It’s not like Batman is a character whose time has been spent in sunshine and rainbows, but the newest take on the Caped Crusader is going considerably darker than most. More than three decades after Bane famously broke the Bat, Knightfall is finally receiving the adaptation fans have been waiting for, and audiences haven’t wasted any time finding it.

Just one day after it was released on August 2, Batman: Knightfall Part 1 climbed to No. 3 on the Apple TV/iTunes movie chart, trailing only Nine to Five and Pixar’s Toy Story 5. That’s an impressive start for an R-rated animated superhero movie, particularly before it even gets a physical release and it’s proof that people will always turn up for Batman.

The movie is a multipart animated event bringing to life one of the most iconic and beloved runs in the rich history of Batman comics. In Part 1, when the mysterious behemoth known only as Bane frees Batman’s entire Rogue’s Gallery from Arkham Asylum, the Caped Crusader is pushed to his mental and physical breaking point.

The cast includes Anson Mount (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds) voices Bruce Wayne/Batman, with Michael Mando (Better Call Saul) as Bane, Pablo Schreiber (Halo) as Jean-Paul Valley/Azrael and Jack Giffin as Tim Drake/Robin. The adaptation remains faithful to the original comics by using Tim as Robin. Screenwriter Jeremy Adams previously teased: “It’s an old-school Tim. He’s so good in it.” Jeff Wamester directs from Adams’ screenplay, with Jim Krieg and Kimberly S. Moreau producing.

Why Is ‘Knightfall’ Rated R?

The R rating gives Knightfall greater freedom to capture the brutality of its source material. Beginning in 1993, the original storyline sees Bane systematically exhaust Bruce Wayne by freeing Arkham Asylum’s inmates and forcing Batman to battle villain after villain.

It culminates in one of the most iconic moments in Batman history, with Bane breaking Bruce’s back across his knee. Bruce’s injuries eventually lead Jean-Paul Valley to inherit the Batman mantle, only for Azrael to adopt a considerably more violent approach to crime-fighting.

Batman: Knightfall Part 1: Knightfall is available digitally now, with its 4K Blu-ray release scheduled for September 8.

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Release Date

August 25, 2026

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Runtime

79 minutes

Director

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Jeff Wamester

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Viola Davis is making it clear that sorry does not erase the damage done, especially when it is one that brings to mind a painful chapter in history.

Following Target’s release of a children’s Halloween outfit, all has not gone down well for them. The idea has since drawn backlash, as many believe it evoked minstrel show and blackface imagery. 

While the company has apologized for its wrongs, it has done nothing to help the situation. The “Woman King” actress has now weighed in, rejecting their show of remorse.

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The “How To Get Away With Murder” actress did not  hold back, noting that the evil of the retailer’s actions has far outweighed any statement of regret. She reshared a post highlighting Target’s response and expressed her thoughts.

“Target, I do not accept your apology, and I do not believe that you understand the impact… the pain… the dehumanization of the above,” Davis wrote in the caption of her Instagram post.

“These images laid the foundation and the ideology for every atrocity that has been committed against my people.” She added, “We MATTER!! You have shown us that you are not on OUR side.”

In the brand’s statement, they revealed that they had pulled down the offensive clothing, admitting it should never have been included in its product lineup.

They acknowledged that the mistake was particularly hurtful to Black customers, employees, and partners and promised to ensure there won’t be a repeat of this incident.

“As a company, we got this wrong, and we are deeply sorry,” they wrote, according to Us Weekly.

Other Reactions To Target’s Offensive Clown Outfit

While Davis has slammed the organization’s apology, the design itself has since drawn criticism from all corners. 

Comedian LaTrez Anderson reacted in the comments of a now-deleted Instagram Reel, writing, “Target, for real? I’m not surprised, but this is a new low.” Another social media user expressed disappointment with those responsible for approving the concept.

