Category: Entertainment

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‘Barbie’ animated feature in works from Illumination and Mattel Studios

Two years after the record-setting release of Barbie, the feminist live-action take on Mattel’s iconic doll that became a cultural phenomenon, Illumination and Mattel Studios have finalized a deal to develop a new Barbie movie that will be the first in animation for theaters, sources tell Deadline.

Reps for Illumination, Universal, and Mattel declined to comment. Not yet dated, we’re told the film will be released by Universal Pictures, which has an exclusive financing and distribution partnership with Illumination. No word yet on the plot of this Barbie or creatives attached.

Transcending all expectations as it grossed over $1.44 billion worldwide, Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, starring Margot Robbie, impacted culture like few other films in recent memory. Propelled to the highest heights in part by the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon, where audiences paired Barbie with Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer in a double-feature event, the film was the highest grossing of 2023 and has solidified its place in history as one the highest-grossing films of all time, along with the highest-grossing for a female director. That pic was released by Warner Bros., rather than Universal, and is the highest-grossing in the studio’s history. The film’s award run culminated in eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, with Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” winning Best Original Song.

Since 1959, Barbie has held down its place as the the global category leader in Dolls, with more than 100 sold every minute. Barbie is also the #1 Girls/Dolls toy brand on social media.  

Mattel officially combined its film and television units to form Mattel Studios last month, as we told you first. The studio has two films slated for release in 2026: a live-action Masters of the Universe, to be released by Amazon MGM Studios, and a live-action Matchbox produced alongside Skydance and Apple. Earlier this month, we broke the news that Jon M. Chu has been enlisted to direct a live-action Hot Wheels movie for Warner Bros, with Mattel Studios and Bad Robot producing. The company also recently announced feature adaptations of the toy brands Whac-A-Mole and View-Master and is developing additional projects based on IP including American Girl, Bob the Builder, Magic 8 Ball, Major Matt Mason, Polly Pocket, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, Thomas & Friends, UNO and Wishbone.

Chris Meledandri’s animation powerhouse Illumination has two films coming up for release through Universal: a sequel to box office smash The Super Mario Bros. Movie (April 3, 2026) with Nintendo and Minions 3 (July 1, 2026). (Deadline)

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Colbert says The Late Show will end after 33 years

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will end in May 2026 after 33 years on air, the CBS television network announced in a surprise statement on Thursday.

The move “is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night [television]” and “is not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters”, CBS said.

Colbert broke the news at a taping of the show, earlier on Thursday evening, triggering a chorus of boos from the live studio audience.

“I do want to say that the folks at CBS have been great partners,” he said, adding: “And of course, I’m grateful to you, the audience, who have joined us every night in here, out there, all around the world.”

The move brings a close to the more than three-decade old programme, leaving the network without a late-night comedy talk show for the first time since 1993.

Colbert, who took over the CBS programme from David Letterman in 2015, has become one of US President Donald Trump’s staunchest critics on late-night TV.

The presenter was informed of the decision to cancel his show on Wednesday night, he told the audience during his Thursday monologue.

“Yeah, I share your feeling,” he said as the crowd in the Ed Sullivan Theatre in New York shouted “no” and booed.

“It’s not just the end of our show, but it’s the end of The Late Show on CBS. I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away,” he continued. “It is a fantastic job. I wish somebody else was getting it.”

The announcement comes two weeks after CBS parent company Paramount settled a lawsuit with Trump stemming from a CBS interview with his 2024 election rival Kamala Harris.

The Late Show was created by CBS, the BBC’s US news partner, in 1993 as a competitor to NBC’s own talk show. It came after a dispute between hosts David Letterman and Jay Leno over who should succeed Johnny Carson on the wildly-popular Tonight Show.

Before taking over the job at The Late Show, Colbert had been the host of “The Colbert Report” on Comedy Central – a programme which skewered US conservative politics and culture.

The announcement of the ending of the programme came amid talks between Paramount and Skydance Media to merge the two companies, a move that would require approval from the US federal government.

Democratic Senator Adam Schiff posted on X on Thursday that he had finished taping an interview with Colbert just before the cancellation was announced.

