Jamie Lee Curtis has clarified her comments on working as a guest star on the Fox sitcom New Girl.

“As if we don’t have bigger issues facing Americans and the world at large and natural disasters and unnatural behaviors of despots than to be concerned about a flip comment picked up at a press moment promoting Newlyweds [on] NBC,” Curtis, 67, wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, August 11, alongside a photo of herself on the set of New Girl with its star Zooey Deschanel and recurring star, the late Rob Reiner.

Curtis, who played Deschanel’s Jess Day’s mom, Joan Day, across multiple guest appearances on New Girl, continued, “I was there gushing about a multi-camera sitcom that I co-created along with Gail Lerner about a late-in-life love and people finding each other and marrying on a whim. It stars Tea Leoni and Tim Daly as the couple and we are having so much fun and the audiences are loving it and I was comparing how much I liked doing the show live in front of a studio audience, which is almost like doing a play where you get immediate feedback, to the experience of doing a single camera comedy like New Girl where there’s absolutely no feedback.”

The Bear star had addressed her New Girl experience during an NBC backlot experience staged in Los Angeles on Monday, August 10, describing her time on the show as like “doing a movie” where nobody reacts to performances. “It’s silent, and it’s awful, for me, awful,” she told fans at the event.

Related: A Guide to Every ‘New Girl’ Thanksgiving Episode

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images From “Bangsgiving” to holidays in the wilderness, New Girl is known for its Turkey Day specials. The Fox series, which ran for seven seasons from 2011 to 2018, followed Jess Day (Zooey Deschanel), a quirky teacher who moves into a Los Angeles loft with three men — Schmidt (Max Greenfield), Winston […]

In her Instagram post, Curtis explained, “I said it wasn’t my favorite experience, although the show itself is fantastic and the team that made it are talented and … Zooey Deschanel is an absolute gem of a human and I said I got to play with my friend, Rob Reiner, as exes and that was sweet and lovely.”

She concluded the post, “Please, let’s not waste clicks and comments and just move on to WAY more important things. That will be all.”

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Fans were quick to show their support for Curtis’ post, taking to the comments section to share clapping hand emojis and heart emojis in addition to messages. “I saw that and I completely understood where you were coming from. Multi-camera with an audience is a totally different experience than a single-camera comedy. You prefer the live feedback of an audience. I totally get that!” wrote one fan.

Related: Her Biggest Win! Jamie Lee Curtis Earns 1st Oscar for ‘EEAAO’

The scream queen! Jamie Lee Curtis has had a long and successful career, starting off in iconic horror films before venturing into hit comedies. The Fierce Creatures actress was born in Santa Monica, California, to actors Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis. Jamie went on to study law at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, […]

Another fan commented “Very clear to anyone who bothers to watch the whole clip.”

New Girl, a show about a quirky teacher who moves into a loft with three single men following a breakup, ran on ABC from September 2011 until May 2018 and starred Deschanel, 46, alongside Jake Johnson, Max Greenfield, Lamorne Morris and Hannah Simone. It later picked up a fresh legion of fans after streaming on Netflix.

Jennifer Garner recently walked her followers through a relatively simple recipe, but honestly, we couldn’t focus. Her charming blouse style looked straight out of a boutique, yet we found the dreamy look hiding on Amazon for only $15!

In an Instagram Reel, Garner can be seen whipping up a yummy frozen treat — and by treat, we mean cocktail. While she left Us wanting to follow her lead, she also inspired our summer-to-fall wardrobe, pairing a billowy red blouse with a classic denim skirt. We’re grabbing her shirt style, swapping in jeans and wearing the formula on repeat!

Get the Shewin Flutter-Sleeve Blouse for $15 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

This Shewin Flutter-Sleeve Blouse has the same red-with-white-floral design, but might be even chicer than the original, thanks to smocked detailing, short flutter sleeves and a flattering V-neckline. The smocked fabric adds structure without squeezing, while the flutter sleeves keep things extra breezy.

Related: Reese Witherspoon’s Dreamy White Blouse Look Instantly Elevates Denim

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Sure, jeans pair well with basic tops, but on days when you’re looking for something a bit more elevated, Reese Witherspoon‘s outfit is the perfect source of inspiration. Her classy blouse style begs to be worn with denim, and we found a near-identical, expensive-looking design on Amazon, on sale for only $13! Witherspoon recently took to […]

The loose fit is a secret weapon here. This flowy blouse skims instead of clings, which gives it an inherently classy, effortless appeal. Not only does it work with jeans, but also looks great with skirts, trousers and any other bottoms hiding in your closet.

One happy shopper raved, “I love it so much I purchased it in other colors! The light material is perfect for summer days, and the fit is great for the office or a pair of jeans.”

“Dresses up any plain pair of pants, but still super comfortable,” another five-star reviewer shared. “Perfect for those days teaching when you have a meeting or conferences.”