According to PEOPLE Magazine, the controversial design showed a young Black child in clothes marketed as Kids’ Glows Under Blacklight Circus Clown. The ensemble included a black-and-orange patterned bodysuit, a matching hood, an oversized grin design, and a small top hat.

The child posed raising one arm and one leg as if waving, which critics have claimed echoes racist imagery associated with the Jim Crow era and historical caricatures of Black people.

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Target Previously Cut DEI Programs 

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This is not the first time the retailer has received heat over decisions involving race and inclusion. Less than a year ago, the brand scaled back several of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

Since announcing those changes, the company has faced boycotts and criticism from some consumers.

At the time, Anne and Lucy Dayton, daughters of one of Target’s founders, publicly condemned the move, describing it as a “betrayal.”

Target Shares Dropped After Product Recall

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As outrage surrounding the controversy continues, the fallout has extended to the stock market. According to TradingView, Target’s shares fell by as much as 5% after it pulled the product from shelves.

The incident has also drawn scrutiny from investors. Shareholder advocacy group SOC Investment Group described it as yet another example where the company has “lost trust” of its customers.

This is concerning because its business model is built around shoppers choosing to spend on optional items, making brand reputation and customer sentiment especially important.

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Morningstar analyst Brett Husslein noted that the market’s reaction highlighted how vulnerable Target’s competitive position can be when consumer trust is shaken.

Viola Davis Previously Condemned Donald Trump’s Depiction Of The Obamas As Apes

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Davis’ response to Target is not the first time she has used her platform to address racial issues. When Donald Trump reportedly shared a now-deleted manipulated video showing Michelle and Barack Obama with ape bodies, the “Widows” star publicly spoke out.

As The Blast reported, Davis shared a heartfelt video of Michelle Obama on Instagram and used the caption to celebrate the former First Lady.

She reminded followers that when racism seeks to demean a woman of color, the appropriate response is to uplift and honor her. 

The EGOT winner also reflected on the state of the nation, emphasizing that a true home should never diminish anyone’s humanity and must continue supporting all of its people.

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Teddy bears have traditionally been a gift for kids, but one artist is giving an extra reason for adults to embrace the “kidult” plush. Fancy Teddy is a handmade teddy bear collection created by contemporary artist Jeffrey Men. But what really makes them stand out is what they’re infused with.

You can shop adult-geared plushies infused with healing crystals. We know! We didn’t realize this was a thing, either. Each bear is hand-stuffed by the artist himself with organic kapok, a light, fluffy, plant-based fiber. They’re infused with three crystals, such as amethyst for clarity and calm, citrine for wealth and positive energy, quartz for healing and energy amplification and lapis lazuli for wisdom and deep spiritual awareness.

Get The Honey Fancy Teddy at Fancy Teddy!

The imperfect teddy bears are half the appeal. Combine that with the infused healing crystals, and it’s no wonder fans are calling it ‘the teddy with good vibes.’ According to the artist, Jeffrey Men, “I always loved the idea of each one being different,” he said. “We are all imperfect, and I wanted to highlight that in each individual unique Teddy.”

Take The Honey Fancy Teddy, which is a special-edition collaboration with BeeKeeper’s Naturals Superfood Honey, for example. The nostalgic option is handmade with German mohair, genuine pebble leather and silk velvet, along with a custom oversized cotton tee that says “Fancy.” The healing crystals are inside, so you can bring good vibes to whatever space needs it most.

Not only has Fancy Teddy garnered nearly 30,000 Instagram followers, but it has also gained celebrity fans, including Ariana Madix and Lindsay Hubbard. Even more impressive, the brfand has been recognized by the Orange County Museum of Art.

There are five other Fancy Teddy offerings, including the Original, Midnight, Bubblegum, Arctic and Cosmic. There are also Mini Original, Mini Bubblegum and Mini Cosmic. The small sizes come with a clear clip-on zipper bag pouch, so you can keep it with you for positive energy throughout the day.

When you consider the fact that they are not mass-produced by a machine, feature high-end materials and include thoughtful crystals, you’re really getting something different than anything you can find in a store.

