Netflix Junkie

Gary Oldman Has Big Hopes From HBO’s ‘Harry Potter’ Series for This One Major Miss From the Movies

Shraddha Priyadarshi — Sat, 12 Sep 2026 07:58:25 +0530

Gary Oldman believes the upcoming Harry Potter series will feel more satisfying than the original films because it finally has room to restore what the movies left behind. The actor spent years inside the Wizarding World, watching character moments quietly disappear to fit a strict runtime. With a new format waiting in the wings, that old frustration finally seems ready to find its resolution. Oldman sounds genuinely hopeful about what viewers might finally get to see.

Ahead lie the very words Oldman used to describe this shift and the reasoning behind his rare on-record optimism.

Gary Oldman explains why the Harry Potter series will feel different

The wizarding world is finally getting a version told in full, and Gary Oldman says that shift in the Harry Potter series changes everything. For years, the films squeezed detailed subplots and quieter character beats into one theatrical runtime, cutting corners the books never asked for. Television removes that ceiling, giving Hogwarts room to breathe scene by scene.

"I believe [the TV series is] gonna do it pretty much word-for-word," Oldman told Entertainment Weekly during the Toronto International Film Festival.

He then added, "I think, as a viewer, would be more satisfying."

During the same Entertainment Weekly conversation, the actor admitted a lot of character detail was sacrificed just to fit the films inside their two and a half hour window. He credited Chris Columbus for shaping the franchise early and building a cast that grew into its roles. He also revealed that he still signs old Sirius Black photographs, even though he rarely looks back on that chapter of his career. The new series premieres on HBO and HBO Max this Christmas.

While Hogwarts prepares for its holiday premiere, another Oldman revelation was already making waves of its own.

Gary Oldman hints the next James Bond has been picked

Gary Oldman also weighed in on the search for the next James Bond, and this time his comments carried genuine weight. Speaking with Canada’s The Morning Show, he suggested that Amazon MGM Studios has already settled on its choice, even though no formal announcement has been made yet. He pointed toward his Slow Horses co-star Jack Lowden, saying the actor sits high on the shortlist and hoping the news breaks in his favor soon.

Idris Elba recently closed the door on his own name being linked to the role, calling the long-running rumors never legitimate. Rory Kinnear has suggested some familiar faces from the Daniel Craig era could still return for continuity, even as the franchise shifts under new creative direction. Casting expert Debbie McWilliams has warned that Bond must remain a total enigma to audiences. Between an unannounced Bond and a fully restored Harry Potter, Oldman is having quite the year.

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What are your thoughts on Oldman's Harry Potter comments and Bond tease? Let us know in the comments.

"I Make PowerPoints....." - Iñaki Godoy Reveals His Obsession With Pitching Ideas to 'One Piece' Showrunners

Itti Mahajan — Sat, 12 Sep 2026 07:34:21 +0530

Iñaki Godoy has taken his role as Monkey D. Luffy in Netflix’s live-action One Piece far beyond simply memorizing lines and stepping in front of the camera, as he never shuts up about pitching ideas. Since the series debuted, the actor has repeatedly spoken about his affection for Eiichiro Oda’s manga and his desire to understand Luffy as deeply as possible.

That enthusiasm appears to have translated into a rather unusual habit: putting together PowerPoint presentations to pitch ideas to the show’s creative team.

Iñaki Godoy has a hard time not pitching ideas

Iñaki Godoy’s approach to playing Luffy appears to be considerably more hands-on than simply performing the material handed to him. In an interview with IGN, the actor shared that he is always pitching ideas to One Piece showrunners, turning his thoughts about the character and story into something resembling a presentation.

"I love to pitch stuff. I always have ideas. It's true I make PowerPoints that I present to my showrunners," he said.

Godoy continued explaining how he suggests things from the manga that are not part of the original script and how showrunners Joe Tracz and Ian Stokes are always open to listening, which boosts him even more. The actor has played Luffy since the Netflix adaptation launched in 2023, and the actor has become one of the most recognizable faces of the franchise.

With the Straw Hats now moving into some of the manga’s biggest adventures, there is plenty more for Godoy to get passionate about.

Everything to know about One Piece season 3

The third season, officially titled ONE PIECE: The Battle of Alabasta, will take the Straw Hat crew into one of the manga’s most important storylines. Netflix has confirmed that the season will center on Princess Vivi’s homeland, where a rebellion threatens to plunge Alabasta into civil war. Behind the conflict is Sir Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and his criminal organization, Baroque Works.

The season is particularly notable for its expanding cast. Xolo Maridueña will play Portgas D. Ace, while Cole Escola has been cast as Bon Clay. Daisy Head will portray Miss Doublefinger, and Awdo Awdo will play Mr. 1. Netflix has also announced Emilio Sakraya as Koza, Omid Abtahi as Toto, Jamie Ward as Pell, and Nabeel Khan as Chaka.

Production has already wrapped in Cape Town, South Africa, and Netflix has confirmed that new episodes will arrive in 2027, although a specific premiere date has not yet been announced.

With the scale of the story continuing to grow, Godoy may have plenty more PowerPoints to make as Luffy’s journey enters its next stage.

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What do you think about Iñaki Godoy's obsession with One Piece and his never-ending pitches? Let us know in the comments.

