As is the case with most of the Star Wars movies, opinions differ on Revenge of the Sith’s quality. Some may think it’s one of the more middling (perhaps even frustrating) entries in the franchise, while others may deem it to be one of the best stories set in a galaxy far, far away. However, if you ask a hardcore Star Wars fan what they think of the Revenge of the Sith novelization, I imagine most, if not all of them will only have positive things to say about it. Matthew Stover authored the book, though before he started writing it, he had a “panic attack” about how he was going to handle the project.
The 20th anniversary “Deluxe Edition” of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith’s novelization is being released later this month, and among the contents in this hardcover is a new author’s note, which EW shared. Matthew Stover recalled how he’d gone to meet with George Lucas and other powers-that-be at Skywalker Ranch about his plan for the novelization in January 2004. He described it as “the biggest thing that had ever happened in my professional career” because he had a “tricky idea” he wanted to implement for his adaptation of Episode III. Stover continued:
It had come to me during the panic attack I’d suffered after signing the contract to write this novelization, which had ignited because I’d foolishly committed to write the keystone in the arch of the Skywalker saga for the biggest audience of my career — and the entire Star Wars – loving universe would be hoping for a thrilling space opera, despite the plain fact that every main plot point had been spoiled for decades.
Disney+ subscription, and its re-release in theaters earlier this year opened to $43.2 million worldwide. The next Star Wars movie on the way is The Mandalorian & Grogu, which hits theaters May 22 on the 2026 movies schedule.
When you’re successful enough, you can basically wear whatever you want. In Hollywood, you can see how that’s true in a myriad of ways. Many famous people dress very well, wearing high-dollar suits. Others wear more casual clothes, though often clothing that costs a great deal more than it looks like it does. Adam Sandler has been one star who is clearly more comfortable in basketball shorts and sneakers, but recently, something has changed.
It was noticed when Adam Sandler appeared at the Venice Film Festival that he was dressing up more than we usually see him. Fans suggested it was all part of an awards season campaign for his new film with George Clooney, Jay Kelly, and that Sandler was playing the part necessary for award voters to potentially consider him, a move deemed necessary following Sandler falling short of an Oscar nomination for Uncut Gems.
People on the red carpet at the screening of Jay Kelly for the New York Film Festival, George Clooney says he’s the one who has been pushing Sandler to wear suits, and thinks the actor looks much better because of it. Clooney said…
Jay Kelly, George Clooney plays the title character, a famous actor who, alongside his friend and manager, played by Adam Sandler, travels through Europe while confronting the choices they made that brought them to where they now find themselves.
Sandler and Clooney play close friends in the 2025 movie schedule entry, and it appears that art very much imitates life as the Ocean’s Eleven star celebrates his co-star and their own friendship. Clooney himself has complimented Sandler’s performance in Jay Kelly, and he really seems to love his co-star, saying…
While Sandler’s new look may be at the urging of his friend and co-star, it doesn’t mean it won’t also have the effect of endearing Sandler to award season voters. While it’s far too early to tell, both Sandler and Clooney could be in line for some award season love. It seems clear that if they win those awards, they’re both going to look great on stage.
Taylor Swift appears to be enjoying the role of box office queen.
She’s returning to theaters this weekend with a special event pic promoting her new album, The Life of a Showgirl, which comes out Friday. The big-screen album release party, which will also feature the world premiere of the music video for Showgirl single “The Fate of Ophelia,” music videos and behind-the-scenes footage, is expected to tower over the competition and win the relatively quiet Oct. 3-5 box office race with anywhere from $25 million to $35 million, if not more. Tracking suggests $35 million, while distributor AMC Theatres — which also partnered with the superstar musical artist on her record-breaking concert pic Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour — is being more conservative in suggesting $25 million to $30 million.
Either way, that’s well ahead of opening weekend projections for its closest competitor, the Dwayne Johnson-led wrestling drama The Smashing Machine. That’s not exactly a surprise, considering Johnson’s latest outing is a specialty pic from A24, versus the sort of wide-appeal action movie The Rock is best known for. Smashing Machine, which made its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival as this year’s awards season kicked off, is tracking to open in the $12 million to $14 million range.
Directed by Benny Safdie, Smashing Machine reunites Johnson with his Jungle Cruise co-star and good friend Emily Blunt, who played a key role in bringing Johnson and Safdie together. The film is based on the real-life story of Mark Kerr, a former college wrestler who battled trauma and an addiction to painkillers during the early years of the UFC.
Another player to watch this weekend is James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water, which is being rereleased exclusively in 3D. Like Swift’s team, Cameron and partner 20th Century/Disney are using the box office for promotional purposes: this Christmas, Avatar: Ash and Fire opens.
Cameron’s Avatar movies have generally done well when rereleased, and this time out, the focus on Imax is an added bonus. The movie will be playing in 90 percent of all Imax auditoriums domestically but will have to share Dolby Cinema screens and other premium large-format auditoriums with the Showgirl release party. Way of Water is projected to earn $3 million to $4 million domestically from 2,100 theaters; rivals think it could approach $5 million.
Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl is only playing in cinemas for three days, and Swift’s team went to great lengths to keep the project top secret until the 11th hour (they almost succeeded, but not quite), much to the chagrin of other distributors, such as A24 or even Disney, who don’t like last-minute surprises even if the idea of a live audience watching a viewing party on the big screen is a far cry from the sort of frenzy surrounding her Eras Tour. She announced the Oct. 3-5 special event on Sept. 19 in a well-orchestrated social media post informing fans that advance tickets would go on sale that day at 12:12 local time for $12, in keeping with Swift’s longtime relationship with numbers (Showgirl is her 12th album). Consumers can expect to pay more for Imax and other premium large-format screenings.
