Entertainment
Jana Kramer on Double Standard of Taylor’s Bachelorette Drama
Jana Kramer has thoughts about ABC’s last-minute decision to cancel Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of The Bachelorette.
“Abuse is never great TV,” Kramer, 42, said on the Thursday, March 19, episode of her “I Do, Part 2” podcast. “Where it’s being physical, that is not something that our children need to see. … When you have to grab someone, hurt someone, push someone, verbally, physically, that is not something to get viewership for.”
Taylor, 31, was named as the next Bachelorette in fall 2025, with her season scheduled to premiere on ABC Sunday, March 22. Days before the premiere, footage leaked of Taylor assaulting and throwing several chairs at ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen in 2023 while in the presence of her daughter. (Taylor shares Indy, 8, and Ocean, 5, with ex-husband Tate Paul, as well as son Ever, 2, with Dakota, 33.)
In light of the video’s release, ABC pulled the plug on Taylor’s season.
“DV is not something to joke about [or] to get viewership,” Jana, who previously claimed to suffer domestic abuse during her first marriage, stated on Thursday. “It’s just not at all, and if it was a guy, they would have shut it down immediately.”
ABC has not addressed their specific reasons for waiting to scrap Taylor’s journey until the video was released, though a rep did issue a statement addressing the cancellation itself.
“In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time,” a spokesperson for Disney Entertainment Television told Us Weekly in a Thursday statement. “Our focus is on supporting the family.”
Taylor is also a star on Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, which also ceased production on its fifth season.
“I’m proud of the [other] girls for not filming The Secret Life and being, like, ‘You guys need to figure this out,’” Jana said, referring to the reports that Taylor’s costars met with Disney execs to express their alleged desire to no longer filming with her. “You’re just enabling a situation that is not healthy and is not safe for anybody.”
According to Jana, ABC would have been “feeding into this really awful narrative” glorifying domestic violence had they not canceled the show.
“It’s not acceptable on the side, whether violent resistance or not,” the One Tree Hill alum stressed on her podcast. “Defend yourself to get out of a situation if that’s the case, but it’s not something where you should be highlighting [on television] or saying that behavior is OK. It’s not OK.”
After Taylor’s season of The Bachelorette was axed, she released a statement.
“Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security,” a rep for the MomTok creator said in a Thursday statement. “After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm.”
The statement concluded, “She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support and preparing to own and share her story.”
Dakota, meanwhile, has denied any accusations against him.
“As anyone who has seen the video will understand, this is a deeply upsetting situation,” Dakota said in a separate statement on Thursday. “I am, unfortunately, used to these baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny. I am focusing on our son and his safety, and hope that Taylor will do the same.”
The next day, Us confirmed that Dakota was granted a temporary protective order barring Taylor from coming within 100 feet of her ex or having any online communication before a court hearing scheduled for early April. The order also granted Dakota sole custody of Ever for the time being.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
Entertainment
Steven Spielberg Put His Foot Down and Refused to Make a Sequel to This Beloved Classic
When it comes to the best movies of the 1980s, there are few films more beloved than E.T. Brimming with adventure, heart, and one of cinema’s greatest friendships, the movie remains among the most special of director Steven Spielberg’s career. Additionally, the picture was a massive box office and merchandising success, so it only seemed natural that Universal would pursue a sequel.
Of course, such a follow-up never came to pass, thanks to Spielberg himself, though the director is set to deliver another sci-fi film focused on aliens with Dislcosure Day in June. While most studio directors would love to have a franchise spun off of one of their films, Spielberg fought to keep it from happening, and, with the gift of retrospect, we couldn’t be happier that everyone’s favorite extraterrestrial never returned to the big screen.
Spielberg Fought to Keep an ‘E.T.’ Sequel From Happening
These days, if a film hits at the box office, it’s almost inevitable that there will be some sort of sequel or follow-up, whether the story calls for it or not. But back in the 1980s, turning a hit property into a sequel was not always a guarantee. For Steven Spielberg, though, he did consider revisiting E.T., albeit briefly. According to the Hollywood Reporter, a recent conversation with Drew Barrymore saw Spielberg reflect on the idea. “I flirted with it for a little bit—just a little bit to see if I [could] think of a story—And the only thing I could think about was a book that was written by somebody that wrote the book for it called The Green Planet, which was all going to take place at E.T.’s home,” Spielberg explained. “We were all going to be able to go to E.T.’s home and see how E.T. lived. But it was better as a novel than I think it would have been as a film.”