With your favorite jeans, a frozen cocktail and this Garner-inspired red blouse to complete the look, summer-to-fall dressing never felt this easy. And no, you won’t miss dropping hundreds at a boutique for the same piece. We promise!

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Angelina Jolie was reportedly “not surprised” to learn that Brad Pitt had resumed drinking after seven years of sobriety. Pitt disclosed the change during a new Esquire interview, explaining that he now allows himself a limited number of drinks after previously abstaining from alcohol entirely. Although Jolie has not personally addressed the revelation, a source described as being close to the actress claimed she had long questioned whether sobriety alone had resolved the problems she associated with their marriage.

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A source claiming knowledge of Jolie’s reaction spoke to Rob Shuter’s “Naughty But Nice” column after Pitt’s interview was published. “Angelina is not surprised. She tried to warn people. She knew this was always a possibility,” the insider said.

The source alleged that Jolie had “long believed that sobriety did not necessarily mean the underlying problems [Brad had] had disappeared.”

“She doesn’t believe Brad has fundamentally changed. She believes Brad is who Brad is, and no amount of sobriety or reinvention changes that,” the insider added.

Brad Pitt Reveals He Is No Longer Sober

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Pitt discussed his relationship with alcohol after the Esquire interviewer noted that the actor had offered him a glass of wine. When asked whether he kept the wine exclusively for guests, Pitt revealed that he had ended his period of complete sobriety. “No, I got, I was sober for seven years. And then I got back off the wagon,” he said with a laugh.

Pitt indicated that his current approach is considerably more controlled than his drinking had been in the past. “In a more restrained manner. I got overconfident a couple times, went, ‘Yep, nope, not good for me.’ Not in big quantities,” he explained.

When the interviewer suggested that Pitt could now have a glass of wine, the actor clarified the limits he places on himself. “Yeah. Well… I can have a few. But I can’t have a lot. I have to be professional about it,” Pitt said.

The profile also explained why excessive drinking no longer appeals to him. “He likes mornings now anyway, and you can miss a lovely morning when you drink too much the night before, and it’s just not as interesting,” the article noted. “Mornings are interesting, and he doesn’t want any more of them to go by unseen.”

Actor Previously Turned To Alcoholics Anonymous

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Pitt stopped drinking following his 2016 separation from Jolie and later spoke publicly about attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. His decision to pursue sobriety came amid intense scrutiny surrounding an alleged altercation aboard a private plane carrying the couple and their six children.

In a 2022 court filing obtained by CNN, Jolie alleged that Pitt had been drinking during the flight and became physically abusive toward her and two of their children. According to the heavily redacted FBI report, Jolie told investigators that her then-husband took her to a private area at the back of the plane following a tense interaction with one of their children.

She alleged that Pitt “grabbed her by her head,” “grabbed her by the shoulders,” shook her and pushed her against the bathroom wall while telling her, “‘You’re f-cking up this family.’”

The filing also alleged, “At one point, he poured beer on Jolie; at another, he poured beer and red wine on the children.”

Pitt denied Jolie’s allegations.

Brad Pitt Was Not Charged Over 2016 Plane Incident

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The FBI reviewed the circumstances surrounding the flight but declined to pursue further investigation. Pitt was not arrested or charged.

“In response to allegations made following a flight within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States which landed in Los Angeles carrying Mr. Brad Pitt and his children, the FBI has conducted a review of the circumstances and will not pursue further investigation,” FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said in a statement to CNN at the time.

The FBI ultimately said it would not pursue further investigation, and no charges were filed against Pitt.

Family Rift Remains In The Spotlight

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Pitt’s admission also arrived as his relationship with several of his children continues attracting attention. Last month, 18-year-old Vivienne filed a petition in Los Angeles County Superior Court seeking to change her legal name from Vivienne Marcheline Jolie-Pitt to Vivienne Marcheline Jolie.

The reason was listed as “personal,” and a hearing is scheduled for November 2. PEOPLE reported that Zahara and Maddox have also filed requests to remove Pitt from their legal names. Shiloh successfully changed her name from Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt to Shiloh Jolie in 2024.

Pitt and Jolie finalized their divorce in late 2024 after an eight-year legal battle, although disputes connected to Château Miraval have continued.

The actor is now dating jewelry executive Ines de Ramon. Jolie, meanwhile, has not publicly commented on his decision to resume drinking, leaving the unnamed insider’s claims as the only reported account of her reaction.

The Golden Bachelorette winner Chock Chapple has revealed that he underwent surgery to remove his prostate due to a recent cancer scare.

“Elevated PSA. Biopsy, MRI, another biopsy. Turned aggressive. Last Wednesday I had my prostate removed,” Chapple, 62, who is engaged to Joan Vassos, captioned a Tuesday, August 11, Instagram video that was filmed alongside Vassos, 63, at his Wichita, Kansas, home. (PSA refers to prostate-specific antigen, described by the National Cancer Institute as a protein in the blood that is tested to ensure a safe level.)

