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Hollywood’s about to roll out its red carpet for an extraordinary celebration — and this time, the honorees are rewriting the rulebook. The Academy’s 16th Governors Awards has assembled a remarkably eclectic group of talents who’ve shaped entertainment in ways both obvious and subtle.

Let’s talk about Tom Cruise for a moment. Sure, he’s the guy who dangles from helicopters and scales the Burj Khalifa, but his selection for the Honorary Oscar speaks to something deeper. Here’s an actor who’s spent nearly four decades fighting for traditional cinema, right up through the post-pandemic uncertainty of 2025. Remember how “Top Gun: Maverick” practically dragged people back to theaters? That wasn’t just movie magic — that was Cruise being Cruise, stubborn as ever about the theatrical experience.

The Academy’s choices don’t stop there. Debbie Allen’s selection feels almost overdue, doesn’t it? Seven-time Academy Awards choreographer (seriously, count ’em), barrier-breaking performer, and — let’s be honest — the soul of “Fame.” But it’s her work behind the camera that really tells the story, from “Amistad” to “A Star for Rose.” She’s basically been Hollywood’s secret weapon for decades.

Then there’s Wynn Thomas. Don’t recognize the name? You absolutely know his work. As Spike Lee’s go-to production designer, Thomas helped create the visual language that defined a generation of American cinema. “Do the Right Thing,” “Malcolm X,” “A Beautiful Mind” — each one bearing his distinctive visual fingerprint. Not bad for someone whose name rarely makes the tabloids.

And Dolly. Just… Dolly. The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award couldn’t go to anyone more fitting. Beyond those Oscar nods for “Nine to Five” and “Travelin’ Thru,” her Imagination Library has put books in the hands of millions of kids. In an industry that sometimes forgets its broader purpose, Parton never lost sight of what matters.

Academy President Janet Yang summed it up pretty well when she called these folks “legendary individuals.” But that almost undersells it. These aren’t just entertainment figures — they’re architects of cultural change, each in their own unique way.

The ceremony’s set for November 16 at the Ray Dolby Ballroom. While it won’t be televised (shame, really), viewers can catch the highlight reel during next year’s Academy Awards broadcast. Given the current state of Hollywood — with streaming wars, AI debates, and the aftermath of those brutal 2024 strikes still fresh — this celebration feels particularly meaningful.

What’s fascinating about this group is how they represent different facets of cinema’s evolution. From Cruise’s dedication to spectacle and the theatrical experience, to Allen’s multifaceted artistry, to Thomas’s groundbreaking visual storytelling, to Parton’s reminder that entertainment can change lives — each honoree tells part of a larger story about what movies can be.

In an industry that’s constantly chasing the next big thing, these selections remind us that some things — creativity, dedication, humanity — never go out of style. Not bad for a night’s work in Hollywood.

Marvel’s latest slate of announcements feels like someone dropped a cosmic cube in the entertainment industry’s punch bowl. Just when critics were wondering if the superhero giant might be running out of steam (looking at you, The Marvels box office numbers), they’ve pulled off a hat trick that’s got both die-hard fans and casual observers buzzing.

Let’s talk Fantastic Four. The upcoming “First Steps” isn’t just another origin story – thank goodness, because who needs another montage of cosmic rays gone wrong? Director Matt Shakman’s bringing back Giganto, that loveable city-crushing monster from the team’s first comic appearance. And with Pedro Pascal donning Reed Richards’ stretchy suit (finally, a casting that doesn’t feel like it came from a focus group), there’s genuine excitement brewing. The film’s retro-futuristic vibe seems perfectly timed for 2025’s growing nostalgia wave.

Meanwhile, Spider-Man’s getting the quantum treatment. In what might be the most ambitious swing since Into the Spider-Verse dropped jaws back in 2018, Amazing Spider-Man is literally splitting Peter Parker in two. One web-head keeping it real in Manhattan, while his cosmic counterpart explores the final frontier with… wait for it… an adorable baby symbiote named Symbie. Sure, it sounds like something dreamed up during a 3 AM writing session fueled by energy drinks and leftover pizza, but writer Joe Kelly’s track record suggests this wild premise might actually stick the landing.

Speaking of blasts from the past – Kenneth Cornell’s Star Brand is making a comeback after nearly four decades in comic book limbo. For younger readers wondering “Star what now?”, think cosmic powers meets regular joe, minus the spandex. Writer Christos Gage’s enthusiasm for the character is infectious, though it remains to be seen whether today’s readers will connect with this Reagan-era deep cut.