He questioned whether the announcement was tied to the $16m (£12m) settlement the network agreed to pay to Trump, writing: “If Paramount and CBS ended the Late Show for political reasons, the public deserved to know”.

Another US senator, Elizabeth Warren, echoed those sentiments, posting on X: “America deserves to know if his show was cancelled for political reasons.”

The settlement came after Trump sued CBS last October alleging the network had deceptively edited an interview that aired on its 60 Minutes news programme with his presidential election rival Kamala Harris, to “tip the scales in favour of the Democratic party”.

Paramount said it would pay to settle the suit, but with the money allocated to Trump’s future presidential library, not paid to him “directly or indirectly”. (BBC)

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Gregg Wallace faces backlash over autism defence

Former MasterChef host Gregg Wallace is facing criticism from charities and groups working with disabled people after he appeared to link claims of misconduct he is facing to his autism diagnosis.

Several dozen people have come forward to BBC News with allegations about Wallace, including inappropriate sexual comments, touching and groping, which he denies.

In a statement this week, the presenter defended himself and also said he had recently been diagnosed with autism, but that TV bosses had failed to “investigate my disability” or “protect me from what I now realise was a dangerous environment”.

One charity told BBC News that autism is “not a free pass for bad behaviour”, while other groups warned that such remarks risked stigmatising the autistic community.

Wallace has been sacked as MasterChef host, and a report into the accusations is expected to be published shortly. He has said it has cleared him of “the most serious and sensational allegations”.

On Tuesday, Wallace wrote on Instagram: “My neurodiversity, now formally diagnosed as autism, was suspected and discussed by colleagues across countless seasons of MasterChef.

“Yet nothing was done to investigate my disability or protect me from what I now realise was a dangerous environment for over 20 years.”

The Telegraph reported on Thursday that he plans to sue the BBC and the makers of MasterChef for discrimination on the grounds of his autism following his sacking.

And the Times reported friends of Wallace as saying his autism means he can’t wear underwear, and that his condition was partly to blame for his alleged inappropriate behaviour.

Speaking to BBC News, Seema Flower, founder of disabilities consultancy Blind Ambition, said there was “no excuse” for being inappropriate to people in society.

“Where does it leave us if we use autism as excuse to behave in whatever way we like?” she asked.

Her comments were echoed by Emily Banks, founder of neurodiversity training body Enna.

“To be clear: being autistic is never an excuse for misconduct. It doesn’t absolve anyone of responsibility, and it certainly doesn’t mean you can’t tell the difference between right and wrong.”

Dan Harris, who runs the charity Neurodiversity in Business and is himself autistic, said people like him “may miss social cues sometimes”.

“But autism is not a free pass for bad behaviour,” he added.

“Comments like this stigmatise us and add an unfortunate negative focus on our community.”

Last year, the charity Ambitious About Autism dropped Wallace as an ambassador in the wake of the original claims against him.

The comments have also sparked debate online and on radio phone-ins.

On BBC Radio 2’s Jeremy Vine Show, Jessie Hewitson, Director of NeuroUniverse, said people with autism “have been stereotyped since the dawn of time”.

She said she worried that remarks like this risk “forming a connection in peoples’ minds – either that autistic people behave inappropriately in the workplace or that we cannot take personal responsibility”.

But on social media, many people responded positively to Wallace’s post and sent him supportive messages.

And on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Nicky Campbell Show, which dedicated an hour to the topic on Thursday, some callers were sympathetic.

One called Danielle, who is autistic, said people with the condition “can misread situations quite often”.

“I think growing up undiagnosed, you grow up thinking everything you’re doing is wrong because you’re different and you then internalise a lot of that so you’re very oversensitive as well,” she said.

Another caller, Jake, said he thought Wallace should have had support a long time ago.

“You’ve got a man here who’s clearly out of touch, he’s been out of touch for a long time, he’s had nobody putting him back in line, whether that’s an employer, whether that’s a friend, whether that’s anybody, and at the moment that’s what he needs.

“He needs some compassion to get him back where he needs to be and I feel for his mental health.” (BBC)

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K-pop singer jailed three and a half years for rape

South Korean singer Taeil, formerly from the K-pop band NCT, has been sentenced to three years and six months in prison for rape.

