The tragic death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner aboard a Carnival Cruise ship has taken a shocking turn. Her stepbrother was recently arrested in connection with the case, according to Anna’s father, Chris Kepner. And, the story is leaving the internet reeling. As more details remain under wraps, the teen’s death—initially ruled a homicide—has ignited widespread speculation and concern.

RELATED: Teen Suspect In Stepsister’s Carnival Cruise Ship Death Claims He Doesn’t Remember What Happened, Texts Claim

Stepbrother Arrested After Teen’s Carnival Cruise Death

Authorities arrested and charged the stepbrother of 18-year-old Anna Kepner, who tragically died aboard a Carnival cruise ship in November, the teen’s father, Chris Kepner, confirmed. Sources say authorities released the teen into a guardian’s custody, but they have not clarified the exact charges, leaving the investigation—and family drama—shrouded in secrecy.

Stepbrother Spotted In Court Amid Ongoing Investigation

Additionally, the stepbrother of Florida teen Anna Kepner appeared in federal court in Miami on Friday, as investigators continue digging into the shocking circumstances of her death aboard a Carnival cruise ship. Three months after 18-year-old Anna Kepner died aboard the Carnival Horizon during a family vacation, authorities saw her 16-year-old stepbrother leaving juvenile court and entering adult federal court, dressed in a camouflage hoodie with his face hidden beneath a low-pulled baseball cap and hood.

Anna Kepner’s Mom Speaks Out

Heather Wright, the biological mother of Anna Kepner, has walked back her earlier claim that her daughter’s stepbrother had been charged in connection with Anna’s death, admitting she was “misinformed.” She added that prosecutors and her ex-husband haven’t updated her on the case or provided any new details, leaving her frustrated and in the dark. Meanwhile, the stepbrother’s mother slammed his release from custody. She called it “deeply painful and disturbing” that someone she claims is responsible for Anna’s death is apparently walking free. Authorities have not yet formally accused the teen of any wrongdoing.

More Details From Anna Kepner’s Case

As previously reported, just weeks after Anna’s death during a Caribbean vacation in November, authorities named her stepbrother a “suspect” in court filings from an unrelated custody case. Sources briefed on the investigation say authorities found the Florida teen under a bed. Investigators found her body wrapped in a blanket and covered with life vests.

Furthermore, the family released a statement expressing gratitude to the FBI and Department of Justice for their handling of the case. Meanwhile, court records remain sealed due to the suspect’s juvenile status. Questions remain about the exact charges, and authorities, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office and local prosecutor, have declined to comment.

RELATED: Cause Of Death Reportedly Revealed For Slain Carnival Cruise Teenager As More Claims Surface About Her Stepbrother

Movie franchises are the bread and butter for every movie studio. These movies are mass entertainers and can bring a boatload of money that can power the studio for years to come. Take Star Wars, which started in 1977 and remains a recognizable title almost 50 years later. The right franchise can spark a new trend in cinema. Just a decade ago, Hollywood was in the fantasy-adventure era with movies like Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean, then it went to the young adult era with Twilight and The Hunger Games, and now it is still firmly in the superhero trend.

Here, we take a look at some of the most ambitious film franchises of all time. Some reshaped filmmaking through technological breakthroughs, and a few aimed high before ultimately collapsing under their own weight. Whether they succeeded, stumbled, or did a bit of both, each reflects a moment where ambition, and maybe the promise of box office gold, is the driving power.

10

‘Sony’s Spider-Man Universe’ (2018–2024)

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

Sony’s Spider-Man Universe set out to build an MCU-inspired franchise centered on the hero’s rogue gallery of villains, beginning with Venom. The idea was to establish a parallel universe that could eventually intersect with Spider-Man himself. The franchise released six movies, including Morbius, Madame Web, and Kraven the Hunter, without Spider-Man ever appearing.

Sony must be appreciated for its (blind) ambition to build a cinematic universe to rival the MCU. While Venom went on to conclude its trilogy, the other movies mostly became memes and laughingstocks, with Morbius and Madame Web struggling with tone and narrative coherence. The franchise aimed to replicate the interconnected success of the MCU, but without clarity. For example, the end of Venom: Let There Be Carnage promised that Tom Hardy’s Eddie Brock would seek out Tom Holland‘s Spider-Man, but that was quickly dismissed. Madame Web also teased the appearance of Peter Parker, but the timeline wasn’t clear. After diminishing returns, Sony finally came to its senses and seemingly cancelled the universe.

