Milly Alcock is facing increased online attention ahead of DC’s “Supergirl,” as her recent remarks about critics and fandom culture spark debate and add to early concerns about the film’s box office outlook.

With projections suggesting a modest opening and heavy competition in the summer slate, the conversation around the film has expanded beyond performance expectations to Alcock’s public comments and rising profile in Hollywood.

The actress, however, also reflects on her journey from humble beginnings to leading a major superhero role.

Milly Alcock has become the center of a growing online debate surrounding DC’s upcoming “Supergirl,” after recent comments she made about critics sparked backlash and renewed scrutiny ahead of the film’s release.

According to Page Six, early box office projections for the June 26 release suggest a soft opening, with industry estimates placing its domestic debut between $47 million and $65 million and a total U.S. run potentially ranging from $107 million to $181 million, according to “Box Office Theory.”

With a reported production budget of around $170 million and marketing costs pushing total expenses close to $245 million, analysts say the film may need about $425 million worldwide to break even.

Against that backdrop, Alcock’s remarks during a Variety interview have drawn significant attention.

What The Actress Said About Her Critics Being ‘Christian’ Dads

While responding to online criticism, the actress dismissed anonymous accounts, including users identifying as religious parents, saying many lacked credibility.

“It’s from a lot of people whose profiles have no photo, who are burner accounts,” she said, adding that she sees profiles that read like “Dad of four, Christian,’ which is hilarious to me.”

Alcock went on to say, “If you’re p-ssing the right kind of people off, you’re doing OK,” a comment that quickly circulated across social media and intensified debate around her public image ahead of the film’s release.

The actress also expanded on her broader views about fandom and celebrity culture, suggesting that distrust in traditional institutions has pushed many people toward online spaces for validation and guidance.

Speaking further on the topic of fandom, Alcock argued that governments don’t always have “anyone’s best interests at heart” and that audiences often turn to “online forums to find that guidance.”

However, she cautioned that this kind of emotional reliance on celebrities or fictional characters can become unhealthy, creating what she described as “an unhealthy relationship with a person” who will ultimately disappoint.

Alcock’s remarks have divided opinion online. Some critics believe her comments risk alienating audiences and dampening enthusiasm for the film, while others defended her stance as pushback against online harassment.

The discussion has also drawn comparisons to previous Hollywood controversies involving public statements made by lead actors in major studio releases, a recent one being the Disney live-action remake of “Snow White,” which bombed at the box office.

Meanwhile, “Supergirl” faces a crowded summer box office window, with major releases such as Disney’s “Toy Story 5,” “Minions & Monsters,” and the live-action “Moana” all arriving within weeks of its release.

The Actress Reflected On Her Rise To  Fame And The Pressure Of Leading ‘Supergirl’

Alcock, who first rose to prominence as young Rhaenyra Targaryen in HBO’s “House of the Dragon,” has since taken on roles in projects like “Sirens” before landing the lead role in “Supergirl.“

She has also acknowledged the pressure of stepping into a major superhero franchise, admitting she is mindful of audience expectations but trying to manage what she can’t control.

“Of course I’m scared,” she said earlier this year. “Of course, I want people to like me and the movie. But, ultimately, it’s out of my control.”

In her Variety cover story, the 26-year-old actress shared that her early life and career were far from glamorous. Before her breakout roles, Alcock said she was living in the attic of her family home and working part-time in a Sydney restaurant while auditioning for roles.

“I sound like a Roald Dahl character,” she joked, recalling how she also worked as a dishwasher in an open kitchen where customers could see her. “I was washing these dishes so proudly and so terribly.”

Milly Alcock Is ‘Excited’ For All The Young Women Who Are Going To Watch ‘Supergirl’

Alcock first gained recognition starring in the Australian series “Upright,” which ran from 2019 to 2022, before her career shifted dramatically with her casting in “House of the Dragon.”

That role paved the way for her selection as Kara Zor-El in James Gunn’s DC universe, beginning with “Supergirl.” She is also expected to reprise the character in the follow-up film “Man of Tomorrow,” slated for 2027.

Reflecting on her rapid rise, Alcock admitted she is especially looking forward to young women connecting with the character on screen. “I am so excited for all the young women who are going to see this.”

Alongside the demands of fame, Alcock has also spoken about navigating online criticism as someone who “grew up online,” saying she tries not to engage with negativity while adjusting to life in the spotlight.

“Supergirl” is set to hit theaters on June 26.

By Robert Scucci
| Published 41 seconds ago

Here’s a rhetorical question for you: Who’s the best Batman? That’s right, Michael Keaton. I’ll bet you’re wondering what an article about Frasier has to do with Batman, which forces me to direct your attention to the Season 9 episode, “Wheels of Fortune,” in which we learn that Frasier’s ex-wife Lilith has a disgraced half-brother, Blaine Sternin, portrayed by the best Batman himself. Most conflicts in Frasier come down to an epic battle of the wits, and our favorite titular gasbag certainly meets his match here.

