Entertainment

Shooting for the much-anticipated Season three of House Of The Dragon has finally started in the United Kingdom, reported The Hollywood Reporter. The series will consist of eight episodes.

In addition, the show has announced two actors for the new season—Tommy Flanagan (Sons of Anarchy) has been cast as Ser Roderick Dustin, and Dan Fogler (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them) as Ser Torrhen Manderly, as per the outlet.

The production also announced its new directors for the season, which include Clare Kilner, Nina Lopez-Corrado, Andrij Parekh, and Loni Peristere.

As per The Hollywood Reporter, the new show is expected to debut sometime in 2026.

They join the show’s ensemble cast, which includes Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Steve Toussaint, Rhys Ifans, Fabien Frankel, Ewan Mitchell, Tom Glynn-Carney, Sonoya Mizuno, Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, Jefferson Hall, Matthew Needham, Tom Bennett, Kieran Bew, Kurt Egyiawan, Freddie Fox, Clinton Liberty, Gayle Rankin, and Abubakar Salim.

Based on George RR Martin’s book Fire & Blood, the series is set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, and tells the story of House Targaryen.

Seasons 1 and 2 of House Of The Dragon became extremely popular after their release. According to HBO, the debut season averaged at least 29 million viewers per episode, higher than all but the final two seasons of Game of Thrones.

The House Of The Dragon showrunner is co-creator Ryan Condal. Also on board is co-creator and executive producer Martin and EPs Sara Hess, Melissa Bernstein, Kevin de la Noy, Vince Gerardis, David Hancock, and Philippa Goslett.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Val Kilmer in stills from ‘Top Gun’, ‘The Doors’, ‘Batman Forever’ and ‘Top Gun: Maverick’
| Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., TriStar Pictures

Hollywood star Val Kilmer, known for his roles in Top Gun, Batman Forever, and The Doors, has died at 65. His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed the news to The New York Times, stating that he passed away from pneumonia after years of health struggles following a throat cancer diagnosis in 2014.

With his striking looks and mercurial talent, Kilmer carved out a career that swung between leading-man stardom and eccentric, scene-stealing character work. His breakthrough came in 1984 with Top Secret!, a slapstick spy comedy that put to show his comedic timing and musical chops. But it was his turn as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky, the cocky, suave rival to Tom Cruise’s Maverick in Top Gun (1986), that put him on everyone’s radar. While playing Iceman, Kilmer reportedly stayed in character off-screen, keeping his distance from Tom Cruise to enhance their on-screen rivalry. He originally didn’t want the role but ended up making Iceman one of the film’s most iconic characters.

Val Kilmer and Tom Cruise in a still from ‘Top Gun’

Kilmer’s dedication to his craft was legendary — sometimes infamously so. His portrayal of Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s The Doors (1991) remains one of his most celebrated performances, with Kilmer not only looking unsettlingly like the rock icon but also singing his own renditions of The Doors’ songs.

Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison in a still from ‘The Doors’

Despite a strong run of leading roles in the ‘90s, including Thunderheart (1992), Tombstone (1993), and The Saint (1997), his stint as Bruce Wayne in Batman Forever (1995) received mixed reviews. Kilmer took on the mantle of the Dark Knight, but he later revealed that the Batsuit was so restrictive he could barely hear or move, making fight scenes and dialogue delivery a challenge. Though the film was a box-office success, Kilmer never returned to the role, later citing creative differences and discomfort with the constraints of the batsuit.

Val Kilmer as Batman in a still from ‘Batman Forever’

Off-screen, Kilmer developed a reputation for being difficult to work with. Stories from the set of The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996) painted him as combative, leading director John Frankenheimer to famously quip, “There are two things I will never do: climb Mt. Everest and work with Val Kilmer again.”

ALSO READ:‘Top Gun: Maverick’ movie review: Tom Cruise delivers box-office magic of the best kind

By the 2000s, major studio roles became less frequent, but he found a second wind in indie films and character roles. He delivered a sharp, self-aware turn in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005), opposite Robert Downey Jr., and lent his voice to The Prince of Egypt (1998). His later years were marked by health struggles, and after losing his voice to cancer, he made an emotional return in Top Gun: Maverick (2022), where AI technology helped recreate his speech.

Val Kilmer returns as Iceman in a still from ‘Top Gun: Maverick’

In 2021, the documentary Val offered an intimate look at his life and career, piecing together decades of personal footage.

Kilmer is survived by his children, Mercedes and Jack. 

