NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt Jr. reads his final texts with Kyle Busch 1 day before driver's sudden death

NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt Jr. revealed his final text exchange with Kyle Busch one day before the driver's sudden death at 41 last week.

Key Points

• Earnhardt admitted that he has a "hard time believing" that Busch is gone.

• Busch died after his severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis, resulting in complications, his family said.

NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt Jr. has revealed his final conversation with Kyle Busch the day before the racing pro's unexpected death.

Earnhardt Jr. remembered his fellow driver,who died at 41on May 21, on the latest episode of his podcast,Dale Jr. Download, recalling their last text exchange and Busch's impact on him and the industry.

"I was texting with him the day before he passed away about getting together this Thursday to bring his seat for his late model over to my shop," Earnhardt Jr. began, explaining that they had agreed that Busch would drive the vehicle in the CARS Tour and that they were deciding which number they would run in the race, which spotlights late-model cars.

"He's texting me, and he's like, 'What scheme we going to run?' And I was like, 'You can run any scheme you want,'" Earnhardt Jr. said. "I was like, 'What number do you want to run?' He goes … he said it, literally, 'The Dale Jr. 8.' I was like, 'You got it.'" Earnhardt Jr. had driven the car from 1999 until 2007, making Busch's choice extra personal for him.

Busch responded to Earnhardt Jr.'s sign-off with the head-exploding emoji, Earnhardt Jr. said, referring to how race fans would react to seeing behind the wheel of the vehicle.

Earnhardt Jr. became emotional while discussing Busch's sudden death, saying he has a "hard time believing" that his friend and colleague is gone.

"What I've enjoyed, I guess, is learning more about Kyle the person," Earnhardt Jr. said, referring to recent conversations he has had with fellow drivers about Busch.

"We know who he is on the racetrack. We know how he is on the racetrack and in the media and so forth — what he was like at the track with the suit on and in that environment," he said. "I knew him on a personal level. But hearing how he interacted and how he was to others, the joke they may have shared in a text … I've really enjoyed learning who he was away from the track and how he interacted and engaged, or treated or talked to other people, and it's been good."

Advertisement

Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with ourEW Dispatch newsletter.

"When he passed away this past weekend, we heard a lot of drivers say, 'He was my hero. I wanted to emulate him. I wanted to be like him,'" Earnhardt Jr. revealed, "and I know that that would have meant the world to him."

NASCAR, the Busch family, and the Richard Childress Racing team announced that the driver had died in a statement toEntertainment Weeklylast week.

"We are devastated to announce the sudden and tragic passing of Kyle Busch," the statement read. "Our entire NASCAR family is heartbroken … A future Hall of Famer, Kyle was a rare talent, one who comes along once in a generation. He was fierce, he was passionate, he was immensely skilled, and he cared deeply about the sport and fans."

Busch is survived by wife, Samantha, and their children, Brexton and Lennix.

Busch was hospitalized on May 21 for a "severe illness," for which he was "undergoing treatment," his family said.

They announced hiscause of deathtwo days later. "The medical evaluation provided to the Busch Family concluded that severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications," they said in a statement to theAssociated Press.

Watch Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s full podcast episode below.

Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

byAsher Jeferson

in

May 27, 2026

NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt Jr. reads his final texts with Kyle Busch 1 day before driver's sudden death

NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt Jr. revealed his final text exchange with Kyle Busch one day before the driver's sudden death at 41 last...

Read More

Jay-Z's D'Ussé brand marks debut album with special release, events

This year,Jay-Z'sdebut album turns 30 and the celebrations have commenced with his cognac brand rolling out special-edition packaging, a signature cocktail and nationwide activations.

D'USSÉ, co-founded by the hip-hop mogul and the global spirits company Bacardi, will be selling a Jay-Z D'USSÉ VSOP box set to mark the 30th anniversary of the Grammy-winning rapper's 1996 debut album "Reasonable Doubt."

The collector's box set is now available at select retailers nationwide. The brand will also host a range of events throughout cities in the U.S. this summer, including Atlanta, Houston, Chicago, Washington, New York and Philadelphia.

D'USSÉ is serving up signature cocktail "CODE30," which the brand says is "inspired by the 'codes' of ambition, excellence, and cultural influence that have defined Mr. Shawn Carter’s legacy for the past 30 years."

Released by his label Roc-A-Fella Records in June 1996, "Reasonable Doubt" has been heralded by some, including Rolling Stone, asone of the greatest albumsof all time. It features collaborations with the likes of Mary J. Blige, the Notorious B.I.G. and Jaz-O.

