Entertainment

Ariana Grande’s new video sparks commentary, but how should we be talking?

NEW YORK, NY (AP) – Talking about the beauty of public figures can be a very ugly thing.
There’s never a shortage of opinions and hot takes in an increasingly interconnected world. This was evident again recently, following the release of Ariana’s new album “Petal” and a music video for the singer.
The question was also raised: Does the fact that we are allowed to say whatever we want mean that we will? Others said that it was a matter of concern. Some thought this body-shaming was a natural response to a culture which constantly judged women. Others argued that it was important to respect her privacy.
Grande’s appearance has been the subject of much attention throughout her career. The current focus is on her increasing sternum, rib cage, and bone structure.
She’s fought back at the notion that she is anything but healthy and has repeatedly stated that commenting on other people’s body shapes was not acceptable. She told People magazine, through her representative, that she will be retiring from the public eye after finishing her tour due to “unending public scrutiny.”
Grande’s video is a seven-minute indictment on the harsh assessment process that can lead to fame. She sings, “I don’t need anyone to save me.” I’m not a “victim.”
Johanna Kandel is the founder and CEO at the National Alliance for Eating Disorders. She says that the way we speak about body image can have a lasting impact, even if it’s just a single comment.
Kandel replied, “I’d just double-check our intent.” What is its purpose? “What is its purpose versus impact?”
It is not new to judge famous women by their appearance.
The aggressive scrutiny and judging of women in public is not new. Despite the concerted effort made over the last decade to encourage body acceptance for all shapes and sizes, the trend is still present.
Celebrities are now promoting weight-loss medications that work. The conversation has shifted once more around thinness, health and beauty. Some are concerned about the impact of images showing noticeably thinner faces on people with eating disorders or body image problems.
Allison Butler is a senior communication lecturer at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She says that because of judgment and criticism from one side and calls for people to refrain from mentioning anything about Grande’s body, it can be difficult to have frank conversations about health and beauty.
Butler, the author of The Judgment Of Gender: Women Are Centered And Silenced In Pop Culture, said, “We limit the complexity both of those people to whom we direct our attention, and our own complex understandings about ourselves.”
Many experts believe that it is not the place of anyone to judge a celebrity’s appearance.
With celebrities, I urge people to avoid speculating. “Public conversations about celebrity body images reinforces the notion that our bodies can be discussed in public, which is a message that young people listen to,” Rachel Goldman said by email. She’s also a clinical assistant professor and psychologist at NYU Grossman School.
She said: “We have to also remember that remarks about someone’s looks (whether meant as compliments, criticisms or both) can reinforce that we are only worth what we look like.”
It doesn’t mean that we should ignore the fact that many people are affected by disordered food consumption in different ways. Kandel refers to her personal experience.
She said: “When my eating disorder was brought up for the first time, I felt a sense of concern. But it wasn’t “Hey, What’s happening? “I’m worried about you.
Kandel believes that ignoring these issues and not thinking about them is more effective than addressing them. She said that it is not a topic to avoid, but rather to bring it up with curiosity and compassion instead of criticism.
These issues can be hard to discuss with children
Goldman recommends that parents talk with their children about messages the society sends, rather than focusing on the appearance of the child. Reminding children that their appearance does not reflect health or well-being is also important.
We want to make sure that young people understand their bodies are only one aspect of themselves. She said that their worth was not determined by the size and shape of their body, nor anyone else.
Jennifer Hill does her best to achieve this. Jennifer Hill, 56, is a pediatric nurse in Broomall. She says that her daughter, 16, who is a cheerleader, runner and loves to run, dislikes comments about her appearance.
“I’ll talk to her. If someone mentions something, I say, “You know what?” Hill stated that “Everyone is different. Everyone’s bodies are different.
She says that things are better now than in her childhood, but when she remembers the people who were not afraid to make the most brutal comments back then, it is still a battle. She also said that social media added to the pressure. In her professional life, she also observes this in the young people that she works with who have emotional problems or eating disorders. Her advice: Listen.
She said, “You do not want to say that you are really obese.” You have to be careful.
Hill explained that it’s not about telling people what to think, but rather guiding and influencing them. Communication is the key. “I think that having an open discussion and letting the other person do most of the talking, and not you.”
Grande has spoken to her fans recently, reading a message from the stage on Monday that she had read off of her phone. She acknowledged that fans worry about “negativity” ruining her career, but she said it is the exact opposite.
Multiple things are possible at once. She said that boundaries need to be established. Human beings need breaks sometimes. This can and will be my greatest professional and creative experience.
Many of her fans, many young women, erupted into cheers.
___
The National Alliance for Eating Disorders offers a free helpline for anyone with concerns about their body image. Call (866)662-1235. The helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 7 pm EST.

