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Six years removed from the controversial hate crime incident, Jussie Smollett is set for a return to the Fox airwaves. TheEmpire star boards the upcoming season of Fox's reality TV series, Special Forces: World's Toughest Test.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Smollett is one of 18 celebrities who will take part in Special Forces Season 4. Smollett joins the competition series alongside other controversial celebrities, including The Real Housewives of New Jersey's Teresa Giudice and former NFL player Johnny Manziel. Other notables attached to Season 4 include model-turned-actor Eva Marcille, ex-NBA player Nick Young, Animal Control star Ravi V. Patel and former NFL stars Eric Decker and Randall Cobb.

Special Forces puts its celebrity competitors through several challenges mirroring the special forces training military personnel go through. The series, an adaptation of the British reality show, Sas: Who Dares Wins, involves harsh environments and shortened training courses worldwide, with Directing Staff (DS...

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Netflix project, Fubar, has been cancelled after just two seasons (via Deadline), and the noise surrounding the show’s failure is also affecting other movies from the actor’s filmography, like Sabotage. The violent thriller is loosely inspired by Agatha Christie’s novel titled And Then There Were None.

Fubar began with a bang in 2023 and had a veteran star like Schwarzenegger in the lead, so expectations were high. But by its second run, the show dramatically lost its steam, but his movie, Sabotage, has made a surprising comeback on Prime Video.

Let’s look at how Fubar’s failure might have overshadowed Schwarzenegger’s other notable entry, and how Sabotage has quietly made a return.

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Fubar Failure Overshadowed His Agatha Christie Adaptation Arnold Schwarzenegger in Fubar | Credits: Netflix

After debuting in May 2023, Fubar had some strong numbers and a lot going on for it.

Arnold Schwarzenegger has had a prolific but inconsistent career. On the one hand, he has been part of some huge action movies, including The Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Both are regarded as sci-fi action classics, and have maintained interest even after decades.

On the other hand, the actor has had his fair share of flops over the course of his career. Such is the case, for example, with his 1985 version of Red Sonja. Despite its basis in existing comic book material, the film ended up making only $6.9 million worldwide. The following year, he released Raw Deal, which made only $16.2 million.

Schwarzenegger has particularly struggled in recent years, decades after his career peak. His 2017 film Aftermath, for example, did not even get a wide release in the United States and made less than $1 million from international markets. Now, one of his other 21st century bombs is doing well on streaming.

Before Don Cheadle entered the MCU as Tony Stark's best friend, he was the assistant director to Tommy Lee Jones' character in the 1997 disaster film,Volcano. Mick Jackson directed the movie, which featured the talents of Anne Heche (Chicago P.D.), Gaby Hoffmann (The Mastermind), and Keith David (Rick and Morty), and a soundtrack composed by Avengers: Endgame's Alan Silvestri. Now, the movie, which generated $122 million at the global box office, will be available to stream for free next month.

On August 1, Volcano will be available to stream on Tubi. Set in Los Angeles, the film follows the aftermath of a sudden earthquake that triggers the formation of a volcano beneath the city. From there, various signs of an eruption have emerged, including increased water temperature within hours, hot gas emissions, and indications that lava is making its way to the city. While Mike Roark (Jones) coordinates efforts on...

Destiny’s Child reunion vibes were nothing short of nostalgic as everyone buzzed at Beyoncé’s Vegas show, well, almost everyone. While Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams hit the stage to bring back the magic, a few ex-members, including Farrah Franklin, were noticeably absent from the throwback party.

Franklin’s journey took some wild turns after leaving the group, including multiple arrests for disorderly conduct and public intoxication that landed her in hot water more than once. As Matthew Knowles put it back in the day, explaining her short-lived time with Destiny’s Child (via MTV),

The bottom line is that Farrah didn’t show up for work.

From failed solo deals to a reality TV stint that crashed and burned, her life spiraled far from the spotlight.

Farrah Franklin’s Life Spiralled After Leaving Destiny’s Child While Beyoncé Thrived Farrah Franklin in a frame (Credits- @farrahfranklin/Instagram)

Farrah...

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The Institute is a supernatural horror thriller series created by Benjamin Cavell. Based on Stephen King‘s 2019 novel of the same name, the MGM+ series follows Luke Ellis, a genius teen boy who is kidnapped and wakes up in a mysterious institute where he finds other kids with unusual abilities. Luke’s life takes a turn when his life intertwines with a former police officer haunted by his past, who moves to the nearby town. The Institute stars Ben Barnes, Joe Freeman, Simone Miller, Fionn Laird, Hannah Galway, Julian Richings, Robert Joy, Martin Roach, and Mary-Louise Parker. So, if you loved the thrilling mystery, intense drama, and compelling characters in MGM+’s The Institute, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

The Promised Neverland (Hulu & Crunchyroll) Credit – Crunchyroll

The Promised Neverland is a Japanese anime series directed by Mamoru Kanbe.