"Mr. Shawn Carter's codes of ambition, craftsmanship, and excellence are woven into the DNA of D'USSÉ, and JAŸ-Z30 is a powerful reflection of that legacy," General Manager of D’USSÉ Gigi DaDan said in a statement. "For 30 years, he has shaped culture through music, art, style, and philanthropy, and as a brand built as an extension of his innovation, D'USSÉ has continued to redefine the cognac category while honoring its heritage."

The rapper and husband toBeyoncé, who recently changed the styling of his name to Jaÿ-Z to mirror how it appeared on the 1996 album, is poised to make a major return to the stage to celebrate its anniversary.

Advertisement

Jay-Z willheadline the Roots festivalin Philadelphia on May 30 and 31 before taking the stage for threemajor showsin his hometown of New York.

On July 10, he will celebrate the 30th anniversary of "Reasonable Doubt" with a concert at Yankee Stadium. This will be followed by a 25th anniversary concert for "The Blueprint" on July 11. A third "EXTRA INNINGS" show was added on July 12 to combine both shows due to high demand.

The nationwide D'USSÉ activations will also take place at the festival as well as his New York shows.

Jay-Z already holds the record for the most sold-out performances at Yankee Stadium and will look to extend his achievement with a seventh sell-out.

Fans can visitDusse.comfor more information.

Follow Caché McClay, the USA TODAY Network'sBeyoncéKnowles-Carter reporter, onInstagram,TikTokandXas @cachemcclay.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean:Jay-Z's D'Usse cognac honors debut album with special release, events

byAsher Jeferson

in

May 27, 2026

Jay-Z's D'Ussé brand marks debut album with special release, events

This year,Jay-Z'sdebut album turns 30 and the celebrations have commenced with his cognac brand rolling out special-edition packagi...

Read More

Johnny Carson Bid an Emotional Farewell on His Final “Tonight Show” Broadcast, 34 Years Ago

Johnny Carson hosted The Tonight Show for 30 years before deciding to end his late-night reign

NEED TO KNOW

• Carson's final show aired May 22, 1992, and had over 50 million viewers

• Carson was openly emotional about what the journey meant to him while also making viewers at home laugh with him one final time

Johnny Carson's farewell toThe Tonight Showwas an emotional moment that still sticks with viewers, over three decades later.

The moment was a year in the making, with Carson announcing his departure with time to give fans time to digest it. The talk show host's 30-year run ended on May 22, 1992, with a look back at three decades of discussing the evolving pop culture landscape that late-night came up in.

In his self-written monologue, Carson explained how the show would play out, the night after an explosive farewell that featured appearances by Bette Midler and Robin Williams.

"The show tonight is our farewell show; it's going to be a little bit quieter," he said at the time. "It's not going to be a performance show. One of the questions people have been asking me, especially this last month, is, 'What's it like doingThe Tonight Show,' and what does it mean to me?"

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

"Well, let me try to explain it. If I could magically, somehow, that tape you just saw, make it run backwards. I would like to do the whole thing over again. It's been a hell of a lot of fun," he continued.

Carson added, "As an entertainer, it has been the great experience of my life, and I cannot imagine finding something in television after I leave tonight that would give me as much joy and pleasure, and such a sense of exhilaration, as this show has given me. It's just hard to explain."

While Carson's tone met the moment, he didn't take it too seriously either, concluding the monologue with "This is not really a performance show. This is kind of a look-back retrospective. We are going to show you some moments in time. Some images of the many people, and there have been some 23,000 people. We are going to show you a little excerpt of how the show is put together, so go get some more cheese dip and we'll be back in just a moment."

Further, the audience consisted only of family, friends, and loved ones of the crew members as Carson led the intimate goodbye, which was watched at home by over 50 million viewers.

Advertisement

Carson's last words to his audience struck a balance between emotional and jovial as he shared gratitude one final time.

"And so it has come to this: I am one of the lucky people in the world. I found something I always wanted to do, and I have enjoyed every single minute of it. I want to thank the people who’ve shared this stage with me for 30 years. Mr. Ed McMahon, Mr. Doc Severinsen and you people watching," he said.

Carson continued, "I can only tell you that it has been an honor and a privilege to come into your homes all these years and entertain you. And I hope when I find something that I want to do — and I think you would like — and come back, that you’ll be as gracious in inviting me into your home as you have been. I bid you a very heartfelt good night."

On the same night, 34 years later,Byron Allenis stepping into what wasStephen Colbert's former CBS time slot, the night afterThe Late Show with Stephen Colbertended.

In an interview withTheWrap, Allen shared that his takeover being on the anniversary of Carson's farewell was by design. He explained that while the show could have premiered in the time slot in September, he encouraged the May 22 start date.

