Category: 5. Entertainment

DC Studios co-head and Superman director James Gunn admits he probably would have considered casting Chris Pratt as the new Man of Steel if it wasn’t for one detail. During an appearance on the podcast Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, Gunn discussed the challenges of finding the right person to play Superman. At one point, it was mentioned that going with a relative unknown might be preferable to casting a more famous star since the audience won’t come in with as much baggage. Gunn responded by saying that as long as the casting is right, the actor’s level of fame doesn’t matter. And if Chris Pratt were younger, he would have been in the running for Kal-El.

“If the casting was right, I wouldn’t mind,” Gunn said regarding a famous actor playing Superman. “If Chris Pratt was 10 years younger, then I probably would have considered him for Superman. He’s got that boyish charm…”

Pratt, of course, has extensive history with Gunn, portraying Peter Quill/Star-Lord in the director’s three Guardians of the Galaxy movies and The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. While the actor won’t be bringing Superman to life, Gunn hopes he can make Pratt a part of the DC Universe franchise at some point. In an interview with ComicBook while promoting Superman, Gunn noted that Pratt is “one of my closest friends in the world” and he’s always looking for the right role for the actor.

Before Pratt comes over to the DCU, he could have some Marvel obligations to fulfill first. Though Gunn’s time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is over, the post-credits stinger in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 confirmed that Star-Lord will return at some point in the future. Pratt is not among the stacked cast in Avengers: Doomsday (presumably due to production of his TV series The Terminal List), but Star-Lord could be featured in Avengers: Secret Wars or another MCU project.

Pratt’s interpretation of Superman could have been interesting. He would have been able to tap into some of the same sensibilities as Star-Lord, relying on his comedic chops to play the bumbling Clark Kent while also having an avenue to display his dramatic range (the Guardians movies have as much heart as they do humor). Pratt also possesses an everyman quality that would make his Superman relatable. If Pratt landed the Superman gig after making Guardians of the Galaxy, The LEGO Movie, Jurassic World, and more, there’d be potential risk of over-exposure. However, famous faces have brought iconic roles to life in the past. Being Han Solo didn’t stop Harrison Ford from becoming Indiana Jones, for instance. Ben Affleck and Robert Pattinson were established names when they were cast as Batman. Pratt could have been Star-Lord and Superman.

Gunn makes an intriguing point that A-list status shouldn’t prevent an actor from getting a certain part if they’re the right fit, and it’ll be interesting to see if he does find a spot for Pratt in the DCU at some point. At the same time, a case can be made that David Corenswet’s relative anonymity should be an asset for Superman, as it’ll arguably be easier for audiences to buy him as the Man of Steel since they aren’t coming in with many preconceived notions. Corenswet has been part of films like Pearl and Twisters, but Superman is the first time he’s headlined a project of this scale. And with Superman reviews praising the actor’s performance, it’s safe to say Gunn made a great choice.

Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry are entering a new stage in their relationship. The couple, who recently announced their split, has shared some photos of their vacation in Italy, showing that while some dynamics may be changing, they’re still a family. 

The photos were shared on Bloom’s Instagram and show a glimpse into his summer so far. “Dump 4 ya,” he captioned the post, showing various moments over the past months. 

Bloom is seen enjoying Europe with his children, Flynn, whom he shares with his ex Miranda Kerr, and Daisy, whom he shares with Perry. He shared various photos alongside the two of them, including a sweet one where he and Daisy are lying in bed together, with her facing away from the camera and Bloom smiling. 

Other images showed him alongside Daisy and Flynn, with all of them dressed appropriately for the summer. 

Lastly, he also shared a photo alongside his kids and Perry, with the foursome hugging and enjoying spending their time together. 

What happened between Perry and Bloom?

Over the past months, Perry and Bloom shocked the world when they shared the news of their breakup. 

Despite the rupture, the couple has made it clear that their daughter remains their priority.  “Orlando and Katy have been shifting their relationship over the past many months to focus on coparenting,” reads their joint statement.

“Their shared priority is — and always will be — raising their daughter with love, stability and mutual respect.” 

The pair had been engaged and together for the past nine years. A source that spoke to PEOPLE claims that the couple’s split is due to their busy schedules. “Katy and Orlando have been suffering through the same problems that have plagued them for years,” said the source 

“[They had] too much going on in their lives, which makes it hard to find time for each other and iron out disagreements. When they don’t communicate properly, their relationship dips to a low level.”

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The latest Wes Anderson film The Phoenician Scheme stars Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton, Michael Cera and others. And though the movie is still in select theaters nationwide, you can now watch it at home.

Before it streams on Peacock, The Phoenician Scheme is available to buy or rent online on digital in 4K Ultra HD starting at $19.99 at Prime Video, Apple TV and elsewhere.

At a Glance: How to Watch The Phoenician Scheme Online

Below, watch the official trailer and keep reading for more details on where to stream The Phoenician Scheme online, including when it’s expected to land on Peacock.

Where to Stream The Phoenician Scheme Online

Distributed by Focus Features, The Phoenician Scheme is expected to land on Peacock when its current theatrical run is over sometime in late August or early September.