However, Spielberg’s ultimate rejection of the idea wasn’t the end of the potential follow-up. At the time, Spielberg’s rejection alone wasn’t enough to call off any sort of sequel. “That was a real hard-fought victory because I didn’t have any rights,” the director stated. “Before E.T., I had some rights, but I didn’t have a lot of rights. I kind of didn’t have what we call ‘the freeze,’ where you can stop the studio from making a sequel because you control the freeze on sequels, remakes and other ancillary uses of the IP. I didn’t have that. I got it after E.T. because of its success.”
Interestingly, Spielberg is rumored to use his rights to stop further E.T. desecration. Universal’s Orlando theme parks have long celebrated Spielberg’s work, with The E.T. Adventure being one of the resort’s longest-running attractions. However, per Theme Park Tourist, there is a rumor that Spielberg has threatened to end his relationship with Universal, should they close the attraction, though these rumors remain unconfirmed. Still, when one considers the lineage of such efforts, or the proposed work itself, it’s safe to say Spielberg’s rejection of the idea was the right move.
An ‘E.T.’ Sequel Could Have Ruined the Original Film’s Legacy
In the decades since E.T., Spielberg has overseen some of the greatest franchises in film history. However, follow-ups without the director’s involvement have often yielded poor results. One needn’t look any further than the Jaws series for an example. What started with a film that is still nothing short of remarkable ended with a picture that is often considered one of the worst movies ever made. A major part of what made the series fall from grace so fast was the lack of Spielberg’s involvement, a feat that does not bode well for an E.T. sequel.
Additionally, after reading the nine-page treatment for the film, it’s easy to see why Spielberg ended up turning against it. Ultimately, the first film is perfect in its stand-alone form. Its deep themes are only made more prominent with the knowledge that our lead characters will never see each other again. Trying to follow that up in such a brazen way would have not only cheapened the ending, it would have ruined the film’s legacy. While it’s hard to step away from a beloved character or fantastic story, it was truly the right move to let E.T. be the masterpiece it is.
Entertainment
See the HBO Show’s Stars Then and Now
Euphoria fans have watched the cast change on and off screen since the series first debuted.
Based on the Israeli series of the same name, Euphoria follows troubled high school student Rue (Zendaya) as she struggled to remain sober after rehab. The series also explores topics including mental illness, toxic relationships, sexuality and more. After its premiere in 2019, the show’s ensemble cast, which includes Hunter Schafer, Alexa Demie, Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney, Maude Apatow, Colman Domingo quickly skyrocketed to fame.
The HBO series was quickly renewed for a second season, but it took nearly three years for the episodes to air, with the network ordering two individual specials about the aftermath of Rue and Jules’ (Schafer) breakup in the meantime.
Euphoria‘s third season was originally set to air on HBO in 2025 before it faced several delays, including creator Sam Levinson’s commitment to his short-lived series The Idol. The delay was extended during the dual WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, which took place in late 2023.
“We’ve been through strikes before, you know, they increase the cost,” HBO CEO Casey Bloys said in November 2023 about production costs. “I don’t see a scenario where I go, ‘Well, I was going to make another tentpole show, but now I’m not going to because we have to pay X amount more.’ I don’t think it works like that.”
Scroll down to see then-and-now photos of the Euphoria stars:
Entertainment
Britney Spears’ Ups and Downs Over the Years
Britney Spears’ career and personal life have faced a series of ups and downs over the years.
Spears first showed off her vocal skills on the singing competition Star Search at 10 years old in 1992. Following a stint on The Mickey Mouse Club, she signed a record deal with Jive Records in 1997 and created chart-topping hits.
As Spears’ popularity continued to grow, so did the attention on her personal life. Spears married her backup dancer Kevin Federline in October 2004 after a whirlwind romance. The twosome later welcomed sons Sean Preston and Jayden James.
