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From role player to starring role: Former Met José Iglesias heads to Broadway

Jose Iglesias was a little surprised when the call arrived about a week and a half ago. The Broadway producers asked the veteran shortstop who had played in the major leagues for 13 years to join their cast for the musical hit “Buenavista Social Club.”
Iglesias questioned, “Are you calling the correct guy?”
The voice at the other end replied, “We know exactly who you are.” “Are you Jose Iglesias, ‘OMG?'”
Iglesias was a baseball player when his talent for pop music became apparent. His song, “OMG”, short for “Oh My God,” was made into an anthem by his former team, the New York Mets, just two years prior. Iglesias, under his stage name Candelita performed the song in Citi Field at the Mets after a June 2024 game.
Iglesias will join “Buenavista Social Club,” the Tony Award winning show, for six weeks starting on Aug. 27, nearly one year after his last major league appearance. He’ll play the part of the narrator in New York at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. According to his production’s announcement on Thursday, he will be the first Latino Major League Baseball star to appear on Broadway.
Iglesias said that he is yet to decide how much dancing and singing he will be doing, but expects at least one number in the show. It tells the story of a group of legendary musicians from Havana, a tale he knew as a kid in Cuba.
Iglesias described the chance to be a part of the cast as “breathtaking.”
Iglesias stated, “There is a great deal of history and memories behind this band.” It was amazing to see how it travelled around the globe with its authentic Cuban sound. I remember listening to this music as a child. My father was a huge fan. “It’s a real dream to be a part of this great musical.
Afro-Cuban group that will play behind Iglesias won a Grammy Award for the best musical theatre album in 2026, and a Tony Award special 2025. This production also won four more Tonys in the same year.
The hard part is now, to prepare for the largest stage of musical theatre. Iglesias initially said that he felt “really nervous.”
Iglesias admitted that he had lost sleep. It feels like the same energy and adrenaline we would feel if we were going to face an ace or a great pitcher in playoffs. It was hard, but it was in a positive way. “In a fantastic way.”
Iglesias quickly set about finding coaches to help him with his preparation. He said that in theater “everything’s so huge” and wants to give a show which is respectful of his fans and Broadway as a whole.
Iglesias explained, “When having a conversation in a theater you are invisible, so it is important to over-exaggerate your movements, what you say and why you do it.” “I can hit a four-seamer, take away a sweeper and smash a sinker. It never occurred to me that I could do something so great.
Iglesias claims to have only seen “MJ the Musical” about Michael Jackson, the pop singer. He’s excited to be returning to New York where, in just one play season, he made a huge impact.
Iglesias, along with the Mets, reached the National League Championship Series in 2024. He hit.337 over 85 games during the regular season.
Iglesias recalled, “Whatever happened, whether it was in my hometown or that of another city, the experience was intimate.” What happened with the New York Mets and ‘OMG,’ every player was perfect. It was amazing. The real thing.
I don’t believe ‘OMG opened the door. “I personally believe that ‘OMG,’ opens the door to an opportunity such as this.”
Iglesias says it is too soon to tell if he will have a Broadway career. The theater is “a different animal” from the live performances he’s done.
The 36-year old’s goal for this season was to be still in the dugout by late August. Iglesias, who was unsigned in the offseason of last year, felt in excellent shape and had thoroughly enjoyed his 2025 time with San Diego Padres. Iglesias was eager to help a new team with his experience.
Iglesias played 112 games with the Padres in 2011. But on the other side, I felt so lucky.
I have played baseball non-stop for the past 29 years. It’s the first time I have ever refused to grab a baseball bat.
Broadway and baseball crossed paths in the past. In 1956 “Damn Yankees”, the best musical, won the Tony Award. “Take Me Out,” the best play of 2003, received the Tony Award. Cap Anson, a baseball hall of famer who played on Broadway for “A Runaway Colt”, in late nineteenth century.
Broadway actors have made cameos in the baseball diamond of the Savannah Bananas. This independent team, which bends the rules for the game, has been a part of the Savannah Bananas since their founding.
Iglesias hoped that other baseball players would be motivated to discover their talent.
Iglesias added, “It is a positive time for all baseball players.” They also dream of being something else. I know many players who love music and love to sing or play an instrument. They’re not off the field.
Iglesias thinks the most difficult part of the new gig will be when his former teammates appear in the front row. He thinks that some have already made plans to attend a show, and it will be emotionally moving to watch them look up at him.
Francisco Lindor said, “I know I will be there at one point.” Lindor is the Mets star shortstop. It’s going to be fun. “I haven’t been able to see him for a while and I really miss him. I am looking forward.”
Broadway is also emotional for Iglesias, because it represents his long and winding road. In 2009, he signed with the Boston Red Sox after defecting from Cuba when he was a young teenager.
Iglesias stated, “I was only 17 when I decided to leave my home country. I also left behind my parents, including my father at that time and my mother. I had left everything. I was 17 years old when I left my country, and all of it behind, including my family, dad, mom, everything. Then I went across the border on my own.
I didn’t have any friends in America at that time. “I didn’t even know where I would sleep. And then, one-and-ahalf years later, there I was, hitting bloopers at Fenway Park.”
Iglesias’ joke was about the fact that he didn’t have a reputation for being a powerful hitter. He was good defensively.
Iglesias spoke of “Havana, Canada and the U.S., OMG, Broadway.” It’s easy to say but I have been through so many things.
There has never been a similar stage.
“I love energy. I love life,” Iglesias said. “I enjoy making a difference in the lives of others, wherever I am able.”