New report reveals the Superman cast's salaries. Rebooting the Superman franchise for the Dcu, James Gunn's Superman introduces a packed cast of characters from all over the DC universe, from big names like Lex Luthor and the Man of Steel himself to less popular heroes like Metamorpho. Every actor leaves their signature in their portrayal, setting up an extensive arc for their Dcu characters in future installments.

As reported by Dexerto, Superman star David Corenswet and Lois Lane actor Rachel Brosnahan were both paid $750,000 each for Superman, while Lex Luthor actor Nicholas Hoult was paid $2 million. All three actors are reportedly eligible for bonuses depending of Superman's box office performance. However, the exact amount for these bonuses is unknown.

What The Superman Actor Salary Report Means For The Dcu Movie It Makes Sense For Superman's Nicholas Hoult To Have The Highest Salary

Traditionally, actor salaries depend on each actor's popularity and filmography,...

There is perhaps no name more iconic in the realm of action movies than Arnold Schwarzenegger. After making a name for himself in the world of bodybuilding as Mr. Universe, Schwarzenegger shot to Hollywood fame when he was cast in the title role of James Cameron's "The Terminator." While he made his name playing action icons like the deadly T-800, Conan the Barbarian, and Dutch in "Predator," Schwarzenegger has also appeared in several tongue-in-cheek or outright comedic roles. "Kindergarten Cop" pitted his typical tough guy persona against a classroom full of kids, "Jingle All the Way" saw Schwarzenegger try his hand at a family Christmas comedy, and "Batman and Robin" saw him bring every ice pun you can think of to the role of Mr. Freeze.

In recent years, many of Schwarzenegger's roles seem to have landed somewhere in between hard-hitting action and his more lighthearted roles. "The Expendables...

Taraji P. Henson and Cedric the Entertainer will star in a revival of Joe Turner’s Come and Gone on Broadway.

Debbie Allen will direct the revival of the August Wilson play, which is the second in Wilson’s American Century Cycle and follows Black travelers seeking refuge at a Pittsburgh boarding house in 1911. The production is set to open in spring 2026 at a Shubert Theater to be announced.

This marks the Broadway debut for Henson, known for her roles in Empire, Hidden Figures and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, where she earned an Academy Award nomination. She recently starred in Tyler Perry’s Straw for Netflix.

Known for his comedy career and acting roles on projects including The Steve Harvey Show and The Neighborhood, Cedric The Entertainer made his Broadway debut in the 2008 revival of American Buffalo. He is set to play Seth Holly, who runs the boarding house,...

Taraji P. Henson and Cedric “The Entertainer” will star in a new production of August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone on Broadway next spring, producer Brian Anthony Moreland announced today.

Directed by Debbie Allen, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone will open at a Shubert theater to-be-announced.

The revival of the Wilson classic will mark Henson’s Broadway debut (she was a producer on Jaja’s African Hair Braiding). Cedric “The Entertainer” returns to the stage after making his debut in 2008 in American Buffalo. They will portray wife and husband ‘Bertha Holly’ and ‘Seth Holly,’ respectively.

Additional casting will be announced at a later date.

“We are truly honored to return to August Wilson’s legacy,” Moreland said. “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone is Wilson’s seminal masterpiece — an unflinching exploration of pain, identity, and hope. With Debbie Allen’s visionary direction and this extraordinary cast,...

Just days before Brokeback Mountain marks its 20th anniversary, a movie that was once dismissed as a “gay cowboy” punchline has never felt more relevant. Especially in the current times, when the Donald Trump administration has cut funding for the LGBTQ+ youth option for the U.S national suicide prevention hotline.

Ang Lee’s romantic drama, starring Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, is a tale of forbidden love between two men in 1960s Wyoming. The movie singlehandedly changed the conversation on queer cinema and now two decades later, it feels like we’re right back to where we started.

Donald Trump’s administration erases the progress of Brokeback Mountain A still from Brokeback Mountain | Credits: River Road Entertainment

At its core, Brokeback Mountain is a story of longing and repression. Ennis, played by the late Heath Ledger, and Jack, portrayed by Jake Gyllenhaal, are two young shepherds who fall in...

Editor’s note: Deadline’s It Starts on the Page (Limited) features 10 standout limited or anthology series scripts in 2025 Emmy contention.

When you have a limited series called Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist, viewers want to see the main event, in this case, Muhammad Ali vs. Jerry Quarry in 1970, the backdrop for an armed robbery that changed the lives of many and Atlanta as a whole.

In Episode 101, the main players are introduced, with the cast of heavy hitters including Kevin Hart as Gordon “Chicken Man” Williams, Taraji P. Henson as Vivian “Sweets” Thomas, Don Cheadle as Detective J.D. Hudson, Samuel L. Jackson as Frank “Black Godfather” Moten, Terrence Howard as Richard “Cadillac Richie” Wheeler and Dexter Darden as Ali. Episode 102, titled “Round Two: Fight Night,” gives the audience a bird’s eye view of the fight — as well as the heist — from various perspectives, combining the cast...

