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Set to arrive on May 2, 2025, Marvel Studios prepares for a defining shift with the launch of Thunderbolts*. Breaking a 13-year tradition of sequels, this upcoming film charts a bold new course for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). A new addition to the super-antihero genre, it stands apart as an original addition that redefines the studio’s approach to storytelling. Let's explore how ‘Thunderbolts*’ breaks new ground and what this film means for the future of the MCU. Thunderbolts*: Grand Finale of MCU’s Phase Five Based on Marvel Comics’ Thunderbolts team, the action film flourishes with Jake Schreier as its director and Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo as screenwriters.  The ensemble cast features Sebastian Stan, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, Olga Kurylenko, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Geraldine Viswanathan, Lewis Pullman, and Hannah John-Kamen. Read more: Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible 8 - The Final Reckoning Marks the Longest Film of the Franchise The screenplay, penned by Joanna Calo and Eric Pearson, sets the stage for a narrative where a group of antiheroes is forced into an alliance. They navigate a perilous mission that pushes them to their limits. As the 36th installment in the MCU, Thunderbolts* marks a pivotal moment, closing the universe’s Phase 5, which kicked off with ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ in 2023. The phase has since unfolded with ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,’ ‘The Marvels,’ and ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ in 2024. It follows the action-packed trajectory leading into ‘Captain America: Brave New World’, released earlier this year on February 14th. Universe Boosting Addition: It’s All About May ‘Thunderbolts*’ is set to disrupt the MCU’s familiar rhythm, ushering in a new era that challenges the franchise’s established release tradition. Slated for a May release, it will be the first non-sequel film in the franchise to land in this month since ‘The Avengers’ in 2012. Read more: China's Ne Zha 2 Stays Atop Hollywood's ‘A Minecraft Movie’ at the Worldwide Box Office The MCU’s journey began in May 2008 with ‘Iron Man,’ followed by its sequel just two years later. By 2011, Thor arrived, fresh and original, further cementing the month as prime real estate for Marvel’s new entries. Then came ‘The Avengers’ in 2012, paving the way for what would become a steady stream of Marvel sequels. As the universe expanded, its May releases predominantly featured sequels to its most successful franchises. From The Avengers to Captain America and even Guardians of the Galaxy, the trend continued, establishing May as the go-to month for Marvel's blockbuster returns. ‘Thunderbolts*’, however, represents a departure from this pattern, bringing a fresh story into the mix. Looking ahead, Phase 6 will kick off with ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ in July 2025, and the phase will close with ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ in 2027. Interestingly, the next Avengers films, including ‘Avengers: Doomsday,’ will continue the May tradition, set to release in 2026 and 2027. This makes ‘Thunderbolts*,’ the last non-sequel Marvel film for at least the next two years, set it apart as a rare entry in the universe. Read more: South Indian Films Releasing in May 2025: Must-watch Lineup More Surprises to Follow Marvel Studios stands firmly confident as it embraces change after 13 years. Far from being a filler, ‘Thunderbolts*’ is ready to shake up the MCU with an unpredictable twist. Early glimpses from the trailer provide tantalising clues, setting the stage for dramatic character arcs and shocking revelations. The mystery deepens with every clip, sparking theories and raising questions. A standout moment features Geraldine Viswanathan’s character, Mel, wearing a necklace that closely resembles Songbird’s iconic symbol. Whether tied to Valentina or not, fans are increasingly convinced that she’s hiding her true identity as Melissa Gold. Read more: Kesari Chapter 2 Review: Akshay Kumar Fronts a Bold Patriotic Courtroom Saga Moreover, the trailer teases the arrival of the powerful and dangerous Sentry, with Lewis Pullman embodying the Void, the sinister alter ego. This marks a darker turn for the narrative, shifting the tone in unexpected ways. Meanwhile, the Thunderbolts team—Bucky, Yelena, Ghost, John Walker, Taskmaster, and Red Guardian—seems to be operating under tension. Strained alliances and glimpses of brutal action hint at deep fractures within the team. Movies and Series That Lead to This Game Changer Breaking free from the sequel-heavy formula of the MCU, Thunderbolts allows the story to unfold without the burden of previous expectations. By drawing together both heroes and villains from various corners of the universe, the film explores fresh dynamics and complex histories, weaving together characters from past films and series. Read more: Top Pakistani Dramas in 2025 Showcasing Strong Female Leads From ‘Black Widow’ (2021), Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova and David Harbour’s Red Guardian return, continuing their storylines. Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Valentina Allegra de Fontaine also plays a pivotal role. ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ (2014) deepens the character of Bucky Barnes, now free from Hydra’s grasp and navigating a new life. Meanwhile, ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp’ (2018) introduces Ghost, played by Hannah John-Kamen, whose mysterious arc is bound to play a key role in the Thunderbolts team. Read more: May 2025 Bollywood Releases: 10 Most Hyped Hindi Films To Watch In ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ (2021), Bucky’s journey toward redemption unfolds, while John Walker and Valentina’s alliance begins to take shape. Similarly, in ‘Hawkeye’ (2021), Yelena’s pursuit of Clint Barton, driven by her anger at the loss of her sister Nat, adds emotional depth that will carry over into ‘Thunderbolts*’. As Yelena returns, her quest for purpose and revenge promises to be a compelling emotional core of the film. Final Words Thunderbolts* breaks the MCU's 13-year trend as the first non-sequel film, marking a pivotal turn in the franchise’s evolution. The fresh release brings together both anti-heroes and villains from past installments, adding unexpected twists and deepening the stakes. This final entry of Phase 5 lays the groundwork for the next two years of MCU movies, making it a crucial addition to the universe. Read more: May 2025 Amazon Prime Video Originals Streaming Lineup: Movies, Series, Shows

After decades of redefining spy cinema, Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible saga prepares to launch the franchise’s boldest adventure yet. Arriving in theatres on May 23, 2025, the 8th installment officially claims the title of the longest runtime in the history of the film series. With tension and daring action at its peak, the next mission is poised to leave an enduring mark. Let’s dive into how Mission: Impossible (M:I) 8 - The Final Reckoning elevates the thrilling legacy to new heights. Direction, Cast, and Plot of Mission: Impossible 8  Subtitled ‘The Final Reckoning,’ this spy action film thrives under the direction of Christopher McQuarrie, who co-wrote its screenplay with Erik Jendresen. Picking up the pieces after ‘Dead Reckoning Part One,’ the next chapter in the M:I saga dives deeper into Ethan Hunt’s high-stakes battle against the formidable AI known as the Entity. Armed with vital knowledge, Hunt races to reunite his loyal team and track down the sunken Russian submarine rumoured to hold the Entity’s source code — the only hope to dismantle it. Read more: China's Ne Zha 2 Stays Atop Hollywood's ‘A Minecraft Movie’ at the Worldwide Box Office Cruise once again leads the charge, joined by returning forces Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Henry Czerny, and Angela Bassett. Alongside them, Pom Klementieff adds new energy, while Vanessa Kirby returns to continue her arc from the first Reckoning film. McQuarrie and Cruise drive production under the banner of Skydance Media and TC Productions, respectively. Franchise’s Latest Film 'The Final Reckoning' with the Longest Runtime According to Paramount Pictures, The Final Reckoning is set to deliver an epic runtime of 2 hours and 49 minutes (169 minutes). This marks a major jump from the first Mission: Impossible film (1996), which kept things tight at just 110 minutes, the shortest in the entire saga. Even ‘Dead Reckoning Part One’ slightly trailed behind, clocking in at 2 hours and 43 minutes (163 minutes). Read more: South Indian Films Releasing in May 2025: Must-watch Lineup M:I 2 (2000) ran for 124 minutes, M:I 3 (2006) stretched to 126 minutes, and Ghost Protocol (2011) reached 133 minutes. Rogue Nation (2015) slightly dipped to 131 minutes, while Fallout (2018) expanded to 147 minutes. Aside from the small exception of Rogue Nation, each installment has steadily grown in length. Now, the Reckoning duology has formed a two-part story. Fans gearing up for this grand finale should set aside a combined 5 hours and 2 minutes (332 minutes) of pulse-pounding adventure. Longest Film of Ethan Hunt’s, Not Tom Cruise’s Despite its impressive length, MI’s eighth installment does not claim the title of Cruise’s longest film. That distinction belongs to Paul Thomas Anderson’s Magnolia, the 1999 psychological drama. It unfolds over a sweeping 3 hours and 8 minutes (188 minutes). Read more: Kesari Chapter 2 Review: Akshay Kumar Fronts a Bold Patriotic Courtroom Saga Still, this M:I movie secures a strong second place in Cruise’s filmography, edging just ahead of Dead Reckoning Part One.

