Star Wars: Episode IX director J.J. Abrams announced the official cast of the film, and the late Carrie Fisher will still be featured in the movie. They are going to use previously unused footage of her to conclude Leia’s story. He explained, “We desperately loved Carrie Fisher. Finding a truly satisfying conclusion to the Skywalker saga without her eluded us. We were never going to recast, or use a CG character. With the support and blessing from her daughter, Billie, we have found a way to honor Carrie’s legacy and role as Leia in Episode IX by using unseen footage we shot together in Episode VII.” Mark Hamill, who plays Luke, will also be in the film, but it is unknown in what capacity.
Demi Lovato is resting and getting better with her family by her side at the hospital following her overdose last week. Her ex-boyfriend, Wilmer Valderrama, has also visited her multiple times.
Taylor Swift donated “a significant number of tickets” to the Massachusetts town of Weymouth for her Reputation shows nearby. The tickets were distributed to the local police department, who recently lost Sgt. Michael Chesna, who was shot and killed while investigating a car crash earlier this month. Mayor Robert Hedlund said there were enough tickets to send “every police officer, firefighter and extended family to the concert, and then some.”
Tom Cruise had his second best opening of his career this weekend, following “War of the Worlds.”
- “Mission Impossible: Fallout” – $61.5 million
- “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” – $15 million
- “The Equalizer 2” – $14 million
- “Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation” – $12.3 million
- “Teen Titans Go! To the Movies” – $10.5 million