Normally, Frasier and Niles spend their days looking down their noses at everybody else through a lens of self-righteous, tongue-in-cheek pomposity, including their retired cop dad Marty, Frasier’s radio producer Roz Doyle, sports shock jock Bulldog, and just about anybody else who crosses their paths. In “Wheels of Fortune,” however, Frasier comes to intellectual and spiritual blows with Blaine Sternin, a con artist of the highest order who’s working yet another scheme that Frasier sees through immediately while everybody else falls for it hook, line, and sinker.

It’s Michael Keaton at his scummiest, and he’s truly in his element, making for one of the more entertaining episodes this late in the series’ run.

Charm Is The Viscous Grease With Which He Lubricates His Flim-Flam Machine! 

Up to this point in Frasier’s run, we’ve never even heard of Blaine Sternin, and rightfully so. Frasier’s divorce from Lilith before the events of the series has him living on the other side of the country, only seeing his son Frederick during holidays or school breaks. Once Frasier realizes that a run-in with Blaine is imminent, however, we quickly learn why he’s avoided any form of contact with the man for the sake of his own mental health and personal finances.

The episode kicks off with Frasier wrapping up his call-in show at KACL when Roz steps into the booth to let him know that Blaine, who he hasn’t heard from in years, is looking for him. Frasier immediately assumes that his ex-half-brother-in-law is back to his usual tricks, the most egregious involving Blaine stealing his antique salt server years ago. All signs suggest that Blaine wants to reconcile with Frasier, but Frasier wants no part of it because he assumes the worst is about to happen.

Back at his apartment, Frasier warns Niles, Marty, and Daphne about Blaine just before hearing a knock at the door. It’s Blaine, but now he’s confined to a wheelchair and supposedly a Born-Again Christian. He quotes scripture, encourages everybody to say grace before dinner, and reveals his true intentions: he’s starting a career as a preacher and will be speaking in town the following day. He also alludes to being $1,000 short on the room deposit needed to make that happen, though he assures Frasier he’s not asking for a handout.

Frasier, neither impressed nor willing to believe that Blaine is actually paraplegic, remains on high alert while the rest of the group slowly warms up to him. He’s right to be wary because the last time he fell for Blaine’s tricks, he lost a significant amount of money on “Kelp Futures.”

As you would expect, Frasier gets humbled in the worst possible way when he tips Blaine out of his wheelchair during the event before receiving confirmation from the doctor that Blaine is actually crippled. Publicly humiliated, Frasier makes a sizable donation to save face, only to later learn that Blaine was faking the whole thing after all. It’s one of those rare instances where Frasier becomes so obsessive in sizing somebody up that he comes off as irrational and absurd, only to be completely vindicated in the end because you never mess with Batman.

This Isn’t The Only Batman To Frasier Pipeline

“Wheels of Fortune” is a top-tier Frasier episode that would never have landed nearly as well without Keaton’s legendary performance. Going back to his stand-up days, when he made esoteric jokes about Bazooka Joe comics, Keaton has always carried this wry smile and borderline sleazy energy without ever feeling outright sleazy. Something about his smirk always suggests he’s up to something, and he fully leans into that energy in “Wheels of Fortune.”

But the Batman-to-Frasier pipeline doesn’t stop there. In the 2005 sports dramedy Game 6, Keaton’s Nicky Rogan has an extramarital affair with one of his investors, Joanna Bourne, portrayed by Bebe Neuwirth, who of course portrays Lilith in Frasier. In other words, Lilith and her half-brother Blaine are romantically involved in this context, which would absolutely make Frasier’s blood boil if he ever walked in on them getting down to business. Fortunately for the world-weary psychiatrist, these two fictional worlds will never collide because if they did, I don’t think the man would ever recover from it.

Frasier is streaming on Paramount+.

Jennifer Lopez might not be looking for a relationship, but she isn’t against exploring new connections.

The triple-threat entertainer has been going solo since her marriage to Ben Affleck ended in 2024 after two years. Their divorce was finalized in January 2025.

With her recent press tour with actor Brett Goldstein for their rom-com, “Office Romance,” getting tongues wagging, sources say Lopez and her co-star more than enjoyed making the project together.

As fans await the highly anticipated Netflix rom-com on June 5, an insider dished on the buzz that Lopez and Goldstein’s chemistry has generated.

Spilling the tea on the truth of the co-stars’ relationship, the source said, “Her flirty energy with Brett is genuine. She really likes him.” However, that doesn’t mean a relationship is in sight for the “On The Floor” singer, who is “in a great place on her own right now.”

According to the informant, Lopez’s priority remains her family and career, as she is enjoying her life the way it is. It is also a touchy moment for the actress whose twins, Emme and Max, are heading off to college soon.

“She’s looking forward to taking a special trip with the kids before they leave for school. It’s an emotional time for her, but she’s incredibly proud of them,” the insider told People Magazine.

Lopez Gushed About Her ‘Chemistry’ With Co-star Brett

It is no surprise that Lopez and Goldstein’s connection is drawing so much attention, as the actress herself has gushed about it.

Earlier this month at the Netflix Upfront event, the 56-year-old revealed she had always been drawn to her co-star from the start. “We had great chemistry to begin with. It just grew as we did the film together,” she explained.

