This Week: Val Kilmer has Died, Nazi-Looted Painting Returned to Heirs, Authors Fight Against Meta’s AI
Also, Salman Rushdie announces new book, Iron Age treasure hoard unearthed, and more stories you need to know about culture from around the world
It’s impossible to escape AI.
In every collation of This Week on The Culturelist it seems that AI touches a facet of culture stories from around the world. It’s inspiring to see that artists across sectors are fighting back, from protecting rights to grappling with how to use this new tool ethically and questioning what it means for the future of all creatives and their industries.
The loss of Val Kilmer is sad - I loved his performance in Batman Forever - a classic. And Heat, what a brilliant film! Although he wasn’t able to speak due to his throat cancer, it was a delight to see him reprise his role as Tom "Iceman" Kazansky in Top Gun: Maverick along side Tom Cruise.
I first noticed Kilmer when he played Jim Morrison, in the film The Doors. I wasn’t familiar with the singer or the band’s music then, but Kilmer’s nuanced performance was an access point for me and many others I’m sure.
Speaking of biopics, Sam Mendes' upcoming Beatles film has announced who will play members of the iconic band, and they couldn’t have done a better job!
So, from my DMs to yours, here are the culture stories that made major headlines around the world between March 26 – April 1, 2025.
Art
Earthquake Devastates Myanmar and Thailand's Cultural Heritage Sites
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar, causing widespread devastation, particularly in Mandalay and Naypyidaw. The quake resulted in over 2,700 deaths and thousands of injuries. Numerous cultural heritage sites, including temples and monasteries, were damaged or destroyed. Neighbouring Thailand also experienced casualties and structural damage. Rescue operations face challenges due to damaged infrastructure and ongoing civil unrest. International aid is crucial to address urgent needs for food, water, and shelter.
Source: Art News
Alleged Leader of Egyptian Antiquities Trafficking Ring, Extradited to France
Serop Simonian, an 80-year-old German art dealer, was arrested in Hamburg and extradited to France in September 2023. He faces charges of trafficking and money laundering related to the sale of Egyptian antiquities, including a gold sarcophagus of priest Nedjemankh sold to New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2017 for €3.5 million. Simonian denies wrongdoing, claiming the artefacts were legally exported in the 1970s. The investigation also implicates other dealers and museum officials.
Source: The Art Newspaper
Tate Returns Nazi-Looted Henry Gibbs Painting to Heirs of Jewish Dealer
Tate has returned a 17th-century painting, Aeneas and His Family Fleeing Burning Troy (1654), by Henry Gibbs to the heirs of Jewish dealer Samuel Hartveld. The work was seized by Nazis in 1942 and later acquired by the Tate museum in 1994. The return follows a claim by the Sonia Klein Trust for Hartveld's descendants.
Source: The Art Newspaper
Gagosian's Final Exhibition at 980 Madison to show Picasso Works
Gagosian Gallery is closing its flagship 980 Madison Avenue location with the exhibition Picasso: Tête-à-tête, featuring over 50 works from Picasso's estate. Opening April 18, the exhibition includes paintings, sculptures, and drawings spanning Picasso's career (1896–1972), many publicly displayed for the first time. Curated with Paloma Picasso, the artist’s daughter, the show offers a unique perspective on the artist's evolution.
Source: Art News
Unprecedented Iron Age Hoard Discovered in North Yorkshire
Archaeologists have uncovered the Melsonby Hoard, one of the largest and most significant Iron Age finds in the UK in North Yorkshire. The hoard contains over 800 items, including cauldrons, ceremonial spears, and horse harnesses, believed to be buried around 2,000 years ago. Early analysis suggests the objects were intentionally damaged before burial, indicating elite wealth and power. The find provides evidence of trade connections with continental Europe and the Roman world. The Yorkshire Museum has launched a fundraising campaign to secure the hoard for public display.