Fantasy animation movie ‘Ne Zha 2,’ released on January 29, 2025, is running successfully at the worldwide box office. It now fends off fresh competition from the live-action fantasy comedy ‘A Minecraft Movie,’ which debuted on April 4 this year. Their cinematic face-off brings new energy to global screens. Let’s dive into how a mythical hero from the East keeps building victories over a pixel-powered quest from the West. Ne Zha Universe at a Glance The ‘Ne Zha’ universe, delicately woven from ancient Chinese mythology, is brought vividly to life by writer-director Jiaozi (Yang Yu). The saga began with ‘Ne Zha’ (2019), a groundbreaking fantasy animation inspired by Xu Zhonglin’s 16th-century epic ‘Investiture of the Gods’. It introduced a fiery yet misunderstood boy born from a spirit bead, destined to battle evil while carrying the weight of society’s fear and rejection. Amidst chaos and heroism, Ne Zha’s clash with Ao Bing ended in sacrifice, though their souls endured. In the direct sequel, ‘Ne Zha 2: The Devil Boy Churns the Sea’, the narrative rises again, this time with Taiyi Zhenren’s mystical plan. The deity aims to restore the two fallen warriors using the sacred seven-coloured lotus. Read more: South Indian Films Releasing in May 2025: Must-watch Lineup Ne Zha 2’s Journey From Mainland China to Hollywood With a production budget soaring to 600 million yuan, 'Ne Zha 2' stands as a creative milestone and China’s most expensive animated film to date. The figure is more than USD 80 million, based on an exchange rate of 1 Chinese Yuan = USD 0.14. Within just three days of its domestic release, the film surged past 1.1 billion yuan (USD 150.95 million). With the figure, it gets the fastest title ever to cross the 1-billion threshold in the Chinese movie industry. By its eighth day, it had already eclipsed 5 billion yuan (USD 686.15 million), overtaking the lifetime total of its predecessor. Meanwhile, it solidifies its place as the highest-grossing animated feature in mainland China. As of February 8, 2025, ‘Ne Zha 2’ had amassed over 7.2 billion yuan (USD 988 million), earning the historic title of the top-grossing Chinese film of all time. In doing so, it became the first non-Hollywood production to break the 7-billion mark globally. It even outperformed the single-territory box office record of the 2015 film Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Read more: Kesari Chapter 2 Review: Akshay Kumar Fronts a Bold Patriotic Courtroom Saga Within weeks, ‘Ne Zha 2’ outpaced the global lifetime earnings of Inside Out 2 (2024), becoming the highest-earning animated film in history. The fantasy epic crossed the USD 2 billion mark on March 9, becoming only the seventh film in history to achieve this feat. It stands as the first animated feature from outside the United States to reach that level. Remarkably, it’s also the first non-English-language animation to do so and only the second ever not produced by Disney. Its overseas debut at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles sold out instantly, with the film pulling in USD 7.2 million on its U.S. opening weekend. The English dub, now rolling out across theatres in Australia and the United States, promises to reignite its momentum. Ne Zha 2 vs. A Minecraft Movie Helmed by Jared Hess, 'A Minecraft Movie' opened strong in China, delivering the most impressive debut in the country this year. Between April 4 and 6, the Legendary and Warner Bros.-backed live-action fantasy comedy collected 105.5 million yuan (USD 14.7 million). While this performance marked a domestic triumph, it wasn’t enough to challenge ‘Ne Zha 2’ on the international stage. Read more: Top Pakistani Dramas in 2025 Showcasing Strong Female Leads In its tenth weekend, ‘Ne Zha 2’ continued its financial ascent with another USD 10 million, raising its global haul to USD 2.11 billion. The Cococartoon-produced mythological animation remains the top-grossing film of 2025 by a comfortable margin. With support from premium screening formats like IMAX, its momentum shows few signs of slowing, even in the face of new releases. On the contrary, the Jason Momoa and Jack Black-starrer film finished its opening weekend with USD 162.8 million in domestic earnings and USD 313 million worldwide. Its timing, arriving over two months later, meant it faced a global market already captivated by the Chinese fantasy epic. As of now, ‘Ne Zha 2’ leads the box office with USD 2.15 billion, while ‘A Minecraft Movie’ stands at USD 729.2 million. Read more: Popular Indian Universities and Institutes to Learn AR-VR Technology Critical reception reflects this divide: the Mandarin movie holds an IMDb rating of 8.2 and scores 95% from critics and 99% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. In contrast, the Hollywood film sits at 5.9 on IMDb, with a critic score of 48% and an