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Revival is a supernatural mystery horror thriller drama series co-created by Aaron B. Koontz and Luke Boyce. Based on the comic book series of the same name by Tim Seeley and Mike Norton, the Syfy series is set in a rural Wisconsin town as a mysterious event known as the “Revival Day” takes place, which saw the resurrection of recently deceased people. It follows police officer Dana Cypress as she investigates a murder case, which makes her suspect everyone from the recently revived to the living. Revival stars Melanie Scrofano, Romy Weltman, David James Elliott, and Andy McQueen. So, if you loved the thrilling mystery, interesting story, and compelling characters in Revival, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Wynonna Earp (Netflix & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Syfy

Wynonna Earp is a supernatural Western dark...

Did you hear the one about the armed robbery that occurred at an Atlanta house party after Muhammad Ali’s landmark 1970 comeback fight? If not, it’s Ok; “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” creator and showrunner Shaye Ogbonna had very little information himself.

“I knew probably less than 1% because it was a little bit before my time,” the writer of series including “The Chi” and “The Penguin” said. “But when it first showed up on my radar, two things happened. Number one, I wasn’t

surprised because it sounds like a story that would take place in Atlanta around that time, and second, I was also not surprised to know that a lot of my family members from that generation not only knew about it but knew someone who had some type of connection.”

Kevin Hart in “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” (Peacock)

Peacock’s eight-part miniseries leans...

“Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” and “Say Nothing” both take place during the “Me” Decade, but in wildly different worlds. Peacock’s “Fight Night” unfolds in Atlanta in 1970, when Muhammad Ali flew into town and won his comeback fight after a three-year boxing ban, while the country’s most powerful figures in the Black Mafia got robbed at a party celebrating that victory. Across the Atlantic and up through the Irish Sea to Belfast is FX’s “Say Nothing,” which chronicles the Troubles in Northern Ireland beginning in the early ’70s. On one side: suave gangsters led by Samuel L. Jackson’s Frank “the Black Godfather” Moten. On the other: working-class members of the paramilitary Irish Republican Army fighting for a united republic free of British soldiers. Here, we dive into both limited series.

Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist

Frank “The Black Godfather” Moten and Richard “Cadillac...

The team surrounding the Blue Bloods offshoot — Boston Blue — continues to grow by leaps and bounds. According to Deadline, the production has tapped Golden Globe, Emmy, and NAACP Award recipient, Anthony Hemingway, to serve as the director and executive producer behind the show’s premiere episode. With an incredibly impressive lineup of credits attached to his name, Hemingway has been tied to such titles as The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, The Wire, and Power. His work on the former garnered him copious amounts of praise, as he nabbed an Emmy, Golden Globe, BAFTA, and more for his work behind the FX smash hit.

In 2012, Hemingway celebrated his feature-length directorial debut with Red Tails, a war film that showcased leading performances from Cuba Gooding Jr. and Terrence Howard. In addition to Boston Blue, the helmer is keeping busy and preparing for a reunion with American Crime Story’s...

4 MCU Characters Who’ve Outlasted Everyone Across All 5 Phases(Photo Credit –Facebook)

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has become the most ambitious and interconnected franchise in film history, evolving from a handful of superhero origin stories into a saga that spans galaxies, timelines, and genres. Over the course of five distinct phases, the MCU has introduced dozens of new heroes and villains, reimagined classic characters, and continually raised the stakes for its ever-expanding roster. Each phase has brought massive shifts and the rise and fall of icons that have defined a generation of blockbuster storytelling.

Yet, as the MCU has grown, so has its cast, with many original Avengers retiring, dying, or fading into the background to make way for fresh faces. Amid this constant change, only a select few have managed to maintain a consistent presence. What may surprise even the most dedicated fans is just how exclusive this club is.

If you’re a fan of Black Mirror, you might be wondering what could fill the void of the sci-fi viewing lineup since the end of season 7. While Black Mirror has become the go-to for dark, tech-driven cautionary tales, there’s another anthology series that deserves fans’ attention but has not quite gotten its due.

With Bryan Cranston both starring and producing, this show brings mind-bending stories of one of the greatest sci-fi authors, Philip K. Dick. While it shares Black Mirror‘s focus on technology’s impact on society, this show offers a bit more hope and humanity. And the series is Electric Dreams, a perfect alternative for sci-fi fans.

Electric Dreams, the underrated sci-fi gem could fill the void of Black Mirror Bryan Cranston in a still from Electric Dreams | Credit: Amazon Prime

Originally released in 2017 on Channel 4 in the UK and later distributed by Amazon Prime Video,...