Kim Soo Hyun, once regarded as South Korea’s highest-paid actor, is facing turbulent times, not only due to his alleged involvement in the Kim Sae Ron dating scandal but also because his agency, GOLDMEDALIST, appears to be struggling financially. The controversy has led to a wave of backlash with multiple brands cutting ties with the actor, further exacerbating the agency’s monetary troubles.
According to a report from News18, GOLDMEDALIST’s financial health has deteriorated to a critical point, raising concerns about its stability. The situation is so dire that the agency has reportedly suspended its contract with an external cleaning service, signaling an attempt to cut costs in a bid to stay afloat. Once a thriving company, the agency now seems to be on shaky ground, with fears mounting that it could collapse if the current crisis continues.

Kim Soo Hyun’s press conference—A last-ditch effort to salvage GOLDMEDALIST?

On March 31, 2025, Kim Soo Hyun made a rare public appearance at a press conference. Industry insiders believe this was not just a response to the controversy surrounding him but also a calculated move to reassure investors and salvage his agency from potential bankruptcy. Experts speculate that the event was a desperate effort to manage the crisis, with some suggesting that if the scandal persists, GOLDMEDALIST might be forced to shut down entirely.
A financial analyst familiar with the company’s situation revealed that GOLDMEDALIST previously maintained a financial surplus of around 2 to 3 billion KRW (approximately USD 1.36 million to USD 2.04 million). However, the recent turmoil has drained its reserves. The cancellation of over 20 endorsement deals tied to Kim Soo Hyun has had a massive financial impact. Although some brands have refrained from imposing heavy penalties, the combination of refunding prepaid endorsement fees, event cancellations and high operational costs has put immense pressure on the agency’s budget.

Desperate measures—seeking investors and cutting costs

While GOLDMEDALIST has not officially confirmed its financial distress rumors suggest that the agency is actively seeking external investment to avoid total collapse. A financial industry expert disclosed, “Before the press conference, the company was reportedly in urgent need of securing around 6 billion KRW (approximately USD 4.08 million). There are also reports that they have discontinued the use of outsourced cleaning services, hinting at internal cost-cutting measures.”

Kim Soo Hyun takes legal action

Amid the crisis, Kim Soo Hyun has also taken legal steps to mitigate his losses. The actor has filed a lawsuit for damages amounting to 12 billion KRW (approximately USD 12.24 million) against Kim Sae Ron’s family, an unnamed relative and the Garosero Research Institute YouTube channel, accusing them of causing financial harm.
As GOLDMEDALIST fights to stay afloat, the uncertainty surrounding Kim Soo Hyun’s career and the agency’s future remains a hot topic. Whether the company will secure the necessary funds to survive or face an inevitable downfall is something only time will tell.

In a surprise announcement at CinemaCon, Sony revealed the cast and release date for its highly anticipated biopic on The Beatles.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, director Sam Mendes took the stage to introduce the cast and confirm that all four films will hit theaters in April 2028.

The project, which was first announced last year, will comprise four separate films, each focusing on a different member of the Fab Four.

The cast includes Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, and Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr.

“We’re not just making one film about the Beatles — we’re making four. Perhaps this is a chance to understand them a little more deeply,” as quoted by The Hollywood Reporter.

Sony film boss Tom Rothman described the project as “the first binge-able theatrical experience.”

The films are being produced by Mendes, Pippa Harris, and Julie Pastor for Neal Street Productions. The announcement was met with excitement from the audience, with the cast taking the stage to recite lyrics from the Beatles’ iconic song Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, as per The Hollywood Reporter.

CinemaCon, held annually from March 31 to April 3, is one of the most significant events in Hollywood, showcasing upcoming projects to theatre owners and the film industry.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

The Aristocrats

March 28, 8 pm onwards

GYLT, Hennur

Entry: ₹2,499 via Skillboxes.com, plus cover charge at the door

Progressive rock trio, The Aristocrats, have been regulars to India ever since they made their debut in the country in 2016. Guitarist Guthrie Govan (known for performing with the likes of Steven Wilson and Hans Zimmer), bassist Bryan Beller (with Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and Dethklok), and drummer Marco Minnemann (whose on-stage touring duties have included Steven Wilson, Joe Satriani and Steve Hackett) are back this week as part of their ongoing Duck tour across the world.

Often among the most fun-loving, yet dexterous acts in the world, the rock/fusion band released their album Duck in early 2024 and are now in Asia as part of a globetrotting tour. The band said in an announcement about their Australia and Asia shows, “We can’t wait to bring our newest aristocratic creation to life for all our fans across the world, starting with shows in Australia and Japan in February and March 2025. Now, India has become the latest stop added to the tour, and we can’t wait to see you all at a show again soon!”

Bassist Beller added in his post on social media, “It’s a long way for our Duck to travel, and we’re looking forward to showing him around. Hope to see you there soon.”