Entertainment

Bruce Springsteen Biographer, Critic Dies at 76

Dave Marsh died Friday, August 14, after a long battle with cancer. He was a music writer of great influence and an activist who fought for social justice, health care and freedom of speech.
His cause of death is not known, but his health had declined in the last few years.
Dave was born in Pontiac in Michigan in 1950. Growing up, he was surrounded by the sounds of Detroit – Motown, R&B and rock ‘n roll – which inspired him to believe in music for the rest of his life.
Marsh was one of the founding editors for Creem Magazine when it first launched in 1969. Marsh wrote for Rolling Stone, among other publications. He has also authored over two dozen books about artists such as Elvis Presley and The Who. Born to Run, The Bruce Springsteen story, his 1979 biography became a New York Times Bestseller. Marsh was awarded a Grammy in 1993 for the best album notes of Aretha’s Queen of Soul.
He co-founded the Rap & Rock Confidential newsletter and joined SiriusXM in 2004. For 19 years he hosted Kick Out the Jams, Live from E Street Nation, and Live from the Land of Hope and Dreams.
Barbara Carr was his wife. She had been Springsteen’s long-time manager. Marsh and Barbara Carr’s daughter Kristen Ann Carr died in 1993 from a rare cancer called sarcoma at the age of 21. Marsh founded and served on the board of The Kristen Ann Carr Fund, which was created to support cancer families and advance research into sarcoma.
Springsteen said in an Instagram post shared on Saturday that the loss of Dave Marsh was irreplaceable. My great friend Dave was a Rock ‘n’ Roll pioneer with his Detroit-style attitude. He was intelligent, passionate, intelligent and heartfelt. His opinions were bruising, and he often got into fantastic arguments. I would love to watch Jon Landau or Dave fight over some obscure piece of music. Dave was always by my side. He had written the first book on me called Born To Run. “He deeply believed what I was doing and his lifelong support meant a lot to me.”
Springsteen continued, “More importantly, I admire Dave for his commitment and conscience. He was a man who lived his values and stayed true to them no matter what. He’s in a better place, and I wish him the same grace, happiness, and rewards he brought to my life. God bless you Dave.”
Tom Morello wrote in 2023, “Dave Marsh is a tireless champion of justice, rock ‘n roll, and human rights.” This was after the publication of anthology of Marsh’s writings titled Kick Out The Jams. Jibes and barbs from 35 years of music writing.
Morello said that “His voice and pen are important players in the history and struggle for more justice and decent in our world.”
In her introduction to Kick Out the Jams by Lauren Onkey (former senior director at NPR Music), she wrote that Dave Marsh had been writing music as if our lives depended upon it.
In 2021, many authors, artists and activists — such as Morello, Pete Townshend and Springsteen — participated in an online session titled ” Land of Hope and Dreams : A Celebration of Dave Marsh’s Work and Vision”.
Marsh’s writing about music spanned more than 50 years and provided insights on issues such as community, class or race, politics, environmental concerns, health, environment, music industry, etc. Marsh was also a mentor to many young music writers.
Danny Alexander, a long-time friend of Marsh’s and co-editor of the anthology, said at that time that Marsh had “built alliances” that were fighting against racism and bigotry, and for voting rights, environmental justice, and universal health care. He taught me, more than any other person I know: “Nobody wins until everyone wins.”
Marsh is survived by Barbara Carr, his wife. His wife Barbara Carr is his only survivor. It was not possible to provide a complete list of survivors or plans for his funeral.

