In a move that blends personal branding with practical necessity,
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star and co-creator
Rob McElhenney has officially filed to change his name to
Rob Mac. The decision, confirmed by McElhenney himself, marks a significant shift for the actor, writer, and entrepreneur whose surname has long been a source of confusion—and comedy. McElhenney, whose last name has famously stumped fans and media alike (despite
Ryan Reynolds’ musical pronunciation tutorial), cited global business expansion as the primary reason. As his company,
More Better Industries, continues to invest internationally—including ventures in Colombia and Mexico—he found that “McElhenney” was often mispronounced or misunderstood. “As our business and our storytelling is expanding into other regions of the world and other languages in which my name is even harder to pronounce, I’m just going by Rob Mac,” he told
Variety. Interestingly, the name “Mac” isn’t just a simplification—it’s also a nod to his iconic
Always Sunny character, known simply as Mac. It’s a full-circle moment that blends his personal identity with his pop culture persona. The name change is already being reflected in FX press materials for both
It’s Always Sunny and
Welcome to Wrexham, the Emmy-winning docuseries chronicling McElhenney and Reynolds’ ownership of Wrexham AFC.
ABC has officially pulled the plug on
Doctor Odyssey, the high-concept medical drama from prolific creator Ryan Murphy, after just one season. The show, which followed a team of doctors navigating emergencies aboard a luxury cruise ship, will not return for a second voyage. Premiering in fall 2024,
Doctor Odyssey starred
Joshua Jackson as Dr. Max Bankman, alongside
Phillipa Soo,
Sean Teale, and
Don Johnson. The series blended medical drama with high-seas spectacle, drawing comparisons to
The Love Boat with a modern, campy twist. Its trailer broke records with 77.8 million views in 48 hours, and the premiere drew 13.6 million cross-platform viewers. Despite the flashy debut and a loyal cult following, the show struggled to maintain momentum. Ratings dipped over the season, and its linear performance lagged behind other ABC dramas. While ABC has yet to issue a formal cancellation statement, the cast contracts are expiring on Monday with no sign of renewal and the sets are being dismantled. And while the ship has sailed on ABC, Ryan Murphy retains creative control and could potentially revive the series elsewhere, such as Hulu, where it performed well on streaming platforms.
Is
The Batman Part II script finally done? It appears so. Writer/Director
Matt Reeves just posted to social media a blurry picture of himself and co-writer
Mattson Tomlin that shows the title page for a script with the logo from
The Batman and appears to have the title "The Batman: Part II". Co-head of DC Studios
James Gunn said recently that he was expecting to get the script soon but denied that the deadline had already passed. If the script is complete and ready to move forward, it is still in plenty of time to make the current release date of October 2027. This should be good news to fans of the director and franchise and also to actor
Robert Pattinson who had commented recently that he was worrying he was going to age out of the role if it took too much longer.
Prime Video’s hit action-thriller
Reacher is shaking things up for its fourth season, and one of the most notable changes is the addition of Christopher Rodriguez-Marquette to the cast. The
Barry actor steps into the role of Jacob Merrick, a small-town policeman, in a recasting that follows the departure of Jay Baruchel due to personal reasons. Rodriguez-Marquette’s casting came together at lightning speed—he was reportedly selected the same day the role breakdown was released and flown to set within days. His character, Merrick, is said to play a significant role in the upcoming season, which adapts Lee Child’s 13th Jack Reacher novel,
Gone Tomorrow. The story kicks off with a tense encounter on a train that spirals into a deadly conspiracy involving powerful enemies. Season 4 also welcomes a host of new faces, including Sydelle Noel, Agnez Mo, Anggun, Kevin Corrigan, Kevin Weisman, Marc Blucas, and Kathleen Robertson. Alan Ritchson returns as the titular Jack Reacher, with Maria Sten reprising her role as Frances Neagley. Rodriguez-Marquette brings a diverse résumé to the series, with recent appearances in
Barry,
Mozart in the Jungle, and indie films like
Grind and
Fear, Inc..
