Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster are once again fueling speculation that their romance is moving at full speed. 

After months of whispers surrounding their relationship, the Broadway stars were recently spotted loading luggage into a car together in New York City, immediately sparking fresh rumors that they may now be sharing a home. 

The sighting comes after an already emotional year involving public appearances, divorce drama, and ongoing fallout tied to Jackman’s split from Deborra-Lee Furness after nearly three decades of marriage.

Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster turned heads this week after they were photographed hauling suitcases into the trunk of a silver car in Manhattan.

The pair appeared relaxed during the outing while accompanied by a woman believed to be one of their loved ones, who was later seen warmly embracing Foster.

The sighting immediately reignited speculation that the couple may have quietly taken another major step in their relationship by moving in together.

Jackman kept things casual in shorts and a fitted T-shirt that highlighted his famously muscular physique, while Foster opted for a soft pink sweater, dark sweatpants, sunglasses, and a sleek bun.

The luggage-filled outing came only weeks after the actors made their highly discussed Met Gala debut together earlier this month.

Foster stunned in a shimmering gold Monse gown while Jackman wore a black Giorgio Armani tuxedo as they officially stepped onto one of Hollywood’s biggest red carpets as a couple.

The public appearance marked a significant milestone for the pair, whose romance had spent months surrounded by speculation before they confirmed the relationship earlier this year.

Jackman’s Relationship Timeline Continues Drawing Attention

Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster first became close while starring together in the 2022 Broadway revival of “The Music Man.”

At the time, both actors were still married, which later fueled rumors their relationship may have begun before their respective separations.

However, Jackman shocked fans in September 2023 when he and wife Deborra-Lee Furness announced the end of their 27-year marriage.

The following year, Foster filed for divorce from husband Ted Griffin in October 2024 after 10 years together.

Following the end of their marriages, the pair officially confirmed their romance in early 2025 following months of growing public speculation.

Hugh Jackman’s Divorce Fallout Continues Behind The Scenes

While Jackman and Foster continue stepping out publicly together, tensions surrounding the “Greatest Showman” star’s split from Deborra-Lee Furness have reportedly remained intense behind the scenes.

Sources claimed Furness viewed the Met Gala as one of the couple’s most cherished annual traditions.

“This was her and Hugh’s ‘big night out’ for the year and they were there side-by-side, just like Sutton is today, just four years ago,” an insider told New Idea Magazine.

The source added that the former couple had even discussed “split custody” of the Met Gala following their breakup before Foster entered the picture publicly.

Following the Met Gala, Furness fueled fresh speculation again when she commented on Kerry Washington’s Instagram post promoting her new show “Imperfect Woman.”

After Washington captioned the post, “You cannot trust ANYBODY… EVER,” Furness responded, “HILARIOUS… so true.”

The remark immediately sparked online discussion, with many fans wondering whether she was indirectly referencing Jackman and the end of their marriage.

Jackman’s Divorce Became Complicated Over Massive Fortune

Although Hugh Jackman and Furness separated in 2023, the legal process reportedly became far more complicated because the couple never signed a prenup.

The “Correlli” star officially filed for divorce in May 2025, months after insiders revealed financial negotiations were becoming difficult.

“One of the biggest reasons why they haven’t yet filed is that they never had a prenup,” a source close to Jackman revealed per the Daily Mail, adding, “When they got married, they thought it would be forever.”

The insider explained that neither of them expected Jackman’s career to eventually explode into a fortune reportedly worth more than $100 million.

“Because there was no prenup, and he made a fortune during their marriage, this divorce is not going to be cut and dry,” the source added, further noting, “It may even get messy because the stakes are high.”

Another insider later claimed the former couple were “struggling to reach an agreement on how to divide their assets,” with Furness allegedly believing she deserved a larger financial settlement than Jackman wanted to offer.

After officially filing for divorce, Furness released a statement that quickly made headlines because of one particularly emotional line.

“My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal. It’s a profound wound that cuts deep,” she said. 

The statement reportedly left Jackman stunned. According to insiders, the actor felt “extremely disappointed” because there had allegedly been “an unwritten understanding that she would not trash him to the press.”