Allen himself made his wider comedy debut onThe Tonight Show with Johnny Carsonin 1979, at just 18. He was the youngest comedian to ever perform during Carson's late-night reign.

"Normally, you would premiere in September, but I said ‘No, no, no, no. That’s when Johnny stepped down. That’s when I’m stepping up,' " he told the outlet.

Comics Unleashedtakes over the time slot on Friday, May 22.

Read the original article onPeople

byAsher Jeferson

in

May 26, 2026

Johnny Carson Bid an Emotional Farewell on His Final “Tonight Show” Broadcast, 34 Years Ago

Johnny Carson hosted The Tonight Show for 30 years before deciding to end his late-night reign NEED TO KNOW Carson...

Read More

Hilary Duff returns to 2026 AMA Awards in sultry metallic gown

Hilary Duffturned heads in a sultry early 2000s-inspired number at the 2026 American Music Awards.

The singer-actress, 38, walked on the red carpet at the AMAs in a metallic chainmail gown with silver stilettos on Monday, May 25.

She kept her accessories light with dangling earrings and dainty rings so her dress could do the talking.

Duff's ensemble, which isreportedly from Rabanne, made a statement on stage as she presented theaward for New Artist of the Year.

It's her first time at theaward ceremony since 2005,according to People. That year, the former Disney starperformedher song "Beat Of My Heart."

Hilary Duff:Former Disney star reveals world tour – How to get tickets, presales, more

Duff is reclaiming the spotlight

Duff's AMA appearance comes amid her comeback to the spotlight. The "So Yesterday" singer was one of the stars who graced the cover ofthe 2026 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition, rocking a cream one-piece bathing suit by OYE Swimwear.

Advertisement

"I'm a mom of four, and I'm not a spring chicken," Duff told the magazine of her Sports Illustrated debut. "I don't typically frolic around in a bathing suit, so it was a little scary. But it was also incredibly empowering. It was a mostly female crew on set, and it really felt like a celebration of women."

Earlier this year, Duff took fans back to the beginning with herLas Vegas residency,where she performed songs like "Wake Up" and "Someone's Watching Over Me."

Following the release of her latest project, "Luck...or something," Duff isgearing up for her "Lucky Me Tour"this summer.

Speaking toBillboard on the 2026 AMA Awardsred carpet, she said she has "some surprises" in store for her upcoming show.

Contributing: Edward Segarra, USA TODAY

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Hilary Duff makes epic comeback in silver gown at 2026 AMAs

byAsher Jeferson

in

May 26, 2026

Hilary Duff returns to 2026 AMA Awards in sultry metallic gown

Hilary Duffturned heads in a sultry early 2000s-inspired number at the 2026 American Music Awards. The singer-actress, 38, walked ...

Read More

“Wuthering Heights ”Director Says She Regrets Cutting Margot Robbie's 'Extremely Hairy Armpits' from the Film

Emerald Fennell said she regrets cutting a Wuthering Heights scene showing Margot Robbie's character with unshaven armpits

NEED TO KNOW

• The director said she'd been bothered by how period dramas often showed women as smooth-skinned, despite razors not being available at the time

• "They're all kind of hairless like eels," Fennell recalled of women in other period dramas, set around the time of Wuthering Heights

Emerald Fennellis looking back on aWuthering Heightsstyle decision that was cut from the film.

On Friday, May 22, the director spoke at Hay Festival in Wales and opened up about her adaptation of Emily Brontë's novel, which was released in theaters in February 2026.

In hindsight, she admitted, Fennell wished she'd kept a scene with Cathy (played byMargot Robbie) in which her unshaven armpits were visible, because it would have been more accurate to the time period.

Fennell said she was often bothered by the hairless skin of women in period dramas, because it applied modern beauty standards to a time when they weren't physically attainable.

"Where are the razors that these women are using?" she recalled asking while watching Jane Austen film adaptations. "They're all kind of hairless like eels. I'm like: ‘What's going on? It's completely mad.'”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Waxing and hair removal creams existed for many centuries prior to the events ofWuthering Heights, though it was only truly accessible to wealthy nobility.

Advertisement

PerGillette UK, English women began removing hair from their face and body with safety razors in the early 1900s, after the First World War — several centuries after Brontë's novel was published in 1847.

For that reason, it was "so important" to Fennell to show Cathy's body hair as historically accurate, the director said. "Unfortunately, the scene that we see them [in] didn't make it in there," she added.

Fennell's adaptation ofWuthering Heightsdrew some criticism for its lack of historical accuracy — from Cathy's ostentatious attire, to the race of Heathcliff (played byJacob Elordi), to the plot of the film itself, which deviated significantly from Brontë's gothic novel.