The strategy here is clear as vibranium: Marvel’s playing a sophisticated game of multiversal chess. They’re serving comfort food with a side of experimentation, trying to keep both the TikTok generation and old-school comics fans satisfied. It’s like watching a chef attempt to plate molecular gastronomy on grandma’s vintage china – risky, but potentially brilliant.

Will it work? The entertainment landscape of 2025 isn’t exactly forgiving. Between AI-generated content flooding streaming platforms and audiences growing increasingly selective with their time and money, Marvel’s walking a tightrope without a net. But then again, that’s when they’ve historically done their best work.

One thing’s certain – if even half of these ambitious plans stick their landing, we’re in for an interesting ride. Though maybe keep some motion sickness pills handy. This multiverse stuff can get pretty dizzy.

Hollywood’s beauty standards are finally getting their reality check — and it’s coming from an unexpected source. The Kardashian-Jenner empire, long criticized for setting impossible aesthetic goals, has suddenly become the poster child for cosmetic transparency. Who’d have thought?

Take Kylie Jenner’s recent social media bombshell. Rather than another perfectly filtered selfie, she dropped the exact specs of her breast augmentation: “445 cc, moderate profile, half under the muscle! ! ! ! ! silicone!” Not exactly dinner table conversation, but hey — at least it’s honest. Her surgeon, Dr. Garth Fisher, backed up the revelation with some refreshingly straightforward talk about personalized care. Though not everyone’s jumping on the bigger-is-better bandwagon.

Dr. Norman Rowe, a straight-shooting New York plastic surgeon, isn’t mincing words about Kylie’s choices. “They’re a bit too big,” he warns, pointing out potential complications down the road. Something about bigger implants leading to bigger problems — not exactly the catchphrase you’d expect from someone who makes their living in plastic surgery.

Meanwhile, momager extraordinaire Kris Jenner (pushing 70 and proud of it) isn’t shy about her own adventures under the knife. She’s been working with Dr. Steven Levine, though the gossip mill can’t decide if she went for the basic SMAS facelift or splurged on the fancy deep plane technique. Either way, we’re talking serious investment — think luxury car territory.

But this isn’t just about keeping up with the Kardashians anymore. Barbara Corcoran from Shark Tank jumped into the fray with characteristic wit: “Heard the cool kids were sharing their plastic surgery secrets.” Her story took an unexpected turn when a routine consultation actually caught something serious — talk about a plot twist.

The psychological impact? It’s complicated. Dr. Naomi Torres-Mackie calls these beauty comparisons “a rigged race that’s unwinnable.” Yet there’s something oddly refreshing about celebrities dropping the perfect facade. Even Courteney Cox — yes, Monica from Friends — admitted to some regrettable decisions with facial fillers. And let’s not forget Dolly Parton’s legendary quip about tucking, sucking, and plucking anything that’s not behaving itself.

Mental health experts are cautiously optimistic about this trend. A 2014 study linked celebrity worship to body image issues and increased desire for cosmetic procedures — shocking, right? But Elizabeth Daniels, who knows a thing or two about developmental psychology, suggests we might be ready for a broader definition of beauty. Novel concept: maybe there isn’t just one way to be beautiful?

As we head into 2025, this shift toward transparency feels significant. Sure, getting work done is still a personal choice — nobody’s business but your own. But being honest about it? That’s a different kind of beautiful altogether. Maybe we’re finally ready to admit that perfect isn’t always what it seems on Instagram.

Darlings, Hollywood’s about to roll out the red carpet for what might be its most deliciously diverse honorary lineup yet. The Academy just dropped their 2025 Governors Awards roster, and honey, it’s serving exactly the kind of star power we’ve been craving.

Let’s dish about Tom Cruise first — because really, who else could we start with? The man who’s been dangling from aircraft and scaling skyscrapers for our entertainment is finally getting his golden moment. Sure, he’s got three acting nominations gathering dust and that recent Best Picture nod for “Maverick,” but this is different. This is the Academy saying, “Tom, darling, we see you keeping those theater lights on when streaming nearly killed the silver screen.”

Speaking of absolute treasures, Dolly Parton’s snagging the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, and honestly? About time. While some stars are busy building their brands, this rhinestone-wrapped angel has been quietly building libraries. We’re talking 285 million books in tiny hands through her Imagination Library. From “9 to 5” to working around the clock for literacy — now that’s what you call star power with substance.