In a move that’s sending ripples through both Hollywood and Her Majesty’s Secret Service, acclaimed filmmaker Denis Villeneuve has officially been named the director of the next James Bond movie. This marks the first 007 installment under Amazon MGM Studios’ creative leadership, following their acquisition of the franchise’s rights in 2022. Villeneuve, the visionary behind
Dune,
Arrival, and
Blade Runner 2049, brings a reputation for cerebral storytelling and breathtaking visuals. His appointment signals a bold new chapter for the Bond saga—one that may blend the franchise’s signature espionage thrills with a deeper, more atmospheric tone. “Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007,” Villeneuve said in a statement. “I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since
Dr. No with Sean Connery. I’m a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he’s sacred territory. I intend to honor the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come”. The film will be produced by Amy Pascal and David Heyman, with Villeneuve also serving as executive producer alongside Tanya Lapointe. While no release date has been announced, production is expected to begin after Villeneuve completes work on
Dune: Part Three, slated for release in late 2026. As for who will don the tuxedo next, speculation continues to swirl. Aaron Taylor-Johnson remains a frontrunner, but no official casting has been confirmed.
Oscar-winner
Russell Crowe has officially joined the upcoming
Highlander reboot, stepping into the iconic role of Ramirez — the immortal mentor originally portrayed by
Sean Connery in the 1986 cult classic. Crowe will star opposite
Henry Cavill, who leads the film as Connor MacLeod, a centuries-old Scottish warrior caught in a secret war among immortals. The film is being helmed by
John Wick director
Chad Stahelski and is set for a theatrical release under Amazon MGM Studios and United Artists. As Crowe himself cryptically posted on social media: “Yes... it’s true... I shall be returning to the highlands... with a sword... it has been a few centuries... there can be only one”. The reboot aims to reimagine the
Highlander mythology for a new generation, blending historical flashbacks with modern-day action. Stahelski has teased a sweeping narrative that spans from the 1500s Highlands to futuristic cities like New York and Hong Kong, promising a mix of martial arts, swordplay, and emotional depth. Production is slated to begin this fall in London, with a release window eyed for 2026.
As production nears completing for DC Studios’ upcoming HBO series
Lanterns, director
James Hawes is offering fans a glimpse into what’s shaping up to be one of the most ambitious entries in the new DC Universe. Helming the first two episodes, Hawes describes the show as a genre-bending blend of grounded mystery and cosmic spectacle — a “buddy cop movie” with a distinctly American heart. In recent interviews, Hawes emphasized that while the series begins with a gritty, earthbound tone reminiscent of
True Detective, it eventually “goes intergalactic”. “The scripts have so much wit, so much character,” he said, likening the tone to a fusion of
Fargo,
No Country for Old Men, and yes,
True Detective — but with Green Lanterns who can fly. Set in Nebraska, the story follows veteran Lantern Hal Jordan (
Kyle Chandler) and his new recruit John Stewart (
Aaron Pierre) as they investigate a seemingly isolated murder that spirals into a much larger conspiracy. Hawes promises that the show won’t disappoint longtime fans of the Green Lantern mythos, while also inviting in a new audience by introducing the characters in a “rooted way” before launching into the cosmic unknown. The cast is stacked with talent, including
Nathan Fillion reprising his role as Guy Gardner,
Kelly Macdonald as a small-town sheriff, and
Ulrich Thomsen as the iconic rogue Sinestro. The series is co-written by
Chris Mundy (
Ozark),
Damon Lindelof (
Watchmen), and
Tom King, with Hawes praising the writing team for crafting a sophisticated narrative that balances humor, character, and high-stakes drama.
Lanterns is slated for an early 2026 premiere on HBO and will consist of eight episodes with filming expected to wrap soon.