A Peacock subscription is required to stream The Phoenician Scheme, and the streamer starts at $7.99 per month with ads. The streaming service is home to hit originals such as Emmy-nominated series The Traitors, The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Monk, Twisted Metal, The Continental: From the World of John Wick and much more. Learn more about what Peacock offers, including pricing, catalog and special deals and bundles, here.

In the meantime, The Phoenician Scheme in 4K Ultra HD is available digitally to rent for $19.99, or buy for $24.99 on Prime Video, Apple TV and other video-on-demand platforms. Tickets to see the film in theaters are still available at fandango.com and elsewhere.

Where to Buy The Phoenician Scheme Online

Focus Features announced that The Phoenician Scheme will be released on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD on Tuesday, July 29. You can preorder the physical media release with prices starting at $22.98 on Amazon.

The Phoenician Scheme: Plot, Cast, Run Time

Directed by Wes Anderson (Asteroid City, The Royal Tenenbaums), The Phoenician Scheme follows Zsa-zsa Korda (Benicio del Toro), a wealthy businessman looking to start a new enterprise with his estranged daughter Sister Liesl (Mia Threapleton). However, others tycoons, foreign terrorists and a group of assassins are also looking to take Korda down.

The movie also stars Michael Cera, Riz Ahmed, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Mathieu Amalric, Richard Ayoade, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Rupert Friend, Hope Davis and others. It runs one hour and 41 minutes.

Isima is Shakira’s new hair care line, and in her latest post, the pop icon expresses her gratitude to Ulta Beauty stores for featuring her brand’s stands.

The Waka Waka singer, in an Instagram post, wrote, “A big hug to everyone at the @ultabeauty stores for setting up such beautiful @isima stands. Now you can all get isima products not only from our web page but also at every Ulta in America.”

She continued, “Don’t these bottles look super cute? Wait until you smell them! Thanks so much for the support!”

In other news, reports indicate that Shakira has moved on from the hurt her split sparked, following her decision to end her relationship with partner Gerard Piqué.

According to Us Weekly, the Grammy winner is having a good time with her sons, which comes on top of her hit Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour, which took place last month in Brazil.

It is relevant to mention that the 48-year-old had previously opened up about what she went through when her relationship with the Spanish footballer ended.

“For many months after my separation I had been silent, trying to begin my mourning, but I couldn’t really begin to grieve until I started writing music,” she told GQ.

“It was my way of healing. And it continues to be. Grief is a process that is not linear. It is full of peaks and valleys,” she admitted at the time and declared that her perspective about love “is not the same” after the breakup.

“The love of a partner disappointed me. It affected my idiosyncrasy. It’s inevitable, at least for the moment, that I have lost trust in the other.”

“The healing process is long. It will take me several albums!,” Shakira concluded.

Joy Anna Duggar is opening up about the painful period she went through after losing her unborn baby girls.

In a recent chat on the Jinger & Jeremy podcast, the TV personality poured her heart out in front of her sisters, Jinger and Jessa Duggar, about the difficult time.

“I guess looking back, I did have kind of a gut feeling of something may not be right,” Joy-Anna said as she got emotional while sharing. “But also I’m like, ‘I don’t want to over exaggerate.’ …I just remember feeling so numb leaving the ultrasound.”

The 19 Kids alum had to deliver her daughter, Annabell, at 20 weeks in 2019, whom she shares with husband Austin Forsyth.

“That was extremely hard, having to go through the whole delivery process,” Joy-Anna noted.

While expressing her grief and pain, the Jill & Jessa: Counting On star said she felt like she “was in a fog” for six months after the loss.

“I’m so thankful that I had [my mom] there that had been through it before… even with all of that, it was extremely difficult,” she added.

Originally appeared on E! Online

“The Big Bang Theory” universe is expanding once more.

A new spinoff of the long-running sitcom, which followed physicists Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons) and Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki) as well as their circle of friends, has been ordered to series at HBO Max, the network confirmed in a July 9 press release.

The project — titled “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe” — marks the fourth series in the TV franchise, which also includes “Young Sheldon” and “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage.” This time, the plot would focus on the hijinks of Stuart Bloom (Kevin Sussman), an acquaintance who became increasingly prominent in “The Big Bang Theory’s” later seasons.

“Comic book store owner Stuart Bloom is tasked with restoring reality after he breaks a device built by Sheldon and Leonard,” the release read, “accidentally bringing about a multiverse Armageddon.”

Notably, the release also teased appearances by “alternate-universe versions of characters” from the original series — which aired on CBS from 2007 to 2019 — but warned that “as the title implies, things don’t go well.”

READ Felicity Huffman Reacts to Desperate Housewives Spinoff

In addition to Sussman, Lauren Lapkus, Brian Posehn and John Ross Bowie, all of whom recurred on the flagship series, are reprising their roles for the new show. Of course, it wouldn’t be the first time a fan favorite from “The Big Bang Theory” returned to the small screen.