“Lost my mother to cancer. I know what’s at stake. My son asked how much time I wanted with my grandkids, and that made the decision easy. Get it removed. Be around. For them. For Joan, for the rest of her life,” Chapple continued. “Guys, get tested. Have your PSA checked. Early is everything. Trip to Europe is still on for the end of August. Cleared to travel, and I’m ready!”

Chapple, who is father to two children whom he shares with ex-wife Heather Chapple, expanded on his health update within the video, revealing that a blood test that was conducted after his time on The Golden Bachelorette drew red flags.

Related: Golden Bachelorette Joan Vassos and Chock Chapple’s Relationship Timeline

Disney/Christopher Willard The first-ever Golden Bachelorette, Joan Vassos, found her happily ever after with Chock Chapple. Joan met 24 men on the ABC reality show, which premiered in September 2024, and ultimately accepted a proposal from Chock on the beaches of Bora Bora. “From our first date in Disneyland, I thought I saw a future […]

“When I got off the show, I had a blood test. It showed that I had an elevated PSA so we monitored it for a while and my PSA kept increasing. I made the decision just to go and have it removed,” he recalled before sharing insight into his healing.

“Recovery’s been really rough, I will admit, I’ve had a number of surgeries and this one’s a little unique, but I’m glad I had it done,” he said.

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Vassos, who is mom to four of her own children, has been by Chapple’s side throughout his recovery. “Joan’s been here taking care of me, cooking, and now I have the cleanest refrigerator in the world and I’ve eaten really good. Our goal is to put 20 pounds on me,” Chapple said before Vassos spoke to fans.

Related: Chock Denies Having Commitment Issues Before Joan Proposal

Chock Chapple wants it to be known he was more than ready to propose to Joan Vassos. “There’s a little bit of backstory on this, and I want to explain this because I did catch some heat on social media for being a guy with no commitments,” Chock, 61, told Us Weekly during the couple’s […]

“He’s a brave guy. He’s actually a really good patient. He surprised me because he’s had a couple of colds around me and he acts like a baby,” she joked. “He’s super brave for this one and I’m glad he made the decision that he made. I want to keep him around for the rest of my life.”

The couple found love in the inaugural season of ABC’s The Golden Bachelorette in 2024, a union that resulted in Chapple proposing to Vassos by the beach. As the duo count down to their European vacation, they continue to navigate their relationship from differing states — Joan resides in Maryland, while Chapple lives in Wichita.

Taron Egerton has made a rare and deeply personal confession about the fractured relationship he has with his father.

The 36-year-old actor revealed that the pair haven’t spoken or seen each other for several years after a relationship that had once been relatively functional became increasingly difficult as he grew older.

Although Egerton insists he still loves his dad, he eventually reached a point where he decided their relationship simply wasn’t working and chose to walk away.

Taron Egerton opened up about the estrangement during an appearance on Dax Shepard’s “Armchair Expert” podcast.

The “Rocketman” star explained that his relationship with his father had been manageable when he was younger, but their dynamic changed with age.

“My father and I, when I was growing up, were able to maintain a sort of fairly, kind of, functional relationship,” Egerton recalled per PEOPLE.

However, he said things became “more difficult” as he got older, eventually leading to a complete breakdown in communication.

“I haven’t spoken to him for a number of years now,” the actor revealed.

Egerton was careful not to publicly dissect his father’s behavior or offer intimate details about what ultimately went wrong, explaining that his dad is “living his own life.”

Still, he made his feelings about their relationship clear. “I’ll always love him, I just don’t think we work very well in terms of our relationship,” Egerton admitted.

Eventually, maintaining the relationship apparently became too difficult. “There was a point where I pushed the ejector seat and haven’t seen him since,” he said.

Taron Egerton Reflects On Being Raised By A Single Mother

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Egerton’s complicated relationship with his father stretches back to a childhood shaped by his parents’ early separation.

The actor explained that his parents were in their early 20s when they had him in Liverpool and separated when he was nearly three years old.

His mother subsequently relocated to Wales to begin a new chapter while pursuing a degree and trying to support her young son.

Looking back, Egerton believes the circumstances may have affected him more emotionally than he understood at the time.

“In hindsight, I think being raised by a single mom who was pursuing a degree and trying to make ends meet … I think I was possibly a little more anxious than I was aware of until quite recently,” he explained.

Despite those challenges, Egerton emphasized that his mother made sure he never felt deprived.

“But she was a great mom; I never felt that I wanted anything or missed anything,” he said.

His family changed again during his teenage years when his mother met the man who became Egerton’s stepfather when the actor was 14.

Actor Says His Childhood Shaped His Relationship With Masculinity

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Egerton also connected that unconventional family dynamic to the way he came to understand masculinity, revealing during the podcast, per Entertainment Weekly, that being raised by a single mother left him feeling like the “man of the house.”