Lopez also showered praises on Goldstein, noting she was a “huge fan” after seeing him in “Ted Lasso.” However, the English actor was nothing like she expected.

According to her, she had anticipated that the 45-year-old would be as brash as his character on the show, but that was far from the case. “You get this kind, gentle but also very smart person that is so charming,” the Latina star shared with People Magazine.

Brett Goldstein Wrote The Script With The ‘Anaconda’ Star In Mind

During the event, Goldstein also revealed that when he wrote the script alongside Joe Kelly, he couldn’t help but have Lopez in mind, describing her as “the best rom-com star.”

The actor noted it was easy to create the story around the New York native, so his focus was on making a storyline that was worthy of the A-lister. Luckily, she loved the script.

“Office Romance” tells the story of a CEO at a prominent company who falls for her recently hired employee, and they have an affair. However, at some point, they decide to stop playing by their rules and follow their passion.

Is It A Real Connection or a Publicity Stunt?

With Lopez and Goldstein’s connection appearing convincing, sources behind the scenes say things are not as they seem.

As previously reported by The Blast, an informant explained that the actors are only playing up the dating rumors for the sake of the movie and, especially, Goldstein’s budding career.

“Brett is a star, but he isn’t a leading man that everyone knows about and cares about,” elaborated the source. “This movie he is doing with Jen, it is her job to make him, and she is taking on that position to heart.”

J-Lo is reportedly also loving the attention of the “showmance” while letting Goldstein share in some of the spotlight.

Why Alex Rodriguez Reached Out To Jennifer Lopez

As Lopez and Goldstein’s bond continues to make headlines, reports suggest the “Maid In Manhattan” actress is receiving attention from her former ex, Alex Rodriguez.

The former MLB player recently became single following his breakup with Jaclyn Cordeiro after three years together.

Now that he is back on the market, Rodriguez allegedly quietly reached out to Lopez with the hopes of reigniting the spark.

Per The Blast, the retired athlete “never fully got over” Lopez, and reconnecting with her felt “inevitable” now that he is alone. Fans may recall that the pair were an item for four years before their engagement ended in 2021.

Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for Sheriff Country Episode 20.Sheriff Country and its sister series, Fire Country, both had hugely contrasting season finales. The Fire Country Season 4 finale had a surprisingly idyllic happy ending with absolutely no cliffhangers. Meanwhile, Sheriff Country did something completely wild and unhinged in its first season finale, “Mexico.” Although Sheriff Mickey Fox (Morena Baccarin) took down Alec Kane (Wes Chatham) and arrested her wicked ex-sister-in-law, Miranda Fraley (Kelli O’Hara), another gigantic bombshell dropped in her lap at the end. Eva Santos (Rachel Ticotin), the Deputy Director of the DEA, who was previously investigating Mickey for wrongdoing after arresting her father, Wes Fox (W. Earl Brown), is revealed as Mickey’s long-lost, presumably dead, mother, Sarah Bernal Fox. Sheriff Country has taken some wild swings and plot developments before, but this crazy plot twist completely loses the plot for the freshman drama.

Eva’s Reveal Came Out of Nowhere in ‘Sheriff Country’

Ultimately, the Eva revelation comes off as thinking up the craziest idea possible, throwing it at the proverbial wall, and seeing if it sticks. The show previously established that Mickey lost her mother at a young age, so the revelation came out of nowhere. Earlier in the season, Mickey talked about her parents’ arrest for their criminal activities, and it was stated that Sarah died in prison from viral pneumonia while awaiting trial. In another episode, Wes visits Sarah’s grave, so there was no reason to doubt Sarah’s death or suspect a greater mystery at work.

The revelation that Eva Santos is Mickey’s mother was absolutely shocking, but it also felt incredibly forced. It’s been a recurring habit for Sheriff Country throughout the season, and that’s not a compliment. It’s much like the casual reveal that Nathan Boone (Matt Lauria) was secretly married to Nora (Susan Misner). However, viewers later learned that Boone only married Nora, the spouse of Boone’s late partner, out of a sense of guilt and obligation, and the subplot grew ridiculously convoluted and overwrought. Sheriff Country leans too heavily on unrealistic melodrama that produces moments of shock and awe but lacks narrative credibility and cohesion.

Mickey’s Mother Being Alive Creates Too Many Plot Holes

The Eva Santos development fails so catastrophically because it raises multiple logistical questions and creates plot holes that a truck can drive through. To offer some semblance of an explanation, Sheriff Country showrunner Matt Lopez informed Soaps that Eva assumed the identity of Sarah Berrnal when she was a young DEA agent, and she was embedded in Edgewater to report back on Wes Fox. Instead, she fell in love with Fox, married him, and the couple started a family. Sheriff Country now expects viewers to accept that after starting a family with Fox and raising their child, she faked her death and resumed her identity at the DEA. Additionally, Eva climbed the ladder, reaching the position of deputy director. It’s improbable that after marrying and starting a family with Wes, she would have a strong career at the DEA and become one of their most senior officers.

