Aaron Rodgers and his family may have found their way back to each other, but he is now setting strict boundaries regarding his newly restored family relationships. 

Years of strife kept Aaron from his family members, but a timely social media post shared in late July confirmed that the hatchet had finally been buried.  

Interestingly, many factors played a role in Aaron’s reconciliation with his family, including his wife, Brittani, who helped him keep an open mind. 

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During a candid conversation, Aaron clarified his decision regarding social media. The 42-year-old quarterback explained that his late July Instagram uploads featuring his parents, along with his older brother, were intended as a final gesture to conclude a long-standing public narrative. 

Viewing the post as a symbolic moment in his recent journey, he noted, “I feel like it was part of the full-circle nature of this last season for me.”

The football player emphasized that he prefers to keep personal matters out of the public eye, particularly given the amount of inaccurate rumors that have circulated over the years. 

“I think that the personal life should stay personal and private. But I feel like it was part of the full-circle to just one time post something, and never again,” Aaron told USA Today Sports.

When asked about public scrutiny, the athlete dismissed it, explaining that he doesn’t “give a [crap]” about anything people think about him, except those in his corner. 

Aaron Rodgers Recently Reflected On Family Feud And His Desire For Privacy

In addition to establishing firm boundaries regarding his online presence, the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback also addressed the long-standing rift that previously separated his family.

Speaking on the resolution of the conflict, he pointedly noted the difference in how various family members handled the feud publicly over the years. 

According to The Blast, he reiterated his long-held belief that personal disagreements should remain away from headlines. This seemed to subtly address past commentary made by his brother Jordan during their separation.

“Now, not everybody in the family adhered to the same thing, but there are different things, situations, experiences, and people that actually change your life,” he quipped.

Despite the differing approaches to privacy in the past, the athlete expressed heartfelt appreciation to be able to finally move past the hostility.

Aaron Rodgers’ Wife, Brittani, Played A Huge Role In The Family Reconciliation

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Further reflecting on the end of the family feud, Aaron explained how his marriage marked the true turning point in resolving the issue. He credited his wife, Brittani, for creating a safe space that allowed him to reconsider reaching out to his parents and siblings. 

“A big part of it was getting married, and having those conversations with my wife that allowed me to kind of open up to the possibility of coming together,” he revealed, per The Blast.

He emphasized that Brittani never pressured him into making amends, but rather that her steady affection and encouragement gave him the comfort needed to reconnect with his loved ones.

Aaron Rodgers’ Family Reunion Had Begun Long Before The Public Became Aware

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Even though the family reunion seemed to have occurred at the time of the social media post made in July, reports indicate that the reconciliation was actually the result of a gradual, quiet process. 

The Blast previously reported that the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback spent time with his parents, Ed and Darla Rodgers, months prior to his online post. 

The path toward healing actually began with a quiet, private meeting between the athlete and his father back in 2023. 

Video footage captured Aaron interacting warmly with his mother and father at the inaugural Athletics Hall of Fame ceremony for Pleasant Valley High School in Chico, California, where he was being recognized. 

As he accepted his induction into the school’s newly established hall of fame class, he took a moment during his induction speech to express public appreciation for his parents’ support. 

Aaron Rodgers’ Public Announcement Was A Confirmation Of The Reconciliation

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Years after Aaron publicly thanked his parents in his acceptance speech, he then shared the social media post, which marked the moment the public first learned of the family’s progress.

The images captured warm moments with his mother, father, and older brother, Luke, as well as a sweet shot of the quarterback helping construct a toy for his young niece.

In the caption, Aaron wrote, “Another bonding week #fam.”

Additionally, resurfaced information further confirmed that the athlete and his father also unexpectedly crossed paths at the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe back in July 2023. 

According to The Blast, Aaron greeted his father with “Hi, Pops,” leading to an emotional embrace where both exchanged declarations of love. 

The marriage might be over, but life after it is good for Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith!

The Spanish actor and his ex-wife have seemingly maintained a very cordial relationship since they finalized their divorce in 2015, adding to the growing list of amicable separations in the very controversial industry.

Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith got married in May 1996 after they locked eyes for the first time at the Oscars in 1990. He has been married twice in his life, with just one biological child.

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The filmmaker sat for an interview to spill a few tea about his friendship with Griffith over a decade after their marriage packed up. He expressed that the American actress is “if not my best friend, one of my best friends.”

