The massive Star Wars fan event, Star Wars Celebration, is officially underway, and it starts out with a high-profile panel focused on the next big movie: Star Wars: Episode 9. The panel is going on right now, and you can watch the livestream below. It started out with Stephen Colbert as host bringing out director JJ Abrams and Star Wars boss Kathleen Kennedy to talk about the film and the excitement around it. Beyond that, the panel promises new details about the highly anticipated third movie in the new trilogy. It's widely assumed that the first Episode 9 trailer will make its debut and that we'll get the official title. Here's when it all takes place and how to watch.
Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy and director JJ Abrams are already on stage, while the panel's official description also teases there will be "plenty of surprises and special guests." According to Lucasfilm, this is an event "you will definitely not want to miss." As of this writing, we haven't gotten any meaningful details yet, with Kennedy and Abrams talking broadly about how they reached this point and what Episode IX means to them and to Star Wars.
The entire panel is being live streamed. You can watch it through the Star Wars YouTube channel or in the video embed below.
Star Wars Episode 9 Panel Start Time
9 AM PT
11 AM CT
12 PM ET
5 PM BST
4 AM AEDT (Saturday, April 13)
Despite Episode 9 releasing on December 20, 2019, we know very little about it. As noted above, it doesn't have a title yet, so that could be among the reveals for the panel. There also hasn't been a trailer or any footage released, so Star Wars Celebration seems as likely a place as any to release one based on what the event typically brings. Abrams, who previously directed 2015's The Force Awakens, was brought on after Jurassic World's Colin Trevorrow was let go from the role.
The third and final entry in the new trilogy that began with The Force Awakens, Episode IX wraps up the entire Skywalker Saga that began all the way back in 1977.
Game of Thrones is a sprawling show with complex plots and A LOT of characters. So it's no wonder viewers end up with a bunch of questions about it. Below are the most commonly Googled questions about the show – complete with answers, all in one handy place.
Most asked questions about Daenerys:
HBO
1. How are Jon Snow and Daenerys related?
The short answer is: Daenerys is Jon Snow's aunt. Jon is the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. Rhaegar is Daenerys' much, much older brother, who actually died before she was even born. Here's an in-depth look at Jon and Dany's family history if you want to learn more.
2. Who is Daenerys Targaryen’s mother?
Daenerys' mother was Rhaella Targaryen. We've never seen her on the show or even heard her really mentioned. Rhaella died giving birth to Daenerys (just one of the many things Dany and Jon have in common).
3. Who is Daenerys Targaryen’s dad?
Daenerys' dad was the Mad King himself, Aerys II – he's the guy Jaime Lannister killed during Robert's Rebllion. Aerys II was his wife Rhaella's brother – the Targaryens really were super into incest.
4. How old is Daenerys?
Dany is 17 when the show begins. It's hard to say exactly how much time has passed since then, but I'd guess she's now supposed to be in her early-to-mid 20s.
5. Are Jon Snow and Daenerys cousins?
No! Once again, Jon is Dany's nephew.
Most asked questions about Jon Snow:
HBO
1. How are Jon Snow and Daenerys related?
See above.
2. Who is Jon Snow’s father?
Jon Snow's biological father is Rhaegar Targaryen. But Ned Stark will always be his daddy.
3. Who are Jon Snow’s parents?
As mentioned above: Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. Lyanna Stark was Ned Stark's little sister. As we learned in Season 7, she and Rhaegar secretly married after Rhaegar had his first marriage, to Elia Martell, annulled. That means Jon is a legitimate Targaryen. If you're curious about all the times the show hinted at Jon's real parentage, check out this post.
4. When does Jon Snow die?
Jon is murdered by his traitorous Night's Watch brothers in the Season 5 finale, "Mother's Mercy". He's resurrected in "Home" – Season 6, Episode 2. Let's hope he doesn't die again in Season 8 (although he probably will).
There's a popular fan theory that Tyrion is secretly a Targaryen (read all about it here). Personally I don't see this happening – it would be a bit repetitive, given Jon's plot, not to mention weaken one of the most fascinating aspects of Tyrion's own story – his fraught relationship with Tywin.
2. Why did Shae betray Tyrion?
Shae feels betrayed by Tyrion. She's jealous of what she perceives as his attraction to Sansa, and when Tyrion sends her away for her own safety, he has to say some pretty nasty things in order to convince her to leave. The problem is, Shae believes them, and turns on Tyrion as a result.
3. Why did Tyrion kill Shae?
Tyrion killed Shae in a moment of rage. She had betrayed him. Her testimony at his trial, in which she twisted all the loving moments of their relationship and used them against him, broke him. The final straw for Tyrion was seeing her in Tywin's bed, and hearing her call Tywin her "lion".