For one thing, it’s highly illogical that Eva would be able to return to her old life in the DEA and become a high-ranking government official. The public clearly knew about the arrest of the Fox family, and Eva’s superiors would also know about her daughter. Plus, it’s equally irrational that Eva would be able to maintain the secrecy of her dual identity. Moreover, how did Mickey not recognize Eva at all? Mickey obviously held memories of her mother and was old enough to remember what happened to her parents. It’s not a memory she blocked out.

Why Did Eva Attempt To Blackmail Mickey?

Image via Darren Goldstein/CBS

Right before Wes reveals that Eva is Mickey’s mother, Eva meets with Mickey, explaining that Wes accepted a deal from the DEA to act as an informant against the Bulgarian drug cartel in Edgewater in exchange for his release, and she wants to conduct a joint operation with the sheriff’s office. Mickey outright refuses since she wants nothing to do with her father following his latest betrayal. Eva then proceeds to blackmail Mickey, her own daughter, threatening to reveal Mickey’s romantic relationship with Alec Kane and ruin her reputation.

Eva knows Mickey is her daughter, and Wes is about to be brought in, which would divulge Eva’s secret. Why is Eva attempting to blackmail Mickey right before her whole world is shattered by finding out that her mother has been alive for the last 35+ years? Perhaps a wiser move would be to lead with the mother reveal before attempting to blackmail Mickey. Not to mention, Eva’s gambit makes her extremely unlikable. Earlier, she came off as a strict yet fair agent, but her attempt at coercing Mickey makes her appear more malevolent and sinister. Sheriff Country’s outlandish plot developments will certainly persist when the show continues for Season 2 later this fall on CBS.

“Sex and the City” star Jason Lewis is chasing an entirely new high career-wise!

After a brief hiatus from being seen, the actor has resurfaced with a detailed master plan of how the next phase of his career would pan out and what is required of him to achieve that.

Jason Lewis was famous for playing Smith Jerrod, a younger romantic partner of Samantha Jones, played by Kim Cattrall, in the final season of the super successful HBO show “Sex and the City.” He continued his journey with the franchise by returning for both “Sex and the City” movies.

Three years after leaving California for Costa Rica, the actor revealed he has fully thrown himself into a new passion, which will birth a fantasy book series that has grown far beyond what he envisaged. He revealed that most of his days include surfing, learning Spanish, and waking up at 4 a.m. to write. 

Lewis shared that he has created a blueprint of an expansive literary universe consisting of three interconnected trilogies spanning different eras, all centered on themes of power, agency, tyranny, and redemption.

The actor shared that he put an interesting twist on the project by choosing to start right at the end, which means that the first book he intends to release is actually the seventh installment in the nine-novel fantasy saga.

Lewis admitted that he knew his creative idea was a big dream, but he had no idea it would expand into a universe, which would require him to uproot his entire life from California to Costa Rica.

The budding author continued to The Hollywood Reporter that he also knew his new mission required time, space, and a healthier lifestyle that would allow him to focus on writing while staying connected to his hobbies.

Jason Lewis Credits ‘Star Wars’ For Inspiring His Unconventional Fantasy Epic

Lewis continued that settling into his new normal required him to embrace a life of discipline, which begins from the moment he wakes up.

His daily ritual includes completing between 1,000 and 2,000 words just within the limits of his concentration, of course, after his morning walk and a cup of coffee.

The unusual structure of assembling his book’s release is also a nod to his admiration of one of the biggest sci-fi projects, “Star Wars,” which also revealed part of its story in an order different from chronological.

Prior to his role as Samantha Jones’ devoted boyfriend, Smith Jerrod on “Sex and the City,” Lewis was one of the most recognizable modeling faces.

The actor broke onto the scene in the last golden age of male supermodels, when supermodels had their faces photo-shopped into world-celebrity status. 

Lewis’ career was, however, not confined to the fashion limelight, as he was known for his work on high-profile campaigns and magazine covers. He has already developed that kind of on-screen magic when he was cast as Smith on HBO’s popular series. 

The love interest was one of the most endearing in the show, thanks to his acting skills, which added a natural charm and refined confidence to the role.

The ‘Sex And The City’ Star Broke Three-Year Silence With Surprise Update For Fans

On May 21, PEOPLE shared that Lewis appeared on Instagram with an explanation surrounding his protracted disappearance from the radar.

The HBO star surprised fans with a new video message, declaring that after three years, it was time to interact with the public again.

In the video, the 54-year-old actor explained that he intentionally went quiet to focus on a project that demanded his full attention.

“I went quiet. Not because I have nothing to say, but because I had something to do. The kind of creative work that doesn’t leave room for much else, and I made my peace with that,” he explained.

While he stopped short of revealing all the details, Lewis hinted that he has reached a point where he is finally ready to start sharing more of what he has been working on. A few years before his hiatus, Lewis had addressed questions surrounding his appearance on the “Sex and the City” revival series.

He explained that he was never approached about playing Jerrod, but he had so much love for the franchise, which made him a household name.