In 2007, Spears made headlines for a very public breakdown, which lead her to temporarily lose primary custody of her boys. She was also placed under a legal conservatorship in February 2008, which gave her father, Jamie Spears, control over her finances and her person.
Hulu released an episode of The New York Times Presents titled “Framing Britney Spears” in February 2021, which renewed public interest in her conservatorship. A judge officially terminated the conservatorship in November 2021.
Years later, on March 5, 2025, Spears was arrested for a DUI the night before while driving near her home in California. She was booked at 3:02 a.m. on Thursday morning and released within three hours.
On April 12, 2026, Us Weekly confirmed that the iconic pop star had voluntarily checked herself into rehab.
Scroll through to revisit Britney’s ups and downs over the years:
Entertainment
Apple TV’s 8-Part Thriller Is So Good, You’ll Finish It in One Sitting
The best television shows are ones where you feel compelled to zoom through each episode until you reach the very end. These types of binges point to a series being altogether addictive, and who doesn’t love becoming obsessed with a fantastic new show? Within Apple TV’s already impressive streaming library, one series released in the summer of 2024 is guaranteed to have you binging it in one sitting.
What Is ‘Presumed Innocent’ About?
Presumed Innocent is based on the 1987 novel by Scott Turow, and you might have already seen the 1990 film version starring Harrison Ford, but that shouldn’t deter you from checking out the Apple TV series, which puts its own spin on the source material. The eight-episode thriller follows Rusty Sabich (Jake Gyllenhaal), a successful prosecutor with a loving family, but viewers quickly learn that there’s a very different side to his character.
Rusty has secretly been having an affair with his co-worker, Carolyn Polhemus (Renate Reinsve), and this only comes to light after Carolyn is brutally murdered in her home. Rusty’s life would have been complicated enough after her murder, but things become even more disastrous when his colleague, Tommy Molto (Peter Sarsgaard), decides to charge him with Carolyn’s murder. Presumed Innocent unfolds at breakneck speed as Rusty fights for his innocence, but the question remains: is Rusty truly innocent — and if he didn’t kill Carolyn, who did?
One of Jake Gyllenhaal’s Most Unforgettable Performances Is in This Apple TV Thriller
The tense, unpredictable series also stars Ruth Negga, Bill Camp, and Chase Infiniti.
‘Presumed Innocent’ Is a Thrilling, Wild Ride From Start to Finish
Each episode of Presumed Innocent will have you glued to your screen. The narrative is told through multiple flashbacks that dig deeper into Rusty’s life and his past with Carolyn, as well as brief, haunting images that force the viewer to question the facade Rusty presents to the world. These types of visuals elevate the series from just a standard psychological thriller and create a tension that will leave your heart racing. There’s also the fact that Presumed Innocent doesn’t stick to just one genre. Later episodes pivot to a courtroom drama, with Rusty’s trial center stage. The overwhelming stress tied to Rusty’s fate is depicted realistically and harshly, especially as it affects everyone from his dedicated lawyer (Bill Camp) to his loyal wife (Ruth Negga). The finale brings down the curtain in a super satisfying way, with every loose end wrapped up, and it’s certainly a wild ride to the conclusion.
Presumed Innocent would be compelling enough with its propulsive writing and the story’s twists and turns, but the series is truly electric because of its impressive ensemble. Gyllenhaal is perfectly cast as a conflicted man who struggles to hang on to a life that he’s partly responsible for destroying. His scenes with both Reinsve (recently nominated for an Oscar for her work in Sentimental Value) and Negga are brimming with differing chemistry that is all too fascinating to watch. Another standout performance comes from Chase Infiniti, who has popped up on everyone’s radar with her recent turn in the Oscar-winning One Battle After Another; her breakout role in this Apple TV series shows her earliest potential as an actor. Each member of the cast ensures that the show draws you in; Gyllenhaal, Negga, Camp, and Sarsgaard were even nominated for Emmys for their work.
