The next installment in Kevin Costner’s ambitious western movie franchise has been postponed. “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2,” which was scheduled for release on August 16, has been delayed, a spokesperson for New Line Cinema confirmed to CNN on Wednesday.

The delay aims to give audiences more time to discover the first installment, “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1,” which is currently in theaters. The film will also become available on PVOD and the streaming platform MAX in the coming weeks.

“We thank our exhibition partners for their continued support as moviegoers across the US discover the film in its theatrical run,” the spokesperson said.

“Horizon: An American Saga” debuted in theaters on June 28 and has grossed under $23.5 million worldwide to date. The epic western, distributed by Warner Bros., is a passion project for Costner, who co-wrote, produced, directed, and co-stars in the film set during the American Civil War.

In a pre-release interview with CNN, Costner expressed his dedication to the project, stating he has been trying to get the film made for decades. He assured that the running time and multiple installments would not deter audiences with short attention spans.

“I make movies for people so that they won’t be bored,” Costner said. “I give them a taste of something in a different direction, which is probably why it’s hard for me to get them made at first ‘cause they’re a little different.”

Costner has reportedly invested $38 million of his own money into the project. He also confirmed that he has been filming a third movie in what was initially planned to be a four-movie franchise.

As fans eagerly await the next chapter, the focus remains on ensuring that “Horizon: An American Saga” reaches its full potential audience, setting the stage for the continuation of this epic western saga.

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DreamWorks Animation has announced that “Shrek 5” is officially in development, set to release on July 1, 2026. Fans of the franchise can rejoice as original stars Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz are confirmed to return to their iconic roles.

The news brings excitement to those who have followed Shrek’s adventures from the start. Although Antonio Banderas’ return as Puss in Boots is not yet confirmed, the anticipation remains high. “Shrek 5” will be directed by Walt Dohrn, a seasoned contributor to the series who worked on “Shrek 2,” “Shrek the Third,” and “Shrek Forever After,” even voicing Rumpelstiltskin. The film will be produced by franchise veteran Gina Shay and Illumination founder Chris Meledandri, with Brad Ableson as co-director.

Eddie Murphy revealed in June that he had already begun voice recording for the film and hinted at a potential Donkey spinoff. “We started doing [‘Shrek 5’] months ago,” Murphy told Collider. “I recorded the first act, and we’ll be doing it this year. ‘Shrek’ is coming out and Donkey’s gonna have his own movie.”

The “Shrek” franchise has been a monumental success since its debut in 2001, with four feature films grossing over $3 billion worldwide. The original “Shrek” film was a groundbreaking success for DreamWorks Animation, grossing $487 million globally and winning the first Oscar for Best Animated Feature. “Shrek 2” followed with an impressive $928 million worldwide.

Despite mixed reviews for “Shrek the Third” and “Shrek Forever After,” the films continued to draw large audiences, grossing $813 million and $752 million, respectively. The “Puss in Boots” spinoffs also enjoyed theatrical success, grossing $555 million and $484 million.

Universal Pictures has tasked Meledandri with revitalizing the “Shrek” and “Puss in Boots” franchises. Meledandri emphasized the importance of retaining the original vocal performances that contributed to the films’ success. “The challenge for us has been to find something that really does feel like it’s not simply yet another film in a series of sequels,” he said.

As Shrek fans eagerly await the return of their favorite characters, the announcement of “Shrek 5” promises a blend of nostalgia and new adventures, ensuring that the beloved ogre’s legacy continues to enchant audiences worldwide.

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Alec Baldwin’s criminal trial is set to begin on July 9 in Santa Fe, N.M., marking a significant moment in the case surrounding the tragic death of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Baldwin, who was holding a .45-caliber Colt prop revolver when it discharged a live round, resulting in Hutchins’ death and the wounding of the film’s director, faces serious charges.

Baldwin has consistently maintained his innocence, famously stating, “I didn’t pull the trigger.” His defense team will now have to substantiate this claim in court. Baldwin is charged with involuntary manslaughter and could face up to 18 months in prison if convicted. The same charge was previously brought against Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was convicted and sentenced to 18 months in March.

Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer, who sentenced Gutierrez-Reed, will preside over Baldwin’s trial. Criminal defense attorney Lauren Johnson-Norris explains that while the judge will be familiar with many facts from the prior case, she must reevaluate all evidence anew for Baldwin’s trial.

On June 28, Judge Sommer denied Baldwin’s final attempt to dismiss the case, with Baldwin’s defense arguing that key evidence was destroyed during FBI testing. However, the ultimate decision will rest with the jury.