That responsibility existed alongside another struggle. Egerton recalled being bullied at school and feeling that some of his naturally expressive qualities did not fit comfortably within conventional ideas about how boys were supposed to behave.

Those experiences appear to have followed him into adulthood.

Egerton admitted that he still experiences anxieties surrounding masculinity, particularly within romantic relationships, where he sometimes feels pressure to conceal certain aspects of his personality.

The confession offered a rare glimpse into his romantic outlook following months of attention surrounding his personal life.

Egerton was previously romantically linked to model Brooks Nader after the pair were photographed together on multiple occasions.

As The Blast reported, the pair fueled romance speculation with a PDA-filled Santa Monica outing earlier this year.

However, Nader subsequently described herself as single and said she was dating, leaving the exact nature of their relationship unclear.

Colin Firth Became A ‘Fatherly’ Presence During Difficult Period

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While Egerton’s relationship with his biological father ultimately deteriorated, he found an unexpected fatherly presence elsewhere.

The actor spoke warmly about Colin Firth, with whom he starred in the first two “Kingsman” movies. “Colin was amazing,” Egerton recalled.

Their relationship became particularly meaningful when Egerton was struggling emotionally following the end of his first romantic relationship.

The actor admitted that he responded to the breakup by “really aggressively partying” and sometimes arrived at work “in a bad way.”

Rather than judge the younger actor, Firth apparently responded with compassion.

“He was never anything other than gentle and fatherly and understanding,” Egerton said.

The experience clearly left a lasting impression.

Egerton described Firth as a “generous, kind man” and said the bond they developed is one reason he would still like another opportunity to return to the “Kingsman” franchise.

Taron Egerton Wants Another Chance To Work With His ‘Fatherly’ Co-Star

Egerton starred opposite Firth’s Harry Hart as Gary “Eggsy” Unwin in 2015’s “Kingsman: The Secret Service” before they reunited for “Kingsman: The Golden Circle” two years later.

Despite the franchise subsequently expanding with 2021’s prequel “The King’s Man,” Egerton and Firth have yet to return for another adventure together.

For Egerton, another installment would apparently offer more than an opportunity to revisit the character that helped turn him into an international star.

“One of the reasons I’d like to make another installment is because it would be fun to get to ride with Colin once more,” he explained.

Rosario Dawson has appeared in several Marvel Cinematic Universe projects, including “Daredevil,”
“Jessica Jones,” and “Luke Cage.” Because of this, many expected to see her cameo in the Tom Holland-led “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” as her character Claire Temple. Now, following the movie’s second weekend of release, she’s revealing that she filmed a scene that landed on the cutting room floor.

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According to Variety, Dawson recently appeared at a “Daredevil” fan event in North Carolina. During the appearance, she was asked to name the superhero movie she’d wanted to be cast in but for some reason wasn’t.

After thinking for a bit, she revealed that her MCU character was intended to be included in the “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” scene. According to her, “Well, I’m going to have to say, I could have said Spider-Man. I even shot a scene in the new ‘Spider-Man’ movie, but I got cut out.”

The audience at the convention reacted by groaning, leading the actress to reveal her mother’s reaction to her scene being cut from the already billion-dollar-grossing film. She recalled, “I know. I told my mom, and she was like, ‘That sucks. Now I can’t post the pictures.’ And I was like, ‘Right, Mom, me being cut out of the movie that has the largest viewership of a trailer ever, the issue is you can’t post the BTS photos.” 

The ‘Daredevil’ Actress Went On To Share Her Connection To Spider-Man

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Dawson continued her discussion about being cut from “Brand New Day” by sharing that in addition to appearing in the MCU, she has personal connections to the character. Specifically, one was that her uncle happens to be a comic book artist, and the beloved superhero was the first character he’d learned to draw.

She shared another connection, saying, “There’s a frame in one of the new comics that has a young Spider-Man talking to Daredevil, and they made it so that the young Spider-Man goes to PS19 in the Lower East Side, which is where I went to elementary school.”

Regarding her disappointment over her scene not being in the final cut of “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” she shared, “So when I tell you my post was already ready with my BTS, with my grandson wearing all his Spider-Man stuff … Then I got the email that was like, ‘Yeah, nah.’”

Rosario Was First Cast In The MCU In 2014

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Dawson is perhaps best known for her role as Ahsoka Tano in the Star Wars franchise. However, according to The Wrap, she was cast in the MCU in 2014, with her role in “Daredevil” premiering the following year. An official statement from Marvel said, “Rosario Dawson is one of the most charismatic, talented, and powerful actresses in Hollywood, so she was always at the top of our list for Marvel’s ‘Daredevil.’”

It continued, “Her role in the series is absolutely critical to Matt Murdock’s journey to become the hero we know as Daredevil.”