“I Thought I Knew Something “ - Sebastian Stan Gets a Reality Check After Crossing From Marvel to ‘The Batman Part II’

Shraddha Priyadarshi — Sat, 12 Sep 2026 07:18:42 +0530

Sebastian Stan has confirmed that crossing from Marvel into the DC universe felt nothing like he expected. The actor, forever tied to Bucky Barnes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, now stands inside Matt Reeves' Gotham for The Batman Part II. Scarlett Johansson joins him on this unexpected detour, turning two Avengers into fresh faces within a rival comic universe. The pairing has quickly become one of the more curious crossovers Hollywood has produced this year.

While Stan settles into Gotham's shadows, one candid admission reveals exactly how disorienting this leap between comic universes truly became for him.

Sebastian Stan opens up about his Batman Part II reality check

Sebastian Stan has openly admitted that comic book fame taught him nothing about surviving Gotham. Years spent perfecting Bucky Barnes gave him a false sense of comfort inside superhero storytelling. The Batman Part II stripped that comfort away almost instantly, throwing him into an entirely different rhythm of filmmaking.

"I thought I knew something about the comic book world," said to Entertainment Tonight.

He then added, "Turns out I didn't," emphasizing how unprepared his Marvel years left him for Matt Reeves' darker universe.

Details beyond that admission to Entertainment Tonight painted a clearer picture of just how disorienting this shift became. Reeves welcomed Stan aboard through a social media post referencing a Gotham state of mind, months before filming began. Reports linking him to Harvey Dent shifted repeatedly, with newer claims disputing that casting altogether.

Scarlett Johansson received a similarly playful greeting from Reeves, though her exact role stayed unconfirmed. Such secrecy extended even to the scripts, kept under tight security throughout production.

As Gotham keeps its secrets locked away, Stan resurfaced elsewhere, stepping into a completely different festival spotlight entirely.

Sebastian Stan makes a striking Toronto International Film Festival return with Fjord

Sebastian Stan stepped away from Gotham long enough to attend the Canadian premiere of Fjord at the Toronto International Film Festival. The screening took place at the Princess of Wales Theatre, with director Cristian Mungiu joining him for the occasion. Fjord follows Mihai, a Romanian engineer played by Stan, alongside his Norwegian wife Lisbet, portrayed by Renate Reinsve. Their story centers on a family caught between religious tradition and child protection authorities after bruises on their child raise alarm.

Fjord arrived in Toronto carrying serious festival credibility after winning the Palme d'Or at Cannes earlier in 2026. The win marked a second top prize for Mungiu, following his earlier triumph with 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days. The film also collected the International Critics' Prize and the Ecumenical Jury Prize during its Cannes run. Between Gotham secrecy and Cannes glory, Stan proved that stepping outside familiar territory remains exactly where he thrives.

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What are your thoughts on Sebastian Stan's unexpected leap from Marvel to Gotham? Let us know in the comments.

“Daenerys Targaryen’s Arc Will Be...” — George R.R. Martin Teases a Major ‘Game of Thrones’ Ending Change

Pratham Gurung — Sat, 12 Sep 2026 07:16:24 +0530

The controversial ending of HBO's Game of Thrones left fans worldwide frustrated, particularly over Daenerys Targaryen's abrupt descent into tyranny during the series finale. Many viewers blamed the showrunners for rushing character arcs without George R.R. Martin's source material to guide them.

The author has yet to complete The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring. That wait has fueled endless speculation about how Martin intends to conclude Daenerys' story in the novels. Recently, a viral post on X claimed Martin revealed drastic differences for Daenerys' book ending.

Sparking renewed debate among fans desperate for closure but is that true?

The viral George R.R quote is fake

The supposed tweet on X claiming, that Daenerys Targaryen's arc will be treated very differently in the books does not appear to be an authentic statement from George R.R. Martin. There is no credible record of Martin making this specific comment. What Martin has confirmed is that the books will diverge from the HBO adaptation in meaningful ways.

He has repeatedly indicated that the television ending should not be treated as a complete blueprint for A Song of Ice and Fire. The novels contain characters, political conflicts, and unresolved storylines that the series either changed or omitted entirely.

The status of The Winds of Winter also remains unchanged. Martin has said that roughly 1,100 manuscript pages have been completed, but the novel remains unfinished and has no confirmed publication date. Recent reporting continues to describe the book as an active work in progress, with substantial material still requiring writing and revision.

The fake quote may be easy to dismiss, but Martin's actual Westeros updates offer another reason for fans to keep watching the franchise.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms keeps Westeros moving

While readers continue waiting for George R.R. Martin's unfinished saga, HBO is expanding his world through A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Season 2 has officially completed filming, with Peter Claffey confirming his wrap on August 13, 2026. The upcoming season adapts The Sworn Sword, the second Dunk and Egg novella.

The six-episode season is expected to return during the first half of 2027. Its story follows Ser Duncan the Tall and Egg as they become involved in a conflict surrounding a drought-stricken region of Westeros. The production faced weather-related delays in Gran Canaria, pushing filming beyond its original schedule. Despite those setbacks, HBO has maintained its commitment to the series as part of its continuing Westeros slate.

For fans still hoping to understand what Martin ultimately intends for Daenerys, however, television adaptations can provide only so many clues. Until The Winds of Winter arrives, the definitive version of her fate remains locked inside Martin's unfinished manuscript.

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What do you think about the viral Daenerys claim? Let us know in the comments.

“Those Southern Women…”- Inde Naverrette Ready to Invoke Texas Roots & Visit Mississippi for 'X-Men’s Rogue

Pritha Debroy — Sat, 12 Sep 2026 06:52:34 +0530

Inde Navarrette knows where to look for inspiration as she prepares to play her X-Men role. The actress saw massive success after playing the role of Nikki in Curry Barker’s Obsession, which has also opened the door to new opportunities for Navarrette. Marvel Studios recently announced that she will play the character of Rogue, who is known for her distinct personality and Southern accent.

