Entertainment

Netflix Defends ‘ANTM’ Docuseries as Tyra Banks’ Defamation Suit Faces Dismissal Bid

Published

2 minutes ago

August 15, 2026

Netflix hit back at Tyra Banks’ lawsuit Friday, filing a motion to dismiss that argued the supermodel’s issues with the streamer’s “America’s Next Top Model” docuseries did not amount to defamation.

Banks sued Netflix and “Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model” directors Mor Loushy and Daniel Sivan for defamation back in June, where she alleged that she was falsely depicted as insensitive toward an “ANTM” contestant. Banks claimed she gave a three-hour interview for the series in question, but producers chose only to use around 16 minutes of her answers.

Netflix’s legal team pushed back on this narrative, noting in their motion to strike that Banks’ issues with “Reality Check” did not amount to defamation and that the reality TV host made “the same kinds of editorial decisions” on her show.

“Banks understands editorial discretion,” the Friday filing noted. “She created, hosted and executive produced 24 seasons of ‘ANTM,’ making the same kinds of editorial decisions she now attacks — what footage to include, what to omit, and how to present competing narratives. The Documentary simply turned that editorial lens back on ‘ANTM’ and Banks. Her disagreement with the resulting portrayal does not make it defamatory.”

On “Reality Check,” Banks was asked if she remembered contestant Shandi Sullivan, prompting the media figure to look up at the ceiling and say, “Um.” The episode then cut to credits. Banks alleged this edit was meant to make it seem as though she did not remember a contestant who later claimed she was assaulted during the show’s Season 2.

However, Netflix’s lawyers defended that her answer of “I do remember her story” was included at the start of Episode 2, adding, “A documentary expressly showing Banks remembering does not imply that she forgot.”

Netflix’s filing also defended that Banks signed a waiver, which gave up creative control of the series that highlighted problematic parts of “ANTM,” as well as Banks.

Netflix has openly stood by the series, praising Sivan and Loushy as “respected documentarians who thoroughly interviewed the people behind ‘America’s Next Top Model’” in a statement to media.

“Tyra Banks was given the opportunity to speak openly about her experience and the creators fairly presented her perspective alongside those of every other participant shown in this documentary,” the streamer added Friday night. ”We stand behind ‘Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model’ and will continue to vigorously defend it.”

A representative for Banks did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.

movies

‘The Bluey Movie’ Trailer: Beloved Kids Character Hits Big Screen For First Time

Published

4 minutes ago

August 15, 2026

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Good news and bad news, kids. The good news is that we have the first trailer for The Bluey Movie. The bad news is the pic doesn’t hits theaters for another year — oh, biscuits!

OK, so the release date isn’t exactly “news” — we’ve known that for nearly a year already — but the crowd at Disney‘s D23 event in Anaheim got its first look at the animated family adventure comedy Friday and you can check it out above.

Based on the Bluey series, The Bluey Movie takes place on an action-packed day when a big surprise changes everything for Bluey and her family. The film arrives in theaters on August 6, 2027.

Airing Stateside on Disney Junior and Disney Channel and streaming on Disney+, the wildly popular Australian series chronicles the life of Bluey, a blue heeler pup, and her family: mom Chilli, dad Bandit, and sister Bingo. The show, which ranked No. 2 among all streaming titles for the first half of 2026, follows Bluey as she explores life’s joys and challenges through imaginative play and heartwarming moments.

The movie’s voice cast features Melanie Zanetti and David McCormack reprising their series roles as Mum (Chilli) and Dad (Bandit).

Series creator Joe Brumm and director Richard Jeffery helm The Bluey Movie from Brumm’s script. The CG-animated pic produced by Ludo Studio in collaboration with BBC Studios hits theaters on August 6, 2027.

Billed as “the ultimate Disney fan event,” D23 continues through Sunday with many of the experiences set for the Anaheim Convention Center near Disneyland and showcases down the street at the Honda Center.

Erik Pedersen contributed to this report.

Entertainment

Bluey Movie Teaser Trailer Translates Cuteness into 3D

Published

8 minutes ago

August 15, 2026

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A huge part of the Disney portfolio, almost by accident, has become “Bluey.” The Australian animated series, created by Joe Brumm, arrived in 2018 and became a sensation thanks to it airing on Disney+.

Since then, the characters have appeared in Disney merchandise and new shorts and the characters recently made their debut in the Disney Parks. And now the union is taking the next step, with Disney releasing “The Bluey Movie” in theaters next summer.

And at D23, they just unveiled the first “Bluey Movie” teaser trailer. Watch it below.

The teaser features a red balloon falling towards Bluey and the gang — a round of their favorite game “keepy uppy.” They keep pushing the balloon up. “Don’t let it touch the ground!” It touches the ground. They scream. It’s very cute.

According to Disney, the film takes place on an action-packed day “when a big surprise changes everything for Bluey and her family.”

What makes the teaser so bracing – and the movie so exciting – is that it embraces an entirely new animation style. While the series was rendered in a riff on traditional 2D animation, they’ve got full 3D computer animation with the movie. And unlike some animated translations, which fail to maintain the charm of the original character designs (and the integrity of the larger world), “The Bluey Movie” seems to be knocking it out of the park on all hands.

And, yes, you will probably cry when you watch the eventual movie. Because that’s the magic of Bluey.

“The Bluey Movie” arrives in theaters on August 6, 2027. We suspect it will be rated awwww.

“The Bluey Movie” is written and directed by creator Joe Brumm and produced by Ludo Studio in collaboration with BBC Studios, with distribution through Walt Disney Studios. The film is produced by Amber Naismith and co-directed by Richard Jeffery.

Joe Brumm also serves as executive producer, alongside Charlie Aspinwall and Daley Pearson for Ludo Studio, and Justine Flynn for BBC Studios.

Returning voice talent includes Melanie Zanetti and David McCormack as Mum (Chilli) and Dad (Bandit).

movies

‘Kingdom Hearts’ Series In The Works At Disney+

Published

10 minutes ago

August 15, 2026

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The long-awaited Kingdom Hearts project has gained momentum as Walt Disney Studios announced a new series being greenlighted for Disney+. The news broke at the D23 event in Anaheim on Friday night.

Developed in partnership with video game creator Tetsuya Nomura and the creative team at Square Enix, the series reimagines the iconic adventure with a brand-new story that will expand on the Kingdom Hearts universe while celebrating the characters that have entertained millions of fans around the world.

“Kingdom Hearts has captivated gamers everywhere with its unique blend of adventure and imagination,” said Ayo Davis, president of Disney Kids & Family. “There’s something really exciting about taking a world fans have spent years exploring through the games and bringing it to life in a completely new way. And with a creative team that is working closely with the legendary Tetsuya Nomura, our new series will be unmistakably ‘Kingdom Hearts,’ while giving fans a whole new way to experience the world they love.”

The project joins the growing slate of original animated series for Disney+, alongside Dragon Striker, Phineas and Ferb, Big City Greens and the upcoming Messi and the Giants, Warrior Cats and Journey.