In 2022, after appearing in multiple Marvel projects, she responded to a question from The Hollywood Reporter about having unfinished business with her character. According to her, “Oh yeah. For sure. You don’t even see her in that last “tell Claire to go home” moment on Luke Cage. So what is that? You know it’s terrible.”

She continued, “So, yeah, I’d be super curious, but I’m just so stoked for everybody, though. It’s been a long time coming. I was really excited to know that all of our shows are actually part of the MCU now.”

‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Is The Biggest Movie Of The Year

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As Dawson mentioned, the first official trailer for “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” shattered viewership records, with a billion views in its first four days of release. Now, since the movie has arrived in theaters, it has become the most successful of 2026 and of all time.

According to BoxOfficeMojo, the Holland-led and Destin Daniel Cretton-directed film has surpassed $1.6 billion at the global box office. Of that total, well over $600 million came from US screens.

Rosario Dawson Has Multiple Projects In The Works

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Dawson has several films and television appearances in various stages of development. The first of the bunch is “Campeón Gabacho,” which had its world premiere at SXSW in March 2026. As of writing, the release date hasn’t been announced, but it’s expected to arrive this year.

According to Deadline, Dawson will also appear in Danny Ramirez‘s “Baton,” which IMDb lists as being in post-production and releasing in 2026.

Matt Damon‘s daughter would be strutting down the runway soon!

The Oscar-winning actor’s second daughter has reportedly signed with IMG Models, joining the list of celebrity kids at the fashion powerhouse. Isabella Damon, along with other Hollywood stars’ kids, is set to feature in the upcoming New York Fashion Week.

Matt Damon shares four daughters with his wife, Luciana Barroso, whom he married in 2005. Over the years, the actor has gushed about his girls, noting the joys of being a girl dad.

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IMG Models has snagged a beauty! The 20-year-old daughter of Hollywood icon Matt and his Argentinian-American film producer Luciana is reportedly the newest member of the fashion powerhouse.

Singing with the legendary modeling agency is a huge move for Isabella as she steps into the world of fashion on a prestigious stage. The actor’s daughter stands as tall as popular models Cara Delevingne and Sara Sampaio.

After graduating from high school in Brooklyn, the 5’8 model enrolled at New York University in 2024, seemingly walking in the footsteps of fellow models including Leni Klum, Karlie Kloss, and Christie Turlington.

IMG Models has set a name for itself in the industry. The agency, established in 1987, has launched the careers of supermodels such as Hailey Bieber, Ashley Graham, Gigi Hadid, and Bella Hadid, according to Page Six.

Isabella Damon Has The Looks, Brains, And Personality

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The Gen-Z student known to her friends as Bella is reportedly academically gifted and has a great sense of humor. According to interviews with her father, she wastes no time roasting his career any chance she gets.

She previously kept referring to an action movie Matt starred in as “The Wall” instead of “The Great Wall.” When corrected, Isabella sprinkled her pixie dust of humor, saying, “Dad, there is nothing great about that movie.” Isabella joining the fashion house at this time couldn’t be any more perfect as New York Fashion Week kicks off on Thursday, Sept.10.

She would not be alone in the Hollywood-kid niche as IMG Models has also reportedly signed  Romeo Beckham (son of Victoria and Sir David Beckham), Kai Schreiber (daughter of Naomi Watts and Liv Schreiber) and Iris Law (daughter of Sadie Frost and Jude Law).

Matt Damon’s Model Daughter Is One Of His Toughest Critics

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Matt previously disclosed that of all his daughters, Isabella grew up to be a tough critic of his acting career but still “one of the funniest people” he has ever met. He shared that she watches movies he’s featured in based on the terrible reviews, mostly to pick out things she may use to troll her father.

“If the reviews come out and they’re terrible, then she’ll watch it,” he told E! News of whether or not Isabella has seen his films. “If they come out and they’re good, she’s going to pass… She’s looking for ammunition all the time.” 

The father-daughter duo has built a special bond. The “Interstellar” star noted that seeing her leave for college two years ago was a “surreal” moment for him. Matt bonds with his four daughters in their own special ways, but one means he uses for the whole family is traveling with them all over the world as he works on various projects.

Why The Actor Got ‘Teary’ At ‘The Odyssey’ Premiere

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Matt was joined by his wife, Luciana, and their daughters, Alexia, Isabella, Gia, and Stella, at the London premiere of “The Odyssey.” He spoke to PEOPLE, revealing why he felt “really excited” for his daughters to see all the hard work he put into his lead role as Odysseus on screen.

He stated that it felt “great” to celebrate his new movie release, with his family by his side, before recalling how he spent long periods away from them while shooting the Christopher Nolan film. “It’s great because they had to sacrifice a lot too for this,” he recalled before admitting that seeing his daughters all grown up made him emotional.