Entertainment

Insider at Pima County Sheriff’s Department says Nancy Guthrie case compromised from beginning

A whistleblower claimed that the Nancy Guthrie investigation was compromised by the lack of expertise on the part of the investigators. He blamed the alleged incompetence of Pima County sheriff Chris Nanos.
Sergeant Aaron Cross is the president of Pima County Deputies Organization, the union that represents sheriff’s deputies. He spoke to TMZ on Saturday regarding the problems resulting from staff who he claims were not qualified for this case.
A detective who was new to homicides, the lead investigator on this case “was put in place almost immediately,” said Sgt. Cross explained.
The detective, he said, was only promoted to sergeant three years prior and had “soon moved inside to patrol before being assigned to homicide.”
Cross stressed that leadership made the first mistake and that a complex investigation like this one required a lot more experience.
Cross stated that “Command decided, for whatever reasons, that even though he had never been involved in homicide, he would be the best person to lead that unit.”
The sheriff blamed Sheriff Chris Nanos for the decision, saying that such an action was “almost unknown” before Nanos took office. Nanos was hit with a $176m lawsuit alleging incompetence and dangerousness on another case.
Cross said, “Learning the ropes takes time.”
Cross says that in the beginning, there was a communication problem which often resulted in duplication of work.
Cross identified the first mistake as a duplication of effort due to a lack of accuracy in tracking which people had been contacted.
The scene, in my opinion and that of many other detectives, as well as the majority of people from the local community, was abandoned so rapidly. “I think it was returned to the family the following day.”
Cross told TMZ it was also “well-known” that local investigators harboured “animosity towards the FBI”, but it remained uncertain whether this tension had a direct impact on the investigation.
The latest news on Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother Nancy Guthrie
California man pleads to guilty for sending a fake ransom note.
Detective: armchair detectives could help solve the Nancy Guthrie Case
The FBI didn’t dismiss all Nancy Guthrie notes, but revealed that many of them led nowhere.
FBI determines Nancy Guthrie ransom notes were fake: report
Cross, a Sgt. Cross emphasized the lack of public outreach.
He said that if you were to drive through Tucson today, except for the billboards along the highway, you wouldn’t know the crime had occurred.
There aren’t any posters or pamphlets, except for a handful of YouTubers that did it themselves.
Cross also noted that the Department’s ability to reach local Tucson networks was lacking.
Cross explained that “normally in cases like this our street detectives go out to speak with the local criminal elements,”
Tucson, he said, is a small city with a lot of people. There’s only one level of separation between everyone.
Then he added, “We would have street detectives – those old units – go out and kick the bushes or rattle cages until we found something.” You know that the bad guys are always talking to one another.
Nancy Guthrie last was seen being driven home from work by her family in the early evening on January 31.
No immediate comment could be made by Sheriff Nanos.

Entertainment

BREAKING: Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run Coming to Fortnite, Will Interact at Parks

We learned at the New Adventures Beyond the Galaxy’s Edge Panel held by D23 that Millennium Falcon Smuggler’s Run will be coming to Fortnite. The game will be named Smugglers’ Gambit, and guests will have the chance to link their park experience with online gaming.
Smugglers Gambit
Tomorrow, Tuesday August 16, it will be possible to play Fortnite in Disney Parks (Disneyland and Disney Hollywood Studios) and on Fortnite.
Fortnite marks the first time this attraction has
The game has gone beyond the physical boundaries of its walls to create a world that is connected.
A queue that would normally be in Orlando or Anaheim, can now be continued on screen virtually anywhere,” stated
Sean Shoptaw is the EVP for Disney Games and Digital Entertainment. “Smugglers Gambit,
The game was created by a team of incredibly talented individuals. It is immersive and high quality.
Together these experiences represent our desire to bring stories and worlds together.
“We are integrating all entertainment formats into a single converged ecosystem.”
The guests will have a very special experience and there’ll be an exclusive surprise within the game. This will only work if users link their Epic Games and MyDisney accounts.
Disney has announced that guests can join Hondo Ohnaka in his mission to collect crates across Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, Smugglers Gambit and Smugglers Edge to unlock the exclusive Forsworn Trooper outfit.
Accept the mission in the queue while waiting for the attraction.
Disneyland App or My Disney Experience. Any guest who has logged in to their
Disneyland or My Disney Experience may accept this mission.
Forsworn Trooper outfit is one of the rewards available after completing a ride in Fortnite.
To play Epic Games, guests must link their MyDisney accounts with Epic Games.
Epic Games users who previously had a MyDisney Account linked to their Epic Games accounts are eligible for a discount. The guests who ride the rides
But are not eligible for linking their accounts, will redeem a Fortnite code instead
Reward them with a reward
Completing missions and collecting exclusive rewards will help you level up.
You can become a smuggler in Smugglers’ Gambit as you take on missions across Ord Ryla and explore Mersa veta Station. The game allows users to team up for co-op mission, complete quests in order to earn The Gambit 2D Loading Screen, battle against pirates, Imperial remnants and dangerous animals, choose a character, unlock gear, and level up.
Ray Gresko is the SVP and Head of Product & Design at Disney Games & Digital
Entertainment says: “What excites us about UEFN, is the fact that we can design stories, and not just designs.”
Only gameplay. Our team was able to create a brand new world and characters with Smugglers’ Gambit.
Characters with fun connections to the attraction. The opportunity to expand Hondo’s tale into a brand new chapter with the Lucasfilm Creative Team to bring the attraction to life.
It was a challenge to get the details just right. “I’m so proud of our team for bringing it to life.”
Unreal Engine was used to create the cockpit for Millennium Falcon Smugglers’ Run.
Walt Disney Imagineering and Industrial Light & Magic have created Engine 5, a collaboration between the two.
Deliver a dynamic, immersive experience. Smugglers Run was built to be a dynamic and immersive experience.
Unreal Engine is the technology that powers UEFN and features many of the authentic gameplay elements.
Fortnite Island now contains assets that were brought from the Ride.
The Millennium Falcon is the result of a collaboration between Imagineers.
Smugglers Run attraction extends into a connected digital adventure in Fortnite,
Asa Kalama said, “We want to deepen the interaction and engagement between guests.”
Executive-Creative & Interactive Experiences, Walt Disney Imagineering. “The
The experience begins at home. Guests can also claim their post-ride reward.
“Reward Fortnite players by collecting crates on their ride.”
Disney Imagineers build on Epic technology to shape the future of interactive
Entertainment, when an experience is transformed from the real world to Fortnite. If you want to know whether
Fans have many new options, whether they’re visiting a Disney Park with their friends or playing Fortnite.
Keep their Star Wars adventure going. It’s only the start of possibilities
“Fortnite is a better game when storytellers from around the world bring their creative flair to it,” Adam Sussman said.
Epic Games President
Disney has been working on bringing the Fortnite ride to your home ever since 2014. This update will help them achieve that goal.

