As the DC Universe tries to overcome some underperforming titles, fans have learned to celebrate the small wins. These days, just hearing that an actor is interested in a movie is a good sign and gives fans something to look forward to.

So earlier this month, when Gal Gadot gave a promising update for another Wonder Woman sequel, it seemed like the ball was going to start rolling soon. The actress told ComicBook.com, “I love portraying Wonder Woman. It’s so close to and dear to my heart. From what I heard from James [Gunn] and from Peter [Safran] is that we’re gonna develop a Wonder Woman 3’ together.” And fans rejoiced! And now, just over a week later, that joy has (again) been squashed.

A source told Variety that there is no Wonder Woman film in development at the moment, as Gunn has some bigger fish to fry. The only Wonder Woman project currently in the works is Paradise Lost, Max’s Game of Thrones-style prequel drama taking place in Wonder Woman’s birthplace of Themyscira. This was announced earlier this year, though no more updates have been made.

All of this might be news to Gadot. In a profile published by Flaunt Magazine earlier this week, Gadot explicitly told the mag that she had met with the DC bosses. “I was invited to a meeting with James Gunn and Peter Safran,” Gadot said, “and what they told me, and I’m quoting: ‘You’re in the best hands. We’re going to develop Wonder Woman 3 with you. [We] love you as Wonder Woman — you’ve got nothing to worry about.’ So time will tell.”

(Via Variety)

Beloved coffee and donut chain (nobody eats the donuts) Dunkin’ is gearing up to drop spiked versions of its best coffee and tea flavors. Yes, you read that right, “spiked.” We’re talking about Dunkin’ with an alcoholic twist. Dubbed simply, “Dunkin’ Spiked” the full line-up includes canned malt liquor-infused versions of the brand’s Slighty Sweet Iced Tea, Half & Half Iced Tea (tea and lemon), Strawberry Dragonfruit Iced Tea Refresher, Mango Pineapple Iced Tea Refresher, Original Iced Coffee, Caramel Iced Coffee, Mocha Iced Coffee, and Vanilla Iced Coffee.

The malt-based beverages are being produced by Boston’s Harpoon Brewery, and according to VinePair will be available as 12-pack variety packs, 6-packs, 4-packs, and single serving 19.2-ounce cans. The standard can will hit 6% ABV for the coffee and 5% for the tea-based drinks, which puts the drink in line with your typical White Claw or spiked seltzer beverage — only better tasting because we imagine Dunkin’ is going to go heavy on the sugar to match the brand’s non-spiked counterparts.

Why drink a malt beverage that tastes like some old fruit rinds when you can satisfy that sweet tooth while getting cross-faded on caffeine and malt liquor?

As of now there is no release date for the drinks, but VinePair reports that Dunkin’ Spiked has received label approval from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau for five of the eight flavors in May, so we assume once approval is bet for all eight we’ll hear of a firm release date (Dunkin Spiked already has a website).

Twitter users took to the news with a mix of excitement and general concern with what is about to happen in cities across the country (particularly Boston) once people start slamming cans of Dunkin’ spiked. Check out some of our favorite reactions below.

Riskiness be damned, you’d better believe as soon as these cans drop we’ll be tasting, reviewing, and ranking all of ‘em!

Over the past decade or so, there has been a trend of parents choosing to give their children unique names. “We are deep in an era of naming individuality, where parents assume that having a [name] sound distinctive and unique is a virtue,” Laura Wattenberg, the founder of the naming-trends site Namerology, told The Atlantic.

There are multiple reasons for this change in American culture. One is that people have fewer children, so their uniqueness has become more important for parents. Another is that baby name data has pushed parents to go to further lengths to come up with names that won’t make them the third John or second Maria in a classroom.

The internet has also played a role in the change. People with unique names stand out online. Good luck if you’re looking on Facebook for a former classmate named Matt Smith.

Joe Pinsker at The Atlantic also points out that picking a unique name has become a trend, so it has become a type of conformity. “Trying not to be like everyone else makes you just like everyone else,” Pinsker wrote.

The unique name trend has also caused friction among parents. A father-to-be who goes by the name Aaronsaway on Reddit asked the AITA forum whether he was in the wrong for being “rude” to his wife for shooting down her unique baby names.

The boy’s name that caused the most drama was Zoomer.

“My wife and I are expecting our first child in the coming months and we have chosen not to find out the sex until the baby is born. Things are starting to feel very real now so we’ve started to properly discuss names, but we’ve realized we both have vastly different tastes in name style and we are having a hard time finding the right one,” Aaronsaway wrote.