4. When does Tyrion kill Tywin?
Tyrion kills Tywin right after murdering Shae – in the finale of Season 4, "The Children".
5. Is Tyrion a Lannister?
Yes, I believe so. Out of all of Tywin's children, Tyrion is arguably the most Lannister – the most like Tywin. Tywin was just too prideful to recognise it.
Most asked questions about Cersei Lannister:
HBO
1. Is Cersei pregnant?
Cersei revealed she was pregnant in Season 7. Some fans believe she's lying, but I do think she actually is pregnant. She probably won't have the baby, though.
2. Is Gendry Cersei’s son?
No! There's a popular fan theory that he is, but I really don't think so.
3. When does Cersei blow up the sept?
Cersei blows up the Sept of Baelor in the Season 6 finale, "The Winds of Winter".
4. When does Cersei die?
Season 8, presumably – we'll have to wait and see.
5. How old is Cersei?
In the current show, Cersei is in her early 40s.
Most asked questions about Sansa Stark:
HBO
1. What did Ramsay do to Sansa?
Ramsay rapes and tortures Sansa; physically, emotionally and psychologically abusing her. We don't get all the nitty gritty details – which is frankly a good thing.
2. How old is Sansa Stark?
Sansa is 13 when the show starts. She'd be about 18 or 19 now.
3. Who does Sansa marry?
Sansa is first forced to marry Tyrion Lannister, although the marriage was never consummated. Sansa is later forced to marry Ramsay Bolton, who she executes after the Battle of the Bastards in Season 6.
4. Is Sansa pregnant?
Definitely not.
5. When does Sansa marry Ramsay?
Sansa marries Ramsay in Season 5, Episode 6 – "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken".
Most asked questions about Arya Stark:
HBO
1. How old is Arya Stark?
Arya is 11 years old at the beginning of Season 1. She's around 16 or 17 now.
2. When does Arya kill Walder Frey?
Arya kills Walder Frey in the Season 6 finale, "The Winds of Winter".
3. Who gave Arya Needle?
Jon Snow gave Arya Needle before they both left Winterfell, and I'm personally offended people don't remember this.
4. Who is on Arya’s list?
Arya's list has changed a lot over the seasons as people died or she lost her murderous rage against them. At one point, her list was: "Cersei Lannister, The Mountain, The Red Woman, Beric Dondarrion, Thoros of Myr, Ilyn Payne, The Hound, Walder Frey, Meryn Trant, Joffrey, Twyin Lannister, Polliver." She took the Hound off the list, and likely also removed Thoros and Beric – and perhaps Melisandre? The only ones who are definitely still on it (and alive and in the show) are Cersei and the Mountain.
5. Why does Arya want to kill the Mountain?
Aside from knowing he's a really bad dude, Arya personally hates the Mountain because he kept her, Gendry and Hot Pie prisoner at Harrenhal. Especially because he was the one who selected a new prisoner each day to be tortured and killed.
In Season 1, Jaime Lannister obviously tried to kill Bran by pushing him out of the window. An assassin later arrives to finish the job, and at the time we're meant to believe it was Jaime and/or Cersei who put him up to it. But as we later find out, Littlefinger was involved. Whether it was he alone that ordered the assassination or someone else was involved – perhaps Joffrey, as in the books – remains unclear.
3. What does Bran say to Littlefinger?
This question is presumably about what Bran says to Littlefinger after Littlefinger gives him the catspaw dagger used in the assassination attempt against him. Bran says "chaos is a ladder" – he's quoting something Littlefinger said to Varys in Season 3, indicating he's been watching him in the past.
4. Why does the Night King want Bran?
We don't really know for sure, beyond Bran becoming the Three Eyed Raven i.e. someone who might actually be able to defeat the Night King. We should hopefully learn more about this in Season 8.
5. Is Bran’s direwolf alive?
No. Bran's direwolf, Summer, was killed by wights during the attack on the Three Eyed Raven's cave in Season 6. Ghost and Nymeria are the only direwolves currently alive.
Honestly this question still haunts me, but the most likely explanation for Sam escaping the Walkers at the end of Season 2/beginning of Season 3 is that they didn't see him. I guess he's really good at hiding.
3. How many White Walkers are there?
We don't know. But we do know Craster sacrificed 99 sons to them, so, presuming they all got turned into White Walkers...there's over 100, at least?
4. What are White Walkers?
The White Walkers are all former humans who have been turned using magic. The first White Walker, the Night King, was turned by the Children of the Forest when they inserted a dragonglass dagger into his heart. Presumably the Night King himself then created the rest of the Walkers.