Now, just as the actress drew inspiration from Mia Goth in Pearl to play Nikki, Navarrette already has plans to perfect Rogue’s signature accent. And it seems she may even be ready to take a trip down South to get it right.

Inde Navarette talks about inspiration for Rogue’s accent

Inde Navarrette recently appeared at TIFF, where she joined ET’s Cassie DiLaura for a conversation. She expressed her excitement about her upcoming projects and the new opportunities that have come her way after the success of Obsession. When asked specifically about preparing for her role as Rogue, particularly the character’s distinctive accent, the actress revealed that she already has some plans in place.

“I have a divorced family, I grew up in Texas for a good majority of my life. So honestly, those Southern women are really my favorite, Corpus Christi is the city specifically.”

The actress further told ET that she would also like to visit Mississippi to learn more and better understand how to play the character, considering that Rogue is from there. So, clearly, expectations will be high for Navarrette when she takes on the iconic role. She will be joined by Kit Connor, Sadie Sink, Samara Weaving, Christopher Abbott, and Adam Driver in the upcoming film. Marvel Studios announced the news earlier during its panel at the D23 Expo.

While production on the upcoming film has yet to begin, Navarrette has already appeared in several films and projects.

Inde Navarrette to make her debut on SNL

Inde Navarrette could be bringing some of Nikki’s energy to Saturday Night Live. The actress is all set to make her debut on the famed sketch comedy and variety show, and there could hardly be a better time for it than Halloween. During her interview with ET, the actress revealed that she is already working on sketch ideas and pointed out how Taylor Swift wrote her own monologue song when she appeared on SNL.

"I am writing down sketch ideas cuz it I've been watching SNL since I was a little girl. I really want to do her justice," she said when asked about her goal for her performance.

Navarrette has been watching SNL since she was a kid, so she knows a thing or two about how things work on the show. Now, the actress has been brilliant at portraying horror as Nikki in the film. This time, Navarrette will have the chance to show her comedic side as well.

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What do you think about Inde Navarrette's approach for Rogue in X-Men Reboot? Let us know in the comments.

Gary Oldman and Air Bud Just Delivered the Most Unexpected ‘Dracula’ Reunion at Toronto International Film Festival

Shraddha Priyadarshi — Sat, 12 Sep 2026 06:40:48 +0530

Gary Oldman crossed paths with Air Bud's Buddy at the Toronto International Film Festival, and the internet promptly ran with a Dracula comparison. The veteran actor, currently promoting Slow Horses Season 6, found himself greeting the costumed golden retriever during a studio visit. What followed was wholesome enough to spark comparisons to one of his most famous roles within minutes. The reaction has since taken on a life of its own.

While Oldman posed with festival regulars, one four-legged guest stole the spotlight, and the comparisons wrote themselves.

Gary Oldman meets Air Bud during his Slow Horses run at Toronto International Film Festival

The Hollywood Reporter posted the clip from its Toronto International Film Festival 26 studio, and online reactions quickly called it one of the most wholesome moments of the week. Viewers drew a comparison to Bram Stoker's Dracula, where Gary Oldman's Count recognizes Winona Ryder's Mina as the reincarnation of a love he lost centuries earlier and tells her he has searched across time itself to find her again.

The golden retriever, dressed as Air Bud, seemed to inspire that same sense of long-awaited devotion in Oldman decades later. Oldman looked thoroughly delighted through the whole exchange.

The retriever arrived in a blue and yellow number six jersey, matching high-top sneakers on all four paws, and a handler in a security shirt holding a red, white, and blue volleyball. Oldman and the dog later sat together on a pink armchair, where he held one paw and laughed with genuine delight. The Hollywood Reporter's footage arrives ahead of Air Bud Returns, a 2027 revival of the basketball-playing dog franchise. The moment found an eager audience of amused onlookers online.

As Oldman charmed a dog on camera, he was also busy revisiting an old sitcom favor from decades earlier.

Gary Oldman recalls how Friends role came through Matt LeBlanc

During a separate panel at the Toronto International Film Festival, Gary Oldman revisited his brief but memorable turn as Richard Crosby on Friends. He credited Matt LeBlanc, his friend since the 1998 film Lost in Space, for bringing the offer his way. Oldman played an actor who complicated Joey's efforts to get Chandler to the wedding on time. He also praised the sitcom's tight, efficient production schedule during the same conversation.

Oldman spoke warmly of the late Matthew Perry along with Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, and David Schwimmer, calling the entire cast a pleasure to work alongside. His Friends cameo joins a long list of surprise guests on the show, from Julia Roberts to Reese Witherspoon. Between the sitcom memory and the Air Bud moment, Oldman's Toronto stretch has turned into one continuous highlight reel. Few actors manage a Dracula callback and a Friends throwback at the same festival.

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What are your thoughts on Gary Oldman's unexpected Air Bud reunion at the Toronto International Film Festival? Let us know in the comments.

“Auditioning For Every...”- Sandra Bullock on Rejecting Hollywood’s Casting Couch

Pratham Gurung — Sat, 12 Sep 2026 06:16:30 +0530

The 1990s and early 2000s represented a turbulent era in Hollywood, when exploitative power dynamics could shape an actor’s earliest opportunities. And Sandra Bullock encountered that reality while trying to establish herself in New York.