Listen, you don’t have to wait until Valentine’s Day to have your strings pulled on. We’re here to list all the romance movies on Netflix that will have you ready to snuggle up under your boo.

This list includes ultimate classics, vampire-wolf-human love triangles and one title you’ll need to watch before it leaves the streamer this month. After Netflix dropped its hit teen love series “Forever,” TheWrap thought it’d be best if we share some romantic cinematic goodies as well.

Here’s our list of the seven romance movies that will leave you swooning.

Greta Lee and Teo Yoo in “Past Lives” (Credit: A24) “Past Lives”

One of the sweetest love tales to hit Netflix screens after its theatrical run was Celine Song’s “Past Lives.” Starring Greta Lee and Teo Yoo, the film follows the journey of two childhood friends, Nora and Hae Sung,...

Crew workers for “Cipher,” a low-budget independent production starring Terrence Howard that is currently shooting in Kentucky, have gone on strike as part of an effort to organize for a union contract under IATSE.

According to a representative for the below-the-line workers union, shooting for “Cipher” began on May 12 in Louisville with a mix of union and non-union crew members. The film has a $3 million budget with a $1 million tax credit from the Kentucky Entertainment Initiative, and is shooting under a Directors Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA contract.

This past Monday, IATSE reached out to the “Cipher” production company notifying it that the majority of crew members had signed authorization cards signaling their intent to organize to make the film an IATSE production, with health plan and pension benefits being the primary reason for the crew members’ desire to collectively bargain.

The union gave the producers until call time on...

Crew members working on an upcoming Terrence Howard film called Cipher are on strike against the production as they attempt to secure a union contract.

Behind-the-scenes workers on the project, which is filming in and outside Louisville, Kentucky, began picketing on Wednesday after the production allegedly ignored a request to voluntarily recognize IATSE as the workers’ bargaining representative. The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to several of Cipher’s producers for comment.

According to a union-side source, crew members sought a union contract in large part so their work on the production could contribute to the qualifying days required to access IATSE benefits. The source alleges that some production has continued since the strike broke out with a skeleton crew as the project seeks replacement workers to fill out what was once a roughly 35- to 40-person crew, depending on the day.

The picket line has formed in front of...

Crew members in Kentucky have walked off the set of the low-budget film Cipher, starring Terrence Howard, in protest after the production declined to secure a union contract with IATSE.

Deadline understands that the production was recently put on notice, because crew felt they were “treated as less than” by being classified as independent contractors rather than employees. A majority of the crew expressed a desire to unionize, primarily in order to secure industry-standard pension & health benefits. Producers had until Wednesday to respond, but sources say they have been silent.

In response to the radio silence, crew went on strike Wednesday and have been picketing on location. It’s unclear whether any actors have crossed a picket line.

Production on Cipher, written and directed by Tony Giglio, began May 12.

The film, which has a budget of $3M, does have contracts with the Directors Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA. Sources also...

Hugh Jackman Screaming With Hammer In Bathroom Scene ( Photo Credit – Flickr )

Prisoners shows Hugh Jackman like most people have never seen him. He plays Keller Dover, a desperate father who snaps when his daughter goes missing. But unlike most of his other films, here he does not play the calm, composed hero people are used to. Instead, he’s someone who gets driven to the edge and pushed beyond reason.

The Plot of Prisoners Is Simple, But Hits Hard

Prisoners, directed by Denis Villeneuve and written by Aaron Guzikowski, tells the story of two girls who vanish one cold Thanksgiving day. Keller’s daughter and the daughter of his friends, Franklin (Terrence Howard) and Nancy Birch, are gone, and they are last seen near a creepy old Rv. The driver is a young man named Alex Jones, but there’s no evidence to hold him.

As a result, police let...

For the successful reputation that Marvel Studios was known for, particularly during its first three phases, it can be easy to forget that the road from "Iron Man" to "Avengers: Endgame" was not always smooth. Sure, fans often like to discuss the trajectory of the entire Infinity Saga as if it were all masterfully executed, but we sometimes forget about the bumps along the way. Some of those bumps include Phase 1 actors like Terrence Howard and Edward Norton dropping from their roles, filmmakers-for-hire dropping from projects due to the dreaded "creative differences" with Kevin Feige, or, at least in one case, a film being pulled from the slate altogether.

During its golden age, Marvel Studios developed a reputation as a studio whose cinematic output was, at the very least, competent. Sure, some of that leads to formulaic plots, but the dynamic characters portrayed by talented actors helped make these films...

Producer Will Packer has some thoughts on longtime collaborator Kevin Hart.

“Oh man, I tell you: I'm so tired of carrying that guy! My back is sore carrying that Kevin Hart!” Packer laughed while chatting with Gold Derby at an FYC event at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel celebrating Peacock's Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist. The all-star limited series is their latest team-up following such comedies as Ride Along and the Think Like a Man franchise.

