Following is a summary of current entertainment news briefs.
Box Office: ‘Sonic 2’ Booms to $71 Million, Michael Bay’s ‘Ambulance’ Stalls
“Sonic the Hedgehog 2” powered to $71 million in its domestic box office debut, a hopeful indication that family audiences are feeling better about returning to theater. In taking the No. 1 spot, Paramount’s kid-friendly film towered over Sony’s Marvel adaptation “Morbius” and Universal’s Michael Bay action-adventure “Ambulance,” which debuted to a disappointing $8 million.
Nicolas Cage plays Nick Cage in tailor-made ‘Massive Talent’
Hollywood star Nicolas Cage says his immediate reaction to being asked to play a version of himself in the new comedy-action film “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent” was a resounding “no”. The movie is a love letter to the actor and his career, which spans over four decades. Cage stars as Nick Cage, an aging actor struggling to book new roles. Desperate, he accepts the offer to appear at a wealthy fan’s birthday party in Europe in exchange for a $1 million paycheck.
Actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard face off again in U.S. libel trial
The latest chapter in Hollywood star Johnny Depp’s legal battle with ex-wife Amber Heard kicked off on Monday as a U.S. defamation trial began over allegations Heard made about domestic abuse. Depp, 58, has sued Heard for $50 million, saying she defamed him when she penned a 2018 opinion piece in the Washington Post about being a survivor of domestic abuse.
‘Cabaret’,’Life of Pi’ triumph at London’s Olivier Awards for theatre
A critically-acclaimed revival of the musical “Cabaret” and a stage adaptation of his novel “Life of Pi” were the big winners at the Olivier Awards on Sunday, scooping the top prizes on Britain’s biggest night for theatre. After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the London theatre community reunited for a glitzy ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall.
‘Baby One More Time’ – Britney Spears expecting third child
Singer Britney Spears announced she is pregnant with her third child by posting a message on Instagram on Monday. Spears, 40, not only revealed her pregnancy but also appeared to announce she has gotten married to her fiance Sam Asghari, 28, calling him her “husband” in the post-https://www.instagram.com/p/CcONvpGOelB.
Hugh Laurie brings Agatha Christie’s murder mystery to TV
British actor Hugh Laurie, best known for playing an eccentric doctor in the TV series “House” , brings what he says is his favorite Agatha Christie novel to the screen with his new TV show “Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?”. The three-part mini-series was written, produced, and directed by Laurie, who also stars in a supporting role.
Kurt Cobain’s blue guitar in Nirvana’s ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ video to be sold at auction
The iconic blue guitar Kurt Cobain rocked out within Nirvana’s seminal 90s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” music video is expected to fetch up to $800,000 when it goes up for auction next month. With “Smells Like Teen Spirit” racking up more than 1.4 billion views on YouTube, the 1969 blue Fender is arguably one of the most famous in rock, said Martin Nolan, executive director of Julien’s Auctions.
Factbox-Key winners at the 2022 Olivier Awards
The Olivier Awards for the theatre were handed out in London on Sunday, with the musical “Cabaret” and the play “Life of Pi” the productions scooping the most prizes. Below is a list of winners in the key categories.
(With inputs from agencies.)