9

‘DC Extended Universe’ (2013–2023)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Playing catch-up to the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, DC aimed to create a darker, more mythic version with the DC Extended Universe. Turning the standalone Man of Steel into the franchise starter, it expanded quickly with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which not only featured Batman and Wonder Woman but also teased other heroes and future storylines. A total of 11 films were planned afterwards, but only five were released. Ten other films in the franchise were not part of the original slate.

With Zack Snyder as its main architect, it’s clear that the DCEU would never be similar to its Marvel counterpart. However, Warner Bros. caved in after the unexpected reception of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and they started to tinker with Suicide Squad and Justice League, trying to make them lighter and fun, resulting in an uneven mess that couldn’t be repaired. There are great, successful movies in the franchise, like Wonder Woman or James Gunn‘s The Suicide Squad, but ultimately, studio interference and creative clashes killed the DCEU.

8

‘Dune’ (2021–2026)

Image via Warner Bros.

After David Lynch‘s attempt in 1986, Denis Villeneuve adapted Frank Herbert’s dense, politically charged Dune with a measured, atmospheric approach. Rather than condensing the rich story into a single film, Villeneuve opted to split the story into two to give its world and ideas room to breathe. With a star-studded ensemble led by Timothée Chalamet, the film quickly became a critics’ and audiences’ favorite.

Villeneuve made a huge gamble with Dune. The first film literally ends at the midpoint of the story, and the sequel was not filmed back-to-back. If critics rejected the film or if it didn’t turn enough profit, the follow-up would not see the light of day. To make things worse, it was released post-COVID, released simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max. However, Dune was a commercial success and was nominated for a whopping ten Oscars, winning six. The sequel, which offers the payoff, was equally beloved by audiences and critics. After making two films that can be considered among the best sci-fi films in recent memory, Villeneuve and the cast are now prepping the third film, which is due to be released in December 2026.

7

‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ (2003–2017)

Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Based on a Disneyland theme park ride, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl defied the odds and became a runaway hit. Two sequels, Dead Man’s Chest and At World’s End, were greenlit soon after with Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, and Keira Knightley returning alongside director Gore Verbinski. The sequels followed the trio as Davy Jones (Bill Nighy) demands that Jack Sparrow pay his debt, and the East India Trading Company attempts to eradicate piracy.

The Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy is blockbuster filmmaking at its finest. The films are not interested in simple storylines, but they have a complex, ambitious plot that sees each character team up and betray one another. Some may say it’s unnecessarily convoluted, yet it’s riveting and unexpected until the end. The production of the second and third films was notoriously intricate as they were filmed back-to-back. With lots of on-location shoots, enormous practical sets, and amazing CGI effects, the budget was high, with At World’s End becoming the most expensive film at its time. All of that paid off with a spectacular box office gross. The next two sequels, however, opted for the safe route and were far less exciting.

6

‘Star Wars’ (1977–present)

Image via Lucasfilm

From the very first film in 1977, Star Wars has always been ambitious. From pioneering revolutionary effects and sound design to intricate world-building. The main story is about the Skywalker Saga, following Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and later Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen). The franchise is expanding even more with spin-offs like Rogue One and acclaimed series like Andor and The Clone Wars.

Each new Star Wars project carries the burden of decades of lore and fan expectations. The team behind each Star Wars entry tries to keep it fresh while also respecting what came before. The projects usually have top-tier talent and spare no budget (currently, The Force Awakens holds the title of being the most expensive film of all time). Some have argued that currently the franchise is in a limbo, but considering how beloved and relevant it is, it’s unlikely that Star Wars is retiring any time soon.

5

‘The Matrix’ (1999–2021)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

The Matrix introduced a cyberpunk world where reality itself is a simulation by following Neo’s (Keanu Reeves) journey to fulfill his destiny as The One. The first film is a generational achievement, blending philosophy and sci-fi action in a seamless manner, and its success led to sequels that expanded the mythology and criticized popular culture.

The franchise’s complex storyline is already ambitious for its time, but then The Wachowskis also pushed the envelope by pioneering visual techniques like the famous bullet time. The sequels, The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, were filmed back-to-back with bigger ideas and even bigger action sequences. The highway chase in Reloaded is still regarded as one of the best action sequences of all time. Recently, instead of crafting an easy legacy sequel, Lana Wachowski created a subversive film in The Matrix Resurrections that defies audiences’ expectations, showing that ambition is still in the franchise’s DNA.