But Packer admitted that despite the dramatic weight of the series — which unravels the unexpected story of how Muhammad Ali’s 1970 comeback fight and a jaw-dropping robbery at the posh planned afterparty — once he got involved, “the very first call that I made was to Kevin. He's legitimately one of my best friends in the business.”

Packer’s timing coincided with Hart’s attempt to remake the Sidney Poitier-Bill Cosby comedy classic Uptown Saturday Night,...

Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain is a cultural milestone that shattered stereotypes, redefined love stories, and pulled a legendary director back from the brink of giving up. In a deeply personal interview, Lee shared that this 2005 queer romance, which earned him a historic Oscar for Best Director, was the lifeline that restored his passion for filmmaking.

When Lee was ready to walk away from Hollywood, Brokeback Mountain restored his spirit as an artist. As the neo-Western romantic drama marks its 20th anniversary, Lee’s heartfelt reflections reveal why this tender, heartbreaking tale of two cowboys in love remains a touchstone for artists, audiences, and dreamers.

A movie that saved Ang Lee’s soul Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger in Brokeback Mountain, directed by Ang Lee/ Credits: Focus Features

By the early 2000s, Ang Lee was a celebrated filmmaker, with Sense and Sensibility and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon showcasing his versatility and vision.

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The Chi is a drama series created by Lena Waithe. The Showtime series is set in a neighborhood in South Chicago, and it revolves around Emmett, Brandon, Ronnie and Kevin as their lives are forever changed when a murder takes place in their area. The Chi stars Jason Mitchell, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Jacob Latimore, Alex R. Hibbert, Tiffany Boone, Yolonda Ross, Armando Riesco, Barton Fitzpatrick, Shamon Brown Jr., and Michael V. Epps. So, if you loved the intense drama, thrilling story, and compelling characters in The Chi, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Power Credit – Starz

Power is a crime thriller-drama series created by Courtney A. Kemp. The Starz series follows James St. Patrick, a wealthy nightclub owner leading a double life as a drug lord. Now that he has everything he wants in life,...

After six long years of public scrutiny, legal battles, and career setbacks, actor Jussie Smollett’s case has reached a settlement that feels more like a hushed footnote than a dramatic finale. In a recent development, Smollett has settled for the infamous 2019 episode that caught national attention. The city of Chicago had sued Smollett for the incident for $130,000; this was done to recover the costs of investigating what authorities labeled as an orchestrated hate crime.

While the settlement is yet to be finalized, with another court hearing set for May 29, 2025, the ruling feels a lot like an understated conclusion for a case that once dominated news articles, tabloids, and primetime headlines.

Jussie Smollett’s journey from victim to defendant

On January 29th, 2019, Jussie Smollett went to the Chicago Police to report a hate crime that he’d been on the receiving end of. He reported that two men, one of whom he claimed was white,...

Terrence Howard says he turned down portraying Marvin Gaye for a very personal reason.

The 56-year-old actor said that he was once in the talks to depict the legendary singer in a biopic directed by Lee Daniels, but backed out after Quincy Jones told him that Marvin was gay.

“They would’ve wanted to do that, and I wouldn’t have been able to do that. Because I don’t fake it. That would f–k me. I would cut my lips off. If I kissed some man, I would cut my lips off,” Terrence said while on Bill Maher‘s “Club Random” podcast.

Keep reading to find out more…

The Empire star insisted that his aversion to depicting a gay man was not due to bigotry, but rather the commitment to stay truthful to his craft.

“It does not make me homophobic to not want to kiss a man.

Terrence Howard missed out on the chance to play both Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye in biopics but for different reasons.

He calls passing on the former the “biggest mistake” of his career, saying on Bill Maher’s Club Random podcast that he declined the offer from Robinson himself because he was already talking with Lee Daniels about playing Gaye in another biopic.

Maher agreed that was the right call, saying Gaye’s life story was “much more interesting” and that Howard “would’ve been perfect as Marvin Gaye, and that is a story that needs to be told.”

But Howard didn’t end up portraying Gaye either.

“I was over at Quincy Jones’ house and I’m asking Quincy, ‘I’m hearing rumors that Marvin was gay’ and I’m like, ‘Was he gay?’” Howard said. “And Quincy’s like, ‘Yes.’”

That was a dealbreaker for Howard, he told Maher.

In conversation with Club Random host Bill Maher, Terrence Howard shared what he believed to be the “biggest mistake” he ever made in his career.

In the new episode, Howard explained how he turned down an offer from Smokey Robinson to play him in a biopic because he was in conversation with Lee Daniels about portraying Marvin Gaye in another film at the time.

However, when Howard learned that Daniels planned to explore the layers of the late singer’s sexuality, he pulled out of the project. Howard classified his decision to turn down the role of Robinson as his greatest misstep.

