Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have reportedly been left off the guest list for the 2026 Met Gala, despite the annual event drawing a packed crowd of A-list celebrities and fashion heavyweights.

Reports suggest the Duchess of Sussex may have hoped her ties to figures like Beyoncé and Serena Williams would help her land an invite, but that apparently did not happen.

Anna Wintour has been cited as a major factor behind the alleged snub, amid long-running reports of tension between the Vogue boss and the former actress.

Online, the reaction has been brutal, with many commenters treating the omission as proof that Markle’s Hollywood standing is not what it once was.

Meghan Markle ‘Left Off’ Met Gala Guest List

NewsNation has published a report claiming Markle and Harry were omitted from the guest list for the 2026 Met Gala, with the outlet leaning heavily on anonymous sources to make its case.

The piece goes on to suggest that Wintour remains unimpressed with the Sussexes, portraying Markle in particular as someone fashion insiders view as overly demanding and attention-seeking.

The report links that alleged perception to previous tensions around British Vogue and claims of friction over editorial control. The supposed criticism of Markle also extends to her appearance at a Balenciaga show in Paris, where she was reportedly seen as behaving like the star of the event.

Markle’s Reported Snub Sparks Questions About Friendship With Beyoncé

According to NewsNation, Meghan Markle saw her loose connection to Beyoncé as a possible way into the Met Gala orbit.

But as The Blast reported in March, the “Cowboy Carter” singer has allegedly been trying to put some distance between herself and the Duchess. One source close to Beyoncé reportedly claimed Markle had come across as “desperate” to the singer and her inner circle.

This perspective appears to have made its way to the public arena, too, with some on social media questioning whether the two have ever truly been friends.

“Meghan is friends with Beyoncé, but Beyoncé is not friends with Meghan, that’s how I see it,” one Reddit user writes. “My question is, will she EVER get invited?”

Meghan Markle Also Ridiculed For Other ‘One-Sided’ Friendships

Beyond Beyoncé, some social media users are also questioning whether Markle has overstated the closeness of her relationships with other celebrities.

Her connection to the Williams sisters, in particular, has come under renewed scrutiny. On her former lifestyle blog, The Tig, Markle once wrote that Serena had “quickly become a confidante,” describing her as someone she texted while traveling and could casually meet for lunch.

On Reddit, however, one commenter appears to cast doubt on how mutual that bond really was.

“Meghan is just as close to Beyoncé as she is to Serena Williams, who only accepted her as a friend once she found out that Meagain was going to marry a prince, which would give Serena the chance to attend a royal wedding,” the user writes.

Fans Question Markle’s ‘A-List’ Status In Hollywood

At the height of Markle’s pre-marriage Hollywood career, a 2016 feature on Vanity Fair described her as “the star of ‘Suits,’” while also noting that she had built The Tig and amassed a large social following.

As a recognized actress with a central role on a long-running legal drama, Markle had achieved industry legitimacy and was successfully expanding into digital lifestyle branding through her blog.

In contrast, social media users today appear to feel that she has lost that status and is indeed not deserving of an invite to the Met Gala.

“Meg is on her decline period,” one commenter says, with another adding, “She is no fashion icon, so not deserving of an invite.”

Meghan Markle Spotted On Easter Shopping Trip In Montecito

While the internet continues to buzz over reports that she and Harry were left off the Met Gala guest list, Markle appears to be shifting her focus to Easter preparations at home.

The mother of two was spotted on April 1 during a quiet stop at a family-owned toy store in Montecito, the California community where she and Harry are raising their children after stepping back from royal duties. According to PEOPLE, Markle picked up Magic Rabbit playing cards and Magic Castle Sea Monkeys while browsing the store.

Young and the Restless thrilling new spoilers for next week include Malcolm Winters‘s (Shemar Moore) return and another big surprise comeback. Plus, Adam Newman (Mark Grossman) seems ready to cheat on Chelsea Newman (Melissa Claire Egan) if he needs to.

We’ve got the latest Y&R spoilers for the week of April 6th, including more action in Las Vegas, more schemes. And Cane Ashby (Billy Flynn) is making desperate moves with Phyllis Summers (Michelle Stafford).

Adam and Nick in Sin City on Young and the Restless

All right, first let’s talk about what’s going down with Adam and Nick Newman (Joshua Morrow) in Sin City. This past week, Adam scored big brownie points with Riza Thompson (Tina Casciani) when he won a lot of cash. And next week, she’s facing more pressure from both Adam and Matt Clark (Roger Howarth).

