Movies

Mercedes Moné is no longer the IWGP Women's Champion ... but the wrestling star already knows how she wants to get over the devastating loss when she returns to the United States -- by smoking a blunt with her cousin and WrestleMania 39 host, Snoop Dogg.

"I cannot wait to come back to the U.S.A. so I can roll up a big one, smoke one, roll one again, and go to Long Beach, baby, where you can go to my cousin's house, Snoop Dogggggggggg," Mercedes told Dean "Mojo" Muhtadi during an interview with TMZ Sports.

Moné lost her IWGP Women's Championship to Mayu Iwatani at the Stardom All Star Grand Queendom event in Tokyo, Japan. Still, despite dropping the title, Mercedes told us that wrestling fans in Japan treat her like royalty.

Mercedes -- formerly known as Sasha Banks in the WWE -- told us she got rocked early into her contest with Iwatani, resulting in her having difficulty seeing, and described the fight with Iwatani as the "hardest-hitting" match of her 13-year career.

"I got this big ass balloon on my face in the first five seconds, and I just couldn't believe it," Moné said. "But I told myself, 'Mercedes, you have to finish. You're in Japan. The fans are chanting for you.' This balloon in my eye, I couldn't f****** see. That's why I couldn't kick out."

Mercedes told us she has one match left on her contract with New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) on May 21 in Long Beach at Resurgence, meaning she'll be a free agent again and have to decide where she wants to continue her wrestling career.

When we spoke to Mercedes in March, "The Mandalorian" TV star told us she recently inked a deal with United Talent Agency (UTA). Since then, Mercedes says her success inside the squared circle has translated outside the ring, and things are aligning for her as an actress.

Mila Kunis may just be tapped to play The Thing in the new "Fantastic 4" movie -- that is ... if you buy a rumor that's running rampant on Twitter this morning.

A movie insider named @MyTimeToShineH -- who's credited with getting scoops before trade publications, and generally being in the know on superhero news -- sent the bird app into a frenzy Friday when they claimed Mila was in talks to portray a female version of Ben Grimm.

Grimm is the name of the dude in the comics who becomes The Thing ... a giant orange rock figure who fights crime alongside Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman and the Human Torch.

MTTSH writes, "They are looking at Jewish actors, both male AND female for The Thing in Fantastic Four. Mila Kunis is one of them." They added that the director of the upcoming 2025 flick, Matt Shakman, insisted Grimm be portrayed be a real-life Jewish actor ... as the character is explicitly depicted as Jewish in the comic books, albeit in later iterations.

Now, in case it went over your head -- The Thing is a male character ... and has always been portrayed as such. Whether it was Chuck McCann in the '90s cartoon, Michael Chiklis from the 2000s flick, or Jamie Bell from the 2010s version -- The Thing's known as a guy.

Now, however, based on this report -- or gossip, more like -- it sounds like Marvel's possibly looking to switch things up with a little gender swap ... or at the very least, considering it.

As you might imagine ... Twitter users, by and large, aren't reacting well to the news. The jokes are flying -- and the consensus seems to be, if Kevin Feige and co. go down this road, much of the fanbase will turn their backs on the studio ... as they view this as a step too far.

Of course, it wouldn't be the first time a woman replaced a role usually played by a man -- it notably happened in "Ghostbusters" ... and more recently, in 'Black Panther 2' and "She-Hulk." among other examples. Point is ... it's been done before, and sometimes with success.

As for Mila potentially being eyed for the job ... she wouldn't be half bad. Big star with name recognition and a good range of films under her belt, including action movies and comedies.

Sydney Sweeney and fiancé Jonathan Davino are still engaged -- at least publicly -- but after her costar's relationship just imploded, there's a growing mystery over when another shoe might drop.

Davino was photographed earlier this week leaving their home. Not a big deal, but he had bags packed as he left the house. Along with his luggage -- golf clubs and a dog bed.

It's entirely possible he was just going on a golfing trip. Also, earlier Tuesday -- the day the pics were shot -- he was walking Sydney's dog, Tank, so maybe the pooch is going on the golfing trip and all is well. Two theories -- either all is well and Tank's just going on a fun trip, or there's no one else to take care of him so Jonathan's just being compassionate.