audience score of 86%. This is a respectable showing but far from rivalling the acclaim of its Eastern counterpart. What’s So Special About Ne Zha 2 The mythology-based movie stands as a brilliant fusion of cultural authenticity and universal storytelling. The movie’s themes are confronting institutional prejudice, challenging destiny, and carving one’s own path. All these resonate deeply across cultures, yet are rooted in Chinese traditions and folklore. Read more: May 2025 Bollywood Releases: 10 Most Hyped Hindi Films To Watch The movie’s opening, featuring the Grand Song of the Dong ethnic group, highlights China’s rich cultural heritage. It also pays homage to a music form inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. This gesture serves as a poignant reminder of the nation’s deep-rooted traditions while offering a window into its diversity. Behind The Screen The film’s graphics, meticulously crafted under the expert direction of Shi Chaoqun. It captures the essence of Chinese landscapes and mythological realms with striking precision. The battle sequences are nothing short of a visual masterpiece, blending cultural symbols and folklore. The timeless action sequences are beautifully rendered in the visuals. They showcase the artistry of Chinese animation, brought to life by over 4,000 professionals from 138 studios across five years. Read more: May 2025 Amazon Prime Video Originals Streaming Lineup: Movies, Series, Shows The production credit goes to Liu Wenzhang and Wang Jing. Lending the voices are Lu Yanting, Han Mo, Lu Qi, Zhang Jiaming, Wang Deshun, and Zhuo Yongxi. Verdict The ongoing box-office clash between ‘Ne Zha 2’ and ‘A Minecraft Movie’ continues to captivate audiences worldwide. While the Hollywood film had a strong debut, the Mandarin one remains a powerful force, steadily building global dominance. Whether the live-action adventure can sustain its momentum or if the animated epic will reclaim its crown is yet to be determined. What’s certain is that this cinematic rivalry is poised to leave lasting marks on the box office landscape. Read more: 10 Best Films, Documentaries on Palestine That Everyone Should Watch

Popular wrestling superstar and Hollywood actor John Cena made history at WWE WrestleMania 41, winning his 17th world title and surpassing wrestling's living legend Ric Flair’s legendary 16-title record at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, United States on Sunday night. The dramatic main event saw Cena face Cody Rhodes, with the match turning chaotic when internationally popular rapper Travis Scott interfered, allowing Cena to capitalize on the distraction and secure a controversial win using a 'low blow' and the title belt. The two-night extravaganza, broadcast live on Netflix, attracted 124,693 fans across both nights at the Allegiant Stadium while also enamored wrestling fans across the world, including Bangladesh. In other key moments, popular YouTuber-turned-wrestler Logan Paul shocked the world by defeating one of the most popular wrestlers in the world AJ Styles; Irish superstar Becky Lynch returned from a year-long hiatus to team up with her fellow Irish wrestler Lyra Valkyria and capture the WWE Women's Tag Team Titles, and Dominik Mysterio emerged as the new Intercontinental Champion after defeating Bron Breakker, Finn Balor, and Penta in a fatal-four-way match. ‘A Minecraft Movie’ gives Hollywood major box office boost TNA World Champion Joe Hendry made a surprise appearance, replacing the injured Kevin Owens in his scheduled match against Randy Orton due to Owens’ neck injury. Scottish superstar Drew McIntyre triumphed over Damien Priest in a ‘Sin City Street Fight,’ while the women’s triple threat match saw Iyo Sky retain her Raw Women’s World Championship against Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley. Night one of WrestleMania 41 on Saturday was highlighted by Seth Rollins defeating CM Punk and Roman Reigns in a triple threat match, aided by a shocking betrayal from Paul Heyman, who sided with Rollins. Other winners included the 2025 Royal Rumble winner Jey Uso claiming the World Heavyweight Championship by submitting Gunther, and Tiffany Stratton, who successfully defended her SmackDown Women’s Championship against 2025 Women's Royal Rumble winner Charlotte Flair. In a major announcement before the event, WWE confirmed the acquisition of Mexican wrestling promotion Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide. WWE Chief Content Officer Paul Levesque, popularly known in the wrestling world as Triple H, revealed the move, marking a new chapter in WWE’s international growth. WrestleMania, the flagship event of WWE since its inception in 1985, remains the most iconic and anticipated occasion in professional wrestling, drawing global attention for its high-profile matches and unforgettable moments.