Before becoming one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, she worked as a waitress while navigating auditions that sometimes crossed deeply uncomfortable boundaries.

Looking back, Bullock has revealed that she chose to walk away rather than accept treatment she found unacceptable.

Sandra Bullock refused to play along with Hollywood's casting couch

Speaking to Interview Magazine in a recent conversation with Jennifer Aniston, Sandra Bullock recounted her early struggles in New York before breaking into films.

"I was in New York, I was a waitress, I was auditioning for every pervert that existed asking me to drop my pants. I was like, 'Nope, not the role for me,'" she stated, describing the predatory auditions she endured while trying to establish herself.

Bullock further told Interview Magazine that despite the pressure to accept any available work, she maintained her standards throughout her ascent.

"I was working my way up. Every working actor thinks you will never work again so you just take what you can get and make the most of it," she explained, acknowledging the fear that drives many performers to tolerate unacceptable behavior.

Yet she resisted, understanding that short-term gains did not justify long-term compromise. That decision followed successful films such as While You Were Sleeping and Miss Congeniality, allowing Bullock to show a dramatic range that would later define projects like Gravity.

Bullock's latest outing at the movie screens too proves her longevity.

Early previews and box office performance of Practical Magic 2

Practical Magic 2 has launched with a solid theatrical debut, earning an estimated $30 million domestically during its opening weekend. The sequel's Friday gross reached $12.5 million, following strong Thursday previews that generated between $3.5 million and $4.7 million.

The sequel's 92% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes contrasts sharply with its 36% critics' rating, echoing the original film's divisive reception. Early previews suggest strong attendance among millennial and Gen Z women, with many eager to see Bullock and Nicole Kidman reunite as the Owens sisters.

However, critics have been less forgiving, with reviews describing the film as lacking the magic of the original despite laying groundwork for a potential trilogy. The disconnect between Nicole Kidman's pre-release enthusiasm, noting her daughter watched it three times, and the harsh critical consensus suggests audiences may struggle to sit through even one sitting.

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What do you think about Bullock's decision to reject Hollywood's casting-couch culture? Let us know in the comments.

Judge Judy’s 30-Year TV Run Is Ending, but Viral AI Baby Version May Live On

Shraddha Priyadarshi — Sat, 12 Sep 2026 06:15:05 +0530

Judge Judy Sheindlin's three-decade television reign is ending, yet the viral baby version of her may be far from finished. For years, Sheindlin ruled small-claims courtrooms with a raised eyebrow and very little patience for excuses. That no-nonsense persona made her a household name long before AI clips reimagined her as a blunt, diaper-wearing infant. Now, as one chapter closes, a curious new one appears to be quietly taking shape.

While the gavel is about to go silent for good, the reason behind her calm exit says everything about what comes next.

Judge Judy Sheindlin steps back as Judyverse enters development

Judge Judy Sheindlin is stepping away from on-camera work once Judy Justice ends in October, and her next chapter is already taking shape. Sheindlin is developing Judyverse, an adult animated series inspired by the viral AI "Baby Judge Judy" videos that made her an unlikely internet sensation.

"I have a lot of other things of interest," she told PEOPLE.

She then added, “I don’t want to do hair and makeup anymore, but I still want my message to get out there."

What PEOPLE also revealed is how personal this pivot truly is for Sheindlin at 83. She now spends her afternoons napping, prioritizing family time, and reportedly leans toward a South Park-style tone for Judyverse rather than a softer approach. Sheindlin is also producing Adam's Law, a new court show starring her son Adam Levy, premiering September 14, nearly thirty years to the day after her original series debuted. A CBS special honoring her legacy airs September 22.

While Sheindlin plots her next move, Netflix already carries several shows built on that exact bold, animated blueprint.

Netflix already has shows in the same lane as Judyverse

No confirmed home for Judyverse exists yet, but Netflix already has the right shelf for an animated project like it. The platform has built one of the strongest adult animation libraries around, led by BoJack Horseman, a sharp Hollywood satire, and Big Mouth, a raunchy coming-of-age comedy that never plays it safe. Inside Job adds workplace humor to the mix, proving Netflix already welcomes bold, biting animated storytelling for grown viewers.

Newer titles keep expanding that lane, including DANG! from The Good Place writers and Alley Cats, a feral cat sitcom with sharp social commentary from Ricky Gervais. Legal drama already thrives on the platform through Suits and Better Call Saul, though none of it mirrors the small-claims format that made Sheindlin famous. Judge Judy's television run may be ending, but her baby counterpart looks primed for an entirely new stage.

What are your thoughts on Judge Judy Sheindlin's exit and the future of Judyverse? Let us know in the comments.

ABC in Talks to Renew ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ but With a Shrunken Budget

Sarah Ansari — Sat, 12 Sep 2026 06:14:51 +0530

ABC is in talks with Jimmy Kimmel over a possible renewal of Jimmy Kimmel Live! beyond the 2026-27 season, but the negotiations arrive after a bruising stretch for late-night television. The show is also navigating a tighter business climate and unusually intense political scrutiny. For Kimmel, the question of another season now carries far more weight than a routine contract renewal.

Late-night has spent the Trump administration walking a strange tightrope, where a monologue can become a political flashpoint and a network decision can become part of the national conversation. That makes ABC’s latest negotiations particularly significant.

