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USA Today
8 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Matilda Lutz was 'nervous' in her 'Red Sonja' chainmail bikini. Then she owned it.
SAN DIEGO – Red Sonja has evolved a lot as a character since the days of the 1970s comic books and that unfortunate 1985 Brigitte Nielsen movie. Not everything has changed, though: The 'She Devil with a Sword' is still rocking her chainmail bikini armor. The trailer for the new fantasy action film 'Red Sonja" (in theaters Aug. 15 and video on demand Aug. 29), starring Italian actress Matilda Lutz as the title character, even hints to its impracticality, tongue fully in cheek. Sonja is trying to obtain some protection for battle and an armorer shows off what will become her signature wear. 'And that protects …?' she asks, dumbfounded, before he answers, 'Nothing. The crowd will love it,' followed by a faux sexy shimmy. Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox 'I was obviously a bit nervous about being so exposed on set in a chainmail bikini,' Lutz tells USA TODAY before the 'Red Sonja' panel at Comic-Con, the San Diego pop-culture festival. But she also felt it was utilized 'in such a smart way' in the context of the movie. Directed by M.J. Bassett, 'Red Sonja' centers on the title character, chained but fearless, battling through obstacles thrown her way by Emperor Dragan (Robert Sheehan). She forms an army of warrior outcasts to take on the tyrant and his ruthless bride, Dark Annisia (Wallis Day), and win their freedom. The chainmail bikini 'is used as an element of power that the emperor has over her, like a violence that he's doing to her. But then she owns it,' Lutz says. 'It was so liberating to use exposure and vulnerability that you have doing fights in a chainmail bikini, but you're fighting against these soldiers with big armor and you're still winning. It was so fun to do that.' Before she got the script and auditioned, Lutz didn't know a lot about Red Sonja, based on the crimson-haired warrior Red Sonja of Rogatino from Robert E. Howard's 1934 short story 'The Shadow of the Vulture.' But Lutz fell hard for her. 'She was everything I wanted in one character: fierce, raw, untamed, badass, but also vulnerable and full of humanity,' says the actress, who's starred in Coralie Fargeat's survival horror movie 'Revenge,' the Justin Timberlake crime drama "Reptile" and the Daisy Ridley thriller "Magpie." Lutz began reading the modern comics that dug into Red Sonja's backstory and fleshed out her persona, and sees this film as "the tip of the evolvement of this character," she says. 'The one thing that really stood out from the comics to me was that she was a warrior but she was also a survivor. "The question was like, 'She's lost everything, but what is she willing to do for others?' She kept going. And that's what I wanted to bring to the film.'
USA Today
38 minutes ago
- Automotive
- USA Today
Uber rolling out feature to pair female riders with female drivers
Uber is launching a new feature aimed at making women feel safer while using the ride-sharing service, the company shared this week. The initiative called the Women's Preferences program, which pairs female riders with female drivers, is set to pilot over the next few weeks in Detroit, Los Angeles and San Francisco, Uber announced in a release Wednesday, July 23. 'Women riders and drivers have told us they want the option to be matched with other women on trips," VP of Operations for US and Canada Camiel Irving said in the news release. "We've heard them − and now we're introducing new ways to give them even more control over how they ride and drive.' Here's what to know about the new feature − and how customers can use it. How riders can request a female Uber driver Once the new preferences roll out, riders will see an option for female drivers. However, the company notes that if the wait time for a the preferred driver is longer than expected, riders will still be able to change their selection for a different ride. Female riders will be able to reserve a female driver in advance by pre-booking a trip, Uber says. They can also adjust their settings to default to "women drivers" for future rides. The company warns it's not guaranteed women will be paired with each other, but making the change in settings increases the odds of a match. How the feature works for Uber drivers For female Uber drivers, the change presents an opportunity to solely work with female riders, specifically during peak evening hours, Uber says. Drivers will be able to toggle on the 'Women Rider Preference' in their Uber app settings. To receive requests from all riders, drivers can turn the preference off at any time. Where will Uber's Women Rider Preferences be available? According to Uber, the feature is launching in the next few weeks, first in Detroit, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Uber doesn't have specific plans to expand just yet, the company told USA TODAY, but noted possible plans to bring the feature to new cities following the pilot programs. Uber touts success of feature in other countries The company has already implemented similar features in other parts of the world. In 2019, Uber launched Women Rider Preference in Saudi Arabia, a year after the country granted women the right to drive following an approximate 60-year ban. Riders in the country had a positive response, the company said. That same feature is now in use in 40 countries and has led to over 100 million Uber rides. 'Making this work reliably − not just symbolically − required thoughtful design. Most drivers are men, so we've worked to ensure this feature was truly usable in different places around the world,' said Irving, noting Uber has tested and refined the product in markets including Germany and France. 'As a result, in a first for the industry, we're able to launch more reliable features that offer women riders multiple ways to be matched with a woman driver." Lyft adding 'favorite' drivers feature On Thursday, July 24, Uber's competitor Lyft, announced a different, but similar concept that will allow riders to "favorite" a driver so they can match with them in the future. That feature will begin rolling out in select cities in the coming weeks and will launch in the U.S. and Canada by the end of August, the company said in a release. Drivers will receive early access to ride requests from returning passengers. The feature was inspired by relationships passengers and riders developed through the app, such as Monika Hannibal, who has taken over 350 rides to medical appointments with Phoenix-based driver Dina Garrett. The pair are now friends, the company said.