The actor continued that they catch up on his trips to Los Angeles, where they have tons of fun alongside their kids, noting that it has been the force behind their healthy relationship. Banderas added that there is no secret recipe behind all the positivity in their interaction, only that they prioritized sincerity during and after their marriage.

Banderas emphasized that they both came out of the marriage in an amicable way that was necessary for the betterment of their children and family. The actor also told PEOPLE about his blended family, commending Griffith for her parenting skills, adding that he sees his kids having a bright future ahead of them.

Banderas and Griffith welcomed a daughter, Stella Banderas, during their marriage. Griffith is also mom to Alexander Bauer and Dakota Johnson, from previous relationships.

Inside The Emmy-Nominated Actor’s Love Life

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Before his nearly two-decade-long marriage to Griffith, the actor and Ana Leza were first married between 1987 and 1996. The duo tied the knot in Madrid after dating for six months, and she played a pivotal role in his acting career by teaching him English.

He revealed that she partially became an English teacher in the early 1990s, and her skills helped him translate the script for “The Mambo Kings,” giving him enough confidence to secure the role. As shared by Hollywood Life, Leza had told Vanity Fair Spanish that she was equally glad to accompany him to the United States for the sake of his career.

While he did not share a child with Leza, he did help Griffith, his second wife, raise her first child, Dakota Johnson, and second, Alexander, whom she welcomed with Steven Bauer, her second husband. Banderas was Griffith’s longest union, and the actor recalled their relationship beginning with a love-at-first-sight situation.

He recalled seeing her on the red carpet at the 1990 Academy Awards, after which he asked about her from a colleague, and six years later, they sealed the deal. Despite their divorce, he described Griffith in a 2015 interview with Vulture as his family alongside her kids.

Antonio Banderas Discovered Bliss In His 2017 Health Scare

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Banderas got into retrospection during his PEOPLE interview, addressing his heart attack in 2017 and finding the blessing in the experience. He described it as a reality check to finally see things he has been blind to while understanding that life is very fleeting.

He shared that he now lives with the consciousness that death is inevitable, so he does his best to make the most out of his time on earth. In his words:

“People live like they are not going to die. They collect things, and they collect. I don’t want to collect anything. I want to just experience.”

In his professional life, Banderas is currently starring alongside Dominic Sessa in “Tony,” which is a biopic about the late chef Anthony Bourdain. The movie, released on August 7, sees Banderas playing the role of a veteran chef and mentor who shapes Bourdain’s culinary identity.

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As noted by The Blast, Banderas opened up about his heart attack at a film festival in Málaga in March 2017. Stating that he suffered the incident in January that year, Banderas considered himself lucky to be alive as he underwent an operation where they implanted three stents into his coronary arteries.

Aside from that, the Spanish actor also had an arrhythmia, a condition where the heart experiences an irregular beat, which also meant he had to go in for a thermoablation. As defined by Mayo Clinic, a heart arrhythmia happens when the electrical signals that tell the heart to beat do not work as they should. 

This means that the heart may beat too fast or too slow, and the pattern of the heartbeat may also be inconsistent. Banderas continued that while he truly battled the attack, the media may have overblown his experience; however, it did happen due to him overworking himself for decades in the entertainment industry.

The attack did not cause any lasting damage, but it did cause the actor to move out of the United States, leave behind smoking, and dispose of his private jet.

Antonio Banderas Tipped Tom Holland To Fill His Spot As Zorro

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In an interview with ComicBook in 2022, as shared by The Blast, Banderas disclosed that he would be happy to see a third Zorro movie if there is a new young face to carry on the legacy, as Anthony Hopkins did for him in “The Mask of Zorro” in 1998. 

Banderas explained that he does not want to take over the mantle, but that he believed there is merit in presenting a new generation to the iconic character. The actor also gave his name for who he thinks will be the ideal replacement, and it was no other than the “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” star, Holland. 

Banderas, who starred alongside Holland in “Uncharted,” praised the British actor’s charm, energy, and natural screen presence, saying those qualities would make him a strong choice to take over the role of the swashbuckling hero.

Banderas first brought Zorro to life in “The Mask of Zorro” before reprising the role in 2005’s “The Legend of Zorro.” There is no third movie being developed yet, but the actor revealed that he would be interested in being brought back if it would help launch the next installment of the franchise with a new lead.

There may be a lot to learn about Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith’s dynamics!

