SAMWISE
Good morning Janine. Here is your personal morning briefing · samwise.agency
Sunday, June 28, 2026
RACE RESULT
George Russell Claims Austrian GP Pole as Verstappen Crash Throws Q3 into Chaos
George Russell sealed pole position for Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix with a lap of 1m 06.113s, beating Ferrari's Charles Leclerc by 0.236 seconds. The result was briefly in jeopardy after Max Verstappen crashed his Red Bull at Turn 9 on his final Q3 run, bringing yellow flags out as Russell completed his own lap. Stewards cleared Russell after confirming he had lifted appropriately through the affected sector. Kimi Antonelli, leading the championship by 41 points, misread the flags as double yellows and aborted his lap, leaving him fourth on the grid. Lewis Hamilton completed the top three for Ferrari, with Verstappen salvaging fifth.
Red Bull Confirms Rear Wing Defect Caused Verstappen Q3 Crash, Issues Apology
Red Bull have issued a formal apology to Max Verstappen after confirming a rear wing defect caused his qualifying crash at the Austrian Grand Prix. Team principal Laurent Mekies revealed the failure robbed the RB22 of rear aerodynamic load as Verstappen entered Turn 9 during his final Q3 lap. “We lost aero performance on the rear of the car and it gave Max no chance to survive,” Mekies said, adding that the team takes full responsibility. Verstappen described the incident as an impossible slide to correct, saying the car simply disappeared beneath him the moment he turned in. He will start Sunday's race from fifth place.
Antonelli Championship Lead Survives Austrian GP Qualifying Scare After Yellow Flag Mixup
Kimi Antonelli heads into Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix still leading the Drivers' Championship after misidentifying yellow flags cost him a shot at pole position. The Mercedes driver misread single-waved yellow flags as double yellows following Max Verstappen's crash at Turn 9 and aborted his final Q3 lap, settling for fourth on the grid. “I heard ‘yellow yellow’ from my engineer, but I was looking at the marshal and probably saw wrong — I just saw two flags instead of one,” Antonelli said. He leads Lewis Hamilton by 41 points and team-mate George Russell by 50 points heading into Sunday's race at the Red Bull Ring.
Nine Drivers Lose Lap Times in Austrian GP Yellow Flag Mass Deletion Ruling
Nine Formula 1 drivers had lap times deleted during Austrian Grand Prix qualifying following the yellow flag incident triggered by Max Verstappen's Turn 9 crash. The FIA confirmed Russell's pole-setting flying lap was valid — the deleted time was his in-lap — after stewards determined he had respected the single-waved yellow by demonstrably reducing speed. A 22-second gap elapsed between the initial single yellow flag and the subsequent double-yellow deployment in that sector. Separately, Red Bull's Isack Hadjar was summoned for allegedly driving unnecessarily slowly but avoided a grid penalty, receiving only a warning and retaining his eighth-place qualifying position for Sunday.
Hamilton Targets Race Strategy to Challenge Mercedes at Red Bull Ring
Lewis Hamilton believes race strategy could give Ferrari a pathway to victory at Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix despite qualifying third behind George Russell and Charles Leclerc. Hamilton acknowledged he “left a little bit on the table” with his first Q3 run, which limited his final attempt. Starting third, Hamilton and second-placed Leclerc give Ferrari strategic flexibility to undercut or overcut rivals through tyre management over the 71-lap race at the Red Bull Ring. Hamilton trails championship leader Kimi Antonelli by 41 points. Ferrari sit second in the Constructors' Championship on 190 points, with Sunday's race offering the team a chance to pressure Mercedes.
Verstappen Reported in Secret McLaren Talks as Red Bull Exit Clause Trigger Looms
Reports emerged Friday that Max Verstappen is in secret talks with McLaren about a potential team switch for 2027. The negotiations reportedly involve a swap with Oscar Piastri, who would move to Red Bull. Verstappen holds an exit clause in his Red Bull contract that activates if he is outside the top two in the standings at the summer break. Currently seventh with 55 points, the trigger looks likely to activate. Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies insisted Verstappen remains part of the team's plans, but Verstappen's manager confirmed the clause is active, stating he “should have the chance to win” and “wasn't born to compete in midfield.”