He says that his wife likes unique names that he finds “tacky and silly,” while he prefers “traditional names.”

“Last night she showed me a short list she had put together and thought I might like. The names on the list were:

Girl: Fern, Fennix, Rhodes, Faun, Brixtyn, and Kinley

Boy: Spark, Diesel, Quincy, Phoenix, Buck, and Fox”

Aaronsaway countered by suggesting some traditional versions of the names she chose.

But Aaronsaway finally snapped when his wife suggested Zoomer for a boy.

“I asked if she was serious and said it was a stupid name. She asked what my problem was and why I was so dismissive of all her ideas and shooting down all the names she likes. I told her we were naming a child and not a dog, and that names can have a huge impact on the child,” Aaronsaway wrote. “I said I don’t want my child to be bullied or taken less seriously because they have a ridiculous name. She told me I was rude and that I was the bully for making her feel unsupported.”

The wife started crying and went to bed.

So, is the dad-to-be right in dismissing his wife’s unique suggestions or should he get with the times and give his child a one-of-a-kind name?

The commenters overwhelmingly supported Aaronsaway.

The most popular comment came from AsOne8433, who wrote: “So many people naming their kids like a 9-year-old naming a goldfish or a valley girl naming a pocket dog. Unfortunately, it indicates that the parent considering these names does not see the child as a person, but a thing, an amusing accessory to show all her fans how cool she is.”

Willing-Helicopter26 agreed.

“I definitely feel like you should discuss names you like and consider a more unique middle name, but ultimately this IS a person not a pet,” they wrote. “Lots of these names are more appropriate for pets. Your wife needs to be a bit more grounded in her selections. Fern isn’t bad. Quincy isn’t terrible, either. But please don’t name your kid Zoomer.”

The few dissenters didn’t like the way he talked to his wife.

“You’re allowed to not like her name choices, and she’s allowed to not like yours. You’re allowed to veto one another—but not to be mean to each other,” NightOwlEye wrote.

The best new hip-hop this week includes albums, videos, and songs from Noname, Rob49, Trippie Redd, and more.

It’s officially hip-hop’s 50th birthday, and amid the ongoing celebrations, plenty of new music dropped from the likes of all of the above-mentioned names. New releases this week came from Lil Yachty, Gucci Mane, DJ Khaled (with Future, Lil Baby, and Lil Uzi Vert), That Chick Angel (with FendiDa Rappa, Flo Milli, and Sexyy Red), and more.

Here is the best of hip-hop this week ending August 11, 2023. Happy birthday, hip-hop!

Albums/EPs/Mixtapes

G Perico — 7 Figures Later

The South Central mainstay drops 10 new tracks of his signature Los Angeles hood hop. There aren’t too many moving parts here, just funky, stripped-down beats, and Perico’s street-certified rhymes — but that’s what makes this project work. Sometimes, simpler is better, and G Perico knows this better than anyone, getting straight to the point.

Joey Purp — Heavy Heart, Vol. 1

Someday, we’re all going to have to have a talk about how seriously underrated Joey Purp is as a rapper. Perhaps it’s his consistency, which can lend itself to folks taking him for granted, or maybe it’s his staunch independent philosophy, which can sometimes mean he doesn’t get the sort of label resources lesser artists get. Whatever the reason, here’s your chance to stop overlooking one of Chicago’s finest.

Noname — Sundial

Speaking of Chicago’s finest, here we have one of the most long-awaited projects out of the Windy City since Chance The Rapper’s The Big Day. Fortunately for Noname, though, she remains focused on her comeback album, displayed a matured sound but losing none of the fiery spirit for which she’s become somewhat infamous.

Reason — Porches

Controversy leading up to its release aside, I feel pretty comfortable arguing on behalf of Reason’s latest. Yes, I am biased, but that doesn’t mean I’m wrong. While some TDE fans will let their resentment at getting older color their perception of the next generation from the LA label, Porches proves that he’s equal to his predecessors lyrically while having his own point of view. It may not be for everybody but it’s undeniable once you give it a chance.

Rucci — Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop!

Inglewood hustler Rucci continues to put on for LA’s underground. A fitting counterpart to G Perico’s project this week, Rucci offers the “still-grinding” perspective to Perico’s success story. The rhymes are solid, the beats are diverse, and collaborators like Cypress Moreno and Bankroll Got It pair nicely with Rucci’s unfiltered Westside narratives.

Trippie Redd — A Love Letter To You 5

Coming off the single “Took My Breath Away,” I had the impression that Trippie’s latest addition to his long-running mixtape series might take him in a new direction from his usual angsty crooning. It doesn’t, but I’m not exactly mad about it. If you were already keyed in to the stuff Trip was doing before this, you’ll likely be satisfied too.