4

‘Harry Potter’ (2001–2011)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

The Harry Potter series chronicles the journey of the titular young wizard as he studies at Hogwarts and confronts the darkness in the magical world. Over eight films, the franchise matured alongside its audience, transitioning from whimsical, family-friendly fantasy to a coming-of-age drama with a darker plot. The main trio is played by Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, but the series also boasts the best of British actors in the supporting roles.

Releasing eight films within the span of ten years is almost unheard of today. The franchise’s ambition is evident in how it committed to long-term planning and commitment. The pre-production of the next film usually started when the previous film had not even finished filming, and the production process could take up to a year for each movie. It was also able to retain the same core actors across the decade, reflecting the actual growth of the characters. As a result, the Potter movies are beloved all over the world. The franchise has been a merchandising gold mine and immortalized in theme parks and massive studio tours.

3

‘Avatar’ (2009–present)

Image via 20th Century Studios

James Cameron’s Avatar franchise is set on the lush alien world of Pandora and follows Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), who integrates with the native community through the avatar technology. The films may have familiar plots, but the technological aspects of the franchise are simply mindblowing. The films utilized revolutionary performance capture for the actors playing the Na’Vi and created the whole planet from scratch through CGI.

Avatar is deeply ambitious for its innovation and also linguistic aspects, with the franchise creating a whole new language system for the Na’Vi people. The sequels, Avatar: The Way of Water and Avatar: Fire and Ash, featured even more complicated effects where the actors had to act underwater and have their performances translated into their CG characters. Entire workflows were created specifically for this franchise, from virtual production to 3D exhibition standards. Considering the intricate production process, it’s no wonder that the final film is slated to be released in 2031.

2

‘Marvel Cinematic Universe’ (2008–present)

The Marvel Cinematic Universe began modestly with Iron Man, but with a sneaky post-credit scene that teased future team-up films, it evolved into an interconnected web of films and characters. Over time, it introduced dozens of heroes and villains while building toward large-scale crossover events like The Avengers and Avengers: Endgame. The franchise expanded even bigger with TV series like Agents of SHIELD and various Disney+ shows.

Across five game-changing phases, Kevin Feige’s approach to the MCU turned blockbuster filmmaking into something similar to long-form television, but with massive budgets and A-list talent showcased in cinemas. No franchise had ever attempted serialized storytelling across so many films with such narrative continuity. The scheduling of the actors in Avengers: Endgame alone seems like a nightmare, and they’re attempting a bigger one with Avengers: Doomsday. This kind of cinematic universe sparked a lot of imitators, but so far, none have come close to replicating Marvel’s overwhelming success.

1

‘The Lord of the Rings’ Trilogy (2001–2003)

Image via New Line Cinema

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Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy adapts J.R.R. Tolkien’s monumental fantasy book, following the journey of Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) and the Fellowship as they attempt to destroy the One Ring. Jackson was not a household name when the movie started production, nor were the actors in the ensemble, making it a risky yet ambitious production.

All three films in the trilogy were shot back-to-back, showing the studio’s confidence in the property. The shooting schedule, which is not in chronological order, was also an ambitious feat. The most famous example is when Ian McKellen shot his farewell with the Hobbits in his first week of filming. Jackson and his team benefited greatly from his ongoing partnership with Weta Workshop and Weta Digital, which are now among the best at making practical effects and CGI. The trilogy is considered among the best fantasy films and is considered a masterpiece in cinema.

Woah Vicky sparked major reactions online after posting a series of emotional tweets and offensive messages about her father on social media.

RELATED: Whew! Woah Vicky Turns Heads After Sharing A Message About What She’s Looking For In A “Successful” Black Athlete

Woah Vicky Shares Controversial Message About Her Dad

On Wednesday, Feb. 11, Vicky took to X to share tweets about feeling lonely and unsupported by her family. In one post, she directly addressed her father using explicit language and a racial slur, writing that she hated him and calling him out by name.

In additional tweets, Vicky suggested she felt abandoned, asking followers, “Can someone adopt me?” The posts quickly circulated across platforms, with many critics calling Vicky out for using a racial slur.

Vicky Issues Apology After “Crashing Out” Online

Following the backlash, Vicky returned to social media to address her comments and take responsibility for her outburst.

In a message on X, she apologized for her behavior, admitting she had acted out of emotion. She wrote,

“Hey, sorry for crashing out like that that was really bad and disrespectful for me to talk about my dad like that but I gotta stop doing that. I gotta control my emotions and I gotta forgive my dad and I forgive him his name because he’s a lost man and he needs God and I need God too. Everybody needs God everybody needs Jesus And.”