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David Jonsson to Play T’Challa II

David Jonsson, T’Challa’s son, who appeared at the end Wakanda Forever, will be playing T’Challa’s adult son in Black Panther 3.
T’Challa, the protagonist of the film Wakanda: The Crown of Wakanda, reaches adulthood.
Denzel Washington is also in the cast, as announced previously.
In 2018, the first Black Panther grossed over $1.3 billion, and it won three Oscars. Chadwick boseman was launched as a superstar in this film, playing T’Challa – the leader of Wakanda. Boseman passed away from cancer in August of 2020. Wakanda Forever is the sequel to Black Panther, which retells the story of T’Challa dying. The 2022 movie grossed $859M, and Ruth E. Carter won the Oscar for Costume Design. She became the first Black woman with two Academy Awards.
Related: The 62 movies that have made more than $1 billion at the global box office
Hall H was the venue for two of Jonsson’s films, The Long Walk from last year, directed by Francis Lawrence, and Alien: Romulus, 2024, directed Fede Alvarez, to keep the star in San Diego’s Convention Center. Coogler mentioned Jonsson’s role in The Long Walk with Cooper Hoffman. The film is based off the Stephen King book and features two actors who play characters that form an unlikely bond on a literal walk to death.
Coogler and Feige were joined on stage by Letitia Duke and Winston Duke, who played the Black Panther characters. In the Black Panther: Wakanda after-credits scenes, Lupita Nyong’o’s Nakia introduced Jonsson’s Toussaint aka T’Challa, a character of Jonsson. As the credits began to roll, Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up” was played.
Jonsson has also played Gus Sackey on HBO’s Industry, and Dom in Rye Lane (both 2023).

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Courtney Stodden addresses Jason Alexander’s apology donation

Courtney Stodden expressed her gratitude to Jason Alexander after she criticized him for a “inappropriate comedy sketch” from 2012.
Stodden posted a picture of herself on Instagram with the caption, “I am grateful that Jason Alexander has sent Unchained at Last a lovely gift.” The nonprofit, which aims to “end forced marriage and child brides in the United States,” according to its website, is a non-profit with the goal to “end forced or child marriage.”
She said: “Accountability doesn’t mean public punishment, it means taking steps to create positive change.”
Stodden continues in the long caption: “My hopes have always been larger than my story.” If difficult conversations lead to support for groups protecting children or ending child marriage then there can be a positive outcome from deep pain.
Page Six’s Saturday request for comment from Alexander was not responded to immediately by a representative of Alexander.
Stodden, who was 16 years old when she married actor Doug Hutchinson (then 51) in 2011, wrote she hoped the star of “Seinfeld’s” apology and “donation “become the standard.”
When harm is recognized, action can be taken to assist others. She wrote: “That’s when real change starts.”
She concluded, “If Jason’s actions have inspired you to make a donation Unchained At Last,” I hope that you will consider it. We are fighting to protect children and end child marriage in the United States. Be part of the accountability process. “Every donation protects the next child.
Stodden accused Alexander of rubbing Stodden’s breast with his cellphone in the 2012 skit “Funny or Die,” which they had filmed at 17 years old and 52 when Alexander was now 66.
TMZ reported that the “Shallow” Hal star gave $15,000 to a nonprofit on Thursday.
Alexander apologized in the same way, saying in a press release to Page Six, “I completely agree with you that this comedy sketch was insensitive and regretfully so.
He continued, “But I’m also deeply sorry for the harm and distress that it caused Ms. Stodden.” I offer my deepest apologies to her.
Stodden escalated the matter by suggesting that she donate to an organization of her choosing.
In an interview, the media personality admitted that she had been “very surprised” by Alexander’s actions and was “grateful to see him take responsibility” for his conduct. She then urged Alexander to act.
She told The Outlet that “when I heard that he had publicly apologized, I was very grateful. I believe that that is the first step to change.” However, she added that it would be “even better” if “he actually put this into action.”
Stodden, in addition to urging the actor to donate, suggested that he support AB 1267, a California Assembly bill which would prohibit child marriage.
She also said that, after viewing the sketch in which a bikini-clad reality star was featured, she felt “manipulated”.
Stodden said, “I was shocked” when he looked back on the scene. It felt like it was a scene from “Pretty Woman” that he had taken and recreated with the child. “I didn’t realize he would be feeling me on the set.”
Stodden told the outlet she had “trusted” the adults in her life and that the incident was “really harmful” to her.
Page Six quoted the singer as saying that speaking about this encounter “wasn’t about going back to the past just for the sake of it.”
Stodden said that her goal is to create a world where “children are better protected, and adults who hold positions of authority are held to higher standards.”

