“Wuthering Heights ”Director Says She Regrets Cutting Margot Robbie's 'Extremely Hairy Armpits' from the Film

Emerald Fennell said she regrets cutting a Wuthering Heights scene showing Margot Robbie's character with unshaven armpits

NEED TO KNOW

• The director said she'd been bothered by how period dramas often showed women as smooth-skinned, despite razors not being available at the time

• "They're all kind of hairless like eels," Fennell recalled of women in other period dramas, set around the time of Wuthering Heights

Emerald Fennellis looking back on aWuthering Heightsstyle decision that was cut from the film.

On Friday, May 22, the director spoke at Hay Festival in Wales and opened up about her adaptation of Emily Brontë's novel, which was released in theaters in February 2026.

In hindsight, she admitted, Fennell wished she'd kept a scene with Cathy (played byMargot Robbie) in which her unshaven armpits were visible, because it would have been more accurate to the time period.

Fennell said she was often bothered by the hairless skin of women in period dramas, because it applied modern beauty standards to a time when they weren't physically attainable.

"Where are the razors that these women are using?" she recalled asking while watching Jane Austen film adaptations. "They're all kind of hairless like eels. I'm like: ‘What's going on? It's completely mad.'”

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Waxing and hair removal creams existed for many centuries prior to the events ofWuthering Heights, though it was only truly accessible to wealthy nobility.

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PerGillette UK, English women began removing hair from their face and body with safety razors in the early 1900s, after the First World War — several centuries after Brontë's novel was published in 1847.

For that reason, it was "so important" to Fennell to show Cathy's body hair as historically accurate, the director said. "Unfortunately, the scene that we see them [in] didn't make it in there," she added.

Fennell's adaptation ofWuthering Heightsdrew some criticism for its lack of historical accuracy — from Cathy's ostentatious attire, to the race of Heathcliff (played byJacob Elordi), to the plot of the film itself, which deviated significantly from Brontë's gothic novel.

However, Fennell previously explained the disparities by noting her rendition was meant to embody the version she "remembered reading" as a 14-year-old, in which she "wanted stuff to happen that never happened."

"So it isWuthering Heights,but it isn't," Fennell said of her adaptation in aninterview with Fandango, published in January. "The thing for me is you can't adapt a book as dense and complicated and difficult as this book— I can't say I'm makingWuthering Heights. It's not possible. What I can say is I'm making a version of it."

Wuthering Heightsis now streaming on HBO Max.

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May 25, 2026

“Wuthering Heights ”Director Says She Regrets Cutting Margot Robbie's 'Extremely Hairy Armpits' from the Film

Emerald Fennell said she regrets cutting a Wuthering Heights scene showing Margot Robbie's character with unshaven armpits NE...

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Prince William Praises Kate Middleton as a 'Proper Pro' in Her Royal Work

Kate Middleton will take more international trips for her early years mission as she widens its influence and learning

NEED TO KNOW

• Her husband, Prince William, said on May 22 that she is hoping to follow her successful Italy visit with others

• An aide tells PEOPLE the Italy trip was "about maintaining balance while returning to a broader program of activity"

Kate Middletonhas a proud husband inPrince Williamas she looks ahead in her mission to help children.

After a successfulvisit to the city of Reggio Emilia, in Italy, the Princess of Wales, 44, hopes to widen the impact and the experience of her help for the youngest children as she creates a global conversation around the issue.

Prince William, 43, confirmed during a recent interview with the U.K.'sHeart Breakfastthat his wife was “just sort of edging herself back into doing more and more of those trips.” He added that they have to be careful to manage things in light of her recovery from thecancer treatmentshe revealed she was undergoing in March 2024 (the Princess of Wales announced with "relief" that she wasin remissionin January 2025).

"She's been amazing. She's been through so much in the last couple of years, particularly," William told cohosts Amanda Holden and Jamie Theakston. "She'd been looking forward to the Italian trip a lot, and so I'm really glad it went really well."

William added that the family will have to continue managing the workload of visits like that, saying "away trips like that take a lot out of you...so we have to balance that, make sure she's okay and rested. But she's in good form.”

The trip to Italy was “about maintaining balance while returning to a broader program of activity," an aide has told PEOPLE. "The visit reflects that steady progression.”