Adam keeps telling Riza he wants to meet her new partner, although Adam is already quite certain that it is Matt, but Riza doesn’t know he knows. Meanwhile, Matt’s been hearing about Spyder from Riza for a long time and a lot more recently, but she hasn’t told Matt his real name, Adam Newman, even though Riza well knows it.

Chelsea & Sharon Worried on Y&R

Also, this past week, Sharon Newman (Sharon Case) and Chelsea called Nick while he was all groggy on fentanyl. And both of them are concerned. And Sharon and Chelsea are also worried about Adam, honestly. In particular Chelsea should be worried because by the end of the week Adam and Riza are getting hot and heavy. So, looks like Adam has slipped back into the role of Spider a little too thoroughly, including a very personal relationship with Riza.

And next week on Y&R continuing to flirt and to work Riza and she tells him if things go well tonight, maybe they can celebrate later. And it looks like she may finally set up Matt and Adam to come face to face with no idea how explosive that will be. The problem is Nick is so out of it and so drugged up. I think he’s going to be a liability and not an asset.

So Adam tells Riza next week that he’s looking forward to their celebration as they’re making out. And then later, Adam’s back in the room with Nick, who asked Adam how far he’s willing to go with Riza. That question comes next week. And my guess is that Adam’s moral compass is a little off right now because he’s back in Vegas, but also he already told Nick and Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) both that he will do anything to get the Matt threat away from the family and anything might be sliding into Riza’s sheets.

Nick’s Addiction Getting Worse on Young and the Restless

Also next week, as we head into more drama with Nick popping more of Matt’s fentanyl pills. And of course, he still has the bonus baggie of mystery drugs in his pocket, obviously, more lives may be at risk. In a recent interview, Josh Morrow teased just how bad things may get.

The actor said because of this addiction, if Nick did something horrible and somebody he loved was hurt or somehow somebody he cared about paid a price for his addiction, Josh Morrow said that would be what is rock bottom for Nick. And I definitely think we’re heading that way.

Jack Wants Revenge on Victor

Also, next week we’re going to see Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) continuing to work on Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott). He wants her to help him get revenge on Victor for what he had done to him. And Nikki keeps trying to tell Jack, “Please lay down the sword. Accelerating things isn’t going to help.” But Jack is determined because Victor basically set him up to be sexually assaulted.

Also, next week, we’re going to see Diane Jenkins (Susan Walters) finally face to face with Jack as they stand in the wreckage of their marriage after Victor has blown it apart after Kyle Abbott (Michael Mealor) left to take a call this week on Friday. Jack walked in and saw Diane. So, we’re going to pick up with that again on Monday. And of course, she really wants to believe Jack that he was drugged and that Patty Williams (Stacy Haiduk) took advantage.

Diane at a Crossroads on Y&R

But the drug seemed to have worn off pretty fast because by the time Billy Abbott (Jason Thompson), Diane, and Kyle got to the yacht, you know, Jack seemed okay. So maybe it was some fast acting drug that Patty gave them both that would get out of Jack’s system fast. I’m sure that Victor planned it all that way to make Jack look guilty of sin and like a cheater on Young and the Restless.

Many People Plotting Against Victor on Young and the Restless

Meanwhile, there’s actually an increasing number of people plotting against Victor. And one of them may succeed, but of course, he’s plotting against so many people right now as well. At this point, Victor has primarily one person on his side in all this. And that is Victoria Newman (Amelia Heinle).

She keeps enabling and making excuses for his terrible actions, just like Nikki taught her to do. But Claire Grace Newman (Hayley Erin) may also soon take Victor’s side because honestly she’s used to letting bad people get away with stuff like the way her aunt Jordan raised her to do.

Cane and Phyllis Team Up?

Also next week, Cane and Phyllis have an important chat at the GCAC. This past week, Cane asked Holden Novak to help him make a move against Victor. And obviously Holden’s going to do it because he works for him. And we knew that Cane wasn’t going to let it slide that Victor conspired with Lily Winters (Christel Khalil) to pretend that she and their kids were kidnapped.

Young and the Restless spoilers have Cane and Phyllis together at the bar and then on the couches hanging out at the GCAC in a very intense conversation. And I suspect Cane may be trying to convince Phyllis to work together to take down Victor. But since Phyllis has what she wants already, what’s her incentive to plot with Cane? We’ll see.

