'The Crown' actor set as next major 'Star Wars' villain

From playing a royal to heading to the dark side.

The Crown alum Matt Smith has signed on to play the villain in the upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter film alongside Ryan Gosling and Mia Goth. The flick is slated to hit theaters on Memorial Day Weekend in 2027.

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The movie will be directed by Deadpool & Wolverine's Shawn Levy. His frequent collaborator, The Adam Project screenwriter Jonathan Tropper, handled the script. No further information has been revealed about Smith's role, and plot details are currently under wraps. The film will go into production this fall.

According to reports, the new movie is set five years after the events of Disney's sequel trilogy, which concluded with 2019's Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

Smith received an Emmy nomination for playing Prince Philip on Netflix's series centered around the British royal family. The 42-year-old is currently playing Daemon Targaryen on HBO Max's House of the Dragon, which will air its third season in 2026.

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Gosling is set to star in Star Wars: Starfighter. "The reality is that this script is just so good. It has such a great story with great and original characters," he said in an interview. "It's filled with so much heart and adventure and there just really is not a more perfect filmmaker for this particular story than Shawn."

Kristi Noem unveils plans for Indiana's Alligator Alcatraz: The Speedway Slammer

Kristi Noem announced plans for a new migrant detention center.

The Homeland Security Secretary revealed Donald Trump and his administration are working closely with Indiana Governor Mike Braun to build another facility to hold illegal immigrants called "The Speedway Slammer."

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"Today, we're announcing a new partnership with the state of Indiana to expand detention bed space by 1,000 beds," Noem wrote in an update shared on X. "Thanks to [Indiana Gov. Mike Braun] for his partnership to help remove the worst of the worst out of our country. If you are in America illegally, you could find yourself in Indiana's Speedway Slammer."

The right-wingers' efforts to put a new correctional facility in Indiana come after Braun vowed to "fully partner with federal immigration authorities" to curb illegal immigration and arrest offenders.

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"We are proud to work with President Trump and Secretary Noem as they remove the worst of the worst with this innovative partnership," the former United States senator said in a statement. "Indiana is taking a comprehensive and collaborative approach to combating illegal immigration and will continue to lead the way among states."

The Indiana Department of Corrections will be collaborating with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to free up nearly 1,000 beds at Miami Correctional Facility by moving detainees to Indiana.

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Earlier this year, Trump and Noem toured the migrant holding facility in Florida's Everglades that they dubbed Alligator Alcatraz. The former governor of South Dakota called the establishment the "model" for other centers.

"The locations we're looking at are right by airport runways that will help give us an efficiency that we've never had before," Noem explained in a statement. "Most of them are interested."

From the Frontlines: Gabriel Leavin's Relentless Approach to Injury Law

By: Matthew Kayser

When people hire a lawyer after an injury, they want someone who will fight for them. Tirelessly. Not just someone who files paperwork or negotiates with insurance companies. They want someone who will go to court if needed. Someone who takes their case seriously.

Gabriel Levin knows this. He has built his entire practice around it. "I don't just settle cases, I prepare them as if each one will go before a jury," explains Levin, founder of the Levin Firm Personal Injury Lawyers. "That mindset allows me to uncover details and build cases that insurance companies take seriously."

Courtesy of Gabriel Levin

The Trial Mindset

Levin practices in Philadelphia and Fort Lauderdale, representing injured clients in a range of cases, from minor crashes to life-altering injuries. He describes himself first and foremost as a trial attorney. "I'm directly involved in every phase of litigation," he says. "Unlike many firms, I never hand off a case to an associate or paralegal. If you hire me, you get me, from start to finish."

He makes that clear from the beginning of each case. "My clients know that when they hire me, they're getting a fighter who treats their case like it's my own."

Building a Firm That Feels Different

Levin started the Levin Firm with a simple idea: make injury law personal again. "I saw too many people being treated like numbers by insurance companies, or worse, by their attorneys," he says.

He wanted to build a firm where clients are never left in the dark. That means answering calls. That means keeping people informed. "I overcame early challenges by making myself personally available to every client. That built trust and helped to change the perception that lawyers are too busy to care."

Trial as a Strategy, Not a Last Resort

Insurance companies often expect attorneys to avoid a trial. Levin flips that script. "Where other attorneys view trial as a last resort, I see it as the foundation of any serious claim strategy," he explains.

That strategy gets results. Levin recalls a case involving a construction worker with a serious back injury. "I worked closely with medical experts to build an airtight narrative."

The result?

"We secured a multi-million dollar settlement."

Staying Grounded in the Work

Levin has tried and resolved hundreds of cases. He has recovered millions for his clients. But his focus stays on the individuals behind the files: "We don't treat cases like statistics at the Levin Firm. We treat them like people's lives, because that's what they are."