On the other hand, Sydney was seen earlier this week without her engagement ring, and the timing is interesting. The photo of a ringless Sydney was shot Thursday, 2 days after Jonathan left with bags packed.

As you probably know, Sydney's costar, Glen Powell, is now a single man after his girlfriend Gigi Paris, very publicly said she's moving on.

Rumors have been swirling that there's more than a professional relationship between Sydney and Glen, and those rumors were, in part, fueled by the 2 of them after appearing on a red carpet earlier this week looking adoringly at each other.

Amid rumors of health issues that keep him confined to his home, Jack Nicholson made his joyous return to the public eye Friday night, attending an LA Lakers playoff game.

The 3-time Oscar-winning actor got a hero's welcome of sorts as he sat with his son, Ray, courtside to watch the Lakers trounce the Memphis Grizzles -- 125 to 85 -- at Crypto.Com Arena in LA.

Several celebs approached Jack to welcome him back to one of his favorite pastimes -- cheering on the Lakers live from the arena's floor.

"Curb your Enthusiasm" star Larry David came over to greet Jack before the start of the first-round playoff game.

Lakers legend LeBron James took some time out of his warm-up to chat with Jack and give him a hug.

Tee, the father of Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant, posed for photos with Jack, who gave a thumbs-up to the lensman.

A journalist also got into the mix, telling Jack, "Welcome back."

It was the first time anyone had seen Jack at a Lakers game since Oct. 2021. Stories began to surface in the tabloids that Jack had become a recluse due to mounting health concerns.

But, there was no hint of Jack's rumored demise last night. He appeared to be in great spirits, sporting his customary black shades and flashing his famous Cheshire grin.

Add Bruce Springsteen backup singer to Michelle Obama's list of milestones completed ... cuz she just hit the stage with The Boss overseas during one of his shows.

Check out the video, taken Friday night at Bruce's concert in Barcelona. You see Michelle and actress Kate Capshaw join Bruce's bandmate, Patti Scialfa, behind the mic to sing background on Springsteen's hit "Glory Days."

Michelle is all smiles as she belts out the tune, even jamming with a tambourine.

No sign of her hubby, former President Barack Obama, but you gotta imagine he and Kate's husband, Steven Spielberg, were watching in the wings.

As we reported ... Bruce, Barack, Michelle, Steven and Kate all grabbed dinner together in Barcelona Thursday night -- a day before the big show.

Patti appears to have been at the dinner as well, so it's possible they planned the special guest appearance over some good grub.

Alec Baldwin's character in "Rust" appears to meet an extremely morbid fate, caught on the wrong end of a hanging in a series of pics from the newly-resumed set.

Baldwin and co. were in Montana shooting the independent western flick Thursday -- specifically a scene where Baldwin's brought to a noose, and it's put around his head. Baldwin's character also has what appears to be a bullet wound to his stomach.

Some of the movie's plot has been out there for a while -- like how Baldwin's playing an aging outlaw that rescues his grandson from death. Not much else has been released, but obviously these new images could be a major spoiler.

As you know, the hanging comes just weeks after all charges were dropped against Baldwin in the shooting death of "Rust" cinematographer Halyna Hutchins ...  which has now  seemingly put the blame squarely on armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed.

Former President Obama's living his best life, as they say ... not just flying to Spain for a Bruce Springsteen concert, but also enjoying a night out with the Boss and Steven Spielberg.

Barack and former First Lady Michelle Obama had a celeb-packed dining experience Thursday night at a restaurant called Amar in Barcelona ... where they're all gathered for Bruce's big stadium show.

The crew all looked pretty chummy stepping out of the restaurant ... Michelle chatted with Bruce's wife, Patti, and, of course, there's a ton of security in tow everywhere the group goes.

Barack's about as "in with the band" as you can get -- he and Bruce co-hosted a podcast called "Renegades: Born in the USA" -- and Spielberg and Springsteen have been tight for years ... often vacationing together.

Bruce is set to take the stage Friday night with his E Street Band in Barcelona's Olympic Stadium Spain ... a place he hasn't played since 2016.