Wizards of Waverly Place star Jake T. Austin broke his silence after his character was missing from the show’s revival, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place.

“To all the Wizard fans, just wanted to say for the record how disappointed I am to have not been included in the spinoff,” Austin, 31, wrote via Instagram Story on Thursday, August 6.

Austin, who played Max on the original series, recalled being “asked back in 2020” if he was interested in reprising his role. “I said that I was 100 percent in,” he added. “Unfortunately, the powers that be decided to take the show in a different direction and my character wasn’t part of the equation.”

He continued: “Even though I wasn’t involved, I still have nothing but love for my former castmates and wish them continued success.”

Related: Reboots and Revivals Missing Beloved TV Stars

It’s officially the time of reboots and revivals on TV. While many original cast members return for new series revisiting old stories, many shows have left out major stars when returning. From reality TV like Jersey Shore — Samantha “Sammi Sweetheart” Giancola did not return for the spinoff, Jersey Shore Family Vacation, when it debuted […]

Wizards of Waverly Place, which aired from 2007 to 2012, followed three siblings — Justin (David Henrie), Alex (Selena Gomez) and Max — who inherited magical abilities from their family. Wizards Beyond Waverly Place later debuted on Disney+, concluding its three-season run earlier this month and leaving fans divided.

Austin was not the only OG cast member to speak out after not being included in the new series. David DeLuise, who played patriarch Jerry, commented on an Instagram post on Wednesday, August 5, writing, “It would not be over if the OG wizards were really there. Missed opportunity.”

The four-part series finale saw the return of Gomez, 34, Jennifer Stone, Gregg Sulkin and Maria Canals-Barrera. Henrie, 37, was also involved after starring in — and producing — the follow-up show.

Creator Todd J. Greenwald also weighed in when he addressed the backlash to the finale.

“I will undo the entire ‘Beyond’ canon in one simple chapter,” he wrote via Substack. “By simply ignoring it. ‘It was all Max’s dreammmmm.’ Fixed. Moving on.”

Greenwald elaborated on the strong reaction to the show’s conclusion.

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“I would also like to make it clear. The actors on the new show are amazing. They’re amazing kids. They have amazing families and they’ve got great futures ahead,” he continued. “It is a blessing that they had this experience and can still be kids and have a great memory to look back on. I would work with any of them any day.”

He concluded: “This is the sixth tween show I’ve written on and I’ve seen how it affects the kids in different ways. Learning as you go and finding your voice in front of so many people is challenging enough in itself, let alone having to portray a character you know nothing about.”

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place is streaming now on Disney+.

Fans have questions after seeing a video of Keyshia Cole and Skrilla together in the studio. The footage comes amid an apparent hard launch between the two musicians, prompted by recent social media posts.

RELATED: Lover Girl! Keyshia Cole Shows Off Bouquets Of Roses Amid Apparent Romance With Skrilla (PHOTOS)

Video Shows Keyshia Cole And Skrilla Together In The Music Studio

Keyshia Cole and Skrilla were seen together in the music studio, and the clip shows Skrilla jammin’ to music.

As the camera rolls, the 27-year-old pulls Cole into the frame. The ‘Love’ artist is sporting a Louis Vuitton baseball hat that covers her eyes, but she’s clearly recognizable as she flashes a smile.

At that point, Skrilla spins the 44-year-old around to face the camera before she exits the frame. However, it looks as though his hand pushes Cole’s shoulder.

Fans Have Mixed Reactions

After the clip was shared on TSR’s homepage, several fans had questions, while others issued jokes in the comment section.

Singer Received Flower Bouquets With A Love Note

Last month, Cole shared footage of a rose bouquet she had received. Additionally, the post also included a note that read, “Love u beautiful XOXO.”

The post had fans speculating that Skrilla sent Cole the flowers because he previously shared a picture of the duo on his Instagram Stories. The photograph featured them together on a yacht, and Cole’s post appeared to confirm fan speculation about their alleged romance.

RELATED: YK Niece Spills Tea On Awkward Onstage Reunion With Pluto Da Brat During NBA YoungBoy’s Concert (WATCH)

The video game adaptation sequel The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which features the voices of Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Jack Black, was the first movie of 2026 to hit the billion-dollar mark at the box office. Since then, another animated sequel, Pixar’s Toy Story 5, has also hit the milestone, with last weekend’s big blockbuster debut, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, managing to hit the milestone in almost record time, falling just short of Avengers: Endgame. Just today, Christopher Nolan‘s The Odyssey became the fifth Hollywood feature of 2026 to hit the $1 billion milestone.