Bombay Bandook

Bombay Bandook
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

March 28, 8 pm onwards

Bira 91 Taproom, Koramangala

Entry: ₹699 via Skillboxes.com, plus ₹500 cover charge at the door

Mumbai-based fusion/alternative band Bombay Bandook are making their way to Bengaluru as part of a three-city run of shows between March and May. Performing at Bira 91 Taproom in Koramangala, Bombay Bandook’s tour is cheekily called the Finally Aa Rahe Hai Tour, in reference to their long-anticipated shows in cities outside of their hometown. “We’re coming to play a tod phod set at a Bira 91 Taproom near you,” the band said on a social media post.

Releasing a steady stream of singles ever since 2015, Bombay Bandook blend everything from prog to funk to jazz with Indian classical elements, best known for songs such as ‘Tilak’ and ‘Azad’. Most recently, in 2023, they released the single ‘Shaakhon Ke Patte’.

Trio Bobo Ft. Varijashree Venugopal

Trio Bobo
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

March 28 and 29, 9:30 pm onwards

Windmills, Whitefield

Entry: ₹1,695 (seating), ₹636 (standing), via windmills-india.com

On the back of releasing their new album Sensurround in 2019, Italian act Trio Bobo have been performing around the world. The act, featuring Christian Meyer (drums), Faso (bass), and Alessio Menconi (guitar) will now collaborate with vocalist-composer Varijashree Venugopal at Windmills across two nights of performances this weekend.

A description for the event says the trio “is renowned for its dynamic fusion of jazz, African rhythms, and progressive rock. With albums such as Pepper Games (2016) and Sensurround (2019), they have carved a unique sound that is both intricate and high-energy”. The 2019 album features acclaimed pianist Stefano Bollani and Venugopal, adding new dimensions to their already expansive musical landscape.

The event description adds, “Varijashree Venugopal, a prodigious Carnatic musician, seamlessly bridges Indian classical traditions with global contemporary music. Her remarkable vocal prowess and improvisational mastery make her a perfect collaborator for Trio Bobo’s adventurous soundscapes.”

Daniel Weber

Daniel Weber
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

March 29, 8 pm onwards

Bira 91 Taproom, Koramangala

Entry: ₹499 via Skillboxes.com, plus ₹500 cover charge at the door

Known for his work in the US with the band The Disparrows, rock artist Daniel Weber — who some may know as the partner of actor and model Sunny Leone — has gone solo in recent years and is now on his debut India tour this week. The Believe India Tour 2025 takes place after Weber has released his debut album Believe on March 18.

A description for the tour says, “Blending raw emotion with soulful energy, Daniel Weber Live is revolutionising the rock scene with a sound that fuses existential rock with gospel-inspired harmonies.” Songs such as ‘Lose Somebody’, ‘Memories’ and ‘Stay With Me’ largely explore the human experience and themes of perseverance, hard-earned success, and emotional resilience. He is joined by his backing band, The Mumbai Vocals, on a multi-city tour that stops by Bengaluru this week.

Sumona Chakravarti is widely known for her role in Kapil Sharma‘s comedy shows. Recently, the actress opened up about how these shows helped her achieve financial stability.

Sumona, who played Kapil Sharma’s wife, appeared on Kapil’s shows for a decade. Reflecting on her journey, the actress shared that she comes from a simple, middle-class Bengali family. 

Sumona Chakravarti also revealed that her role in Kapil Sharma’s shows allowed her to buy her own house in Mumbai.

During a conversation with SCREEN, Sumona Chakravarti said, “It has given me a lot and yet it’s been a double-edged sword. The show was a good ten years for me. It is a very long time. I was financially stable. I come from a very simple middle-class Bengali family. I could afford to buy a house in Mumbai because of that show. I am very grateful. Financial freedom for women today is very important.”

Talking about the global popularity of Kapil Sharma’s show, Sumona Chakravarti added, “It is also the immense love and popularity that the show has given me across the world. The show has been dubbed in Thai. I was at a Thai restaurant, and it so happened that my local Indian-Thai friend came to me and said, ‘All the servers and host want to take a picture with you.’ They were all Thai. I wondered why, then they showed me the show’s clip. It was ridiculously funny to watch me speaking Thai in the show.”

Sumona Chakravarti appeared on Comedy Nights with Kapil on Colors TV and The Kapil Sharma Show on Sony Entertainment Television. It is worth noting that she was not seen in The Great Indian Kapil Show, which was released on Netflix.

Aside from her role in Kapil Sharma’s shows, Sumona Chakravarti has also appeared in daily soaps like Bade Achhe Lagte Hain, Ek Thhi Naayka, and Jamai Raja. She has also worked in films such as Barfi!, Kick, and Mann.

South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun speaks at a news conference in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, March 31, 2025.
| Photo Credit: Lee Jin-man

South Korean star Kim Soo-hyun, who is at the centre of a major controversy about his alleged relationship with late actor Kim Sae-ron, on Monday denied claims that he dated her when she was underage.