Despite the emotional fallout, the divorce was finalized in June 2025, only one month after Furness filed. Since then, speculation surrounding Jackman and Sutton Foster has only intensified.

Insiders now claim the 57-year-old is serious about building a future with Foster, especially as the couple continues appearing more comfortable and public together.

And after their latest suitcase-filled outing in Manhattan, many fans are now convinced Jackman and Foster may already be preparing for life under the same roof.

Celebrities sometimes encounter fans whose enthusiasm goes beyond admiration, leading to some pretty bizarre moments. Glenn Powell is sharing one of the strangest encounters he’s had with a fan, and it involved eating photos of the actor’s face.

The woman had been consuming photos of Powell for more than a hundred days before they met face-to-face, and Powell witnessed the odd but memorable act firsthand.

Glen Powell appeared on The Hollywood Reporter‘s “Comedy Actor Roundtable,” along with Owen Wilson, Harrison Ford, Zach Braff, Riz Ahmed, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. At one point, the group turned the conversation to their wildest fan encounters.

Powell shared one of the most memorable experiences he had with a fan, who had gone viral online for eating photos of his face. “There’s a woman in London who has been printing out pictures of my face for the last 80 days and has eaten my face every day. Literally will eat my face until I give her a role in a movie,” he said.

The actor said he had no idea about it until he was told at the red carpet premiere of his movie that the woman who was eating his face was there. Braff asked how the fan got red carpet access, to which Powell replied, “That’s what I was like. ‘Guys, come on, this is a real liability.’”

The Actor Signed An Autograph For The Fan

Powell and the fan, Monique, met at “The Running Man” London premiere in November 2025. Prior to that, however, Monique had been documenting herself eating a photo of the actor’s face on TikTok. She started the challenge in June 2025, captioning the post, “Day 1 of eating a 100% edible photo of Glen Powell until he casts me as an extra in one of his movies/tv shows.”

Monique was one of the fans waiting at the red carpet for the movie’s stars, and when Powell approached, she presented his photo for him to sign. While posing for a photo together, Monique tore the paper with her teeth and ate part of the photo, causing Powell to laugh. “This is savage. It’s on now. Now it’s a premiere,” he said, seemingly amused.

Monique captioned the post, “Day 140 of eating a photo of glen powell infront of glen powell.”

Glen Powell Shared Another Fan Story

The “Hit Man” actor shared yet another odd fan story, in which he was asked to autograph his family photo. What he found odd, however, was that he had no idea how the fan could have had access to that particular photo of his entire family.

“So, I’m sitting there like, ‘Where did you get that?’” Powell asked the fan. Ahmed said that was scary, and Ford jokingly asked, “Did they already have the rest of your family sign it and you were the closer?” “I was,” Powell joked back.

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The other actors also shared their own fan experiences, with Ford sharing that he once heard, “‘My mother wants to sleep with you,’ announced loudly in an airport.” Ahmed, on the other hand, was chased by a fan screaming, “That’s not your signature,” after he signed an autograph.

The Actor Refused To Take A Photo With One Person

In 2025, Powell shared that he refused to take a photo with a famous person one time, though he didn’t drop the identity. While on the “Therapuss” podcast, the actor explained that while at a star-studded party, he came across someone who made some of his favorite movies. The two got to talking, and while he was a fan, the person was getting canceled at that time. “I was a fan of their work but not a fan of their choices,” Powell explained.

A photographer then offered to take a photo of them, but Powell politely declined, thinking the person’s face was “toxic,” and he didn’t want to be associated with him.

Glen Powell’s Career Continues To Surge

Powell’s career shows no signs of slowing down. After his recent movies “Twisters” and “The Running Man,” the actor is slated to appear in several films, including Judd Apatow’s “The Comeback King” and J.J. Abrams’ “The Great Beyond.” He is also developing a musical with Ryan Murphy, whom he had previously worked with on “Scream Queens.”

In addition, Powell also co-created and starred in the Hulu comedy series “Chad Powers,” which has been renewed for a second season.

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Competitive eating legend Joey Chestnut is still headed to Coney Island this Fourth of July, even while serving probation. The 17-time Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest champion recently pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor battery charge following a bar altercation in Indiana, but that won’t stop him from defending his title at the iconic annual event.

