Reuters Entertainment News Summary
Following is a summary of current entertainment news briefs.
Sweden rebuffs Trump over U.S. rapper charges, saying courts independent
Sweden on Friday dismissed an angry outburst from U.S. President Donald Trump after prosecutors charged U.S. rapper A$AP Rocky with assault, saying the country's judicial system was independent of political interference. Best known for his song "Praise the Lord," the 30-year-old performer, producer and model, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, was detained about three weeks ago following a street altercation with two men in Stockholm on June 30. A$AP Rocky, who was charged on Thursday, will go on trial next week.
Jay-Z, John Fogerty pull out of Woodstock 50 music festival
Rap superstar Jay-Z has pulled out of the troubled Woodstock 50 music festival that is supposed to take place next month, a person with knowledge of the matter said on Friday. Jay-Z had been scheduled to perform as the closing act of the three-day event meant to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the famed 1969 "peace and music" festival.
A Minute With: Jason Statham and Idris Elba on 'Fast & Furious' spin-off
Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham return as agent Hobbs and outcast Shaw in "Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw," their own spin-off in the hugely successful film franchise. The two characters, who strongly dislike each other, must join forces against villain Brixton, played by Idris Elba.
'Four Weddings' gets a reboot, without the floppy-haired British guy
Imagine "Four Weddings and a Funeral" without Hugh Grant? That was the challenge for the makers of a new TV series that puts a 21st-century twist on the 1994 British romantic comedy that made the fumbling, quintessentially English Grant an international star.
'Transparent' musical finale aims for upbeat send-off after star's exit
Groundbreaking TV show "Transparent" will end with a musical episode in which the Pfefferman family grapples with the death of the character played by Jeffrey Tambor, the award-winning star fired after accusations of sexual misconduct. Series creator Jill Soloway told reporters on Saturday that turning to song and dance allowed the show to return with a fresh take and an upbeat ending despite the heavy subject matter and on-set turmoil. The finale will debut on Amazon Prime Video on Sept. 27.
Wu-Tang Clan gets back to its roots in new TV series
The story of famed 1990s group Wu-Tang Clan is coming to television in a series that rapper RZA hopes will resonate beyond America's hip-hop community. "Wu-Tang: An American Saga" is a dramatization of the early days of the band that rose from the crime-ridden streets of New York City to become an unlikely success story.