Social Media Weighs In on Viral Posts

Vicky’s tweets and apology quickly became a trending topic, with users across Instagram and X sharing mixed reactions.

Instagram user @jadiaaaaaaaaaa wrote, “During black history month is bold”

Another Instagram user @vibewithaaaa wrote, “Not the first time she used that word not surprised she’s been saying it”

While Instagram user @daniellexoo wrote, “She went viral for literally saying it all of the time years ago… not surprised”

Instagram user @gemini_queen_18 wrote, “I don’t think she typed that”

Another Instagram user @k.vmbrly wrote, “Yall have been letting her get away with this for YEARS. Mind you this is why she even got famous and yall been letting it slide over and over 🥴😩”

While Instagram user @cherryyy.___ wrote, “Everyone says this word. Why is it always such a problem when this girl says it”

Instagram user @sinisterbeautti93 wrote, “Now Vicky this is not what Jesus would do 😩”

Another Instagram user @kuh.dee.huh wrote, “People are only sorry when they get caught!!

While Instagram user @cici_cheri4 wrote, “She knows the only way she gets talked about is if she trolls us. 🙄”

RELATED: Whew! Woah Vicky Compliments Her Rumored Boo Antonio Brown In THIS Controversial Way (PHOTOS)

Kai Cenat has broken his silence and mentioned Gabrielle “Gigi” Alayah while speaking on “rumors” and “speculations” that have been shared since their split.

RELATED: It’s Over?! Kai Cenat Shocks Fans After Announcing Split From Gabrielle “Gigi” Alayah, She Reacts

Kai Cenat Breaks Silence & Mentions Gabrielle “Gigi” Alayah While Speaking On “Rumors” & “Speculations” Since Their Split

On Friday, February 13, Cenat took to his Instagram Story to share a lengthy message with his more than 17 million followers. Furthermore, he began with, “I just want to say this from my heart. It can be confusing to see news about me and the people around me that isn’t true. I’ve been sharing my life online for a long time now and know that once you share aspects of your life with the world, it can be hard to keep things private.”

“There have been rumors, speculations, and comments made about my previous relationship and my friends. I want to apologize for not addressing things sooner, but I needed to take a step back from social media and process everything,” he continued. “People react to things in different ways, it is an emotional time and should have been handled PRIVATELY.”

Cenat added that if there’s ever something “important” or “real” that his fans need to hear, they will hear it directly from him. And this will apply to everything in his life, from his relationships to his businesses to his streams and beyond.

“I wish the best to Gabrielle and ask to please respect both sides,” he concluded.

Social Media Reacts

Social media users reacted to Kai Cenat’s statement in TSR’s comment section.

More On Kai Cenat & Gabrielle “Gigi” Alayah’s Split

As The Shade Room previously reported, in December 2025, Kai Cenat shocked fans when he announced he and Gigi had split up.

In turn, Gigi took to the internet, confirming their split but also implying that Cenat believed a false rumor about her cheating on him with NBA YoungBoy.

By January, Gabrielle Alayah had broken her silence on their split, per The Shade Room.

Then, later that month, Alayah was clearing her name from additional claims shared by Cenat’s assistant, per The Shade Room.

This, while also airing out Cenat’s friends for trying to pursue her and speaking negatively about her.

Amid all of this, however, Kai Cenat remained mum and even popped out in Paris to promote his apparent clothing line. This, while some of his friends shot back at Gigi.

RELATED: Deshae Frost & Rakai Respond After Kai Cenat’s Ex Gabrielle “Gigi” Alayah Airs Them Out Over Post-Breakup Shade (VIDEOS)

‘Plane’ Crazy
Fists Fly on Flight, Passengers Banned for Life

Published
February 13, 2026
8:43 AM PST

Star Wars has a long-standing history of including toys and merchandise with its films. For many, their first introduction to Boba Fett in the original trilogy came through his toy and the marketing around Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. So it isn’t surprising that toy-tie-ins are still part of the joy of the franchise. As part of the ramping up for the release of The Mandalorian and Grogu later this year, the team at Lucasfilm invited Collider to an event in New York to give us a sneak peek at all the new merch coming our way for fans of Star Wars!

As part of the celebration, we were privy to an exclusive fireside chat between the new Creative Director for Merchandise, Bobby Kim, and the creator of The Mandalorian, Jon Favreau, about not only the new line but the connection between Star Wars and toys as a whole. Kim encouraged Favreau to talk a lot about his own connection to the franchise, spanning back to seeing the films in theaters and playing with his action figures, to where they wanted the new merchandise for The Mandalorian and Grogu to go.