Entertainment

Scott Foley Returning To ‘Scrubs’ As Sean Kelly In Revival

Exclusive: Scott Foley will be returning to Scrubs. The second season will see him reprise the role of Sean Kelly, a fan favorite.
Foley announced his return today during D23’s Scrubs Scrubbing Back panel, moderated by Foley. The panel also featured Zach Braff as John “J.D.” Dorian and Donald Faison as Christopher Turk and Sarah Chalke as Elliott Reid. Sasha will be back in the blue scooter next season.
According to Deadline, Foley is set to return and in a complete circle, Sean returns back where his show began, with Elliot. You can see a Season 2 teaser below that shows Sean and Elliot reuniting in the cafeteria of the hospital.
They will rekindle their relationship just as Elliot’s ex-husband J.D. She is in a new relationship with Charlie, played by Rachel Bilson.
Braff said that the dynamics of all three actors together are hilarious and they’re enjoying themselves.
Chalke added, “The writer’s were thinking, if we can bring back Elliot’s neurosis through Scott, that would be great.”
Braff announces Foley’s comeback after she mentions it at D23.
Foley’s Scrubs debut was at the end Season 1 when Sean, a SeaWorld marine biologist, and Elliot, his doctor, were admitted at Sacred Heart. They had a short fling, before she ditched him.
Sean and Elliot were reunited in Season 3. They dated briefly, but took their relationship to the distance when Sean moved to New Zealand. Elliot ended things shortly after Sean’s return, as she began a romance with J.D. Sean was not happy with the news. He moved on to J.D.’s baby mother Kim Briggs, (Elizabeth Banks).
Bill Lawrence, the creator of Scrubs, had wanted to bring back Foley for a while.
Lawrence, speaking at PaleyFest, said: “I want Scott Foley to be back. I just want him to come back to the show so Zach can tell Sean that nobody cares.” This was a reference to J.D. Sean is often heard talking to J.D. in the original series. Foley’s catchphrase has become a part of his life. Fans still use it as a response to anything he posts on social media.
Foley brought the famous line up when he appeared on stage at D23.
This is a personal matter for me. If you don’t already know, my character was named Sean Kelly. He said: “Nobody cares. I heard that.” He added that he had been part of one of the most complex love triangles ever seen on this show.
Foley said in a January 2007 interview that Braff asked him to come back for Season 1 of Scrubs. He had also been booked for an episode, but it was not possible to work out the scheduling.
Foley told the press at that time, while promoting the Prime Video show It’s Not Like That: “I am sure we will find the time.” Foley was able to leave the streamer after cancelling the highly acclaimed family drama. His two-season run on Will Trent ended in May.
Scrubs Season 2 shows J.D. Turk, and Elliot as icons of Sacred Heart. The respected doctors are now inspiring the next generation, while they balance the ups-and-downs of hospital work. With the help of new and familiar characters, they navigate this next chapter, with heart, laughter and even some surprises. Foley’s surprise return is certainly one of them.
This is a teaser.
Ava Bunn, as Sam Tosh, is also a regular in Season 2 of the series.
Bill Lawrence, creator of the original show, is executive producer for the revival through Doozer Productions. Jeff Ingold, Liza Katzer and Aseem Bhatra are also involved in the production. Scrubs, produced by 20th Television a division of Disney Television Studios is aired on ABC Sept. 30. Scrubs will be returning to ABC on Sept. 30, with a premiere of two episodes, which airs Wednesday. The next day the series is streamed via Hulu.
Foley also starred in three Bill Lawrence shows: Cougar Town (also a Bill Lawrence show), Undateable, and Whiskey Cavalier. Keep Coming Back, and August are among his upcoming films. Gersh, Atlas Artists and Atlas Artists represent him.

