talks About Britney Spears’ One-Of-A-Kind Artistry
Asghari gushed over Spears’ career evolution, highlighting her beginnings as an “innocent girl” with her debut album, “…Baby One More Time,” and her transformation into a bolder, more daring pop star in later records.
“It sort of created a blueprint that nobody after that has ever really accomplished. And I mean, we see some artists now that are trying to do it, but it’s just not ever going to happen,” Asghari said, adding that many singers today were inspired by Spears, whether they admit it or not.
The actor shared that he always championed Spears in whatever she wanted to pursue, as he wanted her to express herself. “I think once you’re those people that you’re entitled to be the Princess of Pop, you can say something, and it’s going to become iconic,” he said.
Inside Sam Asghari And Britney Spears’ Relationship
Asghari and Spears first met in 2016 when the model was cast as the singer’s love interest in the music video for her song “Slumber Party.” Dating rumors began after the two were spotted hanging out, and they made their relationship Instagram-official later that same year.
The couple shared snapshots of their time together, from celebrating special occasions to going on vacations and attending public events. Asghari and Spears got engaged in 2021 and announced they were expecting a baby in April 2022. Just a month later, however, the singer revealed that she had suffered a miscarriage. The couple went on to marry in June of that year.
Britney Spears Called Marriage To Sam Asghari A ‘Fake Distraction’
In 2023, Asghari filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. At that time, sources noted the couple had explosive arguments and reached a breaking point that led them to go their separate ways.
Later, Spears posted an Instagram photo, which has since been deleted, writing in the caption that her marriage to Asghari “felt like a fake distraction” as a way to cope with the pressures she was facing.
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In response, Asghari said the marriage felt “very real” to him, adding that he was in love with the singer and “will always have love for her,” as The Blast previously reported.
Sam Asghari Continues To Speak Highly Of His Ex-Wife
Asghari has moved on from Spears and is in a relationship with real estate agent Brooke Irvine, but he has remained complimentary of Spears whenever she comes up in interviews.
When Spears was arrested for a DUI in March, Asghari responded with compassion, saying that everyone makes mistakes and asking people to respect the pop star’s privacy, per The Blast.
The model has repeatedly said that, while breakups are difficult, he remains grateful for the time he spent with the singer and wishes her only well.
2026 has already been a strong year for HBO. The return of hit medical drama The Pittstarring Noah Wyleand an impressive debut season for A Knight of the Seven Kingdomswere just two of the big success stories, with the recent third season of House of the Dragon making up for a divisive second installment. But perhaps one of the most underrated shows to air this year so far has been the fourth season of Industry, which scored impressive reviews during its early-2026 run.
The acclaimed drama, created by former investment bankers Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, has only increased in popularity since its first installment, with the recent Season 4 premiere earning over 800,000 cross-platform viewers in its first three days across HBO and HBO Max, the show’s highest premiere to date. This then grew to 1.1 million viewers for Season 4, Episode 6, “Dear Henry,” with the success encouraging HBO to renew the series for a fifth and final season.
“In terms of ‘why now?’, I mean, it’s been five seasons… I think five seasons is a really good run,” HBO boss Casey Bloys said when asked about the fifth season being the last, with thoughts quickly turning to how Down and Kay can bring their thrilling gem to an epic conclusion. Well, adding several exciting names to the cast is a great start, with it now confirmed that a selection of talented faces will be joining Season 5. This includes Cary Elwes as investor Padgett Stillman, Glee‘s Dianna Agron as Skip Binksy, the CFO of a wellness tech company, Sam Riley as elusive British businessman Solomon Kerr, Silo‘s Jessica Brown Findlay as Marina, a family friend of Sir Henry Muck, and Luke Manley (Marty Supreme), Baby Gill (Slow Horses), and Eduard Poliakov (On Drive).
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Collider Exclusive · Universe Personality Quiz Which Iconic Universe Do You Belong in the Most? Star Wars · Lord of the Rings · Harry Potter · Game of Thrones · Star Trek
Five legendary universes. Five completely different visions of what the world could be — or already was. One of them is the world your instincts, your values, and your particular way of existing were built for. Eight questions will tell you which one.
🚀Star Wars
💍Lord of the Rings
🧙Harry Potter
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👑Game of Thrones
🖖Star Trek
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01
What gives your life its deepest sense of meaning? Every universe is built around a different answer to this question.
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02
Which kind of world do you most want to inhabit? The environment shapes who you become. Choose carefully.
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03
How do you prefer your conflicts resolved? The shape of a world’s conflicts tells you everything about its soul.
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04
Who do you want beside you when things get difficult? Your ideal companions reveal the world you were made for.
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05
What is your relationship with power? How you seek, wield, or resist power is the map of who you are.
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06
How does your universe treat good and evil? A world’s moral architecture tells you more about it than any map.
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07
What role would you naturally fall into? Every universe has archetypes. Which one fits you without trying?
