ABC is getting ready to bring celebrities back to the ballroom for Season 35 of Dancing With the Stars, with rehearsals already underway and the full cast still being kept under wraps. The network has confirmed several names, including Ciara Miller from Summer House, The Traitors and Love Island UK star Maura Higgins, Savannah Bananas player Jackson Olson, and Jimmy Kimmel Live! sidekick Guillermo Rodríguez. Other names reportedly being mentioned include Tyler Cameron from The Bachelorette and actress Jenna Dewan of Step Up fame. There are also reports that Connor Leavitt, husband of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Whitney Leavitt, and Love Thy Nader star Sarah Jane Nader could be joining the competition. ABC is going to great lengths to keep the remaining contestants secret. The celebrities have reportedly been showing up to rehearsals wearing masks and being escorted into the studios so nobody can identify them. The complete Season 35 cast is scheduled to be revealed September 2 on Good Morning America. Then the celebrities can stop hiding their faces and start hiding their dance moves.

Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan says he was homeless twice and spent about six months living out of his car while trying to break into Hollywood. Sheridan told Town & Country that he would drive away from Los Angeles to places like Ojai so he could find somewhere safe to sleep. He said he could have given up at any time, gotten a regular full-time job and abandoned his Hollywood dream—but he chose sleeping in his car instead. Eventually, Sheridan sold his first screenplay and used the money to buy a small house on an acre of land along a river in Wyoming. As his career took off, he kept buying more land and horses. Today, Sheridan is reportedly worth around $200 million, largely thanks to Yellowstone and its growing collection of spin-offs and projects. He's also part of the investment group that bought the historic 6666 Ranch in Texas for a reported $320 million in 2022. Sheridan joked that when he was first approached about buying the massive ranch, he was told he'd need to put up roughly $350 million. His response: “I’m $330 million short.” He then struck a deal with Paramount and brought in investors to make the purchase happen.

Melissa McCarthy is getting into the Christmas spirit with “Margie Claus,” a new animated holiday comedy from Warner Bros. Pictures Animation. The movie will hit theaters November 12, 2027, with McCarthy voicing Margie, Santa Claus’ wife. The story begins when Santa disappears on Christmas Eve, forcing Margie to dust off a century-old sleigh and assemble a very unlikely rescue team. Her mission takes her to the South Pole, where saving Santa — and Christmas — turns into a dangerous, action-packed adventure. The voice cast includes Jim Gaffigan as Santa, Andrew Scott as Jack Frost, plus Annie Mumolo, Georgette Falcone, Octavia Spencer, Gary Farmer, Luis Gerardo Méndez, Cedric Yarbrough and Maria Bakalova. Cole Escola was previously announced. The movie will also feature original songs written and produced by Meghan Trainor, along with Ben Falcone and Damon Jones. McCarthy, who is producing the movie with husband Ben Falcone, says the story is ultimately about showing up for the people you love — even if you're far from perfect.

Vince Vaughn is back as Andrew Yancy in Bad Monkey, with Season 2 premiering December 2 on Apple TV. The comedy comes from Scrubs and Ted Lasso creator Bill Lawrence and is based on Carl Hiaasen’s bestselling novel. This time, Yancy witnesses the murder of a Florida fixer and teams up with a straight-laced forensic accountant to solve the case. Hoping to get his detective badge back, Yancy gets caught in a turf war between rival criminal groups and encounters an eccentric mob boss, his unhinged son and a tough young woman who needs his protection. Natalie Martinez, Charlotte Lawrence and John Ortiz return, while John Malkovich, Yvonne Strahovski and Zavior Phillips join the cast.

Sandra Bullock is opening up about the painful final years of her longtime partner, photographer Bryan Randall, who died from ALS in 2023 at 57. On the SmartLess podcast, Bullock revealed that Randall asked her to keep his diagnosis private, leaving her largely isolated while she cared for him and raised their two children during the COVID pandemic. For a long time, she said, only her sister knew what the family was going through. Bullock said the experience became overwhelming and described it as a “trifecta that was pretty dark.” She eventually confided in close friends, including Jennifer Aniston and Amanda Anka. She also revealed that she had begun grieving Randall years before his death as ALS changed him physically and mentally. Bullock said, “My person left a lot earlier than the body left.” She explained that she was so focused on caring for him that she didn't fully process that grief until after he died. Bullock and Randall had been together for eight years. They reportedly met after she hired him to photograph her son Louis’ birthday party in 2015. Randall’s family previously said he chose to keep his ALS journey private and asked for privacy as they mourned him.