USA Today
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
White House, 'South Park' trade barbs: What to know about the feud
"This show hasn't been relevant for over 20 years and is hanging on by a thread with uninspired ideas in a desperate attempt for attention," the White House said in a statement to USA TODAY. President Donald Trump is feuding with yet another TV show. The Season 27 premiere of the Comedy Central animated series, "South Park", has stirred controversy this week. The episode, which aired on Wednesday, July 23, features Trump crawling into bed with Satan, a reference to the president's recent attacks on the media. Criticizing the episode, the White House issued a statement after its airing, calling it a "desperate attempt for attention." Need catching up? Here's what to know about the Trump and "South Park" feud. 'We're terribly sorry' 'South Park' creators 'apologize' for latest Trump episode What happened in the 'South Park' episode that mentions Trump? In the Season 27 premiere of the popular series, Trump is shown getting into bed naked with Satan. Instead of the standard "South Park" cartoon look, Trump's character actually features a photo of the president moving on a cartoon body. The scenes reference Paramount's $16 million settlement with the president, Trump's claims that he'll receive $20 million worth of ads on the network, and the cancellation of CBS's "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert." Here's why: The White House is feuding with 'The View.' What did the White House say about the South Park episode? In a statement provided to USA TODAY on July 24, the White House called "South Park" a "fourth-rate" show. "The Left's hypocrisy truly has no end – for years they have come after 'South Park' for what they labeled as 'offense' content (sic), but suddenly they are praising the show," White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said in the statement. "Just like the creators of 'South Park,' the Left has no authentic or original content, which is why their popularity continues to hit record lows. "This show hasn't been relevant for over 20 years and is hanging on by a thread with uninspired ideas in a desperate attempt for attention. President Trump has delivered on more promises in just six months than any other president in our country's history – and no fourth-rate show can derail President Trump's hot streak." What did 'South Park' say about the episode? During a panel at San Diego Comic-Con on Thursday night, "South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone shared a response to the White House's comments. "We're terribly sorry," Parker said through a sly grin at the panel next to Stone, "Beavis and Butt-Head" creator Mike Judge and "Digiman" creator Andy Samberg. Discussing the speed of today's topical comedy, Stone said, "it's not just 'SNL' anymore," contributing to newsy jokes. But when it comes to next week's episode, the creators said they aren't sure what will come next. "Right now we don't know," Parker said. "It's super stressful." Where can you watch? All seasons of 'South Park' have a new streaming home. How can you watch the 'South Park' episode? "South Park" is available for streaming on Paramount+ with a paid subscription. A Paramount+ Essential subscription is $7.99 a month with ads, and a Paramount+ Premium subscription is $12.99 a month without ads. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@
USA Today
2 hours ago
- Health
- USA Today
Family of boy who died from brain-eating amoeba speaks out: 'Unimaginable'
The family of a 12-year-old boy from South Carolina is grieving after he died from a brain-eating amoeba, according to a statement from their lawyer. Jaysen Carr died on July 18 after developing an infection from the brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri, the statement shared by Bailey Law Firm said. The South Carolina Department of Public Health confirmed in a statement to USA TODAY on July 23 that a person died after being exposed to the amoeba earlier in July. Prisma Health Children's Hospital Midlands confirmed on July 22 that the person was treated at the facility but did not publicly identify the person. "The Carr family is incredibly grateful for the outpouring of love from the community and for the dedicated care provided by the doctors and nurses at Prisma Health Children's Hospital in the Midlands," the statement said. Brain-eating amoeba victim was 'bright and beloved' middle schooler The statement from the Carr family's lawyer said Jaysen was a "bright and beloved" middle school student. "His loss is unimaginable, and our hearts are with his family as they grieve their son and search for answers," the statement said. The legal team said it will "stand beside this family not only to seek the truth, but to help ensure no other family endures a loss like this." "We ask that you keep the Carrs in your thoughts and prayers and respect their privacy as they prepare to lay Jaysen to rest," Bailey Law Firm's statement said. Brain-eating amoeba: Person