According to reports, Chestnut pleaded guilty last month to misdemeanor battery stemming from an incident that took place on March 21 in Hamilton County, Indiana. The competitive eater was sentenced to 180 days of probation following the altercation, which reportedly unfolded after an interaction with another bar patron.

Court records obtained by multiple outlets state Chestnut allegedly exchanged a handshake with someone who recognized him before striking the man on the side of the face “with an open hand.”

When questioned by police, Chestnut reportedly admitted he had been drinking heavily and had little recollection of what happened. He later reviewed surveillance footage and allegedly said the slap “looked like a joke” and that he didn’t realize the incident would escalate into a police matter.

Chestnut Says He Has ‘No Restrictions’

Despite being on probation, Chestnut confirmed he has no travel limitations and is still free to return to New York City for Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. “I have no restrictions,” Chestnut told USA Today.

The eating champion successfully petitioned to travel outside Indiana, where both he and the incident are based, clearing the way for his return to the famous Coney Island competition.

Joey Chestnut’s Legal Team Speaks Out

Following the guilty plea, Chestnut’s attorney addressed the situation, saying the matter had been resolved after the athlete accepted responsibility. “My client took full responsibility for this misunderstanding and resolved the matter by pleading guilty to a lesser-included offense of Class B misdemeanor battery, one of the lowest-level misdemeanor offenses under Indiana law,” Massillamany told Us Weekly in a statement.

Chestnut’s legal team also insisted the situation was misread and emphasized his connection with fans. The 17-time hot dog-eating champion “regrets engaging and the interaction being misinterpreted.” “He strives to always connect in a fun manner with fans. In this case, some inappropriate things were said that Joey reacted to,” his legal team continued. “He’s committed to avoiding being in those situations going forward.”

Chestnut Dominated Nathan’s Return In 2025

The legal drama comes just one year after Chestnut made a major comeback at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. After missing the previous year due to a contract dispute tied to an endorsement deal with Impossible Foods, Chestnut returned in 2025 and reclaimed his throne in dominant fashion. The competitive eating star consumed 70.5 hot dogs and buns in just 10 minutes, securing the $10,000 grand prize and extending his record-breaking number of wins to 17.

Why Was Joey Chestnut Banned in 2024?

As The Blast previously reported, Chestnut’s relationship with Nathan’s Famous hit a major snag in 2024 after he signed an endorsement deal with Impossible Foods, a company known for developing plant-based food products. The partnership quickly sparked controversy after Impossible Foods launched a marketing campaign aimed at meat-eaters, prompting Major League Eating (MLE) to take action.

At the time, MLE announced that Chestnut would not be allowed to compete in Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest, claiming the competitive eating champion had “chosen to represent a rival brand” instead of Nathan’s. “For nearly two decades, we have worked under the same basic hot dog exclusivity provisions,” the statement said. “However, it seems that Joey and his managers have prioritized a new partnership with a different hot dog brand over our long-time relationship.”

Joey Chestnut Addresses The Ban

Chestnut later addressed the ban publicly, expressing disappointment over missing the iconic event while accusing MLE of suddenly shifting expectations. “I love celebrating America with my fans all over this great country on the 4th, and I have been training to defend my title,” Chestnut said. “[The decision by MLE and Nathan’s] will deprive the great fans of the holiday’s usual joy and entertainment.”

Chestnut also claimed MLE was “looking to change the rules from past years as it relates to other partners I can work with.”

But now, with his legal troubles seemingly behind him and no travel restrictions in place, all eyes will be on whether Chestnut can once again dominate the competition and add another Nathan’s title to his already record-breaking legacy.

Meghan Markle took to social media to share a sweet anniversary tribute she received from a British Airways flight crew, sparking speculation that she and Prince Harry had secretly “returned” to the UK. However, the rumors have since been dispelled, with sources clarifying the story behind the note.

Harry and Meghan celebrated their eighth wedding anniversary on Tuesday, May 19, with the Duchess of Sussex sharing photos from their special day, notably without any members of his family featured.

The post comes amid online backlash Meghan recently faced following her trip to Switzerland, where many accused her of trying to “upstage” Kate Middleton, who had just completed a working trip to Italy.