Matt explained that although it was wonderful to see his four girls grown up standing by his side, it felt a bit overwhelming to be hit by the realization that time is passing. “Everybody’s so grown up. Like, I got a real dad teary moment seeing them today,” Matt said in a separate interview. 

Matt Damon’s Take On His Daughters In The Dating Pool

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E! News shared that the Hollywood icon has approved many of the suitors who have come for each of his daughters. He praised their dating game, saying that his girls “have very wonderful tastes.”

Matt added that he is pretty kind to his daughters’ suitors but will waste no time flipping the script if need be. He disclosed that he has the same approach to his daughters’ dates as his fellow Oscar winner Sean Penn.

Penn previously threatened his daughter, Dylan Penn’s childhood boyfriend, before their date, telling him, “Whatever you do to her, I’m gonna do to you when you get home.” Matt shared that the line had become his favorite to rile up his daughters’ suitors whenever he felt the need.

Will Matt Damon’s daughter’s modeling debut be as epic as his recent movie?

Hard sci-fi has a reputation problem. Say the phrase out loud, and most people picture a 700-page brick full of equations, where the plot stops every 20 pages so the author can explain how a fusion drive works. Greg Egan‘s Diaspora gets brought up constantly for burying its plot under pages of theoretical physics that read like a textbook. William Gibson‘s Neuromancer is a genre-defining classic, but plenty of readers admit they feel lost trying to keep up with its dense, jargon-heavy prose.

But hard sci-fi doesn’t have to feel like homework. The best books in the genre are filled with real science, but they never make you feel like you need a degree just to keep up. That’s the sweet spot these five books hit.

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‘Project Hail Mary’ (2021)

Image via Ballantine Books

The movie adaptation was easily one of the best films of 2026, but its biggest criticism was that it had to leave out much of the book’s fascinating scientific problem-solving. The novel lets you live inside Ryland Grace’s thought process, and that is where it truly shines. For example, the movie has Grace (Ryan Gosling) simply look out a window and realize he’s in space. In the novel, he slowly notices that something feels wrong. While climbing a ladder, he realizes his body doesn’t move quite the way he expects.

Then he starts running experiments. He drops objects and times how long they take to hit the floor with a stopwatch, and he realizes the gravity is all wrong. After that, he builds a pendulum to calculate the acceleration. From those results, he figures out that the gravity inside the ship is actually being created by constant acceleration. And that is how he realizes he isn’t on Earth at all, but aboard a spacecraft that is continuously under thrust. It’s a brilliant sequence, and moments like that are everywhere in the novel. The movie is a masterpiece in its own right, but if you loved it, the book is even better.

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‘The Three-Body Problem’ (2006)

Image via Tor Books

This is the first novel in Liu Cixin‘s Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy, and it covers first contact, game theory, the physics of higher-dimensional space, and the long, unsettling arc of what happens when two civilizations discover each other across light-years. The first book is also the most grounded of the three. It follows a young astrophysicist in 1960s China who watches her father get killed during the Cultural Revolution. Embittered with humanity, she eventually uses the sun as a massive amplifier to broadcast a message deep into space, calling out to any alien civilization willing to either save or conquer Earth.

Decades later, the story focuses on nanotechnologist Wang Miao, who starts seeing a mysterious countdown overlaid across his vision no matter where he looks. At the same time, some of the world’s most prominent physicists start committing suicide, seemingly because the fundamental laws of physics have stopped making sense to them. Liu won the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2015 for this book, and it was the first translated novel ever to do it!

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‘Ready Player One’ (2011)

Image via Crown Publishing Group

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Ernest Cline‘s novel is set in 2045, in a dystopian version of America where most people spend their waking hours inside the OASIS, a massive virtual reality universe. When OASIS creator James Halliday dies, he leaves behind an Easter egg hidden somewhere inside the simulation, along with the promise that whoever finds it inherits his fortune and total control of the OASIS. Teenager Wade Watts becomes obsessed with cracking the puzzle, which means obsessively studying every piece of 1980s pop culture that Halliday loved growing up.

Steven Spielberg made a fantastic movie out of this, but like any novel-to-movie adaptation, a lot of the coolest details had to be left out. The novel describes how, to log in safely without wasting scarce real-world resources, Wade uses a modified exercise bike to generate his own electricity. The challenges themselves are far more elaborate too, including a full playthrough of the Dungeons & Dragons module “Tomb of Horrors” and a 3D recreation of the text adventure Zork, along with flick syncs, which are basically movie-karaokes where players have to mentally step into a movie and act out every line and movement of the protagonist to pass specific gates.

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‘We Are Legion (We Are Bob)’ (2016)

Image via Worldbuilders Press

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Bob Johansson dies in a car accident and wakes up 117 years later as an AI running inside a space probe. Dennis E. Taylor‘s premise is already absurd before the story turns Bob into humanity’s best shot at surviving whatever comes next. Because Bob can replicate himself, the “legion” of the title ends up being dozens of versions of the same guy, each one drifting off to explore the galaxy with a slightly different personality shaped by their own experiences.