Then there’s Debbie Allen — oh, honey, where do we even begin? This force of nature has been serving excellence since “Fame” made leg warmers mandatory fashion statements. Seven Oscar ceremonies have sparkled under her choreography, and now she’s finally getting her own moment in the spotlight. As Academy President Janet Yang put it (and she’s not wrong), Allen’s been “captivating generations” while casually demolishing genre boundaries like they’re last season’s trends.

And don’t you dare sleep on Wynn Thomas. This visual virtuoso has been painting our cinematic dreams since he first collaborated with Spike Lee on “Do the Right Thing.” His work on “A Beautiful Mind” didn’t just win Oscar gold — it redefined what production design could be. Thomas doesn’t just create sets; he builds worlds that live in our collective memory long after the credits roll.

The ceremony’s set for November 16, 2025, at the Ray Dolby Ballroom — mark those calendars, sweeties. It’s shaping up to be the kind of evening where Hollywood actually remembers why we fell in love with movies in the first place. These aren’t just lifetime achievement nods; they’re love letters to the dreamers who’ve kept the magic alive.

What makes this particular quartet so delicious is how perfectly they capture Hollywood’s evolution. From Cruise’s dedication to theatrical spectacle (in an age when most A-listers are chasing streaming dollars) to Parton’s proof that star power can change lives, from Allen’s barrier-shattering legacy to Thomas’s revolutionary visual storytelling — each honoree represents a different shade of cinema’s rainbow.

The 16th Governors Awards promises to remind us why we still believe in movie magic. In an industry that sometimes seems more interested in algorithms than artistry, these awards prove that true excellence never goes out of style — even if the leg warmers did.

Theatre has always loved its rebels, but Jamie Lloyd’s latest West End gambit with “Evita” might just take the crown for audacious innovation — or spectacular miscalculation, depending on where you’re standing. Quite literally.

In a move that’s set London’s theatre district buzzing, Lloyd has transformed the iconic “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” into a nightly street spectacle. Rachel Zegler, fresh from her “West Side Story” triumph, emerges like an apparition on the London Palladium’s balcony at 9 PM sharp, delivering Eva Perón’s signature anthem not to the premium-seat crowd inside, but to the gathering masses below on Argyll Street.

The choice has, predictably, ruffled more than a few feathers. “£250 for a video feed? You must be joking,” grumbled one theatregoer on X (formerly Twitter), while others have praised the bold reimagining. It’s the kind of theatrical Russian roulette that could only emerge in post-pandemic 2025, where the boundaries between exclusive and accessible art continue to blur.

Lloyd — theatre’s resident provocateur — might’ve stumbled onto something brilliant here. The staging transforms Evita’s most memorable moment into a piece of political theatre that eerily mirrors the real Eva Perón’s own masterful manipulation of public space and spectacle. Rather than merely recreating history, Lloyd’s production seems to be living it.

Zegler, all of 24 and making her West End debut, has found herself at the center of this theatrical tempest. Following her somewhat rocky “Snow White” press tour last year, she’s proven herself more than capable of handling the pressure. “Evita has been with me since childhood,” she shared during previews, her voice carrying a hint of the same conviction that must have driven her character.

The streets around the Palladium have become an unexpected extension of the theatre itself. Security guards double as period-appropriate police, while hundreds gather nightly for the seven-minute performance — a scene that would’ve seemed impossible during the restricted theatre seasons of recent memory.

But perhaps the most fascinating aspect of this theatrical experiment is how it’s cracked open conversations about accessibility in London’s West End. At a time when premium tickets can cost more than a weekend getaway, there’s something deliciously subversive about offering the show’s crown jewel to anyone willing to stand on Argyll Street.

“It hits different out here,” observed one young fan, Abi, capturing the essence of what Lloyd seems to be reaching for. The production runs through September, though one suspects its impact on theatrical conventions might last considerably longer.

In the end, this could be either Lloyd’s masterstroke or his folly — but isn’t that uncertainty precisely what makes live theatre so electrifying? Eva Perón herself might have appreciated the paradox: a moment of theatrical populism that’s simultaneously the most exclusive and inclusive show in town.

The music industry’s latest copyright drama has finally hit a crescendo — and Ed Sheeran can breathe a little easier. The Supreme Court just dropped the curtain on yet another act in the seemingly endless “Thinking Out Loud” saga, declining to hear an appeal claiming the hit song borrowed a bit too liberally from Marvin Gaye’s sultry classic “Let’s Get It On.”

Let’s be real — anyone who’s spent time in the music business knows these copyright battles have become as common as Taylor Swift breaking streaming records. But this particular case? It’s got more layers than a platinum-selling power ballad.