He remembered, “I was over at Quincy Jones’ house and I’m asking Quincy, ‘I’m hearing rumors that Marvin was gay,’ and I’m like, ‘Was he gay?’ And Quincy’s like, ‘Yes.’”

Howard continued about portraying a gay man on screen, “They would’ve wanted to do that,...

Oscar-nominated actor Terrence Howard, star of Crash, Hustle & Flow, and Iron Man, among many other acclaimed movies, has revealed that he once turned down the opportunity to portray the late, great Marvin Gaye in a Lee Daniels-directed biopic exploring the life of the legendary soul singer. His reasoning is that he only likes to accept roles he feels he can fully commit to, and after discovering the rumors about the musician's sexuality, he decided he couldn't play "that character 100%" because he wouldn't kiss another man.

During a recent appearance on Bill Maher's Club Random podcast, Howard recalled that the "biggest mistake" of his acting career was passing on the offer to star in a Smokey Robinson biopic because he was already in "conversation with Lee Daniels" about a separate project centered around Marvin Gaye. Maher validated his decision, saying Howard "would've been perfect" in the role that he...

Beyoncé Knowles-Carter is proving once again why she’s called Queen Bey, as her latest stadium tour supporting the Grammy-winning album Cowboy Carter is projected to become one of the highest-grossing concert tours of all time.

Can we just take a moment to appreciate the powerhouse that is Beyoncé? Fresh off her groundbreaking Renaissance World Tour, she’s not slowing down one bit. The Cowboy Carter Tour, which will begin on April 28, 2025, in Inglewood, California, is all set to break multiple venue records.

With her venture into country music territory, Beyoncé is redefining what crossover success looks like, and let us tell you, it looks pretty spectacular. The tour, officially known as the Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin’ Circuit Tour, pays homage to Black musical history while shattering financial expectations across the board.

Ticket sales shatter expectations despite pricing concerns

Let’s talk about those ticket sales, shall we?...

Iron Man star Terrence Howard recently drew criticism for the way in which he rejected what could have been a very successful career move for him. He was all set to play Motown artist Marvin Gaye in a biopic... but he said no when he realized Gaye had relationships with men, which meant he'd need to kiss another man on-screen.

Howard made his rather inflammatory comments during a conversation with Bill Maher on his Club Random podcast. He said, via Entertainment Weekly, that he turned down the role of Smokey Robinson - Robinson specifically sought out Howard for the role - in favor of playing Gaye. But then he asked questions about Gaye's sexuality and didn't like what he heard.

"I was over at Quincy Jones' house and I’m asking Quincy, 'I’m hearing rumors that Marvin was gay,' and I’m like, 'Was he gay?,'" Howard told Maher.

The American actor told Bill Maher’s podcast that he had asked Quincy Jones about the singer’s sexuality and felt he couldn’t ‘play that character 100%’

The actor Terrence Howard has said that he declined the role of Marvin Gaye in a film, because he didn’t want to kiss another man.

Speaking to Bill Maher on his Club Random podcast, the actor said the “biggest mistake” of his career was turning down the leading role in a separate biopic of the singer Smokey Robinson – which Robinson had personally asked him to play.

Terrence Howard shared that he declined a role in a Marvin Gaye biopic after concerns about aspects of the singer’s personal life emerged during pre-production talks. Speaking with Bill Maher on Maher’s Club Random podcast, Howard explained why he ultimately walked away from the opportunity.

Howard said he had already committed to discussions with director Lee Daniels about portraying Gaye when Smokey Robinson offered him the chance to play Robinson in a separate project. Wanting to honor his word to Daniels, Howard turned Robinson down, a decision he described as the “biggest mistake” of his career.

Howard recalled meeting Robinson for dinner after receiving the offer. “It broke [Robinson’s] heart,” he said of declining the role. Still committed to the Gaye project, Howard later encountered new reservations during a conversation with Quincy Jones.

“I’m asking Quincy, ‘I’m hearing rumors that Marvin was gay,’ and I’m like,...

Iron Man star Terrence Howard has been known for being vocal about his opinions on many sensitive topics over the years. Be it the country’s current socio-political scenario, deep state political conspiracies, dissent over vaccines, or even the rumors that flare up regarding Hollywood often, Howard has been sharing his views on those topics without hesitation.

Although there have been just as many who agree with him as there have been people who disagree with him, his recent comment on Justin Bieber, though, has sparked interest, especially because of how it relates to P Diddy’s infamous freak off parties.

Iron Man star noted his discontent over Justin Bieber’s alleged presence at P Diddy’s parties

Iron Man star Terrence Howard recently appeared on an episode of Bill Maher’s Club Random podcast. Although they talked about anything and everything, starting from political conspiracies, vaccine crisis, to the real face of Hollywood,...

Terrence Howard admitted that he passed on playing Marvin Gaye because if he had to kiss a male costar he would “cut my lips off.”