Jimmy Kimmel’s future arrives after a turbulent late-night era

The negotiations between Jimmy Kimmel and ABC are not simply about whether Jimmy Kimmel Live! gets another season. According to Variety, the two sides are discussing Kimmel’s future beyond the 2026-27 season, with the possibility of keeping the veteran host behind the desk while operating with a smaller budget. That makes the talks a particularly revealing snapshot of where broadcast late-night stands after years of declining economics and heightened political scrutiny.

Variety reports that Kimmel and Disney executives are currently discussing whether Jimmy Kimmel Live! will continue after the new TV season, although neither Disney nor Kimmel’s representatives commented on the talks. James Dixon, who represents Kimmel as well as Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart, also represents several of the most recognizable names in the modern late-night circuit. The negotiations arrive after Kimmel survived his own extraordinary confrontation with ABC in 2025, when the network temporarily suspended his show amid political fallout, making the possibility of another renewal feel considerably more consequential than a routine contract discussion.

There is an especially telling detail in the timing: Kimmel recently revealed that an interview with Texas Senate candidate James Talarico would bypass ABC’s broadcast network and appear on YouTube because of concerns over FCC pressure on the network’s affiliates.

The episode illustrated how the political climate has begun affecting not only what late-night hosts say, but also which guests can comfortably appear on broadcast television.

Stephen Colbert is walking back into Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night world

And now, just as Jimmy Kimmel’s own future is being negotiated, Stephen Colbert is returning to the late-night ecosystem that lost him. Kimmel announced that Colbert will appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on September 15, marking Colbert’s first late-night appearance since The Late Show ended in May.

The reunion has a neat bit of late-night lore behind it. Kimmel had already offered Colbert the chance to guest-host Jimmy Kimmel Live! after CBS canceled The Late Show, telling that he would happily step aside whenever Colbert wanted to take the desk. Colbert declined at the time, saying it felt premature, but the upcoming appearance puts the two comedians together again at a moment when Kimmel is contemplating the future of his own show.

For Kimmel, that makes the conversation about renewal feel almost like a referendum on the shrinking late-night club itself. Whether ABC gives him another season, and at what price, could become another revealing chapter in late-night’s increasingly complicated survival story.

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What do you think about Jimmy Kimmel’s future at ABC? Share your thoughts in the comments.

9 Times Queen Elizabeth II Blessed Meghan Markle With Her Royal Approval Before Megxit

Sarah Ansari — Sat, 12 Sep 2026 02:43:26 +0530

Meghan Markle is returning to Britain with Prince Harry, years after the couple left the country and stepped back from royal duties in 2020. Their departure, soon dubbed Megxit, transformed their relationship with the Royal Family and left many believing Queen Elizabeth II had never truly accepted her grandson’s wife. But before the fallout, the late monarch gave Meghan Markle several unmistakable signs of warmth, trust and approval.

The history between Meghan Markle and Queen Elizabeth II is often remembered through the prism of what came later. The Oprah Winfrey interview, the Netflix docuseries and the increasingly public distance between the Sussexes and the institution can make their early royal years seem like the opening act of an inevitable feud. Look closer, however, and there was a very different story playing out behind the palace gates.

1. Queen Elizabeth II approved Meghan Markle’s marriage

Before Meghan Markle could become a member of the Royal Family, Queen Elizabeth II had to formally approve the marriage. In March 2018, the monarch gave her official consent to the marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle under the Succession to the Crown Act 2013. That was more than ceremonial royal housekeeping.

The document, formally known as the Instrument of Consent, carried the monarch’s official sanction and cleared the way for one of the most closely watched royal weddings of the modern era. For Markle, who had entered the British royal orbit from Hollywood, it represented one of the clearest institutional signs that Queen Elizabeth II accepted her place beside Prince Harry.

But the wedding was only the beginning of that welcome. Once Markle became the Duchess of Sussex, Queen Elizabeth II did not simply watch from the sidelines.

2. Meghan Markle was welcomed into Windsor

The wedding itself offered another powerful signal. Meghan Markle married Prince Harry at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, in May 2018, in front of senior members of the Royal Family and millions of viewers around the world. The occasion was steeped in Windsor history, but it also carried a distinctly personal gesture.

Meghan Markle had asked then-Prince Charles to accompany her down the aisle after her father could no longer attend, and the future King publicly described the moment as an opportunity to welcome his new daughter-in-law into the family.

3. Queen Elizabeth II took Meghan Markle on a royal engagement

Barely a month after the wedding, Meghan Markle was paired with Queen Elizabeth II for an official visit to Cheshire. For a newly married member of the Royal Family, being sent out on an engagement with the monarch was a significant vote of confidence.

The visit included Storyhouse Theatre in Chester and the opening of the Mersey Gateway Bridge. The two women travelled together and were photographed laughing and chatting throughout the day.

4. Queen Elizabeth II shared her blanket with Meghan Markle

The Cheshire visit produced one of the most memorable personal stories between the two women. During the journey between engagements, Queen Elizabeth II reportedly noticed that Meghan Markle was cold and pulled the blanket covering her own knees over Meghan Markle. Years later, Meghan Markle recalled the gesture during her interview with Oprah Winfrey.

5. Meghan Markle stood beside Queen Elizabeth II at Trooping the Colour

Meghan Markle’s first Trooping the Colour in June 2018 placed her prominently on the Buckingham Palace balcony with senior members of the Royal Family. The annual spectacle is one of the monarchy’s biggest public rituals, combining military tradition with the famously choreographed balcony appearance. For Meghan Markle, the positioning mattered because this was only weeks after the royal wedding.

