Entertainment

See the first look at Anthony Ippolito as Sylvester Stallone in ‘I Play Rocky’

<figure><img src=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/syndication.abcaudio.com/files/2025-10-20/E_IPlayRocky_102025.png” alt=””><figcaption>Anthony Ippolito as Sylvester Stallone in 'I Play Rocky.' (Amazon MGM Studios)</figcaption></figure><p>We have our first look at the upcoming film <em>I Play Rocky</em>.</p><p>Amazon MGM Studios <a href=”https://www.instagram.com/p/DQCeGDnjfqT/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;ig_rid=70c3805a-b0c8-4680-8513-f8b38961125b” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>revealed</a> that production is underway for the upcoming film about the making of the movie <em>Rocky</em>.</p><p>Along with the announcement that cameras are now rolling on the project, the studio shared the first-look photo of <strong>Anthony Ippolito</strong> in costume as a young <strong>Sylvester Stallone</strong>.</p><p>The photo finds Ippolito wearing gray sweatpants, Converse sneakers and a black beanie as he runs on the beach&nbsp;with a bulldog.</p><p>”Production is underway for I PLAY ROCKY, starring Anthony Ippolito. The film tells the true story of Sylvester Stallone and his unshakable belief that he wasn’t just meant to write Rocky, he was meant to be Rocky Balboa,” Amazon MGM Studios shared alongside the first-look photo on Instagram.</p><p><strong>Peter Farrelly</strong> is directing the upcoming film from a script by Peter Gamble.</p><p>Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.</p>

Entertainment

Nia Long says portraying Katherine Jackson in ‘Michael’ was ‘opportunity of a lifetime’

<figure><img src=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/syndication.abcaudio.com/files/2025-10-20/Getty_NiaLong_102025.png” alt=””><figcaption>Nia Long attends the New York City Ballet 2025 Spring Gala at Lincoln Center on May 8, 2025, in New York City. (Theo Wargo/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure><p class=”p1″><strong>Nia Long</strong> has experience as a mother, but she’s never raised a superstar. That temporarily changes on screen, where she’s set to portray <strong>Katherine Jackson</strong> in the upcoming biopic <em>Michael</em>.</p><p class=”p2″>“I know what it is to be a mother,” she says in an interview <a href=”https://people.com/nia-long-michael-jackson-strong-mom-katherine-biopic-exclusive-11831659″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>with <em>People</em></a>. “But I don’t know what it is to raise a superstar.”</p><p class=”p2″>She describes Katherine’s story as one “rooted in grace,” and says that it seems the matriarch of the Jackson family has a “strong and kind” spirit.</p><p class=”p2″>Though she has not seen the film or met Katherine in person, Nia hopes Katherine enjoys the movie, which she describes as “an opportunity of a lifetime — and not&nbsp;<em>kind of&nbsp;</em>a dream come true, a dream come true.”</p><p class=”p1″>“All of these wonderful things are happening at once, and … I haven’t wrapped my head around everything yet,” she&nbsp;<span class=”s1″>tells&nbsp;</span><em><span class=”s1″>People</span></em>. “I know I’ve worked really hard for everything, but it hasn’t landed yet. It still feels not real. … I’m feeling really, really blessed right now.”</p><p class=”p1”><em>Michael</em>, which stars<em>&nbsp;</em>MJ’s nephew and <strong>Jermaine Jackson</strong>’s son&nbsp;<strong>Jafaar Jackson</strong>&nbsp;as the King of Pop, arrives in theaters on April 24, 2026.</p><p>Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.</p>