McLaren Face Harsh Qualifying Reality as Norris and Piastri Start Sixth and Seventh
McLaren head into Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix from sixth and seventh on the grid after Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri qualified over four tenths behind pole-sitter George Russell. Norris ended Q3 just 0.009 seconds ahead of team-mate Piastri, acknowledging the gap to the front runners reflects McLaren's genuine competitiveness. “Realistically, this is probably where we currently are in the pack,” Norris said. The team were hampered by reliability issues in Friday practice when Norris was sidelined by hydraulic problems. McLaren sit third in the Constructors' Championship on 141 points, 121 points behind leaders Mercedes, with their race strategy relying on exploiting any opportunities that arise.
Verstappen Gives Russell Middle Finger After Tense Friday Practice Confrontation in Austria
Max Verstappen was captured on camera giving George Russell the middle finger following a tense on-track confrontation during Friday practice at the Austrian Grand Prix. The incident occurred as Verstappen overtook Russell at close quarters, with the Dutch driver venting his frustration immediately afterwards. Verstappen had grown increasingly frustrated during practice as the team's upgraded RB22 failed to match the pace of Mercedes and Ferrari. Tensions were heightened further on Saturday when Russell claimed pole position while Verstappen crashed out during qualifying. The two drivers have a well-documented rivalry, with incidents between them a recurring theme throughout their time as Formula 1 competitors.
Drivers' Championship
1. Kimi Antonelli — 156 pts
2. Lewis Hamilton — 115 pts
3. George Russell — 106 pts
4. Charles Leclerc — 75 pts
5. Lando Norris — 73 pts
6. Oscar Piastri — 68 pts
7. Max Verstappen — 55 pts
8. Pierre Gasly — 41 pts
9. Isack Hadjar — 34 pts
10. Liam Lawson — 28 pts
11. Oliver Bearman — 18 pts
12. Franco Colapinto — 16 pts
13. Arvid Lindblad — 13 pts
14. Carlos Sainz — 6 pts
15. Alexander Albon — 5 pts
16. Esteban Ocon — 3 pts
17. Gabriel Bortoleto — 2 pts
18. Fernando Alonso — 1 pts
19. Nico Hülkenberg — 0 pts
20. Valtteri Bottas — 0 pts
21. Sergio Pérez — 0 pts
22. Lance Stroll — 0 pts
Constructors' Championship
1. Mercedes — 262 pts
2. Ferrari — 190 pts
3. McLaren — 141 pts
4. Red Bull Racing — 89 pts
5. Alpine — 57 pts
6. Racing Bulls — 41 pts
7. Haas F1 Team — 21 pts
8. Williams — 11 pts
9. Audi — 2 pts
10. Aston Martin — 1 pts
11. Cadillac — 0 pts
DRAFT
Gavin McKenna Arrives in Toronto, Throws Blue Jays First Pitch After Being Drafted No. 1
A day after Justin Bieber announced his name at the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo, new Maple Leaf Gavin McKenna arrived in Toronto and was cheered by fans before throwing the ceremonial first pitch at a Toronto Blue Jays game at Rogers Centre on Saturday. The 18-year-old center, selected first overall out of Penn State, told reporters at his introductory press conference that the reception was more than he had imagined. McKenna scored 15 goals and set Penn State freshman records with 36 assists and 51 points in 35 games, earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors. He received congratulatory texts from Auston Matthews and John Tavares following Friday’s selection.