However, Fennell previously explained the disparities by noting her rendition was meant to embody the version she "remembered reading" as a 14-year-old, in which she "wanted stuff to happen that never happened."

"So it isWuthering Heights,but it isn't," Fennell said of her adaptation in aninterview with Fandango, published in January. "The thing for me is you can't adapt a book as dense and complicated and difficult as this book— I can't say I'm makingWuthering Heights. It's not possible. What I can say is I'm making a version of it."

Wuthering Heightsis now streaming on HBO Max.

Read the original article onPeople

byAsher Jeferson

in

May 25, 2026

“Wuthering Heights ”Director Says She Regrets Cutting Margot Robbie's 'Extremely Hairy Armpits' from the Film

Emerald Fennell said she regrets cutting a Wuthering Heights scene showing Margot Robbie's character with unshaven armpits NE...

Read More

Prince William Praises Kate Middleton as a 'Proper Pro' in Her Royal Work

Kate Middleton will take more international trips for her early years mission as she widens its influence and learning

NEED TO KNOW

• Her husband, Prince William, said on May 22 that she is hoping to follow her successful Italy visit with others

• An aide tells PEOPLE the Italy trip was "about maintaining balance while returning to a broader program of activity"

Kate Middletonhas a proud husband inPrince Williamas she looks ahead in her mission to help children.

After a successfulvisit to the city of Reggio Emilia, in Italy, the Princess of Wales, 44, hopes to widen the impact and the experience of her help for the youngest children as she creates a global conversation around the issue.

Prince William, 43, confirmed during a recent interview with the U.K.'sHeart Breakfastthat his wife was “just sort of edging herself back into doing more and more of those trips.” He added that they have to be careful to manage things in light of her recovery from thecancer treatmentshe revealed she was undergoing in March 2024 (the Princess of Wales announced with "relief" that she wasin remissionin January 2025).

"She's been amazing. She's been through so much in the last couple of years, particularly," William told cohosts Amanda Holden and Jamie Theakston. "She'd been looking forward to the Italian trip a lot, and so I'm really glad it went really well."

William added that the family will have to continue managing the workload of visits like that, saying "away trips like that take a lot out of you...so we have to balance that, make sure she's okay and rested. But she's in good form.”

The trip to Italy was “about maintaining balance while returning to a broader program of activity," an aide has told PEOPLE. "The visit reflects that steady progression.”

The mission for the under-fives and those who raise and care for them has been a central part of Princess Kate's public work for more than a decade, and she has set up the Royal FoundationCentre for Early Childhoodto funnel those ideas and her work. As she builds her knowledge, Prince William said that he has to pick his way past her reading and paperwork, as he called her a “proper pro” in the subject.

"She spends, God knows how much time now, looking through all the paperwork," he said. "She's a proper pro on early years. Most evenings I'm fighting to get past in the bedroom, what paperwork that she's got lined up, ready to read."

A palace aide explains to PEOPLE that the visit to Italy was a "clear moment of progression” of the “work moving beyond a U.K. focus and beginning to engage more actively with international thinking and practice."

Advertisement

"Over the past few years, the princess has concentrated on building a strong evidence base and practical programs at home, and this now creates the opportunity to look outward. It is less about a shift in direction and more about an evolution, connecting that work with global expertise and placing early childhood firmly within a shared international conversation," they say.

The source adds, "There is a recognition that the challenges and opportunities in early childhood are not confined to one country. They are universal. The intention is not to position it as a personal project on a global stage, but rather to contribute to and learn from a wider body of knowledge. There is a natural alignment with other countries that are also prioritizing these early years."

Christian Guy, executive director of Kate's Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, told PEOPLE that the visit to Reggio Emilia "is the start of the princess and the Centre leading a global conversation about how the first five years of life give us that chance to get ahead of some of the toughest social challenges we face around the world.”

Speaking as Princess Kate ended her second day, in which she spent time with some children outside in their school garden, Guy explained, “This morning, the princess was in her element in nature, seeing the power of the outdoors. She has spoken about how important that's been for her. But what the science shows is how crucial that is to help children flourish and thrive and to nurture the skills they need. Seeing her in the garden today, I can tell it is something that will stay with her for a very long time.”

Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

During the trip, there was no doubt among those who met her that the Princess of Wales' expertise in the sector shone through. Before she left, the royal was introduced to a group of women who've taken the philosophy across the world to South America.

Norma Guinto, President of RedSOLARE Mexico, says, “She was very interested in learning about the Reggio Emilia Approach that has inspired us. We have been coming here for many years. She wanted to know how we bring this philosophy this pedology to our country and the changes we have seen in our educational system in bringing this new way of teaching and learning.”