Entertainment

Blondie’s Debbie Harry reveals who she wants to play her in biopic

<figure><img src=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/syndication.abcaudio.com/files/2025-10-20/Getty_Debbie%20Harry_102025.png” alt=””><figcaption>Debbie Harry attends The Daily Front Row's 11th Annual Fashion Media Awards at The Rainbow Room on September 06, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for The Daily Front Row)</figcaption></figure><p class=”p1″><span class=”s1″>A lot of rock stars are getting biopics these days, and it looks like <strong>Blondie</strong> may be the next band to see their story on the big screen.</span></p><p class=”p1″><span class=”s1″>The </span><a href=”https://www.thetimes.com/culture/music/article/debbie-harry-80-interview-blondie-chris-stein-no-exit-reissue-vcqvgg8mj” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”><em><span class=”s1″>U.K. Times</span></em></a><span class=”s1″> interviewed Blondie frontwoman <strong>Debbie Harry</strong>, and the article notes that there’s not only a documentary about the band in the works, but a biopic as well. And it seems the 80-year-old rock icon already has her mind made up&nbsp;regarding&nbsp;who she’d like to see play her.</span></p><p class=”p1″><span class=”s1″>”If it were somebody like <strong>Florence Pugh</strong>, I would be in heaven,” Harry tells the paper. “I just think she’s a great actor and she could do anything.”</span></p><p class=”p1″><span class=”s1″>It sounds like Pugh would be up for it. According to </span><a href=”https://ew.com/debbie-harry-reveals-dream-actress-for-blondie-biopic-florence-pugh-11832516″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”><em><span class=”s1″>Entertainment Weekly</span></em></a><span class=”s1″>, Pugh said at the 2020&nbsp;Santa Barbara International Film Festival that she’d&nbsp;be&nbsp;interested&nbsp;in playing&nbsp;Harry, noting, “just because she’s so cool.”</span></p><p class=”p1″><span class=”s1″>Up next for Blondie, the band is set to reissue their 1999 comeback album </span><em><span class=”s1″>No Exit</span></em><span class=”s1″> on Oct. 31. They are also getting ready to release a new album, </span><em><span class=”s1″>High Noon</span></em><span class=”s1”>, which is expected out in spring 2026.</span></p><p>Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.</p>

Entertainment

Netflix announces Kennedy family series starring Michael Fassbender

<figure><img src=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/syndication.abcaudio.com/files/2025-10-20/Getty_MichaelFassbender_102025.png” alt=””><figcaption>Michael Fassbender attends the SAG-AFTRA Foundation Conversations Presents 'The Agency' event at The Meryl Streep Center for Performing Artists on April 6, 2025, in Los Angeles, California. (Amanda Edwards/Getty Images for SAG-AFTRA Foundation)</figcaption></figure><p>A new series centered on the Kennedy family is coming to Netflix.</p><p>The streaming service has announced that the new drama series <em>Kennedy</em>, based on the <strong>Fredrik Logevall</strong> book <em>JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century, 1917-1965</em>, is on the way.</p><p><strong>Michael Fassbender</strong> will star in the eight-episode series as <strong>Joe Kennedy, Sr</strong>. The show will be directed by <em>Another Round</em> helmer <strong>Thomas Vinterberg</strong>. It will be showrun and executive produced by <strong>Sam Shaw</strong>.</p><p>”<em>Kennedy</em> reveals the intimate lives, loves, rivalries and tragedies that shaped the most iconic dynasty in modern history, and helped create the world we live in today,” according to its official logline. “Beginning in the 1930s, the first season charts the improbable ascent of <strong>Joe</strong> and <strong>Rose Kennedy</strong> and their nine children, including rebellious second son <strong>Jack</strong>, who struggles to escape the shadow of his golden boy older brother.”</p><p>Shaw told Netflix that the story of the Kennedys is “the closest we have to American mythology — somewhere between Shakespeare and <em>The Bold and the Beautiful</em>.”</p><p>He also praised Logevall’s biography, saying it was stunning and nuanced. Shaw said the book “pulls a veil on the human strivings and burdens behind the myth, revealing as much about our present moment, how we got here and where we’re going, as about the Kennedys themselves.”</p><p>Shaw said he is thrilled to explore this family’s saga “at a moment when our past feels urgently present.”</p><p>Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.</p>

Entertainment

Colman Domingo to voice the Cowardly Lion in ‘Wicked: For Good’