6. Queen Elizabeth II spoke with Meghan Markle during the RAF centenary

The balcony appearances continued. In July 2018, Meghan Markle joined the Royal Family at Buckingham Palace for celebrations marking the centenary of the Royal Air Force. Photographs from the event captured Queen Elizabeth II speaking with Meghan Markle during the proceedings. It was another seemingly small interaction, but royal watchers often read such moments closely because members of the monarchy rarely communicate family dynamics through overt declarations.

7. Meghan Markle joined Queen Elizabeth II at Royal Ascot

Royal Ascot in June 2018 gave Meghan Markle another opportunity to appear alongside Queen Elizabeth II only weeks after the wedding. The event is one of the monarchy’s most recognisable annual fixtures, mixing horse racing, elaborate fashion and generations of royal tradition. Meghan Markle’s presence alongside Queen Elizabeth II placed the newly minted Duchess of Sussex directly inside that tradition.

8. Queen Elizabeth II met Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor

When Meghan Markle and Prince Harry introduced their son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor to Queen Elizabeth II in May 2019, the meeting carried obvious family significance. The introduction took place at Windsor Castle, with Prince Philip and Meghan Markle’s mother, Doria Ragland, also present.

The Sussexes later shared a photograph from the meeting after announcing their son’s name. It showed Queen Elizabeth II meeting her eighth great-grandchild, turning what could have been a routine family occasion into an important public image of continuity.

9. Queen Elizabeth II supported the Sussexes after Megxit

Perhaps the strongest evidence came when the relationship between the Sussexes and the institution was already under enormous strain. In January 2020, after Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced their intention to step back from senior royal duties, Queen Elizabeth II said the family was supportive of their wish to create a new life while acknowledging that she would have preferred them to remain full-time working royals.

The monarch also made an unusually personal declaration about the couple. Queen Elizabeth II said she was particularly proud of how Meghan Markle had quickly become part of the family and made clear that Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and Archie would remain much-loved members of the family. At the height of the Megxit storm, that statement offered a very different picture from the assumption that Queen Elizabeth II had simply rejected Meghan Markle.

Queen Elizabeth II did not publicly endorse every decision made by Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, but her actions before Megxit repeatedly showed acceptance. From approving the marriage to sharing a blanket and welcoming Archie, the late monarch left behind a trail of moments that complicate the idea that Meghan Markle was never accepted by the Crown.

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What do you think about Meghan Markle’s relationship with Queen Elizabeth II before Megxit? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Lily Wachowski Slams Hollywood’s Treatment of Trans Actors, Calls Filmmakers to Learn from Christopher Nolan

Harshit Kumar — Sat, 12 Sep 2026 00:08:45 +0530

Hollywood has long prided itself on being a progressive cultural megaphone, yet behind the polished marketing campaigns lies a stark and systemic reality for marginalized creators. As industry doors increasingly slam shut on financing and distribution, visionary voices are pulling back the curtain on an entertainment landscape that continues to actively freeze out stories centered on transgender and queer experiences - transforming a creative drought into an urgent battle for visibility and survival.

Lilly Wachowski, for one, cannot stand being a witness to an isolation of this nature and has joined the battle, speaking out against the often-neglected Hollywood bias.

Lilly Wachowski’s crusade for trans actors

In a recent interview with Variety, Lilly Wachowski was asked about the trans representation in Hollywood, citing the example of Elliot Page. Wachowski gave her honest thoughts on the fact that Elliot Paige, despite featuring in a Christopher Nolan production, The Odyssey, which is on track to do $2 billion at the box office, is not getting any more work from Hollywood.

“There are people out there who have the power to cast trans actors, but what the f*** are they doing?” Wachowski asked a simple question.

While she made it perfectly clear to Variety that she absolutely admires Christopher Nolan for casting a trans actor like Elliot Page in his historic epic, she is also enraged by the fact that nobody in Hollywood is ready to follow suit. She criticized those in positions of power and influence for not wanting to go against the system.

Wachowski has been on the receiving end of this bias herself. She mentioned in interviews with Variety and on podcasts like KCRW's The Business that major studios have universally rejected pitches for queer and trans themes, such as the adaptation of the novel Manhunt or a space adaptation featuring lesbians.

Wachowski has faced this firsthand, not as a member of the community but as someone who would like to have them as part of her stories.

Lilly Wachowski on constant rejection of her queer project

Lilly Wachowski disclosed on KCRW’s The Business podcast that she has consistently been rejected for her $10 million dystopian political thriller, The Hunted, about a trans population in the United States facing systematic violence. Financiers decline to finance the movie despite excellent feedback on the script because it has a "wall-to-wall trans cast."

During festival appearances like Frameline, The Matrix writer has stressed that recruiting behind-the-camera professionals from these communities and casting transgender and queer performers are "acts of revolution" against a stagnant business. Her support for their communities seems to be as staunch as ever, with a commitment to telling their stories through any means possible.

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Paramount Eyes a New ‘Hawaii Five-O’ Movie With ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Director Destin Daniel Cretton

Sarah Ansari — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 23:18:43 +0530

Paramount Pictures could finally be taking Hawaii Five-O from its iconic television roots to the big screen, with Spider-Man: Brand New Day director Destin Daniel Cretton attached to develop and direct the movie. The classic CBS crime series has long carried the kind of built-in mythology studios love, from its unmistakable theme to its sun-soaked Hawaiian setting. Now, a filmmaker coming off one of Hollywood’s biggest superhero franchises could be the person to give that mythology a cinematic reset.