dies from Naegleria fowleri in South Carolina, officials say Family says boy was infected with brain-eating amoeba at SC lake The family's statement also said Jaysen Carr developed the infection after swimming at Lake Murray outside Columbia. The SCDPH said it also believed the exposure occurred at the lake. "We cannot be completely certain as this organism occurs naturally and is present in many warm water lakes, rivers and streams," the agency said. What is Naegleria fowleri? Why is it known as a brain-eating amoeba? Naegleria fowleri is a type of amoeba that can cause a rare but nearly always fatal brain infection. It thrives in warm freshwater lakes, rivers and hot springs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The amoeba is often referred to as brain-eating because it can cause an infection called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) that destroys brain tissue. Most people who have been in bodies of waters have been exposed to the amoeba, but contact alone is not harmful, Dr. Anna Kathryn Burch, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Prisma Health Children's Hospital Midlands, said during a news conference on July 22. "Where it can cause an issue is if forceful water gets up the nose and is able to cross from the nose into the brain," Burch said, adding that a PAM infection causes the brain to swell. To protect against a possible infection, the CDC recommends holding or wearing a nose clip when jumping into fresh water, keeping the head above water in hot springs and using distilled or boiled tap water when rinsing sinuses. Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at
USA Today
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Adam Sandler's daughters star in 'Happy Gilmore 2.' What to know about Sadie and Sunny.
Adam Sandler's daughters, who are no strangers to appearing in his movies, are back in the limelight with roles in "Happy Gilmore 2," which was released on Netflix Friday, July 25. In the new movie, Adam Sandler, 58, reprises his role as Happy Gilmore, more than 29 years after the original "Happy Gilmore" premiered. Sandler's two daughters, Sadie, 19, and Sunny, 16 have been credited in multiple movies their dad stars in, and "Happy Gilmore 2" adds to the growing list. Sadie Sandler makes an appearance in the movie as the character Charlotte, while Sunny Sandler was cast as Happy Gilmore's daughter Vienna. The sisters also starred in "You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah," which premiered on Netflix in 2023. Here's what to know about Sadie and Sunny as they follow in their comedian dad's footsteps. 'Happy Gilmore 2': Release date, cast, how to watch What other movies have the Sandler sisters starred in? Sadie and Sunny have appeared in the following movies with their dad, according to IMDB: Sadie and Sunny Sandler's viral moments Sadie and Sunny Sandler are the daughters of Adam Sandler and his wife of more than 20 years, actress and model Jackie Sandler, who also makes an appearance in "Happy Gilmore 2." Sadie, the older of the two, was born on May 6, 2006, and Sunny was born on November 2, 2008. The sisters have gone viral several times. In 2022, a TikTok user shared a video of the younger sister's bat mitzvah, according to People. The video showed a glimpse of Sunny's party, which had A-list guests and performances by Charlie Puth and Halsey. Several months later, when their dad received the 2022 Gotham Awards' Film Tribute Award, the sisters, who were 16 and 14 at the time, apparently asked Sandler if they could write his acceptance speech, which he hadn't prepared. "I said 'absolutely,'" Sandler joked at the show. "It would be nice to see you do something other than watch YouTube or go to (expletive) Lululemon every (expletive) weekend." Adam Sandler on his daughters' interest in acting Ahead of "Happy Gilmore 2," Adam Sandler talked to USA TODAY about what it means to have his family involved in his movies. "It is just all happening fast," he told USA TODAY. "Kids are growing up − they really are into acting and movies, and it's always been our thing to work with our friends and family. It's cool to see them getting better. They work hard and they go to school for it, and they love it. So, yeah, I'm just proud. Couldn't love them more." Interview: Adam Sandler dishes on what he's most proud of in 'Happy Gilmore 2' What is 'Happy Gilmore 2' about? In the sequel, co-written by Sandler, Happy left golf behind after a tragic accident years ago. When he needs to raise $300,000 to send his daughter, Vienna (Sunny Sandler), to a prestigious ballet school in Paris, Happy hits the links again, where he runs into old pal Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald). Happy also has to save traditional golf when an energy drink mogul (Benny Safdie) tries to popularize a more extreme version of the sport. Contributing: Anthony Robledo, Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@ Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@ and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