To make your plush addition feel extra special, it comes with a custom display box and birth certificate of authenticity. Each teddy is one of a kind, so it’s truly a special piece that you’ll keep forever.

Get The Honey Fancy Teddy at Fancy Teddy!

Sy’Rai Smith, the daughter of singer Brandy, has folks up in arms following an interview on Tuesday, August 25. Smith sparked an online frenzy after she shared her love for the reality TV show ‘Baddies.’ And spoiler alert: her fans are not having it!

RELATED: Okay?! Brandy Sings The Theme Song For ‘A Different World’ Reboot And Fans Are Shook (VIDEO)

Sy’Rai Smith Has Fans Hollerin’ Over Love For ‘Baddies’

Ray J Wins Celebrity Boxing Match Against Orlando Brown

Ray J fought Orlando Brown in a celebrity boxing match at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta. The celebrity fight was before the Claressa Shields–Kaye Scott match, Zeus Network aired the match. The three-round fight resulted in a win for Ray J, who was knocked-out by Supa Hot Fire earlier this year, and former pro-boxers Floyd Mayweather and Terence Crawford congratulated the singer for the win.

RELATED: Sibling Love! Brandy And Ray J’s Reunion Has Fans In Their Feels (VIDEO)

More than 25 years after Band of Brothers first aired, Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks’ World War II masterpiece remains an almost impossibly high benchmark for television. We’ve seen plenty of attempts to recapture its magic, including its own companion series The Pacific and Masters of the Air, but one of the most acclaimed WWII shows of recent years came from Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight instead and audiences have now stumbled across one of the best series around.

SAS: Rogue Heroes is absolutely soaring Prime Video. Originally premiering on BBC One in 2022, the series currently has two seasons under its belt, with a third already confirmed. The series follows David Stirling, an eccentric, bored and hospitalized young officer. Convinced that traditional commando units don’t work, he creates a radical plan that flies in the face of all accepted rules of modern warfare. He fights for permission to recruit the toughest, boldest and brightest soldiers for a small undercover unit that will create mayhem behind enemy lines.

The cast is led by Connor Swindells (Sex Education) as David Stirling, Jack O’Connell (Sinners) as Paddy Mayne and Alfie Allen (Game of Thrones) as Jock Lewes, alongside Sofia Boutella (Rebel Moon), Dominic West (The Crown), Theo Barklem-Biggs (The Inbetweeners), Corin Silva (The Bay) and Jacob Ifan (A Discovery of Witches).

‘SAS: Rogue Heroes’ Has a Perfect Rotten Tomatoes Score

The show’s critical reception makes its newfound streaming success even more impressive. Both released seasons of SAS: Rogue Heroes currently hold perfect 100% scores on Rotten Tomatoes, while their respective audience scores stand at 89% and 83%.

Its reception puts the series among the most acclaimed World War II television dramas of the 2020s. For comparison, Apple’s Masters of the Air received an 85% critics’ score, while Netflix’s All the Light We Cannot See sits considerably lower at 28%. And the story isn’t finished yet. SAS: Rogue Heroes has already been renewed for Season 3, meaning its arrival on the Prime Video charts comes at a pretty convenient time for anyone looking to catch up.

SAS: Rogue Heroes is streaming now on Prime Video.

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Release Date

2022 – 2025-00-00

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Network

BBC One

Directors

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Tom Shankland, Stephen Woolfenden

Writers

Steven Knight

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  Connor Swindells

  David Stirling

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  Jack O’Connell

  Paddy Mayne

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26 years ago, as human civilization stepped into another new century, the world of literature expanded in exciting new directions. Creators of both fiction and non-fiction saw the new world through new lenses. Some told the old stories through new perspectives, and some found stories that were never told before. From fictional tales packed with emotions to revelatory non-fiction themes, the last 26 years have seen some phenomenal works in literature around the world.