FYI -- the crew at Michelin-rated Amar couldn't help but take a pic with the gang as they dined out. Yes, even super fancy restaurant staff gets star-struck.

James Corden's run on the 'Late Late Show' has officially come to an end, after a week of special moments and tributes to the show's 8-year run on CBS.

An emotional Corden teared up Thursday night as he signed off for the final time from behind a piano, a fitting end as music was such an integral part of his show for so many years -- from "Carpool Karaoke" to surprise musical guests.

Speaking of surprise guests -- President Biden made an appearance on the show with a special message to the host congratulating him on an incredible run.

Will Ferrell was there too, providing some hilarious comedic relief when he took a sledgehammer to Corden's desk ... smashing it to pieces as James and Harry Styles looked on from only feet away.

Ferrell and Styles also played the show's last round of the popular segment "Spill Your Guts or Fill Your Guts" -- with foods like bull penis and salmon, clam juice and wasabi.

As for Styles, One Direction fans were likely glad to hear him talk a bit about his former boy band during the segment. When asked about a possible reunion, Styles told the host, "I think I would never say never to that. If there was a time when we wanted to do it, I don’t see why we wouldn’t.”

First released earlier this week, James also played his final "Carpool Karaoke" segment with Adele.

While it may be the end of an era for Corden and late-night TV, there's plenty of buzz he'll be just fine moving forward.

Jonathan Majors has just been ordered to keep away from the ex-girlfriend he allegedly assaulted, TMZ has learned ... but his team still denies he attacked her.

A rep for the Manhattan D.A.'s office tells TMZ ... a judge granted a full temporary order of protection Thursday for the alleged victim, at her request. We're told Majors didn't oppose the request, and the case is scheduled to return to court in a couple of weeks.

Majors' attorney, Priya Chaudhry, tells us, "We consented because Mr. Majors wants nothing to do with the woman who assaulted him" -- adding their team provided evidence from a doctor and trauma specialist, which they insist backs up his side of the story.

Chaudhry goes on to say, "It is disturbing that even when presented with this incontrovertible evidence, the District Attorney continues this false case."

TMZ broke the story ... Majors' legal team submitted security footage which they say shows his ex went to a nightclub after the alleged attack, and didn't seem to be injured at all. As you know, she alleges Majors broke her finger and left a laceration behind her ear.

We asked the D.A. for comment regarding the surveillance video, but they have yet to respond.

The D.A.'s reportedly been in contact with other alleged victims ... though, that's yet to be confirmed, and it's unclear if it would even be admissible IF Majors' case goes to trial.

There will be plenty of hip hop star power at this year's Tribeca Film Festival ... with everything from documentaries, premieres and even performances.

On Thursday, OKX unveiled its laundry list of events, including Megan Thee Stallion's "Storyteller's Conversation" ... where the "Savage" rapper will be taking part in a panel discussion on June 15

French Montana's self-reflective "For Khadija" doc will premiere the following day and it was announced both Drake and Diddy are now officially on board as executive producers.

The June 16 premiere of "For Khadija" ... a first-person glimpse into French's backstory as a Moroccan-born future superstar, a road paved by his single mother.

A pair of boxing gloves worn by Michael B. Jordan in his latest blockbuster, "Creed III," is up for auction ... and can be yours for the right price!!

SCP Auctions is offering a pair of cream-colored Grant boxing gloves worn by MBJ, who stars in the film as Adonis "Donnie" Creed, son of Apollo Creed, to the highest bidder.

The gloves show visible signs Jordan wore them while filming the latest installment in the Rocky-adjacent series ... which had huge success across the world. In fact, the movie grossed almost $156 million domestically and $116 million internationally, for a total of $272.1 million worldwide, according to box office figures.

Creed III tells the story of Adonis' childhood friend and former boxing prodigy Damian "Diamond Dame" Anderson, played by Jonathan Majors, resurfacing to fight Creed, according to IMDB.com.

Speaking of the embattled Majors ... a pair of boxing gloves he wore while filming Creed III is also up for auction with SCP.

The 10 oz. XL Grant gloves are black with gold and bronze accents, and their condition indicates they were used by Majors, whose character was the main antagonist in the film.

MBJ directed, produced, and starred in "Creed III" -- and if you didn't know already judging by the success of the movie, Creed IV's on the way!

