Entertainment

SULLY ERNA: ‘Saying That MIKE MANGINI Is Overqualified To Play For GODSMACK Is Just Like Saying That SHANNON LARKIN’s Overqualified To Play For The Band’

• Sully Erna praises new Godsmack members Mike Mangini and Sam Koltun.
• Mangini debuted live with Godsmack on 12 June 2026.
• Shannon Larkin and Tony Rombola left the band in late 2024.

Godsmack frontman Sully Erna has discussed the band's reshuffled line-up in a new interview, addressing how it feels to perform alongside new drummer Mike Mangini and guitarist Sam Koltun following the departures of long-standing members Shannon Larkin and Tony Rombola. The comments matter to fans because they mark…

Prime Video Officially Returns to Middle-earth With ‘The Rings of Power’ Season 3 Reveal

• Rings of Power Season 3 returns to Prime Video on 11 November
• First look images show Sauron and Gandalf vs Mûmak
• Season 4 already confirmed for 2028; Hunt for Gollum film out 2027

Prime Video has confirmed that "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" will return for its third season on 11 November, marking the prequel series' next instalment following its 2022 debut. To mark the announcement, Empire Magazine has released the first look image of Sauron, played…

Bill Nighy, Gemma Arterton, Nell Tiger Free Set for PBS, BBC Adaptation of ‘The Portrait of a Lady’

• Bill Nighy, Nell Tiger Free, Gemma Arterton to lead new Henry James adaptation
• Six-part Masterpiece/BBC series with Jim Sturgess, Miranda Richardson also starring
• Filming under way across the UK, Hungary and Croatia

Bill Nighy, Nell Tiger Free and Gemma Arterton have been cast to lead a new television adaptation of Henry James's novel "The Portrait of a Lady", produced for Masterpiece on PBS and the BBC. The six-part limited series marks a fresh screen version of the classic story, joining…

After Doom director Hugo Martin denied reports that id Software had been gutted, “current and former employees” are disagreeing with his optimism

• Sources dispute Doom director's claim id Software wasn't gutted by layoffs
• Roughly two-thirds of remaining Doom 2016 team reportedly laid off
• Studio's future uncertain despite Xbox's stated interest in more Doom games

Doom director Hugo Martin recently pushed back against reports that id Software had been gutted by Microsoft's wave of 3,200 layoffs across its Xbox division, insisting the studio hadn't been reduced to a mere support outfit. However, "current and former employees" have since contradicted his optimistic framing, according…

Andy Burnham is the U.K.’s New Prime Minister — Here’s What the Music Industry Needs From Him

• Andy Burnham became UK prime minister on 20 July, succeeding Keir Starmer
• Industry hopes his music-industry background will shape supportive policy
• Key asks include streaming and ticketing reform, plus AI licensing protections

Andy Burnham became UK prime minister on Monday 20 July, replacing Keir Starmer, and his long public affinity for music has raised expectations within the industry that the sector will remain high on the government's agenda. Burnham, formerly mayor of Greater Manchester and a Labour MP since 2001,…

Jake Gyllenhaal’s 2024 Action Smash Is One of Streaming’s Best Late-Night Watches

• Road House climbs to No. 8 on Amazon Prime's top 10 list
• Jake Gyllenhaal action remake skipped cinemas, streamed straight to Prime
• Conor McGregor co-stars as the film's antagonist

Jake Gyllenhaal's 2024 remake of Road House is enjoying a resurgence on Amazon Prime Video, currently sitting at number eight on the platform's top 10 chart in the US, according to tracking site FlixPatrol. The film, directed by Doug Liman and based on the 1989 Patrick Swayze cult…

The 1972 movie masterpiece Quentin Tarantino can’t stand: “I barely got through it”

Quentin Tarantino, known for his encyclopaedic love of cinema, has reportedly named a widely acclaimed 1972 film as one he struggled to sit through, saying he "barely got through it." The remark is notable given his reputation as a passionate cinephile and outspoken critic who rarely holds back…

UK Charts: Star Fox Barely Holds Onto The Top 10 As Assassin’s Creed Maintains Smooth Sailing

• Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced stays at number one for a second week.
• Star Fox slips further but just holds a top 10 spot.
• Rhythm Heaven Groove returns to the chart at 15th place.

This week's UK physical gaming charts show little movement at the top, with Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced holding onto first place for a second consecutive week. EA Sports FC 26 and 007 First Light retain the second and third spots respectively, while Star Fox continues its gradual…

The prog-rock band Jack Black calls timeless brilliance: “There’s a magic to them”

• Jack Black calls Rush’s catalogue timeless.
• He values lasting emotional resonance over dated production.
• Neil Peart’s lyrics are central to Rush’s enduring appeal.

Jack Black has described Canadian progressive-rock band Rush as timeless, arguing that their music retains its appeal long after its original release. The article says this matters because Black sees lasting emotional resonance, rather than contemporary production or trends, as the real measure of musical quality. Black praised…

Divinity can wait: Baldur’s Gate 3 boss Swen Vincke “not expecting anyone” at Larian’s Barcelona studio to show up following Spain’s World Cup win

• Larian boss jokes no Barcelona staff will show up after Spain's win
• Comment reflects Spain's World Cup celebration mood
• Vincke shows relaxed, humorous approach to studio management

Larian Studios boss Swen Vincke has joked that he doesn't expect any staff to turn up at the developer's Barcelona office after Spain's World Cup victory, acknowledging that football celebrations are likely to take precedence over work at the Baldur's Gate 3 studio. The comment, made in good…