5. What kills White Walkers?
Dragonglass or Valyrian steel. Although the Night King is likely different and harder to kill.
6. What do the White Walkers do with the babies?
Turn them into more White Walkers, if the scene in which we saw them turn Craster's last son is anything to go by.
7. Who is Gendry related to?
Gendry is the son of Robert Baratheon, the nephew of Stannis and Renly Baratheon, and the cousin of Shireen Baratheon. All of whom are dead. He's the last Baratheon that we know of (although he's a bastard).
8. How are Ned Stark and Robert Baratheon related?
They aren't, although they were both wards of Jon Arryn at the Eyrie so they grew up together. And Robert Baratheon was betrothed to marry Ned's sister, Lyanna – but Lyanna ran away with Rhaegar Targaryen before Robert could marry her. It's what kicked off Robert's Rebellion.
9. Are Jon Snow and Ramsay Snow related?
No. They both have the surname "Snow" because bastards aren't given their father's names like legitimate children are – they're given the bastard name of their region instead. Bastards of the North are named Snow. Of course, Jon Snow isn't a bastard of the North at all – but that was the story Ned used to protect his identity and his life. And Roose Bolton legitimises Ramsay so his surname becomes Bolton, too.
10. How is Rhaegar Targaryen related to the Mad King?
Rhaegar Targaryen was the Mad King's son and heir. The Mad King had three kids – Rhaegar, Viserys (who was killed by Khal Drogo in Season 1) and Daenerys.
Disney unveiled its hotly anticipated video steaming service that's aiming to topple industry pioneer Netflix, once a valuable ally of the Magic Kingdom. The service will cost $6.99 per month, or well below the $13 monthly fee charged by Netflix for its most popular streaming plan.
The service, called Disney Plus, has been in the works for more than year, but Thursday marked the first time that the longtime entertainment powerhouse has laid out plans for its attack on Netflix and a formidable cast of competitors, including Amazon, HBO Go and Showtime Anytime.
Disney Plus will roll out in the U.S. on November 12 at a price of $6.99 per month, or $69.99 per year. Pricing the service below Netflix's fees signals Disney's determination to woo subscribers as it vies to become a major player in a field that has turned "binge watching" into a common ritual.
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The announcement of the service's pricing "generated a collective gasp in the room," wrote Michael Nathanson, an analyst at MoffettNathanson, in a research note. "The service ... looks like a bargain compared to other entertainment options."
Downloading
Like Netflix, Disney Plus will be free of ads. Subscribers will be able to download all of the shows and movies on Disney's service to watch offline.
"One of the many unique qualities of Disney films is their evergreen appeal. Starting with Snow White in 1937, our films were designed to entertain people of all ages," Disney CEO Robert Iger said at a presentation to announce the service. "Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars films share that same powerful characteristic, and they're all going to populate Disney Plus."
Netflix will still have a far deeper video programming lineup after spending tens of billions of dollars during the past six years on original shows such as "House of Cards," ''Stranger Things" and "The Crown."
But Disney Plus will be able to draw upon a library of revered films dating back several decades while it also forges into original programming. Its animated classics, including "Aladdin" and "The Jungle Book" will be available on the service when it launches.
New shows exclusive to Disney Plus
New shows already on tap include "The Mandalorian," the first live action "Star Wars" series, created by Jon Favreau; a prequel to the "Star Wars" film "Rogue One," starring Diego Luna; a series about the Marvel character Loki, starring Tom Hiddleston; a rebooted "High School Musical" series; and a new documentary series focused on Disney.
Disney is approaching the streaming industry from a "position of strength, confidence and unbridled optimism," CEO Bob Iger said Thursday. Iger has led the company since 2005 and expects to step down when his contract ends in 2021.
The service's entire lineup will cover five categories: Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic.
Although Disney has an enviable track record of producing shows and films that attract huge audiences, its attempt to build its own Netflix is risky. To make the leap, Disney ended a lucrative licensing relationship with Netflix, which had become the video streaming home for its latest films after their theatrical release, as well as many of its TV series and classic movies.
Exclusive Marvel Movies
But now movies that came out in 2019, and going forward, will be streamed only on Disney Plus. That includes "Captain Marvel," which came out earlier this year; "Avengers: Endgame," which debuts in late April; and the upcoming "Toy Story 4," live-action movies "The Lion King" and "Aladdin;" and "Star Wars Episode IX."
In many ways, it's hard to compare Netflix with Disney because of the widely different types of shows each offers, said eMarketer analyst Paul Verna.
"The interesting thing is both companies have ended up in the same place, but they've come to it from vastly different backgrounds," he said.