The mission for the under-fives and those who raise and care for them has been a central part of Princess Kate's public work for more than a decade, and she has set up the Royal FoundationCentre for Early Childhoodto funnel those ideas and her work. As she builds her knowledge, Prince William said that he has to pick his way past her reading and paperwork, as he called her a “proper pro” in the subject.

"She spends, God knows how much time now, looking through all the paperwork," he said. "She's a proper pro on early years. Most evenings I'm fighting to get past in the bedroom, what paperwork that she's got lined up, ready to read."

A palace aide explains to PEOPLE that the visit to Italy was a "clear moment of progression” of the “work moving beyond a U.K. focus and beginning to engage more actively with international thinking and practice."

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"Over the past few years, the princess has concentrated on building a strong evidence base and practical programs at home, and this now creates the opportunity to look outward. It is less about a shift in direction and more about an evolution, connecting that work with global expertise and placing early childhood firmly within a shared international conversation," they say.

The source adds, "There is a recognition that the challenges and opportunities in early childhood are not confined to one country. They are universal. The intention is not to position it as a personal project on a global stage, but rather to contribute to and learn from a wider body of knowledge. There is a natural alignment with other countries that are also prioritizing these early years."

Christian Guy, executive director of Kate's Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, told PEOPLE that the visit to Reggio Emilia "is the start of the princess and the Centre leading a global conversation about how the first five years of life give us that chance to get ahead of some of the toughest social challenges we face around the world.”

Speaking as Princess Kate ended her second day, in which she spent time with some children outside in their school garden, Guy explained, “This morning, the princess was in her element in nature, seeing the power of the outdoors. She has spoken about how important that's been for her. But what the science shows is how crucial that is to help children flourish and thrive and to nurture the skills they need. Seeing her in the garden today, I can tell it is something that will stay with her for a very long time.”

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During the trip, there was no doubt among those who met her that the Princess of Wales' expertise in the sector shone through. Before she left, the royal was introduced to a group of women who've taken the philosophy across the world to South America.

Norma Guinto, President of RedSOLARE Mexico, says, “She was very interested in learning about the Reggio Emilia Approach that has inspired us. We have been coming here for many years. She wanted to know how we bring this philosophy this pedology to our country and the changes we have seen in our educational system in bringing this new way of teaching and learning.”

Guinto adds, "Being the person she is, she can influence education around the world to benefit children from different backgrounds. We need that in this moment of our history for humanity.”

A teacher from the city, Sara Montanini, met Kate and added, “When she started her early childhood project, I always thought that sooner or later she would come here because it's been a staple in our community since the Second World War. I can see why she came to Reggio Emilia because her vision is so similar to ours.”

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Prince William Praises Kate Middleton as a 'Proper Pro' in Her Royal Work

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Jacob Elordi Reacts to This “Euphoria” Character's Gruesome Death Involving a Boa Constrictor and a Coffin

Warning: this post contains spoilers for the penultimate episode ofEuphoriaseason 3.

NEED TO KNOW

• In the penultimate episode of Euphoria season 3, one main character died

• Following the episode, Jacob Elordi broke down the episode

• The finale airs next Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO

Nate Jacobs has finally met his maker.

On the May 24 episode ofEuphoriaseason 3,Jacob Elordi's character Nate died. Nate (Elordi) has been in trouble all season due to money he owes Naz (Jack Topalian), and in the penultimate episode of the season, his luck ran out.

Nate was trapped inside a coffin that was buried underground, with just a small hole for air. A rattlesnake got through the hole and he was brutally attacked. Hours later, Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) and Maddy (Alexa Demie) found his body.

Following the episode, fans got a behind-the-scenes look at how Elordi's death was filmed as he detailed what it was like being placed inside a coffin with a real snake.

"I had to go into this coffin. My shoulders were touching the side, and I couldn't move my arms, and then they would drill the lid on, and it would get dark," Elordi, 28, said during a post-show segment that aired on May 24 on HBO. "It was really nice, actually. It was quite peaceful in there."

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He was "tucked in this box, with dust falling on me, and a snake coming down the pipe," he said.

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There was a real snake involved in the scene, too. "They had a boa constrictor that they put a fake rattler on the end of, and [creator] Sam [Levinson] was like, 'We're just gonna drop a snake on you,'" Elordi said. "The snakes were rattling, which is really alarming when you're locked in a box."