Best known to Indian K-drama fans for It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, My Love from the Star, and Queen of Tears, Kim Soo-hyun held a press conference in Seoul to deny allegations that he had any role in her suicide.

Kim Sae-ron was found dead at her home in Seoul on February 16. She was 24.

“I accept responsibility for what I have done and will take any criticism for it. But I cannot take responsibility for something I did not do. For the people who still believe in me, I want to set the record straight,” the 37-year-old actor said, as he cried inconsolably while addressing the media, reported by The Korea Times.

Soo-hyun, one of the most popular Korean actors worldwide, is facing heat from Kim Sae-ron’s family and local media amid claims that he was in a relationship with her when she was just 15 and that his agency GoldMedalist forced her to repay a debt prior to her death.

South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun sheds tears as he was speaking at a news conference in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, March 31, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
Lee Jin-man

About the allegations that he dated Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor and groomed her, the actor said they dated for only a year after she became an adult, between 2019 and 2020.

“Outside of being actors, we were just like any other couple,” he said of Kim Sae-ron, who rose to prominence as a child actor with The Man From Nowhere to a leading lady in films such as A Girl at My Door.

Initially, Soo-hyun had denied any romantic relationship with her.

He also defended his previous statement regarding their relationship when Kim Sae-ron posted and later deleted a photo of them together during the Queen of Tears run on TV last year.

“I had so much to protect as its lead actor. What would have happened if I had admitted to a year-long relationship? What would happen to the actors, the staff who were working overnight and the production team who had everything staked on that project?” the actor said, according to Korean media.

Soo-hyun also denied the second allegation of financially pressuring Sae-ron following her 2022 drunk driving accident, leading to debt.

South Korean actor Kim Sae-ron arrives at the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, April 5, 2023.

“As far as I know, she was dating someone else at the time. Given the circumstances, I was very cautious about contacting her … Her family is accusing me of driving her to her death just because I was her ex-boyfriend. They are pressuring me to confess to something I did not do,” he added.

The scandal began almost a month after Sae-ron’s death when a YouTube channel published videos and photos allegedly documenting a six-year relationship with the actor beginning when she was 15. Her family’s attorney later presented alleged chat history between the actors from 2016, when she was 16.

At the press conference, Soo-hyun dismissed it as “false testimony” and “fabricated evidence”.

Soo-hyun’s image has taken a serious hit due to the controversy. Fashion label Prada and Korean cosmetics company Dinto have ended their partnerships with him, whereas streamer Disney+ Kim has paused production on a project with the actor, according to Korea media.

His legal team has filed criminal complaints against Sae-ron’s family and the YouTube channel, along with a civil lawsuit seeking damages of KRW12 billion (approximately USD 8.1 million).

The actor didn’t take any questions from the media.

Sony unveils ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ title and first look at ‘Beyond the Spider-Verse’
| Photo Credit: Sony Pictures

Sony has officially revealed the title of Tom Holland’s highly anticipated Spider-Man 4 — Spider-Man: Brand New Day — and confirmed its theatrical release on July 31, 2026. Director Destin Daniel Cretton, best known for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, took the stage at CinemaCon to discuss the film, calling it “a ride that we haven’t really seen before.”

Holland, appearing in a video message, thanked fans for their continued support and described the new installment as “a fresh start.” The title itself is a nod to a controversial 2008 comic storyline in which Peter Parker’s identity is erased from public memory after a universe-altering event — closely mirroring the ending of Spider-Man: No Way Home.

The film will be penned by Erik Sommers and Chris McKenna, the writing duo behind No Way Home, and marks a significant moment in the ongoing Sony-Disney collaboration that has allowed Spider-Man to remain part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Sony also shared exciting updates about the animated side of the Spider-Man franchise, confirming that Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse will hit theaters on June 4, 2027. The third entry in the Spider-Verse trilogy follows Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023), both of which were massive box office hits.

Filmmaker Phil Lord, alongside co-directors Bob Persichetti and Justin K. Thompson, emphasised their commitment to ensuring the finale meets fan expectations. “We just could not run it back,” Lord said, explaining that they needed more time to craft a satisfying conclusion. He assured audiences that the final chapter would be “a massive finale to the trilogy.”

CinemaCon attendees were treated to an exclusive first look at Beyond the Spider-Verse. The footage showcased the franchise’s signature animation style and revealed that Miles Morales is now a fugitive, hunted by other Spider-People across the multiverse. The teaser also hinted at tensions between Miles and his allies, including Gwen Stacy, as he insists on writing his own story rather than following a predetermined fate.

Spider-Man fans have plenty to look forward to in the coming years.