Source: BBC
Literature
Salman Rushdie’s New Collection to Release in November
Salman Rushdie’s upcoming book, The Eleventh Hour will be published by Random House on November 4, 2025. The collection includes five interconnected stories that explore themes of mortality, farewell, and identity, set in India, England, and the U.S. The book marks his first work since Victory City and follows his memoir Knife. Rushdie notes the novellas reflect on recent personal reflections and societal issues.
Source: Publishers Weekly
Authors Demand Accountability After Meta Uses Pirated Books for AI Training
Several prominent authors, including Richard Osman, Kate Mosse, Kazuo Ishiguro, Sarah Waters and Kazuo Ishiguro, have signed an open letter demanding the UK government hold Meta accountable for allegedly using pirated books to train its AI model, Llama 3. The letter follows a report detailing Meta’s use of a massive database of pirated works. Authors are urging for stronger copyright protection and compensation, while calling for legislative action to prevent further exploitation by big tech.
Source: The Bookseller
Penguin Random House Sees Major Revenue Surge, Hits €2.2 Billion in 2024
Penguin Random House reported a 13% revenue increase to €2.2 billion in H1 2024, with operating EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) rising to €291 million. This growth is attributed to strong sales across various categories, higher audiobook sales, and the acquisition of Hay House. CEO Nihar Malaviya noted nearly 35 million more books sold compared to the previous year.
Source: Publishers Weekly
DK Partners with Crunchyroll for Long-Term Anime Book Releases
DK Publishing and anime platform Crunchyroll have announced a long-term partnership to publish spin-off books from popular anime series. The collaboration begins with My Hero Academia releases, including the Ultimate Sticker Collection and Character Encyclopedia. Future books will feature titles like Bananya and SPY x FAMILY. Crunchyroll’s growing global fanbase offers exciting opportunities to expand into the publishing market, deepening fans' engagement with their favourite anime worlds.
Source: The Bookseller
Entertainment
Sam Mendes’ Beatles Biopics Cast Revealed, Set for 2028 Release
Sam Mendes' upcoming Beatles biopics will star Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr, and Joseph Quinn as George Harrison. The films, set for release in April 2028, will delve deeply into each member’s life. Mendes, with approval from surviving Beatles and their families, aims to offer a fresh perspective on the band's cultural impact and legacy.
Source: The Guardian
Spider-Man: Brand New Day Set for July 2026 Release
Marvel Studios has announced that Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the fourth instalment in the MCU Spider-Man series, is scheduled for release on July 31, 2026. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, the film will see Tom Holland reprising his role as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, alongside Zendaya as MJ and Jacob Batalon as Ned Leeds. Newcomer Sadie Sink is cast in an undisclosed role. The plot is expected to draw inspiration from the 2008 comic storyline where Peter Parker's identity is erased from everyone's memory, providing a fresh start for the character.
Source: Screen Rant
Jessica Chastain and Adam Driver Set to Star in Apple TV+ Art World Drama
The Dealer an Apple TV+ series will star Jessica Chastain and Adam Driver in a high stakes story that delves into the art market. Chastain plays a gallerist, while Driver portrays a talented but unsettling artist. The drama delves into power, class, seduction, and culture within the art world. The show is produced by Media Res, known for The Morning Show and Pachinko.
Source: The Art Newspaper
New Trailer for Karate Kid: Legends Bridges Original and Rebooted Universes
A new trailer for Karate Kid: Legends was unveiled at CinemaCon, revealing the film blending elements from both the original 1984 movie and the 2010 reboot. Newcomer Ben Wang portrays Li Fong, a kung fu prodigy who relocates from Beijing to New York City following a family tragedy. Struggling to adapt, Li encounters Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) and Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), who mentor him in karate. Directed by Jonathan Entwistle, the movie is set to hit theaters on May 30, 2025.