McTavish Heads to Blues, Ducks Rebuild as Post-Draft Trade Grades Favor St. Louis
The St. Louis Blues received strong trade grades from ESPN after acquiring center Mason McTavish from the Anaheim Ducks on Friday in exchange for the 15th and 29th picks in the 2026 NHL Draft. The 23-year-old McTavish, who had been a healthy scratch in Anaheim, is expected to receive significantly more playing time with the Blues. McTavish has five seasons remaining on a six-year contract signed September 27, 2025. The Ducks used the 15th pick to select Nikita Klepov. The Blues entered the draft with 13 total picks—the most in the league—including four first-rounders, adding depth while acquiring an established NHL center.
Peterka to Bruins, Dorofeyev Signs Seven-Year Deal With Rangers in Draft Night Double-Swap
Two more high-profile forwards changed teams during Friday’s first round. The Boston Bruins acquired winger JJ Peterka, 24, from the Utah Mammoth for the 23rd overall pick and a top-10 protected 2028 first-rounder. Peterka posted 25 goals and 47 points for Utah last season. The New York Rangers landed Pavel Dorofeyev, 25, from Vegas for picks No. 26 and No. 92 plus a conditional 2028 first-rounder, with Dorofeyev then signing a seven-year extension at $11 million per season. The Golden Knights—constrained by just $4.625 million in cap space—traded away Dorofeyev despite his career-high 37 goals and 64 points in 82 regular-season games.
Stanley Cup Champions Carolina Hurricanes Acquire John Carlson’s Rights from Anaheim Ducks
The Carolina Hurricanes, who won the 2026 Stanley Cup, continued building their roster Saturday by acquiring the rights to unrestricted free agent defenseman John Carlson in a trade with the Anaheim Ducks. Carolina sent defenseman prospect Kyle Masters and a sixth-round pick to Anaheim in exchange for exclusive negotiating rights to Carlson before free agency opens July 1. The 36-year-old Carlson finished the 2025–26 season with 14 goals and 60 points in 71 regular-season games split between the Washington Capitals and Anaheim Ducks. Carolina will have until Wednesday to sign Carlson before he becomes eligible to sign elsewhere.
2026 NHL Draft Winners and Losers: Sharks Soar, Golden Knights Stumble After Dorofeyev Deal
The San Jose Sharks emerged as the top winner of the 2026 NHL Draft, according to ESPN’s post-draft analysis, which praised their selections as representing elite asset management and the ability to add talent at positions of need. The Toronto Maple Leafs also ranked as major winners, with evaluators describing their class as the best in franchise history from a pick-optimization perspective. The Vegas Golden Knights fell into the loser column by trading away 25-year-old leading goal scorer Pavel Dorofeyev to the New York Rangers, while also forfeiting the 63rd overall pick after the league penalized the team for restricting media access during the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
NHL Free Agency Opens July 1 with Bobrovsky, Ovechkin, Carlson Headlining Deep Market
With free agency opening Wednesday, the 2026 NHL unrestricted free agent market features several high-profile names. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, who won the Stanley Cup twice with the Florida Panthers, has played out his seven-year contract and could leave Florida. Defenseman John Carlson, whose rights were traded to Carolina on Saturday, is expected to sign before the market opens. Forward Alex Ovechkin, who turns 41 in September and posted 32 goals and 64 points in 82 games this season with Washington, has said he would “probably not” play for another NHL team. The salary cap rises to $104 million next season, an increase of $8.5 million.
2026 NHL Draft Grades: Blues and Leafs Lead Class as American Prospects Slide in Rankings
The Hockey News awarded top draft grades to the St. Louis Blues and the Toronto Maple Leafs following the conclusion of the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo. The Blues leveraged their league-leading 13 picks—including four in the first round—to add significant pipeline depth after trading veterans Jordan Kyrou and Mason McTavish earlier in the week. The Leafs earned high marks for selecting Gavin McKenna first overall and optimizing picks throughout the seven rounds. THN’s analysis also noted that American prospects fell below pre-draft projections across the board, with several rated players sliding past expected positions as European and Canadian skaters dominated the early rounds.