Guinto adds, "Being the person she is, she can influence education around the world to benefit children from different backgrounds. We need that in this moment of our history for humanity.”

A teacher from the city, Sara Montanini, met Kate and added, “When she started her early childhood project, I always thought that sooner or later she would come here because it's been a staple in our community since the Second World War. I can see why she came to Reggio Emilia because her vision is so similar to ours.”

Read the original article onPeople

byAsher Jeferson

in

May 25, 2026

Prince William Praises Kate Middleton as a 'Proper Pro' in Her Royal Work

Kate Middleton will take more international trips for her early years mission as she widens its influence and learning NEED TO KN...

Read More

Jacob Elordi Reacts to This “Euphoria” Character's Gruesome Death Involving a Boa Constrictor and a Coffin

Warning: this post contains spoilers for the penultimate episode ofEuphoriaseason 3.

NEED TO KNOW

• In the penultimate episode of Euphoria season 3, one main character died

• Following the episode, Jacob Elordi broke down the episode

• The finale airs next Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO

Nate Jacobs has finally met his maker.

On the May 24 episode ofEuphoriaseason 3,Jacob Elordi's character Nate died. Nate (Elordi) has been in trouble all season due to money he owes Naz (Jack Topalian), and in the penultimate episode of the season, his luck ran out.

Nate was trapped inside a coffin that was buried underground, with just a small hole for air. A rattlesnake got through the hole and he was brutally attacked. Hours later, Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) and Maddy (Alexa Demie) found his body.

Following the episode, fans got a behind-the-scenes look at how Elordi's death was filmed as he detailed what it was like being placed inside a coffin with a real snake.

"I had to go into this coffin. My shoulders were touching the side, and I couldn't move my arms, and then they would drill the lid on, and it would get dark," Elordi, 28, said during a post-show segment that aired on May 24 on HBO. "It was really nice, actually. It was quite peaceful in there."

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

He was "tucked in this box, with dust falling on me, and a snake coming down the pipe," he said.

Advertisement

There was a real snake involved in the scene, too. "They had a boa constrictor that they put a fake rattler on the end of, and [creator] Sam [Levinson] was like, 'We're just gonna drop a snake on you,'" Elordi said. "The snakes were rattling, which is really alarming when you're locked in a box."

In the end, he said the snake was "super cute."

"He was, like, real cuddly, so he just saddled up next to me, and it was nice," the actor said. "But he was real sleepy. I had to kind of nudge him to get him to come up."

Despite Nate's gruesome end, he thought it was a "cool way to go."

"Nate is someone who's made so many mistakes and made so many dark choices. It's cool to see it all come to what it's come to," Elordi said of the character he's played since 2019.

Nate's death is the first major character to die in season 3. Elordi called it "bittersweet" in his post-episode interview.

"This show is a massive part of, not just my career, but my life. It's been amazing, and I'm so proud, being a part of this," he said.

TheEuphoriaseason 3 finale airs Sunday, May 31, at 9 p.m. ET on HBO.

Read the original article onPeople

byAsher Jeferson

in

May 25, 2026

Jacob Elordi Reacts to This “Euphoria” Character's Gruesome Death Involving a Boa Constrictor and a Coffin

Warning: this post contains spoilers for the penultimate episode ofEuphoriaseason 3. NEED TO KNOW In the penultimate ep...

Read More

'The Mandalorian and Grogu' box office revealed – How did it do?

It's been a long time, but moviegoers are finally returning to a galaxy far, far away.

"The Mandalorian and Grogu," the first new "Star Wars" movie since 2019's "The Rise of Skywalker," grossed $82 million in its three-day opening weekend at the domestic box office, according to estimates from Comscore released on Sunday, May 24.

That would be the lowest-grossing opening weekend for a "Star Wars" movie released by Disney, though only by a hair. In 2018, the Han Solo prequel "Solo: A Star Wars Story" opened similarly with $84 million over three days and $103 million through Memorial Day.

With "Solo," those numbers were considered hugely disappointing, and the movie was ultimately a box office failure. But "The Mandalorian and Grogu" should have an easier path to profitability because its budget is reportedly much lower.

According toVarietyandThe Hollywood Reporter, "Mandalorian" cost $165 million to make. That would make it cheaper than other recent "Star Wars" movies, so it carries with it a different set of box office expectations and doesn't need to reach the enormous heights of the franchise's past films to be a success. "Solo," for comparison,reportedly had a budgetof $250 million or more, and its price tag was inflated due to significant reshoots after the original directors were fired during production.