Entertainment

VisionQuest trailer kicks off Disney’s D23 fan event

Marvel Studios released the first VisionQuest trailer on day one of D23, The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim. The first trailer for Ahsoka S2 was also released. The Avengers: Doomsday footage that had been shown only to San Diego Comic-Con attendees last month has now gone public.
Some spoilers are below. We’ll let you know when we reach it.
VisionQuest
Marvel’s streamed TV lineup has been mixed: there have been some hits and misses as well as a lot of middling shows. WandaVision was one of Marvel’s biggest hits, and it had a great sequel. VisionQuest completes the trilogy. WandaVision brought back a white version of Vision, whose memory was restored at the end. Finally, we get to know what happened next.
Officially,
Vision has been hiding since he was rebooted. He had escaped those that wanted to weaponize him and hid from them. In search of new meanings, he consults his AI personas, such as F.R.I.D.A.Y. E.D.I.T.H. J.A.R.V.I.S. and Ultron. A bounty on his head forces him to flee with Thomas Shepard – a boy that may or not be Vision’s reincarnated son. Vision must evade capture while overcoming his own nature and resisting Ultron’s influence. He also has to unravel his mysterious young companion in order to survive.
Naturally, Bettany will return as Vision along with James Spader in the role of Ultron. Agatha All Along introduced us to a new Billy Maximoff whose spirit took over another dying teen’s body as Wanda’s spell was unraveled. Agatha may be remembered by fans as helping Bill find the twin soul, Tommy, (aka Speed), to place it into the body Thomas Shepherd, a drowning teen. Ruaridh Molica, who plays Thomas Shepherd/Tommy Shepherd in VisionQuest is a clear indication that this storyline will be continued. Bettany stated last year that this series will explore the “intergenerational” trauma of fathers and their sons.
Orla Brady plays F.R.I.D.A.Y. – Stark’s AI replacement for J.A.R.V.I.S. Orla Brady plays F.R.I.D.A.Y., Stark’s replacement AI system for J.A.R.V.I.S. D’Arcy portrayed a human Jarvis who served Stark’s dad in Agent Carter. Henry Lewis and Jonathan Sayer are D.U.M.E. Stark’s two robot assistants, U and U respectively.
Lauren Morais will play Lisa Molinari, Diane Morgan an associate of Paladin and Cristian Lavin a mercenary. Mary McDonnell is set to appear in a role that has not yet been revealed. Faran Tahir is returning as Raza the leader of Ten Rings who abducted Tony Stark from 2008’s Iron Man. Raza was supposed to have died at the end of Iron Man, but he’s likely to appear in flashbacks or in Vision’s head.
VisionQuest will debut on Disney+ on October 14, 2026.
Ahsoka S2
Ahsoka, the Jedi Padawan Anakin Skywalker was introduced in 2008 as a character supporting role within Star Wars: The Clone Wars. She then appeared on subsequent animated shows. In the Star Wars Rebels series (2014-2018), the character made a cameo in numerous episodes of the Star Wars extended universe. She was a Rebel Alliance member operating under codename Fulcrum. Rosario Dawson made her live-action debut as The Mandalorian in the second season. She appeared briefly in The Book of Boba Fett.
The Mandalorian was her first series. Then she had Ahsoka. Ahsoka and Sabine Wren, her former assistant, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, teamed up in the first season to stop Grand Admiral Thrawn, Lars Mikkelson, from returning to the galaxy where he had been stranded. They feared that he would unite the Galactic Empire, which was still intact, or bring down the New Republic. In the season’s finale, Ahsoka Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) and Sabine were stranded together in the galaxy where Grand Admiral Thrawn was stranded. A returned Thrawn took up arms to fight the New Republic.