The Former Model Raved About His Partner’s Love For Him In 2020

In 2020, the fan favorite popped the question to his long-time girlfriend, Liz Godwin, about four years after they met for the first time at a party in Miami.

As shared by PEOPLE, Lewis described Godwin as a constant source of love and encouragement who goes through the best and worst times with him. 

He credited her with helping him grow as a person and said her acceptance of his marriage proposal was one of the greatest blessings of his life. The actor shared that he had strategized the proposal to surprise Godwin. 

He hosted a day of climbing and beach fun disguised as a trip out to Malibu with friends and family. Godwin finished his climb at a point that overlooks the sea, as Lewis was at the top with a ring, and down on one knee during the beautiful sunset. According to him:

“I anchored myself to the rock, clipped her to me, just in case, then got on one knee and did ‘the thing.”

For her part, Godwin affirmed that their relationship has been filled with love, support, fun, and personal growth. She expressed excitement about spending the rest of her life with Lewis and building a future together as husband and wife.

Jason Lewis’ On-Screen Love Interest Also Tied The Knot Last Year

The Blast shared in 2025 that Cattrall officially wed her long-time boyfriend Russell Thomas in an intimate ceremony set in the Old Town Hall, Chelsea, in London. The wedding was a private affair with only 12 close friends and family members in attendance. 

Cattrall wore a chic Dior suit styled by Patricia Field, paired with vintage-inspired accessories. The pair first met in 2016 after Cattrall appeared on BBC Radio’s Woman’s Hour. 

Thomas reached out on social media and began to build a friendship-based relationship with them, which eventually became a romance of sorts.

After years of keeping their relationship largely out of the spotlight, the couple has now made it official with a low-key celebration focused on love and family.

Before marrying Thomas, Cattrall had been married three times. She previously married Larry Davis in 1977, but that relationship did not last long.

After her third marriage in 2004, the actress took her career and personal development seriously for several years before falling in love again with Thomas.

Jason Lewis is set to capture hearts with his fantasy series!

Whew! Megan Thee Stallion and Klay Thompson have both been at the center of online conversation lately, as fans revisit past relationships and start dissecting lyrics with a sharper lens than ever. Although the Hot Girl Coach hasn’t directly confirmed who her bars may be about, listeners are convinced there are layers hidden between the lines. And when Megan Thee Stallion linked up with Klay Thompson, then later stepped into a very public breakup narrative, the internet has only become more invested in decoding every new verse.

RELATED: Lexie Brown Speaks Out After Klay Thompson & Megan Thee Stallion Fail To Clear Her Name In Cheating Allegations

Megan The Stallion’s New Verse Sparks Klay Thompson Speculation

Months after Megan Thee Stallion and Klay Thompson quietly went their separate ways, conversation around the breakup has hardly disappeared. Earlier this year, Megan accused the NBA star of cheating in a series of emotional social media posts. In contrast, Thompson has chosen not to publicly respond. Lately, listeners have started wondering whether some of that experience shaped Megan’s latest verse on Bossman Dlow’s ‘Motion Party (Remix).’

Fans quickly began parsing through the lyrics for possible references to the former relationship. “I ain’t goin’ through no phones, that sh*t stupid/If I catch a n**a cheatin’ on me, it’s deuces,” Megan raps early in the track. Moments later, she follows with, “Sh*t strict over here, I’m a rich b*tch/ Thought he did his big one ‘til he met the biggest.” She never mentions Thompson by name, but the song leaves enough ambiguity for listeners to draw their own conclusions. Even so, the timing of the release—arriving months after Megan publicly discussed infidelity—has only intensified speculation surrounding the verse.

The Internet Has A Lot To Say Again

Fans quickly flooded The Shade Room’s Instagram comment section once the lyrics and old breakup details resurfaced, making their opinions known in full force. Some users argued that if the situation was truly “that strict,” Klay Thompson wouldn’t have even had the opportunity to step out, questioning the narrative being discussed. Others took a more joking approach, claiming Klay is probably somewhere “smoking a cigar on a boat” and completely unbothered by all the online speculation.

One Instagram user @__toystory claimed, “So when Taylor Swift sing about her life it’s cool but Megan can’t? 🆗😒”

This Instagram user @margiimayy added, “shidd you gotta go thru the phone to catch em 😂😂”

And, Instagram user @julietdonna_ shared, “Aquarius don’t play about moving on, they’ll move on like you never existed“

Then Instagram user @only1jsn asked, “How it strict if you always gettin cheated on😂”

While Instagram user @chelseamichel said, “Mmmm i doubt he gaf… so saying this doesn’t matter.“

Finally, Instagram user @indiaxxclusive wrote, “I mean she said what she said , yall hate when women respect themself and bash the ones that don’t 😭😭😭😭”

Y’all Remember When Megan’s April Post Set The Internet Off

As previously reported, Megan first confirmed their breakup in April through a candid Instagram message that quickly spread across social media. “Cheating, had me around your whole family playing house… got ‘cold feet’[.] Holding you down through all your HORRIBLE mood swings and treatment towards me during your basketball season now you don’t know if you can be ‘monogamous’???? b*tch I need a REAL break after this one .. bye yall,” she wrote, setting off a wave of discourse that continues to resurface with every new release.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 5 seconds ago

It seems that Disney has finally figured out the secret to getting fans to care about Marvel again: throw in the X-Men, baby! Hype for Avengers: Doomsday didn’t reach its zenith until the trailer, which brought back Cyclops, Magneto, and Professor X from the 20th Century Fox films. Before that, a third Deadpool movie seemed pretty “meh” until the reveal that he’d be fighting alongside Wolverine, everyone’s favorite canucklehead. Meanwhile, fans who couldn’t remember the last time they watched anything on Disney+ flocked to the streamer to watch X-Men ‘97, arguably the best thing this franchise has given us in at least a decade.