Lindsay Lohan is proud of her pregnancy ... showing off her baby bump for the first time.

The actress just posted a photo dump on her Instagram page, with several images of her growing belly.

Lindsay's surrounded by friends and family in most of the photos, and she says ... "So grateful for all of the wonderful people in my life!"

It appears the photos are from Lindsay's recent stop in New York ... as we first reported, LL and her husband reunited with her family in the Big Apple earlier this month before flying to Dubai, where she lives, to get situated for her imminent birth.

Lindsay's parents, Dina and Michael, are in the photos ... as well as her brothers, Cody and Michael Jr., and her sister, Aliana. It's the first time they've been together as one in at least 7 years ... and everyone looks happy.

Remember ... Lindsay and her hubby, Bader Shammas, revealed in March she was pregnant with her first child ... an announcement that was met with tons of support from her famous friends.

Action-movie star Jet Li was in his late 30s when he showcased his (many) talents during the early 2000s... taking his martial arts and acting skills to the big screen with some of Hollywood's hottest celebrities and putting up quite the fight!

Working alongside Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, the 1998 film "Lethal Weapon 4" would be Li's first Hollywood gig. In 2000, he took on the leading role of Han Sing in the action-packed film "Romeo Must Die" next to the late Aaliyah and would continue to be praised for his work for years to come.

And these notable roles don't take away from his 5x title of Men's All-Around National Wushu Champion ... dating back to the mid/late-1970s.

Tyrese Gibson says he can pay the more than half a million bucks for child support and his ex-wife's lawyers -- but he still thinks the judge did him dirty, and that's why he's gonna keep fighting it in court.

Tyrese laid it all out Wednesday at LAX, one day after he was ordered to pay $636K -- with $237K going to his ex-wife Samantha Lee Gibson for back child support and $399K going to her attorneys.

He's got no doubts he can cover the steep fee, and confirms he'll always support his kids ... but insists he won't be takin' this ruling lying down, and instead plans to appeal it.

You gotta see him boldly declare his battle will be one for the ages ... one that actually changes laws for all child support cases in Georgia. He believes you'll be hearing Gibson v. Gibson cited in future court hearings once he gets what he sees as justice.

As we reported, Tyrese refused to pay the $10K/month the judge ordered last August ... which is why he was held in contempt Tuesday in court.

He even ripped Judge Farmer on social media ahead of the hearing ... and the judge certainly clapped back, at least financially, with his ruling.

Glen Powell is looking really single amid all the Sydney Sweeney speculation -- at least that's what his now ex-girlfriend is making clear, 'cause she's done with him.

The model posted a pretty big red flag Wednesday -- a video of her walking in NYC in a 🔥fit that screams revenge, with the telling caption ... "know your worth & onto the next."

If ya need an exhibit B, try the fact she no longer follows Glen on social media.

There was already some smoke about a split -- remember, Gigi had recently unfollowed Sydney as well, which many thought meant something was up between Sydney and Glen ... especially seeing how flirty they've been together on and off set of their new movie.

Now, we've been told Sydney is still very much with her fiancé Jonathan Davino -- and there appeared to be proof of that Tuesday when he took her dog for a walk.

Based on Gigi's social media activity ... it doesn't seem like she's buying that.

Her confirmation of the breakup comes a couple days after Glen and Sydney looked really cozy together at an event promoting the rom-com they shot down in Australia -- and it seems like Gigi didn't dig the public flirting, even if it was just to pump up the flick.

Does make ya wonder if Jonathan's, at the very least, thinking the same thing about Sydney and Glen's chemistry.

Gigi and Glen were together for 3 years.

Jack Harlow's set to deliver a new set of tunes (and apparently a new alter-ego) this Friday with the announcement of his third studio album titled "Jackman."

The Kentucky-born rapper hopped on IG on Wednesday to reveal the project's album cover art ... which depicts a shirtless JH flexing his guns in a back alley behind a rundown basketball hoop.

Sources close to the project tell TMZ Hip Hop that the upcoming album will lean into Jack's more lyrical side ... after having padded the Billboard Charts with his No. 1 crossover hit "First Class" last go-around.