Classic Rock News

Dave Bautista is preparing to take over the role of Kratos in God of War.

The actor took to Instagram on Wednesday to share a video of himself training to take on the lead role in Prime Video’s video game TV adaptation.

Prime Video confirmed to ABC Audio in July that it decided to recast the role of Kratos after its original actor, Ryan Hurst, was seriously injured while on set of the series in late June. Hurst tore a bicep while performing a stunt on the show.

Bautista is the actor taking over the part, and his video shows him in the gym training for the role.

“3rd week in to weight training again. 2 more months to get to where I need to be. Like ridin a bike! LFG!” Bautista wrote.

The video finds Bautista showing off his physique for the camera. He takes off his shirt and ends the video in Kratos’ signature pose.

While recovery time for Hurst’s injury is unclear, it would likely not have been safe for him to resume filming until 2027. This led to the decision for Bautista to take over the part. Additionally, the show’s co-lead, Atreus, is played by child actor Callum Vinson. Much of the existing footage will need to be reshot as Vinson is growing and changing.

Production started on God of War back in February. It’s based on the popular ancient mythology-themed Playstation video game and has already received a two-season order from the streamer.

The storyline for the upcoming series follows “father and son Kratos and Atreus as they embark on a journey to spread the ashes of their wife and mother, Faye,” according to an official synopsis from Prime Video. “Through their adventures, Kratos tries to teach his son to be a better god, while Atreus tries to teach his father how to be a better human.”

Also starring in the show are Mandy Patinkin as Odin, Ed Skrein as Baldur, Max Parker as Heimdall, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Thor, Teresa Palmer as Sif, Alastair Duncan as Mimir, Jeff Gulka as Sindri and Danny Woodburn as Brok.

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More MobLand is on the way.

Paramount+ has renewed the action-crime series for season 3. This renewal comes ahead of the release of season 2 of the show, which premieres on the streaming service Sept. 18.

Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren star in the series about two mob families who find themselves in a war that threatens to ruin their empires and lives.

“The Harrigans, heads of North London’s largest criminal empire, are on the brink of civil war, and their rivals are starting to notice. As tensions within the Harrigan family intensify, their ‘fixer’ Harry Da Souza is the only one that can keep them from falling apart,” according to an official description of season 2.

Ronan Bennett created and co-wrote the series, which was executive produced by David C. Glasser and co-written by Jez Butterworth.

Paddy Considine, Joanne Froggatt, Lara Pulver, Anson Boon, Mandeep Dhillon, Jasmine Jobson, Teddie Allen, Emmett J. Scanlan, Johnny Flynn, Ophelia Lovibond, Janet McTeer and Toby Jones also star in season 2.

“With over 26 million viewers and climbing, MobLand has become a resounding triumph driven by the creative brilliance of Guy, Jez, Ronan and David C. Glasser, and brought to life by the powerhouse performances by Tom, Pierce, and Helen,” Chris McCarthy, the co-CEO of Paramount and president of SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment, said at the time the series was renewed for season 2 in June 2025. 

New episodes of the 10-episode season 2 will be available to stream on Fridays, culminating in the season 2 finale releasing on Nov. 20.

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Disney star Carla Jeffery has died, according to a statement shared on her official Instagram by her talent management company. She was 33.

The actress was known for her role in the Zombies franchise.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Carla Jeffery, who passed away on September 1, 2026, at just 33 years old,” Carla Alexander of Alexanders Talent Management wrote in the statement.

Alexander went on, “Carla joined the Alexanders Talent Management family at the age of 12. For more than 20 years, we had the privilege of watching her grow into a beautiful, vibrant, and incredibly talented woman whose radiant smile could light up any room.”

She added that Jeffery was “more than a client; she was family.”

“Our hearts are with Carla’s family and loved ones during this devastating time,” Alexander continued. “We respectfully ask that their privacy be honored as they grieve this unimaginable loss. Rest beautifully, Carla. Your light will never be forgotten.”

ABC News has reached out to Jeffery’s rep.

Details about the actress’s death have not been revealed.

In a statement, Disney Entertainment Television said: “Carla Jeffery’s extraordinary talent, warmth and spirit left an indelible mark on everyone who had the privilege of working with her. She had a rare gift for connecting with audiences, and her performances brought joy to millions. We will remember Carla for her generosity, her humor and the genuine light she brought to those around her. We offer our deepest condolences to her family and loved ones, her castmates and collaborators, and the countless fans whose lives she touched.”

Many across Hollywood and beyond, including her fellow Disney stars, took to the comments section of the post, sharing their disbelief over the news.

“Carla. The sweetest person I have ever met. I love you,” Jeffery’s Zombies co-star Milo Manheim commented.