Malcolm Winters Returns to Young and the Restless with Big News

Also next week, Shemar Moore is back as Malcolm Winters and Vivica A. Fox returns as Stephanie Simmons. Their first air date is April 7th and the news they deliver is supposed to shock all of Genoa City and have long-lasting after effects. Shemar Moore and Vivica taped an arc and then they left, but right now Shemar Moore is back taping again for a follow-up arc.

Next week, Malcolm walks into the GCAC and Lily is happy to see him. Later, Malcolm’s with Stephanie and she says she still remembers how excited Olivia and Drucilla were to set them up. Thought they were perfect for each other.

Other Spoilers For Y&R Next Week

We’re also going to see Sally Spectra (Courtney Hope) and Billy making some big plans. Plus, Crazy Patty causes more issues between Jack and Diane. And I’m sure that will make Victor very happy. We’re also going to see more of Nikki and Victor’s marriage suffering.

Their marriage is paying the cost of these revenge plans of his and his greed and just his anger. While Nikki thought that her leaving Victor was going to be short-term and she still misses him, now Nikki finally recognizes that she may not be able to get back with Victor anytime soon, if ever. Nikki told Jack that bitter truth and then sent her daughter over to get more clothes.

Nikki & Victor both Digging in Their Heels on Young and the Restless

Meanwhile, when asked by Victoria about it, we have Victor saying that Nikki has to come to him. I’m sure Victor wants to see Nikki on his doorstep on her knees begging. And at this point, he’s so consumed by revenge that he’s prioritizing that over love and honestly over everything else in his life.

Things are getting really intense all over the canvas on Young and the Restless. Be sure to check out our complete weekly spoilers video coming soon for the week of April 6th through the 10th. Don’t miss a minute of Y&R next week. We’re going to have big stars and it’s going to get wild.

Coasting past the reigning champion Project Hail Mary, this week’s The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is looking to follow in its predecessor’s footsteps to deliver a humongous box-office haul. The animated sequel has already broken Project Hail Mary‘s opening-day record for this year, grossing a massive $34 million on Wednesday. The movie is poised to deliver the biggest debut of the year so far, even if it isn’t able to match the staggering performance of The Super Mario Bros. Movie from three years ago. Released in 2023, the video game adaptation found the rare four-quadrant sweet spot, pleasing children and their parents alike. It grossed more than $200 million in its five-day extended debut, and more than $1.3 billion worldwide in its lifetime run.

Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, who also helmed the sequel, The Super Mario Bros. Movie received mixed reviews, but was lapped up by audiences. Viewers awarded it an A grade on CinemaScore, alongside a “Verified Hot” 95% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Featuring the voices of returning cast members Chris Pratt, Charlie Day, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Jack Black, alongside newcomers Glen Powell, Benny Safdie, and Brie Larson, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has earned a 90% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes as well as an A- grade on CinemaScore. The sequel has also fallen short of its predecessor on the critical front, with a 42% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, compared to the 59% that the original film currently has.

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Here’s How Much ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ Is Projected To Gross

The website’s consensus reads, “Packed with colorful world-building that’s as frenetic as it is weightless, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie‘s visuals are often out of this world, but the threadbare story ultimately loses its Milky Way.” Produced on a reported budget of $110 million, the movie is currently eyeing around $130 million across the traditional three-day frame, and around $190 million across the extended Easter weekend. Also opening this weekend is The Drama, the darkly humorous romantic comedy starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson. The Drama will hope to perform better than last year’s Materialists, which eventually made it past $110 million worldwide. Zendaya’s new film holds a “Certified Fresh” critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes and should provide much-needed counterprogramming for adults while The Super Mario Galaxy Movie dominates. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

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Release Date

April 1, 2026

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Runtime

98 Minutes

Director

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Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic, Pierre Leduc, Fabien Polack

Writers

Matthew Fogel

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Producers

Chris Meledandri, Shigeru Miyamoto

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Andy Cohen is detailing one major pitfall that many Real Housewives stars find themselves in after filming has wrapped.

The franchise’s executive producer dispensed his wisdom to the stars of the newest iteration, The Real Housewives of Rhode Island, on the Thursday, March 2, episode of Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen.

During the segment, Cohen pointed out that many Housewives find themselves reigniting cast drama after watching the show back, despite previously resolving their issues with their castmates.

“As this season plays out, you’re going to hear a lot in confessionals from the other women. Try to stay in the place you are right now with each other,” Cohen, 57, advised the ladies.

