It is always challenging for a filmmaker who broke through with their debut film to land a second feature, as they will be assessed on whether they lived up to their own hype. Neill Blomkamp had a more difficult time of it than most, considering that his first feature, 2009’s District 9 , was a word-of-mouth hit that felt like a completely new spin on the science fiction genre, and earned surprising Academy Awards nominations for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay. So expectations were sky-high for his second film, 2013’s Elysium, which presented a grounded look at a not-so-distant future in which class discrepancies have resulted in mass inequality. Elysium was criticized at the time for being too pointed and obvious in its political criticisms, but the film has held up remarkably well when considering the dramatic changes to the U.S. healthcare system that have occurred within the 13 years since it was released. Now more than ever, Elysium isn’t just an entertaining cyberpunk thriller with appropriately gritty action, but a searing indictment of the consolidation of power in crisis situations.

Set in the year 2154, Elysium imagines an Earth that has become overpopulated and devastated by environmental damage, meaning that most citizens have to work under laborious conditions to keep producing technology. Pollution and the depletion of resources have made the planet largely inhospitable, as it is ravaged by disease; in response, the wealthiest and most powerful members of the human race have escaped to the space station Elysium, which circles the Earth and contains advanced medical supplies. Elysium is only accessible to those who can afford it — it’s designed to exclude people like Max Da Costa (Matt Damon), who has been denied any opportunities to cure his life-threatening illness because of his criminal history. Elysium looks at the differences between the haves and have-nots in a direct way, but Blomkamp’s exhilarating, visceral sci-fi mythology ensures that it is still a riveting genre film.

‘Elysium’ Is an Eerie, Terrifyingly Dystopian Story

Though it’s sci-fi, Elysium succeeds at creating a story audiences can identify with because the circumstances that Max is dealing with are relatable, regardless of whether they are connected to any sci-fi themes. Max is simply a man who is desperately looking for work to support both himself and his childhood friend, Frey (Alice Braga), whose daughter Matilda (Emma Tremblay) has leukemia. Although Max recognizes that he is competing against other poor people who are in the same position, and that he will have even more difficulties finding work because of his criminal history, injuries he sustains in the midst of performing manual labor soon make his own health status equally pressing. That average citizens would be stripped of the resources that they need to survive, let alone not be offered any dignity, is not a concept that is based in science fiction, as it reflects present reality far closer than anyone watching Elysium in 2013 would have expected. Blomkamp makes a smart environmentalist point by showing that it may be corporations and conglomerates that pollute the world, but it will be average people who have to pay the price.

Elysium uses its sci-fi premise to show how those with wealth can create their own reality because they are not burdened by any directive to show compassion. The notion of pooling medical resources for those of the upper class is not a science fiction concept, as the only “imagined” component in Blomkamp’s universe is that this would extend to the monopolization of space; today, it’s a much less farfetched concept than it appeared to be in 2013. Another smart link that Blomkamp makes is between the healthcare systems, the government, and the military-industrial complex, as he implies that they’ve all conspired to rig the market so that class ascension is impossible. This explains why characters like Max feel so powerless, and why they must resort to extreme measures in order to protect themselves; even if they spent a lifetime living by the rules of Earth’s governments, they could never hope to be among the select few allowed to live on Elysium.

‘Elysium’ Features a Compelling Moral Dilemma

Elysium thoughtfully considers what kinds of desperate situations could turn someone into a revolutionary figure, but the film is also a visceral action thriller that makes use of all the brutality allowed by an R-rating. There’s a significant disparity within the style of filmmaking used when depicting Earth and Elysium; the planet is dirty and damaged, feeling like a never-ending wasteland, whereas the space station has a slick, nearly retro-futuristic feel. The opulent beauty of Elysium is effective because it is infuriating to see the gross excess within a society that only allows a select few to enter, giving it an Imperialist feel. At the same time, the film paints a realistic portrayal of what Earth may look like should ecocide continue, and it’s a future that feels far more plausible in the aftermath of the U.S.’s exit from the Paris Accords.

Elysium presents a dark future that is sadly identifiable, but the film still works as a piece of summer entertainment because it does believe in heroes. Max is not just the perfect redemptive protagonist because he ends up learning that there is more to fight for than just himself; he becomes a symbol that the rest of those on Earth can get behind. Elysium showed in no uncertain terms what Earth could transform into if it headed on its current trajectory, but its most radical decision may have been its faith in human kindness.

Advertisement

Elysium

Advertisement

Release Date

August 9, 2013

Runtime

Advertisement

109 minutes

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Former Disney star Christy Carlson Romano is reflecting on child stardom just days after her peer, Hayden Panettiere, died suddenly at 36. In a personal essay, the “Even Stevens” actress compared child stardom to the deadly brain disease CTE.

4

Romano knows a thing or two about being a child star. In addition to working alongside Shia LaBeouf on “Even Stevens,” the actress appeared in her own series, “Kim Possible,” and the Disney Channel original film “Cadet Kelly.”