Meghan took to her Instagram Story to share a sweet note she received from a British Airways flight crew in honor of her eighth wedding anniversary with Harry.

The letter, which seemingly featured several signatures and aliases from crew members, read, “Dearest Harry and Meghan, Wishing you a wonderful wedding anniversary, With love, The whole British Airways family.”

The flight crew signed off with the flight number “BA269” and the date May 18. In the accompanying caption, the former “Suits” actress thanked the crew for “all your memories and kind words,” while tagging the company’s account.

Meghan’s Post Sparks UK Return Speculation

However, Meghan’s post sparked quiet suspicion that she and Harry had returned to the UK for their anniversary celebration.

That speculation turned out to be far from the actual events. A source clarified to PEOPLE that Meghan received the note on her flight back from Geneva, Switzerland, where she had delivered a speech at the Lock Screen Memorial calling on authorities to do more to protect children online.

“Meghan’s flight crew was so lovely on her way back from Geneva. They all came to say happy anniversary and shared their memories of where they were on the day,” a source told the news outlet, adding that the crew also gave treats to her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

In another photo, she shared a throwback of the two of them in penguin-themed costumes, standing side by side.

Meghan Markle And Kate Middleton’s Rift Resurfaces

The last eight years have come with their fair share of ups and downs for Harry and Meghan, who relocated to California following their alleged fallout with members of the royal family.

One of the most talked-about tensions reportedly involved the Netflix star and her estranged sister-in-law, Kate Middleton. Claims surfaced that a 2018 disagreement over bridesmaid dresses left the Princess of Wales in tears ahead of Meghan’s wedding to Harry.

Meghan has previously claimed that Kate later apologized over the incident. However, sources have alleged that the damage had already been done and that Meghan’s frosty relationship with the future queen took a negative toll on her time inside the palace, especially as Kate was often viewed as the more favored of the two.

Meghan Accused Of Trying To Upstage Kate

Meghan recently faced accusations of trying to upstage and outshine Kate on the global stage after she delivered an address in Switzerland calling for more action to stop rising online child exploitation and digital violence.

Before Meghan’s trip, Kate had traveled to Reggio Emilia in northern Italy for a two-day visit to learn about the region’s famous approach to early childhood development and promote her work on the subject, which has often been described as her “life’s work.”

Some internet users alleged that Meghan’s appearance at the event was staged, citing photos that appeared to show her speaking to a near-empty audience. Others claimed the trip was arranged by her PR team to “counter the Princess of Wales.”

Harry And Meghan Markle Questioned For ‘Half In, Half Out’ Approach

Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan have sparked renewed interest in their “half in, half out” royal arrangement, with experts suggesting the setup has shown they remain popular, even as it continues to leave palace higher-ups unsettled.

“There is a huge difference between what the monarchy has to offer and what Harry and Meghan are currently doing,” royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told Fox News Digital. “This was underlined by King Charles’ highly successful state visit to the United States and Princess Catherine’s two-day visit to Italy, her first official trip in over three years.”

“However, in attempting to have something similar to the ‘half-in, half-out’ position within the royal family, which Queen Elizabeth rejected, the Sussexes have shown that their brand still gets huge amounts of publicity,” he added.

There’s a new “Baywatch” series in the works, with two stunning cast members hoping to fill Pamela Anderson‘s sexy shoes.

The actress gained international recognition for her role as “C.J.” Parker on the drama series in the 90s, making her one of the most revered sex symbols of her time.

Pamela Anderson’s impacts remain to date, with rising stars Brooks Nader and Livvy Dunne allegedly vying to become the new C.J. in the series reboot.

Although Anderson is yet to choose a protégé to take her place in the “Baywatch” franchise, Nader and Dunne have reportedly taken it upon themselves to continue her legacy. The pair are part of the new cast for the series reboot and allegedly want to fill Anderson’s shoes.

Sources claim Nader and Dunne have been openly discussing the “next Pam Anderson” at different points during production. These talks have reportedly caused a noticeable shift in the air between them, with one source telling TMZ:

“There’s been some tension between the two.”

