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A24 is previewing The Smashing Machine, starring Dwayne Johnson as MMA fighter and two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion Mark Kerr.

Written, directed, co-produced and co-edited by Benny Safdie, The Smashing Machine tells the story of the legendary mixed martial artist and fighter. The biopic marks Safdie’s solo directorial feature debut from a script he wrote (he previously co-directed and wrote the films “Uncut Gems” and “Good Time.”)

Johnson is nearly unrecognizable in the trailer, which shows him wearing a wig and prosthetic makeup to fully transform into Kerr; while Emily Blunt co-stars as Kerr’s wife, Dawn Staples. Mixed martial artist Ryan Bader, actor and former mixed martial artist Bas Rutten, and Ukrainian professional boxer Oleksandr Usyk also star in the upcoming film.

The real-life Kerr competed in matchups from 1997 to 2009, winning four ADCC World Championships over the course of his career. His life was the subject of a 2002 HBO documentary, which was also titled “The Smashing Machine” (a reference to Kerr’s nickname). Kerr posted about the upcoming biopic on Instagram, writing, “I am still in disbelief that this is real. I am so proud of the work DJ put into becoming The Smashing Machine. I have so much gratitude, humility and respect for ever litlle [sic] detail production uncovered. Can’t wait to share this experience with the world.”

The Smashing Machine debuts in theaters on October 3; see the trailer – HERE.

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Comedian Nikki Glaser will return for the second, consecutive year as host of the 2026 Golden Globe Awards ceremony, slated to take place in Los Angeles on Jan. 11. The ceremony is frequently held the first weekend of January, but will shift to the second weekend of January in 2026.

The 83rd annual Golden Globes, honoring excellence in TV and film, will be broadcast live from the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif, airing on CBS and Paramount+. Nominations for the awards will be announced on Dec. 8. Also per usual, the Globes

The Globes announced last month that Glaser would return for a second year in a row as host after helming the award show’s 2025 edition. The most recent Globes posted an average of 9.3 million viewers. Glaser said in a statement: “Hosting the Golden Globes this year was without a doubt the most fun I have ever had in my career. I can’t wait to do it again, and this time in front of the team from The White Lotus, who will finally recognize my talent and cast me in season four as a Scandinavian Pilates instructor with a shadowy past.”

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The new Apple TV+ romantic comedy series Prodigies will star Will Sharpe and Ayo Edebiri.

Described in the synopsis as an “unusual take” on a classic romantic comedy, the series “is set to explore the universal complexities of long-term relationships through the lens of a very unique couple. The story follows Didi (Edebiri) and Ren (Sharpe), two ex-child prodigies who have been together since they were children and, now in their early 30s, are starting to question whether their very ordinary existence is living up to the extraordinary promise of their childhood. As the description goes, they, inevitably, find themselves asking the same questions of their relationship … As they reflect on their individual aspirations and evolving desires, their relationship is inevitably called into question. The series explores the myth at the heart of many romantic stories — that everything is resolved once the couple ends up together.”

Sharpe not only stars in the series, but also serves as creator, writer and director. He and Edebiri serve as executive producers alongside Jane Featherstone, Naomi De Pear, and Katie Carpenter. A release date has yet to be announced.

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NBC announced that iconic rapper Snoop Dogg will serve as host of ‘Snoop Dogg’s New Years Eve’ special, beginning at 10:30 p.m. EST on Dec. 31, 2025.

A press release states that the two-hour special, which will also stream on Peacock, will take place in Miami and promises “a night packed with unforgettable music, iconic performances and surprise artist collaborations” leading up to midnight.

Jen Neal, Executive Vice President, Live Events and Specials, NBCUniversal Entertainment, shared in a statement: “Snoop Dogg’s energy, influence and ability to bring people together promises an unforgettable night. We’re thrilled to partner with Snoop and bring this epic event to audiences across the country once again live from Miami.”

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Sarah Michelle Gellar and Elijah Wood will join returning star Samara Weaving in Searchlight Pictures’ ‘Ready or Not’ sequel, titled ‘Ready or Not: Here I Come.’  Currently in production in Toronto, the film has rounded out the cast with Shawn Hatosy, Néstor Carbonell and Kevin Durand, as well as acclaimed horror filmmaker David Cronenberg.

The original 2021 film followed Weaving (Grace) as she learned that her new in-laws had ancestors who bargained with the devil and played a disturbing game because of it. The film was a success critically and commercially, grossing $28 million at the domestic box office on a $6 million budget. Plot details for the follow-up are being kept under wraps.

Matthew Greenfield, President of Searchlight, shared: “We’re beyond excited to make another film with the phenomenal Radio Silence. With ‘Ready or Not: Here I Come’, we get to go on another ride with the amazing Samara Weaving, mix in awesome new voices, and bring audiences a fresh take that’s every bit as twisted and fun as the first one. This is for those who’ve been waiting, and those who didn’t see it coming.”

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FX released the trailer for Season 4 of hit series The Bear, which sees Chef Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White), Chef Sydney Adamu (Ayo Edebiri) and Richard “Richie” Jerimovich (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) getting an ultimatum from Uncle Jimmy (Oliver Platt) in the form of a countdown clock, trying to keep their restaurant afloat.

The series also stars Abby Elliott, Lionel Boyce, Liza Colón-Zayas and Matty Matheson, with Platt and Molly Gordon in recurring roles; and the trailer also features a glimpse of Jamie Lee Curtis, who will play Carmy’s estranged mother in the series.

The season’s official synopsis reads: “Season four of The Bear finds Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto (White), Sydney Adamu (Edebiri) and Richard “Richie” Jerimovich (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) pushing forward, determined not only to survive, but also to take The Bear to the next level. With new challenges around every corner, the team must adapt, adjust and overcome. This season, the pursuit of excellence isn’t just about getting better — it’s about deciding what’s worth holding on to.”

The FX-produced series is set to premiere June 25 on Hulu; see the trailer: HERE.

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