Disney will also contend with a new streaming service from Apple, which is expected to be released in the fall. Apple has not yet said how much its service will cost or when exactly it will launch.
Fox acquisition
Last month, Disney completed its biggest deal yet with its $71 billion acquisition of Fox's entertainment business. The first 30 seasons of "The Simpsons" will now stream exclusively on Disney Plus.
The Fox takeover helps Disney tighten its control over TV shows and movies from start to finish — from creating the programs to distributing them though television channels, movie theaters, streaming services and other avenues. Disney will also get valuable data on customers and their entertainment-viewing habits, which it can then use to sell advertising.
The Fox deal also gave Disney a controlling stake in Hulu. Iger has said Hulu will continue to offer general entertainment programming while Disney Plus will be focused on family fare.
Along with its strong brand, Disney has the advantage of having a clear strategy for each of its streaming services, Verna said, including Disney Plus, Hulu and ESPN Plus. Disney executives hinted the company would "likely" bundle the three at a discounted price, but declined to give more details.
Terminating its deal with Netflix will cost Disney about $150 million in licensing revenue alone during its current fiscal year ending in September.
Disney is betting its new service will quickly offset that. By dangling a mix of familiar franchises and beloved animated classics, along with original programming, it figures the new service will be irresistible to families, even if they already subscribe to other services. It expects Disney Plus to be profitable during its 2024 fiscal year.
Netflix competition
The plunge into video streaming is likely to confront Disney with new challenges. One of the biggest dilemmas will center on how long Disney waits after a new film's theatrical release to make it available on its new streaming service.
Disney said movies would become available on its streaming service only after the traditional theatrical release period and home movie debut, which includes DVDs and purchasing streaming videos. That puts its schedule behind that of some competitors. Netflix films such as the award-winning "Roma" and "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs" have either become available for streaming on the same day or just a few days after their short runs in theaters.
With nearly 140 million worldwide subscribers, Netflix already has proven its mettle while warding off one competitive threat after another in the 12 years since it pivoted from DVD-by-mail rentals to video streaming.
Now, Netflix is locking horns with a company that has been steadily expanding upon its Disney franchise during a shopping spree that has seen it snap up other major studios.
Pop star Ariana Grande posted a “terrifying” image of her brain scan bringing awareness to post-traumatic stress disorder.
Grande, 25, shared the photo Thursday on her Instagram Stories. The image compared a healthy brain, a brain with PTSD and her brain.
The image of the healthy brain looked dark while the brain with PTSD was highlighted in a few places. Grande’s brain also showed a few areas that were highlighted.
It was not immediately clear when Grande underwent a brain scan.
On May 22, 2017, a bomber blew himself up at the Manchester Arena as fans were leaving the “Thank U, Next” singer’s show leaving 22 people dead. Last year, the singer opened up about living with PTSD following the bombing.
"It's hard to talk about because so many people have suffered such severe, tremendous loss. But, yeah, it's a real thing," Grande told British Vogue. "I know those families and my fans and everyone there experienced a tremendous amount of it as well."
"Time is the biggest thing. I feel like I shouldn't even be talking about my own experience — like I shouldn't even say anything. I don't think I'll ever know how to talk about it and not cry,” she continued.
The pop star announced in February that she will return to Manchester two years after the bombing as a headliner at the Manchester Pride Live event on Aug. 25.
Fox News’ Julius Young contributed to this report.
Disney announced pricing for its new streaming service on Thursday, and it's surprisingly low: $6.99 per month and $69.99 annually (or $5.83 per month). The service won't include any advertisements.
That's the headline from Disney's big launch of its new entertainment streaming service, Disney+, which goes live to the world on Nov. 12.
That's a lot cheaper than Netflix, which announced earlier this year it was raising prices on its standard plan from $11 to $13 per month.
Disney CEO Bob Iger has already said Disney+ is the company's top priority. At the company's investor day on Thursday, Disney clarified that vision: Disney+ is kids' content.
Think about what isn't included in Disney+. There are no sports. That's for ESPN and ESPN+. There's no news or prime-time television from ABC. Other than National Geographic, the content is pretty straightforward. It's for young people. (OK, and some "Star Wars" movies and "Simpsons" episodes for Gen X parents who want to watch with or without their kids).
"If consumers want sports, they can subscribe to ESPN+. If they want adult content, they can subscribe to Hulu, and if they want family, there's Disney(+)," Iger said.
Disney+ will immediately include 18 of Pixar's 21 movies, most Marvel films, 30 seasons of "Simpsons" episodes (thanks to the Fox acquisition!), the Disney movie back catalog ("Bambi," "Snow White," "Lion King," etc.), recent Disney movies ("Moana," "Frozen," etc.), 5,000 episodes of Disney Channel shows and 100 Disney Channel original movies, and a lot more.