Now, the trailer for X-Men ‘97 Season 2 show just dropped, and you don’t need Cerebro to detect fan excitement all around the world. One reason to be excited is that the second season, like the first, is going to incorporate some of the most important storylines from the X-Men comics. By reading (or re-reading) those comics, you can get a solid idea of what will be happening in Season 2, which premieres on July 1, and be better able to appreciate every little Easter egg. Based on the trailer, which comics should you thumb through before the new season hits? Keep reading, true believer, and I’ll tell you!

Adventures Of Cyclops And Phoenix

In the ‘90s X-Men comics, Cyclops and Jean Grey finally got married. The miniseries Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix revealed that, not too long after they got hitched, these newlyweds were transported to an Apocalypse-ruled far future by Rachel Summers, their daughter from a different alternate future (it’s complicated). There, they are reunited with Nathan Summers, Cyclops’ son from a previous relationship, who grows up to be Cable, the time-traveling hero. Cyclops and Jean Grey spend 12 years raising Nathan and training him in his powers, but they are eventually brought back to their present day, where no time has actually passed.

Why should you re-read this comic before X-Men ‘97 Season 2? Cyclops and Jean Grey were transported into the future at the end of Season 1, and the new trailer shows them walking through a field of corpses in a world ruled by Apocalypse. It looks like the show will be doing its own homage to Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix, and it’s a pretty solid bet we’ll see young Nathan Summers in Season 2. That will also give us some important background information and character-building for Cable, who (thanks to his time-travel abilities) remains one of the show’s most important characters.

The Twelve

“The Twelve” (sometimes written as “Apocalypse: The Twelve”) was a crossover comic event in which a weakened Apocalypse hatched a crazy plan to achieve supreme power. He captured 12 very specific mutants with the intent of basically stealing their powers and becoming omnipotent. However, his battered body couldn’t withstand all this extra juice, so he had a backup plan: to give it all to Nate Gray (an alternate universe Cable) and then put his own mind in the young man’s body. Our heroes stop the villain, but he goes on to rewrite reality in a later arc, and he’s only stopped when the X-Men defeat him in both the past and the present.

Why read this crossover before X-Men ‘97 Season 2? The trailer shows an interesting cave etching where several X-Men are seemingly looking up at a mysterious floating figure. This implies we may be getting a version of “The Twelve” storyline where Apocalypse is hoping to steal some very specific powers, putting them into a new body along with his own mind. This is the story where Wolverine gets his adamantium back, which would build on the hero’s story from Season 1. Plus, the overarching plot of Season 2, where X-Men fight Apocalypse in the past and the present, is reminiscent of what happened in “Ages of Apocalypse,” a comic story that happened soon after “The Twelve.”

Bonus Reading

So, based on the trailer for X-Men ‘97 Season 2, those are the big comic storylines we can expect to be adapted for the show. With that said, there’s some bonus reading that you may want to do. For example, you should consider reading “Blood of Apocalypse,” a story in which the titular villain transforms Gambit into one of his Horsemen. The end of Season 1 highly implied that Apocalypse intended to bring the ragin’ Cajun back to life, and the Season 2 trailer further implies that there’s a resurrection in the cards for Gambit. By reading this comic, you may get a better idea of how the hero’s return will be handled in the show.

Additionally, you should consider reading Grant Morrison’s New X-Men run for several reasons, including the fact that it’s the best run in the entire history of the comics (I said what I said!). Additionally, the trailer gave us glimpses of Quentin Quire and maybe Xorn, two characters introduced to the franchise by Morrison. The trailer also briefly showed Emma Frost, who first joins the team in New X-Men. Finally, the show has already adapted one major storyline from Morrison’s run (namely, the brutal attack on Genosha), and it wouldn’t be surprising if we get other arcs. As a bonus, this comic also introduces Cassandra Nova, who was the Big Bad of Deadpool & Wolverine.

Bust Out Those Longboxes, Boys

Obviously, you don’t have to read these classic comics to enjoy the show. One of the best things about X-Men ‘97 is that it is remarkably accessible to new fans of the franchise. However, Season 1 was filled with amazing homages and Easter eggs from the comics, and noticing them is a great way to enhance your appreciation for the best show Marvel ever made. Now, you have a chance to brush up on some classic comic reading and maybe get a better idea of what to expect from Season 2.