In the end, he said the snake was "super cute."

"He was, like, real cuddly, so he just saddled up next to me, and it was nice," the actor said. "But he was real sleepy. I had to kind of nudge him to get him to come up."

Despite Nate's gruesome end, he thought it was a "cool way to go."

"Nate is someone who's made so many mistakes and made so many dark choices. It's cool to see it all come to what it's come to," Elordi said of the character he's played since 2019.

Nate's death is the first major character to die in season 3. Elordi called it "bittersweet" in his post-episode interview.

"This show is a massive part of, not just my career, but my life. It's been amazing, and I'm so proud, being a part of this," he said.

TheEuphoriaseason 3 finale airs Sunday, May 31, at 9 p.m. ET on HBO.

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May 25, 2026

Jacob Elordi Reacts to This “Euphoria” Character's Gruesome Death Involving a Boa Constrictor and a Coffin

Warning: this post contains spoilers for the penultimate episode ofEuphoriaseason 3. NEED TO KNOW In the penultimate ep...

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'The Mandalorian and Grogu' box office revealed – How did it do?

It's been a long time, but moviegoers are finally returning to a galaxy far, far away.

"The Mandalorian and Grogu," the first new "Star Wars" movie since 2019's "The Rise of Skywalker," grossed $82 million in its three-day opening weekend at the domestic box office, according to estimates from Comscore released on Sunday, May 24.

That would be the lowest-grossing opening weekend for a "Star Wars" movie released by Disney, though only by a hair. In 2018, the Han Solo prequel "Solo: A Star Wars Story" opened similarly with $84 million over three days and $103 million through Memorial Day.

With "Solo," those numbers were considered hugely disappointing, and the movie was ultimately a box office failure. But "The Mandalorian and Grogu" should have an easier path to profitability because its budget is reportedly much lower.

According toVarietyandThe Hollywood Reporter, "Mandalorian" cost $165 million to make. That would make it cheaper than other recent "Star Wars" movies, so it carries with it a different set of box office expectations and doesn't need to reach the enormous heights of the franchise's past films to be a success. "Solo," for comparison,reportedly had a budgetof $250 million or more, and its price tag was inflated due to significant reshoots after the original directors were fired during production.

Still, the "Mandalorian" launch is certainly a comedown from "Star Wars" at the peak of its box office powers. In 2015, "The Force Awakens" opened to a staggering $247 million domestically, and it is still the highest-grossing film of all time in the United States, not adjusted for inflation. Its sequels, 2017's "The Last Jedi" and 2019's "The Rise of Skywalker," opened with $220 million and $177 million, respectively, and the spinoff "Rogue One" also had a strong opening of $155 million in 2016.

Lucasfilm always planned for "Star Wars" to take a break from movie theaters after 2019's "The Rise of Skywalker." But that break turned out to be much longer than expected, as in the years since the divisive trilogy capper, the studio seemed to struggle to find the best way to relaunch "Star Wars" on the big screen. Several "Star Wars" movies were announced from 2019 onwards that were bound for theaters, including a fighter pilot movie called "Rogue Squadron" that was at one point scheduled for 2023.

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But none of these projects came to fruition, leading more and more years to pass with no new "Star Wars" film in sight. All the while, the series lived on the small screen with numerous Disney+ shows.

By 2024, Lucasfilm seemed to seek a safe, reliable bet for a "Star Wars" movie that wouldn't be difficult to get off the ground, so they turned to the most popular of their Disney+ shows: "The Mandalorian," which made "Baby Yoda" a pop culture phenomenon in 2019. "The Mandalorian and Grogu" continues the story of the show, withPedro Pascalreturning as bounty hunter Din Djarin, but with a plot intended to be approachable for newcomers who haven't watched the series.

Reviews for "The Mandalorian and Grogu" were mixed, and the movie's 62% critics' approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes is one of the lowest of the franchise.

But audiences seem to be liking "Mandalorian" well enough that it should have solid legs in theaters as the summer continues. Moviegoers polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of A-. That's the same average rating as "Solo" and an improvement on "The Rise of Skywalker," which received a B+. But it's a step down from "The Force Awakens" and "The Last Jedi," which each earned A grades. "Rogue One" also received an A.

