Entertainment Tidbits

Owen Wilson returns for the fourth installment of the Meet The Parents franchise, joining Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, and Teri Polo. The film will also feature Ariana Grande. John Hamburg will write and direct the new installment, which finds Stiller’s character now the same age as De Niro’s was in the first film, and his grown-up kids meeting the parents. (Variety)

Johnny Depp reflected on his defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard, describing himself as a “crash test dummy” for the #MeToo movement. Despite facing career hurdles, Depp says he fought the case to uphold the truth (“Look, it had gone far enough,”) even if it meant exposing his personal life, saying: “I knew I’d have to semi-eviscerate myself.” (THR)

Russell Crowe will mentor Henry Cavill in the Highlander remake, playing the role originally portrayed by Sean Connery. The Oscar-winning actor will guide Cavill’s character on the ways of the immortals, under the direction of John Wick filmmaker Chad Stahelski. Crowe has taken on many more character-driven parts in recent years. (Variety)

Courtney Thorne-Smith, known for her role on Melrose Place, has filed for divorce from her husband of 18 years, Roger Fishman. The filing cites “irreconcilable differences” and the couple has been separated since 2021. Thorne-Smith is seeking joint custody of their son. She was previously married to geneticist Andrew Conrad from 2000 to 2001. (Parade)

Jon Bernthal reprises his role as the Punisher in the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Bernthal first played the vigilante in Netflix’s Daredevil and The Punisher series, and will appear in the second season of Daredevil: Born Again. Spider-Man: Brand New Day marks the fourth film in Tom Holland’s Spider-Man franchise, set to release on July 31, 2026. (Variety)

Jack Betts, a veteran actor who appeared in Sam Raimi’s 2002 Spider-Man as well as spaghetti westerns and TV shows, has died at the age of 96. Betts played Henry Balkan, the Oscorp board chair, in the first Spider-Man film. He was close friends with actress Doris Roberts and had an extensive acting career spanning several decades, with credits in numerous series. (Variety)

Lynn Hamilton, the actress best known for her recurring role as Donna Harris in Sanford and Son, has died at age 95. She had a prolific career spanning over five decades, including roles in TV shows like The Waltons, The Golden Girls, and Roots: The Next Generations. Hamilton passed away at her home in Chicago due to natural causes. (Variety)