The proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery could have a dramatic effect, not just on the future of filmmaking, but also legacy properties. Some horror fans believe that the joining of the studios will bring the fragmented pieces of Friday the 13th back under one corporate roof. For the companies themselves, controlling a franchise’s full distribution history carries tangible value in an increasingly competitive streaming marketplace.
Former Disney star Shia LaBeouf is facing renewed legal troubles after being arrested in New Orleans over the weekend on a new charge of simple battery. According to Fox News, the charge marks the third simple battery count stemming from an alleged Mardi Gras bar altercation earlier this month. The latest warrant stems from the initial incident after an additional alleged victim came forward.
On February 24, Waymo announced that it was expanding its fully autonomous ride-hailing service to Orlando, Florida and three other U.S. cities. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, who was the first to take an official ride, said that the city had been working with Waymo for several months.
A new report in Deadline confirms that A Knight of the 7 Kingdoms has been a hit on streaming. It reports that “the first season is currently averaging around 14M U.S. viewers and 26M global viewers per episode, ranking as the third-largest series debut since the launch of HBO Max.” The show was renewed for a second season before its debut, and is expected to return next year. As HBO looks to build momentum for its latest entry in the Game of Thrones franchise, fans and industry insiders alike are considering what made A Knight of the 7 Kingdoms a success.
Now that Netflix has conceded to Paramount in the bidding war for Warner Bros., attention has shifted to what happens next. Pending final board actions and regulatory review, Paramount is positioned to assume control of the studio and its assets, including DC Studios. With the potential leadership change, some observers have focused on how it could affect James Gunn’s role, the direction of the DCU, and whether ownership changes would alter long-running fan campaigns surrounding the Snyderverse.
Arguably one of the most stirring moments during the 2026 State of the Union address was when President Trump welcomed the U.S. men’s hockey team. Their 2-1 win over Canada in the finals of the Winter Olympics was a highlight of the games and a moment of national pride. But Whoopi Goldberg and her co-hosts on The View criticized the president for giving the team special honors.
In a recent podcast interview, Robert De Niro called on Americans to resist President Donald Trump. “The story is our country, and Trump is destroying it, and who knows what his reasons are, but it’s sick,” the actor said. “We have to save the country.” Now Trump has fired back.
As The Walt Disney Company prepares for a major change in leadership, those in entertainment and politics are watching closely. On February 3, the company announced that Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro had been named Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, and that Dana Walden, Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment, had been named to the newly created role of President and Chief Creative Officer.
Since Dave Filoni was named co-runner of Lucasfilm, fans have speculated about the franchise’s creative future—and whether tensions exist between Filoni and Andor showrunner Tony Gilroy. A persistent rumor is that Filoni dislikes Andor. Gilroy says those rumors are unfounded.
YouTube personality Grace Randolph has received significant backlash for comments made after the recent controversy at the BAFTAs. Her most recent attempt to address the situation has resulted in her video being ratioed, receiving more downvotes than upvotes. It’s a clear metric that shows her audience is not on board with her opinions.
According to industry analytic company Omdia, U.S. viewership of microdramas—ultra-short serials designed to be watched vertically—has outpaced traditional streaming services on cell phones. Rather than major subscription streamers like Netflix or Disney+, audiences are choosing apps like ReelShort for quick hits of entertainment.
In response to intense user criticism, Discord is pushing back age verification until the second half of 2026. The announcement came in an open letter posted on the company blog from CTO and co-founder Stanislav Vishnevskiy.