As a largely standalone story without many unresolved threads, "The Mandalorian and Grogu" doesn't provide much indication of where "Star Wars" will go from here, and the fact that it's based on a TV show may have limited its audience or led some moviegoers to simply wait to watch it on Disney+.

But the bigger test of the franchise's health will come next summer with "Star Wars: Starfighter," an all-new adventure starringRyan Goslingthat will take the series' timeline beyond the ending of "The Rise of Skywalker" for the first time. The pressure is high for that movie to establish a new era for "Star Wars" movies and prove that the Force is still strong with the brand.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:How did 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' perform at the box office?

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May 24, 2026

'The Mandalorian and Grogu' box office revealed – How did it do?

It's been a long time, but moviegoers are finally returning to a galaxy far, far away. "The Mandalorian and Grogu," ...

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Alan Alda, 90, Says He and Wife Arlene Alda Talk About Death ‘All the Time’

Alan Alda and his wife, Arlene Alda, have openly discussed what they would do if the other person died

NEED TO KNOW

• The couple, married since 1957, bonded over humor and a shared moment involving rum cake at a party

• Despite his Parkinson's diagnosis, Alda remains active and credits curiosity and improvisation for his positive outlook

Alan Aldaisn't scared of talking about death, especially with his wife,Arlene Alda.

As part of the Alan Alda, Joy Behar, and Roger Rosenblatt in Conversation: More Rules for Aging event at 92NY in New York City on Thursday, May 21, theM*A*S*Hstar got candid about how they discuss death “all the time.”

"One time, we pickedCarl Reinerup to take him someplace to dinner and as we were driving, Carl's wife had just died and we told him how Arlene and I talk all the time about what we'd do [about] who died first," Alda, 90, said.

"If I died first, what would her life be like? If she died first, what would I do? And just around then, I drove over to the divider of Sunset Boulevard. A little bit of sidewalk," he added. "Just bounced away. And Carl said, 'You know the way you drive, you don't have to worry.' "

Alda also spoke about how he feels about his current age.

"I was just thinking of the day, the actual day that I was 90 this year," he said. "We went out to dinner and the waiter came by at the end of the meal with a cupcake with a candle in it and led the restaurant in singing, saying, 'Happy birthday, older gentleman.' Then I blew out the candle and they said, 'You did it yourself. I didn't help you.' They kind of let you know."

Alda married Arlene when he was 21 in 1957 after a chance meeting at a party, which involved both of them eating rum cake that fell on the floor.

"We did eat the rum cake off the floor and were inseparable after that. But I was captivated by her even earlier in the meal when I heard her at the end of the table laughing at my jokes. She had me at Ha,"he wrote on X.

"He was a kindred spirit who was also funny, so there was this great chemistry," she toldThe New York Timesin 2015. "It sure was fun and delightful to be with him that night. Boys from Manhattan didn't date girls from the Bronx. That was a given. It was too long of a trip. He took me home to the Bronx. Unheard of."

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The couple have been inseparable since. They now have three daughters — Eve, Elizabeth and Beatrice — and many grandchildren.

Alda famously landed his big break as Hawkeye Pierce inM*A*S*H, which ran from 1972 to 1983. He won six Golden Globes and three Emmys for the role, as well as one Emmy for writing and another for directing.

In 1975, Alda spoke to PEOPLE about how he wove his family life into the sitcomWe'll Get By.

"It's an attempt to show a family living the way people really do live — and not as they do on television," he said at the time. "Once I was watching a tape of the show at home in which there was an argument between mother and daughter. I turned around and my wife and one of my daughters were having exactly the same argument."

He went on to receive an Oscar nomination for playing Senator Brewster in 2004'sThe Aviatorand won another Emmy for a role onThe West Wing.

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Although Alda was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2015, he didn't share his condition publicly until 2018. "My life hasn't changed much," he said. "I just applied my curiosity to it. I'm constantly reading and trying to figure out the best approaches."

A few years later in 2019, Alda told PEOPLE about his dynamic with Arlene.

"We still experience a kind of puppy love," he said. "I really have never made plans for the future. My life is more of an improvisation. I just try to make the best of what's in front of me."

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Alan Alda, 90, Says He and Wife Arlene Alda Talk About Death ‘All the Time’

Alan Alda and his wife, Arlene Alda, have openly discussed what they would do if the other person died NEED TO KNOW ...

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