Singles/Videos

EST Gee — “A Moment With Gotti” Feat. Yo Gotti

EST Gee keeps him momentum ahead of the release of his mixtape, El Toro 2, with a collaboration that just makes sense. It’s a more mellow street anthem than perhaps we’re used to from the Louisville rapper but slowing things down allows his storytelling to shine.

French Montana — “Good Summer”

Borrowing a sample of Wayne Wonder’s “No Letting Go,” the Bronx hero throws his hat into the ring to secure a picnic hit. It’s a worthwhile effort, combining the tender Caribbean R&B leanings of its source material to an uptempo Miami bass beat.

Headie One — “More Money More Problems”

It’s kind of fitting that Headie drops a song with (almost) the same title as Biggie’s classic on the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, but to belabor the metaphor a bit, the differences in the two songs could almost be a referendum on the ways hip-hop has changed in the past 50 years.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

When we spoke with former O.C. actor and current journalist crypto skeptic Ben McKenzie, he told us, essentially, that crypto bros aren’t as funny as they think they are. And while that might be true, FTX founder and accused fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried getting un-freed until at least October ahead of his trial qualifies as pretty funny, even if his actual actions are no laughing matter… well, okay, reportedly enraging a judge for accessing a VPN under the pretense of trying to stream the Super Bowl is legit hilarious. Being accused of witness tampering by way of leaking documents about your former girlfriend (who also ran your hedge fund)? Extremely not hilarious.

As you may recall if you’re paying attention to the ins and outs of this case and not just waiting for the inevitable dueling docuseries and limited series to catch up, Bankman-Fried was out on a quarter-billion dollars bail and on house arrest after being arrested in December. That arrangement included giving up his passport and submitting to have big expenses (anything north of 1K) subject to court approval. His parents also had skin in the game, leveraging their home so that their very special boy could keep breathing free air and eating Lunchables.

One would think with those limitations and stakes that Sam would stay out of trouble. But the fantastical way some of this era’s WWE-style rich folk villains — pre-packaged for the pop culture spotlight with their weird hair (ALWAYS) and immense appetites for power, money, and screwing around when trouble circles them always seems to make this kind of moment possible. And just a little sweeter when the great bug zapper of justice actually catches one, turning a fake money fail boy into the dictionary definition of judicial f*cked around and found out. Anyway, buzz buzz, Sam, hope you weren’t planning on watching NFL Sunday Ticket for kickoff season. Or at any point in the future.

Source: The Daily Beast

Would you like to buy a vowel? Well, Vanna White has left the building (for now). The keeper of the letters has reportedly been negotiating a raise, also reportedly her first pay bump in over 18 years, and she’s now reportedly being temporarily replaced (according to Puck via TV Line) by “Teacher of the Year” recipient Bridgette Donald-Blue. Those episodes will likely air in October.

White recently took time off after reportedly contracting COVID at the end of July, which has coincided with contract issues. After Pat Sajak announced he would step down as host at the end of the upcoming season, word surfaced that she apparently earned $3 million a season while Sajak was earning upwards of $15 million. How many vowels could you buy with that?

There have only been three other instances of White being absent from the series since starting in 1982. Once was in 1986 after the death of partner John Gibson, then again for two weeks in 1991 while White went on her honeymoon, then again the same year after getting sick. Nobody touches those fancy letter screens the way she does.

Meanwhile, Ryan Seacrest is adding another job to his already long LinkedIn profile and will host the game show after Sajak steps down next summer. Maybe that American Idol desk just isn’t as comfortable as it used to be.

(Via TVLine)

Keanu Reeves, star of the screen, stage, and the hearts of the American people, is out here doing just about everything that is presumably on his bucket list. He’s riding motorcycles with Norman Reedus, mastering car stunts, and even beating Nic Cage at billiards. What’s next on the man’s agenda? Ripping a sick bass solo, that’s what. He’s Keanu Reeves… the man can do anything he puts his mind to.

Reeves’ rock band Dogstar (not to be confused with the dog star of John Wick, Daisy) is gearing up to release their first album in over two decades, and their latest drop is a video for their Muse-esque track, “Breach.” Reeves dons a sleek Wick-inspired look, only this time instead of guns, the bass is his weapon, complete with an all-black ensemble and some greasy hair. This is real rock and roll, people!!!!