RECAP
Dodgers Crush Padres 15-3 With Nine-Run Sixth Inning at Petco Park
The Los Angeles Dodgers (53-30) demolished the San Diego Padres 15-3 Saturday at Petco Park, erupting for nine runs in the sixth inning to even the three-game series. Freddie Freeman opened the inning with a leadoff double and scored on an error. Tommy Edman tripled in a run, then Kyle Tucker and Dalton Rushing hit consecutive home runs before Mookie Betts added a three-run shot into the left-center bullpen for a 10-1 lead. Betts has now homered in three straight games and reached 11 home runs on the season. Randy Vásquez absorbed the damage, unable to retire a batter in the inning.
Devers Homers Twice for 800th Career RBI as Webb Deals One-Hitter vs. Braves
Rafael Devers hit two home runs and reached 800 career RBI as the San Francisco Giants shut out the Atlanta Braves 5-0 Saturday at Oracle Park. Devers drove a solo shot off Bryce Elder in the second inning, then crushed a three-run blast in the third to reach the milestone. Logan Webb was dominant on the mound, allowing just one hit and striking out six across seven innings while walking two and retiring the final 16 batters he faced. Webb improved to 5-1 against Atlanta. A loss would have dropped the Giants to 16 games under .500 for the first time since 2018.
Red Sox Win Third Straight Over Yankees as Bennett, Yoshida Lead Boston to 4-1 Victory
Jake Bennett allowed three hits over 6⅓ innings and Masataka Yoshida hit a leadoff home run off Gerrit Cole as the Boston Red Sox beat the New York Yankees 4-1 Saturday, winning their third consecutive game in the series. Willson Contreras added a two-run double and Anthony Seigler hit his first career major league home run in the seventh inning. Aroldis Chapman retired the final three batters for his 16th save and the 383rd of his career. Boston (35-46) has taken all three games of the series, while New York (48-34) has lost three straight and eight of its last 10.
Paredes’ Two-Run Double Spoils Hinch’s Bid for 1,000th Win as Astros Rally Past Tigers 8-6
Isaac Paredes hit a two-run double in the eighth inning to lead the Houston Astros to an 8-6 comeback win over the Detroit Tigers on Saturday, denying manager A.J. Hinch his 1,000th career managerial victory. Hinch entered the game one win shy of the milestone, but his bullpen surrendered the lead in the late innings. Houston trailed 6-5 heading into the eighth when Jeremy Peña's RBI single tied the score, and Paredes followed with a two-run double to right field for an 8-6 Astros advantage. Houston (41-44) held on from there, sending Hinch back to 999 career wins.
Lindor, Soto Power Mets to 6-2 Win in Andy Green’s First Game as Interim Manager
Francisco Lindor hit a two-run triple and Juan Soto added a triple as the New York Mets rallied past the Philadelphia Phillies 6-2 Saturday, giving interim manager Andy Green his first win after Carlos Mendoza was fired Friday. The Mets had lost seven straight entering Saturday. Bryce Harper gave Philadelphia a 2-0 lead with a two-run home run off Christian Scott in the third — his 43rd career homer against New York, the most by any active player. Lindor tied the game in the sixth with a two-run triple off Alan Rangel, his first RBIs since April 22 after returning from a two-month IL stint with a left calf strain.
Hunter Goodman Belts Three Home Runs, Drives In Five as Rockies Top Twins 8-5
Colorado Rockies designated hitter Hunter Goodman launched three home runs and knocked in five runs to power Colorado to an 8-5 win over the Minnesota Twins on Saturday. Goodman hit solo shots in the first and third innings off Twins starter Mike Paredes, then connected with two runners on base in the seventh, hammering a high sinker 401 feet into left-center seats for a three-run blast. The three-homer performance came one day after Goodman crushed a two-out, two-run home run in the ninth inning to help Colorado take the series opener Friday. The Rockies (33-50) earned their second consecutive win in the set.