In the last couple of decades, we’ve seen seminal non-fiction books that address significant questions about human existence, as well as fiction sensations ranging from sci-fi masterpieces like The Three-Body Problem to phenomenal thrillers like Gone Girl and everything in between, each breaking new ground with their originality and vision. While it would be criminally unfair to select just a handful of books to define the new era, here’s our ranked selection of some of the greatest books of the last 26 years.

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‘Gone Girl’ (2012)

Image via Phoenix

The third novel penned by American author Gillian Flynn, this psychological crime thriller is easily her most successful and acclaimed work to date. Gone Girl revolves around Amy Dunne, who mysteriously disappears on her fifth marriage anniversary, leaving her husband, Nick, and everyone around them in shock. When the police discover seemingly damning evidence in Amy’s personal journal, Nick becomes the main suspect, triggering a huge public spectacle. Told from Nick and Amy’s respective POVs, the book unfolds competing and often contradictory perspectives on their lives, marriage, and the events that led to Amy’s vanishing.

A dark and twisted tale about a complicated marital relationship, Gone Girl is a deliciously thrilling read with dual unreliable narrators. A literary phenomenon of the 2010s, the crime fiction novel was uniquely groundbreaking in the way it flips the classic missing-person tropes and takes readers in completely unexpected directions. Gone Girl has since been widely praised for its ingenious writing and remains an icon of 21st-century thriller literature.

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‘Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind’ (2011)

Image via HarperCollins

Written by military historian Yuval Noah Harari and based on his series of lectures, Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind is a popular science and popular history nonfiction book that surveys the history of Homo Sapiens. The account blends natural science, anthropology, and macro-history to survey the entire journey of human existence, beginning in the Stone Age and ending in the 21st century. The book covers four major turning points: the Cognitive, Agricultural, and Scientific revolutions, and the unification of humankind.

When first published, the book became a New York Times bestseller and earned global recognition, winning the National Library of China’s Wenjin Book Award for the best book published in 2014. While critics have acclaimed Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind for making complex timelines, biology, and anthropology easy to understand, there is also substantial scholarly criticism of the same. However, the book became a publishing phenomenon and is widely considered one of the best books of its decade.

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‘Brief Answers to the Big Questions’ (2018)

Image via Bantam Books

Stephen Hawking’s final literary work, Brief Answers to the Big Questions, is a popular science book that examines the greatest mysteries of the universe. Described as “a selection of the most profound, accessible, and timely reflections” from Hawking’s personal materials, including essays, lectures, and speeches, the book addresses four main subjects: “Why Are We Here?” “Will We Survive?” “Will Technology Save Us or Destroy Us?” and “How Can We Thrive?” The book also includes a foreword by Eddie Redmayne, who won an Academy Award for portraying Hawking in the 2014 film The Theory of Everything.

Published just a few months after Hawking’s death, Brief Answers to the Big Questions re-establishes the respected physicist’s deep faith in science and how essential it is in solving humanity’s biggest problems. The book came to be noted for making several striking predictions and warnings about the future of humanity, including topics of gene editing, artificial intelligence, and religion, and how those changes could impact the trajectory of human civilization. While the book did not win any major awards, it ranks among the top nonfiction titles of the 2010s and was widely praised as Hawking’s poignant final message to humanity.

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‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ (2005)

Image via Norstedts Förlag

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An international bestseller written by Swedish author Stieg Larsson, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is the first book of the Millennium series. The novel follows Mikael Blomkvist, a disgraced journalist who is hired by a wealthy businessman to search for his niece, who disappeared 40 years earlier. Mikael takes the help of a skilled but deeply troubled hacker named Lisbeth Salander and dives into the family’s dark secrets to uncover the truth.

Published in 2005, a few months after Larsson’s death, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo broke all the conventions of contemporary crime fiction with its atypical heroine, stark Nordic realism, and social critique. The novel became globally popular and remains Larsson’s most famous work, winning Sweden’s Glass Key Award and a British Book Award. The novel’s success set new trends for Nordic crime noir in mainstream art and culture, prompting highly acclaimed film adaptations in both Sweden and America.