Levin brings the same approach to every case, whether it settles or goes to court. "Every injury, every lost paycheck, every anxious night matters to us."

Expanding While Staying Focused on What Matters

Levin sees growth ahead for his firm. "I see the Levin Firm reaching more communities while maintaining our core value: personalized, elite legal representation. My dream is to expand without losing our soul, to always be the firm where clients feel seen, heard and fiercely represented."

He also wants to mentor the next generation. "I'd like to mentor younger attorneys who share my passion for justice and client care."

That kind of commitment isn't flashy. But for Levin, it's everything. "If you want to tell the story of a relentless trial attorney who blends heart with strategy, then you're telling the right story."

The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, financial, medical or professional advice. Readers should not rely solely on the content of this article and are encouraged to seek professional advice tailored to their specific circumstances. We disclaim any liability for any loss or damage arising directly or indirectly from the use of, or reliance on, the information presented.

Prince George 'aware' of royal role, changes to come

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While Prince George is only 12, the young royal is reportedly "undoubtedly aware" of his future as the next Prince of Wales and, ultimately, King of England. Historian Marlene Koenig told Us Weekly that Prince William and Kate Middleton have prepared the youngster for the "changes" that are inevitable with his future.

George was able to serve as a trainbearer during King Charles III' coronation, and the historic moment was special for the Wales brood.

"George is the first member of the Royal Family to have such a role in the service," Koenig said. "If the young prince was nervous, he didn't show it."

Charles and William's presence gave George a glimpse into his future and progression as a royal.

"The Coronation provided the young prince with the knowledge that he, too, would one day be crowned in a coronation ceremony," Koenig explained. "George may be a 12-year-old schoolboy who loves sports, but he is most certainly aware of his future."

While becoming king is further down the line for George, the New York Post reported the prince is soon expected to attend the prestigious Eton College, which his father and uncle Prince Harry also attended.

Sarah Ferguson tried to get with golf GOAT, book says

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Sarah Ferguson had her eyes on Tiger Woods and other younger male celebrities after her public split from Prince Andrew. In Andrew Lownie's new book, Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, he explores Ferguson's crushes after ending things with the controversial prince.

"On a trip to New York, Fergie asked her staff to find out if John F. Kennedy Jr… was in town and, discovering where he was, she invited him for drinks or dinner at her hotel, which he accepted," Lownie wrote. Despite Kennedy agreeing to meet with Ferguson, Lownie claimed that the meeting never took place.

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Though Kennedy and Ferguson didn't work out, she was also interested in "gorgeous" Woods, according to Lownie, who claimed the duchess told Piers Morgan about her crush.

While the duo never dated, they were photographed hugging in 1997, after the golf star won the Byron Nelson tournament in Texas. When Woods won the Masters in 2019, Ferguson celebrated the athlete on Instagram.

"Never have I been more proud," she wrote on the social media app at the time. "Good days and bad days, Tigers' heart is loyal, steadfast and he is an amazing friend."

While Ferguson described Woods as a friend, Lownie claimed the duchess was hopeful things would become romantic and she would "follow him around the [golf] course for a bit and see how I get on." However, being a professional golfer most likely didn't make room for "dating royals."

"Poor old Tiger isn't going to know what's hit him," Morgan allegedly told Ferguson, according to Lownie.

Lownie also claimed Ferguson had an interest in George Clooney and "plagued" The Bodyguard star Kevin Costner with "raunchy phone calls."

CNBC's Joe Kernen shuts down Trump's poll number lie to his face

Donald Trump cannot fathom the reality of his poll numbers.

The current president called into CNBC to spar with Joe Kernen after the anchor reported on Trump's less-than-stellar standing with Americans in his second term.

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"I have the best poll numbers I've ever had," the Republican leader told Kernen, who clarified that the statistics Trump was talking about were only polled amongst Republicans and not all citizens.

The Apprentice star said CNBC was the "worst of them all" when it comes to reporting and cited CNN's chief data analyst Harry Enten as more credible.

Trump doubled down on his support for Enten, claiming he "went crazy over how well" the right-winger was doing in the polls before telling the CNBC audience to watch CNN to "see about the numbers."

The businessman alleged his approval rating was at 71 percent and, among conservatives, boasted that the figure is around 94 to 95 percent.

Following Trump's row with Kernen during their call, Enten explained to CNN's John Berman that he wasn't garnering favor with the commander-in-chief. "I give him a fair shake. I don't give him a positive spin," he noted about the numbers.