Seager Homers, Burger Drives In Two as Rangers Beat Blue Jays 7-4
Corey Seager hit a solo home run, Jake Burger collected three hits and drove in two runs and the Texas Rangers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 7-4 on Saturday, extending Toronto's losing streak to five games. Alejandro Osuna added a two-run hit for the Rangers (41-42), who have won six of their last nine. Yohendrick Piñango hit a two-run homer for Toronto and Alejandro Kirk added a solo shot, but it was not enough for the Blue Jays (39-44). Toronto's top three hitters — Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Daulton Varsho and Kazuma Okamoto — went a combined 0-for-13 with seven strikeouts. Peyton Gray earned the win.
Edwards, Stowers Lead Marlins Past Cardinals 5-1 for Second Straight Series Win
Xavier Edwards had three hits and Kyle Stowers drove in two runs with a pair of RBI singles as the Miami Marlins beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-1 on Saturday night. The victory gave the Marlins (44-39) their second consecutive win in the series after beating St. Louis 4-0 on Friday, giving Miami a series advantage entering Sunday's finale. Edwards was productive at the top of the order with his multi-hit performance while Stowers provided critical run support. The Cardinals (42-38) managed just one run against a Miami pitching staff that has allowed only one combined run across the first two games of the series.
American League
1. Tampa Bay Rays — 47–33, —
2. New York Yankees — 48–34, —
3. Toronto Blue Jays — 39–44, 9.5 GB
4. Baltimore Orioles — 39–45, 10.0 GB
5. Boston Red Sox — 35–46, 12.5 GB
1. Chicago White Sox — 43–38, —
2. Cleveland Guardians — 43–40, 1.0 GB
3. Minnesota Twins — 39–45, 5.5 GB
4. Detroit Tigers — 35–48, 9.0 GB
5. Kansas City Royals — 34–50, 10.5 GB
1. Seattle Mariners — 42–42, —
2. Texas Rangers — 41–42, 0.5 GB
3. Houston Astros — 41–44, 1.5 GB
4. Athletics — 40–43, 1.5 GB
5. Los Angeles Angels — 35–49, 7.0 GB
National League
1. Atlanta Braves — 49–32, —
2. Philadelphia Phillies — 46–37, 4.0 GB
3. Miami Marlins — 44–39, 6.0 GB
4. Washington Nationals — 42–42, 8.5 GB
5. New York Mets — 35–48, 15.0 GB
1. Milwaukee Brewers — 50–30, —
2. Chicago Cubs — 45–38, 6.5 GB
3. St. Louis Cardinals — 42–38, 8.0 GB
4. Pittsburgh Pirates — 41–42, 10.5 GB
5. Cincinnati Reds — 39–42, 11.5 GB
1. Los Angeles Dodgers — 53–30, —
2. San Diego Padres — 43–38, 9.0 GB
3. Arizona Diamondbacks — 41–41, 11.5 GB
4. San Francisco Giants — 34–48, 18.5 GB
5. Colorado Rockies — 33–50, 20.0 GB
ELECTRONICS
Requiem For Long Wave, As The BBC Goes Silent
The BBC permanently switched off its 198 kHz Long Wave signal from the Droitwich transmitter on June 27, 2026, ending decades of UK national broadcasting. The high-power transmitter relied on specialist vacuum tubes no longer manufactured, making the shutdown inevitable once critical components failed. Long Wave, occupying the 153–279 kHz range, had served listeners in remote coastal areas, onboard ships, and across Europe where FM coverage is unavailable. The Droitwich signal was stabilised by an atomic-controlled frequency standard ensuring extraordinary long-term precision. Shortwave enthusiasts and radio preservationists mourned the loss of one of the last active Long Wave broadcasters in western Europe.
