Reuters Entertainment News Summary
Following is a summary of current entertainment news briefs.
'Wonderful Life' stage adaptation gets a little help from Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney is adding another string to his bow - writing his first musical. The former Beatle, an 18-time Grammy award winner, is in the final stages of completing songs for a stage adaptation of the beloved 1946 movie "It's a Wonderful Life," with the aim of launching it in late 2020, the musician's representatives said on Wednesday.
Massachusetts prosecutors drop Kevin Spacey sex assault case
Massachusetts prosecutors on Wednesday dropped a criminal case accusing former "House of Cards" star Kevin Spacey of sexually assaulting an 18-year-old man at a Nantucket bar in 2016 after the alleged victim refused to testify. Prosecutors said they made the decision to drop the felony indecent assault and battery charge against the Oscar winner after the alleged victim invoked his right under the U.S. Constitution against giving self-incriminating testimony.
New 'Cats' movie trailer brings out the claws
The star-laden movie version of hit stage musical "Cats" released its first trailer on Thursday, but first impressions were far from cuddly. The movie, to be released in December, features Taylor Swift in her first film role, along with Jennifer Hudson, Judi Dench, Ian McKellen, Idris Elba and James Corden.
Netflix sinks on subscriber losses, analysts still see growth
Wall Street brokerages stuck to a positive outlook on Netflix Inc on Thursday, betting that a strong content slate for the rest of 2019 would reverse shock second-quarter losses in U.S. subscribers that sank its stock price. Netflix shares fell about 11% on worries about its earnings report on Wednesday that showed lower-than-expected global growth and signs of trouble in its U.S. base ahead of Walt Disney Co's much-awaited launch of a rival service later this year.
U.S. rapper A$AP Rocky to remain in Swedish custody, Trump plans to intervene
Swedish prosecutors on Friday extended American rapper A$AP Rocky's detention by six days amid their ongoing investigation into a street fight in Stockholm as U.S. President Donald Trump said he planned to call Sweden's prime minister about the case. A district court agreed to a request from prosecutors for more time for their investigation of alleged aggravated assault by the 30-year-old performer, producer and model, whose real name is Rakim Mayers.
ITV, BBC to offer BritBox at 6 pounds per month in UK
British broadcasters ITV and the BBC said on Friday they would launch streaming service BritBox in the UK at nearly 6 pounds ($7.51) per month, giving subscribers access to hit shows such as "Love Island", "Gentleman Jack" and "Coronation Street". ITV will control the venture, a Netflix-style offering of British box-sets and original series, with a 90% stake, while the BBC will an option to increase its holding to 25%.
Tom Cruise delights fans with first look at 'Top Gun: Maverick'
"Top Gun" roared back on Thursday when Tom Cruise made a surprise appearance at Comic-Con to show the first trailer for the long-awaited sequel to his military action movie. "Top Gun: Maverick," due for release in June 2020, sees the return of Cruise's cocky fighter pilot more than 30 years after the original movie launched his career as a global action star.