At its core, we’ve got Structured Asset Sales (think Wall Street meets Motown) pushing to revive their dismissed lawsuit against Sheeran and the music industry heavyweights backing him. The company, helmed by investment banker David Pullman, owns a piece of Gaye’s 1973 masterpiece and claimed Sheeran’s track helped itself to more than just inspiration — specifically the melody, harmony, and rhythm that made “Let’s Get It On” such a timeless hit.

But here’s where it gets interesting. U.S. District Judge Louis Stanton wasn’t having any of it. Back in 2023, he basically said what many musicians have been thinking for years — some musical elements are just too basic to slap a copyright on them. Think of it like trying to copyright the idea of serving coffee hot — it’s just too fundamental to claim ownership.

The emotional weight of these accusations hit home when Sheeran spoke outside the Manhattan courthouse after winning a related case. “It’s devastating to be accused of stealing someone else’s song,” he said, his voice carrying the kind of raw honesty that’s made his music connect with millions. For artists who pour their souls into their work, these allegations cut deeper than any critical review ever could.

Sure, both songs share some DNA — they’re soul-stirring love songs that climbed the charts in their respective eras. Gaye’s track owned the Billboard charts back in the day, while Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” nearly topped the Hot 100 in 2015. But as any songwriter worth their salt will tell you, similarity doesn’t automatically equal theft.

The real game-changer here? The appeals court’s stance on what actually constitutes protected material. They zeroed in on the “deposit copy” — the sheet music filed with the Copyright Office — and whether elements not found there should even factor into these claims. Their rejection might just reshape how future music copyright cases play out as we head deeper into 2025.

Don’t pack up the legal briefs just yet, though. Structured Asset Sales still has another lawsuit waiting in the wings, this time focusing on their rights to the actual recording of “Let’s Get It On.” It’s like a remix of the same dispute, just with a different beat.

What makes this Supreme Court decision truly fascinating isn’t just its impact on Sheeran’s career — it’s how it helps define the blurry line between inspiration and imitation in an era where every chord progression seems to spark a lawsuit. As the music industry continues to evolve, these legal guideposts become increasingly crucial for artists trying to create while looking over their shoulders.

In the end, perhaps this case will help clear the air for musicians who’ve been walking on eggshells, worried that their next hit might land them in court. After all, shouldn’t the focus be on creating great music rather than avoiding legal landmines?

Broadway’s newest darling is learning an age-old lesson about the price of success. Nicole Scherzinger, fresh off her Tony Award triumph, finds herself caught in that familiar dance between career highs and personal postponements. The wedding bells, it seems, will have to wait.

“Oh, there’s no wedding planning, honey,” she recently quipped, that characteristic sparkle in her eye betraying both pride and resignation. “When you’re doing Broadway, it’s all-consuming. You eat, sleep — well, barely sleep — and breathe nothing but the show.”

The transformation of Scherzinger from pop sensation to Broadway powerhouse hasn’t exactly followed a conventional script. Now 46, she’s proving that reinvention knows no timeline, particularly in the wake of her scene-stealing turn as Norma Desmond in “Sunset Boulevard.” The role that seemed destined for someone else has become her calling card, earning her theater’s highest honor and silencing any lingering doubts about her artistic range.

“I always felt boxed in,” she confessed during a backstage chat at the St. James Theatre, where eight shows a week she brings audiences to their feet. “No matter what I achieved, there was this… this hunger to prove I could do more.”

The irony isn’t lost on theater aficionados — especially given Andrew Lloyd Webber’s notorious comment years ago that she’d “never get her Tony Award” after choosing “The X Factor” over his production of “Cats.” Life, as they say, has a funny way of writing its own endings. During her acceptance speech this past winter, Scherzinger addressed the composer with gracious humility: “You saw in me what no one else did. You have given us all new ways to dream and you have changed my life forever.”

Meanwhile, her personal life sits in a beautiful holding pattern. The planned Hawaiian-meets-European wedding celebrations with former Scottish rugby player Thom Evans (their love story began on “The X Factor: Celebrity” in 2019) have been temporarily shelved. Yet Evans, ever the supportive partner, continues to champion her success from the wings. After catching her performance — for what must be the dozenth time — he described it as “truly MESMERISING” on social media, his enthusiasm practically leaping off the screen.

Broadway’s notoriously demanding schedule (particularly during this record-breaking 2025 season) leaves little room for anything else. But Scherzinger has found an unexpected home in the theater community. “It’s unlike anything I’ve experienced before,” she shared between sips of throat-coating tea. “The way talent is nurtured here, how hard work is celebrated… it’s just different.”