Still, the "Mandalorian" launch is certainly a comedown from "Star Wars" at the peak of its box office powers. In 2015, "The Force Awakens" opened to a staggering $247 million domestically, and it is still the highest-grossing film of all time in the United States, not adjusted for inflation. Its sequels, 2017's "The Last Jedi" and 2019's "The Rise of Skywalker," opened with $220 million and $177 million, respectively, and the spinoff "Rogue One" also had a strong opening of $155 million in 2016.

Lucasfilm always planned for "Star Wars" to take a break from movie theaters after 2019's "The Rise of Skywalker." But that break turned out to be much longer than expected, as in the years since the divisive trilogy capper, the studio seemed to struggle to find the best way to relaunch "Star Wars" on the big screen. Several "Star Wars" movies were announced from 2019 onwards that were bound for theaters, including a fighter pilot movie called "Rogue Squadron" that was at one point scheduled for 2023.

Advertisement

But none of these projects came to fruition, leading more and more years to pass with no new "Star Wars" film in sight. All the while, the series lived on the small screen with numerous Disney+ shows.

By 2024, Lucasfilm seemed to seek a safe, reliable bet for a "Star Wars" movie that wouldn't be difficult to get off the ground, so they turned to the most popular of their Disney+ shows: "The Mandalorian," which made "Baby Yoda" a pop culture phenomenon in 2019. "The Mandalorian and Grogu" continues the story of the show, withPedro Pascalreturning as bounty hunter Din Djarin, but with a plot intended to be approachable for newcomers who haven't watched the series.

Reviews for "The Mandalorian and Grogu" were mixed, and the movie's 62% critics' approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes is one of the lowest of the franchise.

But audiences seem to be liking "Mandalorian" well enough that it should have solid legs in theaters as the summer continues. Moviegoers polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of A-. That's the same average rating as "Solo" and an improvement on "The Rise of Skywalker," which received a B+. But it's a step down from "The Force Awakens" and "The Last Jedi," which each earned A grades. "Rogue One" also received an A.

As a largely standalone story without many unresolved threads, "The Mandalorian and Grogu" doesn't provide much indication of where "Star Wars" will go from here, and the fact that it's based on a TV show may have limited its audience or led some moviegoers to simply wait to watch it on Disney+.

But the bigger test of the franchise's health will come next summer with "Star Wars: Starfighter," an all-new adventure starringRyan Goslingthat will take the series' timeline beyond the ending of "The Rise of Skywalker" for the first time. The pressure is high for that movie to establish a new era for "Star Wars" movies and prove that the Force is still strong with the brand.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:How did 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' perform at the box office?

byAsher Jeferson

in

May 24, 2026

'The Mandalorian and Grogu' box office revealed – How did it do?

It's been a long time, but moviegoers are finally returning to a galaxy far, far away. "The Mandalorian and Grogu," ...

Read More

Alan Alda, 90, Says He and Wife Arlene Alda Talk About Death ‘All the Time’

Alan Alda and his wife, Arlene Alda, have openly discussed what they would do if the other person died

NEED TO KNOW

• The couple, married since 1957, bonded over humor and a shared moment involving rum cake at a party

• Despite his Parkinson's diagnosis, Alda remains active and credits curiosity and improvisation for his positive outlook

Alan Aldaisn't scared of talking about death, especially with his wife,Arlene Alda.

As part of the Alan Alda, Joy Behar, and Roger Rosenblatt in Conversation: More Rules for Aging event at 92NY in New York City on Thursday, May 21, theM*A*S*Hstar got candid about how they discuss death “all the time.”

"One time, we pickedCarl Reinerup to take him someplace to dinner and as we were driving, Carl's wife had just died and we told him how Arlene and I talk all the time about what we'd do [about] who died first," Alda, 90, said.

"If I died first, what would her life be like? If she died first, what would I do? And just around then, I drove over to the divider of Sunset Boulevard. A little bit of sidewalk," he added. "Just bounced away. And Carl said, 'You know the way you drive, you don't have to worry.' "

Alda also spoke about how he feels about his current age.

"I was just thinking of the day, the actual day that I was 90 this year," he said. "We went out to dinner and the waiter came by at the end of the meal with a cupcake with a candle in it and led the restaurant in singing, saying, 'Happy birthday, older gentleman.' Then I blew out the candle and they said, 'You did it yourself. I didn't help you.' They kind of let you know."

Alda married Arlene when he was 21 in 1957 after a chance meeting at a party, which involved both of them eating rum cake that fell on the floor.

"We did eat the rum cake off the floor and were inseparable after that. But I was captivated by her even earlier in the meal when I heard her at the end of the table laughing at my jokes. She had me at Ha,"he wrote on X.

