Hello, my most beloved subscribers!

Spoiler alert: I am your father!

I realize this may have come as a shock, but don’t worry, I’m actually just quoting a famous line from one of the Star Wars movies that was voiced by Darth Vader. #IYKYK A move to recreate his voice using AI has irked the actors’ union—and you don’t want to do that, mate. Trust me. Actors are savage. Also: There is plenty of other news!

News you Need2Know

• Actors don’t like Darth Vader’s AI voice in Fortni …

• Regeneron is buying 23andMe for $256 million

• New 'Final Destination' wins big at weekend box of …

• ‘EAT THE TARIFFS,’ Trump tells Walmart

• What does Biden’s cancer diagnosis mean?

Let them eat tariffs.

—Matt Davis, Need2Know Chedditor

P.S. Did you know we offer paid subscriptions that mean you never have to see an ad in this newsletter?

Companies mentioned in today’s newsletter

$EPIC.P ( 0.0% )  $REGN ( ▼ 1.85% )  $WBD ( ▼ 3.63% )  $WMT ( ▼ 1.47% )  

Actors don’t like Darth Vader’s AI voice in Fortnite

Fortnite's use of AI to recreate the iconic voice of Darth Vader (a.k.a. the late James Earl Jones) has sparked a backlash. SAG-AFTRA, Hollywood’s largest actors’ union, has filed an unfair labor practice charge against Llama Productions, a subsidiary of Epic Games $EPIC.P ( 0.0% ) , alleging that the company employed AI-generated voices without notice or negotiation.

The union stated that Llama Productions failed to bargain in good faith, making unilateral changes to employment terms and conditions by replacing actors with AI. “We must protect our right to bargain terms and conditions around uses of voice that replace the work of our members,” SAG-AFTRA said in a statement.

This dispute reflects broader concerns in Hollywood over unregulated AI's impact on actors' careers and livelihoods. SAG-AFTRA has been vocal about ensuring performers — and their estates — retain control over the use of their digital replicas and AI-generated performances. A strike against major game companies in July underscored these tensions after negotiations around the union’s interactive media agreement collapsed.

With Epic Games yet to comment, who knows which side of the force they’re turning to.

Regeneron is buying 23andMe for $256 million

Somebody bought 23andMe, and they’re promising to keep your DNA secret.

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals $REGN ( ▼ 1.85% ) is set to acquire 23andMe for $256 million, just two months after the genetic testing company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The acquisition comes after years of struggle for 23andMe, which faced challenges maintaining a profitable business model and addressing growing privacy concerns, especially after a significant 2023 data breach.

Under the deal, Regeneron will acquire 23andMe’s personal genome services and health research divisions, while its Lemonaid Health telehealth services will be wound down. “We believe we can help 23andMe deliver and build upon its mission to help people learn about their own DNA and how to improve their personal health,” said George Yancopoulos, Regeneron co-founder and chief scientific officer.

Importantly, Regeneron has committed to adhering to 23andMe’s privacy policies and ensuring customer data remains protected, a point emphasized during the bankruptcy sale process. Mark Jensen, chair of 23andMe’s special board committee, reassured customers, saying, “The transaction maximizes the value of the business… while maintaining critical protections around customer privacy, choice, and consent.”

To further ensure transparency, a court-appointed privacy ombudsman will review the deal's potential impact before finalization. Pending court approval, the transaction is expected to close in the third quarter.

Today on the ‘gram: a useful robot

Post of the day: Bad socks

Quote of the Day

New 'Final Destination' wins big at weekend box office

Warner Bros.’ $WBD ( ▼ 3.63% )  Final Destination Bloodlines delivered a stellar box office debut over the weekend — the sixth installment of the beloved horror franchise earned a franchise-record $51 million domestically, with another $51 million from international markets.

“Critics’ reviews are sensational, and the audience score is excellent for horror,” the aptly named analyst David A. “Nalyst” Gross told the Associated Press, praising the film’s 93% Rotten Tomatoes average and its “B+” CinemaScore. Directed by Adam Stein and Zach Lipovsky, the R-rated thriller continues the franchise’s tradition of inventive deaths while centering on a cursed family.

Should you check your 401(k) today?

👍️ 

Meh. Sure. Like, it’s fine.

‘EAT THE TARIFFS,’ Trump tells Walmart

President Trump scolded Walmart $WMT ( ▼ 1.47% ) over the weekend after the retail giant warned that his tariffs would force price hikes. Trump took to Truth Social, his social media site, saying: “Walmart should STOP trying to blame Tariffs as the reason for raising prices throughout the chain. Walmart made BILLIONS OF DOLLARS last year, far more than expected.” He urged Walmart to "EAT THE TARIFFS" and maintain low prices, adding, "I’ll be watching, and so will your customers."

This comes as Walmart announced that the reduced tariffs would soon necessitate price increases. Walmart’s chief executive, Doug McMillon, on a call with analysts, said, “We will do our best to keep our prices as low as possible,” but cautioned that the company couldn't absorb all the tariff pressure.

Molly Blakeman, a spokeswoman for Walmart, reiterated her boss’s stance, saying: “We’ll keep prices as low as we can for as long as we can given the reality of small retail margins.”

Many experts argue that businesses cannot entirely absorb these costs. Ryan Sweet, Chief U.S. Economist at Oxford Economics, told the AP: “It was the iceberg that we knew we were going to hit at some point. This is just the beginning.”

Let us know how you feel about this in today’s poll!

What does Biden’s cancer diagnosis mean?

Last week’s revelation of former President Joseph R. Biden's prostate cancer diagnosis has put a spotlight on advances in the treatment of advanced-stage prostate cancer.

Announced by his office, Biden’s cancer is Stage 4 and has spread to his bones — a development that would once have been considered overwhelmingly grim. However, modern medical advancements have transformed the outlook for patients with metastatic prostate cancer, with life expectancy now measured in years rather than months.

People in Biden’s position could potentially live five to ten or more years with current treatment options thanks to innovative therapies emerging over the past decade. Some particularly nice news is that all these advancements are credited largely to federal research funding, spurred by Biden’s cancer moonshot initiative.

Poll of the Day: Is it Walmart’s fault?

Poll Results: Take it back!

We asked: Do you ever feel shame or guilt when returning a product to a retailer?

You answered:

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Yes, because I am a good person at heart. (150 votes)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 No, because capitalism. (453 votes)

603 total votes via @beehiiv polls

Coming soon: The Business of Beauty

Airing on Thursday, May 22, at 8 p.m. ET wherever you watch Cheddar, dive into our new show, "The Business of Beauty" where one celebrity dentist reveals the secrets behind Kylie Jenner and J.Lo's dazzling smiles, showcasing his unique, custom-made veneers process. Then, witness the revolutionary tech behind painless tattoo removal, promising a chance to erase at least some of your regrets. Finally, explore one firm’s bold claims about unlocking the "Fountain of Youth" through supplements, backed by scientific research. Discover how these innovations are reshaping beauty standards and empowering personal transformation!