Presumed Innocent has already been greenlit for a second season, based on an entirely new story and with a brand-new cast. Season 2, which is expected to be released later this year, will be adapted from the novel Dissection of a Murder by Jo Murray, starring Rachel Brosnahan, Matthew Rhys, and Fiona Shaw. This means that Season 1 of Presumed Innocent acts as a standalone series, making it a perfect binge-watch if you’re looking for a new show to become your latest streaming obsession.
Entertainment
Lucy Liu Recalls Shock Cancer Misdiagnosis
Lucy Liu is opening up about a deeply unsettling chapter in her life, recalling how a breast lump led doctors to wrongly diagnose her with cancer. That mistake ultimately resulted in multiple unnecessary surgeries.
The actress admitted she didn’t question the diagnosis at the time, trusting medical professionals even as the ordeal took a physical and emotional toll.
Liu is now using her experience to advocate for early detection and patient awareness, while also helping others avoid similar ordeals.
Lucy Liu Details How Misdiagnosis Sent Her To The Operating Table

Liu is reflecting on a harrowing medical experience from her past, revealing how a cancer misdiagnosis led her to undergo surgeries for a condition she didn’t actually have.
In an interview with PEOPLE, the “Charlie’s Angels” star recalled discovering a lump in her breast back in the 1990s. At the time, she admitted she didn’t immediately think much of it, but the lack of accessible medical information made the situation far more frightening.
When she finally visited the doctor for an expert opinion, she was told it was cancer. She put in for surgery to get the lump removed, but it was later discovered it wasn’t cancerous.
Liu Began Advocating For Herself From Then

Liu says the ordeal ultimately reshaped how she approaches her own health, pushing her to become a stronger advocate for herself in medical settings. Looking back, the actress admitted she initially ignored advice from friends who urged her to seek a second opinion.
“Even though my friend had said to get a second opinion, I sort of thought, ‘Well, what’s the point? The doctor knows what they’re talking about,’” Liu admits.
Today, the actress has taken that hard-earned lesson and turned it into purpose, using her platform to promote proactive health management and encourage others to advocate for themselves.
Lucy Liu Drums Up Attention To The Need For Early Detection

Liu continues to use her profile to spotlight the importance of early detection, partnering with Pfizer as part of its “Every Breakthrough Matters” campaign.
Through the multi-channel initiative, the “Kill Bill” star has helped amplify conversations around cancer awareness.
“It’s not about the fixing, it’s about really understanding what screening is, and about information and advocacy,” Liu said. “Although there is so much available to us technologically, a lot of people don’t do it because they don’t want to know if something’s wrong, or they’re too busy.”
The Actress Is Happy She Helps People Take Their Health Seriously

Liu also expressed gratitude for the ability to use her story to inspire others, saying she finds purpose in encouraging people to take their health seriously and advocate for themselves.
The veteran screen star noted that she doesn’t dwell on regret when reflecting on her experience, instead focusing on growth and the lessons learned along the way.
“I think there are too many punishing moments that you can have,” she said. “And I don’t think it should start from that place. I think it should start from a much more positive place, because you can’t go back in time.”
Liu added that she’s encouraged by the growing number of people who are becoming more proactive about their health.
“I feel like a lot of people have been advocating for themselves more and more, and especially for women’s health in general,” she added.
Lucy Liu Teases ‘Mystery Role’ For ‘Devil Wears Prada 2’
Liu is also keeping fans intrigued on the work front, teasing a “mystery role” in the upcoming “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” where she stars alongside Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Stanley Tucci, and Emily Blunt.
While the highly anticipated sequel is set to hit cinemas on May 1, details surrounding Liu’s character remain tightly under wraps, with the actress notably absent from trailers so far.
“It’s going to be highly entertaining,” she teased. “It’s going to give you all the things, all the eye candy, and it’s going to show that these characters have grown and changed.”
Liu added that audiences can expect evolution rather than repetition: “I think that’s what people want to see. They want to know 20 years later what’s different, because you don’t want to get served the same thing.”
Entertainment
Did Justin Rose Predict His Final Round 2026 Masters Surge?
Very few could have predicted Justin Rose’s impressive 2026 Masters final round surge — except, perhaps, Rose himself.
The English golfer — who has yet to earn a green jacket in his pro golf career — surged to the top of the leaderboard on the last day of the tournament on Sunday, April 12, at Augusta National.