Of course, the show never does a straight adaptation of comic events, and it’s also rewarding to see how the writers have modified classic storylines and woven them into something new. If nothing else, the imminent arrival of X-Men ‘97 Season 2 gives you a chance to read New X-Men, the most important comic in the history of the franchise. In the immortal words of Bob Belcher, “I don’t want to oversell it. But if changes you forever.”

Martina McBride, Bret Michaels and several other artists backed out of appearing at the Great American State Fair’s Freedom 250 concerts.

The 16-day Great American State Fair has been promoted as a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, with exhibitions, parades and a controversial UFC event at the White House building up to Independence Day festivities on July 4.

An element of the festivities that has generated considerable backlash is the Freedom 250 concerts, which are being held to “celebrate the triumph of the American Spirit.”

“250 years ago, America chose freedom,” the official website said. “This year, we celebrate it in every city, every town, every stretch of American road.”

Related: Breaking Down Rock the Country Festival Drama After 4 Artists Drop Out

Months before the Rock the Country festival crosses the United States, three of its named performers have all dropped out. The annual festival, consisting of an eight-city tour featuring sets from popular music artists, initially featured Ludacris, Morgan Wade and Carter Faith among the star-studded lineup. The trio of artists have since quietly canceled their […]

While the concerts are promoted as “nonpartisan,” the Freedom 250 website does feature photos of President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump. The website’s list of financial partners and sponsors raised eyebrows as well, as it includes numerous Trump administration agencies — including the Department of Homeland Security and the White House itself — as well as corporations such as Palantir, UFC and ExxonMobil, all of which have ties to the administration.

As public outcry over the Great American State Fair grew in the late spring of 2026, numerous artists pulled out of performing at the Freedom 250 concerts.

Keep scrolling for an explanation of why each artist backed out of the Trump-backed music festival:

Martina McBride Said She Was Misled Over the Festival

The country music icon announced via Instagram on May 28 that she was backing out of a scheduled slot at the Great American State Fair.

“I would like to talk to you and clear the air. I will not be performing at the Great American State Fair on June 25,” she confirmed. “I was presented with an opportunity to perform at a nonpartisan event but that turned out to be misleading.”

McBride insisted that she’d only agreed to appear at the festival after asking “lots of questions and was assured this was a nonpartisan event that was meant to celebrate ALL 50 states.”

“In my mind, I thought this was a great way to celebrate the states and also bring people together in the way that only music can,” she explained. “I saw it as just a bigger version of so many state fairs I have performed at over the years, celebrating community and what makes each state special. Sounds fun, right? Wholesome even.”

As Freedom 250 took shape, McBride noticed that “things started changing” and she grew uncomfortable with the optics.

“I’ve spent my entire career singing songs about real people with real issues,” she noted. “I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to be a voice for those who have felt like they didn’t have one. It greatly upsets me that any fan who has been moved by my music may now feel like I’m abandoning the meaning behind those songs. I assure you that is not the case. I appreciate every single fan who has reached out. I hope to get back to the DC area very soon.”

Bret Michaels Allegedly Faced Threats Over ‘Freedom 250’

On May 28, 2026, the Poison frontman joined a chorus of artists backing out of Freedom 250.

“As many of you know, I’ve spent my entire career bringing people together through music, positivity and good vibes,” he said in a statement on his website. “My shows have never been about politics. They’re about giving people a place to come together, have a great time and forget about life’s stresses for a few hours.”

The “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” singer was upset that “a celebration of our country has evolved into something much more divisive than what I agreed to be a part of.”

“Concerns have also been raised regarding the safety of my fans, band, crew, family and myself, including threats that are completely unfounded and unforgivable,” Michaels said. “Because of that, I have made the difficult decision to step away from this performance.”

Michaels insisted that his Freedom 250 cancellation “isn’t about politics,” rather it’s about “staying true to what I’ve always believed in.”

“Everyone is entitled to their own opinions,” he wrote. “That’s one of the freedoms our veterans fought for and something I’ve always respected. But as a father, friend and bandmate, I have to take threats and safety concerns seriously.”

Milli Vanilli’s Involvement in ‘Freedom 250’ Raised Questions

One of the more confusing aspects of the Freedom 250 backlash has centered around Milli Vanilli.

When the 1990 Best New Artist Grammy winners found fame with “Girl You Know It’s True,” the public was led to believe that the duo’s vocalists were models Fab Morvan and Rob Pilatus. However, it later came out that studio musicians — including Jodie Rocco and Linda Rocco — actually performed vocals that Morvan and Pilatus lip-synced to on stage. (Pilatus died of a drug overdose at age 32 in 1998.)

Freedom 250 organizers announced “Milli Vanilli” as part of the musical lineup without specifying who exactly would be performing. The Rocco sisters told The Associated Press in an email that they were “shocked” to see Milli Vanilli on the Freedom 250 lineup and had no plans to take part.

However, Morvan subsequently confirmed to Consequence of Sound that he was the one who was actually booked for the concert, not the Rocco sisters, and would “finally sing Milli Vanilli songs live in person” at the Washington D.C. festival.