Hollywood was in dire need of a success, and “A Minecraft Movie” delivered just that, significantly helping to close this year’s box office gap with its strong opening weekend. Few anticipated just how massive its debut would be. The film raked in an astonishing $157 million in ticket sales across the U.S. and Canada in its first few days, according to Sunday’s studio estimates. Globally, it brought in another $144 million, bringing the total opening to $301 million. With school spring breaks still ongoing, the film’s run is far from over. Jaya Ahsan condemns killing of medics in Gaza, urges global conscience to awaken “We’re absolutely thrilled that audiences are turning out and that cinemas are full,” said Pamela Abdy, co-chair and CEO of Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group. Not only does it mark the biggest opening of 2025 so far, but “A Minecraft Movie” also set a new record for the highest-grossing debut of a video game adaptation—surpassing the $146 million launch of “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.” Prior to its release, industry forecasts estimated an $80 million debut. The actual earnings nearly doubled those expectations. “You can’t discount the appeal of heartfelt, fun, joyful cinema,” said Michael DeLuca, the other co-chair and CEO. “Audiences are clearly craving escapism, especially when it’s something the whole family can enjoy.” While success is never guaranteed in the film industry, adapting the world’s best-selling video game was always a promising strategy. The game itself may lack a traditional storyline, but that didn’t stop many of its 200 million monthly active users from turning out in huge numbers. According to DeLuca, it’s one of the most widely accessible films they’ve ever released, performing well across theatres of all sizes and in markets around the globe. The PG-rated film, directed by Jared Hess (known for “Napoleon Dynamite”), is a joint production between Legendary Entertainment and Warner Bros. It reportedly had a production budget of $150 million, excluding marketing and promotional costs. Starring Jack Black and Jason Momoa alongside Danielle Brooks, Emma Myers, and Sebastian Eugene Hansen, the film follows a group of characters transported into a fantastical realm called the Overworld, where they embark on a perilous yet hilarious journey to return home. Farewell to ACP Pradyuman: Tribute to Sony TV Crime Drama CID's Legendary Character “We made this for the fans, and they’ve exceeded all our expectations,” DeLuca said. While critics gave the film mixed reviews, audiences responded more positively, awarding it a B+ CinemaScore and a 4 out of 5 rating in PostTrak exit polls. Around 62% of the audience was male, and 64% were under the age of 25. Warner Bros. went all in for the release, debuting the film at 4,263 domestic locations and on 36,000 screens worldwide. “You might not expect it, but younger viewers really do enjoy going to the cinema,” noted Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore. “This is a prime example of a small screen concept scaling up successfully to the big screen. It became an unmissable cinema event. Awareness was through the roof.” In recent years, video game adaptations have seen several high-profile wins, including “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” the “Sonic” franchise, and “Five Nights at Freddy’s.” “Once considered unpredictable at the box office, video game movies have finally found the formula,” said Dergarabedian. This week’s runner-up at the box office was the Jason Statham-led action film “A Working Man,” which earned $7.3 million in its second weekend. Taking third was “The Chosen: Last Supper – Part 2,” made up of episodes three through five of the series, which brought in $7 million. The final set of episodes is set for release in theatres on April 11. “Snow White” dropped to fourth place in its third week, earning $6.1 million. The film has now accumulated over $168 million worldwide. Hollywood has faced a rough start to 2025, with underperformers like “Snow White” and “Mickey 17.” But a major hit like this can quickly shift momentum, especially with theatre marketing now ramping up in anticipation of the crucial summer movie season starting in early May. Prior to the weekend, the year’s box office was lagging 13% behind 2024. Thanks to “A Minecraft Movie,” that gap has now shrunk to 5%. Top 10 Films – Domestic Box Office: Based on Comscore’s estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday across U.S. and Canadian cinemas: “A Minecraft Movie” – $157 million“A Working Man” – $7.3 million“The Chosen: Last Supper – Part 2” – $7 million“Snow White” – $6.1 million“The Woman in the Yard” – $4.5 million“Death of a Unicorn” – $2.7 million“The Chosen: Last Supper – Part 1” – $1.9 million“Hell of a Summer” – $1.8 million“The Friend” – $1.6 million“Captain America: Brave New World” – $1.4 million

Conan O'Brien was honoured with the Mark Twain Prize for lifetime achievement in comedy at a ceremony on Sunday night at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, amidst ongoing tensions surrounding the institution's leadership. O'Brien, 61, was announced as the recipient of the prestigious award in January, just weeks before President Donald Trump made significant changes to the Kennedy Center, removing its long-time president and chairman of the board. Trump replaced the board with his loyalists, who then elected him as chairman. Faria's call for action against misogyny leads to man's termination from Sajida Foundation During the event, O'Brien was celebrated with tributes and messages from a host of comics and celebrities, many of whom also addressed the uncertain future of the institution. "I think it would be insane not to address the elephant in the room," comedian Nikki Glaser remarked before the event. "It's in the air tonight. This night is about Conan, but it can be both." As the ceremony got underway, Stephen Colbert joked about the addition of two new board members: Bashar Assad, the former president of Syria, and Skeletor, a fictional villain. John Mulaney humorously suggested that the building might soon be renamed “the Roy Cohn Pavilion,” in reference to one of Trump’s mentors. Sarah Silverman made several Trump-related jokes, though many were too explicit to be shared. Trump had stated on social media that the individuals removed from the board “do not share our Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture.” How this vision unfolds remains unclear, but Trump has expressed interest in booking more Broadway shows and has proposed granting Kennedy Center Honors to actor Sylvester Stallone and singer Paul Anka. Amid this turmoil, O'Brien steps into the spotlight, known for his more lighthearted and self-deprecating comedic style. While his work has generally avoided overtly political themes, he has tackled sensitive societal issues. In 2011, O'Brien officiated a live gay wedding on his show, marrying his longtime costume designer, Scott Cronick, and his partner, David Gorshein. O'Brien gained national attention in 1993 when he replaced David Letterman as the host of “Late Night,” despite having no significant on-screen experience. Previously a writer for "Saturday Night Live" and "The Simpsons," he had made only occasional appearances as a background extra. He went on to host “Late Night” for 16 years, longer than any other host. Later, O'Brien was chosen to replace Jay Leno as the host of “The Tonight Show,” but his tenure ended in failure after just seven months. Following a public dispute with NBC over declining ratings and the return of Leno, O'Brien received a multimillion-dollar payout to exit the network in early 2010. O'Brien then moved to TBS, where he continued hosting a talk show, launching popular podcasts and travel series. His travel show “Conan O’Brien Must Go” received both critical and audience acclaim, with a second season underway. Recently, his hosting of the Academy Awards was met with positive feedback, leading the producers to announce his return next year. Since Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center, several artists, including “Hamilton” producers and actress/writer Issa Rae, have cancelled planned appearances. Others, like comedian W. Kamau Bell, have addressed the controversy directly during performances, while cellist Erin Murphy Snedecor ended her recent set with the protest song "All You Fascists Bound to Lose." Salman Khan attends Sikandar trailer launch with father Salim Khan Previous recipients of the lifetime achievement award include David Letterman, Jay Leno, George Carlin, Whoopi Goldberg, Bob Newhart, Carol Burnett, Bill Murray, and Dave Chappelle. The ceremony will be available for streaming on Netflix later this year, although the date has not yet been confirmed.

An examination of the deceased dog found alongside actor Gene Hackman and his wife in their Santa Fe home indicates that dehydration and starvation were likely the cause of its death. A report obtained by The Associated Press from the state Department of Agriculture's veterinary lab describes partial mummification and states that while severe decomposition may have masked changes in the organs, no signs of infectious disease, trauma, or poisoning were found as potential causes of death. Gene Hackman died at home a week after wife Betsy Arakawa died from hantavirus The report further revealed that the dog’s stomach was largely empty, apart from small amounts of hair and bile. Zinna, a kelpie mix and one of the couple’s three dogs, was discovered deceased inside a crate in a bathroom closet near Betsy Arakawa’s body. The other two dogs survived. Authorities confirmed last week that Hackman succumbed to heart disease with complications from Alzheimer’s, approximately a week after his wife died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare rodent-borne disease. In the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s, Hackman was seemingly unaware of his wife’s passing. Hackman was found in the entryway of the home, while Arakawa was discovered in a bathroom. Like the dog, their bodies exhibited decomposition and partial mummification, a result of their body type and the particularly dry climate of Santa Fe, situated at an elevation of nearly 7,200 feet (2,200 meters). Though both deaths were determined to be from natural causes, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office is finalising its investigation by piecing together the timeline using data from cellphones recovered from the home and the couple’s last known communications. “The case remains active until we have that information to complete the timeline,” said sheriff’s office spokesperson Denise Womack Avila. Joey Padilla, owner of the Santa Fe Tails pet care facility, which assisted in caring for the surviving dogs, recalled Zinna’s transformation from a returned shelter dog to an exceptional companion that never left Arakawa’s side. Arakawa, originally from Hawaii, was a trained concert pianist who studied at the University of Southern California. She met Hackman in the mid-1980s while working at a California gym. Hackman, a legendary Hollywood figure, won two Oscars over a distinguished career spanning from the 1960s to the early 2000s, featuring roles in films such as The French Connection, Hoosiers, and Superman. Gene Hackman, wife and dog found dead in their New Mexico Home The couple led a private life after relocating to Santa Fe decades ago. A representative of their estate has cited their preference for privacy in an attempt to prevent the public release of autopsy and investigative reports related to their deaths, particularly photographs and video. A state district judge will ultimately decide on the matter.