“I hereby invite you to a *dazzling* soirée, The Official Release Party of a Showgirl: Oct 3 – Oct 5 only in cinemas,” Swift wrote across social media Sept. 19. “You’ll get to see the exclusive world premiere of the music video for my new single ‘The Fate of Ophelia,’ along with never before seen behind-the-scenes footage of how we made it, cut by cut explanations of what inspired this music and the brand new lyric videos from my new album The Life of a Showgirl. Looks like it’s time to brush off that Eras Tour outfit or orange cardigan…. Tickets are on sale now. Dancing is optional but very much encouraged.”
Like her tour itself, The Eras Tour film was a phenomenon when opening in 2023 to a huge $93.2 million domestically on its way becoming the top grossing concert film of all time with $261.6 million in global ticket sales. Swift and her team financed the $15 million project, bypassing the Hollywood studio system and partnering with AMC Theatres, the country and world’s largest cinema circuit. AMC Theatres Distribution is releasing Showgirl in partnership with Variance Films in the U.S. and Canada, and with Piece of Magic Entertainment in other international markets.
This weekend, the one-hour-and-30-minute film also opens in its first 18 international markets. It will continue its international rollout throughout October.
Showtimes begin Oct. 3 — the day of the album’s release — at 3 p.m. local time.
Both Avatar and Smashing Machine will host Thursday previews.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Emily Blunt and Benny Safdie sit down with CinemaBlend to talk about all things “The Smashing Machine!” Want to know how Dwayne Johnson demolished two doors by hand while filming? Or how Benny Safdie feels about his brother Josh Safdie making a new film without him? It’s all here, and much, much more.
Video Chapters
0:00 – How Dwayne Johnson Felt About Playing A Guy In His 20s
0:42 – Dwayne Johnson Was Asked To Gain Weight For The First Time Working On ‘The Smashing Machine’
2:09 – Emily Blunt And Benny Safdie On Presenting Both Sides Of Domestic Dispute
3:08 – Dwayne Johnson On The Major Difference Between ‘The Smashing Machine’ Documentary And His New Film
3:40 – Benny Safdie Talks About How “Exciting” It Is That He And His Brother Are Making Films Separately
4:23 – Dwayne Johnson On How He Injured His Elbow Breaking Two Real Doors While Filming ‘The Smashing Machine’
Official Trailer for Polygamy Supernatural Horror ‘The Vile’ from UAE
by Alex Billington October 2, 2025 Source: YouTube
“He brought home a second wife. But something else followed…” The first official trailer has debuted for a film titled The Vile, a supernatural horror thriller from UAE (United Arab Emirates). Directed by genre filmmaker Majid Al Ansari as his second horror feature so far, this film just premiered at Fantastic Fest last month where it won Best Film from the jury. It also plays at the Sitges Film Festival in Spain next this month. When a man decides to bring home a second wife, the new bride is not the only thing that enters the family house. Amani’s peaceful life as a wife and mother shatters when her husband brings home a second wife without her consent, unleashing mysterious dark forces into their household. Blending supernatural & horror elements, the film is a viscerally gripping exploration of polygamy, greed, betrayal, and trauma—told through the eyes of a mother and her daughter. Starring Bdoor Mohammed, Sarah Taibah, and Eman Tarik. While polygamy is a familiar concept in the UAE, Al Ansari’s film boldly questions notions of gender inequality & consent in relationships, making The Vile as thought-provoking as it is unsettling. Al Ansari found inspiration from legendary genre cult classics including Fatal Attraction and Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, offering audiences a truly diabolical cinematic feast for the senses. Worth a look! Check this out.
Here’s the official trailer (+ poster) for Majid Al Ansari’s horror film The Vile, direct from YouTube:
“As a huge horror fan and as a filmmaker who has predominantly worked in this genre, I wanted to create a female-led film where the fear factor stems from the trauma that is inflicted after a man decides to marry for a second time, without the consent of his current wife. I had to get as close as I could to the same kinds of emotions women could experience when they are confronted by this situation. Empathy alone was not going to be enough and I spent an intense period researching so that I could tell this story in an authentic way. I didn’t want to make a statement or judgement about polygamy, but rather visually express a family’s psychological and emotional journey as a result of deception and secrecy.” –Director Majid Al Ansari
Amani (Bdoor Mohammad) is blindsided & heartbroken when her husband, Khalid (Jasem Alkharraz), brings a second wife into their home. Forced to accept the circumstances and determined to fight for the sake of her daughter, Noor, Amani remains in the house and attempts to assert her role as the family’s matriarch. Living with the new bride, Zahra (Sarah Taibah), crushes Amani emotionally & sends her into a downward spiral. When ominous, seemingly paranormal events begin to overtake the house, Amani launches a frenzied search for answers, leaving Noor fearful for her mom’s own sanity. Driven by instinct and terror, Amani becomes increasingly convinced there is something sinister in Zahra’s past—but her desperate quest for the truth threatens to push her further from reality.The Vile, also known as Hoba, is directed by UAE filmmaker Majid Al Ansari, director of the film Zinzana (or Rattle The Cage) previously, and a few other shorts. The screenplay is by Majid Al Ansari and Johnnie Alward, from a story by Majid Al Ansari. Produced by Derek Dauchy, Roy Lee, Steven Schneider, and Rami Yasin. This premiered at Fantastic Fest and plays at the 2025 London & Sitges Film Festivals this fall. No US release date is set yet – stay tuned.
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