“I am here to entertain and unite people, not divide them,” Morvan — a French native — went on. “Let’s celebrate life & music and take a trip down memory lane. I feel honored to be a part of the Great American State Fair as it will celebrate the 250 Year Anniversary of America with so many other accomplished artists.”

Young MC Refused to Take Part in a ‘Trump-Backed’ Event

Young MC announced via Instagram on May 27 that he would not take part in any “Trump-backed” event.

“I have informed my agents that I will not be performing at the Freedom 250 event. The artists were never told about any political involvement with the event,” the “Bust a Move” rapper wrote. “And despite the claims by the organizers that the event is non-partisan, SPIN magazine describes it as Trump-backed. I hope to perform in D.C. in the near future at an event that is not so politically charged.”

C+C Music Factory’s Frontman Hit Out at the Backlash

Frontman Freedom Williams insisted via Instagram on May 27 that he doesn’t “f*** with Trump” and was not originally made aware that a June 2026 concert booking in Washington D.C. had any political implications.

However, Williams fired back at fans threatening to “cancel” C+C Music Factory over their involvement with Freedom 250.

“The day I let you mother-f***ers tell me what to do is the day I die,” he insisted. “Let me make it crystal clear: I do not live for none of you …. I will vote for Genghis Khan, Hitler and Ivan the Terrible before I let you n*****s tell me what to do.”

Related: Biggest Country Music Controversies Through the Years

Advertisement

Sometimes America’s sweethearts go sour. From Morgan Wallen to The Chicks, the biggest names in country music have been at the center of some major controversies. Natalie Maines, Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer found themselves in hot water in the early 2000s after sharing their personal politics on a public stage. While performing across the […]

However, C+C Music Factory later released a statement distancing the group from Freedom 250, insisting that the band members do not “participate nor side with any specific political party.”

“WE stand neutral when it comes to sides. We side with Global Love & Peace,” the group statement read.

Morris Day and the Time Denied ‘Rumors’ They Were Playing ‘Freedom 250’

The R&B group — best known for their collaborations with Prince — clarified via Instagram on May 28 that “contrary to rumor” they would not take part in Freedom 250.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

“It’s A No For Me,” Day added.

The Commodores Denied That They Were Aligned With Any ‘Single Political Party’

The classic R&B band confirmed on May 28, 2026, that they “will not be performing at the Great American State Fair.”

“Our music has always been our voice and we choose not to publicly affiliate with any single political party,” they continued. “We support the betterment of all Americans.”

The journey through the time vortex was never going to be smooth. Just when things felt somewhat back on track for Whovians, Doctor Who gets more frustrating news. When the timey-wimey show partnered with Disney for a new era under returning showrunner Russell T. Davies, it seemed like the BBC was making a statement of intent as they looked to secure the future of the show for many years to come. Instead, the next few years were riddled with mistakes and ended in controversy, with the House of Mouse partnership crumbling and Ncuti Gatwa‘s run as the titular Time Lord coming to a seemingly premature close last year.

After months of uncertainty, Kate Phillips, chief content officer at the BBC, confirmed that “Doctor Who is going nowhere,” adding that “going forward, with or without Disney, Doctor Who will still be on the BBC.” Davies then seemingly confirmed that the show would be returning in Christmas 2026, even going as far as to announce that the script left BBC bosses “with jaws agape, loving it.” Alas, despite this script seemingly being set during the festive period, it seems that there’s another setback likely to demand some rewrites from Davies.

According to a new report from The Sun, albeit without confirmation from the BBC itself, Doctor Who‘s 2026 Christmas special will now move to Easter 2027. Via an insider source, the BBC has found searching for the 16th Doctor an impossible task, with the allure of the role having lost some of its spark thanks to the recent controversial era. “There are fears that even if they do manage to pull something together, it is going to be a poor cousin to previous Christmas specials, which have always been adored by fans,” the report read.

The Hunt for the 16th Doctor Confirms a Fan Theory

This frustrating search for the next Doctor would seemingly confirm most people’s expectations that Billie Piper, whom Gatwa had regenerated into at the end of the last season, will not officially take over control of the TARDIS. It seems the cynics were right, that she was merely a placeholder intended to shock viewers into staying hooked on a show that has long been past its best. Perhaps the best choice for all involved is to go with a fresh, relatively unknown face and try to build the franchise around someone who can commit their entire time to portraying a role that demands so much both on and off-screen.

The most recent Doctor Who is available on Disney+. Stay tuned to Collider for the latest updates.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

2005 – 2021-00-00

Network

Advertisement

BBC

Directors

Graeme Harper, Euros Lyn, Douglas Mackinnon, Jamie Magnus Stone, Charles Palmer, Rachel Talalay, Joe Ahearne, James Strong, Jamie Childs, Saul Metzstein, Toby Haynes, Wayne Che Yip, Nick Hurran, Richard Clark, James Hawes, Daniel Nettheim, Colin Teague, Keith Boak, Azhur Saleem, Adam Smith, Andrew Gunn, Nida Manzoor, Lawrence Gough, Paul Murphy

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement