Stupid sexy Sauron returns

Hey there, Popculturology crew. Welcome to the latest edition of the Friday newsletter.

There’s a ton of news this week — like, you’ll never guess who Jay-Z picked to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show — but first, it’s probably OK that Elon Musk is investing a billion dollars in Skydance, right? It’s not like Skydance is supposed to stream Alex Gibney’s Musk documentary on HBO or anything ...

‼️ THE BIG STORIES

“I will take my place as the conqueror, a sorcerer, the king”

STUPID SEXY SAURON IS BACK. IT’S HAPPENING.

It’s been over two years since the second season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power wrapped up, and the Prime Video series is finally returning on Nov. 11.

We got a new trailer for The Rings of Power this week, and while Charlie Vickers’s Sauron is the star, it looks like Morfydd Clark’s Galadriel is still working through some feelings for the dark lord. Which is awkward, since her husband is back.

I assume we have one more season of The Rings of Power after this one, but it’s still hilarious that Amazon continues to make a show that looks exactly like the Lord of the Rings films that have no legal connection to this show. I’m sure Skydance and Warner Bros. love that The Rings of Power continues to exist as it plans its own spinoffs. (Watch)

• “You’re looking at it right here”: Um, did this featurette actually amp me up more than the new Rings of Power trailer itself? (Watch)

Be prepared to be blown away by the Bond finalists

We’re in the final stretch for Amazon MGM Studios’s casting process for the new James Bond. Jeff Bezos spent an insane amount of money to buy out the Broccoli family and take full control of the 007 franchise, and you better believe that the Amazon MGM era of Bond is going to blow you away.

Deadline reported on Thursday that final screen tests for director Denis Villeneuve’s Bond movie will be held over the next week.

Are you ready for Jack Lowden? Callum Turner? Josh O’Connor? Or a fourth candidate who I’m guessing is also a generic white dude?

We were never going to get Idris Elba. But I had hoped the casting would be more inspired than the lukewarm glass of milk that starred in the movie about the government only letting you have sex once a year. (Deadline)

Take it Glee-zy

You may have seen some reports this week that Glee is being rebooted. Those reports are incorrect.