A jury has swiftly and unequivocally dismissed claims that Disney’s Moana was derived from a story about a young surfer in Hawaii. On Monday, a federal jury in Los Angeles deliberated for just two and a half hours before concluding that the creators of Moana had no access to writer and animator Buck Woodall’s outlines and script for Bucky the Surfer Boy. Billboard names Doechii 2025 Woman of the Year With this issue resolved, the jury of six women and two men did not need to examine the similarities between Bucky and Disney’s 2016 animated feature, which follows the journey of a Polynesian princess. Woodall had shared his work with a distant relative who worked for a separate company on the Disney lot. However, during the two-week trial, she testified that she had never shown it to anyone at Disney. “Obviously, we’re disappointed,” Woodall’s attorney, Gustavo Lage, said outside the courtroom. “We’re going to review our options and consider the best way forward.” In closing arguments earlier that day, Woodall’s attorney asserted that an extensive chain of circumstantial evidence linked the two works inseparably. “There was no Moana without Bucky,” Lage argued. Defence lawyer Moez Kaba countered that the evidence overwhelmingly demonstrated that Moana was the original work and the “crowning achievement” of John Musker and Ron Clements, the celebrated writers and directors behind The Little Mermaid (1989), Aladdin (1992), Hercules (1997), and The Princess and the Frog (2009). “They had no idea about Bucky,” Kaba stated in his closing remarks. “They had never seen it, never heard of it.” Moana went on to earn nearly $700 million worldwide. A judge had previously ruled that Woodall’s 2020 lawsuit was filed too late for him to claim any share of the film’s revenue. Additionally, a separate lawsuit he filed earlier this year regarding Moana 2—which grossed over $1 billion—must be addressed separately. Though that case remains active, the jury’s decision does not bode well for its outcome. Judge Consuelo B. Marshall, who is also presiding over the sequel lawsuit, expressed agreement with the jury’s verdict regarding access. “We are incredibly proud of the collective effort that went into making Moana and are pleased that the jury determined it had no connection to the plaintiff’s work,” Disney said in a statement. Musker and Disney’s legal team declined to comment outside the courtroom. The relatively young jury, consisting of six women and two men, watched Moana in its entirety during the trial. They also examined a 2003 story outline for Bucky, along with a 2008 revision and a 2011 script. In later versions of Bucky, the titular character, while vacationing in Hawaii with his parents, befriends a group of Native Hawaiian youths and embarks on a quest involving time travel to ancient islands and interactions with demigods to protect a sacred site from a developer. Around 2004, Woodall had provided his Bucky outline to the stepsister of his brother’s wife, Jenny Marchick, who worked for Mandeville Films. The company had a contract with Disney and was located on the Disney lot. He continued sending her follow-up materials over the years. He testified that upon watching Moana in 2016, he was shocked by the apparent similarities. However, Marchick testified that she never showed Bucky to anyone at Disney. Messages presented by the defence indicated that she eventually stopped responding to Woodall’s inquiries and had informed him that she could not assist him. Disney’s attorney, Kaba, argued that there was no proof that Marchick had ever worked on Moana or received any recognition or compensation related to it. He further pointed out that Marchick, who is now Head of Features Development at DreamWorks Animation, spent much of the relevant period working for Disney’s competitors, including Sony and Fox, undermining the claim that she had helped develop Moana for Disney. Woodall also submitted his script directly to Disney and had a meeting—arranged by Marchick—with an assistant at the Disney Channel regarding potential work as an animator. However, the jury determined that this did not establish a link between Bucky and Moana’s creators, Musker and Clements. In his closing arguments, Woodall’s attorney highlighted some of the alleged similarities between the two works. Both feature teenage protagonists on oceanic quests. Both prominently include Polynesian demigods and shape-shifting characters who transform into various creatures, including insects and sharks. Both depict the main characters interacting with animals serving as spiritual guides. Kaba, however, argued that many of these elements are drawn from Polynesian folklore and universal literary themes, making them ineligible for copyright protection. He pointed out that shape-shifting supernatural characters have appeared in multiple Disney films, including The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Hercules, all of which were written and directed by Musker and Clements. These films were instrumental in Disney’s 1990s renaissance and its rise as a global entertainment powerhouse. Animal guides, he added, have been a staple of storytelling since at least 1940’s Pinocchio and feature in all of Musker and Clements’ previous works. Aamir Khan reflects on rejecting iconic roles played by Shah Rukh and Salman Kaba asserted that Moana was developed through Musker and Clements’ established creative process—drawing from their own inspirations, extensive research, and travel experiences. He presented thousands of pages of development documents that detailed the entire creative process behind Moana, revealing that its initial inspiration came from the paintings of Paul Gauguin and the writings of Herman Melville. “You can see every single fingerprint,” Kaba concluded. “You can see the entire genetic makeup of Moana.”