Taeil, 31, and two accomplices, named in South Korean reports only as Lee and Hong, admitted in June to taking turns assaulting their victim – a Chinese tourist.

A district judge in Seoul described the crime as “extremely grave”, but handed them just half the seven-year sentence requested by prosecutors, noting they were first time offenders.

The court also ordered the three men to complete 40 hours of a treatment programme designed for perpetrators of sexual violence.

The court heard they had met their victim at a bar in the Itaewon district in Seoul.

She became “heavily intoxicated” after drinking with them, the court heard. They then got into a taxi to Lee’s house, where the assault happened.

South Korean law describes this specific kind of rape as “aggravated” because it was a group attack, and a “quasi rape”, as the victim was unconscious.

Taeil, whose real name is Moon Tae-il, left NCT in August last year when allegations first emerged, although the exact details of the crime were not publicly known at the time.

Introduced as a K-pop band in January 2016, NCT is known for its experimental music spanning various genres and has gained international attention with some releases charting on Billboard lists. (BBC)

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Gregg Wallace ‘sacked’ from MasterChef amid reports of 50 fresh allegations

Gregg Wallace has been “sacked” as Masterchef presenter following an inquiry into alleged misconduct allegations by production company Banijay, BBC News has reported.

It comes as 50 more people have come forward and made new claims about Wallace to the corporation, according to BBC News, including allegations he dropped his trousers in front of a junior female Masterchef worker while he was not wearing any underwear and groped another.

BBC News said it has not seen the final Banijay report, but it is understood the presenter has been sacked.

Banijay UK previously said Wallace “committed to fully cooperating” with the external review while his lawyers strongly denied “he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature”, according to BBC News.

Earlier on Tuesday, the TV presenter claimed he had been cleared of the “most serious and sensational accusations” made against him ahead of the report.

Wallace stepped away from hosting the BBC cooking show after a number of historical complaints came to light last year.

This triggered an external investigation by Banijay UK, the production company behind Masterchef.

An investigation by BBC News reported that 13 people had alleged that Wallace had made inappropriate sexual comments across a number of shows over 17 years.

In a statement on his Instagram account earlier on Tuesday, ahead of the report being published, Wallace said: “After 21 years of loyal service to the BBC, I cannot sit in silence while my reputation is further damaged to protect others.

“I have now been cleared by the Silkins (sic) report of the most serious and sensational accusations made against me.

“The most damaging claims (including allegations from public figures which have not been upheld) were found to be baseless after a full and forensic six-month investigation.”

He continued: “I recognise that some of my humour and language, at times, was inappropriate. For that, I apologise without reservation. But I was never the caricature now being sold for clicks.”

“I will not go quietly. I will not be cancelled for convenience. I was tried by media and hung out to dry well before the facts were established. The full story of this incredible injustice must be told and it is very much a matter of public interest, ” he added.

BBC spokesperson said: “Banijay UK instructed the law firm Lewis Silkin to run an investigation into allegations against Gregg Wallace. We are not going to comment until the investigation is complete and the findings are published.”

Banijay UK has declined to comment on Wallace’s comments.

ITV News has approached Wallace for comment. (ITV)

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Nicholas Galitzine says ‘Masters of the Universe’ has wrapped production

“Masters of the Universe” star Nicholas Galitzine took to Instagram Sunday to reveal that the live-action adaptation of the 1983 animated series from Amazon MGM Studios and Mattel Films has officially wrapped production.

“Well, that’s a wrap on ‘Masters of the Universe,’” Galitzine wrote. “It has been an honour shouldering the responsibility of playing Adam and He-Man. It’s been the role of a lifetime and I put everything into it. There’s not much I can show you, but I am so proud of the movie we’ve made. Thanks to our amazing cast and crew for all your hard work.”

Along with Galitzine’s He-Man, the film stars Camila Mendes as Teela, Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn, Jared Leto as Skeletor, Idris Elba as Man-at-Arms, Sam. C Wilson as Trap Jaw, Kojo Attah as Tri-Klops, Hafthor Bjornsson as Goat Man and Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson as Malcolm/Fisto.