The trial is expected to feature much of the same evidence presented in Gutierrez-Reed’s trial, particularly concerning the events leading to Hutchins’ death. However, Baldwin’s role as both an actor and a producer will be scrutinized. The prosecution must prove that Baldwin’s actions contributed to the tragedy and that it was not solely Gutierrez-Reed’s fault.

Baldwin’s defense is likely to argue that he relied on Gutierrez-Reed to ensure the gun’s safety. Additionally, the defense may blame Dave Halls, the assistant director and safety coordinator who handed Baldwin the gun, reportedly declaring it “cold,” or free of live rounds.

Legal experts note that the prior conviction of Gutierrez-Reed could influence the jury’s perception of Baldwin’s culpability. If found guilty, Baldwin could face a similar sentence to Gutierrez-Reed’s 18 months. Baldwin’s defense team has reviewed transcripts from the first trial to strategize and anticipate the judge’s rulings on evidence and motions.

If convicted, Baldwin is expected to appeal the ruling, as Gutierrez-Reed has done. The outcome of this trial will be closely watched, not only for its legal implications but also for its impact on Hollywood safety standards and practices.

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In a recent interview, Emma Roberts offered her thoughts on why movies like “Madame Web” sometimes flop at the box office, suggesting that the internet might be a significant factor.

“Things work; things don’t work. Everyone likes to act like they can predict if they’re going to work or they’re not,” Roberts told Variety. “And the truth is, you can’t. Things do badly, and then they blow up later on TikTok.”

Roberts starred in the S. J. Clarkson Marvel Comics film alongside Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, Isabela Merced, Celeste O’Connor, Tahar Rahim, and Adam Scott, released in February. Despite the star-studded cast, “Madame Web” has maintained an 11% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 57% Audience Score.

Despite the reception, Roberts “personally loved” the Marvel movie. “I’m not intimidated by failure, and I’m not intimidated by people having negative thoughts about something. I personally really loved ‘Madame Web,'” she said. “I thought everyone in it was great. The director, S. J. Clarkson, I think did an amazing job. She’s the reason I wanted to do that movie.”

Roberts believes the negative reviews might be influenced by internet culture. “If it wasn’t for internet culture and everything being made into a joke, I think that the reception would’ve been different,” she explained. “And that’s what bums me out about a lot of stuff, even stuff that I’ve done, is people just make such a joke out of everything now.”

Dakota Johnson, the film’s star, also commented on its reception. “Unfortunately, I’m not surprised that this has gone down the way it has,” Johnson told Bustle, noting the challenges of making movies and the audience’s keen awareness of quality. “But it was definitely an experience for me to make that movie. I had never done anything like it before. I probably will never do anything like it again because I don’t make sense in that world. And I know that now.”

Do you agree that internet culture contributes to the unfair negative perception of TV and movies, or are they just that bad before they even hit theaters?

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Actor Danny Trejo, known for his tough-guy roles in films like “Machete” and “Spy Kids,” found himself in the middle of a real-life brawl during the Independence Day Parade in Sunland-Tujunga, Los Angeles. The altercation erupted after a parade-goer allegedly threw a water balloon at Trejo’s vintage convertible.

The incident occurred on Thursday, July 4th, as the 80-year-old actor was stopped along the parade route in his baby blue Corvette. Video footage obtained by TMZ shows a water balloon being launched at Trejo’s windshield, prompting him to jump out of his car. Dressed in a white long-sleeved shirt and black pants, Trejo attempted to punch the alleged balloon thrower, who was wearing a tank top and a backward hat.

Trejo’s punch missed, and he was pushed to the pavement, escalating the situation into an all-out brawl. As the fight ensued, two small children were pulled away from Trejo’s vehicle. The chaos quickly moved onto the sidewalk, where the alleged balloon thrower threw several punches at another man before being tackled by bystanders.

In the video, Trejo can be seen getting back on his feet, grabbing a green foldable chair, and tossing it into the fray. A woman rushed up behind him, attempting to restrain the actor, while others joined in to help calm the situation. Throughout the melee, parade-goers pleaded for the fighting to stop, especially with children present.

The brawl, which lasted about 30 seconds, was eventually broken up by bystanders. Police reported receiving a call about the fight but noted that the crowd had dispersed by the time officers arrived. No arrests were made.

Trejo later spoke to TMZ, describing the water balloon incident as “childish” and calling those responsible “cowards.” He confirmed that the individuals involved were around 30 years old and assured that he was not hurt during the altercation.

The altercation came just days after Trejo announced the death of his 16-year-old chihuahua, Dixie. Despite his past struggles with drug addiction and time spent in San Quentin State Prison, Trejo has been sober since 1968 and has built a successful decades-long acting career.

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