Apparently, Nader is focused on making the reboot her own show and appears in almost every episode. On the other hand, Dunne is reportedly featured in three episodes. The alleged tension between them seemed to show when Nader and Brooks posed together for a red carpet appearance.

Nader Seems Conscious Of Her Speculated Rival

Nader and Dunne made a joint appearance at a red carpet event for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, where they posed together for the cameras. Nader seemed conscious of how the photographers focused on Dunne and drew their attention to her by asking them to capture her good side.

Nader has been vocal about how much the “Baywatch” reboot means to her, telling PEOPLE in March that she was “bawling, crying” after wearing the iconic onesie. “It’s such a full-circle moment,” she began, explaining that she had donned a red one-piece on her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover.

The coincidence made Nader feel like her part in the reboot was “a long time in the making.” She added that her family felt the same way, claiming they had burst into tears after she FaceTimed them in her red swimsuit. “It’s such a big moment, and I’m so honored to be a part of it,” Nader gushed.

Brooks Nader Plays A Key Role In The Reboot

The “Baywatch” reboot is reportedly set to debut as part of Fox’s 2026-2027 season, bringing the nostalgia with Hobie Buchannon (played by Stephen Amell) taking up his father’s legacy. The plot follows Hobie’s discovery of a daughter he never knew he had.

The child, Charlie (played by Jessica Belkin), shows up at his doorstep to become a part of the legendary lifeguards alongside her father. However, her arrival further escalates the tension brewing between Hobie and Nader’s character, Selene.

The media personality’s character is described as “the sharp-tongued Captain of the Zuma beach lifeguards” who has a different approach to saving lives than Hobie. Nader is reportedly set to be a season regular with Dunne playing a character named Grace.

Livvy Dunne Raves About Her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Achievements

Besides fighting to become the new Anderson, Nader, and Dunne have another thing in common. The pair have graced the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues, with Dunne achieving the incredible milestone of four years featured in the magazine.

She raved about the achievement at the 2026 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit launch party in New York City, saying, “The fact that they keep asking me back — I’m just so flattered.” Dunne added that she felt honored to have a place among the other stunning cover girls.

The former Louisiana State University gymnast wasn’t alone in her pride, as her boyfriend, Paul Skenes, couldn’t be happier. Dunne described him as her biggest supporter, claiming he always loved seeing her SI Swimsuit pictures.

Pamela Anderson Called Out ‘Baywatch’ Movie Producers For Bullying

Before the “Baywatch” reboot, Paramount revived the beloved franchise with a 2017 movie featuring stars like Dwayne Johnson. In 2023, Anderson reflected on the project and why it became a thorn in her side while speaking to Variety.

Anderson revealed that producers wanted her to make a cameo in the movie, but they did not want to pay her for it. “There was just so much bullying to do it. They wanted me to do it for free, as an homage or something,” she recalled.

When she stood her ground, asking to be paid for her time, they kept hounding her until she caved. Anderson finally agreed to do the cameo, but without any dialogue. She showed up at the very end of the movie for a slow-motion scene.

Who will be the next Pamela Anderson between Brooks Nader and Livvy Dunne?

The Star Wars universe is expansive, to say the least, but so are the behind-the-scene stories that helped build the franchise to legendary status. It’s common knowledge that George Lucas was inspired to make his fairytale-in-space in the image of Akira Kurosawa‘s iconic film The Hidden Fortress, implementing similar power struggles and underdog characters. Fans are well aware that Harrison Ford wasn’t the initial choice for Han Solo, much like how Darth Vader’s true identity was kept secret from the cast and crew. However, Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back holds an even more shocking story that was once lost from the space saga forever!

Roger Christian, legendary set decorator for Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope and art director of Alien, has a deep connection to Star Wars beyond his production design. George Lucas requested a film to go out with The Empire Strikes Back. At the time, Lucas read a fantasy script written by Christian and commissioned it on the spot, which gave birth to the once-lost short film Black Angel. The short has since become a notorious piece of cinematic history that influenced the visual and tonal elements of the darkest installment of Star Wars.