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‘Before the Coffee Gets Cold’ (2015)

Image via Hanover Square Press

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A Japanese magic realism novel by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Before the Coffee Gets Cold tells the story of people in a small basement café in Tokyo called Funiculi Funicula. The café allows its customers to travel back in time, but they must return to their present before their cup of coffee gets cold, or they will get trapped as a ghost. Their presence and actions in the past have no bearing on their present, and the travelers can only meet those people who have visited the café.

Before the Coffee Gets Cold is a charming, emotionally resonant meditation on how we perceive time, and a beautiful and hopeful reminder that though the past cannot be changed, the future holds possibilities of doing things differently. The book was an instant success in Japan when it was published in 2015, followed by the English translation by Geoffrey Trousselot published in 2019, which became a trending topic on social media. Before the Coffee Gets Cold was followed by five sequels, with the latest being Before I Knew I Loved You, published in 2026.

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‘The Kite Runner’ (2003)

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In his debut novel, Afghan-American author Khaled Hosseini pens one of the most powerful novels of 21st-century literature. The Kite Runner is set against the backdrop of the Afghan conflict of the 1970s and focuses on the Soviet–Afghan War and the exodus of Afghan refugees, as well as the rise of the Taliban regime. Growing up in a tormented nation, Amir and Hassan develop a bond that breaks on Amir’s act of transgression, leaving him to atone for two decades.

Deeply moving and often startling, The Kite Runner offers a raw window into the modern political and social history of Afghanistan, depicted through the story of two childhood friends and a father-son relationship. With themes of guilt, redemption, loyalty, and how they are impacted by classism, The Kite Runner is gut-wrenching and inspiring at the same time. The book became a global bestseller, earned widespread acclaim, and has since been adapted into several stage performances, a graphic novel, and a 2007 film by Marc Forster.

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‘The Underground Railroad’ (2016)

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Written by Afro-surrealist novelist Colson Whitehead, The Underground Railroad is an alternate-history novel that reimagines the historical titular underground network used by enslaved people to escape to the abolitionist North. Set in the 19th-century Antebellum South, the story centers on Cora, a young woman enslaved at a brutal Georgia plantation, who escapes using the titular route while being hunted down by a ruthless slave catcher. The novel depicts the titular escape network as a literal subterranean railroad system with safe houses and secret passages, tracking Cora’s escape state by state.

The Underground Railroad was massively successful at the time of its publication, winning several prestigious literary awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, the National Book Award for Fiction, and the Arthur C. Clarke Award. Reviewers and critics have since praised the novel for its commentary on American history. Bold, imaginative, honest, and painful, The Underground Railroad turns a historical metaphor into a remarkable commentary on the past and present of America.

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‘The Three-Body Problem’ (2008)

Image via Tor Books

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A Chinese hard science fiction novel by Liu Cixin, The Three-Body Problem is the first book in the Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy and is followed by The Dark Forest and Death’s End. The 2008 novel explores a fictional past, present, and future of Earth, where people encounter an alien civilization from a nearby star system with three Sun-like stars orbiting each other, defining the titular problem of astrodynamics. The book started in 2006 as a serialized story in Science Fiction World.

The Three-Body Problem became a sci-fi sensation and China’s most successful full-length novel of recent decades, earning endorsements from literary legends like George R.R. Martin and inspiring multiple adaptations. Liu Cixin’s work has been compared to that of Arthur C. Clarke and heavily praised for its mind-bending combination of hardcore physics, grand cosmic horror, and a distinct non-Western historical perspective on global affairs. The original edition won the Galaxy Award for Chinese science fiction, while the 2014 English translation by Ken Liu became the first novel by an Asian writer to win a Hugo Award for Best Novel.