In a personal essay for Elle, Romano said nothing can prepare children for what it’s like to be famous at such a young age. “The former child actor exists in a category the world does not know how to hold,” she wrote. “We are children when the public wants to feel protective of us, professionals when the industry wants to profit from us, and spoiled celebrities when we eventually show symptoms of having been both.”

Romano, 42, said fame at an early age is comparable to “CTE,” the deadly brain disease Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. “Not as a diagnosis. As a way of thinking about repeated impact,” Romano added.

Hayden Panettiere Was Pronounced Dead At A South Carolina Residence In August 2026

4

Romano’s comments come just days after Panettiere was pronounced dead at a South Carolina residence in August 2026. First responders said that they were responding to a call about a person suffering a “cardiac arrest.”

Panettiere’s father released a statement to the media after her death, calling her an “incredible light and a force of nature.” He added that his daughter, who began acting at the age of 1, “brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her.”

Romano Is ‘Crushed’ Over Panettiere’s Death

4

Romano went even further about the harsh reality of being a child star in her personal essay, saying that while child actors are seen as “lucky” and “cute,” she said their labor “powers one of the most profitable storytelling machines in the world,” leaving some of them struggling with their mental health.

Regarding Panettiere’s death, Romano admitted she was “crushed” and deeply saddened by the news. “Another performer I grew up with, gone too soon,” she wrote.

Months before her death, Panettiere reflected on living her life in the spotlight from an early age and told Jay Shetty that it was really all she knew. According to the “Heroes” actress, acting was forced upon her almost instantly.

“I think it’s the way I was raised,” she said. “I was groomed. I was like a little soldier and I always have been. No was never an option. It was just, ‘Here are your scenes, here’s your dialogue, memorize it, hit the marks, do what your director tells you to do.’ I took my marching orders.”

Panettiere’s Relationship With Her Mother Was Painful

4

Panettiere detailed her time as a child star in her book, “This Is Me,” and said she felt the pressure to be top tier. Elsewhere in the memoir, the “Remember the Titans” actress opened up about her rocky relationship with her mother, Lesley, and said that disappointing her with a lackluster audition felt like “a fate worse than death.”

“When she was irritated, she opened her mouth ever so slightly. When she was mad, she clenched her jaw. When she was so angry that my best option was to hide under my bed, her lower jaw migrated a few centimeters forward. I looked up and back at Mom, and there was that soul-shattering underbite,” she wrote.

Viola Davis Honors Hayden Panettiere

Hollywood’s elite have come together over the last several days to honor Panettiere’s life. According to a previous report from The Blast, Davis shared a series of images of them on her Instagram and reflected on the time they spent together while making the film “Custody.”

“I saw this beautiful Phoenix rising from the ashes. Your tests became your testimony, and your testimony became your legacy. You will be remembered. Rest well, Hayden. Sending healing prayers to your family, your daughter, and all who loved you. May they always speak your name,” Davis captioned the post.

For nine seasons, Josh Radnor and his “How I Met Your Mother” co-stars spent countless hours together, becoming one of TV’s most beloved friend groups. Several years after the sitcom wrapped, however, that close-knit bond has changed. Radnor recently opened up about his relationship with his former castmates, revealing that he is no longer close with them while making it clear that he still has a deep love for all of them.

“How I Met Your Mother” aired for nine seasons from 2005 to 2014 with more than 200 episodes. It followed the lives of a tight-knit group of friends in New York City: Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor), Marshall Eriksen (Jason Segel), Lily Aldrin (Alyson Hannigan), Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris), and Robin Scherbatsky (Cobie Smulders), as they navigated the ups and downs of adulthood.

More than a decade after the series wrapped, Radnor shares that his relationship with his former co-stars has changed. Appearing on the “Half the Picture” podcast, the actor was asked if he’s still close to his TV friend group, to which he answered. “No. Not even a little bit.”

Radnor explained that the distance didn’t happen in “any dramatic way.” Rather, they just drifted apart.

“It’s like college where you have this very intense time together, and you can’t imagine not seeing each other every day because you’ve seen each other every day for so long. And then it just disperses, and you just go out and live your life,” Radnor said.

The Actor Has A Deep Love For His Former Castmates

Radnor shared that while the friendship dynamic has changed, he still gets to connect with his “HIMYM” co-stars in some capacity.

He exchanges text messages with Segel “once in a while” to reminisce about things that happened on set. Smulders appeared as a guest on his podcast via Zoom, as did Harris. As for Hannigan, Radnor shared that the actress attended his wedding in 2024, but hasn’t seen her since.

Radnor said his relationship with them was more like family, saying that they were cast in the series and didn’t “choose” each other. “You also have love that is quite deep and rich and probably everlasting, but it’s not an active love,” he explained.

Advertisement

Josh Radnor Had A ‘Healing’ Conversation With Neil Patrick Harris

Radnor co-hosts the podcast “How We Made Your Mother” with series co-creator Craig Thomas. In March, Harris appeared as a guest, and the former co-stars discussed their working relationship.