Looking ahead, she’s already eyeing roles in “Miss Saigon” and “Kiss of the Spider Woman” — though perhaps not before those wedding plans finally materialize. For now, though, she’s living proof that sometimes the most beautiful love stories aren’t just about romantic partnerships, but about finding yourself in the spotlight you’ve always dreamed of.

And as for that wedding? Well, as any Broadway veteran would tell you: the show must go on — just maybe not quite yet.

Prime Video just pulled off something remarkable — they’ve quietly dropped what might be the most groundbreaking war film since “Saving Private Ryan,” and nobody saw it coming.

“Warfare” isn’t your typical military drama. Hell, it’s barely even a movie in the traditional sense. What happens when you take Alex Garland (the mastermind behind “Ex Machina”) and pair him with Ray Mendoza, a former Navy SEAL telling his own story? Something that feels less like watching a film and more like getting dropped into the middle of Ramadi, circa 2006.

The whole thing started making waves even before it hit streaming. Theater audiences were walking out looking shell-shocked, and not in the usual “that was intense” way. We’re talking about people needing a moment to readjust to reality. One viewer’s take pretty much nails it: “It’s not just a film, it’s something you survive.”

Here’s where things get interesting. The cast reads like a who’s who of up-and-coming talent — Joseph Quinn (fresh off “Stranger Things”), Kit Connor, Michael Gandolfini, Will Poulter. But forget everything you know about war movie performances. There’s no dramatic hero moment, no rousing speeches about glory and sacrifice. Just raw, unvarnished reality.

The real genius? Time. When someone yells “Inbound 10 minutes!” you’re actually sitting there for 10 minutes. Watching. Waiting. Sweating. It’s excruciating in the best possible way. And that sound design… good lord. Theater veterans are saying they’ve never experienced anything quite like it. In an age where even the most advanced home theater setups can’t quite replicate the IMAX experience, this is one that demands to be seen on the big screen.

Based on the events of November 19, 2006, “Warfare” walks this incredibly delicate line between respect for the real soldiers and unflinching authenticity. Only Mendoza and Miller keep their actual names — a choice that somehow makes everything feel more real, not less. It’s sitting at 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, but that number doesn’t really tell the whole story.

Some folks are already calling it the new benchmark for the genre. “Think Black Hawk Down, Band of Brothers, Apocalypse Now… then forget ’em,” one viewer posted. Pretty bold statement, but after watching it? Yeah, they might be onto something.

Look, in an era where we’re drowning in CGI spectacles and overproduced action sequences (looking at you, summer blockbuster season 2025), “Warfare” feels like a splash of cold water to the face. It’s not trying to sell you on the glory of war or push some political agenda. It’s just showing you what happened, as it happened, through the eyes of someone who was there.

Prime Video might have just changed the game here. In a streaming landscape that’s becoming increasingly crowded with mediocre content, “Warfare” stands as a reminder of what’s possible when storytelling, technical excellence, and raw authenticity collide. It’s not just a good war movie — it might be the war movie of our generation.

And yeah, maybe that sounds like hyperbole. But watch it first, then we’ll talk.

Royal watchers got quite the show this past week, as Meghan Markle stepped up her social media game with a one-two punch that’s got everyone talking. First came that eyebrow-raising labor ward dance video (yes, really), followed by a surprisingly intimate Father’s Day tribute that’s pulling back the curtain on the Sussexes’ California lifestyle.

The whole thing feels a bit like watching a carefully orchestrated dance — and not just the viral TikTok kind. Meghan’s been methodically reclaiming her narrative through social media, and her latest moves are nothing short of masterful. The Father’s Day montage, set to Jason Mraz’s feel-good tune “Have It All,” shows a side of Prince Harry that’s worlds away from the controversial figure splashed across tabloid headlines.

There he is, teaching little Archie to navigate a bike through their sprawling Montecito estate (worth a cool $14 million, but who’s counting?). Another clip catches father and son sharing an impromptu kitchen dance party — the kind of ordinary moment that somehow feels extraordinary when it’s royalty letting loose.

But let’s talk about that labor ward video for a minute. You know the one — Meghan, heavily pregnant, breaking it down to the “Baby Momma Dance” while waiting for Princess Lilibet to make her grand entrance. The internet, predictably, lost its collective mind.