Rising star Mikey Madison won the Best Actress Oscar on Sunday for her performance in Anora, a role that propelled the 25-year-old into an emerging film career after her early success in television, reports AP. Her win was part of a remarkable night for the Brooklyn-based comedy-drama, which claimed five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Sean Baker. Adrien Brody wins best actor for ‘The Brutalist’ "Wow, this is so surreal," Madison said, after hugging Baker and others before stepping onto the stage. "Forgive me, I'm nervous," she added, before reading a list of thank-yous from a piece of paper. Madison was previously known for portraying a moody teenager in the FX series Better Things, which wrapped in 2022. She also appeared in Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood and the fifth Scream film. These roles caught the attention of director-writer Baker, who created the lead role in Anora specifically for her. Madison trained in Russian, performed her own stunts, and even learned to pole dance for her role as an exotic dancer who marries the son of a Russian oligarch. "I want to again recognise the sex worker community. I will continue to support and be an ally," Madison said during her acceptance speech. The film premiered to critical acclaim at Cannes last year, winning the prestigious Palme d'Or. Since then, it has gained significant momentum, with its box-office success easily surpassing its $6 million budget. Veteran actress Demi Moore, known for her role in The Substance, had been the frontrunner for the Oscar, having won over Madison at both the Golden Globes and SAG Awards. However, Madison edged out Moore for the BAFTA award just days before the Oscar voting closed, as well as at the Independent Spirit Awards the previous weekend. Born Mikaela Madison Rosberg in Los Angeles as one of five children to psychologist parents, Madison's mother enrolled her in acting classes during her mid-teens. This came after she trained in competitive horseback riding, a solitary pursuit she found less fulfilling compared to the teamwork aspect of acting. ‘Anora; wins best picture at Oscars "I grew up in Los Angeles, but Hollywood always felt so far away from me," Madison shared. "This is a dream come true. I’m probably going to wake up tomorrow." In addition to Moore, the other nominees in the category were Cynthia Erivo for Wicked, Karla Sofía Gascón for Emilia Pérez, and Fernanda Torres for I’m Still Here.

The Brazilian film I’m Still Here won the Oscar for Best International Film on Sunday. Directed by Walter Salles, the movie tells the story of a family affected by Brazil's military dictatorship, which ruled the country for over two decades, reports AP. The film stars Fernanda Torres as Eunice Paiva, the wife of Rubens Paiva, a former left-wing congressman who was forcibly taken from his family’s home in Rio de Janeiro in 1971 and disappeared under the dictatorship. ‘No Other Land’ Wins Oscar for Best Documentary Based on the memoir of Paiva’s son Marcelo, the story focuses on Eunice, a mother of five who is left to rebuild her life without her husband and with no answers about his disappearance. The film portrays a different form of political resistance—one characterised by perseverance and resilience. Eunice's unwavering defiance to the military regime is evident throughout the film. In one poignant moment, she instructs her children to smile for a newspaper photograph, despite their long separation from their father. Torres explained that the smile represents a form of resistance, noting, “It’s not that they’re living happily. It’s a tragedy. Marcelo recently said something Eunice said that I had never heard: ‘We are not a victim. The victim is the country.’” I’m Still Here is a deeply Brazilian tale, created by one of the nation’s most renowned directors, Walter Salles, whose previous works include Central Station and Motorcycle Diaries. The film also features a late appearance by Fernanda Montenegro, the daughter of one of Brazil’s greatest stars, who plays the older Eunice. 97th Academy Awards underway Other films nominated for Best International Film included Denmark’s The Girl with the Needle, Germany’s The Seed of the Sacred Fig, Latvia’s Flow, and France’s Emilia Pérez, which had once been a favourite but was overshadowed by controversy.