At one point, Harris said, “I always kind of felt that my performance annoyed you, Josh.” Radnor was surprised at the admission and asked Harris to elaborate. The latter said that in portraying his character, a charismatic womanizer, he sensed Radnor’s “frustration” over his “spit takes.”

Radnor said he felt a bit of “tension” at times, but in his opinion, it stemmed from drawing the line between Harris and the character he played. “Barney was often incredibly almost dismissive of Ted, and you were so good at playing that. I think sometimes I felt dismissed by Neil, but I was being dismissed by Barney,” Radnor said.

Despite the tension, Radnor admitted he enjoyed their “weird chemistry,” and Harris appreciated that they were able to have the conversation.

Josh Radnor Distanced Himself From ‘How I Met Your Mother’

After playing the hopeless romantic architect Ted Mosby for nine years, Radnor admitted that he did everything he could to distance himself from the show. He also rejected roles that had “any hint of single guy in the big city looking for love,” as he didn’t want to be typecast.

Advertisement

In the years following, he played a Civil War surgeon in the series “Mercy Street,” a high school drama teacher in “Rise,” and a Nazi-hunting movie star in “Hunters,” in addition to appearing in theater productions. He also took on roles behind the camera and pursued writing and directing.

Now that he has done multiple projects, he embraces his time on the series with the understanding that he is no longer defined by that one role.

‘How I Met Your Mother’ Had A Spin-Off Series

In 2022, the spin-off series “How I Met Your Father” premiered. While it featured a whole new cast and independent storyline, the show shares the same universe as the original series. It featured Hilary Duff as Sophie Tompkins, who, alongside her group of friends, navigates love and relationships in the age of dating apps.

Both Smulders and Harris returned to their respective roles as guest stars in separate episodes, though the series ultimately received mixed reviews and was canceled after two seasons.

Advertisement

There are very few actors who have re-defined the action movie like Keanu Reeves. The Matrix remains an impeccable blend of mind-bending visual effects and beautifully brutal fight scenes, and a true game changer for pop culture. Speed is the kind of white-knuckle thriller that’s rare to find these days. John Wick created an entirely new subgenre of action movies that lasts to this day. One of Reeves’ more underrated action movies is currently available to stream on Netflix, and it takes a fantasy-fueled approach to an iconic Japanese legend.

That movie is 47 Ronin, which made its debut all the way back in 2013. Adapting the story of Chūshingura, 47 Ronin takes place in the waning days of feudal-era Japan and follows Kai (Reeves), a half-Japanese, half-British swordsman. Kai is taken in by a prominent samurai, but when said samurai is killed by his rival, Lord Kira (Tadanobu Asano), Kai joins forces with 47 of the samurai’s men to take their vengeance. Though it was critically panned upon release, 47 Ronin is at least worth a watch to see how certain legends can change based on the medium they’re in.

’47 Ronin’ Blends An Iconic Japanese Legend With Fantasy Elements

Image by Universal

The tale of the 47 Ronin is surprisingly straightforward: after their master is slain, the titular warriors break into his killer’s house and exact vengeance, ultimately committing seppuku after they’re caught. While 47 Ronin keeps the same story beats, it shakes things up by introducing supernatural elements. Kai fights a massive golem in one scene that takes on the form of a samurai warrior. In another, he has to do battle with a massive, serpentine dragon. The ronin must also contend with Mizuki (Rinko Kikuchi), the malevolent witch who aids Kira in his goals. These fantasy elements caused most of the criticism, as some critics felt what should have been a simple samurai tale came off more like a Lord of the Rings ripoff.

47 Ronin became one of the biggest box-office bombs of 2013, with blame shifted to Universal Pictures for locking director Carl Rinsch out of the editing process and trying to beef up Reeves’ role in the narrative. 47 Ronin would eventually receive a sequel in the form of Blade of the 47 Ronin, where one of the ronin’s blades ends up at the center of yet another supernatural battle. It was even more off the wall than its predecessor, though it skipped theaters in favor of the VOD route. Carl Rinsch would later be tapped to helm the science fiction series White Horse for Netflix, but that fell apart when the streamer sued him for misspending the funds.

Keanu Reeves Surprisingly Isn’t the Standout of ’47 Ronin’

Despite having top billing in 47 Ronin, Keanu Reeves has a very small role in the final movie. Part of that is due to the fact that Reeves was making his directorial debut in the martial arts movie Man of Tai Chi, but the fact is that the story already had a protagonist in the form of Yoshio Ōishi (Hiroyuki Sanada). In the original legend of the 47 Ronin, Ōishi serves as the leader of the other Ronin; Sanada brings a gravity to the scene that helps ground the story in actual emotion. Sanada also told Collider prior to 47 Ronin‘s release that the movie held a special meaning for him:

“It’s a very special movie for me. Not only a Samurai thing. Not only a Hollywood fantasy. It has a very special mixture between Japanese traditional culture and Western culture for the costume, set, story. Everything. I believe it will be a very special film that no one has ever seen.”