During a recent chat on the “Aspire With Emma Grede” podcast, Meghan addressed the footage with refreshing directness. “That wasn’t yesterday,” she pointed out. “That was four years ago.” She went on to make a pretty solid point about the disconnect between public perception and private reality: “With all the noise or whatever people do, there’s still a whole life — a real, authentic, fun life — that’s happening behind the scenes.”

The reaction to the dance video split faster than a royal family holiday dinner. Critics pounced (shocking, right?), but Meghan’s friend Christopher Bouzy wasn’t having it. He called out the “cruel and sickening” commentary, challenging people to imagine having their most vulnerable moments weaponized against them.

When Grede praised the video’s authenticity — a rare glimpse of unguarded Meghan — the Duchess seized the moment. “I’m just grateful that now, being back on social as well, I have a place where I can share it on my own terms.” Simple words, but they pack a punch.

The timing of it all? Well, that’s where things get interesting. From labor ward shenanigans to heart-melting Father’s Day content, each post feels like another piece in a larger puzzle. When asked if she’d rewrite her public narrative from scratch, Meghan’s answer was brief but pointed: “Yes. I would ask people to tell the truth.”

Behind all the carefully curated posts and strategic timing, there’s something oddly relatable about the whole situation. Strip away the royal titles and million-dollar real estate, and you’ve got a family trying to write their own story — one social media post at a time. Whether that story ends up being a fairy tale or something altogether different… well, that’s still being written.

Hold onto your designer shades, darlings — the impossible just strutted down Hollywood Boulevard. After decades of will-they-won’t-they speculation that would put any soap opera to shame, Spaceballs 2 is officially happening. And honey, this isn’t just any reunion; it’s the full-blown, sequined, intergalactic extravaganza we never thought we’d see.

The biggest bombshell? Rick Moranis — yes, that Rick Moranis — is emerging from his self-imposed exile like Garbo deciding to talk again. For those who’ve been too busy keeping up with the Kardashians to remember, Moranis pulled the ultimate anti-Hollywood move in the ’90s, choosing family over fame with the kind of grace that makes most PR-manufactured “breaks” look positively amateur.

Mel Brooks, darling Mel, who’s somehow managing to approach his centennial with more wit than half of today’s TikTok comedians combined, is slipping back into his golden Yogurt costume. In classic Brooks fashion, he announced the project with the kind of zinger that reminds us why he’s still the emperor of parody: “After 40 years, we asked, ‘What do the fans want?’ But instead, we’re making this movie.” Honestly, where’s his TikTok account?

The project’s official title is a mouthful that would make even awards season presenters break into a sweat: “A Non-Prequel Non-Reboot Sequel Part Two but with Reboot Elements Franchise Expansion Film.” Somewhere, a marketing intern is already having nightmares about fitting that on a poster.

Bill Pullman’s return as Lone Starr brings an extra sprinkle of stardust — he’s bringing along his real-life son, Lewis Pullman. It’s giving us major space dynasty vibes, sweetie, and we’re here for it. Even Tim Russ might return, though hopefully with better desert-combing equipment this time around.

Fresh blood comes in the form of the absolutely fabulous Keke Palmer, cast as someone named “Destiny” — though the role’s being kept under wraps tighter than a celebrity’s pre-Oscar juice cleanse. Josh Gad is stepping into some mighty big paws as Barf Jr., carrying on John Candy’s legacy with what we can only hope is the same heart and humor that made the original so special.

Behind the velvet rope, the creative team reads like a who’s who of modern comedy. Josh Greenbaum’s directing, while the writing team had to pitch their vision to Brooks himself in what sounds like the most nerve-wracking 40 minutes since the last time Meryl Streep read for a role (as if she needs to).

What’s absolutely delicious about this whole affair is how it mirrors the original’s journey from modest theatrical run to cult phenomenon. The 1987 film scored a measly 52% with critics (darling, what did they know?) while audiences gave it a much more respectable 83% on Rotten Tomatoes. Now, with Amazon MGM Studios backing this sequel, it seems the Schwartz has finally come full circle — and brought its platinum card.

After years of false starts that would rival a Hollywood starlet’s dating history, including Moranis’s delightfully meta 2013 pitch for “Spaceballs III: The Search for Spaceballs II,” the stars have finally aligned. The only question left hanging in the air like last season’s fashion trends is whether this new installment can capture the magic while spoofing our current sci-fi obsessed culture.

But darlings, with enough superhero franchises to fill a cosplay convention and Star Wars spinoffs multiplying faster than tribbles, there’s certainly no shortage of material to work with. May the Schwartz be with them — they’re going to need it.