Taylor gets into real hard sci-fi concepts, like scanning a human brain and mapping its neural pathways into a matrix to create a sentient digital copy or turning raw space rocks into functioning manufacturing plants using automated 3D printers and molecular assemblers. He also spends real time on interstellar travel physics and the biology of alien ecosystems Bob encounters along the way. But none of these big concepts ever weigh the story down, because Bob is always having fun, cracking jokes and dropping movie references no matter how dire things get. If you love the tone of Andy Weir’s books like The Martian or Project Hail Mary, this is the closest thing you’ll find that scratches that same itch.

5

‘Seveneves’ (2015)

Image via William Morrow

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Seveneves opens with the moon breaking apart for no explained reason, and calculations quickly reveal that within two years, the debris will trigger a “Hard Rain” that bombards Earth’s surface for the next 5,000 years. The book breaks down the terrifying physics of orbital decay — how the hard rain will boil all the oceans and destroy the Earth’s atmosphere, instantly wiping out all life on the planet. The rest of the novel is about what humanity actually does with those two years.

It is full of petty politics and hard sci-fi concepts, real rocket-science math like calculating changes in velocity, gravity assists, perigee, and apogee to move ships, as well as the repurposing of the International Space Station into a modular habitat, while dealing with constraints like zero-gravity living and solar radiation shielding. The back half of the book becomes a fascinating exploration of what it would actually take to rebuild a species from a handful of people and the challenges that come with it, like the mathematics of engineering human diversity using frozen genomes. It’s a bleak book in places, but one that fully commits to the science behind the story.

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Release Date

March 15, 2026

Runtime

157 minutes

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Director

Christopher Miller, Phil Lord

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Writers

Drew Goddard, Andy Weir

Producers

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Aditya Sood, Amy Pascal, Andy Weir, Christopher Miller, Phil Lord, Rachel O’Connor, Ryan Gosling

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Roseanne star Michael Fishman has defended ABC’s decision to cancel the show’s reboot after its star notoriously posted a racist tweet.

“Sadly, in this case, there was no joke and the show was rightfully cancelled,” Fishman, 44, said in a Tuesday, August 11, Instagram video that reacted to a fan comment that defended Roseanne Barr’s March 2018 post. “Good people make mistakes. And I love the one who made this mistake. I always will. I will always have compassion and love. And I’ve shown it continuously. And she helped the world understand that good people can make mistakes. But there was no joke.”

Fishman, who played D.J. Conner on the original Roseanne sitcom that aired from 1988 to 1997, spoke in direct reference to a comment that began, “The reboot got cancelled because Roseanne made the usual jokes a comedian makes but America decided to backstab Roseanne.”

The show’s revival ran on ABC for nine episodes before the tweet from Barr, 73, abruptly ended the reboot. (The since-deleted tweet targeted Valerie Jarrett, a former senior advisor to former president Barack Obama. Barr later apologized for the tweet, stating that it was a joke “in bad taste.”)

Related: Laurie Metcalf Reveals Last Time She Spoke to Roseanne After Controversy

Laurie Metcalf candidly addressed where she stands with Roseanne Barr after the comedian’s shocking exit from the Roseanne revival. “There’s nothing controversial,” Metcalf, 70, told The New Yorker on Monday, April 27. “We just haven’t spoken since we said goodbye at the end of the reboot.” Metcalf’s costar Sara Gilbert, who played Barr’s onscreen daughter, […]

Fishman’s video further argued that his former costar’s words caused “damage and dehumanizing [through] perpetuating racial tropes.” He also concluded, “The only people who were backstabbed were the people who were targeted by the statements and those who became collateral damage from it.”

Hours after Barr’s tweet was shared, ABC Entertainment president Channing Dungey announced in a statement, “Roseanne’s Twitter is abhorrent, repugnant and inconsistent with our values, and we have decided to cancel our show.”

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The cancellation attracted commentary at the time from multiple members of the Roseanne cast including Fishman. “Today is one of the hardest in my life. I feel devastated, not for the end of the Roseanne show, but for all those who poured their hearts and souls into our jobs, and the audience that welcomed us into their homes,” he tweeted at the time. “Our cast, crew, writers and production staff strived for inclusiveness, with numerous storylines designed to reflect inclusiveness. The words of one person do not exemplify the thinking of all involved.”

Related: Roseanne Barr ‘Can’t Bear’ to Watch ‘The Conners’ After Being Written Off

After The Conners killed off Roseanne Barr’s eponymous character in 2018, the comedian is not interested in watching the sitcom. “I just can’t bear it, so I don’t,” Barr, 70, told The Los Angeles Times in an interview published on Thursday, February 9. “When they killed my character off, that was a message to me, knowing that I’m mentally […]

His initial statement continued, “I condemn these statements vehemently. They are reprehensible and intolerable, contradicting my beliefs and outlook on life and society. We must stand up against; bias, hatred, bigotry and ignorance to make society a better place for all.”