The golfer is currently tied for second place at the time of publication with only a few holes left to play.
On Sunday morning, Rose, 45, posted a seemingly prophetic affirmation on his social media account ahead of the round.
“I said it last year…. I’ll say it again…. Let’s have a day! 🌺🌸,” he shared via X, along with a photo of a sign outside of Augusta National.
The comment section of the potentially historic post were filled with positive messages from fans.
“You’d look good in green Rosey, Have a day!” commented one user.
“Best of luck today, would love to see you finally win this. 🤞,” said another.
Rose was on the precipice of winning the 2025 Masters Tournament last year, losing in the playoff to Rory McIlroy.

Justin Rose plays his shot from the 12th tee during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
The epic tournament came down to the final few shots between the two golfers.
“The playoffs … it always ends so quickly,” Rose said after the 2025 tournament. “It’s sudden death. … If you’re not the guy to hit the great shot or hole the great putt, it’s over. That’s the nature of sudden death.”
Rose also finished in second place at the Masters in 2015 and 2017. He is one of nine golfers to finish as the runner-up at least three times in Masters history.
The former world No. 1 trailed McIlroy by seven strokes after the first two rounds of this year’s Masters, before gaining four strokes back in the third round on Saturday, April 11. That still left Rose three strokes behind the leader heading into Sunday.
Rose birdied five of his first nine holes on Sunday, which put him in the solo lead heading into the back nine, but consecutive bogeys on holes 11 and 12 set him back behind McIlroy on the leaderboard.
In early 2026, Rose broke the record for lowest score at the Farmers Insurance Open and became the first golfer to lead the tournament from start to finish since 1959.
Before the Masters, Rose said he was “feeling good about things” coming off that tournament.
“I feel like when I have found my game, I’ve played very well,” Rose said before the Masters began. “Farmers is a good example of that and more evidence that I’m still able to find my best, which is great to know.”
Entertainment
Adam Driver ‘Felt Bad’ Over ‘Star Wars’ Movie
Prolific director Steven Soderbergh has no beef with Adam Driver. The Oscar-winning director, who found success with the Ocean’s trilogy, was working on a movie featuring Ben Solo, a character who played a prominent role in the “Star Wars” sequel trilogy. Although the character supposedly died at the end of 2019’s “The Rise of Skywalker,” the actor had an idea to bring the character back. After initially getting approval from Lucasfilm, the idea was scrapped by Disney heads, and the project is, according to Soderbergh, officially dead.
Steven Soderbergh Clears The Air

While promoting his new movie, “The Christophers,” Variety couldn’t pass up a chance to ask him about his canceled “Star Wars” film. When they asked him what he learned from trying to get the movie made, he replied, “That there’s no such thing as wasted time.”
“It was great to work on that with Adam Driver and [writers] Rebecca Blunt and Scott Burns,” he continued. “Sometimes that’s just the way things go. I know what we came up with was good. I think it would have excited audiences. Working with smart people, trying to solve sh-t, is how you get better.”
Steven Soderbergh Claims Adam Driver ‘Felt Bad’

In the interview, Soderbergh revealed that Driver “felt bad” about involving him, only to see the project end up on the cutting-room floor.
“Adam felt bad for having gotten me into it. I think he felt like he wasted my time, and I made it clear to him, ‘Dude, that was not wasted time.’ It’s a problem-solving experience that will get applied to everything I do going forward,” Soderbergh said.
“I’m not upset. I feel positive about everything that we did together,” he added.
‘If It Was Gonna Happen, It Would Have Happened’

In a separate interview with The Playlist, Soderbergh confirmed that the movie was dead, saying, “Look, if it was gonna happen, it would have happened.” He also reiterated that he didn’t feel that the project wasted his time.
“I don’t regret one minute of the time we spent working on that,” he explained. “I felt the work was good. It’s just good for you to be in that room and working on it. It’s like CrossFit – it’s good for you. It’ll have a residual effect that will be unexpected at some point.”