Related: Who Is Starring in ‘The Real Housewives of Rhode Island’? Meet the Cast

Bravo The Real Housewives of Rhode Island is officially here  — but who makes up the cast? News broke at BravoCon in November 2025 when Andy Cohen confirmed that the premiere season will follow Alicia Carmody, Rosie DiMare, Ashley Iaconetti, Liz McGraw, Rulla Nehme Pontarelli, Kelsey Swanson and Jo-Ellen Tiberi as they navigate the highs and […]

He continued, “This is the thing that a lot of veteran Housewives still have a really hard time with. This is a really hard thing. Just try to stay in the moment we’re in, in April of 2026.”

“But keep a list, and we’ll hash it out at the reunion,” he caveated his advice.

Cohen shared more sage guidance for the new Housewives: Alicia Carmody, Rosie DiMare, Ashley Iaconetti, Liz McGraw, Rulla Nehme Pontarelli, Kelsey Swanson and Jo-Ellen Tiberi. (The Real Housewives of New Jersey’s Dolores Catania also appears in the first season as a “friend” of the women.)

“Don’t believe the comments. Social media is not reality,” he said. “It’s never as great or as bad as it feels like online.”

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Related: What Is Dolores Catania’s Connection to ‘RHORI’? What She’s Said

Dolores Catania is making her way up the East Coast. It was announced at BravoCon 2025 that The Real Housewives of New Jersey star would appear on The Real Housewives of Rhode Island in a “friend of” role, thanks to her connection to new Housewife Liz McGraw. Along with Dolores and Liz, the upcoming show […]

Cohen went on, “Next, we love you for exactly who you are and how you are. Don’t change. We cast you all for a reason. Don’t change. Stay yourselves.”

“And don’t forget, as a Real Housewife, you are part of a chosen few. Enjoy this ride,” he said. “There are only just under 200 Real Housewives that have ever existed. You’re all famous around the world. You have been chosen. Enjoy this.”

Cohen gave the women one last piece of advice, quipping, “Maybe don’t start a podcast.”

The Real Housewives of Rhode Island premiered on Bravo on Thursday. The cast recently praised Housewives veteran Dolores, 55, with helping them adjust to life in front of the cameras.

“I think Dolores [is] like a mama bear,” newbie Jo-Ellen exclusively told Us Weekly recently. “Truthfully, anything that we needed — even even to this day — she will help.”

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Jo-Ellen added, “She was just so kind and smart and caring. So it really was nice. It was a little cheat sheet to help us along the way.”

“When Dolores and I first met, we completely hit it off. We saw eye to eye. I felt her genuine vibe,” added fellow newcomer Rulla. “I love Dolores. I really do. I feel as though she’s brought a lot to the table. She’s been very candid. She’s been very genuine, speaking from experience.”

New episodes of The Real Housewives of Rhode Island air Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo and stream the next day on Peacock.

Soon. Viewers will be returning to the cobblestone streets of Victoria Square in Birmingham and, most excitingly, the Garrison Tavern. The Netflix crime thriller series, Peaky Blinders, which premiered in 2013, showcased Small Heath, Birmingham, in a way many were not familiar with from a historical context. After six seasons of a series that went on to become a pop culture phenomenon, the Cillian Murphy-led show ended its run. However, in March 2026, the franchise would return with a sequel film set during WWII in the years after the original series. Titled Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, the crime sequel brought down the curtain on the prime figure in the blood-soaked Shelby family tree.

Besides Murphy’s Thomas “Tommy” Shelby, the conflicted and complicated head of the Shelby family, with famous quotes. Peaky Blinders during its run, introduced a swath of other important members of this famous Gypsy clan. There’s the erratic, yet courageous Arthur Shelby. The eldest of the Shelby brothers, Paul Anderson’s character could be considered a loose cannon when out of Tommy’s control. The visionary Polly Gray (Helen McCrory), the matriarch of the Shelby family, helped chart the course for the family’s success and none could compare. Ada Shelby, played by Sophia Rundle, the fourth and only female Shelby sibling, created a life for herself separate from the family business. However, her family’s sins would eventually catch up with her in The Immortal Man.

By the time the sequel film, created by series creator and film writer Steven Knight, ended, the primary nucleus of the Shelby band had been taken off the board. This leaves us with a new generation seeking to write their own story. The BBC and Netflix, in collaboration with Knight, plan to expand the saga with two 6-episode seasons that will continue the Shelby family story. According to a new report from What’s On Netflix, production on the sequel series has already begun in the United Kingdom, with BAFTA-winning actress Lashana Lynch now heading to Birmingham. The new report also shows off images from the production set, even as the Shelbys move into the 1950s.