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Release Date

March 21, 2024

Network

Netflix

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Directors

Minkie Spiro, Jeremy Podeswa, Derek Tsang Kwok-Cheung, Andrew Stanton

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Writers

David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Alexander Woo, Madhuri Shekar, Rose Cartwright

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Stockard Channing‘s face remains a red carpet delight despite being 24 months away!

The actress was spotted breaking her lengthy hiatus to appear at a London event, where she reunited with a few Hollywood pals years after relocating to the United Kingdom.

Stockard Channing’s career has spanned over six decades across stage, film, and television, and she is best known for playing Betty Rizzo in the 1978 movie “Grease.”

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The actress attended the European premiere, held at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square in London. The first “Practical Magic” movie was released on October 16, 1998, and Channing played the fan-favorite Aunt Frances Owens.

Channing looked dapper in a stunning dark blue suit paired with a sparkling white button-up shirt, unbuttoned at the top to highlight her thick chain-like necklace. The actress topped it off with matching dangling silver earrings that draped softly past her shoulders.

Channing opted for black platform heels and a dark leather bag to finish her look. Her rich brunette hair, highlighted and styled in thick waves, added sophistication to her chic look. 

As stated by The Daily Mail, in the sequel to “Practical Magic,” Channing will be reprising her famous role for the cult classic, and this is her first movie role in four years.

The 82-Year-Old Reunited With Co-stars On The Red Carpet

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In the first sequel, Channing’s character was the aunt of Sally and Gillian Owens, played by Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. The entire family came from a long line of witches who carried a curse that killed any man they truly loved.

Channing wasn’t the only aunt in the family; Dianne Wiest also played their other aunt, Bridget ‘Jet’ Owens. The red carpet gave them the golden opportunity to reunite as they shared a warm embrace and held hands in London.

Wiest also opted for cool tones like her pal, showing up in a black loose floor-length dress with tiny straps and matching black chunky shoes.

Channing later posed for a group photo with the other cast members, including Joey King and Maisie Williams, who star as the daughters of Bullock’s character.

The sequel, directed by Susanne Bier and based on Alice Hoffman’s sequel “The Book Of Magic,” is scheduled to hit theaters in September 2026.

Stockard Channing Did Not Expect ‘Practical Magic’ To Have Significant Staying Power

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In a 2020 interview with Vulture about shooting “Practical Magic,” Channing admitted she never could have predicted the 1998 film would remain so beloved by a legion of fans decades later. 

She recalled the production set as warm and playful, with Bullock and Kidman, as she focused on making her character appear timeless and unique. 

Frances was known on the show for her eccentric character, with dramatic makeup, a curly wig, and bold costumes that brought the centuries-old witch to life.

Channing praised Kidman for committing to the very physically demanding possession scene, which took lengthy days to film, and also her own uncomfortable experience performing in a harness for green screen sequences.

One of Channing’s funniest recollections occurred after filming when she was asked to dub her part in French. She quickly realized she had overestimated her language skills and joked that she was eventually told she sounded Bulgarian. 

Despite the memories, Channing said she generally avoids watching herself onscreen, but she remains amazed at how many people still come up to her about the movie.

While the film did not seem high-profile when it first released, Channing said she was struck by the affection it developed over the years, eventually becoming one of the projects audiences still recognize her for.

The Emmy Award Winner Admitted She Sometimes Thinks About The Kids She Never Had

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Channing moved to London about six years ago following the death of her long-time partner, and she recently opened up about living life without children. As noted by The Blast, the movie star admitted that throughout most of her serious relationships, she did think about welcoming children, but ultimately realized kids were selfish.

The actress joked that now that she is older, she sometimes sees the need to have adult kids around, although there was no guarantee they would have been able to take care of her. In London, Channing has embraced a much quieter life, away from the paps and the demanding nature of Hollywood sets.

Before her partner Daniel Gillham’s death, Channing first married sculptor Walter Channing Jr. in 1963, before their divorce in 1967. She tried again when she married professor Paul Schmidt in 1970, but they divorced six years later.