<figure><img src=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/syndication.abcaudio.com/files/2025-10-20/Getty_ColmanDomingo_102025.png” alt=””><figcaption>Colman Domingo attends the 5th Annual Academy Museum Gala at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 18, 2025, in Los Angeles, California. (Frazer Harrison/WireImage via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure><p><strong>Colman Domingo</strong> will voice the Cowardly Lion in <em>Wicked: For Good</em>.</p><p>The actor announced he would provide the voice of the iconic character through an <a href=”https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQCO_iukfM9/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;ig_rid=23c031b8-7cd8-4733-b21a-a8539af118fb” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>Instagram video</a> shared on Monday.</p><p>In the video, Domingo hides behind a lion stuffed animal before he reveals himself.</p><p>”See you in Oz,” Domingo says with a wink while surrounded by even more lion stuffed animals.</p><p>The film’s director, <strong>Jon M. Chu</strong>, recently revealed how he selected Domingo for the role in an interview with <a href=”https://deadline.com/2025/10/jon-m-chu-wicked-for-good-cynthia-erivo-ariana-grande-1236587870/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>Deadline</a>. At the time, Chu was keeping Domingo’s identity a secret. He told the outlet he sent Domingo a direct message on Instagram asking him to be part of the <em>Wicked</em> sequel.</p><p>“I was like, ‘It’s not a ton of lines, but maybe you have a little time. I know you’re busy. I’ll come to you.’ He was like, ‘Why the f*** not, let’s go!’ And then we went ahead and recorded the lines.”</p><p>Chu previously said the identity of the Cowardly Lion’s voice actor would be kept a secret until the film’s premiere. He voiced excitement about fans finally learning the actor’s identity.</p><p>“Man, wait until the red carpet when the actor who gave us the Cowardly Lion’s voice steps foot on it. It’ll be wild,” Chu said.</p><p>The Cowardly Lion was a main character in the classic 1939 film <em>The Wizard of Oz</em>. He was portrayed by <strong>Bert</strong> <strong>Lahr</strong>. The character was teased in the most recent trailer for <em>Wicked: For Good</em>, which was released on Sept. 24.</p><p><em>Wicked: For Good</em> arrives in theaters on Nov. 21.</p><p>Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.</p>

Entertainment

In brief: ‘Weapons’ gets HBO Max release date and more

<figure><img src=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/syndication.abcaudio.com/files/2025-10-17/E_inbriefgraphic.jpg” alt=””></figure><p><em>Weapons</em> is about to be streaming just in time for spooky season. The film <a href=”https://press.wbd.com/us/media-release/weapons-begins-streaming-exclusively-hbo-max-october-24″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>arrives</a> to HBO Max on Oct. 24. It will also debut on HBO linear on Oct. 25.&nbsp;<strong>Josh Brolin</strong>, <strong>Julia Garner</strong> and <strong>Alden Ehrenreich</strong> star in the film directed by <strong>Zach Cregger</strong>. It follows what happens when all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanish on the same night …</p><p><strong>Zendaya</strong> and <strong>Robert Pattinson</strong>’s upcoming rom-com has a release date. The A24 film <em>The Drama</em> will debut in theaters on April 3, 2026, ABC Audio has confirmed. <strong>Alana Haim</strong>, <strong>Mamoudou Athie</strong> and <strong>Hailey Gates</strong> also star in the film from <em>Dream Scenario</em> director <strong>Kristoffer Borgli</strong>. While specific plot details are being kept under wraps, sources say its rumored the film will follow a romance that takes an unexpected turn before the couple’s big day …</p><p><strong>Jake Lacy</strong> is set to join the upcoming series <em>Furious</em> at Hulu. <a href=”https://deadline.com/2025/10/jake-lacy-cast-hulu-series-furious-1236590077/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>Deadline</a> reports the actor has been added to the cast of the previously untitled series that is loosely inspired by the 1987 film <em>Black Widow</em>. <strong>Emmy Rossum</strong> will star in and executive produce the show, which also features <strong>Lola Petticrew</strong>, <strong>Scoot McNairy</strong> and <strong>Quincy Tyler</strong> <strong>Bernstine</strong> …</p><p>Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.</p>

Entertainment

‘Black Phone 2’ scares its way to the top of the weekend box office

‘Black Phone 2’ poster/Courtesy of Universal Pictures

The lead-up to Halloween brought folks wanting a scare to the theaters.

Black Phone 2, the sequel to the 2022 horror film Black Phone, debuted at number one at the box office this weekend, bringing in $26.5 million, according to Box Office Mojo. That bested the original’s opening weekend of just over $23 million, which landed it a fourth place debut.

Last weekend’s number one, Tron: Ares, dropped to number two, with $11.14 million, while this weekend’s other new release, the comedy Good Fortune, directed by Aziz Ansari, and starring Aziz, Seth Rogen and Keanu Reeves, debuted at three with $6.2 million.

Rounding out the top five were One Battle After Another at four, with $4 million, and Roofman at five, with $3.7 million.