Source: Screen Rant
Fashion
Dolly Parton Launches Sparkling Denim Collection with Good American
Dolly Parton has partnered with Good American to launch Dolly's Joleans, a limited-edition denim collection inspired by her iconic country-glam style and the song Jolene. The line features rhinestone-adorned jeans, gingham pieces, and other embellished items, reflecting Parton's personal taste. Sizes range from 00 to 30 and XS to 5X, with prices between $64 and $229. Available from April 3 at Good American stores, online, and select Nordstrom locations.
Source: WWD
H&M's AI Model Initiative Faces Industry Scrutiny
Clothing brand H&M's introduction of AI-generated "digital twins" for 30 models to be used in social media posts and marketing imagery has sparked industry concerns. Unions and advocates fear job losses, exploitation, and ethical issues surrounding consent and compensation. Legislative measures like the Fashion Workers' Act in the US and the EU's AI Act are being considered to regulate AI usage in modeling.
Source: BOF, The Guardian
V&A's Fashion Gallery to Become The Burberry Gallery
The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London is undergoing a significant transformation of its Fashion Gallery, supported by Burberry. Starting in May 2025, the gallery will close for redevelopment and reopen in spring 2027 as The Burberry Gallery. This renovation aims to modernise the space, which has remained largely unchanged since the 1960s, enhancing the display of the V&A's extensive fashion collections and contemporary designers.
Source: BOF
Victoria Beckham Appoints New CEO Amid Brand Growth
Victoria Beckham's fashion label has appointed Sybille Darricarrere Lunel as CEO, succeeding Marie Leblanc, who departs after five years. Under Leblanc's leadership, the brand expanded into categories like small leather goods and fragrances, achieving a 52% sales increase to £89 million. Lunel is a former Dior executive, who will take over leadership of the Victoria Beckham brand on July 1.
Source: WWD
Pop Culture
Val Kilmer, Iconic 'Top Gun' and 'Batman Forever' Actor, Dies at 65
Val Kilmer, renowned for his roles in Top Gun, Batman Forever, and The Doors, passed away on April 1, 2025, at age 65 due to pneumonia. A Juilliard-trained actor, Kilmer's notable performances include Iceman in Top Gun, Jim Morrison in The Doors, and Batman in Batman Forever. Diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, he underwent a tracheotomy but continued acting, reprising his role in Top Gun: Maverick in 2022. He is survived by his two children, Mercedes and Jack.
Source: The New York Times, People
Kim Kardashian to Testify in $10M Paris Robbery Trial
Kim Kardashian will testify in May this year against gang members involved in her 2016 Paris robbery, where $10 million worth of jewellery was stolen. She was bound and held at gunpoint during the heist. The trial comes after years of investigation, with 12 suspects facing charges. Kardashian has publicly discussed the emotional impact, including anxiety and agoraphobia, and the incident remains a significant event in her life.
Source: Page Six
Sydney Sweeney Reportedly Ends Engagement
Sydney Sweeney has reportedly ended her engagement to Jonathan Davino after nearly seven years together. The couple, who got engaged in 2022, postponed their wedding earlier this year due to their demanding schedules. Sweeney is focusing on her flourishing acting career, with upcoming projects including the final season of Euphoria and a film adaptation of The Housemaid.
Source: TMZ
Remi Bader Opens Up About Her Weight-Loss Surgery
Influencer Remi Bader has publicly acknowledged undergoing weight-loss surgery in December 2023, after previously keeping it private. She underwent a single anastomosis duodenal-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S), removing 80% of her stomach. Bader faced significant health challenges, including back pain, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, and concerns about infertility, leading to her decision. Over the past year, she has lost over 140 pounds.
Source: Page Six
Jennifer Lawrence Welcomes Second Baby
Jennifer Lawrence and husband, Cooke Maroney, have welcomed their second child together. The couple, already parents to three-year-old Cy, were spotted out in New York City after the birth. Lawrence, 34, and Maroney, 40, married in October 2019. The actress had previously announced her pregnancy in October 2024. No news on the baby’s birth date, sex has been released.
Source: People