But if Paramount really wants to turn that old-school television DNA into a movie franchise, the question is not whether Hawaii Five-O can work on the big screen. It is whether the right filmmaker can make Hawaii itself feel like a character again.

Paramount could be bringing Hawaii Five-O to the big screen

According to a Deadline exclusive, Paramount Pictures is developing a potential Hawaii Five-O movie with Destin Daniel Cretton leading the project. Cretton is set to develop the film with an eye toward directing, while Chris Bremner, known for Bad Boys for Life, is attached to write the screenplay alongside Noah Oppenheim, the writer behind Jackie. The studio had no comment, and the project is still in the early stages, but the pieces suggest Paramount is already assembling a serious creative team around the property.

Deadline reports that the wave is only beginning to build momentum, which makes the timing fascinating. The original Hawaii Five-O, created by Leonard Freeman, premiered on CBS in 1968 and ran until 1980, with Jack Lord playing Steve McGarrett, the no-nonsense head of a state police task force in Hawaii. Even now, the series has two pieces of cinematic shorthand that are almost impossible to separate from the title: Morton Stevens’ instantly recognizable theme and the sweeping tropical vistas that made Honolulu and the surrounding islands part of the show’s visual identity.

A movie could turn those ingredients into something considerably larger, particularly if Paramount sees franchise possibilities in the crime-procedural engine beneath the nostalgia.

Why Destin Daniel Cretton makes this especially interesting

Daniel Cretton is arriving at Hawaii Five-O at a very different point in his career than when he first broke through with the intimate drama Short Term 12. He followed that acclaimed film with The Glass Castle before making the leap into Marvel territory with Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. That film demonstrated his ability to take character-driven material and scale it into spectacle without losing the emotional architecture underneath.

Now, Spider-Man: Brand New Day represents an even bigger test of that blockbuster muscle. Cretton directed the latest chapter in the Spider-Man franchise, putting him in the center of one of Sony’s most valuable cinematic properties and working with returning stars Tom Holland and Zendaya. That combination gives the director something Hawaii Five-O could benefit from enormously: experience making familiar IP feel contemporary rather than simply repainting it.

There is also a natural connection between Cretton’s sensibilities and the potential of this material. Hawaii Five-O does not need to become another generic action franchise with a recognizable title pasted over it. The strongest version could preserve the procedural spine while making the islands, local atmosphere and complicated geography of the setting integral to the storytelling.

If Paramount gets the formula right, the famous theme could eventually announce something much bigger than another nostalgia play: a new crime franchise with an entire Pacific setting at its disposal.

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How 9/11 Changed Hollywood: Stories of Loss, Fear and Survival

Adiba Nizami — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 22:34:13 +0530

September 11, 2001 changed the entertainment industry in ways that extended far beyond what eventually appeared on screen. Productions stopped, stories were reconsidered, and people within Hollywood were among those who never made it home that day. Twenty-five years later, the industry’s remembrance has taken many forms, from tributes to colleagues and friends to fictional stories grappling with a world that suddenly looked different.

Some were immediate attempts to acknowledge an unimaginable reality; others came years later, when writers and filmmakers had had enough time and distance to ask what living in the wake of the tragedy actually meant.

Behind the screens that eventually told September 11’s story were people who had their own lives, work and futures interrupted by it.

Hollywood remembers the people it lost on September 11

Among the entertainment industry’s losses was David Angell, the celebrated writer and co-creator of Frasier and Cheers. Angell and his wife, Lynn Edwards, were passengers aboard American Airlines Flight 11, the first plane to strike the World Trade Center. Angell had been returning to Los Angeles after a trip to Cape Cod, where the couple had visited family.

His death was felt immediately on Frasier, where he remained an important creative presence even after his passing. The series later paid tribute by giving Niles and Daphne’s son the name David, while Kelsey Grammer continued to speak about the loss and the friendship behind the professional partnership. Angell’s story became one of the clearest reminders that the entertainment industry was not merely covering the tragedy; it had lost members of its own community.

Then came the harder question: how could television and film tell stories about a wound that was still painfully fresh?

From The West Wing to Ramy, television processed the aftermath

Television initially approached September 11 cautiously. The West Wing produced Isaac and Ishmael, a standalone episode in which the characters discuss t********, prejudice and the difficulty of making sense of violence. Rather than folding the attacks directly into the series’ political storyline, the episode used the fictional White House as a space for a broader conversation about fear, stereotyping and grief.

Law & Order took a different route. Its episodes increasingly incorporated the changed atmosphere of New York, while Third Watch, already centered on firefighters, police officers and paramedics, confronted the attacks through the perspective of emergency workers. The subject was no longer something that could simply happen elsewhere; it had entered the worlds these shows had already built.

Years later, Ramy approached another part of the aftermath. Specifically, its overall fourth episode, Strawberries, examined how Muslim and Arab American families navigated suspicion, fear and changing perceptions of their communities after September 11. It gave television space to an experience that had often remained outside the center of the national conversation.

The impact extended beyond scripted television. Journalists such as NY1’s Pat Kiernan have revisited the experience of covering the attacks in real time, while film festivals, the Toronto Film Festival, whose attendees had been directly affected at the time, and the wider industry have repeatedly used anniversaries to reflect on how filmmakers and audiences processed the event.

Twenty-five years on, the most enduring Hollywood response may be the simplest one: remembering the people first, then the stories that helped carry their memory forward.

How would you share your thoughts and prayers with the lives forever altered that day? Let us know in the comments.