"He was a kindred spirit who was also funny, so there was this great chemistry," she toldThe New York Timesin 2015. "It sure was fun and delightful to be with him that night. Boys from Manhattan didn't date girls from the Bronx. That was a given. It was too long of a trip. He took me home to the Bronx. Unheard of."

Advertisement

The couple have been inseparable since. They now have three daughters — Eve, Elizabeth and Beatrice — and many grandchildren.

Alda famously landed his big break as Hawkeye Pierce inM*A*S*H, which ran from 1972 to 1983. He won six Golden Globes and three Emmys for the role, as well as one Emmy for writing and another for directing.

In 1975, Alda spoke to PEOPLE about how he wove his family life into the sitcomWe'll Get By.

"It's an attempt to show a family living the way people really do live — and not as they do on television," he said at the time. "Once I was watching a tape of the show at home in which there was an argument between mother and daughter. I turned around and my wife and one of my daughters were having exactly the same argument."

He went on to receive an Oscar nomination for playing Senator Brewster in 2004'sThe Aviatorand won another Emmy for a role onThe West Wing.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Although Alda was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2015, he didn't share his condition publicly until 2018. "My life hasn't changed much," he said. "I just applied my curiosity to it. I'm constantly reading and trying to figure out the best approaches."

A few years later in 2019, Alda told PEOPLE about his dynamic with Arlene.

"We still experience a kind of puppy love," he said. "I really have never made plans for the future. My life is more of an improvisation. I just try to make the best of what's in front of me."

Read the original article onPeople

byAsher Jeferson

in

May 24, 2026

Alan Alda, 90, Says He and Wife Arlene Alda Talk About Death ‘All the Time’

Alan Alda and his wife, Arlene Alda, have openly discussed what they would do if the other person died NEED TO KNOW ...

Read More

Jon Favreau teases what's next for the Mandalorian and Grogu: ‘I have a lot of notes and ideas’

Jon Favreau teases what's next for Mando and Grogu after their standalone Star Wars film.

Key Points

• The director and co-writer tells Entertainment Weekly he's been thinking about "what's the next step for both of them," calling their future a "wide open canvas."

• "I have a lot of notes and ideas as to where I think things might go within this small microcosm within Star Wars," he says.

This article contains spoilers forTheMandalorian and Grogu.

They survived a Dejarik battle. They took down three AT-ATs. And one of them nearly died from dragonsnake poison! So what, exactly, is next for Mando (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu after their adventurous film debut?Jon Favreaualready has some ideas.

TheMandalorian and Grogudirector and co-writer tellsEntertainment Weeklythat the galaxy's the limit when it comes to the future of the fiery bounty hunter and his Force-wielding young apprentice.

"I think about it creatively, and so for me it's like a garden or a greenhouse with all the different storylines and characters," Favreau explains. "I see opportunity in all of them, because these storylines have taken on a life of their own, and I love the progression of these characters, and I like to think forward as to what's the next step for both of them."

He describes Mando and Grogu's future as a "wide open canvas," but teases that he knows Lucasfilm president and chief creative officerDave Filonihas also been "thinking deeply and about the larger story, about how all the characters [like Ahsoka and Thrawn] all fit together, and understanding the timeframe and how it leads into the next era ofStar Wars," too.

"So I think that there's a lot of higher-order strategic decisions that Dave is making that this will fit into," Favreau says, "but from my perspective, I have a lot of notes and ideas as to where I think things might go within this small microcosm withinStar Wars."

The Mandalorianfans will remember that Favreau previously revealed thathe'd penned a fourth seasonof the Emmy-winning Disney+ series that would've helped set upthe events ofAhsokaseason 2. It was ultimately put on hold in favor of bringing Mando and Grogu to the big screen in a much more accessible storyline that could be appreciated by both new and oldStar Warsfans alike.

Advertisement

The film follows Mando and Grogu as they're sent on a quest to locate Rotta the Hutt (Jeremy Allen White) and return him to his notorious crime family. But when the pair decides to let Rotta go instead, Mando is captured by the bounty hunter Embo as punishment for double-crossing the slimy galactic gangsters, prompting Grogu (and a bunch of ridiculously cute Anzellans) to set out on an adventure to rescue him.

In the end, the pair and Rotta manage to escape Nal Hutta with a little help from an X-wing-flying Colonel Ward (Sigourney Weaver). The trio returns to their New Republic base, where Mando and Grogu are offered a more permanent position within their ranks if they so choose.

Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with ourEW Dispatch newsletter.