“For Star Wars, there’s always been that conversation between the two,” Favreau said about toys and the films themselves. “So it feels very organic. One leads into the other.” He also shared that one of the “thrills” of working on The Mandalorian on streaming was seeing the “Grogu/Baby Yoda phenomenon.” At the time, they wanted to keep Grogu a secret and couldn’t rush toys for him, meaning that we had to wait for little Baby Yoda plushies. Now, with this new launch, there are plenty of options for fans of Grogu.

A Wide Variety For Star Wars Fans to Love

There is literally something for everyone. If you’re hoping that you can get a new kind of Grogu toy in your life, don’t worry! There are plenty of options. The event showed us how some of the more universal Star Wars merch would look with spirit jerseys for Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, lightsabers, a series of sunglasses, and more. But the big reveal was all for The Mandalorian and Grogu. To keep the secrets of the film, a lot of the merch was focused just on Din Djarin and Grogu in different ships and kinds of toys as well as costumes. But you will see plenty of Babu Frik included too! Check out our sneak peek above.

There is so much more coming for fans of Star Wars and the merch coming for The Mandalorian and Grogu is just the start! You can see Din and Gorgu’s next outing when it hits theaters on May 22.

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Release Date

May 22, 2026

Sequel(s)

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Dave Filoni’s Untitled Mandalorian Movie

Franchise(s)

Star Wars

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This weekend might begin with Friday the 13th, but there is nothing unlucky about the quality of content available to stream. With the crime thriller The Rip, starring the iconic Hollywood duo of Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, finally losing its momentum on the streaming charts, a new top title is ready to be crowned. However, the fight for streaming supremacy can often distract from the seemingly endless amount of great movies waiting to be discovered in the Netflix catalog. If you’d prefer to try something new this weekend, we’ve got a trio of suggestions to help you on your way. Without further ado, here’s a list of three movies you should watch on Netflix.

For more recommendations, check out our list of the best shows and movies on Netflix.

Disclaimer: These titles are available on US Netflix.

3

‘Boyhood’ (2014)

Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 7.9/10

Director Richard Linklater‘s recent comedy-drama Blue Moon has landed Ethan Hawke his fifth Academy Award nomination, with just over a month to wait until we find out if he’s broken his curse and won an Oscar. Ahead of the ceremony, why not check out Hawke’s last Oscar-nominated performance in yet another Linklater collaboration: Boyhood?

One of the most ambitious cinematic projects of this century, Boyhood tells the story of young Mason (Ellar Coltrane) as he grows from a child into a young man arriving at college. What makes this movie so impressive is that it was filmed in real time over 12 years, and the story was adapted along the way to fit with life beyond the lens. Earning six Academy Award nominations and winning one, Boyhood is a critical darling that deserves its plaudits.

2

‘Night at the Museum’ (2006)

Rotten Tomatoes: 42% | IMDb: 6.5/10

During these cold February nights, sometimes all you need is unmistakable comfort viewing to get you through. A new arrival to Netflix this month, Night at the Museum ticks all the boxes, telling the tale of Larry (Ben Stiller), a museum manager at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, whose life is turned upside down when he discovers the exhibits have come to life.

A heartwarming, pure story that puts entertainment first, Night at the Museum might not have been adored by critics, but it has since become a nostalgic favorite of many. Led by Stiller and featuring a star-studded ensemble headlined by Robin Williams as Teddy Roosevelt, this cozy comedy is sure to fill your heart with joy.

1

‘The Black Phone’ (2021)

Rotten Tomatoes: 81% | IMDb: 6.9/10

For a different type of escapism from Night at the Museum altogether, why not try the terrifying The Black Phone this weekend? Another new arrival to Netflix, having landed on Thursday, February 12th, The Black Phone follows the horrifying abduction of 13-year-old Finney (Mason Thames), as he is left locked in a basement with nothing but a phone that can seemingly contact the dead.

Based on Joe Hill’s 2004 short story of the same name, The Black Phone became an instant hit with 2021 audiences, who were dazzled by its nail-biting horror and the aforementioned Hawke’s sadistic villain, The Grabber. Not for the faint-hearted, this clever adaptation is both scary and accessible, making it the perfect watch for both horror fans and non-horror fans alike.

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June 16, 2022

Runtime

103 minutes

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Director

Scott Derrickson

Writers

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Scott Derrickson, C. Robert Cargill

Producers

Jason Blum, C. Robert Cargill, Scott Derrickson

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