‘Black Angel’ Was Supposed to Accompany the Beginning of ‘The Empire Strikes Back’

Image via 20th Century Fox

Hailed as one of the greatest sequels in the film industry, The Empire Strikes Back is one of the most beloved installments of the Star Wars franchise, and for a good reason. The sequel represents a giant tonal shift from A New Hope, following Luke Skywalker down a gloomy journey toward facing his worst fear yet — his father, Darth Vader. The film’s dark emotional content, psychologically jarring scenes, and near-tragic climax are still celebrated after forty-four years, but little is mentioned of how Lucas became inspired by his set director’s short film.

According to BBC, Roger Christian already had a film script ready to go when the Star Wars director asked for a film to accompany the epic sequel. It just so happens that Christian went back to film school after working on A New Hope and wrote a feature-length story. Lucas loved the idea so much that he gave the thumbs up to Christian immediately, and the project received a 25,000-pound grant from the UK government in 1979! The Oscar-winning set decorator extracted pieces of his original story, thus creating a short titled Black Angel. “I headed to Scotland with a crew of nine people, four actors, two trained horses, and a Volkswagon bus,” recalls Roger Christian in the introductory commentary of Black Angel.

The film marked Chrisitian’s directorial debut, and he was lucky enough to shoot with leftover rolls of film from Empire at several never-before-seen locations in Scotland, states USA Today. The production was filmed in seven days and took place in September and October, the most beautiful time in the Highlands, which gave Black Angel its surreal and magical backdrop. To accentuate the power of myth, Christian was inspired by Andrei Tarkovsky‘s concept of connecting to the subconscious. Set in a mythic, medieval world, the 25-minute short follows Sir Maddox (Tony Vogel), a medieval knight who journeys to rescue a young maiden (Patricia Christian) from an evil sorcerer, the Black Angel. This dark and moody tale draws heavily from Arthurian legends, with striking, majestic visuals and an otherworldly atmosphere that made it unique in its day.

In 1980, The Empire Strikes Back was released in theaters worldwide, but Black Angel was only shown before the main feature in select cinemas across Europe and Australia. The short caused quite a buzz back then, enamoring John Boorman, who showed it to his Excabliur crew. Tragically, Rank Laboratories, the company that stored Christian’s masters, went bankrupt and threw everything away, states Screen Daily. Because of this, Black Angel was never seen by an American audience. Christian did have his own copy, but it was “degraded.” Black Angel disappeared for decades, becoming almost mythical among Star Wars fans and film historians alike.

The Original ‘Black Angel’ Negative Was Miraculously Found and Restored 20 Years Later

Just like its legendary story, Black Angel‘s negative was miraculously found like a fairytale. Per Screen Daily, in 2011, by pure luck, an archivist rediscovered the short in the Universal Studios archives. “The neg turned up about a year and a half ago by sheer destiny. Rank Laboratories, who had the negative, kept them in WW2 bunkers outside London because they said it was perfectly dry and secure,” boasts Christian. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the once-lost short was restored by the Bay Area Visual Effects Society and Emeryville frame-by-frame and went on to be screened at the Mill Valley Festival and Glasgow Festival.

After its global release, Black Angel triggered a critical frenzy. The relic’s restoration allowed new audiences to witness this forgotten gem and to connect its obvious ties to the darker, more mature aesthetic of The Empire Strikes Back. George Lucas also utilized Christian’s step-printed style in the slowed-down fight scenes between the Black Angel and the knight. The slow-motion fight sequence with Luke and Darth Vander uses the same technique. Beyond its association with Lucasfilm, Black Angel became influential in its own right. The ethereal cinematography and haunting score echoed themes of chivalry, otherworldliness, and a struggle against dark forces, said to impact the visual palette of Ridley Scott‘s Legend, whom Christian worked with in the past and can be seen in many fantasy films afterward.

