Celebrity Buzz with Jussie Smollett and Judi Dench

Jussie Smollett has gone public with his romance with Queer Eye alum Karamo Brown, posting birthday photos with the caption, “It’s international @Karamo day! Happy birthday my love.” The pair first sparked dating rumors in June. Brown later confirmed the relationship on a podcast, calling Smollett his “forever person” and hinting at marriage. Story URL

Ben Wang is in negotiations to play Bobby Drake, also known as Iceman, in Marvel Studios’ upcoming X-Men reboot. Wang would join a cast including Sadie Sink, Kit Connor, Adam Driver, and Christopher Abbott. The film, directed by Jake Schreier, is scheduled for release May 5, 2028. Wang currently appears in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. Story URL

Judi Dench says it was Daniel Craig’s idea to kill off her Bond character, M, in 2012’s Skyfall. The 91-year-old actress reveals this in her upcoming memoir, Is It Too Late to Make a Run For It?, out November 3rd. Dench also jokes about being “sacked by Ralph Fiennes.” She appeared as M across eight Bond films, beginning with 1995’s GoldenEye. Story URL

Jason Statham and Guy Ritchie are teaming up for a 7th film together. Netflix announced Dogfight, described as a “stylish revenge actioner” set in London’s criminal underworld. Ritchie will write and direct, with Statham starring. Filming begins early 2027. The pair first collaborated on Ritchie’s 1998 debut, Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels. Story URL

The companion album for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping has been announced, featuring 29 tracks from artists including Jennifer Lawrence, Ella Langley, Tyler Childers, Kacey Musgraves, and Stevie Nicks. Executive-produced by Dave Cobb, the album drops November 13 on MCA, one week before the film’s November 20 theatrical release. Story URL

Netflix has greenlit a straight-to-series order for Prep, based on Curtis Sittenfeld’s 2005 bestselling novel. Nicole Taylor (One Day) will adapt and showrun. The series follows a scholarship student navigating life at a prestigious Massachusetts boarding school. Taylor called it her “all time favorite novel.” No premiere date has been announced yet. Story URL

Bill Hader is set to guest star on Abbott Elementary this season. Hader broke the news on Jimmy Kimmel Live! but revealed no details about his character or storyline, joking simply, “I’m excited.” The appearance follows his recent collaboration with Abbott creator Quinta Brunson on the animated film The Cat in the Hat, opening in theaters November 6. Story URL