While 47 Ronin might not be among Keanu Reeves’ best movies, it’s definitely ambitious enough to warrant a watch. The mix of history and fantasy is the kind of bold swing you rarely see in Hollywood, and it proves Reeves still pushes the boundaries of what can be done in the action genre.

Advertisement

Release Date

December 25, 2013

Advertisement

Runtime

128 Minutes

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Consider this your sign to squeeze a few more romantic dresses into your wardrobe before summer slips away. Isla Fisher made the case for a dreamy floral maxi that works for everything from date nights to late-summer weddings, and we found a similar style on Amazon for $64.

Fisher was spotted in New York City on August 17, 2026, wearing a cream floral gown covered in a vintage-inspired pink print. Between the slimming mermaid silhouette, delicate bow-tie straps and soft color palette, the dress style has an effortlessly romantic feel that’s practically made for a candlelit dinner.

Get the Kutumai Ruffle Long Floral Maxi Dress for $64 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication, August 19, 2026, but are subject to change.

Luckily, recreating the look doesn’t require a celebrity-sized budget. The $64 Kutumai Floral Maxi Dress captures the same feminine feel with a cream backdrop, pink florals and a long, fitted shape. And while we like the rosy color, the dress also comes in black, light blue, lavender and several other shades on Amazon.

Related: Vanessa Hudgens’ Sparkly Date Night Bag Has a $24 Lookalike

Advertisement

Vanessa Hudgens found an accessory that can make even the simplest fall date night outfit feel instantly more glamorous. A sparkly silver bag adds just enough shimmer to jeans and a cute top, a little black dress or even a cozy sweater-and-skirt combo. And while her version looks seriously luxe, you can recreate the vibe […]

Made with soft, semi-stretchy fabric, the dress hugs and flatters the figure up top before flowing out into a champagne-flute shape that’s similar to Fisher’s. The sleeveless maxi also features a thick, double-layered design for a more substantial feel.

Shoppers are just as taken with the ‘fit. One reviewer called it the “perfect dress for formal or everyday occasions” and said the “champagne flute silhouette is so flattering.” Meanwhile, another buyer shopping as a wedding guest wrote that the dress is “extremely comfortable” and “hugs the waist and hip just right.”

With warm evenings still on the calendar, there’s plenty of time to put this romantic look to work. Wear it for date nights, dinners, outdoor weddings or any end-of-summer plan that calls for something a little more upscale than your usual sundress — all while getting Fisher’s dreamy floral look for $64.

Swooning over Fisher’s floral dress? Shop more romantic Amazon options below!

Shop more floral maxi dresses that we love:

Not your style? Explore more floral dresses here, and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

UsNow Summer Sale Alert: These Chic Fashion Finds are over 30% off – Plus Free Shipping

Welcome to summer with our biggest sale of the year. This summer’s chicest dresses, tops and swimsuits are all over 30% + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.

Shop the UsNow Summer Sale –> 

Advertisement

Related: Karlie Kloss Proved Polka Dots Are the Prettiest Print of Summer

Karlie Kloss may have just convinced Us to give our floral dresses a break. The supermodel’s latest look puts a fresh spin on classic polka dots, pairing the playful print with an ultra-feminine silhouette that feels made for the final weeks of summer. Even better, we found a similar style for less than $30. Kloss […]

Editor’s note: The below contains spoilers for Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi.

When it comes to a franchise as rich in lore as Star Wars, it’s sometimes difficult to reconcile what fans think or understand about certain aspects. One of those is what it really means for the Force to be in balance and how to achieve it, which is usually followed by the concept of Grey Jedi as individuals who can supposedly draw from both the Light and Dark Sides of the Force to walk the path between the Jedi and the Sith. The franchise’s most recent release, Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi, fully debunks this idea and, for the first time in a Lucasfilm-produced Star Wars project, proves that there is no such thing as Grey Jedi.

‘The Ninth Jedi’ Deconstructs the Idea of the Grey Jedi

The idea of Grey Jedi has been around for a while, and The Ninth Jedi tackles it head-on in its first season as a proper Star Wars: Visions spin-off. In the story, former Jedi and antagonist Nawaam (Young Mazino) believes in the “State of Nothingness” to truly achieve balance and bring peace and order to the galaxy, discarding the path of both the Jedi and the Sith. Protagonist Lah Kara (Kimiko Glenn) and her father, Lah Zhima (Simu Liu), also reach Nothingness.

At first glance, Nothingness might seem attractive. It’s an emotionless state of heightened senses that makes a lightsaber blade glow silver; in The Ninth Jedi, a lightsaber’s color reflects its wielder’s heart. This allows warriors to make decisions they otherwise couldn’t as Jedi or Sith, including killing, claiming to truly be guided by the Force without emotions clouding their judgments. Zhima himself is a master of Nothingness, and that’s what influences both Nawaam and Kara to pursue it in their own ways.