The restoration and revival of Black Angel has allowed modern cinephiles to appreciate this once-forgotten piece of Star Wars history. In 2015, Roger Christian announced his intention to make the legendary short into a feature-length film. Speaking to EW, Christian revealed his plans to finance the Black Angel feature independently with a goal of $15 million. He later launched an Indiegogo campaign to raise $100,000, setting eyes on filming in Hungary, Belgium, and Morocco. The campaign raised $177,010, though production still has not begun on the movie. The latest update came in a comment from Christian in 2024, where he said he expected filming to begin after setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I feel like Luke staring at the two twin suns and there’s your destiny ahead of you and you have to take it or not—the same as Arthur pulling the sword out. I reckon I’ll pull the sword out,” the filmmaker said to EW. Black Angel‘s blend of ancient myth, heroism, and dreamlike scenery has solidified its place as a cult classic, touching the hearts of fans and renowned directors who admire fantasy and medieval storytelling. Today, the once-forgotten short, Black Angel, stands as a monument to Roger Christian’s imaginative artistry and as a piece of Star Wars “lost and found history.”

Black Angel is available to watch on the film’s official YouTube page.

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Black Angel

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Release Date

May 21, 1980

Runtime

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25 Minutes

Director

Roger Christian

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Writers

Roger Christian

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Cast

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  Patricia Christian

  Maiden

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Upside Down Pictures’ string of post-Stranger Things releases continues with Netflix’s new 8-part sci-fi, The Boroughs. If you expected it to be another Spielbergian pastiche, just with older people as the heroes rather than children, then you’re only half right. The Boroughs is both a mystery and a memento mori. When “The Grey Rebellion,” fronted by Alfred Molina, uncovers an otherworldly threat preying on the residents of their senior living facility, they embark on a dangerous pursuit and are asked to confront not just how to kill a monster, but how far they are willing to go to revisit their youth.

What Is ‘The Boroughs’ About?

Sam Cooper (Molina), a retired aeronautical engineer, moves into The Boroughs — an idyllic 1950s idea of community that’s so perfect it becomes eerie. His wife Lily (Jane Kaczmarek) had opted for the couple to make the transition, but prematurely died of a stroke, and Cooper is locked into his contract to stay in “God’s waiting room.” Cantankerous and reclusive, Sam initially rejects meeting his fellow neighbors, but when pushed by Bill Pullman’s Jack, he attends a welcome BBQ.

Here, Sam meets Judy (Alfre Woodard) and Art (Clarke Peters). Judy is a journalist who stalks each new resident online because she misses being on the beat. Art is a marijuana enthusiast who claims he tees off on the golf course each morning but is really tending to his hallucinogens in the desert and has a therapeutic relationship with a crow. Geena Davis plays Renee, a glamorous teacher at the community center who drives a convertible and turns the heads of even the younger employees. There’s also Wally (Denis O’Hare), a skilled doctor who was at the forefront of the AIDS crisis in the 1980s and is the comic relief of the core team.

Socializing proves too much for Sam, who is still in the raw stages of grief, so he runs home and breaks down on his front porch. Pullman’s Jack comforts him by saying, “Grief makes your past feel too close to your future,” reinforcing the idea that you really do begin a new life at The Boroughs. While the premiere is hopeful and the pair look set to become best buds, later that evening, Sam has to break into Jack’s home and wrestle a monster off him.

‘The Boroughs’ Is Another Spielberg Pastiche From the Duffer Brothers, and It Works

Image via Netflix

While created by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews (The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance), The Boroughs is a product of Upside Down Pictures and executive produced by the Duffer Brothers. The pair saw unprecedented success with their first series, Stranger Things, which was Netflix’s flagship sci-fi for a decade. Their own filmic interests and childhood favorites inform much of their work, and the pair note Steven Spielberg and Stephen King as large influences. The Boroughs continues this tradition of honoring elements of sci-fi stories that came before, and the familiar is immediately immersive.

The Boroughs begins like The Truman Show — the homes are carbon copies of each other, everything is in pastel, and the staff seems to be indoctrinated, talking to the residents in a patronizing, childlike manner. There’s a cult-like, religious, almost Stepford quality to the neighborhood, which has everyone reciting, “You’ll have the time of your life!” Each home is fitted with a hard-wired communication device, akin to 2001’s HAL, named Seraphim. The managerial team, Blaine (Seth Numrich) and Anneliese Shaw (Alice Kremelberg), are too pristine to trust and are seen watching monochrome classics throughout (including Double Indemnity, famous for femme fatales and secret plots).