Here are the top 10 films at the box office:

1. Black Phone 2 — $26.5 million
2. Tron: Ares — $11.14 million
3. Good Fortune — $6.2 million
4. One Battle After Another — $4 million
5. Roofman — $3.7 million
6. Truth & Treason — $2.7 million
7. Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie — $1.65 million
8. The Conjuring: Last Rites — $1.57 million
9. After the Hunt — $1.55 million
10. Soul on Fire — $1.3 million

Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Entertainment

Kate Hudson covers The Band’s holiday classic ‘Christmas Must Be Tonight’

Kate Hudson ‘Christmas Must Be Tonight’ (Iconoclast/Sandbox Entertainment)HK Music)

In addition to being an Oscar-nominated actress, Kate Hudson is a singer who released her debut album, Glorious, in 2024. Now she’s dropped a holiday single that finds her covering a Christmas rock classic.

Hudson recorded The Band‘s song “Christmas Must Be Tonight,” which originally appeared on their 1977 album, Islands. It was their last album to feature the group’s original lineup. It was written by The Band’s guitarist, Robbie Robertson, and was partly inspired by the birth of his son. He later recorded a solo version for the soundtrack of the 1988 Bill Murray movie Scrooged.

“When you speak of The Band, you are speaking directly to the heart, soul and backbone of rock’s roots,” Hudson says in a statement, calling the group’s music “organic,” “breathtaking” and “real.” She adds, “It was an honor to re-record it.”

 

Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Entertainment

Miles Teller, Nikki Glaser and Glen Powell to host ‘Saturday Night Live’

Miles Teller attends the premiere of ‘Eternity’ during the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival at Roy Thomson Hall on September 7, 2025, in Toronto, Ontario. (Leon Bennett/Getty Images)

The next three hosts of Saturday Night Live season 51 have been revealed.

NBC has announced that Miles Teller, Nikki Glaser and Glen Powell are set to host three episodes of the late-night sketch comedy series in November.

Teller will take over hosting duties for the second time on the Nov. 1 episode of the show. Brandi Carlile joins him as the musical guest for her third individual appearance on the program and fourth musical guest gig overall.

Glaser is set to make her SNL hosting debut on the Nov. 8 episode. The comedian will be joined by sombr as the musical guest. He also makes his first appearance on the show just as his breakout song “back to friends” has crossed 1 billion streams.

Glaser posted the news about her hosting gig to Instagram. “SCHWING!! @nbcsnl,” she captioned her post.

Also making his SNL hosting debut is Powell. The actor will host for the first time on the Nov. 15 episode, while musician Olivia Dean will join him to make her musical guest debut.

SNL returns live on Saturday when Sabrina Carpenter will serve as both the host and musical guest.

Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Entertainment

‘Euphoria’ finalizes season 3 cast, adds Danielle Deadwyler, Trisha Paytas

Zendaya in the first image released from season 3 of ‘Euphoria.’ (HBO)

Even more stars have joined the third season of Euphoria.

HBO has released the full cast of the upcoming third season of the hit drama series, which returns with eight new episodes in spring 2026.

Among the new talent joining the cast are Danielle Deadwyler, Natasha Lyonne, Trisha Paytas, Cailyn RiceEli Roth, Gideon Adlon, Hemky Madera, Homer Gere, Jack Topalian, Jessica Blair Herman, Kwame Patterson, Madison Thompson, Matthew Willig, Rebecca Pidgeon and Sam Trammell.

Also confirmed to return in season 3 are Dominic Fike, Nika King, Alanna Ubach, Daeg Faerch, Melvin Bonez Estes, Paula Marshall, Sophia Rose Wilson and Zak Steiner.

HBO made the casting announcement in a post shared to Instagram on Friday. Along with posting a graphic confirming the new actors joining the series, the network shared a first-look image of Deadwyler in costume.

“#Euphoria Season 3 is coming Spring 2026,” the account captioned the post.

The show’s stars, including Zendaya, Hunter Schafer, Eric Dane, Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney, Alexa Demie, Maude Apatow, Martha Kelly, Chloe Cherry and Colman Domingo, were previously announced to be returning for season 3 back in February.

Other newcomers previously announced to be joining along for season 3 include Sharon StoneAdewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Toby Wallace, Rosalía, Marshawn Lynch, Darrell Britt-Gibson, Kadeem Hardison, James Landry Hébert, Anna Van Patten and Asante Blackk.

Sam Levinson created Euphoria and continues at its helm for season 3. This time around, the show will feature a time jump that brings its main characters out of high school.

Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.