Although The Ninth Jedi doesn’t explicitly call it that, Nothingness is very similar to how Grey Jedi approach the Force, but it outright rejects this concept. During their climactic final battle, both Nawaam’s and Kara’s lightsabers revert to colored blades; Kara’s goes back to Jedi green, while Nawaam’s becomes red for the first time. Right then, it becomes clear that each character’s actions have weight and tilt them towards opposite directions in the Force.

Lucasfilm Canon Is Clear About What True Balance in the Force Really Means

Image via Lucasfilm

Like the State of Nothingness, the idea of Grey Jedi might seem reasonable at first, especially given that most tragedies in Star Wars stem from characters who don’t really fit within the Jedi or Sith framework, like Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver). This gives the false impression that both approaches are equally wrong, or that “calibrating” these characters towards the center would prevent new tragedies.

That’s not how it works at all. Even before Disney established the new canon, Star Wars, as created by George Lucas, makes clear that using the Force in unnatural ways throws it off balance. It isn’t about finding common ground between the Dark Side and the Light, but following the will of the Force instead of bending it to your will. The concept of Grey Jedi as a representation of balance is therefore fundamentally wrong, because every dark deed, small as it may be and as necessary as it might seem, causes imbalance.

The Ninth Jedi isn’t official canon (nothing connected to Star Wars: Visions is), but it offers the clearest understanding of how the Force really works. Kara achieves Nothingness, but turns back to the Light once she understands that balance is about selflessness, not neutrality or a “flow state.” Meanwhile, Nawaam is so fixated on this false notion of balance that he becomes obsessive about it, finally revealing the darkness inherent to neutrality. Grey is many shades darker than the Light, after all.

Are There Actually Any Grey Jedi in Star Wars?

Nawaam is particularly enticing because, in the eagerness of trying to make sense of his interpretation of the Force, people might feel the urge to label him as a Grey Jedi, but that’s wrong. He isn’t a Jedi at all, and wielding a lightsaber of any color doesn’t necessarily make anyone a Jedi of any “shade” (although Jedi don’t have “shades,” too). This misguided notion of balance that some subscribe to often leads to wrong conclusions about characters as nuanced as Nawaam, including fan-favorites.

Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson), for example, isn’t “grey” at all. He is definitely a maverick among the Jedi for confronting the Council when no one else dares to. If anything, Qui-Gon shines even brighter in the Light than the Council of his time. Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson), who straight up leaves the Order due to irreconcilable differences during the Clone Wars, also isn’t “grey,” having repeatedly proven her commitment to the Light.

This concept of “Grey Jedi” gained traction especially after Knights of the Old Republic introduced Jolee Bindo, a Jedi who claims to see the Force “only in grey” — so much so that he actually leaves the Jedi because he knows he doesn’t fit within the Order anymore. Revan himself is like a “poster child” for Grey Jedi enthusiasts, when, in fact, he has swung so much between the Jedi and the Sith that he ends up being neither. The Ninth Jedi, despite not being official Star Wars canon, has not only challenged the very concept of the Grey Jedi in the franchise but also redefined what true balance in the Force really means.

Very few actors had quite the reputation and range that Jimmy Stewart did, with the actor crossing into nearly every major genre during his career. But aside from the likes of It’s a Wonderful Life and Rear Window, perhaps the most prolific genre of the movie star’s career was the American Western, a type of motion picture that idealized the Old West while often analyzing modern issues. One such Western was the 1950 picture Broken Arrow, which jumped leaps and bounds ahead of its contemporaries when it came to representing Native American peoples in a positive light.

In fact, the film was so notable, earning itself three Oscar nominations and a Golden Globe Award for Best Film Promoting International Understanding, that ABC opted to bring the story to television just six years later, albeit without the picture’s delectable star. Even without Stewart in the lead, the Western became a two-season, 72-episode series.

Jimmy Stewart’s ‘Broken Arrow’ Led to a Television Adaptation Years Later

The thing about Broken Arrow is that, although it cast non-Native actors in Apache Indian roles (which was common practice in Hollywood back in the day), it was leaps and bounds ahead of many other Westerns in the way they tackled Native American issues. Prior to that, films like Stagecoach and Drums Along the Mohawk depicted these “wild warriors” as simple antagonists with no real depth. Broken Arrow, while not the only film to do this, was one of the first to give a real voice to the Indigenous population, which was hard to come by in 1950. Of course, it helps that the film was based on Elliott Arnold‘s book Blood Brothers, which itself was based on the real-life history and friendship between Tom Jeffords and Apache chief Cochise (played in the picture by James Stewart and Jeff Chandler respectively).