Chandler Kinney, who starred in Zombies 2 and Zombies 3 with Jeffery, wrote, “[T]he brightest shining light in any room she walked into. the kindest person you’d ever meet. the most beautiful soul. this doesn’t feel real.”

Born on July 10, 1993, in Houston, Texas, Jeffery’s first film role was in the 2006 film Phat Girlz.

She had a role on Nickelodeon’s iCarly in 2008 and also portrayed Keysha Black in the television series Curb Your Enthusiasm.

In 2011, she appeared on Disney Channel’s Good Luck Charlie, and appeared on Shake It Up the following year.

After appearing on several more shows, including Scream Queens and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, she landed the role of Bree in the first Zombies film in 2018.

She went on to star in Zombies 2 and Zombies 3, as well as voicing Bree in several Zombies re-animated shorts.

ABC News’ Juwon Funes contributed to this report.

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Battinson may be back, but he’s feeling his age.

Robert Pattinson is currently filming the long-awaited superhero sequel The Batman Part II. The actor celebrated his 40th birthday a month before filming started on the project in London this June. He told GQ in a recent interview that making an action movie feels different at 40.

“I’m in London here till the end of the year doing a Batman sequel,” Pattinson said. “It’s good. I’m definitely feeling my age when fighting a lot. I’m literally like, ‘G******, this is significantly harder than it used to be.’”

The actor said even though making the movie is harder, it’s still “really fun” to do.

“I think the movie’s going to be pretty great. It’s got a really, really fun cast, but it’s a marathon,” Pattinson said.

The cast of The Batman Part II includes franchise newcomers and A-listers Scarlett Johansson and Sebastian Stan, whose roles have yet to be announced. Charles Dance, Brian Tyree Henry and Sebastian Koch also star in the Matt Reeves-directed movie.

The Batman Part II is set to open in theaters on Feb. 18, 2028. It has been delayed multiple times. The film was first scheduled to open on Oct. 2, 2026, before it was delayed to Oct. 1, 2027.

Reeves announced the most recent release date change in a video he posted to Vimeo on July 15. The video also features the first camera test footage of Pattinson back in costume as the caped crusader.

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John Lennon’s son Sean Ono Lennon is a dad.

The son of the legendary Beatles singer announced the news in a post on X and Instagram Wednesday with a photo saying that he’s welcomed a baby boy with his partner, Charlotte Kemp Muhl.

“@charlottekempmuhl and I have created a Human Bean! His name is Aurelius! Thank you!” he wrote.

Many across Hollywood reacted to the post, including Lindsay Lohan, who wrote, “Congratulations to the beautiful couple!!!”

Patti Smith added, “Oh [Sean] I’m so happy for you both.”

Aurelius is Sean Lennon’s first child and would have been John Lennon’s first grandchild.

Sean Lennon is the second son of the late singer. John Lennon and Yoko Ono welcomed Sean Lennon on Oct. 9, 1975.

John Lennon was also the father to Julian Lennon, whom he shared with ex-wife Cynthia Lennon.

Since his father’s death in 1980, Sean Lennon has continued to honor his legacy with his brother, Julian, by sharing stories about their father. In 2024, Sean Lennon’s film War Is Over! Inspired by the Music of John and Yoko won an Oscar for best animated short film.

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The boy who lived is back for a brand-new era.

HBO has released a new official teaser trailer for the first season of its upcoming Harry Potter series, titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

“There is nothing special about Harry Potter — at least that’s what his Aunt Petunia always says. On his 11th birthday, a letter of admittance to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry opens up a hidden world for Harry: one of fun, friendship and magic,” its official logline reads. “But with this new adventure comes great risk as Harry is forced to face a dangerous enemy from his past.”

Dominic McLaughlin leads the cast as Harry Potter. He stars alongside Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton, who play Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The series is described as a faithful adaptation of the books by J.K. Rowling, who serves as an executive producer.

The new teaser shows off the new crop of Hogwarts students arriving for the first day of the new school year. We see Harry, Ron and Hermione arrive on the Hogwarts Express, before Harry is sorted into Gryffindor by the sorting hat.

“Everyone thinks I’m this great wizard, but I really don’t know anything,” Harry says to Professor McGonagall, played by Janet McTeer.

We also see Severus Snape, as portrayed by Paapa Essiedu, signal Harry out during potions class.

“Let’s hope you show some talent on the Quidditch pitch, Potter,” Snape says. “You’ve certainly not exhibited any in here.”

The series was renewed for season 2 on May 6, months ahead of its first season premiere. Succession‘s Jon Brown, who was a writer on season 1, has been promoted to co-showrunner for season 2. He will serve in the role alongside Francesca Gardiner, the showrunner of season 1.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone debuts to HBO and HBO Max on Dec. 25.

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East of Eden has its first full-length trailer.

