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‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Sets New Record with $38.5 Million in Thursday Previews

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'Deadpool & Wolverine' Sets New Record with $38.5 Million in Thursday Previews

Disney and Marvel’s latest cinematic venture, “Deadpool & Wolverine,” has made a remarkable entrance, raking in $38.5 million during Thursday previews. This impressive figure sets the film on track for a domestic debut exceeding $150 million, positioning it as a record-breaking release for an R-rated film.

As one of the most highly anticipated releases of 2024, “Deadpool & Wolverine” marks a significant milestone in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as the first R-rated film within the comic book franchise. The preview earnings rank as the 8th largest ever, and the highest for any R-rated release to date.

Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore, emphasized the importance of Thursday previews, stating, “Thursday previews have become an integral part of the release strategy for most major studio releases. They not only provide early access to eager fans but also serve as a key indicator of the potential opening weekend box office to the studios, analysts, and journalists alike.”

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Fans of blockbuster comic book and franchise films often flock to Thursday night showings to experience the film ahead of its official release and to avoid spoilers. These preview numbers are included in Friday’s box office totals and are counted as part of a film’s three-day opening weekend tally.

“Deadpool & Wolverine” is expected to achieve between $160 million and $180 million at the domestic box office during its debut weekend. This film represents the 34th installment in the MCU and the first to receive an R-rating from the Motion Picture Association. The previous two Deadpool films, both rated R, were initially produced and released through 20th Century Fox. Disney’s acquisition of the company in 2019 integrated the X-Men and Fantastic Four into the broader Marvel portfolio.

As the first MCU film release since November of last year, “Deadpool & Wolverine” stands out as the only Marvel Studios release for 2024. Looking ahead, there are four MCU films scheduled for 2025, with additional releases planned for 2026 and 2027.

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Woman Accused of Shooting at Rihanna’s Home Pleads Not Guilty

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Woman Accused of Shooting at Rihanna’s Home Pleads Not Guilty

A Florida woman accused of opening fire at the Los Angeles home of pop star Rihanna has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and multiple related charges.

Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, 35, entered her plea in Los Angeles County Superior Court, denying allegations that she tried to kill Rihanna and others during the incident on 8 March at the singer’s mansion in Beverly Crest.

Prosecutors allege Ortiz fired a semiautomatic rifle at the property, targeting not only Rihanna but also her partner A$AP Rocky, their three young children, and others present at the home and a nearby residence. No injuries were reported.

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According to court documents, the victims listed include Robyn Fenty and Rakim Mayers—the legal names of Rihanna and A$AP Rocky—as well as Rihanna’s mother and several additional individuals.

Ortiz faces a range of serious charges, including attempted murder, 10 felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and three counts of shooting at an inhabited dwelling. Each assault charge corresponds to an individual allegedly targeted during the incident.

Authorities say Ortiz drove to the residence, fired multiple shots, and then fled the scene. She was later arrested at a shopping centre in Sherman Oaks after her white Tesla was located approximately eight miles away.

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She remains in custody with bail set at $1.875m (£1.4m) and could face life imprisonment if convicted. A judge has also barred her from practising as a speech pathologist in California.

Ortiz is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on 8 April. Her legal team has not publicly commented on the case, and representatives for Rihanna have yet to respond.

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BTS Comeback Concert on Netflix Draws 18.4 Million Global Viewers

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BTS Comeback Concert on Netflix Draws 18.4 Million Global Viewers

A livestreamed comeback concert by K-pop superstars BTS attracted 18.4 million viewers worldwide on Netflix, highlighting the group’s enduring global influence.

The one-hour performance marked the first time all seven members—Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook—had performed together since October 2022, when they paused group activities to complete mandatory military service in South Korea.

Held at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, the free concert drew about 104,000 attendees, according to entertainment giant Hybe Corporation—below earlier projections of 260,000.

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Despite the slightly lower turnout, the event marked the launch of the group’s sold-out 82-date world tour and was streamed live to audiences in more than 190 countries. Only around 22,000 fans gained access to the main venue, while others watched via large outdoor screens set up nearby.

The broadcast quickly climbed to the top of Netflix rankings in 24 countries, underscoring the group’s massive international reach. The concert also forms part of Netflix’s broader push into live programming, following major events such as the 2024 boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul, which reportedly drew over 108 million viewers.

Security was tight, with around 7,000 police officers deployed, including specialised units equipped with anti-drone systems to manage the large crowds.

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Financially, the comeback is expected to be significant. Analysts estimate that BTS and their label could generate over $1bn (£740m) from reunion-related activities, including touring, merchandise, album sales, and streaming. The group remains the primary revenue driver for Hybe, which saw profits decline during their hiatus.

However, investor expectations appeared to shift after the event, with Hybe’s shares dropping by 15.5% on Monday despite months of gains leading up to the reunion.

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OnlyFans owner Leonid Radvinsky dies at 43

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OnlyFans owner Leonid Radvinsky dies at 43

Leonid Radvinsky, the owner of OnlyFans and a key figure behind its rapid global rise, has died at the age of 43.

The Ukrainian-born entrepreneur, who grew up in Chicago, passed away peacefully following a prolonged battle with cancer, the company confirmed in a statement, requesting privacy for his family.

Radvinsky acquired OnlyFans in 2018 from its UK-based founders and oversaw a period of extraordinary growth that reshaped the online content landscape. Originally launched in 2016, the platform allows creators to share photos and videos while earning income through subscriptions, tips, and personalised content requests.

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Its popularity surged dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic, as millions turned to digital platforms for income and entertainment. Within three years, Radvinsky’s success with the platform earned him a place on Forbes’ billionaire rankings.

Although creators on OnlyFans produce a wide range of material—from fitness tutorials to cooking content—the platform became best known for adult content and its direct creator-to-fan monetisation model. The company retains a 20% commission on all earnings generated on the platform.

By 2024, OnlyFans had grown into a massive digital enterprise, generating $1.4 billion in revenue from transactions exceeding £7 billion. It also reported more than 377 million subscribers and approximately 4.6 million creators, according to its latest filings.

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However, the platform’s expansion also brought regulatory scrutiny. In 2024, Ofcom investigated concerns about potential underage access to explicit content. While the probe was ultimately dropped, the regulator fined the company about £1 million for failing to provide accurate information about its age-verification systems.

Earlier controversies included allegations that the platform did not adequately address illegal material. In response to mounting pressure, OnlyFans announced plans in 2021 to ban sexually explicit content, only to reverse the decision days later after strong backlash from users and creators.

The company has also faced legal challenges from users who claimed they were misled into believing they were communicating directly with creators, when in some cases third-party operators were involved. These cases have so far been unsuccessful.

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Radvinsky, who held a degree in economics from Northwestern University, lived most recently in Florida. Beyond OnlyFans, he invested in technology ventures through his firm, Leo.com, and was involved in philanthropic efforts, including donations to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

According to Forbes, his net worth was estimated at $4.7 billion. He had also been exploring a potential sale of OnlyFans in the past year, signaling possible changes in the company’s future direction before his passing.

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