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What Lies Ahead for the ‘Peaky Blinders’?

Exact plot details for the sequel series remain under wraps, as well as Lynch’s role within the plot. Lynch, whose roles include The Woman King, Matilda the Musical, and, most recently, in Peacock’s hit thriller The Day of the Jackal, will star alongside

Cal O’Driscoll, Fintan Shevlin, and Jacob Wright. With The Immortal Man writing a concluding chapter to Tommy Shelby’s story, it would be interesting what the future of the Peaky Blinders holds in the sequel series. Given how things played out in the latest installment, Erasmus “Duke” Shelby will return to lead the family, with Jamie Bell taking over the role from Barry Keoghan. Rebecca Ferguson could return to her psychic role as well, and it’s an opportunity the Silo actress is absolutely open to.

Per the official synopsis, the new sequel is set in post-World War II Britain:

“Britain, 1953. After being heavily bombed in WWII, Birmingham is building a better future out of concrete and steel. In a new era of Steven Knight’s Peaky Blinders, the race to own Birmingham’s massive reconstruction project becomes a brutal contest of mythical dimensions. This is a city of unprecedented opportunity and danger, with the Shelby family right at its blood-soaked heart.”

Watch both Peaky Blinders and The Immortal Man on Netflix. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of the franchise’s expansion.

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Release Date

2013 – 2022-00-00

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Network

BBC One, BBC Two

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Showrunner

Steven Knight

Directors

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Anthony Byrne, Colm McCarthy, David Caffrey, Otto Bathurst, Tim Mielants, Tom Harper

Writers

Stephen Russell, Steven Knight, Toby Finlay

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Maul — Shadow Lord, the newest Star Wars animated series, is headed to Disney+ this month. And even though he’s now got his hands full running Lucasfilm, Dave Filoni played a key role in the show’s creation. Collider’s Maggie Lovitt recently spoke to series producer Athena Yvette Portillo, writer Matt Michnovetz, and supervising director Brad Rau about the new show, which premieres + on April 6.

The three discussed the structure of the series, which Rau called “the most serialized show we’ve ever made, which brings its own set of challenges but is really rewarding and super fun.” Portillo stated the show, which they broke down into a three-act structure over the course of the season, had a structure that was “always based on the narrative.” Michnovetz says that serialized structure was both something they were consciously working towards and something the narrative ultimately demanded, per Filoni:

“When Dave Filoni had pitched it to us in the beginning, and the story he had, he had made it clear it should be sort of like this pulpy noir, and we developed it from there.”

You can see for yourself when Maul: Shadow Lord launches with a double-episode premiere on April 6.

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What Is ‘Maul: Shadow Lord’ About?

Set a year after Revenge of the Sith, the new series sees Maul (Sam Witwer), once a Sith apprentice and now an aspiring crime lord with a cybernetic lower half, seeking an apprentice of his own on the planet Janix. That might just be Devon Izara (Gideon Adlon), a fugitive Twi’lek Jedi. However, they’ll both have to deal with the law, in the form of Brander Lawson (Wagner Moura) and droid partner Two-Boots (Richard Ayoade). The series also features the voices of Dennis Haysbert, Chris Diamantopoulos, Charlie Bushnell, Vanessa Marshall, David W. Collins, A. J. LoCascio, and Steve Blum.

Maul — Shadow Lord will premiere two episodes a week for five weeks, with the season finale falling on May 4, the unofficial date of “Star Wars Day.” Star Wars fans will barely have time to catch their breath until the first Star Wars movie in almost seven years, The Mandalorian and Grogu, rockets into theaters.

Maul — Shadow Lord will premiere on Disney+ on April 6. Stay tuned to Collider for future updates.

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Release Date

April 6, 2026

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Network

Disney+

Directors

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Brad Rau

Franchise(s)

Star Wars

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We love a steamy cup of joe, but not the 3 p.m. crash that comes with it. Plain coffee can leave Us tired, moody and desperate for another sip, not to mention jittery and anxious. If you seek steady energy, better sleep and improved gut health, Everyday Dose’s protein coffee can help. It might even curb cravings!

This Protein Coffee+ is coffee, but upgraded. Unlike standalone beans, it nourishes your mind and body, supports balance and boosts focus. The blend launched right at Target, so you can add it to cart during your next big haul (so, today). This coffee instantly elevates your morning, whether you’re a busy mom, professional or wellness guru.