According to the official S2 website, “Season 2, continues Ahsoka’s story and her journey beyond the known Galaxy.” Ahsoka Tano and her Jedi Apprentice Sabine Wren are traveling across a perilous and mysterious world in order to return home. Their friends Hera Ezra Zeb and Chopper must also face Grand Admiral Thrawn, as well as his evil allies who want to bring the New Republic to war.
Dawson, Bordizzo and Mikkelson will be back in S2, along with Hayden Christensen, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Eman, Esfandi and Ivanna Sakhno, as well as David Tennant, as Huyang and Dave Filoni, as Chopper, as well as Elden Bennett, as Admiral Akbar. Rory McCann, from Game of Thrones replaces Ray Stevenson (the actor passed away in 2023). The logline also confirms that “Zeb’ Orrelios” will appear in S2.
Disney+ will debut the second season of Ahsoka on 20 January 2027.
Avengers: Doomsday
Marvel released the first Doomsday trailer a few weeks before San Diego Comic-Con, and gave SDCC attendees an “exclusive look” into additional footage. We are now able to watch that footage.
This film is set 14 months after Thunderbolts*. The official logline states: “Beloved Heroes from Three Distinct Universes Will Be Set on a Deadly Collision Course and Face an Existential Threat Like Nothing They’ve Ever Seen.” These universes include Earth-616, Earth-828, (Fantastic Four), as well as the “original” X-Men.
Sue Reed’s (Vanessa Kirby) voiceover in the video gives us more information about Robert Downey Jr.’s Victor von Doom. Sue Reed assures that Victor, who was the most intelligent person in the room at the time, was an old buddy. She also says, “he was different before everything he valued was stolen from him.” I knew that he had lost his way. However, I didn’t realize that he had been broken. Dr. Doom accuses the ensemble of “stolen” lives and demands “now they must be given back.”
Avengers: Doomsday will be released in theaters December 18, 2026.
Star Wars: Starfighter
There’s no official trailer for Star Wars: Starfighter directed by Shawn Levy, starring Ryan Gosling (Deadpool, Wolverine), nor any concrete information. D23 attendees, including several media outlets, were treated to exclusive first footage. Both Levy and Gosling took the stage to present said footage.
Levy said the movie was “full with humor, spectacle and danger but most importantly, the joyful spirit which has been at the heart of the Skywalker Saga for so many years.” The story is brand-new, unrelated to either of the Skywalker Saga trilogies. Gosling described it as a story about a character from the “wrong side of the universe” whose destiny is tied to the fastest starfighter built. The film takes places five or six year after The Rise of Skywalker, on a planet with water. This is a time period not yet depicted by the Star Wars franchise. Levy’s production team was challenged to create new designs and sets that still matched the Star Wars feel.
Star Wars: Starfighter will be released in theaters May 28, 2027, 50 years after Star Wars: A New Hope was first shown.
Warning: Major spoiler below for Spider-Man Brand New Day. If you haven’t watched the movie, stop reading.
The X-Men as part of the MCU
The MCU will finally welcome mutants with the release of X-Men in 2028. This rebooted franchise, directed by Jake Schreier* (Thunderbolts*), is a planned reboot. Marvel has already set the scene, starting with Sadie Sink’s mysterious figure wearing a cloak in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Spoiler Alert: She plays young Jean Grey who is as much a victim as a villain.
Christopher Abbott, who played Professor X in Wolf Man, will join Sink as he is joined by Kit Connor, Samara Weaving, Maya Boyd, Inde Nvarrette, Rogue, and Adam Driver, from Rise of Skywalker, as Nathan Milbury aka Mister Sinister. Charles Melton was rumored to have been cast in the role of Dr. Hank McCoy/Beast, but later dropped from the project. In the next few months, we can expect to hear more about casting.