During a recent appearance on the Club Random podcast, Howard told host Bill Maher about the “biggest mistake” he ever made in his career. The actor recounted how he was invited to dinner by Smokey Robinson because “he wanted me to play his life” in a movie. Unfortunately Howard had to turn Robinson down because he was in a conversation with Lee Daniels about playing Marvin Gaye in another biopic.

Terrence Howard has not been a stranger to playing musicians on the screen. The actor’s Academy Award-nominated performance in Hustle and Flow saw him play a pimp who aspired to be a rapper while his most prominent TV role in Empire, saw him play a hip-hop mogul.

However, the actor reportedly walked away from two biopics of legendary musicians. In a recent interview, the Iron Man star revealed that he walked away from a Smokey Robinson biopic because he was talking with Lee Daniels about a biopic on Marvin Gaye. His reasoning for backing out of the latter is surprising.

Terrence Howard revealed why he walked away from a Marvin Gaye biopic A still from Empire | Credits: Fox

Plenty of straight actors have played homosexual or bisexual characters on the screen, and some male actors have even kissed other male actors off-screen, mostly for comedic effect. Robert Pattinson kissed...

When it comes to wild conspiracy theories, Hollywood somehow appears to be standing first in line. So, this time, Iron Man star Terrence Howard joined the race and threw gasoline on a decades-old fire. During a recent podcast with Bill Maher, Howard dropped a bombshell theory about why President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

Unlike the usual “lone gunman” story we’ve heard for the past few years, Terrence Howard mentioned that JFK’s death was tied to a dangerous move against the Federal Reserve. And that’s not all—according to the actor, President John F. Kennedy’s assassination was eerily similar to what Abraham Lincoln faced a century earlier.

Iron Man star Terrence Howard dropped a wild theory about JFK’s assassination Terrence Howard in Iron Man | image: Marvel Studios

After previously sending fans into a frenzy with his role as James Rhodes in Robert Downey Jr’s Iron Man,...

Academy Award-nominated actor Terrence Howard revealed he turned down a Lee Daniels-helmed biopic about legendary Motown musician Marvin Gaye because it would require him to explore the Prince of Soul’s rumored homosexuality.

Speaking with Bill Maher on his Club Random podcast, the Empire star recalled “the biggest mistake I made in my career,” which was rejecting Smokey Robinson’s offer to play him in a biopic after the King of Motown invited him out to dinner. At the time, he said, he was in the middle of talks for the Gaye biopic and “was being faithful to Lee Daniels because I had given him my word as man.”

Howard said the news “broke [Robinson’s] heart,” while host Maher remarked that the exploration of Gaye’s life would have been “much more interesting” because “there’s a lot more drama,” given the What’s Going On artist’s killing by his father.

Terrence Howard almost starred in a biopic of legendary soul singer Marvin Gaye, but there was one major hold-up for the actor.

During a recent appearance on Bill Maher’s “Club Random” podcast, Howard said that the “biggest mistake” of his career was turning down the starring role in a Smokey Robinson biopic, a role the musician personally asked him to play.

Howard explained that he turned Robinson down because he was already in “conversation with Lee Daniels about playing Marvin Gaye” in a different biopic.

Maher supported Howard’s decision, adding that Gaye’s life story was “much more interesting.” He went on to say that Howard “would’ve been perfect as Marvin Gaye, and that is a story that needs to be told.”

However, Howard ended up missing out on the Gaye biopic as well. The “Empire” star said he passed on the project after he found out...

Since its debut in 2011, Black Mirror has remained one of Netflix’s most captivating anthology series' to date. With seven mind-bending seasons under its belt, the dystopian series delves into the implication of advanced technologies on individuals and society while blending relatable scenarios and thought-provoking science fiction with real-world anxieties, as viewed through a technological lens.

With its dark themes, social commentary, and high-quality action and production, Black Mirror leaves audiences just as uncomfortable as they are fascinated. If you’ve already binged season 7, which came out April 10, 2025, then here are 15 shows like Black Mirror you need to watch next.

1. Altered Carbon

Based on the novel by Richard K. Morgan, Altered Carbon is a cyberpunk series set in a future where consciousness is digitized, stored, and able to be transferred into a human body, essentially making life and existence limitless. After 250 years on ice, a prisoner (and political operative with...

Editor’s Note: Deadline reveals here for the first time that Clean Slate has been canceled by Prime Video. The last completed project involving Norman Lear, the comedy featured Laverne Cox and George Wallace as an estranged daughter and father from Mobile, Alabama trying to reconnect after decades apart amid tensions over trans rights and a changing America. In a guest column, Cox, Wallace and co-creator Dan Ewen reveal the cancellation news, the show’s origins and the flag of dignity they believe it flew.

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Clean Slate premiered on Prime Video on February 6th.

By the end of March, our eight-episode series, our labor of love, was canceled.