While the film's self-contained storyline doesn't dig into other events unfolding in the galaxy like a fourth season may have, it does feature a few familiar faces like Zeb (Steve Blum) ofStar Wars Rebelsfame. However, it stays away from other key players like Ahsoka (Rosario Dawson), Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo), Hera Syndulla (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), Ezra Bridger (Eman Esfandi), and Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen).

"When we were discussing doing a fourth season of [The Mandalorian], which was put on hold, and then the idea of doing a theatrical presentation… It changed the way we approached how interconnected things should be," Favreau explains. "A fourth season of a show would have assumed that you saw three seasons previously and, frankly, everything else on Disney+. That's the nature of a serialized long-form TV story."

It's currently unclear if Favreau's original fourth season ofThe Mandalorianwill ever see the light of day now thatLucasfilm has announcedAhsokaseason 2 will premiere early next year. Regardless, it seems something big is brewing within the greaterStar Warsuniverse — and Mando and Grogu may need to buckle up for the adventure ahead.

The Mandalorian and Groguis in theaters now.

Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

byAsher Jeferson

in

May 24, 2026

Jon Favreau teases what's next for the Mandalorian and Grogu: ‘I have a lot of notes and ideas’

Jon Favreau teases what's next for Mando and Grogu after their standalone Star Wars film. Key Points The dire...

Read More

Idris Elba Says He’s Never Truly Been ‘in the Race’ to Play James Bond Despite Years-Long Rumors (Exclusive)

Idris Elba exclusively told PEOPLE he was never actually “in the race” to play James Bond despite years of fan speculation

NEED TO KNOW

• The actor previously admitted he was honored by the Bond rumors, but he said the conversation became “disgusting and off-putting” once it became centered on race

• Elba also opened up about starring in Masters of the Universe, revealing he’s a longtime fan of the franchise 

Idris Elbaclaims he has never been in seriouscontention to play James Bonddespite years of speculation from the Hollywood rumor mill.

Elba, 53, caught up with PEOPLE exclusively at the premiere of his new movie,Masters of the Universe,in Los Angeles on Monday, May 18. During the conversation, PEOPLE asked the actor how he felt about his name being “thrown out” as a potential star of theupcoming 007 reboot.

“My name's not getting thrown out, no way,” Elba replied. “They're going younger. And I wish them all the luck of the world. I can't wait — it's going to be amazing.”

“I'm honestly not in the race ever. I wasn't in the race in the first place,” he added.

TheLutherstar previously opened up about the topic in 2023 while appearing on theSmartlesspodcast, hosted byWill Arnett,Jason Bateman, andSean Hayes.

At the time, Elba admitted he was "super complimented" over the rumors that he could stepinto Bond's shoes, but he also said he was put off by the experience when the conversation became about race.

“We’re all actors and we understand that that role is one of those sort of coveted types. It’s like being namedSexiest Man [Alive]," he said, referring to the PEOPLE title, which he wasawarded in 2018.

"But being asked to be James Bond was like, 'Okay, you've sort of reached the pinnacle,' " Elba continued.

"Essentially, it was a huge compliment that every corner of the world — except for some corners, which we will not talk about — were really happy aboutthe idea that I could be considered," he added. "Those that weren't happy about the idea made the whole thing disgusting and off-putting, because it became about race. It became about nonsense, and I got the brunt of it."

Advertisement

Bond was last played byDaniel Craigin 2021'sNo Time To Die.Others whohave played 007includeSean Connery, David Niven,George Lazenby,Roger Moore,Timothy DaltonandPierce Brosnan.

Elba's name entered the mix long before Craig's final bow as Bond, when Sony Pictures executive Amy Pascal revealed in a leaked 2014 email that shefelt "Idris should be the next Bond."

Bond aside, Elba is currently busy promoting his latest project,Masters of the Universe, a fantasy-action franchise centered around the hero He-Man.

While speaking to PEOPLE at the L.A. premiere, Elba — who plays Duncan, one of He-Man’s closest allies, in the film — revealed that he has been a lifelong fan of the franchise.

“Masters of the Universewas my thing,” he said. “It was something that I watched a lot as a kid.”

“To get to play Duncan and change him —  make him to look like me — was a real treat. I got to be a bit comedic and big, so I went for it,” Elba added.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“I've done quite a few action films over the last three years,” he continued. “Some a little bit more cerebral action, likeHijack, but this has been a lot of fighting. I have to stay in shape so I can run and punch.”

Read the original article onPeople

byAsher Jeferson

in

May 23, 2026

Idris Elba Says He’s Never Truly Been ‘in the Race’ to Play James Bond Despite Years-Long Rumors (Exclusive)

Idris Elba exclusively told PEOPLE he was never actually “in the race” to play James Bond despite years of fan speculation NEED T...

Read More