“Bumblebee” director Travis Knight helms the film with a script from Chris Butler, who joined after initial drafts were written by David Callaham and Aaron and Adam Nee. Producers include Mattel Films’ Robbie Brenner, Escape Artists’ Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch. The film is set for release on June 5, 2026.

During a recent interview with Variety, Jóhannesson teased Galitzine’s physical preparation for the role of He-Man.

“I was with him in London last week,” he said. “We’re doing fittings and filming is about to start. And I mean, he is looking like a beast. He’s not showing you everything. We were in the gym, we didn’t wear much.” (Variety)

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South Korea cements cultural status with six Tonys for Maybe Happy Ending

South Koreans are celebrating their first win in the Tony Awards, which they say highlights their country’s status as a cultural powerhouse.

The acclaimed Broadway production of Maybe Happy Ending, which debuted in South Korea almost a decade ago, won six Tonys, including best musical.

Maybe Happy Ending is about the romance between two humanoid robots living in an apartment building on the outskirts of Seoul. It entered Sunday night’s awards ceremony with 10 nominations.

With the Tonys, South Koreans have now won the four most coveted awards in US entertainment. Squid Game won Emmy awards in 2022 while Parasite won four Oscars in 2020. Soprano Sumi Jo won a Grammy in 1993.

On Sunday, South Korean lyricist Hue Park and American composer Will Aronson took home the Tony for best original score and best book of a musical.

Before making their Broadway debut with Maybe Happy Ending in 2024, the pair, who met as students at New York University, had written the musical in both English and Korean.

“This is amazing!” one post on Threads reads. “I heard the Broadway version got even more polished. I’m so proud that Korea is becoming a true cultural powerhouse.”

“This feels like a dream come true for the Korean Wave,” reads another post. “I’m just as thrilled as when Parasite won the Oscars, Squid Game won the Emmys, and Han Kang received the Nobel Prize.”

Former Glee star Darren Criss, who played one of the robots, Oliver, won best lead actor in a musical. It was his first Tony win.

The musical, which also stars Helen J Shen as robot Claire, was already on a streak this awards season.

It bagged some of the top prizes at the Outer Critics Circle Awards and Drama League Awards this year.

First directed by Kim Dong-yeon, Maybe Happy Ending premiered in Seoul in 2016 to much critical acclaim. It has since been revived several times in South Korea and abroad – in both Korean and English.

Maybe Happy Ending’s success comes as South Korean artists continue to break ground in entertainment, especially with K-pop acts like BTS and Blackpink dominating music in the last few years.

It also serves as a window into Korean culture, some social media users say.

“It’s amazing that Korean elements like Jeju Island, fireflies, and hwabun (a plant pot) were kept in the Broadway version too,” reads one post on Threads.

“I already felt proud just seeing it nominated, but watching the local audience react so positively made it even more special.” (BBC)

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Warner Bros. Discovery to split into two companies

Warner Bros. Discovery, grappling with declines in its overall business, said Monday it planned to divide the company into two publicly-traded entities, one devoted to streaming and content production and one devoted to traditional television.

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav will remain as the leader of the streaming-focused entity, while Gunnar Wiedenfels, the company’s CFO who has become known for finding new ways to cut old costs, will lead the TV company. The separation is expected to be completed by mid-2026, subject to closing and other conditions, and the bulk of the current company’s debt — nearly $38 billion –will be assigned to the TV entity.

“By operating as two distinct and optimized companies in the future, we are empowering these iconic brands with the sharper focus and strategic flexibility they need to compete most effectively in today’s evolving media landscape,” Zaslav said in a statement.

The company is emulating a strategy recently put into place by rival Comcast. That conglomerate is breaking up NBCUniversal, with plans to place the bulk of its cable networks in a new publicly-traded spinoff called Versant while keeping its broadcast and streaming assets under the better-known entity, NBC.

Warner has had to contend with many obstacles since being formed by the combination of AT&T’s WarnerMedia — the company once known as Time Warner — and the former Discovery Communications, Under Zaslav, Warner has fiddled with streaming strategies and deprived top cable networks of TNT and TBS of the original content they need to flourish. Warner recently lost long-held rights to televise NBA games, a contract that gave its networks a major sporting franchise that drew large crowds on the regular. And it has written down the value of its cable properties.

