Warner Bros. announced on March 25, 2026 that Stephen Colbert will co-write a new Lord of the Rings feature, provisionally titled The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past. Colbert will write with longtime franchise scribe Philippa Boyens and his son, Peter McGee, with Peter Jackson and WingNut Films producing alongside Fran Walsh. The project follows the previously announced Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum (directed by Andy Serkis), due Dec. 17, 2027. Shadow of the Past is described in studio materials as set 14 years after Frodo’s departure: Sam, Merry and Pippin retrace their earlier steps while Sam’s daughter Elanor uncovers a secret explaining how the War of the Ring was nearly lost. Colbert said the idea sprang from chapters in The Fellowship of the Ring (roughly “Three Is Company” through “Fog on the Barrow-Downs”) that were not adapted in Jackson’s original trilogy. The announcement was released via a video with Jackson and studio executives; no release date or full casting has been confirmed for Colbert’s film.

Two high‑profile controversies involving stars of Hulu’s Secret Lives of Mormon Wives have erupted this week, forcing networks and producers to pause projects and prompting legal scrutiny. On March 19, Jordan Ngatikaura filed for divorce from co‑star Jessi Draper; he also sought a temporary restraining order the next day that a judge denied on March 24. Draper has since publicly pushed back, posting Taylor Swift lyrics on social media and appearing on the Call Her Daddy podcast (March 25 teaser) where she alleged her estranged husband engaged with escorts and attended orgies, and raised concerns about a prenup and children’s welfare. Separately, body‑cam and private video footage from a February 2023 domestic incident involving cast member Taylor Frankie Paul was leaked to TMZ mid‑March, leading ABC to cancel her season of The Bachelorette and Hulu to pause production on Mormon Wives season 5. Police body‑cam releases and new allegations prompted local investigations and review by the Salt Lake County DA; temporary custody and protective order actions have also been reported. Both stories have dominated entertainment coverage since March 19–25, 2026, and have immediate reputational and production consequences for broadcasters and the franchise.

A leaked video and newly released police bodycam footage from a February 2023 domestic dispute involving reality star Taylor Frankie Paul and ex Dakota Mortensen have plunged two TV productions and local authorities into renewed scrutiny. TMZ published the altercation footage March 19, 2026, showing Paul allegedly attacking Mortensen and hurling metal stools while a child cried in the room; ABC subsequently pulled Paul’s season of The Bachelorette days before its scheduled March 22 premiere. Additional body-worn camera clips surfaced March 23–24, showing officers separating the pair and questioning both at the Utah home. Draper City police confirmed an open “domestic assault investigation” relating to alleged incidents in late February 2026; Salt Lake County prosecutors requested investigative material to determine whether new allegations could lead to charges that might enhance or affect Paul’s prior plea in abeyance to aggravated assault from August 2023 (she remains on probation until August 2026). Production of Paul’s Hulu series was paused and Mortensen has been granted a temporary protective order and custody steps for their young son. Representatives have exchanged denials and accusations; Paul has said the worst impact is on her children, who are being forced to relive the episode.

Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge, directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh, continued an extraordinary first-week run after opening on March 19 (paid previews March 18). Trade trackers reported the sequel crossed the ₹900 crore worldwide mark by Day 6–7, with day-by-day India net tallies showing a blockbuster debut weekend and a strong weekday hold. Industry estimates put India net collections in the range of roughly ₹575–587 crore and India gross around ₹687–699 crore after six days, while overseas receipts have pushed the worldwide gross to about ₹919–937 crore depending on trackers. The film has set multiple box-office records for an Indian title — including the fastest Hindi film to ₹500 crore net — and has overtaken several big earners such as Animal and Secret Superstar in lifetime tallies. Backed by Jio Studios and B62, the 229-minute, adult‑certified spy thriller has generated wide industry praise (including endorsements from Rajinikanth) even as critics and some online commentators labelled elements of the film as propaganda. Makers are projecting entry into the ₹1,000 crore global club within the first week.

Bravo announced on March 24-25, 2026 that The Real Housewives of New Jersey will return for a 15th season with Teresa Giudice, Melissa Gorga and Dolores Catania confirmed as full-time cast members. Production is slated to begin in spring 2026 after an almost two-year hiatus following an explosive season 14 finale in 2024 that led Bravo to forgo a traditional reunion. The network said additional new cast members will be revealed later; multiple outlets report several 2024-2025 season regulars are not confirmed to return. Margaret Josephs publicly announced she will not rejoin the series, saying she is moving on to other projects and family time. Reports note test filming and casting work during the pause, and the reconciliation between Giudice and Gorga — central figures in the prior season’s rifts — is cited as a factor enabling the restart. Catania will also appear as a friend on a new Real Housewives of Rhode Island spinoff. Peacock continues to stream past seasons of the show.