“As soon as it became apparent, OK, not gonna happen, I sat down and started writing [something else],” Soderbergh said. “It’s like, ‘OK, new scenario, let’s get cracking.’ At a certain point, it’s like complaining about the weather. You just gotta keep moving.”
Soderbergh Says The Story Idea Was Adam Driver’s Idea

Although it isn’t clear exactly what the movie would have been about, Soderbergh revealed that the idea for the movie actually came from the actor.
“It was strictly Adam saying, ‘I think there’s still somewhere to go with this character.’ That’s how it started,” Soderbergh revealed. “Otherwise, I never in a million years would have found myself in that universe again.”
But when asked if he would ever return to the project again, Soderbergh gave a very simple: “Nope.”
Steven Soderbergh Is ‘Frustrated’ Over The Film’s Cancellation

This isn’t the first time that Soderbergh has addressed the film’s cancellation. In a February 2026 interview with BK Mag, the director said they were “all frustrated” that the film was scrapped before they could even discuss a budget.
“You know, that was two and a half years of free work for me and Adam and [writer] Rebecca Blunt,” he explained. “When Adam and I discussed him talking about it publicly, I said, ‘Look, do not editorialize or speculate about the why. Just say what happened, because all we know is what happened.’ The stated reason was, ‘We don’t think Ben Solo could be alive.’ And that was all we were told. And so there’s nothing to do about it, you know, except move on.”
“I’d kind of made the movie in my head, and just felt bad that nobody else was going to get to see it,” he continued. “I thought the conversation was strictly going to be a practical one—where they go, what is this going to cost? And I had a really good answer for that. But it never even got to that point. It’s insane. We’re all very disappointed.”
Entertainment
14 Years Later, Disney’s Cult Sci-Fi Movie Tom Cruise Wanted to Star in Is Way Better Than Its Baffling Box Office Would Suggest
Tom Cruise has a career packed with plenty of science fiction films. Edge of Tomorrow survived a turbulent production and became a surprise success. Oblivion may not have been as successful, but it led to Cruise working with Joseph Kosinski, and the two eventually reunited for Top Gun: Maverick. One could even argue that the technology used by Cruise’s Ethan Hunt in the Mission: Impossible franchise borders on the edge of science fiction. But there’s one science fiction movie that Cruise never managed to become a part of, despite his desire to play the lead role, and that’s John Carter.
Based on the John Carter of Mars novels by Edgar Rice Burroughs, the John Carter movie was shaping up to be truly epic. Andrew Stanton, the mastermind behind Pixar hits Finding Nemo and WALL-E, was making his live-action debut with the film. Michael Chabon, an accomplished novelist who helped contribute to the Spider-Man 2 screenplay, co-wrote the script. The cast was talented, including Bryan Cranston, Willem Dafoe, and Mark Strong among them. However, John Carter ran into a number of roadblocks that led to it being one of the biggest box office bombs in history — yet it’s far from a horrible movie.
Taylor Kitsch Beat Tom Cruise for the Lead Role in ‘John Carter’
In an oral history conducted by TheWrap, Stanton admitted that casting John Carter himself was a tough process, especially since the list of potential candidates was apparently a very long one. Taylor Kitsch would land the role, but Tom Cruise was determined to get it first. Stanton had his mind set on casting Kitsch, though:
“I had Taylor already in mind by the time Tom made his interest known. Tom had a long history with the material, so it wasn’t too surprising to discover he still had interest in it. He was a consummate professional in his discussions with me about the role, and beyond respectful to the fact I was already on an audition path with Taylor,” he said.
This wasn’t the first time Cruise had been attached to a John Carter film. Back in 1990, Disney was flirting with the idea of adapting the material with Cruise as Carter and Julia Roberts as the Princess of Mars, Deja Thoris. The team behind the scenes was just as impressive: John McTiernan was approached to direct following the success of Predator and Die Hard, with Back to the Future screenwriter Bob Gale tapped to flesh out the script. Things stalled out when McTiernan decided to direct Last Action Hero (which ironically turned out to be another box office bomb), but it’s not surprising that Cruise wanted to join Stanton’s version.