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Every Marvel Studios Hall-H Comic-Con 2026 Announcement & Reveal (Updated Live)

Marvel Studios has been at San Diego Comic-Con for two years now, and they always know how to win with their Saturday night panels. Marvel has a reputation for revealing exclusive footage to attendees at the San Diego Comic-Con, as well as announcing new movie titles and characters for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Marvel is aware that even though fans are not present every year at SDCC they still want to know what’s next.
Video by ComicBook.com
Marvel Studios’ Hall H Panel is unique this year. Not only is it the first panel since 2024 but it also comes just before their two next feature films: Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and Avengers: Doomsday. The studio has yet to confirm anything, however these movies may be the main focus. ComicBook will be at San Diego Comic-Con and is in the hall RIGHT NOW. We’ll have live updates here from the panel. Keep your refresh button close by and you’ll be able to find out everything Marvel has confirmed tonight. Kevin Feige will always have one final thing to say before the event is over.
Pre-Panel Hello From Herbie
Two surprises were in store for the attendees before the panel even began. The first surprise was the distribution of Doctor Doom masks, cloaks, and other accessories to all attendees. This feat is no easy task, considering that there were 6,500 people in attendance. Second, HERBIE the Fantastic Four walked out onto the stage to welcome everyone.
Eddie Ibrahim, SDCC’s icon, will introduce the panel and urge everyone to not record it.
A MCU montage is played, which includes not only the X-Men films made by Fox but also Tobey’s Spider-Man: No Way Home scenes. Kevin Feige, Marvel’s President, takes to the stage wearing his trademark baseball cap. This one features Doctor Doom on it. Feige says that Marvel TV series will not be announced today. (TV may get their day next month, at Disney D23 Expo.) Feige released the Avengers: Endgame Encore trailer, which confirms the date of September for the rerelease. It also contains footage from fans who watched the film when it was first released in 2019.
Feige, who said that the event was primarily about films, did slip in an announcement regarding television. He confirmed that VisionQuest will premiere on Disney+ on October 14, and that it is the third installment in the “WandaVision trilogy” (the other being Agatha All Along).
Marvel’s Ghost Rider confirmed
Kevin Feige confirmed that Ryan Gosling will OFFICIALLY join the MCU. Shawn Levy, the director of Deadpool & Wolverine, will also be directing this movie in 2028. Marvel currently has three releases scheduled in 2028: May 5, July 28, and December 15. It seems unlikely that Ghost Rider would ride during Christmas, but who knows?
Feige stated that Ghost Rider could only be directed by one person. Ryan has a movie that will be released first. Star Wars: Starfighter is the name. It’s amazing. I won’t brag about it, but as a Star Wars fan, I was lucky enough to watch Star Wars: Starfighter. It’s a new take on Star Wars that gives me the Star Wars feel and I cannot wait to share it with you. What was it that brought this freshness to Star Wars Starfighter?? It was Shawn Levy, the director who was responsible for bringing Deadpool, Wolverine and other characters to Star Wars: Starfighter a few year ago.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day Scene Revealed
Jon Bernthal, who was quick to interrupt the Marvel panel after Ryan Gosling’s announcement as Ghost Rider in the MCU, reminded Kevin Feige of Spider-Man: Brand New Day opening next week. A clip of the movie was screened, which featured Punisher fighting the Hulk with Spider-Man.
Avengers Doomsday to be shown at SDCC
On stage the cast for Avengers: Doomsday is assembling, divided by X-Men, Avengers and Robert Downey Jr. The Russo Brothers are also in attendance.
Downey stated that “decisions must be made.” You’ll either have to choose the right side, or consider joining the family of dread.
Hayley Atwell will be returning as Peggy Carter for Avengers: Doomsday, the first major announcement. Fans who watched Avengers: Endgame will not be surprised by this news.
Deadpool Crushed the Panel
Deadpool, dressed in grey Deadpool costume, has crashed the Avengers Doomsday panel, and is asking audience members questions about the film, such as “Why did Thor cry?” Deadpool also seems to be hinting that he won’t appear in the film, by asking when the production begins.