But in between those eye-watering financial success stories, Antoine Fuqua’s musical biopic, Michael, became the first biopic of all time to hit $1 billion in theaters. In total, Michael earned $1.021 billion in global revenue, split between $649 million from overseas markets and $372 million in domestic earnings. Of course, thanks to such success, and considering where the narrative ended, many immediately wondered if a sequel would get the green light, against the normal trend of music biopics.

Previously, Lionsgate film chief, Adam Fogelson, confirmed that a sequel was in development, saying, “We are really excited about the progress we’re making with respect to a second ‘Michael’ film.” Now, the same man has given fans an insight into when they can see that white-glove sparkle again. In a new earnings call, per Variety, Fogelson and Lionsgate are hoping “to begin production in late 2026 or early 2027,” with “hopes of releasing the final product at the end of next year or in the first half of 2028.” Of course, any sequel would likely have to enter darker territory after the first film omitted almost every personal controversy in Jackson’s life.

Critics Weren’t Fond of ‘Michael’

Sure, the film might’ve smashed records for the biopic genre, but Michael faced plenty of critical backlash upon arrival. This is illustrated by the film’s disappointing 38% score on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, which is juxtaposed by a near-perfect 97% rating from audiences. One critic labeled the film a “dishonest and surface-skimming biopic,” while another complained that the film “doesn’t know what it wants to be. Perhaps a sequel will be able to turn around the almost universal negative opinion of critics.

Next week, Michael will begin streaming on Starz. Make sure to stay tuned to Collider for any updates about the upcoming sequel.

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Release Date

April 24, 2026

Runtime

130 minutes

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Writers

John Logan

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Producers

Graham King, John Branca, John McClain

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Rylee Arnold dances gracefully even in heels, balancing her way through the “Dancing With The Stars” ballroom, but how about her personal life?

The pro ballroom dancer has opened up about how she navigates her growing career, everyday life, and her health challenges. She disclosed her initial fear that her dance world had to stand still after receiving her type 1 diabetes diagnosis as a teenager.

Rylee Arnold started on “Dancing with the Stars: Juniors” at age 13 in 2018 and made it to the finals. She joined the franchise’s main competition series at 18, marking one of the youngest-ever ballroom pro-dancers on the show.

Arnold reflected on her journey as a professional dancer, marked by a major health challenge that arose in her early teens. The “DWTS” pro revealed that after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 15, she feared she would have to quit dancing.

The 21-year-old pro shared that she initially feared that she would have to give up a part of her life she really enjoyed and commit herself fully to managing her health. Arnold also acknowledged that it was “honestly really hard in the beginning” to balance her health and the physical demands of dancing, especially since she was a teenager at the time. 

She shared that adjusting to a life with diabetes was no easy feat, recalling times when she felt “embarrassed to give [herself] a shot in front of friends at school or at dance.” But she had to dust off the shame she felt with the realization that prioritizing her health meant a long and beautiful life.

Being on “Dancing with the Stars” helped Arnold find structure and balance in her life as a dancer and in her health. “Just balancing that and learning how to balance my life was really, really important. But ever since I got on [DWTS], I feel like I’ve really focused on balancing that and having that healthy balance,” the dancer told US Weekly.

The Ballroom Dancer Learned To Understand Her Body

Arnold shared that she is at a point where she understands how to manage her illness. She noted that understanding does not come at once; in her case, it took about six years to adjust and understand how she reacts to things.

The dancer, being one of many millions of people living with type 1 diabetes in the world, does not go through her health hurdles alone. She disclosed that she has learned a lot from the shared journeys of others on social media like TikTok and Instagram.

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Arnold noted that although everyone’s body system differs, many people have similar shared experiences, and getting to see and hear from them has helped her tremendously.

Last year, Arnold stepped away from the “Dancing with the Stars” tour to prioritize her health. “Making the decision to step away from the tour this last year was really hard, and because it was because of my health, it made me really sad,” she recalled, adding that as hard as the decision was, it was something she needed to do.