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08
What do you ultimately believe about the future? The answer to this is the clearest window into which universe already lives inside you.
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Your Universe Has Been Chosen You Belong In…
Your answers point to the iconic universe your values, your instincts, and your particular way of seeing the world were built for. This is where you would find your people — and your purpose.
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A Galaxy Far, Far Away
Star Wars
You believe in the cause — in the idea that freedom is worth fighting for even when the odds are impossible and the empire is vast.
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You are drawn to the moral clarity of a universe where hope itself is a form of resistance.
You’d find your people in the Rebellion — a ragtag coalition of true believers held together by conviction more than resources.
Star Wars is fundamentally a story about ordinary people choosing to matter in an extraordinary conflict — and that is exactly your kind of story.
The Force may or may not be with you. But the will to use it for something larger than yourself certainly is.
Middle-earth
Lord of the Rings
You understand, in the deepest part of yourself, that the journey matters as much as the destination — and that the world’s beauty is worth protecting even at great cost.
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Middle-earth is a world of ancient wonder, deep friendship, and a darkness that only retreats when enough small acts of courage accumulate.
You would thrive here because you value the fellowship more than the glory — the road more than the arrival.
Tolkien’s universe rewards patience, loyalty, and the willingness to carry something heavy across a very long distance.
Those are not burdens to you. They are simply how you move through the world.
The Wizarding World
Harry Potter
You believe that love, loyalty, and doing what’s right are not naive sentiments — they are the most powerful forces in any world, magical or otherwise.
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The Wizarding World is a place of wonder hidden in plain sight, where learning is transformative and the bonds you form at school follow you into every battle.
You would flourish here because you take both the magic and the friendships seriously — and you understand that one without the other is incomplete.
Harry Potter’s universe ultimately rewards those who choose to stand for something even when standing is terrifying.
That choice — made quietly, without guarantee — is something you understand completely.
Westeros · The Known World
Game of Thrones
You see the world clearly — its power structures, its hypocrisies, its brutal arithmetic — and you are not paralysed by that clarity. You use it.
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Westeros is a world that rewards intelligence, adaptability, and the willingness to understand that every alliance is also a negotiation.
You would survive here — possibly thrive here — because you don’t confuse the world as it is with the world as you’d like it to be.
Game of Thrones is a story about what happens when the idealists and the realists collide. You are sharp enough to know which one lasts longer.
Winter always comes. You are already prepared.
The United Federation of Planets
Star Trek
You believe the future is worth building — that curiosity, cooperation, and the expansion of understanding are not just ideals but the most practical path forward for any civilisation.
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Star Trek is a universe where the questions matter as much as the answers, and where encountering something utterly alien is cause for wonder rather than fear.
You would belong here because you are fundamentally optimistic about what intelligence and decency can achieve — while being honest about how hard that achievement is.
The Federation is the universe’s most ambitious thought experiment: what if we actually got better?
You don’t just hope that’s possible. You think it’s the only thing worth working toward.
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What’s the Most Anticipated HBO Max Release Still to Come?
The term “low fantasy” refers to magical stories that take place on Earth rather than a totally separate world like Middle-earth or Narnia. These tales inject whimsy and enchantment into otherwise mundane settings, which actually makes the fantastical elements hit even harder.
Magic systems, meanwhile, come in a spectrum ranging from “hard”—meaning magic with clear rules and mechanics, like those in the Mistborn series—to “soft”—which refers to magic that is mysterious and ambiguous, like some of the spellcraft in Game of Thrones. With those points in mind,this list looks at the most memorable and ingenious magic systems in all of low fantasy, the ones that stand out because of their creativity, structure, and dynamism.
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‘Skulduggery Pleasant’ (2007)
Image via Harper Collins Children’s Books
“Magic belongs to those willing to master it.” Skulduggery Pleasant is a great YA urban fantasy that follows twelve-year-old Stephanie Edgley after she inherits her eccentric uncle’s estate and becomes the partner of the skeletal detective Skulduggery Pleasant, a bag of bones animated by raw magic, capable of casting spells and hurling fireballs. He’s just one of many colorful inhabitants in a hidden magical society operating alongside contemporary Ireland.
Through Stephanie’s eyes, readers slowly learn about a system in which practitioners generally devote themselves to a single branch of magic, like elemental manipulation, developing genuine expertise through years of study. Magic here isn’t limitless or easy; it requires a ton of intelligence and experience. Author Derek Landy bundles all this within an enjoyable package of sharp humor and fast-paced plotting.
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‘Storm Front’ (2000)
Image via Ace
“Magic always demands preparation.” Another story about a magical detective, though a darker, grittier one. Storm Front is the first installment in Jim Butcher‘s Dresden Files, centering on Harry Dresden, Chicago’s only professional wizard-for-hire. In this one, he investigates a series of gruesome supernatural murders while balancing his responsibilities to both the magical and ordinary worlds. The magic Harry uses is pretty “hard,” grounded in rules and unbending principles.