Throughout the film, Jeffords and Cochise come to a mutual respect, and Jeffords (contrary to the historical account), even falls in love with and marries an Apache woman, Sonseeahray (Debra Paget). The pair begin to broker a real peace between the United States and the Apache people, and ultimately succeed. While the real story was a lot more bloody and a bit more tragic, the film offers us an idealistic take on how things might have gone. But where the motion picture opted to tell its own version of the events chronicled in Arnold’s account, the television adaptation of the book honored the original material a bit better. Keeping the popular and instantly recognizable Broken Arrow title, the series brought back Tom Jeffords and Cochise, now played by John Lupton and Michael Ansara (yes, the voice of Mr. Freeze in Batman: The Animated Series), starting with a reboot of the events told in the 1950 film.

Premiering on ABC in September 1956, Broken Arrow was instantly hailed as a classic by Donald Kirkley of The Baltimore Sun, who compared it favorably against the last season’s poorly received Brave Eagle. “Broken Arrow, although not without its shortcomings, is the best television program about Indians made yet,” the reviewer noted, hailing the show’s attempts at historical accuracy regarding the Apache people, and Cochise in particular. While the Blood Brothers book was still a fictional account, Arnold had carefully researched the life and friendship of Jeffords and Cochise, hence the television production’s decision to base itself strictly on the novel. Broadcasting Magazine once noted that the show was able to “skillfully [cram] a lot of story into 30 minutes.”

The ‘Broken Arrow’ TV Show Honored the Film’s Lofty Ideals

Image via ABC

Advertisement

What the show did best, though, was build upon the ideals and themes first established in the 1950 film and continue the idea that the “white eyes” and Native Americans are equal, both in value and presence. John Lupton and Michael Ansara have pretty equal screen time on the show, something many outlets praised for its bold stance on the Native American issue. “This kind of friendship, although fairly common on the frontier, is very rare in fiction in any form,” remarked Kirkley, who adds that the dynamic between Lupton and Ansara’s characters is the kind of “freshness” that television needed at the time. This was done by design from the very beginning, as the series wanted to take the film’s concepts of tolerance and equality a step further onto the broadcast airwaves.

“We’ve created a happy medium between Jeffords and the Indian leader Cochise,” John Lupton told The Minneapolis Star in a 1957 interview. “Early this season we attempted to concentrate on Jeffords, but we found we were losing some of our audience and returned to the original format.” It turns out, the biggest reason folks tuned into ABC on Tuesday nights in the late 1950s was because of the very thing that Broken Arrow promoted, a shared understanding and experience of the Old West that blended these two cultures together. Ansara and Lupton worked well together, and the pair would play their characters side-by-side for 72 episodes between 1956 and 1958, at a time when the civil rights movement was really picking up steam. Still, even that wasn’t enough to keep the show (sometimes called Cochise in syndication) around for a third season.

According to The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946–Present by Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh, ABC switched Broken Arrow from Tuesday nights — where it played with The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp and Cheyenne — to Sundays midway through its second season, perhaps due to declining ratings. Unfortunately, that also marked the end of the series’ run on television. In total, the series ran for an impressive two seasons, each of which sees Jeffords and Cochise working together to keep the peace between two otherwise intolerant groups. Sure, sometimes things got out of hand, and there are plenty of bad actors on both sides who show up to cause some real trouble, but these blood brothers handle it together. Today, Broken Arrow is often forgotten in favor of its slightly older feature film counterpart, no doubt due to James Stewart’s exceptional performance.

‘Broken Arrow’ Is an Excellent Film, Even if the TV Version Was Lacking

But although Broken Arrow, the television series, was bold in its approach to racial discrepancies and issues, it couldn’t quite live up to the standard of the 1950 film. Budget aside, John Lupton was no James Stewart, and many criticized the actor’s portrayal as “not quite tough enough” (per The Baltimore Sun). Likewise, Ansara was deemed the same, and the pair, though earnest in their portrayals, have been tossed aside in favor of the more dynamic Chandler and Stewart duo. It’s not surprising either, since Broken Arrow, the film, does such a powerful job at tackling this conflict in 93 minutes, while the television series ran for 72 individual 30 minute installments. It’s not hard to see why some would prefer the shorter narrative with the better actors over the longer series with decent performances.

While not as famous as some of Stewart’s other iconic Westerns, such as How the West Was Won, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, and The Man from Laramie, nor as excellent as others like The Naked Spur or Winchester ’73, his 1950 feature was a major accomplishment. Its success led to a relatively successful television show, and proved to Hollywood that the life and perspective of Native American people also matter. They weren’t just villainous warriors set to raid your camp, nor were they one-dimensional caricatures who speak only when spoken to; they’re layered and complex, just like everyone else. Like the novel that inspired them, both Broken Arrow adaptations honored their historical figures well, and challenged us to strive for a better, more peaceful world.

Broken Arrow, the film, is available for streaming on Peacock in the U.S., while the television series is sadly not available on streaming.

Advertisement

Broken Arrow (1950)

Release Date

Advertisement

August, 1950

Runtime

93 minutes

Advertisement

Director

Delmer Daves

Writers

Advertisement

Elliott Arnold, Albert Maltz, Michael Blankfort

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Married at First Sight alum Ryan Ranellone is speaking out about the shocking death of his former season 2 castmate and friend Ryan de Nino.