Disney is building Disney+ to be the premium streaming option for kids and families. And it probably already is. While Netflix has spent heavily on kids programming, investing in its own animation division, its TV and movie options for kids are rather weak. Viacom's Nickelodeon and Disney have dominated kids shows for years. Netflix also doesn't own rights to a lot of popular PBS kids programming, like "Sesame Street" and "Daniel Tiger."
Amazon Prime Video has a decent array of children's show but can't compete with Disney's original slate, built up over decades. And Disney's new movies, including films like "Frozen 2" and the "Lion King" live-action remake, will become a part of Disney+ about seven to nine months after they hit theaters.
For $6 or $7 per month, Disney+ is an immediately appealing option for families looking for affordable content. The aggressive underpricing of Netflix is no accident. Disney is banking on getting 60 million to 90 million Disney+ subscribers by 2024. Iger said the pricing was purposefully set to appeal to as many people as possible.
"We're designing a product that we want to be accessible to as many consumers as possible," Iger said during the investor day presentation. "We just feel that Disney is loved by so many millions and millions of people around the world."
There are many streaming products now. Probably too many. But Disney+ may have instantly become the most appealing from a price-to-value standpoint.
Disclosure: Comcast, which owns CNBC parent NBCUniversal, is a co-owner of Hulu.
Stevie Wonder performs onstage during Nipsey Hussle's Celebration of Life at STAPLES Center on April 11, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.
( (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images For Atlantic Records))
Famed singer Stevie Wonder paid tribute to Nipsey Hussle at a memorial service in Los Angeles Thursday where he called for better gun control in America.
Wonder, 68, took the stage at the Staples Center to eulogize Hussle, 33, who was shot to death outside his Marathon Clothing store last month. He was one of several stars including Snoop Dogg and Hussle’s girlfriend, Lauren London, to share kind words and performances in the late rapper’s honor.
Before singing “Rocket Love” and Eric Clapton’s “Tears in Heaven,” People reports that Wonder lamented the “heartbreak” of losing Hussle, calling it “so unnecessary.” He then called on lawmakers to take action when it comes to gun laws in the United States.
“We, to be a civilized nation, civilized world, we still are living in a time where ego, anger, jealousy is controlling our lives,” Wonder said. “It is so painful to know that we don’t have enough people taking a position that says: ‘Listen, we must have stronger gun laws. It’s unacceptable.'”
He added: “It’s almost like the world is becoming blind. I pray that we grow; I pray that the leaders who have a responsibility to perpetuate life will do it by making sure that the laws will make it so very hard for people to have guns and to take their frustrations out.”
Hussle, whose name was Ermias Ashedom, was known in the community as a positive influence in the neighborhood. The Los Angeles Times reported that the father of two was known to give jobs to some homeless and even once donated a pair of shoes to every student at a nearby school.
Eric Holder, 29, was arrested and charged with one count of murder, two counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A person has been killed during a memorial procession for rapper Nipsey Hussle, with three others injured.
Shots were fired as the crowd walked through Los Angeles in commemoration of the 33-year-old, who was killed in LA last month.
"We must stop this senseless violence," LAPD Chief Michael Moore said.
Thousands of fans came out to celebrate the life of the Grammy-nominated musician, with Barack Obama among the people who wrote letters in tribute.
The suspects fired from a grey Hyundai as the four victims paid tribute to the musician, according to police.
The victims are described as three black men and one black woman between the ages of 30 and 50.
Jay Z, who Nipsey worked with through his Roc Nation label, attended the memorial service at the Staples Center along with Beyonce.
Snoop Dogg, Meek Mill and Diddy were also there to pay respect.
A letter from former President Barack Obama, addressed to Nipsey's friends and family, was read out at the service.
He praised Nipsey for his community work.
"His choice to invest in that community rather than ignore it - to build a skills training centre and a co-working space in Crenshaw; to lift up the Eritrean-American community; to set an example for young people to follow - is a legacy worth celebration," he wrote.
Fellow West Coast rapper and collaborator Kendrick Lamar also penned an emotional letter calling him a "true king".
"His charisma and way with words was powerful," he wrote. "But his integrity as a person made me even more enthused."
Nipsey's girlfriend Lauren London was joined at the service by the couple's two-year-old son Kross and her older son Kameron, whose dad is Lil Wayne.
"I'd like to say something to my city Los Angeles. This pain is ours - we know what Nip meant to us.
"We lost an incredible soul to us and we lost someone very rare.