For instance, spells demand physical and mental effort, leaving practitioners drained, and are strictly governed by the body of wizards known as the White Council. Mages require concentration, symbolic tools, and preparation to cast spells effectively, and violating certain magical principles carries severe consequences. In other words, in the book, wizardry feels more like a demanding craft involving staves, blasting rods, circles, potions, enchanted objects, and a lot of practice.
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‘The Magicians’ (2009)
Image via Cornerstone
“Magic is harder than anyone imagines.” Most fantasy novels portray magic as empowering, but The Magicians takes a far more complicated view. In it, author Lev Grossman presents spellcasting as an extraordinarily demanding academic discipline requiring immense intelligence and precision. Even more strikingly, the students who master it still find themselves wrestling with depression, ennui, loneliness, and nihilism.
In this regard, The Magicians is a kind of anti-Harry Potter, replacing wonder and enchantment with stress and competition, and portraying magic as a power that corrupts those who wield it. Protagonist Quentin Coldwater enrolls at a magical university expecting fulfillment, only to encounter exhausting studies and endless danger. On top of that, interpersonal problems still abound. Ultimately, while the characters’ spells may be mighty, they can’t solve their emotional issues or undo their trauma.
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‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’ (2000)
The original cover of Harry Potter and the Goblet of FireImage via Bloomsbury Publishing
“The magical world is far larger than Hogwarts alone.” Practically any Harry Potter bookcould make this list, though the one with the most striking explanation and depiction of its magic systems might be Goblet of Fire. It broadens the scope of the story and world, with Harry’s unexpected selection for the Triwizard Tournament introducing us to magical schools beyond Hogwarts, as well as all sorts of new spells and items. There’s just so much colorful stuff here: grindylows, merpeople, arcane cups, dragons, and even resurrection rituals.
Importantly,a lot of this stuff isn’t just entertaining set dressing but integral to the plot itself. For example, near the beginning of the book, Harry and Ron use a Portkey, an ordinary object that has been enchanted to transport those who touch it to another location; this magic is what later teleports Harry and Cedric to the graveyard when they both touch the Triwizard Cup. Finally, Goblet also explains the Unforgivable Curses, which, too, make a dramatic reappearance in the third act.
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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.
08
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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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‘Piranesi’ (2020)
Image via Bloomsbury
“The House gives everything, but only to those who truly observe it.” A gorgeous, lyrical novel by the great Susanna Clarke. The plot revolves around a character nicknamed Piranesi who lives within a strange dimension he calls “the House.” It’s an endless labyrinth of halls, statues, tides, and clouds that appears to exist outside ordinary reality. As Piranesi carefully documents the rhythms of this impossible place, he slowly begins uncovering secrets about both the House and his forgotten past.
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The magic in the book is mysterious, and we never really understand how all of it works, like how or why the House alters people’s consciousness and distorts their memories. Different characters also have contrasting beliefs about its nature and how it works. For example, two of the supporting characters take an academic approach, using rituals and scientific tools to try and extract power from this odd alternate world, while Piranesi treats the House like a living thing meant to be understood rather than exploited.
‘Babel’ (2022)
Image via Harper Voyager
“Translation itself becomes a source of power.” This book from R.F. Kuang (author of The Poppy War) boasts a very cool, original magic system rooted in translation. Set in an alternative nineteenth-century Oxford, the novel follows Robin Swift as he studies at the Royal Institute of Translation, better known as Babel (a reference to the biblical tower where everyone spoke a different language and no one could understand each other).
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At Babel, scholars harness magic through specially engraved silver bars that exploit the subtle differences between words in different languages. Those tiny gaps in meaning become sources of supernatural energy capable of reshaping the physical world. Kuang fleshes this novel system out into an entire discipline, showing how it influences politics and conflict all across the globe, and supports both empires and rebels in pursuing their aims. Thematically, she uses these ideas to comment on colonialism, language, scholarship, power, and identity.
‘Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell’ (2004)
Image via Bloomsbury
“Magic has a history every bit as important as its power.” While Piranesi is great, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrellremains Susanna Clarke’s masterpiece. It’s set during the Napoleonic Wars in an alternative version of nineteenth-century England and follows the country’s only practicing magicians, the cautious Gilbert Norrell and the brilliant but impulsive Jonathan Strange, as they attempt to restore English magic to its former glory.
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Along the way, Clarke constructs an entire scholarly tradition complete with centuries of forgotten history, rival schools of thought, legendary practitioners, and academic debate. Footnotes, fictional books, ancient folktales, scholarly disputes, and long-forgotten magical traditions create the impression that English magic has existed for centuries before the novel begins. Some of the magic is systematized and academic, while other parts of it are dark and dangerous, like the arcana wrought by the Raven King, a stolen human child raised in the faerie world.
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