‘John Carter’ Is a Good Movie That Was Let Down by Its Marketing
Looking back at John Carter, it’s a film that was ahead of its time. Most of the political intrigue and worldbuilding rivals anything displayed in Dune or Game of Thrones, and Stanton’s work with Pixar makes many of the computer-generated characters — including Dafoe’s Tars Tarkas, leader of the Green Martians — feel like actual flesh and blood. Stanton and Chabon also manage to distill the essence of A Princess of Mars into an action-packed adventure that also has a fair amount of humor and heart. So what exactly led to its box office misfortunes?
The answer lies in the marketing campaign which saw Stanton making a number of baffling choices. He chose not to advertise his work with Pixar in the trailers, when that could have drawn newcomers to the theater. Instead of going with A Princess of Mars as the title, the choice was made to simply call the film John Carter, without considering that some audience members might not know about the books. The cherry on top was the fact that Disney’s marketing team at the time was led by someone who had no experience in movies, and therefore didn’t really know how to sell the film. “This is one of the worst marketing campaigns in the history of movies,” a Disney exec told Vulture. “It’s almost as if they went out of their way to not make us care.”
The Failure of ‘John Carter’ Marked a Turning Point for Disney
John Carter might have been yet another example of Disney fumbling a potential sci-fi franchise, but it would also mark a turning point for Disney. A few months after John Carter‘s failure, The Avengers would take the box office by storm and Disney would also acquire Lucasfilm. With the Marvel Cinematic Universe proving to be a moneymaker and the Star Wars franchise under its belt, Disney would slowly rely on those two properties for sci-fi stories.
John Carter is a simple case of execution failing to meet intent. While Andrew Stanton intended to deliver a cosmic epic that matched Edgar Rice Burroughs’ books, he didn’t take marketing into account. But the film’s reappraisal in later years proves that it had the glimmers of something special — and it didn’t need Tom Cruise to pull it off.
Entertainment
No Doubt’s Tom Dumont Reveals Parkinson’s Diagnosis
No Doubt guitarist Tom Dumont shared a personal update on social media, revealing his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis ahead of the band’s upcoming Las Vegas residency. He talked candidly about his health, offering insight into his journey while reassuring fans as No Doubt prepares to take the stage in one of entertainment’s biggest hubs.
Tom Dumont Has Early-Onset Parkinson’s Disease

On April 11, Tom Dumont took to Instagram to share an update on his health. According to the 58-year-old guitarist, he had been experiencing symptoms in the past years, which prompted him to visit a neurologist and undergo a series of tests to find out the underlying cause of his issues.
“I was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease. It’s been a struggle. It’s a struggle every day. And I’ll make another video with details about what Parkinson’s entails,” Dumont said.
Parkinson’s disease, per the Mayo Clinic, is a degenerative neurological disorder with symptoms that may include tremors, rigid muscles, poor balance, and speech changes. While the disease has no cure, patients are given medication or may undergo rehabilitation to reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life. According to statistics, more than 1.1 million Americans are affected by Parkinson’s, with about 90,000 people diagnosed every year.
The Guitarist Shared His Story To Raise Awareness
Dumont is revealing his diagnosis, as he was inspired by others who have come forward with their own health journey with Parkinson’s. “I think it helps erase some of the stigma, and it raises awareness, obviously. And awareness is really important for prevention and for research,” said Dumont.
Some notable figures who have been diagnosed with the disease include Michael J. Fox, Muhammad Ali, Neil Diamond, and Ozzy Osbourne.
Dumont’s fans and peers reacted to his announcement, commending him for his bravery and sharing words of encouragement. His No Doubt bandmate, Tony Kanal, wrote, “Love you beyond words my friend. Can’t wait to get on stage with you again.”
Tom Dumont Shared Some Good News
Despite his diagnosis, Dumont said he’s been “doing really well.” “The good news is, I can still play music. I can still play guitar,” he shared. Elsewhere in the video, he revealed that he has been getting ready for No Doubt’s Las Vegas residency and had fun looking back at old footage and photos from years past.
“It’s kind of made me think about how grateful I am for the life I’ve gotten to lead as a musician all these years, you know,” the guitarist said, adding his gratitude for the people who have supported him and No Doubt through the years. “It’s thanks to our families and our friends and listeners and you, and everyone who’s come to our shows over the years. Thank you,” said Dumont gratefully.