She married writer and producer David Debin in 1976. The pair remained together until their divorce in 1980, and for now, the actress has called the curtains on ever getting married for the fourth time.

Stockard Channing Is Embracing Life On Her Own Terms Since Big Move

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The actress’ move to the United Kingdom also coincided with a crucial change in America’s political landscape, which also witnessed a wave of migration outside the country.

However, the move has proven very beneficial for the actress, who noted that her wardrobe has gotten lighter without designer clothes, and she now lives without the pressure of being a celebrity.

Her routine these days now involves creating interesting objects with pottery, reading tons of books, which allows her mind to bask in endless imagination, and relishing life as an ordinary person who works as an actor.

However, she has not completely lost touch with acting, as she revealed she was busy behind the scenes of a stage production at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, serving as a director. 

Channing admitted she still doesn’t have her future mapped out, but the friendships in her life keep her fulfilled. She added that her line of work also continues to give her a sense of excitement, particularly the opportunity to collaborate with younger generations of performers and creatives.

Dolly Parton’s sudden death has rocked the entertainment world, and tributes have poured out from family and friends. 

After the passing of the beloved country music legend, her longtime friend Cher reflected on the star’s enduring optimism and her choice to handle her health battle privately.

Parton passed away on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80, following a brief battle with cancer.

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During an interview with Gayle King and Tony Dokoupil on “CBS News,” Cher shared emotional memories of her nearly 50-year friendship with Parton.

While initially shocked by the sudden loss, Cher noted that keeping personal health challenges private aligns completely with Parton’s resilience and positive outlook. She commended Parton’s spirit, emphasizing her friend’s focus on maintaining hope regardless of circumstances:

“No matter what was happening, she was either going to go with it, or it was going to get better. She just had a spirit, and it was a spirit that was always thinking the best was happening, the best was going to happen. Her friends loved her, her life was good, you know? That’s who she was.”

Cher also praised Parton’s diplomatic career approach and ability to unite audiences across political spectrums without alienating fans. 

Recalling their early collaboration in 1978 where Parton portrayed an angel in a television special, she fondly remembered her friend’s warmth and humor, noting that playing a heavenly figure guiding others was a fitting reflection of her true character.

Dolly Parton Kept Extent of Illness Hidden within Close Circle

While maintaining her trademark resilience and continuing to connect with supporters, Parton chose to manage her final months privately, ensuring only a tight-knit circle understood the true severity of her condition.

Sources close to the music legend revealed that her condition was significantly more serious than public statements suggested, with the star deliberately choosing to shield her followers from the sad news.

“Her health problems were much worse than she was willing to tell fans, obviously, and she was bad off for many months. She didn’t want the world to know that she was very sick,” an insider said, as noted by The Blast.

Those closest to her emphasized that even as her health deteriorated, her primary motivation remained preserving her optimistic image. 

An Official Statement Confirmed Dolly Parton’s Brief Cancer Battle

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Following her admission to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for underlying health complications, representatives for Parton released a statement confirming she passed away following a brief battle with cancer.

The statement highlighted the impact of her broad philanthropic endeavors alongside her decades-long entertainment career.

“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched,” the statement read, according to The Blast.

Her representatives also specifically noted her contributions to global child literacy and medical progress, praising her for her “unconditional love.”

While the specific diagnosis was not publicly disclosed, her team emphasized that her legacy of unconditional kindness and widespread community support remains her enduring gift to the world.

The Singer Spent Four Days At The Hospital Before Her Death

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Before the official statements confirming her cause of death were released, details surrounding Parton’s final days revealed she was admitted to the hospital.

According to The Blast, the country music icon received treatment in Nashville, Tennessee, leading up to her death, surrounded by family.

The admission coincided with public disclosures in which Parton addressed her declining physical well-being. During those discussions, she also acknowledged that she had neglected her personal care while attending to her late husband, Carl Dean, before his passing.