Warner has recently appeared to find some rhythm. The Max service has developed solid audiences for programs including “The Pitt” and “White Lotus,” and the company has recently articulated a strategy of targeting audiences interested in premium content, rather than a broader crowd. And Warner has struck new distribution deals with cable and satellite companies that call for what are seen internally as favorable terms, despite the loss of the NBA.

The streaming company will encompass the Warner TV and movie studios, HBO and HBO Max and a games and experiences division. The company will focus on building out the HBO Max streaming service and investing in programming. Meanwhile, the TV company will include Warner’s TV networks around the world along with specific digital brands tied to the TV entities, including Discovery+, Bleacher Report and CNN’s new streaming products.

Warner’s move is likely to spur new speculation about potential consolidation in the media sector. Part of the strategy behind Comcast’s Versant is its ability to do deals. Paramount Global, owner of CBS, is also under financial pressure and may have to consider new rounds of cost cutting if it cannot consummate a deal it has in place to be acquired by Skydance Media.

During an investor call Monday, executives suggested the two companies might continue to be aligned. Ad sales may represent both sides of the split, executives said, and sports, while being placed with the TV company, will likely continue to stream on HBO Max for the foreseeable future, though those plans could change as the two companies plot their own strategies in the future. “The U.S. sports rights will reside at the global networks, and its management team will determine how best to monetize the streaming and digital rights over time,” Wiedenfels said. (Variety)

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Darey Art Alade, wife escape as car catches fire on Third Mainland Bridge

Popular Nigerian musician, Darey Art Alade, and his wife, Deola, have thanked God and well-wishers after narrowly escaping a car fire on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State.

Sharing videos from the scene on Instagram on Saturday, Deola revealed that the incident occurred around 4pm on Friday when their vehicle caught fire and was completely destroyed.

“Yesterday, around 4pm, our car caught fire on the 3rd Mainland Bridge and burnt to the ground.

“It was a shocking and painful experience, but we’re incredibly grateful that the driver made it out safely. No lives were lost, and that’s what truly matters,” she wrote.

In her post, Deola emphasised the importance of life over material possessions saying, “Moments like this remind us how quickly things can change and how unimportant material things become in the face of life itself.”

She also noted that the reason for sharing their experience was to encourage others going through sudden loss.

Deola wrote, “We’re not sharing this for sympathy but to remind someone that things can be replaced. Lives cannot. We’re choosing to remain thankful to God for protection, for perspective, and for the quiet strength to keep going.

“If you’re navigating a sudden loss of any kind, we hope this reminds you: we can rebuild. We can begin again and find the strength to keep going. One breath, one prayer, one step at a time. We give thanks in all things. Thank you to everyone that stopped to help.”

Fans and celebrities have taken to the couple’s post to offer prayers and wishes. (Punch)

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President Tinubu Mourns Nigerian Iconic Igbo Musician Ejeagha

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended his heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and many fans of Mike Ejeagha, one of Nigeria’s greatest folklorists, songwriters, and musicians in the Igbo language, who passed on to eternity on Friday at 95.

In a statement issued by the Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga,  President Tinubu lauded  Mike Ejeagha for using his music and distinctive storytelling style to preserve and project Igbo culture and customs, inspiring generations.

“May the spirit and values of Gentleman Mike Ejeagha’s music continue to remind us that music has the power to revive, heal and redirect energy towards worthy causes that help build our nation,” President Tinubu says.

The President commended the Enugu State Government, led by Governor Peter Mbah, for honouring the music icon while still alive.

President Tinubu prays to God Almighty to grant the soul of the departed eternal rest and comfort to all who mourn his loss.

Mike Ejeagha, popularly known as “Gentleman Mike Ejeagha,” was a renowned Nigerian folklorist, songwriter, and highlife musician born on April 4, 1930, in Imezi Owa, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria. 

He passed away on June 6, 2025, at the age of 95.

Ejeagha’s music enjoyed renewed popularity in 2024 when his 1983 track Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Ochewent viral through a dance challenge, introducing his work to younger audiences. 

He is celebrated as one of Nigeria’s greatest folklorists and a custodian of Igbo culture through music. (VON)