Serkis Defends The Shire’s Casting Amid LOTR Diversity Debate
Entertainment roundup: Andy Serkis defends the mostly white LOTR cast, describing The Shire as a social enclave and suggesting they’re not focused on the outside world, while acknowledging critiques and signaling a nuanced approach rather than ticking boxes. The piece also covers a Paramount investor’s lawsuit over Ellison’s Warner Bros. bid, news that The Batman: Part II is moving forward with a February 18, 2028 release and a brief first look, and the trailer for I Play Rocky about Sylvester Stallone’s early fight to land Rocky.