Tom Dumont And No Doubt
Dumont joined No Doubt as a guitarist in 1988. The ska-punk band released two albums before gaining mainstream success with the release of their third album in 1995, “Tragic Kingdom.” From then, the band had several hit songs, including “Just a Girl,” “Don’t Speak,” “Bathwater,” “It’s My Life,” and “Hella Good.”
In 2004, No Doubt took a hiatus, with the members focusing on personal projects and their families. They reunited a few times before taking another break in 2015. In 2024, the band reunited to perform at Coachella, and in January 2025, No Doubt performed for the FireAid LA benefit concert.
No Doubt has received nine Grammy nominations and won twice for Best Pop Performance, first for “Hey Baby” in 2003, followed by “Underneath It All” in 2004.
No Doubt’s Upcoming Las Vegas Residency
The No Doubt reunion at the 2025 benefit concert reignited fan excitement, ultimately leading the band to secure a Las Vegas residency at the Sphere. In December 2025, Gwen Stefani talked about the reunion, sharing that she and her bandmates have been discussing their comeback for a while. “I think the Sphere is the future, you know what I’m saying? It’s kind of a cross between a concert and a movie,” she said on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”
Stefani teased that their performances are going to be “really nostalgic” for the fans and make them feel like they are “back in time.” “They’re a big part of our lives and we want to see them in Vegas,” she exclaimed.
The No Doubt “Live at Sphere” 18-show residency kicks off on May 6.
Entertainment
Pete Davidson Jokes It’s ‘Hard to Watch Porn’ as a Girl Dad
Pete Davidson’s entire world shifted after he became a girl dad — though some aspects of his life as a father were admittedly more surprising than others.
“I haven’t done stand-up in 5 months because I just had a baby; it’s a lot of fun,” Davidson, 32, said during his Saturday, April 11, comedy show at Las Vegas’ The Fontainebleau, per footage obtained by Us Weekly. “[I] got a little girl. It’s weird having a little girl. It’s hard to watch porn … in front of her.”
Nevertheless, Davidson said that he persisted.
“I still did. I power through,” the comedian quipped, reiterating that fatherhood “is great.”
Davidson’s girlfriend, Elise Hewitt, gave birth to the couple’s first baby, daughter Scottie Rose, in December 2025. Davidson and Hewitt, 29, named their baby after the Saturday Night Live alum’s late father. (Pete’s dad, Scott Davidson, was a firefighter who died in the line of duty while responding to the deadly September 2001 terrorist attacks.)
“The best thing I’ve been telling people is [that Scottie is] the biggest gift,” Davidson exclusively told Us Weekly in January of life as a father. “Nothing else matters as much or intensely, like career, activities, hanging out with people [or] what do people think of me, that sort of s***. I still want to do cool stuff, but it’s like, ‘Well, how long do I have to be away?’ Or ‘Is this worth being away?’”
Pete further gushed that it had been “f***ing awesome” watching Hewitt effortlessly step into her role as a mom.
“The whole time I was very sure and knew that she would be great at being a mom. She’s very caring and, almost to a fault, puts everybody else’s needs first,” Pete told Us of Hewitt, whom he started dating in early 2025. “So, it’s really just sweet to see how on top of things she is, and … if [Scottie is] crying, [Elsie] knows exactly what to do. She has, like, little tricks that get her to relax or calm down, and all that stuff is really f***ing cool to watch and see.”
Pete added at the time, “She definitely will wake up every three, four hours just to check the Nanit [baby monitor] like, no matter what, the Nanit app is open on Elsie’s phone. She’s always making sure that the baby’s all set. … She genuinely enjoys it, which is great, and we both do.”
Pete and Hewitt also have aspirations of expanding their family further.
“We want her to have a friend, for sure. We love the idea of her being a big sister,” Pete told Us weeks later in January. “I didn’t think I would already think about having another one. The idea of that sounds absolutely insane right now. … The process of giving birth is so insane, but so empowering once it happens. Just having this little thing, I really can’t explain how incredible the whole thing is.”
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