Marvel Studios has officially announced that
Jake Schreier, known for his work on the film
Thunderbolts, has been tapped to direct the highly anticipated
X-Men reboot. Schreier's appointment comes after months of speculation and rumors. His previous work on
Thunderbolts received critical acclaim, despite the film's mixed box office performance. The decision to bring Schreier on board signals Marvel's commitment to revitalizing the X-Men franchise with fresh perspectives and innovative storytelling. The X-Men have a rich history in both comics and film, and fans are eager to see how Schreier will interpret these iconic characters. The director's vision for the X-Men is expected to blend the classic elements that fans love with new and exciting twists. One of the key challenges Schreier will face is balancing the expectations of long-time X-men fans with the need to attract new audiences. The X-Men films have a dedicated fan base, and any changes to the beloved characters and storylines will be closely scrutinized. In addition to directing, Schreier will be working closely with Marvel Studios President
Kevin Feige and screenwriter
Michael Lesslie on the script. As the MCU continues to expand, the introduction of the X-Men is a significant milestone. The mutants' arrival in the MCU opens up a wealth of storytelling possibilities and potential crossovers with other Marvel characters. The release date for the X-Men reboot has not yet been announced.
Jon Bernthal is officially bringing Frank Castle, aka The Punisher, into the cinematic orbit of
Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. The upcoming film,
Spider-Man: Brand New Day, set to hit theaters on July 31, 2026, marks a gritty new chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) — and a long-awaited crossover that promises fireworks. Directed by
Destin Daniel Cretton (
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), the film picks up after the reality-altering events of
Spider-Man: No Way Home, where Doctor Strange’s spell erased Peter Parker’s identity from the world’s memory. With Peter now navigating a lonelier, more grounded existence, the arrival of The Punisher hints at a darker, street-level tone for the franchise. Bernthal’s return as Castle is a major moment for fans of Marvel’s Netflix era. After debuting in
Daredevil and headlining two seasons of
The Punisher, Bernthal reprised the role in
Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+. Now, he’s stepping into the big leagues of the MCU film slate — and he’s not coming quietly. Joining Holland and Bernthal are returning cast members
Zendaya (MJ) and
Jacob Batalon (Ned), though it remains to be seen how — or if — their characters will reconnect with Peter. Also joining the ensemble is
Stranger Things star
Sadie Sink in a mysterious new role. And here’s a fun twist of fate: Bernthal and Holland actually helped each other land their Marvel roles while filming the 2017 movie
Pilgrimage. According to Bernthal, he even encouraged Holland to throw in a backflip during his Spider-Man audition — a move that may have sealed the deal. With
Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Marvel seems poised to blend the emotional weight of Peter Parker’s journey with the raw intensity of Frank Castle’s crusade. One thing’s for sure: the neighborhood just got a lot more dangerous.
...
DC Studios has officially found its Clayface. Welsh actor
Tom Rhys Harries has been cast as the titular character in the upcoming standalone film. The announcement was made by DC Studios co-head
James Gunn, who praised Harries’ performance as “blowing us away” after what he described as a long and exhaustive search. The film, slated for release on September 11, 2026, will be directed by
James Watkins and penned by horror maestro
Mike Flanagan, with additional script work by Oscar-nominated writer
Hossein Amini. Rather than a traditional superhero flick,
Clayface is being developed as a psychological horror tale. The story centers on a struggling B-movie actor who injects himself with a mysterious substance in a desperate bid to stay relevant—only to transform into a shape-shifting creature made entirely of clay. Harries, best known for roles in
Suspicion,
White Lines, and
The Gentlemen, beat out a competitive shortlist of British talent including
Jack O’Connell and
George MacKay. This marks his first major lead in a blockbuster franchise. While Clayface has traditionally been a Batman villain—first introduced as Basil Karlo in
Detective Comics #40 in 1940—this film will reportedly stand apart from the Caped Crusader’s storyline. Gunn has confirmed that Clayface will not appear in
The Batman Part II, despite early speculation. Production is set to begin this fall in the UK at Warner Bros. Leavesden Studios. With
Superman launching the new DCU this summer and
Supergirl following in 2026,
Clayface will be the third film in the studio’s ambitious reboot of its cinematic universe.