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"If we are comparing him to other presidents at this point in their presidencies, he is the second lowest on record compared only to himself, who does worse," Enten explained. "When you're comparing yourself to Richard Nixon and you say you're doing better than Richard Nixon in your second term, that's not exactly a good position to be in."

Former Superman Dean Cain to be 'sworn in as an ICE agent ASAP'

The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency is getting a new celebrity officer.

Actor Dean Cain — who starred as the title superhero in the ABC series Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman — claims he's becoming an ICE agent "ASAP" to help Donald Trump and his administration with their arrest goal.

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During an appearance on Jesse Watters' Fox News show, the 59-year-old revealed how quickly he decided to join the government agency.

"I put out a recruitment video yesterday, I'm actually a deputy sheriff, a sworn deputy sheriff and a reserve police officer. I wasn't part of ICE, but once I put that out there and you put a little blurb on your show, it went crazy. So now I've spoken with some officials over at ICE and I will be sworn in as an ice agent, ASAP," Cain revealed.

The Out of Time actor made it clear he's unsure if he will be taking part in the massive ICE raids. However, Cain noted, "I would be there in a heartbeat."

"Hopefully a whole bunch of other former officers, former ICE agents, will step up and we'll meet those recruitment goals immediately and will help protect this country," he said.

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The right-wing Hollywood star recently condemned Superman director James Gunn's statement about how the character's immigrant background plays into "the story of America." The character is originally from the planet Krypton.

"Bringing Superman into it, I think that was a mistake by James Gunn to say it's an immigrant thing, and I think it's going to hurt the numbers on the movie," Cain explained in an interview. "I was excited for the film. I'm excited to see what it is because James Gunn seems to have a sense of humor and the last iterations of Superman didn't have much humor, and I love the humor in Superman. So, I'm rooting for it to be a success, but I don't like that last political comment."

'Grotesque puppet show': CNN alum ripped for interviewing AI version of Parkland victim

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Jim Acosta's journalistic integrity is being questioned after the CNN alum interviewed an AI avatar of Parkland shooting victim Joaquin Oliver, who died in the 2018 tragedy along with 16 other people. While the conversation was organized by Oliver's parents' gun control group, Change the Ref, in honor of his 25th birthday, the decision wasn't well-received.

"I was taken from this world too soon due to gun violence while at school," the AI version of Oliver said in the interview. "It's important to talk about these issues so we can create a safer future for everyone."

The AI version of Oliver went on to discuss the Second Amendment with Acosta.

"I believe in a mix of stronger gun control laws, mental health support and community engagement," it said. "We need to create safe spaces for conversations and connections, making sure everyone feels seen and heard. It's about building a culture of kindness and understanding."

"Though my life was cut short, I want to keep inspiring others to connect and advocate for change," the AI Oliver added.

The mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, continues to be used in activism against gun violence. But viewers didn't feel like Acosta moved the needle with his AI interview, which he shared on YouTube.

Critics took to Bluesky to share their concerns.

"You don't have an interview. You're facilitating a grotesque puppet show, using grieving parents' heartbreak for a bit," one Bluesky user wrote. "The bar is in hell and you still managed to trip on it."

"You're interviewing an AI recreation of a person who was murdered by a spree killer? Wow," another Bluesky user complained to Acosta. "It's hard to accept that no one around you suggested that this was probably in the worst possible taste. AI exists, we know that, but just because you CAN do something with it, that doesn't mean you SHOULD."

"'I'll have a one of a kind interview with Joaquin Oliver.' … No, you won't. You're talking to a glorified answering machine message, you dingbat," another critic wrote.

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Colleen Hoover's 'It Ends With Us' follow-up debuts first trailer: Watch

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Colleen Hoover is returning to the big screen with another adaptation of one of her books. A year after the headline-making adaptation of her 2016 novel It Ends With Us opened in theaters, the first trailer for the adaptation of her 2019 book Regretting You has debuted.

Allison Williams, Dave Franco, McKenna Grace, Willa Fitzgerald, Scott Eastwood and Mason Thames star in the film, which centers around a young mother and widow (Williams) as she bonds with her widowed brother-in-law (Franco) over their mutual loss, all while navigating the complex relationship with her teen daughter (Grace) as they both explore new romances.

After screenwriter Susan McMartin handled the script, while The Fault in Our Stars filmmaker Josh Boone directed Regretting You.

It Ends With Us — which performed well at the box office in spite of mixed reviews — was famously directed by star Justin Baldoni. His legal drama with costar Blake Lively is still playing out in court.

Hoover's books are clearly resonating with Hollywood. Her 2022 novel Reminders of Him is getting an adaptation starring Maika Monroe in early 2026, and an adaptation of her 2018 novel Verity starring Anne Hathaway, Josh Hartnett and Dakota Johnson is due in October 2026.