A seven-year effort was gone in a puff of server exhaust. The following piece from we, the creators of Clean Slate, soon materialized. Please forgive the word count. This shit was cheaper than therapy.

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The room was dead quiet for a moment.

Actor Terrence Howard has turned into a slightly controversial figure thanks to his claims about physics and other pseudoscientific theories. The actor played the role of James Rhodes in the first installment of Iron Man, which saw Robert Downey Jr debut as the genius, playboy, inventor Tony Stark.

In a recent podcast, Howard reflected on his work in the science and technology space, revealing details about the multiple patents he holds, which could be well worth a trillion dollars. As a result, if Howard’s claims are correct, the actor might as well be the real-life equivalent of Tony Stark, and here is what he had to say.

Terrence Howard makes shocking claims about inventions that would make him a real-life Tony Stark

Terrence Howard has been vocal about his interest in the field of science and technology, with his podcasts with Joe Rogan going viral over some of his claims.

Terrence Howard, the original War Machine, made a solid splash in the first Iron Man movie and seemed set for a major MCU journey until things took a sudden detour. Since then, he’s become known less for superhero roles and more for stirring the pot with his wild science theories and bold takes on reality.

But, funny enough, missing out on Iron Man 2 might not be his biggest regret. What really must sting is not shooting his shot with Beyoncé. Here’s how that went down!

Terrence Howard in Iron Man / Credits: Marvel Studios Terrence Howard’s biggest regret is missing his chance with Beyoncé!

Back in 2005, Terrence Howard found himself at the center of one of the most unforgettable moments in BET Awards history. During Destiny’s Child’s performance of Cater 2 U, Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams each treated a celebrity guest to a steamy onstage lap dance.

In a striking revelation that has added yet another layer to the ongoing controversies surrounding Sean “Diddy” Combs, actor Terrence Howard has shared a deeply uncomfortable experience involving the music mogul—one that he believes may have been a veiled sexual advance.

The Oscar-nominated actor made the disclosure during a candid appearance on the Pbd Podcast hosted by Patrick Bet-David. In the interview, Howard, 56, painted a picture of a bizarre and unsettling encounter that began innocently enough—with Combs expressing interest in acting.

“Puffy invited me, for weeks, asking me to come teach him how to — wanted me to be his acting coach for a while,” Howard recalled.

A Meeting That Took a Strange Turn

What was framed as a professional collaboration, however, quickly shifted into something that left Howard confused and disturbed.

Upon finally agreeing to meet with Combs, Howard said that the Bad Boy Records founder merely sat in silence,...

Remember Terrence Howard from the first Iron Man movie? Well, he didn’t reprise the role due to salary disputes, resulting in him leaving the franchise for good. He continued to appear in a few small-budget movies and series after his stint in the MCU, though he plans to retire from acting very soon.

Howard’s claims on his educational attainment stirred controversy after he said he studied chemical engineering and applied materials. He also claimed in 2013 that he has a PhD degree from South Carolina State University, a school he never attended and never offered a doctorate degree in the said course.

Terrence Howard in Iron Man / Credits: Marvel Studios Terrence Howard urged people to face him like a man over criticisms of his scientific claims

Terrence Howard played James Rhodes, aka War Machine, in 2008’s Iron Man alongside Robert Downey Jr. who portrayed Tony Stark. In the movie,...

When Mike White’s The White Lotus made its grand splash on Max in 2021, it wasn’t just a show—it was a full-blown cultural moment. Set against the backdrop of swanky, sun-soaked resorts, this darkly delicious series peeled back the glossy layers of wealth, privilege, and cultural appropriation with razor-sharp wit. Critics were hooked, fans were obsessed, and award shows? Well, they showered it with Emmy gold.

Initially conceived to be a limited series filmed during the pandemic, The White Lotus quickly moved beyond the confines of a Covid bubble and moved to Italy in its sophomore season and later to Thailand. However, while the show has been sought after by massive stars and is not set during the pandemic, there has been no change in their pay clause.

What is The White Lotus’ pay clause for actors? A still from The White Lotus | Credits: Max

Salaries in Hollywood have always been controversial.

You know what they say, “life’s a series of bumps, bruises, and breakthroughs.” And when it comes to Hollywood, few stories prove this more than the journeys of Terrence Howard and Robert Downey Jr. These two actors’ paths intersected at a pivotal point in Iron Man (2008), but their personal and professional lives have been anything but easy sailing.

Howard’s early life was marred by relationship turbulence, with two divorces from Lori McCommas before 2007. Yet, amid that chaos, he snagged the role of James ‘Rhodey’ Rhodes in Iron Man. But a contract dispute led to him being replaced by Don Cheadle.

Terrence Howard | Credit: Pbd podcast/YouTube

On the flip side, Downey Jr. was battling his demons in the form of substance abuse, but Iron Man became his redemption, breathing life into his career, and creating the foundation for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Their stories mirror each other in many ways,...