World's Biggest RC A380 Is A Big Deal
Builder Ramy RC completed what is likely the world's largest RC airliner: a 1/8-scale Airbus A380 stretching 29 feet in length with a 32-foot wingspan, weighing approximately 800 pounds (362 kg). The fuselage was CNC-cut from EPS foam and reinforced with fiberglass and carbon fiber layups. Acrylic windows were fitted with 3D printed frames replicating the A380's distinctive upper deck. Four turbine engines power the model in flight. The aircraft made its public debut on June 28, 2026, drawing large crowds. Ramy RC meticulously reproduced full-scale A380 exterior proportions, including the characteristic double-deck hump visible through the transparent windows.
Cramming A Mini-ITX Gaming PC Into A 3D Printed Steam Machine Sized Case
Linux gaming community member 3DCatt 3D printed a custom Small Form Factor enclosure that mimics the footprint of Valve's original Steam Machine, but accepts standard Mini-ITX motherboards, ATX power supplies, and full-length discrete GPUs. The original Valve Steam Machine used non-standard PCB dimensions and a proprietary power connector, preventing modern hardware upgrades. 3DCatt's redesigned case, published on Printables and developed in collaboration with AMD engineer Jacob Terkelsen, fits components including the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060. The project is fully open-source, offering a fresh chassis option for Linux SFF gaming enthusiasts who want Steam Machine aesthetics with modern PC hardware.
Make Your Own Loudspeaker From Scratch
Dutch maker rvanderouderaa published a step-by-step Instructables guide for building a complete loudspeaker entirely from scratch, covered in a June 28 Hackaday writeup. The design uses a 3D printed frame and cone, while the suspension surround is formed from papier-mâché — wet toilet paper pressed into a 3D printed mould and left to dry. The result is a functional acoustic membrane with variable impedance, an unusual characteristic for a DIY speaker that affects frequency response. All build files and measurement data are included. English-speaking builders should run the original Dutch Instructables through a browser translator for detailed step-by-step construction instructions.
A Quantum Magic 8-Ball
David Noel Ng built a genuine quantum random number generator housed inside a standard novelty Magic 8-Ball enclosure. A single photon is directed at a 50/50 beam splitter; detection by photomultiplier tube A or B — an outcome determined by quantum superposition — generates each random binary bit. Ng validated the output using the NIST Statistical Test Suite (STS) applied across 1.6 billion generated bits, passing all 15 standard randomness tests in succession. Unlike pseudo-random number generators, which produce deterministic sequences from fixed seed values, this device derives entropy from an inherently unpredictable quantum mechanical measurement, making it a legitimate hardware true-random-number generator.
Bringing Swift To The Apple II
Developer Yeo Kheng Meng has ported a Swift language interpreter to the Apple II, running through a bytecode virtual machine on the 8-bit MOS 6502 processor. The project targets Apple II through Apple IIe hardware. The original Apple II shipped with 4 KB of RAM, but the Swift VM requires a 48 KB RAM expansion to operate. Swift source code is compiled to a compact bytecode format, which the 6502 executes at runtime via the interpreter. The project joins a growing body of retrocomputing software ports, demonstrating that modern high-level languages remain accessible on 1970s-era 8-bit hardware given sufficient RAM.
Do Metal Roofs Turn A Bird House Into An Oven?
YouTuber 'Of Human and Nature', covered by Hackaday's Navarre Bartz on June 27, 2026, tested whether a metal roof makes a birdhouse dangerously hot, as part of an ongoing 500-birdhouse build marathon. Using thermocouples and a heat lamp simulating solar radiation, the experiment found the metal roof surface reached approximately 70 °C. Interior cavity temperatures remained in the mid-20 °C range — a critical difference explained by the air gap between roof and cavity walls, which dramatically limits heat conduction. The results suggest that metal-roofed birdhouses are safe for nesting birds provided the air gap is maintained and ventilation holes are present.
BOX OFFICE
Supergirl’s Disappointing $40M Debut Signals DC Franchise Fatigue
Supergirl , Warner Bros. and DC Studios’ second production under James Gunn and Peter Safran, opened to a disappointing $40 million domestic and approximately $75 million globally in its June 26 debut — far below earlier tracking of $50 million-plus. The $170–$186 million production, directed by Craig Gillespie and starring Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El, earned a B− CinemaScore and just 52% definite recommend on PostTrak. The underwhelming result comes despite a record DC promotional partner campaign exceeding $100 million in media value. The opening starkly contrasts with Superman ’s $125 million domestic debut from last summer.