Tom Holland could be looking at a massive $100 million-plus payday from Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The actor reportedly received a $20 million upfront salary to return as Peter Parker, but his backend deal could be worth far more now that the movie has become a box-office monster. According to The Wrap, the film has already grossed around $2 billion, and Holland's contract reportedly has no cap on his backend earnings. That means his bonus could potentially push his total compensation to at least $100 million.

Robin Williams’ three children—Zak, Zelda and Cody Williams—are taking steps to preserve their father’s legacy as he would have turned 75 this year. The siblings announced that they plan to maintain Robin’s Instagram account as a place for fans to see authentic photos, videos, stories and memories of the late comedian and actor. They say the goal is to keep his unique humor and talent alive while creating a trusted space for new generations discovering his work. Zelda also explained that there’s another reason for the move: fighting the growing use of AI to create fake videos and audio of her father. She has previously pleaded with people to stop sending her AI-generated clips that imitate Robin’s voice and appearance, saying she finds the practice deeply upsetting and believes it disrespects his legacy. Robin Williams died by suicide in 2014 at age 63. He had been dealing with several serious health issues, and an autopsy later found that he had Lewy body disease.

Disney’s ABC has sued the Federal Communications Commission in federal court, accusing the agency of using its authority over broadcast licenses to pressure the network over its programming and news coverage. ABC says the Trump administration has repeatedly targeted the network over content, including Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night commentary and political discussions on “The View.” The network argues that forcing its eight ABC-owned stations to seek license renewals years earlier than scheduled is an unconstitutional attempt to punish ABC for its speech. ABC has also asked the court for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to stop the FCC’s renewal proceedings while the legal fight plays out. The dispute has intensified under FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. ABC says the pressure has created a situation in which the company must worry that ordinary editorial decisions could jeopardize its stations’ licenses. As an example, ABC pointed to its decision to livestream an address by President Trump that it had previously chosen not to broadcast live. Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro has said the company intends to defend what it considers journalistic independence and won't allow the government to dictate how that part of its business operates. The FCC has also been investigating whether “The View” violated equal-time requirements after a political candidate appeared on the program. ABC argues that the government is effectively using the licensing process as leverage to influence the network's content.

Whitney Peak is joining Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler in Universal’s new take on the classic ’80s series, “Miami Vice ’85.” The film is being directed by Joseph Kosinski, who also directed Top Gun: Maverick, with a screenplay by Dan Gilroy. The movie will revisit the glamour, crime and corruption of mid-1980s Miami, drawing inspiration from the original series’ pilot. Jordan and Butler are already attached, while Alden Ehrenreich was recently added to the cast. Peak is reportedly expected to play Jordan’s love interest. Universal plans to shoot the movie in IMAX, with production beginning this year and a May 19, 2028 theatrical release.

Netflix’s “Extraction 3” is adding some serious firepower to its cast. Pierce Brosnan has joined the third installment of the action franchise alongside four other newcomers: Don Lee, Joe Taslim, Chi Lewis-Perry and Siena Agudong. The roles for the new cast members are being kept under wraps. The movie is currently filming in Australia, with Chris Hemsworth returning as mercenary Tyler Rake. Idris Elba and Golshifteh Farahani are also returning to the franchise.

Matthew McConaughey is once again fueling speculation that he could eventually enter politics after discussing his recent meeting with Pope Leo XIV. McConaughey met the pope during a Vatican audience on August 5 with his wife, Camila Alves McConaughey. He described Pope Leo as someone who could represent “the moral compass of the world” and said the pontiff’s sense of humor surprised him. When asked whether the meeting changed his thinking about a possible political future, McConaughey talked about the role of religion and shared values in government. He said he believes there is common ground among religions and suggested there is “a constitution” that people of different faiths could agree on. The actor has been linked to a possible political career for years. He seriously considered running for Texas governor in 2022, but ultimately decided against it. He describes himself as “aggressively centric” and has advocated finding common ground between Democrats and Republicans. McConaughey has supported stronger gun regulations while also defending Second Amendment rights, criticized cancel culture and Hollywood groupthink, and spoken about traditional values and religion. He has previously said he wouldn't seriously consider running for office until his three children are fully grown.