Get the Protein Coffee+ for $40 at Everyday Dose!

In addition to mold-free beans, this blend contains four other powerhouse ingredients that fuel your lifestyle — no crashes involved. Adaptogens like lion’s mane and chaga extract work to keep you calm yet sharp, perfect for tackling to-do lists and high-pressure meetings. You’ll feel as relaxed as you are alert.

Even better, this blend supports total-body health. Packed with antioxidants, adaptogens can also support the gut and immune systems. Combined with whey protein concentrate, which can keep you full, it’s truly an all-in-one blend. Some flavors even have organic A2 milk for added calcium and creaminess.

Shoppers rave about the ingredients, all-day energy and decadent taste. One wrote, “I’ve tried multiple other protein coffees and this is by far the best tasting! I got the vanilla and the cold brew one, and I’ll [get] the vanilla again! It’s a game changer.”

All it takes is a quick scoop and mix, and you’ll be out the door in minutes. This coffee simplifies your mornings while upgrading your ritual, so don’t be surprised if you’re obsessed. Not only do you get a.m. caffeine and protein, but also nutrients that help you feel your best.

Snag your favorite flavor at Target or below!

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This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.

This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.

From director Nitesh Tiwari, with an expansive story by Shridhar Raghavan, comes one of India’s most anticipated features of 2026: Ramayana. At an exclusive early preview, Collider’s Steve Weintraub had the opportunity to talk with the film’s lead, Ranbir Kapoor, who has the esteemed honor of portraying not only Lord Rama in the movie, but is pulling double duty representing Lord Parshuram, as well. In this interview, Kapoor talks with us about the responsibility of the role, why he initially turned it down, and why this is a must-see in IMAX.

Ramayana, told in two parts, is a sweeping, timeless epic from producer and filmmaker Namit Malhotra. In the movie, Heaven and Earth are inching closer to chaos, and to restore the balance, the Trinity god Vishnu must descend to Earth as an avatar, Rama (Kapoor). Rama is a prince whose opposition is the formidable and immortal demon king Ravana (Yash). Unfortunately, Rama does not yet realize that his destiny is to confront this vengeful demon in a clash so catastrophic that the fate of the gods and mortals hang in its balance. In the movie, Kapoor leads a star-studded ensemble, including Sai Pallavi as Sita, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman.​​

Don’t miss the full conversation in the video above, or the transcript below, where Kapoor discusses the importance of the whirlwind global promotion of Ramayana, why he first declined the role, and the gratitude and responsibility he feels representing this story. Kapoor also talks about why audiences must see Ramayana in IMAX if they’re able, Indian cinema’s reach across the world since films like 2022’s RRR (and long before), and growing up among cinema royalty.

Ranbir Kapoor Shares His Favorite Fan Moments as a Movie Geek

He tells stories about Al Pacino, Bill Murray, Quentin Tarantino, and more.

Image via New Line Cinema

COLLIDER: We’re in Los Angeles right now, and literally yesterday you were on set in India filming part two. What were you filming yesterday, and what is it like to just jump on a plane and fly around the world?

RANBIR KAPOOR: Well, I won’t lie, it is a bit hard and daunting, but moments like this and films like this come very rarely in a person’s life, and when you’re so proud of something, you’re so inspired, you want to travel the world and try and pass on the message that this film is coming out and what the movie’s about. So, yes, it is tiring, but the immense faith and intention that we have behind making this film, I think that just pulls us all together.

Can you tease what you were filming on set?

KAPOOR: We’re already halfway done filming part two, at least my portions. It’s even more exciting than what you guys have seen.

I won’t pressure you anymore. I like asking a few fun questions to actors, and this is my fun question for you: Have you ever asked for someone’s autograph?

KAPOOR: Absolutely. Much like yourselves, I’m a big geek of movies. I’ve been watching a film a day for the last 35 years. Apart from my local heroes, where I grew up in India, when I’ve traveled, I’ve been shooed away by Natalie Portman, Quentin Tarantino has shown me the finger, and I’ve met Bill Murray. Al Pacino was doing a reading of Salomé on Broadway; I was a student at that time, and I stood outside for three hours just to get a shout-out from him. Met [Robert] DeNiro in India. These are my screen idols, and just to meet them has given me immense joy.

Coming as a fan, how much has that impacted when you’re meeting your fans? How much has that changed you, knowing that you’ve been on the other side, where you stood in line for three hours wanting to meet someone? You have a lot of fans, so does that play a little factor with you?