Dolly Parton’s Close Friend Speaks On The Singer’s Final Year

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In addition to her immediate medical challenges, friends close to Parton revealed that her final year was heavily defined by personal loss and deep grief.

In the year leading up to her death, she navigated profound emotional grief following the loss of her husband of nearly 60 years, Dean, alongside the passing of her brother. 

According to The Blast, Parton’s family friend, Nikki Lund, shared that the consecutive losses weighed heavily on the icon, altering the usual pace of her life. 

Lund noted that Dean’s death marked the “biggest tragedy loss for her,” prompting the singer to step back from her demanding professional schedule to spend more time quietly at home. 

Sandra Bullock debuted a shoulder tattoo that some fans are speculating may be in honor of both her kids and her late partner, Bryan Randall.

The Oscar winner, 62, turned heads on the red carpet at the European premiere of Practical Magic 2 in London’s Leicester Square on Wednesday, August 26, alongside costar Nicole Kidman. Bullock stunned in a leopard-print strapless dress from Givenchy’s autumn/winter 2026 collection designed by Sarah Burton.

The strapless look allowed fans to spot what appears to be new ink on the back of Bullock’s shoulder: a dainty cursive tattoo that reads “LB².”

Fans on social media have speculated that the tattoo may be an homage to her children — Louis, 16, and Laila, 12 — as well as Randall, who died at age 57 in August 2023 after battling ALS.

Related: Sandra Bullock and Bryan Randall’s Relationship Timeline

Sandra Bullock and late photographer Bryan Randall had a loving relationship for years. Us Weekly broke the news that Bullock was dating Randall in August 2015. The pair’s relationship continued to blossom, with a source telling Us in November 2017 that Bullock, who adopted son Louis in 2010 and daughter Laila in 2015, could always […]

“I’m theorizing about Sandra Bullock’s new tattoo and we came to the conclusion that the L squared is for Louis and Laila but the B is for Bryan,” one fan shared via X on Wednesday.

Another fan page wrote, “Sandra Bullock has a new tattoo 👀 We can’t help but wonder if it’s for Laila and Louis. 🤍”

In an interview on the Monday, August 24, episode of the “SmartLess” podcast, the actress opened up about her longtime partner’s ALS battle, revealing that he asked her not to disclose his diagnosis.

“He asked me not to share,” Bullock said of Randall, who was first diagnosed in 2020. “I know why he asked me not to.”

“My sister [Gesine Bullock-Prado] was the only one who knew for a while,” she continued. “At first I go, ‘Oh, I can handle that. I can be quiet.’”

Bullock said that honoring Randall’s request later left her feeling “isolated.”

At the same time, the Blind Side star was dealing with the physical deterioration of the man she loved.

“I think where he was in his journey, both physically and mentally, I started grieving Brian four years before he passed,” she said. “There was something that had shifted.”

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Related: Sandra Bullock Is ‘Ready to Get Back in the Game’ at Age 60

Sandra Bullock looked effortlessly chic as she made her way to her car while running errands in L.A. on July 12. Dressed in a white T-shirt, cream pants and a light beige cardigan, Bullock — who wore her long dark hair down in beachy waves — appeared to be in great spirits as she carried […]

Bullock also opened up about how her children handled Randall’s ill health.

“Louis handled it very different than Laila,” she shared. “About two years before Bryan passed, he saw it was a dynamic that wasn’t healthy for him to be around. So, he’s very evolved, he’s like, ‘You know what, I’m here for you’ … but he chose to just sort of be there and support and help me on the things that were easy [for him]. But he smartly disengaged himself and said, ‘This is a safer space for me to sit,’ and I said, ‘Absolutely, you go. I got this.’”

Laila, on the other hand, “was more bonded [with Randall] until about six months” before his death, she said. “And then she says, ‘Can you please say no when they call me over to go visit?’ and I said, ‘Absolutely, but if you do want to go visit, I will come with you and I will be right there and if you tap out, I’m right there.’”