“Spider-Man: Brand New Day” is still dominating the box office. It took in another 39 million dollars this weekend, giving it four straight weekends at number one. Globally, it’s now at 2.22 billion dollars, making it the sixth-highest-grossing movie ever, passing Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Domestically in the U.S., it’s at nearly 855 million, good enough for third all-time.
Some sad news: Shelley Fabares, best known as the daughter on The Donna Reed Show and later for Coach, has died at 82. She also appeared in three Elvis Presley movies and had a number-one hit in 1962 with “Johnny Angel.” Her family says she died in Los Angeles surrounded by loved ones, including her husband, actor Mike Farrell.
In celebrity romance news, Kendall Jenner and Jacob Elordi were spotted holding hands during a date night in London. Kendall was in a gray dress, Jacob was wearing a dark blue pinstripe suit — very fancy, very couple-y. But despite all the recent trips together, they still haven’t made that red-carpet debut. So they’re holding hands… but apparently not ready to hold hands in front of photographers.
Sydney Sweeney’s lingerie brand, Syrn, is reportedly having a rough time just months after launching. In Touch is reporting claims from an unnamed source that sales are disappointing and the company has held meetings to figure out how to turn things around. The brand launched with 44 sizes, but critics have argued the marketing puts too much focus on Sweeney herself. In other words: apparently the underwear needs to become the celebrity.
Now to Prince Harry. He and six other British celebrities have been ordered to make an initial payment of about 13 million dollars to the publisher of the Daily Mail after losing their privacy case. The group includes Elton John, David Furnish, Liz Hurley, Sadie Frost, Simon Hughes and Doreen Lawrence. And that might not be the end of it — the final legal bill could potentially climb to nearly 47 million dollars.
And Harry is also stepping down from the board of conservation group African Parks after ten years. The organization called it part of a “governance refresh.” His departure comes after an Indigenous rights group accused African Parks rangers of human-rights abuses. African Parks thanked Harry for his decade of service.
Over in soccer, Erling Haaland has chopped off his famous long blonde hair. The Manchester City superstar unveiled a buzz cut and called it a fresh start for the new season. He even admitted he was nervous because soccer legend Zlatan Ibrahimović had previously told him to keep the long hair because his “strength is in his hair.” So apparently Zlatan is not just giving soccer advice — he’s giving Samson advice now.
And here’s a big one for “Sicario” fans: Josh Brolin says “Sicario 3” is happening. Brolin says production will begin soon, meaning we could be getting another chapter in the crime thriller series. Brolin is expected back as CIA operative Matt Graver. So get ready for more intense stares, questionable decisions and extremely stressful trips across the border.
HBO is also expanding its DC universe with a very strange-sounding comedy: “The People v. Gorilla Grodd.” It’s an eight-episode half-hour series following Jimmy Olsen, played by Skyler Gisondo, as he investigates whether Gorilla Grodd was wrongly convicted of killing his father, the King of Gorilla City. Yes — that Gorilla Grodd. Jimmy Tatro plays Grodd. Because apparently the DC universe needed a courtroom comedy about a telepathic super-gorilla.
And finally, “National Treasure 3” is finally, officially… well… Hollywood real. Director Jon Turteltaub says a script is being written and that, “to whatever extent we can, everyone’s back.” That presumably means Nicolas Cage returning as Ben Gates. The original National Treasure made more than 347 million dollars worldwide, and the sequel made 459 million. So yes, Disney has discovered another treasure: a franchise people still want back.
And one more for the movie fans: Brad Pitt’s “The Heart of the Beast” has been added to the San Sebastián Film Festival lineup. Pitt and director David Ayer will attend. The movie follows a former Army Special Forces soldier who has to survive the Alaskan wilderness after his plane crashes — with the help of a retired service dog named Odin. So basically: Brad Pitt, Alaska, survival, and a dog. Hollywood knows exactly what buttons to push.