KAPOOR: Absolutely. I feel a lot of gratitude. Sometimes it’s disbelief, like, “All of these people want to take my autograph or take a picture with me?” Also, I come from a film family. I’m fourth generation, so my family has been contributing to Indian cinema for close to 100 years. I’ve seen it around me while growing up. I’ve seen people with immense success, even with immense failure, and I think that really balanced me out very early on. So, I don’t get swayed by success or get disheartened by failure.

Ranbir Kapoor Says ‘Ramayana’ Is India’s Answer to the Greatest Global Epics

“It’s nothing less than Lord of the Rings.”

World of Ramayana

A lot of people in America who are going to be watching this interview won’t actually know the story, won’t know much about the history. What can you tease people about the movie? Why does it mean so much to you and so many people around the world?

KAPOOR: Well, it is the greatest epic to come from my country, India. Apart from the entertainment and every emotion that it will give you, there are a lot of life lessons that you can take from a film like Ramayana and the characters. I’m extremely excited that the West, the entire world, and the entire global audience will get to sample this story.

One of the things about being the main character in a movie like this is that it has to, as an actor, be very daunting. Your whole career has led to this moment, so what was it like for you in the months leading up to that first day of filming, to get your head around what you would be doing mentally and physically?

KAPOOR: Steve, if I can go back a year before filming is when I felt the jitters, when there was a lot of fear. But I think by the time it was a month before filming, I felt so much gratitude to get this opportunity. It was a blessing of Lord Ram that I got to play this — nobody can represent him, but to actually surrender myself to the character that I played.

A month before, if I can remember, I was chasing the director, Nitesh Tiwari, to try to take as much as I could about the story, about the journey of Ram. Because it’s limitless, right? There is not just a definite “this is it, and this is what you play.” So, I think really to truly surrender to the part, to make certain sacrifices about your life, make certain changes to really feel close to what you’re trying to engage the audience with, I think a month before shoot, I was all there.

In the new trailer that will be out by the time people watch this, there’s a shot of you swinging on a branch with a creature, and it reminded me a little bit of Legolas in The Lord of the Rings. It was just this massive spectacle. So, what can you tease people in terms of some of the spectacle and the cool things that you do in these movies?

KAPOOR: Like you said, Steve, you know, it’s nothing less than Lord of the Rings. It’s our greatest epic spectacle coming from our country, and this was just a teaser. We have six hours of epic visuals and epic action sequences, emotions. It teaches you to be a better son, a better husband, a better brother. It’s the triumph of good over evil. There are so many different layers of storytelling happening with this film that I’m really excited for people to sample it.

There is significant buzz about you playing both Lord Ram and Parshuram. How are you using your body language and voice to differentiate between the two distinct divine entities, one representing calm and the other righteous fury?

KAPOOR: Well, you’ve done your homework pretty well. Just to give you a backstory, Lord Vishnu had different avatars. Lord Ram is one avatar; Lord Parshuram was an avatar before Lord Rām. And just to get the opportunity, like how I got to play Lord Rām, to also play Lord Parshuram was fantastic.

As an actor, apart from body language, if you deeply understand the spirituality, the emotionality of characters, I think everything starts from there. That’s what I did that year, leading to the shoot of Ramayana, was to really understand who these people are, who these characters are, what they stand for, what their motives are, and then everything just becomes easier.

Every generation has its Rām. How do you detach yourself from those legendary benchmarks to ensure your version feels fresh without being disrespectful to the core sentiments?

KAPOOR: Like I said, it’s a responsibility. It’s a responsibility that you’re carrying on your shoulders. Because, like I mentioned earlier, you can’t really play him. You are representing. You’re telling, as an actor, your version of Lord Rām. So, the responsibility, the intention, the faith, and the belief that I have as an actor, I have as an Indian, towards this story, towards Lord Rām, I think that’s where it all begins.

So, Rama is often described as the ideal man. After living in this character’s skin for so long, what is the one quality of Rama that has actually rubbed off on you, the person?

KAPOOR: I think the leading qualities which really stand out to me, apart from all there is, are his compassion, his courage, his ability to forgive, and righteousness. There is a saying in the scriptures, “Tara Maa protects those who uphold it,” and I think that’s something that really stayed with me.

How ‘RRR’ Impacted Indian Cinema’s Reach in the West

“Indian cinema has been a leading nation in making cinema.”