Does this mean that Reeves is one step closer to a Grammy? Probably…. not. But maybe! The band’s latest album, Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees, is due out on October 6th. At this point, he might get a Grammy before he gets his (much overdue) Oscar.

On the other side of things, Reeves’ is also set to star in a live-action film series based on his comic book series BRZRKR. Between music, comic books, and movies, Reeves must be on the lookout for some more creative outlooks. Maybe another movie-musical is on the horizon.

The 50th birthday of hip-hop is bringing out all kinds of celebrations, from the Yankee Stadium takeover in New York to a slew of “Hip-Hop 50”-related editorials from just about every publication that covers the genre (including Uproxx: Check us out here). Even the long-running children’s program Sesame Street paid homage with a tweet nodding to hip-hop’s global impact and artwork depicting the various characters engaging in activities like breakdancing, DJing, and rapping.

“Sesame Street celebrates 50 years of Hip-Hop,” it reads. “From music to dance and beyond, its culture and influence spans generations and crosses the globe. Join us in celebrating and honoring the originators, artists, and contributions of Hip-Hop. Hip-Hop Hooray!” In the foreground, a pair of fuzzy hands (likely belonging to Telly The Two-Headed Monster) scratches records, while B-boy Grover and MC Elmo entertain their friends Abby Cadabby, Bert, Cookie Monster, and new Muppet, Gabrielle.

The artwork is done by alt comics artist Ed Piskor, who is best-known for the Eisner Award-winning graphic novel series, Hip Hop Family Tree, which recounts the history of hip-hop through vibrant illustrations of pioneers like DJ Kool Herc, Fab Five Freddy, Beastie Boys, Slick Rick, Will Smith, and more. His expertise definitely lends authenticity to Sesame’s celebration of hip-hop, but the show has long had its “street” cred certified, with appearances from a slew of stars such as Anderson .Paak, Chance The Rapper, Common, Ice Cube, LL Cool J, MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, Warren G, and more.

Three years ago, Black Thought joined Jimmy Fallon to salute Sesame Street on its 50th anniversary (check out the video above), so it’s cool to see the show return the favor.

As part of his new tough-talking persona that’s already involved promises of slitting throats, wannabe strongman Ron DeSantis is now telling voters on the campaign trail that he’s “absolutely” willing to bomb Mexico. The moment happened during an appearance in Iowa where the Florida governor was asked if he’s open to executing drone strikes on Mexican cartels, and the now 25% more manly candidate latched right onto the red meat.

“We will absolutely reserve the right if they’re invading our country and killing our people,” DeSantis said. When later asked by NBC News to clarify his remarks, America’s most pugilist meatball doubled down on his fighting words.

“I said I would use whatever force we need to defend the country,” DeSantis responded regarding “We’d be willing to lean in against them, and we reserve the right to defend our country.”

If all of this talk of bombing Mexico sounds familiar, it’s because Donald Trump reportedly floated the exact same idea earlier this year.

“‘Attacking Mexico,’ or whatever you’d like to call it, is something that President Trump has said he wants ‘battle plans’ drawn for,” a source told Rolling Stone back in April. “He’s complained about missed opportunities of his first term, and there are a lot of people around him who want fewer missed opportunities in a second Trump presidency.”

Even worse, when other GOP members caught wind of Trump’s scheme, they were immediately onboard. Republican congressmen Dan Crenshaw and Mike Waltz introduced a bill “seeking authorization for the use of military force” so the United States could go to “war with the cartels.”

With DeSantis flouting the same plan, the top two candidates in the Republican primary have now made it a point toss around “war” in Mexico if they make into office. That’s a spicy meatball.

(Via NBC News)

Greta Gerwig’s Barbie has made over $1 billion at the worldwide box office, but that might not even be the most impressive number associated with the movie.

A new survey from The Quorum, as reported by Puck, found that one in five Barbie moviegoers in America are “post-COVID newbies, meaning 22 percent either couldn’t recall the last film they saw in a theater, or it was the first film they’ve seen in a theater since the pandemic.” That means roughly nine million people made Barbie their first cinema experience since March 2020.

Barbie — which will cross $500 million at the domestic box office this weekend, putting it in the top 20 of all-time — might even get people to return to theaters more often. Might we suggest Killers of the Flower Moon?

We wanted to know how these people felt about their return to theaters. Among this subset of ticket buyers, 40 percent said the experience reminded them how much they love going to the movies, and that they would go more often. Another 45 percent said they would go more often, but that cost is an issue. Only 15 percent said this was a one-off experience. It would take another Barbie-like film to get them to go back.

Heartbreak feels good in a place this (a screening of Barbie).

(Via Puck)