Rylee Arnold On How ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Is Capturing The Younger Demographic

In recent seasons, the popular dance show has seen growing interest among younger generations. Much of this change was attributed to the show casting social media stars like Charli D’Amelio and to Gen-Z dancers like Arnold being pros.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Arnold shared how an active TikTok presence by stars and pros helped bring younger people to the show. She added that when she started posting behind-the-scenes and day-in-the-life TikToks, they were just for fun and a platform to talk about her experience on the show.

The ballroom dancer also praises D’Amelio for helping the show gain visibility among the younger generation in season 31. Being a social media star, she “brought all of her fans and the people that love her to come and watch the show, and then they stuck around because it was super fun and exciting to watch.” 

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The dynamic shifted from what her sister, Lindsay, who was also a pro on the show, had told her. “I remember when my sister was on [the pro cast], she always told me, ‘It’s always the old ladies watching Dancing with the Stars,’” Arnold recalled.

Last season, “DWTS” also introduced TikTok Night, where dancers performed to viral TikTok songs in various styles.

The Young Pro-Dancer Got The ‘Best Piece Of Advice’ From Her Sister

Lindsay joined the dance franchise as a young dancer in 2013 at the age of 19. She began as a pro in season 16, moved to the dance troupe, and returned to pro until season 30, when she said goodbye to the show to focus on raising her family.

With her younger sister walking in her footsteps, the mother of three offered advice that got her through everything. Arnold shared that the best advice she’s ever been given is “to always just remain true to yourself.”

“Always just be yourself, authentically you, because if people don’t like you for you, then you’re not where you need to be,” Arnold told PEOPLE last year at the “DWTS” Season 34 Post Cast Reveal red carpet.

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Lindsay, who is a 10-time competitor and one-time “Dancing with the Stars” winner, reportedly encouraged her sister to be the happiest version of herself, and those wise words “got her through everything.”

Rylee Arnold Found Love Off The Dance Floor

The professional dancer revealed how she met her current boyfriend, college football tight end Walker Lyons. She revealed that they connected through her Uber driver, who happened to be his aunt.

According to Arnold, she opted for an Uber that fateful day at her mom’s suggestion due to heavy LA traffic. Getting into the ride, she chatted with the driver, who then told her about her “nephew playing USC football,” suggesting they might get along.

The Blast reported that the dancer did not think too much about it after checking Lyons out on Instagram and admitting he was cute. She was focused on her dance life and reluctant to pursue a romantic relationship at the time, but fate had other plans.

She eventually followed him, and they started talking. After a while, the footballer asked Arnold out on a date, and the rest is history.

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Shout-out to Rylee Arnold for finding her balance amid chasing her dreams!

After months of speculation and Marvel secrecy, Sadie Sink can finally openly discuss becoming Jean Grey in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The Stranger Things star made her debut as the iconic mutant in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, giving audiences their first look at a new Jean Grey who could eventually become one of the central characters in Marvel Studios’ upcoming X-Menreboot.

In a new interview with Variety, Sink discussed taking on a character who has been an important part of Marvel Comics for decades.

“She’s such an iconic figure in X-Men and in comics, and I’m very excited to bring my iteration of her to life.”

However, Brand New Day introduces Jean in a very different place than longtime X-Men fans might expect.

Rather than already being a member of the X-Men, Jean is presented as a young mutant struggling with her abilities and the circumstances surrounding her. Although she serves as an antagonist during portions of the movie, Sink says she never approached Jean as an actual villain.

“In this film, they told me that I was the villain, but that you’re not actually the villain, which is how I played her.”

Sink added that she didn’t want to give Jean a traditional villainous personality because Jean herself believes her actions are justified.

That distinction appears to be an important part of Marvel’s approach to the character. Instead of introducing Jean as the established superhero audiences previously saw portrayed by Famke Janssen and Sophie Turner, Marvel has an opportunity to show how she eventually becomes that hero.

Famke Janssen, Sadie Sink, Sophie Turner

Sink explained that she viewed Jean primarily as a teenager dealing with pain and anger rather than someone who was inherently evil.

“She’s a young girl in pain.”

According to Sink, the plan was to avoid focusing on the “evil bits” and instead concentrate on Jean as an angry and hurt teenager.

That idea also connects directly to what Sink believes makes the X-Men different from many other superheroes.

“What makes the X-Men special is they are all incredibly flawed.”

Sink explained that mutants have to discover their own relationship with powers they never asked to have. Those abilities don’t necessarily make their lives easier and can instead make them considerably more difficult.

