Reuters Entertainment News Summary

08/18/2016 0:55

Following is a summary of current entertainment news briefs.

Hollywood classic 'Ben-Hur' gets modern remake

"Ben-Hur," the 1959 movie epic that won 11 Oscars, has received a Hollywood revamp -- but its makers say the famed chariot race still relies on humans and horses, not special effects. "Boardwalk Empire" actor Jack Huston takes on the role for which the late Charlton Heston was named Best Actor, playing the young Jewish noble Judah Ben-Hur, who is sent into slavery by Roman occupiers but returns to take his revenge.

Presumed Oscar front-runner 'Birth of a Nation' runs into problems

Eight months ago, director Nate Parker's movie "The Birth of a Nation" was already being acclaimed as a 2017 Oscar front-runner with its powerful story of a 19th century slave rebellion. This week, less than a month before the movie's award season campaign gets underway, Parker, who was acquitted on a rape charge 17 years ago, is having to address the issue again after reports that his accuser committed suicide in 2012.

'Baar Baar Dekho' spins Bollywood twist on time and love

It is not easy fusing a cocktail of genres including music, comedy and time travel into a movie, but the leading stars of new Bollywood film "Baar Baar Dekho" hope to convey a multi-faceted love story. "Baar Baar Dekho," which translates as "Look Again and Again," centers on Jai (Sidharth Malhotra) and Diya (Katrina Kaif), two childhood sweethearts now grown up and getting ready for their wedding. Jai gets cold feet as he wonders how to balance his personal and professional life.

Hugh Hefner's Playboy Mansion sells for $100 million

The famed Los Angeles Playboy mansion belonging to Hugh Hefner, founder of the Playboy empire, has been sold for $100 million, and Hefner, 90, will live in the mansion for the rest of his life, a representative for the buyer said in a news release on Tuesday. The property was bought by Daren Metropoulos, a principal at private equity firm Metropoulos & Co, for half of the $200 million it was initially listed for earlier this year.

'A Star is Born' again with Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga

Pop singer Lady Gaga and Oscar-nominated actor Bradley Cooper are joining forces to remake classic Hollywood musical drama "A Star is Born," Warner Bros said on Tuesday. Cooper, 41, who has been nominated for four Oscars including acting and producing 2014's "American Sniper," will make his directorial debut on the movie, while Lady Gaga, 30, will make her feature film lead acting debut.

Hill, Teller play arms dealers in 'War Dogs'

Actors Jonah Hill and Miles Teller take on the roles of arms dealers in dramedy "War Dogs," the latest offering from "The Hangover" director Todd Phillips. The movie, inspired by a true story, follows the pair as they get a $300 million deal through the U.S. Department of Defense to arm the Afghan military.

Johnny Depp, Amber Heard divorce, ending 'volatile' relationship

Actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard privately settled their divorce case, the actors said in a joint statement on Tuesday, a day ahead of a court hearing on the status of a restraining order that Heard had filed against Depp. The settlement ending the 15-month marriage comes after weeks of highly publicized claims of domestic violence by Heard, 30, and counterclaims of financial blackmailing by Depp, 53.

'Love Story' director Arthur Hiller dies at 92

Versatile and prolific Canadian film director Arthur Hiller, whose sentimental "Love Story" starring Ali MacGraw and Ryan O'Neal was the biggest hit of 1970 and stands as one of the most popular romantic movies ever made, died on Wednesday at the age of 92, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences said. Hiller, whose work also included successful collaborations with playwrights Neil Simon and Paddy Chayefsky, died of natural causes in Los Angeles, the Academy said in a statement.

'Star Trek Beyond' cast greeted in South Korea by fans

The cast of "Star Trek Beyond" hit the red carpet in Seoul on Tuesday to meet and greet fans days before the film's release in South Korea. Scores of screaming fans took pictures of and with the movie stars, including Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and Simon Pegg, as they entered the venue and signed autographs.

Austria charges U.S. rapper Freddie Gibbs with sexual assault

U.S. rapper Freddie Gibbs has been charged in Austria with sexually assaulting a woman while on tour last year in Vienna, a court spokesman said on Wednesday. Gibbs, 34, whose real name is Fredrick Tipton, has been remanded in custody in the Austrian capital following his extradition from France, where he was arrested in June.

08/18/2016 0:55