It’s going to be nigh on impossible to shake the Stranger Things comparisons with anything produced by Upside Down Pictures, but it is a lazy comparison; The Boroughs deserves more than to be discussed as a copy. It clearly borrows its charm from sci-fi conventions and has the same DNA, but it works.

Netflix’s ‘The Boroughs’ Puts a New Spin on Sci-Fi Heroes

The Boroughs treats its older characters with respect from the off. It refuses to infantilize or depict them through stereotypical images of retirement. Instead, they are active, intelligent, and resilient with ongoing emotional lives. After 45 years, Art and Judy’s relationship is strained due to her interest in another man, and Art’s busy puffing away on his Blue Dream weed — hardly the actions of has-beens. (Although dialogue is creatively muffled in some scenes until Art puts his hearing aids in!) The series directly challenges the notion that old age means decline and that youth is something to be clung to. However, The Boroughs frames prolonging life as something seductive but ultimately unsustainable, as it is wrong to disrupt the fullness of life’s arc.

At times, The Boroughs is an emotional watch due to its sharp commentary on real-world dynamics. What’s more terrifying than the monsters is how older voices are suppressed, manipulated, and dismissed as dementia. In the neighborhood, this works in favor of the show’s most insidious threat, as anyone heard discussing otherworldly beings is institutionalized in “The Manor,” a central medical hub that supervises those with the most complex needs.

In stories like these, it’s usually children who find themselves at the center of the mystery, and there is a nostalgic pull to that as the world is still waiting to be discovered. Society ignores both older people and children, assuming they are incapable, yet they are the ones who can see what others cannot, which makes them effective in sci-fi stories. The Boroughs forces viewers to confront their own future. We want the group to succeed, and not just because it makes for a triumphant ending. If Sam, Wally, Renee, Art, and Judy can remain perceptive, brave, and capable in a world that has already written them off, then aging itself becomes less frightening.

In the final third of the story, however, the show’s conflict becomes less straightforward. What first seems like simple horror starts to connect to The Boroughs’ bigger questions about the cost of extending life beyond its natural limits, and this sometimes diverts attention away from the main quest. The story moves away from a clear good-versus-evil setup, and a simpler version with a hero and villain might have felt more satisfying, even if it meant losing some of the deeper ideas and ambiguity the series deliberately leans into.

The Boroughs also includes flashbacks to Sam’s wife to explore his grief, and his panic attacks and visions of her underline how deeply her absence affects him. However, this can sometimes feel unnecessary, as his emotional state is already clearly established through his behavior and dialogue. Other characters, such as Wally, Art, Judy, and Renee, have equally rich potential backstories that are only heard rather than seen. While Wally’s experiences of loss during the AIDS crisis and Renee’s past as a music executive are touched on, depth could have been distributed more evenly across the ensemble rather than focused so heavily on Sam. Even so, the cast remains one of the show’s strongest elements. O’Hare’s Wally, in particular, provides comedy throughout without undermining the horror stakes — whether it’s packing a tote bag for the mission with granola bars and a meat cleaver or playing a YouTube tutorial to pick a lock at the funeral parlor.

Despite some later narrative choices around the monsters feeling more complex than expected, The Boroughs remains a magical sci-fi adventure about an unlikely group of heroes standing up for themselves in later life. Beneath its mystery, it becomes a moving exploration of grief that challenges how we think about old age and the inevitability of death. To answer Jack’s question to Sam in the premiere — “What do you do with the time you’ve got left?” — nothing seems more exciting than monster hunting.

The Boroughs is now streaming on Netflix.

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Release Date

May 21, 2026

Network

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Netflix

Showrunner

Jeffrey Addiss, Will Matthews

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Directors

Augustine Frizzell, Kyle Patrick Alvarez, Ben Taylor

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Pros & Cons

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• Alfred Molina leads a captivating ensemble cast of aging heroes.
• The Boroughs honors elements of sci-fi stories that came before and the familiar immediately immerses you.
• The series directly challenges the notion that old age means decline and that youth is something to be clung to.

• The story moves away from a clear good vs. evil setup, and a simpler version with a hero and villain might have felt more satisfying.
• Wally, Art, Judy, and Renee have potentially rich backstories that are only heard and not seen.