HBO has officially renewed It: Welcome to Derry for a second season, bringing viewers back to the terrifying Stephen King universe and, of course, Pennywise. Season 2 will jump back to 1935, during the Great Depression, and center on the bloody massacre of the Bradley Gang, a group of bank robbers who stop in Derry to buy ammunition and instead run into something much more horrifying. There’s also a change behind the scenes: Brad Caleb Kane, who co-showran Season 1 with Jason Fuchs, will now serve as the sole showrunner.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is the No. 1 movie in North America, earning $70 million over the weekend.

Here’s the rest of the top 10:
2. The Odyssey - $23.2 million
3. The End of Oak Street - $21 million
4. PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie - $20.5 million
5. Katseye: Wild Hearts - $4 million
6. Six: The Musical - $3 million
7. The Brink of War - $2.7 million
8. Toy Story 5 - $2.3 million
9. One Night Only - $2 million
10. Vishwanath and Sons - $1.6 million

Actress Hayden Panettiere has died at the age of 36, according to a statement from her representatives. The cause of death has not been released. Panettiere became a household name as a child actress and went on to star as cheerleader Claire Bennet on “Heroes” and country singer Juliette Barnes on “Nashville.” She also appeared in the “Scream” franchise as Kirby Reed and voiced characters in projects including the video game “Until Dawn.” She began working in entertainment at just 11 months old, eventually building a career that included movies such as “Remember the Titans,” “Ice Princess” and “I Love You, Beth Cooper.” She also pursued music, recording several songs connected to her acting projects and releasing her own single, “Wake Up Call,” in 2008. Panettiere had been open in recent years about the challenges she faced with fame and personal struggles. Her memoir, “This Is Me,” was released earlier this year and became a New York Times bestseller. She leaves behind an 11-year-old daughter, whom she shares with former heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko. Panettiere had previously spoken publicly about postpartum depression and the decision to relinquish custody of her daughter while dealing with those struggles.

Jerry Bruckheimer says Johnny Depp is in talks to return for Pirates of the Caribbean 6. Speaking at D23, Bruckheimer said they’re talking with Depp, working on the screenplay and hoping they can get the movie made. The new movie reportedly won’t be another straight-up Captain Jack Sparrow adventure. Instead, the story is expected to center on Margot Robbie’s character, with Depp’s Sparrow appearing more as a supporting character. The Pirates franchise has made about $4.5 billion worldwide across five movies. The most recent film, 2017’s Dead Men Tell No Tales, was the lowest-grossing installment, still bringing in nearly $796 million.

Matthew McConaughey says the movie that continues to earn him the biggest residual checks isn't his Oscar-winning Dallas Buyers Club or the sci-fi hit Interstellar—it's the 2003 romantic comedy How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, McConaughey called the film the "gift that keeps on giving," saying it generates the best "mailbox money" of any project he's ever done—and "by far." Before the streaming era, he said he'd reliably receive a large residual check every March thanks to viewers revisiting the movie around Valentine's Day. McConaughey also called How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days his favorite romantic comedy, saying it has become a lasting cornerstone of the genre. He credited the film's success in part to his chemistry with co-star Kate Hudson, recalling that they clicked almost instantly during the casting process through playful banter and an easy rapport.

Amy Sedaris is joining the cast of Apple TV+'s upcoming comedy "Protective Custody," adding another big comedic name to a series already starring Ben Stiller and Benicio Del Toro. The show centers on Stiller as a once-powerful financier accused of massive fraud who lands in protective custody while awaiting trial. Cut off from his old life, he has to survive prison politics, repair his damaged reputation, and deal with the fallout of his alleged crimes. Details about Sedaris' character are being kept secret.

Selena Gomez and her mother, Mandy Teefey, are being sued by two investor groups who claim they were misled into investing more than $1 million in Wondermind, the mental health company Selena co-founded. The lawsuit alleges the founders painted an overly optimistic picture of the company's leadership, financial health, and future while it was allegedly unraveling behind the scenes. According to the complaint, investors say Selena's public appearances and interviews helped convince them the company had strong leadership and that she was actively involved. They now claim she played little role in the business after they invested, while former co-founder Daniella Pierson allegedly overstated the company's prospects and potential returns. The lawsuit further claims investors weren't aware of the company's serious problems until a 2025 media investigation described Wondermind as being in "utter disarray," citing unpaid employees and vendors, management turmoil, and allegations that Mandy Teefey struggled with substance abuse. Mandy has repeatedly denied those allegations and previously called them false and the product of disgruntled former employees. The investors are seeking damages for alleged securities fraud, including repayment of their investment and additional compensation.

