The daily gossip: 'Dune: Part Two' delayed to 2024, WWE stars mourn former champion Bray Wyatt, and more

1. 'Dune: Part Two' delayed to 2024 amid Hollywood strikes

2023 is about to experience a shortage of desert power. Warner Bros. has delayed "Dune: Part Two" from November 2023 to March 15, 2024. The decision comes amid the Hollywood actors strike, which likely would have prevented the film's stars, Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya, from promoting it. "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire," which was previously scheduled for that March 15 date, was also pushed one month to April 12. But Warner Bros. notably didn't postpone its December movies "Wonka," "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom," or "The Color Purple," possibly suggesting the studio thinks the strikes could be over by then. "Dune: Part Two" was expected to snag many of the technical awards at next year's Oscars, so the delay also means these prizes are now up for grabs — and a #BarbieSweep is looking increasingly possible. Sublime!

Variety

2. WWE stars mourn former champion Bray Wyatt

Windham Rotunda, the WWE star also known as Bray Wyatt, died "unexpectedly" on Thursday, WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H confirmed. He was 36. A cause of death was not officially disclosed. Wyatt, a three-time world champion, joined WWE's main roster in 2010 and played various creepy characters during his time there, including the leader of a cult called The Wyatt Family and a clown known as The Fiend. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson said he was "heartbroken" over the news, remembering Wyatt as a "unique, cool and rare character." John Cena shared that his former colleague "brought the best out of me in so many ways," and "I'm forever grateful for the moments we shared." Bayley also said she is in "disbelief" and that Wyatt is "truly irreplaceable," while the official WWE account shared on X, "There will never be another Bray Wyatt."

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3. Carlos Santana apologizes for 'insensitive comments' about trans people

Carlos Santana has some regrets about bringing his show to a halt for a random anti-trans rant. The guitarist came under fire this week for comments he made about transgender people during a performance in Atlantic City. "When God made you and me, before we came out of the womb, you know who you are and what you are," he said, adding, "A woman is a woman, and a man is a man. That's it. Whatever you want to do in the closet, that's your business." He also praised his "brother" Dave Chappelle, who faced backlash in 2021 for transphobic jokes. After backlash, Santana apologized for the "insensitive comments" on Facebook. "I realize that what I said hurt people and that was not my intent," he said. "I sincerely apologize to the transgender community and everyone I offended."

Facebook

4. Liam Payne hospitalized with a 'serious kidney infection'

Well-wishes are in order for Liam Payne. The One Direction singer shared Friday that he has to postpone his planned tour of South America, as "over the past week I've been in hospital with a serious kidney infection." In a video, Payne said he has been advised that "now is really not the right time to be out on the road" while he recovers. "I have the best people around me at home trying to help me recover as we speak," he said, and he wrote on X that the infection is "something I wouldn't wish on anyone." Payne told fans to look out for ways to refund their tickets, and he promised a "bigger, better" show in the future. "Thanks as always for the love and support," he wrote, "and look forward to seeing you soon."

X

5. Pete Davidson and Chase Sui Wonders reportedly break up

Selena Gomez may be single soon, but Pete Davidson is single now. The "Saturday Night Live" alum is no longer dating Chase Sui Wonders, according to People. "He's single again," a source told the outlet. "He's out and about and doing really well." Davidson and Wonders met on the 2022 horror-comedy "Bodies Bodies Bodies," in which they played love interests, and they sparked romance rumors last December. He previously dated Emily Ratajkowski and Kim Kardashian. News of the split comes after Davidson was charged with reckless driving in June after he crashed his car into the side of a house in March, reportedly while Wonders was in the car with him. Now, though, it's their relationship that has gone off course.

People