It’s an approach that could tell us quite a bit about the direction Marvel Studios intends to take with its new X-Men.

The mutants have traditionally worked best when their powers aren’t simply treated as abilities that allow them to become superheroes. Being a mutant is part of who these characters are, and learning to live with that identity has always been central to the franchise.

Jean Grey is particularly suited for that kind of story.

As one of Marvel’s most powerful telepaths and telekinetics, Jean has frequently struggled with abilities that can become overwhelming and, eventually, potentially catastrophic. Her comic book history with the Phoenix Force has made her one of the most powerful characters in the Marvel Universe.

But Marvel doesn’t appear to be rushing toward that version of Jean.

Instead, Brand New Day gives Sink the opportunity to start much earlier in Jean’s life and potentially develop the character across several movies before exploring some of her biggest comic book storylines.

Sink also revealed that some of the first people she told about landing the role were Matt and Ross Duffer, the creators of Stranger Things.

“The Duffers were some of the first few people I told.”

Sink said she wanted them to know what she would be doing after Stranger Things, and the brothers were excited about the opportunity. Their reaction carried additional weight for Sink because of their love for comics.

It’s easy to understand the excitement.

After spending years playing Max Mayfield in one of Netflix’s biggest franchises, Sink is moving directly into what could become another defining role, and potentially one that lasts for much of the next decade.

Marvel Studios is currently preparing its new X-Men movie with Thunderbolts director Jake Schreier set to helm the project. Sink’s introduction in Brand New Day now gives the MCU at least one major piece of that team before the movie arrives.

Jean Grey’s future could also introduce another important relationship.

Kit Connor has recently been reported as Marvel’s choice to play Scott Summers, better known as Cyclops. Jean and Scott have one of the most famous and complicated relationships in X-Men history, making the two characters natural candidates to become central figures in Marvel’s new mutant era.

For Sink, though, Jean’s imperfections may ultimately be what makes the character worth exploring.

Marvel has already had two cinematic versions of Jean Grey and has twice attempted to adapt the Dark Phoenix storyline. Simply repeating that journey would offer audiences little they haven’t already seen.

Starting with a younger, angry and emotionally overwhelmed Jean gives Marvel Studios something different: time.

Time to show Jean learning about her powers. Time to show her finding others like herself. Time to establish her relationship with the X-Men. And eventually, time to show how one of Marvel’s most powerful mutants becomes Jean Grey.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day may have introduced her as an antagonist, but if Marvel’s plans come together, Sadie Sink’s Jean Grey is only getting started.

The Rookie is getting plenty of attention ahead of its return next year, and for good reason. After securing an early Season 9 renewal in April, the ABC procedural ended its eighth season the following month with one of network TV’s biggest finales. Despite the renewal, the creative team was reportedly prepared for the possibility of cancellation, as recently revealed by Eric Winter, who plays Tim Bradford. According to Bradford, the cast filmed an alternate version of the Season 8 finale that could have served as a definitive ending for the series.

As production on Season 9 gets underway, the crime drama has also scored a major streaming win. According to Nielsen’s streaming data for January through June 2026, The Rookie finished 12th overall, outperforming some of TV’s longest-running procedural franchises. While the show narrowly missed the Top 10, its performance is particularly impressive given its much smaller episode library compared to its competitors.

With just 144 episodes available on Hulu, The Rookie has amassed 12.817 billion minutes viewed during the six months. By comparison, Law & Order: SVU generated 11.952 billion minutes across 596 episodes on Hulu and Peacock, while 11.870 billion minutes of 508 episodes of NCIS were watched on Hulu, Netflix, Paramount+, and Pluto TV. The original Law & Order followed with 11.387 billion minutes on Hulu and Peacock. All three franchises also benefited from having current broadcast seasons in those six months. Meanwhile, at the top of Nielsen’s rankings is Stranger Things with 23.261 billion minutes viewed and Bluey, which previously finished as the most-streamed TV series of 2025, with 22.809 billion minutes.

‘The Rookie’ Creator Teases Potential ‘The Rookie: North’ Crossover

Season 8 of the hit action series concluded with the explosive finale, “The Bandit,” which saw Tim Bradford (Eric Winter) finally propose to Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil) on the beach, with Lucy happily accepting. However, in the same scene, the newly engaged couple are kidnapped by two strangers working for crime boss Heath Everett (Jeffrey Vincent Parise), despite Everett already being back in police custody. With such a shocking cliffhanger, fans are of course desperate to see how the story continues in The Rookie Season 9.