One day after ABC cancelled the Roseanne reboot, Barr took to Twitter again to write the since-deleted explanation, “It was 2 in the morning and I was ambien tweeting — it was memorial day too — i went too far and do not want it defended — it was egregious [and] indefensible. I made a mistake I wish I hadn’t but … don’t defend it please.”

The race to find the next James Bond continues to fuel plenty of speculation, with fans eager to learn who will inherit the iconic role. While several actors have been linked to the character, no official successor has been announced as yet.

Amid the ongoing buzz, Emile Hirsch decided to have a little fun with the uncertainty, leaving fans briefly wondering whether he had landed the role.

The search for the next James Bond has become one of Hollywood’s biggest casting mysteries, with fans waiting for official news since Daniel Craig‘s final appearance as the suave secret agent in “No Time To Die,” released in 2021.

On August 10, Emile Hirsch took to social media and posted a letter, seemingly sent by Eon Productions, the British company formerly in charge of the James Bond franchise. It detailed the company’s supposed interest in hiring Hirsch to be the next 007 due to his “compelling presence,” “intellect,” and “intensity.”

Reading further, however, it became apparent that the letter was a prank. “Mr. Hirsch’s shorter stature presents a unique opportunity. It would enable the studio to explore a crossover production in which James Bond is transported to the Shire and goes undercover to locate terrorist hobbits,” the letter read.

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In closing, it noted that the letter was “private and confidential.” Hirsch captioned the post, “HOLY SH-T.” Despite the obvious joke, some believed it to be real, seemingly without reading the entire letter.

The Actor Shared A Follow-Up Post

On August 11, the “Into the Wild” actor shared another fake letter, in which the author expressed “extreme displeasure” over Hirsch leaking the offer for the role.

Moreover, the message noted that Hirsch’s fans had been “judgmental” about the James Bond/Lord of the Rings crossover idea, which the author described as “nothing short of hurtful.”

“Let’s be clear: MGM owns the rights to both worlds. This wasn’t some fan-fiction fantasy. We had real viability to build a new franchise — one with scale, legacy, and global appeal. The proposed title was 007: Return of The Short King,” it read.

The author then suggested that Hirsch consult a “leg break extender surgeon” to increase his height. In another post, Hirsch took the gag further and posted a digitally altered photo of himself with legs stretched to an exaggerated length, making him appear as if he’s standing on stilts.

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The Search For The New James Bond Is Underway

I genuinely enjoy all the actors who have portrayed James Bond. That being said, here’s where things stand after some consideration.

1. Daniel Craig
2. Sean Connery
3. Timothy Dalton
4. Roger Moore
5. Pierce Brosnan
6. George Lazenby pic.twitter.com/J5MfBv67OG

— DoubleOKevin (@KevBot_007) December 8, 2021

Six actors have portrayed James Bond under Eon Productions: Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig.

In 2015, after filming “Spectre,” his fourth movie as Bond, Craig expressed his desire to leave the character behind, saying he would rather slash his wrists than do another James Bond film, per Time Out London. However, he returned for one final movie because he wanted his story arc to conclude.

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In the years that followed, corporate changes, transitions within the franchise, and plans to reboot the character further delayed the search for Craig’s successor. In May, however, Amazon MGM Studios, which now has full creative control over the franchise, announced they have begun auditions for James Bond, as reported by Variety.

Celebrities Rumored To Play 007

In the last few years, several names have been floated as potential contenders for the role of James Bond, including Tom Holland, Callum Turner, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Paul Mescal, and Jack Lowden, along with several others.

Idris Elba, who was a fan-favorite to play Bond, confirmed that he was never in the running to begin with, as previously reported by The Blast. Henry Cavill was another name mentioned online, but the actor, who previously auditioned for the role but lost it to Craig, said he would rather play a Bond villain.

According to multiple reports, the next MI6 agent likely won’t be an established star, as producers are leaning toward a lesser-known or rising actor.

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The New James Bond May Be Named Before The End Of 2026

🚨Report: The new James Bond producer Amy Pascal says the next 007 actor will have a “really different” take on the James Bond character pic.twitter.com/zUVpPqYP6Q

— The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) August 10, 2026

In August, producer Amy Pascal said that Craig “is a hard act to follow,” adding that she, together with casting director Nina Gold, fellow producer David Heyman, and director Denis Villeneuve, are being “methodical” about their search.

“It’s got to be something really different that is a stirring and exciting and different,” Pascal told Deadline. While she didn’t elaborate further, she did say that the new James Bond may be revealed this year. “I would say the end of the year is a good bet,” she confirmed.

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