You’ve been working in Indian cinema for decades. How have you seen Indian cinema change over the last 20 years? And I’m curious, with the success of RRR in America, how much that may have opened the Western audiences for Indian cinema, from your perspective?

KAPOOR: Yes, of course. RRR made a huge impact, which was two years back, but I’ve always believed that a good story really translates and travels, irrespective of language, which could be a barrier. I think Indian cinema has been a leading nation in making cinema. My grandfather’s films, which were in the 1950s, traveled to Russia, to Japan, to different parts of the world. I think with every generation, we are taking giant steps, where a larger audience is sampling our movies and giving respect to our cinema. I think with Ramayana, the intention is to really take Indian cinema, take a giant leap, and really make a large audience sample our movies.

People don’t realize the long hours it takes to make a movie. Making one movie is an immense challenge, but you’re filming two, I believe, back to back. What is it like for you to maintain that stamina and energy when it’s such a long production?

KAPOOR: Again, it goes back to faith and belief, because you believe in it. The intention of all the makers, the cast, and crew is so positive, and everybody has this full energy to tell the story in the best way possible. I think that’s something which really keeps us going. Where the story starts and where it continues to go is a very exciting narrative for an actor just to be part of that.

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What was it actually like for you reading the script for the first time? Because it’s one thing to hear what you’re going to do, it’s another thing to actually read that script. What was something that you couldn’t believe was on the page? What was something that made you say, “How are we going to film this?”

KAPOOR: It was a journey because when Namit [Malhotra] offered me this part, he didn’t narrate the script to me. He just said, “Listen, I’m making this film. What do you feel about playing Lord Rām?” And out of fear, my instinct reaction was, “No, I can’t do it. I’m not fit enough for it.” But then, over a period of time, Namit took me through his vision and what he was doing with the film.

Then, when I met Nitesh Sir, and he narrated the story to me, I could not thank my stars that I was in the right place at the right time, getting the opportunity to be part of a film like this, to play Lord Rām. I still have to pinch myself to understand that I am playing Lord Rām, and that’s something which is probably a big turning point in my life and career.

Why IMAX Is the Best Way To Experience ‘Ramayana’

“It just blew my mind.”

World of Ramayana

I want to bring up the IMAX of it all. I can’t wait to watch this in IMAX. It’s my favorite format for the big screen experience, and more and more audiences around the world now understand what IMAX means. Can you talk about why you’re going to want to see this in IMAX, and what it is like making a movie that’s going to be on these massive, massive screens?

KAPOOR: I guess when you’re telling such epic stories, which are such big-scale event films, this is probably one of the biggest IMAXs I’ve ever seen in my life.

We should mention we’re in the AMC Burbank.

KAPOOR: AMC Burbank.

This is one of James Cameron’s favorite theaters.

KAPOOR: It just blew my mind. It’s like you’re immersed. You’re in there. And Ramayana is a story that should be sampled in IMAX. That’s where you really feel the experience of the movie.

Speaking of movie theaters, I love seeing movies in movie theaters. Do you have a favorite movie theater? It could be anywhere that you’ve been.

KAPOOR: Yes. There is a theater in India called Gaiety Galaxy. That’s where I grew up, going to watch movies. We have a system where there is a stall and a balcony. The stall is where everyone’s really having a party, like they’re throwing money on the screen and throwing papers all over. People in the balcony are a little bit more dignified, if I might say, looking down at all the people having fun. But my earliest memories of cinema and larger-than-life characters started from that place, Gaiety Galaxy.

Your family is essentially a royal family when it comes to cinema in India. At what point in your life did you realize, “Actually, I think I am going to want to be an actor. I do want to do this?” When did it hit you?

KAPOOR: Everyone in my family just took it for granted that “Probably, he’ll grow up to be an actor or a director.” But growing up in a film family, there was no sense of ego or, “This is a very easy thing for me to do,” because all people are successful in my family because they’re extremely hardworking, extremely passionate. Everybody had an individualistic approach towards their work, and that’s why they were successful. That’s the learning I got very early on in my life, that unless I have my own individual approach to my work, my own stories to tell, it’ll be hard for me. So, yeah, it was amazing to feel the passion, to feel that energy and madness towards cinema. That was very contagious growing up.

Ramayana: Part 1 opens in theaters and IMAX globally this fall, during Diwali 2026. Part 2 is currently in production and slated to debut globally during Diwali 2027.

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Release Date

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November 8, 2026

Director

Nitesh Tiwari

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Writers

Shridhar Raghavan

Producers

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Yash, Namit Malhotra

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