The new limited series adaptation of John Steinbeck’s classic novel stars Florence Pugh as Cathy Ames, whose life becomes “intertwined with the lives of generations of men from the Trask family — notably those of Adam (Christopher Abbott) and Charles (Mike Faist).”

Throughout the trailer we hear Cathy’s narration as she muses on the evils of the world. “Evil is not always apparent at first glance,” she says. “It can come cloaked in goodness, or beauty, or love. The heart of our oldest stories.”

We see Adam immediately taken with Cathy, but his brother Charles is wary. “A girl like that doesn’t just fall out of the sky,” Charles warns. “She’s going to tear you to pieces, and I don’t want to watch it.”

The story later follows Cathy and Adam’s twin boys, Cal Trask, played by Joseph Zada, and Aron Trask, played by Joe Anders.

The seven-episode series is directed by Zoe Kazan, the granddaughter of director Elia Kazan, who previously adapted the novel into a 1955 film that launched the career of James Dean.

East of Eden debuts on Netflix Oct. 1.

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A new crop of celebrities is trading their day jobs for dancing shoes as Dancing with the Stars gears up for season 35.

The new season brings a fresh celebrity cast, returning fan-favorite pros and a new addition to the professional lineup following the first-ever season of Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro.

The full celebrity cast and professional dancer pairings for season 35 were revealed Wednesday exclusively on Good Morning America.

This season’s cast includes actresses Jenna Dewan, Julia Stiles and Tatyana Ali; Savannah Bananas star Jackson Olson; chef Giada De Laurentiis; reality TV stars Maura Higgins, Ciara Miller and Tyler Cameron; singer Taylor Hanson; Jimmy Kimmel Live! personality Guillermo Rodriguez and more.

Adele Zaikman will join Dancing with the Stars season 35 as a pro after winning the inaugural season of Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro.

Zaikman was crowned the winner during the series’ Aug. 31 finale, earning a spot as a professional dancer in the DWTS ballroom.

Season 35 will also see the return of longtime pro Sharna Burgess, who will compete for the first time since season 30 in 2021.

Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli are returning to the judges’ table, with Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough returning as co-hosts.

Dancing with the Stars season 35 will kick off with a two-night premiere Tuesday, Sept. 15, and Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+.

Following the two-night premiere, the show will air Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+.

The Walt Disney Co. is the parent company of ABC News, Disney+ and Hulu.

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The teaser trailer for La Bola Negra has arrived. Netflix released the trailer for its upcoming film from Cannes-winning directors Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi. The movie’s cast includes musician Guitarricadelafuente, Julio Torres, Penélope Cruz and Glenn Close. It tells the story of three generations of men whose lives are intimately connected. The movie is also one of the rare Netflix titles to get a theatrical release. It opens in cinemas on Oct. 16 …

Also arriving on Oct. 16 is season 4 of Tulsa King. The series, which stars Sylvester Stallone, premieres to Paramount+ on that date. The streamer has released a teaser trailer for the fourth season. It finds Stallone’s Dwight fighting to legitimize his empire and protect his crew from dangerous new enemies. Martin Starr, Jay Will, Vincent Piazza, Annabella Sciorra, Chris Caldovino, McKenna Quigley Harrington and Frank Grillo also star in season 4 …

Moana is wayfinding its way to premium digital platforms. The live-action adaptation of the Disney animated film will be available to purchase on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango on Sept. 8. Additionally, the film will be available on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray and DVD starting on Oct. 6. Catherine Lagaʻaia stars as the titular wayfinder while Dwayne Johnson reprises his role as the demigod Maui … Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

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Some familiar faces are suiting up for season 2 of Heated Rivalry.

Cast members returning to the Crave/HBO Max hockey romance series alongside stars Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams include François Arnaud and Robbie G.K., who play Scott Hunter and Kip Grady; Sophie Nélisse, who plays Rose Landry; and Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova, who plays Svetlana Vetrova.

Others reprising their roles are Christina Chang and Dylan Walsh as Shane Hollander’s parents, Yuna and David; Callan Potter and Benjamin Roy as Shane’s teammates Hayden and JJ; and Kamilla Kowal as Hayden’s wife, Jackie.

Deadline was the first to report the news. 

The returning cast joins the recently announced new additions, which include Justice Smith as Harris Drover, Charlie Gillespie as Troy Barrett, Daniel Diemer as Ryan Price, Shaheen Jafargholi as Fabian Salah and Edvin Ryding as Luca Haas.

Heated Rivalry, created by Jacob Tierney, is based on the Game Changers book series by Rachel Reid and follows the rivals to lovers story of Ilya Rozanov (Storrie) and Shane Hollander (Williams).

Season 2 is set to premiere in spring of 2027 on HBO Max in the U.S.

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