Hulu is developing a comedy pilot inspired by the 1996 cult classic The Cable Guy, with New Girl stars Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans Jr. reuniting as both the leads and executive producers. Rather than remaking the Jim Carrey film, the series updates the concept for the streaming era. Johnson will play a modern version of eccentric cable installer Chip Douglas, who reconnects with former childhood friend Steven Stephens, played by Wayans Jr., after being called to restore his cable service. What starts as a friendship gradually spirals into an unhealthy obsession, exploring the darkly funny side of adult male friendships.

Ben Affleck is back behind and in front of the camera for Animals, a new Netflix thriller that just released its first teaser trailer. Affleck co-wrote, directed and stars as a Los Angeles mayoral candidate whose son is kidnapped. The film follows Affleck's character and his wife, played by Kerry Washington, as they race to pay a ransom while becoming entangled in deception and facing choices that could destroy their family. The cast also includes Gillian Anderson, Steven Yeun, Luis Gerardo Méndez and Adriana Paz. Animals is set to premiere on Netflix later this year.

 

Fans at Mumford & Sons' Madison Square Garden concert got an unexpected treat when Jason Sudeikis made a surprise appearance. The Ted Lasso star joined the band onstage to perform the show's theme song, which frontman Marcus Mumford co-wrote. After spotting Sudeikis in the crowd, the cameras followed him as he ran to the stage, sang with the band, shared a hug with Mumford, and exited to loud cheers. The cameo came just days after the premiere of Ted Lasso's fourth season on Apple TV+. Later in the concert, Mumford joked with the audience that if they didn't quiet down, he'd "stick Ted on you."

Mel Gibson says Lethal Weapon 5 is still alive—at least on paper. While appearing at Fan Expo Boston, Gibson revealed that he and writer Richard Wenk finished the script after original director Richard Donner died in 2021, and he believes it's the strongest script in the franchise. According to Gibson, the movie would feature older versions of Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh, with Murtaugh retired and Riggs stuck behind a desk. The film would focus more on the characters than over-the-top explosions, though it would still deliver the action fans expect. Gibson also says he plans to direct the sequel, honoring a promise he made to Donner, who personally asked him to take over if he couldn't finish the film himself. The biggest obstacle isn't the script—it's the studio. Gibson says the project got bogged down in corporate turmoil at Warner Bros. and has been stuck in development limbo. However, with media executive David Ellison expected to take control of the studio, Gibson is hopeful the project could finally move forward, saying fans might see Lethal Weapon 5 within the next year or so.

Discovery says this year's Shark Week delivered its biggest audience in seven years, making the network the No. 1 cable channel in prime time among adults during the week of July 26 through August 1. Seven of the week's Top 10 cable programs were Shark Week specials, led by Air Jaws: Red, White & Breach, which ranked No. 2 overall. Discovery credited the event's success to a mix of jaw-dropping great white shark footage, unusual ocean creatures and even the franchise's first K-pop-themed anthem, saying the annual TV tradition once again became one of the summer's biggest television events.

Amy Poehler is heading back to TV with a new comedy. Her 10-episode Peacock series, Dig, premieres November 23 and follows a group of archaeologists—and some less-than-serious college students—working at a dig site in Greece. After uncovering a rare artifact, the team is launched into an unexpected adventure. The comedy comes from The Good Place and Parks and Recreation creator Michael Schur and co-showrunner J.J. Philbin, and features a cast that includes Hugh Laurie, Geraldine Viswanathan, Antonia Thomas, and Fina Strazza.

Phil Collins has revealed that one of the biggest songs of his career almost wrote itself. During a BBC Radio 2 interview, Collins said his classic hit "In the Air Tonight" was about 80% improvised. Rather than planning lyrics in advance, he says he usually sits down at the piano, starts playing, and lets the melody and words develop naturally. Collins recalled creating the song alone in his bedroom with a keyboard and drum machine. After finding the right chords, he recorded a simple backing track and sang whatever came to mind. Remarkably, the first improvised version ended up being almost identical to what appeared on the finished album. He said that's how he's written many of his songs, relying more on instinct than careful planning. He joked that maybe "an extra whiskey at lunchtime" helped the inspiration.