Toy Story 5 Crosses $300 Million Domestic in Dominant Second Weekend
Toy Story 5 crossed the $300 million domestic threshold in its second weekend, earning an estimated $70 million from 4,425 theaters — a roughly 56% decline that tracks closely with Incredibles 2’s second-weekend drop from a record animated opening. The Disney/Pixar sequel, directed by Andrew Stanton, debuted to a franchise-record $159.7 million the previous weekend, the biggest domestic opening of 2026. A late-breaking marketing beat — Taylor Swift ’s soundtrack contribution “I Knew It, I Know You,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100 — helped accelerate audience awareness in the campaign’s final weeks.
Scary Movie Franchise Crosses $1 Billion Globally, 26 Years After Launch
The Scary Movie franchise has crossed $1 billion in worldwide box office receipts, 26 years after the Wayans Brothers launched the spoof comedy series. The milestone was driven by the current Paramount–Miramax reboot, which has earned $100.5 million domestically and $108 million internationally for a running worldwide total of $208.5 million in three weeks. The film cost just $30 million to produce and marks the first pure R-rated comedy to cross $100 million domestically since Girls Trip in 2017. The reboot reunited original creators Marlon Wayans, Anna Faris, and Regina Hall under director Michael Tiddes.
Prime Video Launches Obsessed Fest as Its YA Fan Ecosystem Takes Shape
Prime Video hosted its inaugural Obsessed Fest on June 27 at nya Studios in Los Angeles, positioning the streamer as the leading destination for young adult content. The all-day fan experience unveiled the teaser trailer for romantic comedy The Love Hypothesis starring Lili Reinhart and Tom Bateman, confirmed Season 2 renewals for Every Year After and Off Campus, and featured a surprise performance by Jennifer Lopez . The event anchored Amazon MGM Studios’ “Obsession Is in Session” campaign initiative, which marketing chief Sue Kroll framed as emotion-first storytelling. Elle, a Legally Blonde prequel series, premieres July 1.
Nolan’s The Odyssey Tracking for $80M–$100M Domestic Opening in July
Christopher Nolan ’s feature adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey is tracking for an $80 million–$100 million domestic opening when the Universal release arrives July 17, a notably wide range reflecting how unpredictable Nolan films perform at the box office. The $250 million production — starring Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, and Zendaya — has already sold out 70mm IMAX screens and holds a three-week large-format exclusive. First-choice tracking currently exceeds Oppenheimer ’s at the same point before that film opened to $82.4 million, itself far above its $40–$50 million forecast.
Jackass: Best and Last Debuts to Franchise-Low $8.5M Despite Strong Reviews
Jackass: Best and Last , a compilation of new and archival stunts, debuted to a franchise-low $8.5 million from 2,855 North American theaters — well below Jackass Forever’s $23.1 million debut in 2022 and far behind Jackass 3D’s $50.3 million franchise record. Paramount Pictures’ $10 million net production nonetheless earned an A− CinemaScore from franchise fans, the best grade in the series since the original 2002 Jackass movie, alongside an 88% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. West Coast markets led, accounting for over 30% of opening-weekend gross, with men representing 69% of the audience.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day Second Trailer Nears 600 Million Views
Spider-Man: Brand New Day ’s second trailer has generated nearly 600 million views following its June 17 release, ranking as the No. 2 biggest trailer launch of all time behind the same film’s own first trailer. Released in March 2026 , that first trailer drew a record 718.6 million views in 24 hours — becoming the first trailer in history to cross 1 billion views — while first-day advance ticket sales ranked as the biggest since Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021. The Sony /Marvel Studios sequel starring Tom Holland and Zendaya opens July 31.
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