The excitement doesn’t end there. Speaking with Collider’s Steven Weintraub at San Diego Comic-Con, series creator Alexi Hawley teased that a crossover with the upcoming spin-off, The Rookie: North, is already being discussed, which would mark the franchise’s first crossover since The Rookie: Feds.

“There might be one in the works, for sure. We started shooting Season 9 on Tuesday, this last week. We start shooting North in a few weeks, early August, so we’re already into scripts on everything, obviously. There are some thoughts being put to who might go north or come south or both.”

The Rookie streams on Hulu. Stay tuned to Collider for future reports.

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Release Date

October 16, 2018

Showrunner

Alexi Hawley

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Directors

Tori Garrett, Chi-Yoon Chung, Michael Goi, Sylvain White, Lisa Demaine, Lanre Olabisi, Bill Johnson, David McWhirter, Liz Friedlander, Daniel Willis, Toa Fraser, Anne Renton, Jon Huertas, Cherie Nowlan, TK Shom, Rob Seidenglanz, Valerie Weiss, Barbara Brown, Charissa Sanjarernsuithikul, SJ Main Muñoz, Nelson McCormick, Marcus Stokes, Adam Davidson, Anna Mastro

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Writers

Corey Miller, Bill Rinier, Zoe Cheng, Mary Trahan, Ally Seibert, Liz Alper, Nick Hurwitz, Racheal Seymour, Madeleine Coghlan, David Radcliff

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Sauron is such a dense character from J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium and that’s exactly why it isn’t possible to cover his whole arc in a wider series at once. For instance, Peter Jackson’s films reduced him to an armored prologue figure and the Eye above Barad-dûr. The Rings of Power concentrated on his Annatar-era manipulation. And Shadow of Mordor built its version of Mordor around Uruk politics and the Nemesis System. While that’s not necessarily bad, it means that there’s still a lot of gap in the more dense lore. The good news is that one of the games is about to tap into Sauron’s time as Lord of the Werewolves, albeit briefly.

Sauron was a powerful Maia who served as the chief lieutenant of the first Dark Lord, Morgoth, during the First Age, and that whole area has received far less screen or game attention. The whole context is — before forging the One Ring, Sauron captured the Elven stronghold of Tol Sirion, renamed it Tol-in-Gaurhoth, the Isle of Werewolves, and filled it with wolves inhabited by evil spirits. Draugluin became the sire of his werewolf host, Finrod died protecting Beren from one of the beasts, and Sauron himself assumed a colossal wolf form before Huan defeated him.

As per GameRant, that new story is the foundation of The Lord of the Rings Online: The Wolves of Mordor. It uses that neglected history to make pos-twar Mordor more than Gorgoroth, Mount Doom, and abandoned Orc fortresses. The expansion is scheduled for fall 2026, although Standing Stone has not unveiled an exact release date yet. Gameplay-wise, players will enter Heledhris, Parth Rhavas, and Nan Ogol, three northeastern regions scarred by Sauron in very different ways.

‘The Lord of the Rings Online’ Is Nearly Two Decades Old

For a game that’s about to become two decades old in April 2027, the upcoming updates are substantial. While the expansion’s story asks what became of the werewolves Sauron intended to unleash after conquering Middle-earth, only for the Ring’s destruction to leave them without their master or purpose, in three intelligent factions, the expansion also adds one three-player instance, two six-player instances, and a raid planned before year’s end. And it’s not just that.

There’s the account-wide Survival Instinct system that will provide region-specific skills, Enhancements Tactics, and Lessons learned from local factions. Not to mention the Neighbor system that will zero-in on gifting, NPC relationships, journals, home visits, and more. All this and the story briefly touching on Sauron’s brief time as Lord of the Werewolves is a nice escalation for MMO’s next era ahead of its two-decade anniversary.

The Lord of the Rings Online: The Wolves of Mordor does not have an exact release date yet. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

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Release Date

September 1, 2022

Network

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Amazon Prime Video

Showrunner

John D. Payne, Patrick McKay, Louise Hooper, Charlotte Brändström, Wayne Yip

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Writers

Patrick McKay, John D. Payne, J.R.R. Tolkien, Justin Doble, Jason Cahill, Gennifer Hutchison, Stephany Folsom, Nicholas Adams

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