“We stayed in contact the first couple of years after the show, but after some of the fallout with the TV show, unfortunately not a lot of people heard from him,” Ranellone, 39, exclusively told Us. “I just think he had kind of a rough go, the way things were portrayed and so forth.”

De Nino and ex-wife Jessica Castro met for the first time on their televised wedding day, which aired in 2015. The pair, however, split weeks later and Jessica, 42, filed a restraining order against de Nino. She claimed at the time that he allegedly threatened her and her family.

When the exes came together at the season 2 reunion, Jessica tossed de Nino a $100 bill because he “needed the money” more than she did. He took the cash and left the set without addressing the allegations.

Related: Celebrity Deaths of 2026: ‘Heroes‘ Alum Hayden Panettiere and More

Hollywood mourned the deaths of some of its most legendary stars in 2026. In June, legendary music executive Clive Davis also died at age 94 following a hospitalization for an upper respiratory infection. The following month, G.R.L. member Lauren Bennett died at age 37, while Bonnie Tyler died at 75. Emergency!‘s Randolph Mantooth and Police […]

On a hot mic at the time, de Nino said, “She’s f***ing dead. When I get back to Brooklyn, she’s f***ing dead, this girl.” MAFS producers provided Jessica with a security team after de Nino’s alleged threat.

“After the show aired they had a reunion show, and he had gotten into an argument on TV with his — at that time, soon to be ex-wife. I guess he said something backstage, like he was gonna hurt [her]. He was pissed. He was really pissed off about whatever she said,” Ranellone told Us.

He continued, “I guess someone on the show heard [his comments], and then they had to report it to her and her family that he kind of made mention of some sort of violence. And then she put a restraining order against him.”

A source exclusively told Us that de Nino faced “a lot of negativity” after the show, which was “really a shame.”

“He was angry, and kind of got a bad rap,” the insider said. “It wasn’t a positive experience for him. I don’t think he could get away from it.”

The source shared that de Nino had “often said” before appearing on MAFS that he was set to be a cast member on Jersey Shore, but “got cold feet and decided not to do it.”

“And then he ended up on MAFS,” the insider recalled. “I think he struggled to find direction, especially after the show aired. He had a really hard time with all the comments online about him after the reunion. He was getting a ton of comments online, on social media, on Reddit. People talking about him and his family. He got paid $1,200 an episode for all that. It’s not even worth it in the end. All the negativity was very challenging.”

Years after season 2 aired, de Nino’s sister Melissa shared that he died. A cause of death was not disclosed in the Facebook announcement on August 11. After learning of de Nino’s death, Ranellone reached out to the family.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

Related: MAFS’ Jessica Castro Reveals When She Found Out Ex Died: ‘Never My Place’

Married at First Sight alum Jessica Castro is opening up about her decision to remain relatively quiet in the wake of her ex-husband Ryan de Nino’s sudden death at 40. After being asked whether Ryan died in the comments on her most recent Instagram post, Jessica, 42, responded to confirm his death. “Yes, unfortunately it’s […]

Advertisement

“Ryan was a good guy. He had a lot of good characteristics. He had a very strong, loyal friend base. People that would do a lot for him,” Ranellone said.

Ranellone, for his part, found love about a year after appearing on the show.

“I bought a home in East Northport [New York]. We’ve been together for 10 years. My business is great. Family’s good. You know, there’s no regrets in my life,” he said. “The show was a blessing for me in so many ways. I do not regret it whatsoever. And I’m happy for the people that do try to go forward with it. It’s just for those people that have a hard time with the public being up your ass. Either you lean into it or you run away from it. But thank God, thank God, everything is great on our end and we just keep moving forward.”

Ever since it was first teased back in 2021, folks have wondered if Taylor Sheridan‘s Texas-based Yellowstone spin-off would ever happen. Deemed 6666 — as in, the historic Four Sixes Ranch — the proposed spin-off would have grown out of Jimmy Hurdstrom’s (Jefferson White) arc in Season 4. Sheridan had already bought the ranch, which made the whole thing feel like a done deal over at Paramount. Only, the Yellowstone Universe architect has revealed that the project was never going to happen.

Sorry Folks, Taylor Sheridan Says That ‘6666’ Ain’t Happening

After years of speculation as to how Sheridan might continue Jimmy’s story in this long-anticipated spin-off that could have been the modern equivalent of a show like Rawhide, the Yellowstone creator has officially closed the book on the project. Paramount had only offered a few select updates over the years, such as that 6666 had moved development from Paramount+ to the Paramount Network, but nothing concrete had ever been disclosed. Even Jefferson White didn’t know what was happening (or, in this case, not happening) behind the scenes. However, on a recent episode of the Rodeo Time podcast, Sheridan made it clear that 6666 was never a priority at all. When speaking about the idea of 6666, here is what Sheridan had to say:

“There’s never going to be one. I would never fictionalize that ranch. I would never do that because, at some point, what you have to do to sustain it… I’ve actually got on my computer all the scenes of Jimmy at the Four Sixes pulled out, right, and strung together — and it makes its own perfect little movie. Where you watch him go there as this misfit and leave, you know, a man and a respected cowboy.