“Oh, Bless Her” – Tom Hardy Acknowledges Helen Mirren’s Defense Amid Ongoing 'MobLand' Dispute

Harshit Kumar — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 21:52:40 +0530

From on-set tensions to creative clashes, Tom Hardy’s MobLand controversy had everything that could go wrong on a filming set, and yet no one actually knows what transpired during the production of the series. One of the rumors claimed that Hardy was at loggerheads with his co-star Dame Helen Mirren, who would not tolerate his tardiness on set. But Mirren herself quashed all that speculation with a heartfelt post of support for the actor, and for that, Hardy seems to be nothing but grateful.

In recent talks, Tom Hardy has reacted to the kindness extended by the Thursday M***** Club star amid the MobLand controversy.

Tom Hardy responds to Helen Mirren’s MobLand support

On September 11, 2026, Tom Hardy spoke with Extra on the red carpet in London for MobLand season 2. Hardy joked that he would call Spider-Man if he got into trouble. But when the interviewer extended the question by reminding him how Helen Mirren stood up for him during the MobLand conflict, he could not help but give sincere acknowledgment of his gratitude.

“Oh, bless her,” was Hardy’s immediate response to the question.

“It's very kind of her. But, you know, I love Helen. She's my friend,” the actor added.

Talking further about the recent difficult times with Extra, he did reckon that it has been “an interesting few weeks” for him, with all those rumors and what happened behind the closed doors on the show. However, he did not seem to divulge any further on that topic, keeping the sensitive details of the matter out of the public eye.

But what he expanded upon was Dame Helen Mirren and her extraordinary acting range as Maeve in MobLand. He praised her acting skills and called her an “A-list massive heavyweight actor.” According to him, it is delightful to see her play the devil and have fun with it in the show.

With all the controversy now in the past and the eventual return of Tom Hardy to the series, Paramount has renewed MobLand for a third season.

MobLand gets a third season ahead of season 2 premiere

Paramount confirmed MobLand season 3 a week ago, with Tom Hardy in it reprising his role as fixer Harry Da Souza in the Irish family crime drama. Among those eager to see Hardy return were David Glasser of Paramount+ and director Guy Ritchie, per a September 3 Variety report. The streamer announced that Hardy's Da Souza will return for more antics in season 3, proving that their backing was effective.

Episodes for season 2 will be released every week starting on September 18. According to the logline, the second season will see the Harrigans struggle to maintain a cohesive front as their divided criminal empire is threatened by up-and-coming rivals, and their streetwise and formidable fixer, Harry Da Souza, must walk a tightrope as family tensions rise.

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“I Will Find Myself Revealing Things”- Tom Hiddleston Teases a Major Loki Secret in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

Sarah Ansari — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 21:39:44 +0530

Tom Hiddleston is keeping his presence in Avengers: Doomsday under tight wraps, even when a question about Loki’s fate gives him a chance to tease what is coming. The actor has spent years turning Marvel’s God of Mischief from a theatrical antagonist into one of the MCU’s most complicated survivors. Now, with Loki officially among the sprawling Doomsday ensemble, even Hiddleston is choosing his words like they are Infinity Stones.

That caution matters because Loki has already made a career out of dying, cheating death and finding another version of himself waiting around the multiversal corner.

Tom Hiddleston stops himself from revealing Loki’s fate

When Josh Horowitz asked Tom Hiddleston whether Loki will die again in Avengers: Doomsday, the actor quickly found himself approaching dangerous spoiler territory. Speaking on Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast on YouTube, Hiddleston seemed to rather hide the details.

“Look, if I keep going down the path of the end of this sentence, I will find myself revealing things... it depends on what you... I have to stop,” he said.

His answer on Happy Sad Confused got especially interesting because it is a very Loki answer from the actor who has spent more than a decade mastering Marvel’s art of controlled mischief. The original Loki died in Avengers: Infinity War when Thanos killed him aboard the Asgardian refugee ship, but Loki later followed a 2012 variant who escaped with the Tesseract during the events of Avengers: Endgame.

Marvel itself identifies that distinction as central to the Disney+ series, which turned Loki into a multiversal figure rather than simply resurrecting the exact character fans watched die.

Hiddleston is not confirming another death, but he is also clearly trying not to say something that would expose what happens to Loki in Doomsday.

Avengers: Doomsday is only one of Tom Hiddleston’s major 2026 roles

The secrecy becomes even more fitting when looking at the scale of Avengers: Doomsday. Marvel has assembled a sprawling cast for the film, bringing together Hiddleston’s Loki with characters including Thor, the Fantastic Four, Steve Rogers, Professor X, Magneto and Doctor Doom, played by Robert Downey Jr. The film is directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, with Stephen McFeely writing, and is scheduled to arrive in theaters on December 18, 2026. That makes Loki part of another enormous multiversal collision, although Marvel has been careful about exactly how Hiddleston fits into the story.

Hiddleston is also heading into this Marvel return with Tenzing, giving 2026 a particularly interesting split-screen quality for the actor. In Jennifer Peedom’s historical adventure drama, he plays Sir Edmund Hillary opposite Genden Phuntsok as Tenzing Norgay, whose 1953 Everest expedition with Hillary became one of mountaineering history’s defining achievements. Apple says Tenzing will open in select theaters on October 9 before arriving on Apple TV on October 16, putting Hiddleston in a very different kind of high-stakes story just weeks before Doomsday.

For a character whose entire MCU journey has been built around escaping the ending written for him, Loki returning for Doomsday already carries its own mystery. Hiddleston stopping himself before saying too much only adds another layer to it.

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