In May 2024, Parsons appeared in character alongside Mayim Bialik, who played his wife Amy Farrah Fowler in the original series, during the series finale of Young Sheldon after serving as narrator throughout the show’s seven-season run.

“It was very, very special to do that,” he told E! News at the time. “You shoot that final episode and it’s wrapped for you. Then a couple of months later, it wraps for the rest of the world and it’s a very weird feeling to flood over you again like that.”

But the Emmy winner cautioned fans not to get their hopes up for more Sheldon going forward.

“Never say never to anything,” he said. “Life is long, God willing. But I don’t think so.”

PHOTOSThe Big Bang Theory

Kate Micucci is giving fans a positive health update.

Mel B was granted the privilege to tie the knot with Rory McPhee at St. Paul’s Cathedral due to her previous charitable services.

The former Spice Girl, who rose to fame with the 1990s pop group, said “I do” for the third time at the same venue where King Charles and Princess Diana were married.

Mel, 50, was permitted to use this exclusive cathedral after being named on the 2022 MBE honours list for her charitable services.

This recognition has also allowed the Scary Spice to baptise her three chidren – Phoenix, 26, Angel, 18, and Madison, 13, at the same church.

The Wannabe hitmaker wore a pearl-adorned sheer white gown paired with a bridal veil for the special ceremony.

Meanwhile, Rory, 37, donned traditional Scottish attire, including a red and green tartan kilt.

Former Spice Girl Emma Bunton, along with Danielle Brown, Daisy Lowe, Katherine Ryan, and Gaby Roslin, were in attendance.

It is pertinent to mention that the Spice World actress shares daughter Phoenix with ex-husband Jimmy Gulzar, from whom she separated in 2000.

Mel B later married Stephen Belafonte, and the couple were together for a decade before divorcing in 2017.

For the unversed, the Stop singer tied the knot with McPhee on Saturday, July 5, at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.

Yura Borisov, a prominent Russian actor who has received a nod from the Academy Awards for his performance in Anora, has come on board for Luca Guadagnino’s upcoming film Artificial.

Amazon MGM Studios made the movie, which is described as a “comedic drama set in the world of artificial intelligence.”

According to Variety, Simon Rich serves as a writer and producer with David Heyman, Jeffrey Clifford, and Jennifer Fox.

Meanwhile, Yura came under the spotlight in Hollywood after his performance in Compartment Number 6.

Moreover, he is a well-known star in Russian cinema, boasting a remarkable 50 acting credits to his name.

Anora, where Yura plays Igor, won the Oscar for Best Picture at the last Academy Awards.

Alex Coco, the film’s producer, who came on stage to receive the award, said in his acceptance speech, “Thank you guys so much. Thank you to the Academy. We made this movie for $6 million, shooting on location in New York City with about 40 crew members. They’re all back in New York. This is for you guys. Thank you so much.”

“We made it to be independently. If you’re trying to make independent films, please keep doing it. We need more. This is proof,” he noted.

Duster has bit the dust.

HBO Max has canceled its 1970s-set action-comedy series Duster after one season.

The drama from showrunners J.J. Abrams and LaToya Morgan starred Josh Holloway as a getaway driver working for an Arizona crime syndicate and Rachel Hilson as an FBI agent.

The show, which premiered in May, had terrific Rotten Tomatoes scores — 92 percent positive from critics and 83 percent positive from audiences — yet apparently didn’t succeed in drawing a large enough audience. The show didn’t chart, at least, in the Nielsen Top 10.

Here’s a statement from Warner Bros. Television: “J.J. Abrams and LaToya Morgan delivered a thrilling, multi-dimensional crime drama in Duster, with textured characters that took the audience back to the 1970s in a new and innovative way. Those characters were brought to life by a wonderful team led by Josh, Rachel, and an extremely talented ensemble cast, along with an expert crew behind the scenes. We are incredibly proud of the show, and while we wish this journey could continue, we are thankful to our partners at HBO Max for the opportunity to tell Jim and Nina’s story.”

The outcome is likely to be particularly disappointing for Holloway, who patiently waited for years for the star vehicle to get on track after plenty of false stops and starts. As the actor recalled to The Hollywood Reporter before the premiere, “I must have thrown the penny over the wrong shoulder and broke a mirror while I did it, because I had a hard seven years. Just hard — nothing was coming through. I had to focus on my family. I learned piano. I did all sorts of different things. I started telling my agents, ‘Just bring me work, I need to get out of house, it’s ridiculous, I only work for the Holloways now and I need to do something.’

And then, when Duster finally materialized and Holloway was given the opportunity to reteam with his Lost executive producer Abrams, “It was that old Jerry Maguire moment — “You had me at ‘hello.’” 

Here’s a statement from HBO Max: “While HBO Max will not be moving forward with a second season of Duster, we are so grateful to have had the chance to work with the amazingly talented co-creators J.J. Abrams and LaToya Morgan, and our partners at Bad Robot and Warner Bros. Television. We are tremendously proud of this series led by Josh Holloway and Rachel Hilson, and we thank them, along with our cast and crew, for their incredible collaboration and partnership.”