For Sheridan, 6666 would almost be disrespectful to those who actually live and breathe the brand itself. “To me, if I were to try and make some kind of show about the Four Sixes, now I’m making up lives,” he added. “Now I have to invent a drama, right?” Because the Four Sixes is a working ranch, actual cowboys from Texas appeared as themselves on Yellowstone during its fourth and fifth seasons when the Dutton cowboys headed south. To tell a story about the historical ranch without including them would be impossible, meaning that Sheridan would have to invent new ones to fill the gap — and Jimmy and his wife Emily (Kathryn Kelly) wouldn’t have been enough.

Unlike Yellowstone, which was set on a fictional ranch in a fictional version of the real Paradise Valley, 6666 would require too much real-world connection to work. More than that, it would likely end up disrupting the flow of the actual historical Four Sixes ranch itself. The Chief Joseph Ranch in Darby, Montana — the actual location of the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch — was probably challenging enough to film at, considering that it too is an active cattle brand, but for the Texas operation, cowboying is everything. On one hand, it’s a shame that we’ll never see 6666 come to fruition, but on the other, we can understand Sheridan’s desire not to commercialize the livelihood of those who have made it what it is. “I’m very protective of the Sixes,” the cowboy-turned-filmmaker added. “And it’s a big responsibility to be the person who has to protect that brand.”

Sheridan’s Reasoning Makes Sense — but We’d Love a ‘6666’ Movie

Despite his thoughts on 6666 as a long-form television spin-off, Sheridan’s comments about Jimmy’s arc on Yellowstone are curious. Perhaps it would be fun to see his arc down south at the Four Sixes turned into a feature film, if not just to highlight what was arguably the best character arc in the show’s later seasons. Sure, it’s unlikely, but given how Paramount continues to boost the Dutton brand post-Kevin Costner, nothing is impossible. If Sheridan already has the Four Sixes arc all cut out and ready for a feature re-edit, let’s have at it!

As far as the Yellowstone Universe’s future in the great state of Texas, Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) and Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) have already migrated down south to the fictional Rio Paloma on Dutton Ranch. Although Sheridan isn’t as involved in this sequel series as he was in previous Dutton dramas, it seems like his narrative focus has shifted back to the Lone Star State in recent years. Aside from the Yellowstone brand, his shows Landman and Lioness have likewise found themselves settled in Texas (the latter spent time on the border during the second season), and Tulsa King took place just north in Oklahoma. If anyone knows Texas, it’s Taylor Sheridan.

Yellowstone is available for streaming on Peacock.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

2018 – 2024-00-00

Network

Advertisement

Paramount Network

Directors

Stephen Kay, Taylor Sheridan, Christina Alexandra Voros, Guy Ferland, John Dahl

Advertisement

Writers

John Coveny, Ian McCulloch

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

The LEGO Group is heading back to Tim Burton’s Gotham City with a massive new Batmobile set inspired by Michael Keaton’s Dark Knight.

LEGO has officially unveiled the LEGO DC Batman: Batman Returns Batmobile, a 2,269-piece collector set recreating the iconic vehicle from the 1992 film Batman Returns. It marks the first time the movie’s specific version of the Batmobile has been recreated as a full LEGO brick model.

Designed for adult collectors, the new Batmobile measures more than 17 inches long, 6.5 inches wide and four inches tall. The build recreates the vehicle’s elongated body, rear jet turbine, opening canopy and detailed cockpit. LEGO has also hidden six Easter eggs throughout the model, including The Penguin’s tracking device.

The biggest feature, however, comes directly from one of Batman Returns’ most memorable Batmobile sequences.

Lego Batman

At the press of a button, the sides of the LEGO Batmobile separate using a newly designed lift-arm mechanism to reveal the Batmissile hidden inside. The transformation recreates Batman’s escape vehicle from the movie and allows collectors to display the finished model in either its standard Batmobile configuration or its slimmer Batmissile form.

LEGO developed three new elements specifically for the set, including a new Batman minifigure cowl. The set also comes with an exclusive Michael Keaton-inspired Batman minifigure featuring a newly molded cape and its own display stand bearing the Batman Returns logo.

The LEGO DC Batman: Batman Returns Batmobile, set #76355, will be available to LEGO Insiders beginning September 1, 2026, before receiving its full release on September 4, 2026. The set will retail for $229.99 in the United States.

More than three decades after Batman Returns hit theaters, Keaton’s Batmobile remains one of the most recognizable vehicles in superhero movie history, and LEGO’s newest release gives fans one of its most detailed brick-built versions yet.