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Ted Danson admits personal struggles overshadowed the end of ‘Cheers’

You can now hear Fox News stories!
Ted Danson gets real with his life as he nears the end of “Cheers.”
In a recent podcast episode, the actor told listeners what it was like for him when “Cheers,” which ended in 1993, came to an abrupt end.
People ask, “What did it feel like?” “What did you do after she left? He said: “I said that I had so messed up my own life, I hadn’t realized ‘Cheers was over’.”
Danson also admitted that he had “barely known himself” before he joined the show and that he took “a postgrad grow up class quickly” during his last season.
TED DANSON IS SHOCKED WOMEN VIEWED HER AS A SEX Symbol DURING EARLY CHEERS DAYS
He drove to Long Beach, California to visit his mentor. His mentor was “amazing” and gave him “a different type of spirituality therapy.”
He said, “I didn’t want to be a liar anymore.” I wanted to mature emotionally. “I wanted to be changed.”
In an episode of his podcast from August 2025, the “Curb Your Enthusiasm’ star spoke of the ending of the show and reflected on his own personal situation at that time.
Danson was asked by Charlie Day if he feared being stereotyped when the show ended. He replied that “the transition” was “easy because I had messed up my personal life so bad.” And he hadn’t realized the end of the show for several months, “because I wasn’t thinking about anything else but myself and personal things.”
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Danson played Sam Malone in the popular sitcom from 1982 until 1993. He was one of only a few actors to have appeared in 273 episodes.
After 11 seasons of “Cheers”, the series ended when Danson decided to move on to other opportunities. The executives felt that it was not possible to continue without him.
He said, “I thought I’d jump off the edge, since I was working so hard to change for the better.” He said, “And there was] a bit of… If I didn’t leave, I might not know if i could do anything else. I wanted to see if i can do other stuff.”
Danson starred after “Cheers” in “Becker”, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”, and “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” until he found a new audience with “The Good Place”.
He currently stars in the Netflix hit show “Man on the Inside” as a retired university professor working undercover in a nursing facility.
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There’s something funny about the 76-year old [retired] professor whose life has shut down and his daughter is worried. She tells him to “get a job” and, by chance, he finds a gig as an undercover operative in a retirement facility,” Danson said in People magazine in November 2024.

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“The Odyssey” screenings at Regal King of Prussia impacted after 70mm IMAX projector goes down

Currently, one of only 41 cinemas around the globe screening Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” 70mm IMAX is experiencing technical problems.
Regal King of Prussia in Philadelphia informed customers on Friday that its 70mm IMAX projection system was having problems and only digital IMAX screenings were available.
The theater posted on Facebook that it “understands your frustration and apologizes for any impact this has had on your experience.”
The IMAX team has been working non-stop since Thursday and continues to do so to solve the projection problems. “We are trying to return normal 70mm operations as quickly as we can, but at this time there is no timeline.”
The King of Prussia Theater is one of only 25 theaters in America to show “The Odyssey” 70mm IMAX. New York City, Rochester, New York, and Providence, Rhode Island are the next nearest theaters.
Nolan told CBS Mornings co-host Gayle king last week that the new format is sharper and more like the image our eyes perceive.
Fans from Virginia drove as far away as King of Prussia to watch the 70mm IMAX film.
David Dekok: “I drove 80 miles to Harrisburg from Harrisburg in order to reach the theatre.”
Kate Elfatah said that when she arrived at the theatre, the buzz quickly spread throughout the lobby.
Elfatah replied, “I could not believe what I heard.” You have people who are out of order.
Elfatah said that customers received refunds as well as the opportunity to view the film in digital format for free. Not everyone was satisfied with that, she said.
Elfatah: “I met people from South Carolina who said that they had driven 8-10 hours.”
Kate Elfatah said that when she arrived at the theatre, the buzz quickly spread throughout the lobby.
Our crews informed several people CBS News Philadelphia interviewed that the projector had broken. This lack of notice was frustrating for many.
They could have sent out an email to all their clients. Dekok stated that they had our entire email.
Elfatah stated that no one from the theatre came to talk with anyone.
Regal has said that IMAX technicians are working round the clock to fix the projector. However, there is still no timetable for the return of 70mm screenings.

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