AP Entertainment SummaryBrief at 1:53 p.m. EDT

A look inside Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ by the numbers

Christopher Nolan's “The Odyssey” is an epic film, hitting theaters Friday. The Associated Press looks at the film, by the numbers. It runs 172 minutes, slightly shorter than “Oppenheimer.” The movie was shot on IMAX film, using 2.1 million feet of film. Filming took 91 days across six months and six countries, including Greece and Italy. The movie marks the third time that both Anne Hathaway and Matt Damon have worked with Nolan. The production involved 5,300 costumes and 2,000 extras for the siege of Troy. Composer Ludwig Göransson used unique instruments for the score, including 35 rented bronze gongs.

Biden will publish 'Promise Me, America' memoir after the November midterm elections

NEW YORK (AP) — Former President Joe Biden plans to publish his memoir, "Promise Me, America," this fall. Little, Brown and Company says the book is set for release Nov. 17 and will cover topics from the economy to Biden's decision not to seek reelection. Biden describes the book as a reflection on national challenges and his faith in America. Reports of the memoir have circulated for more than a year. The release comes two weeks after Election Day, which may concern some Democrats as they seek to regain control of Congress. Biden's health and his decision to step down are expected to be key topics.

US negotiator Brett McGurk will release a book on the Hamas hostage crisis

NEW YORK (AP) — A lead U.S. negotiator for the release of hostages captured by Hamas during the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks in Israel will have a book out this fall. Crown has scheduled Brett McGurk's “Brink: Inside the Race to Free the October 7 Hostages” for Oct. 6. McGurk is a longtime Middle East adviser and diplomat appointed by President Joe Biden in 2023 to oversee hostage talks. Crown says McGurk will describe his efforts to balance the demands of Israel and Hamas, traveling worldwide in pursuit of an agreement. The remaining surviving hostages were freed in October 2025.

Latin and country surge in the US as more music is being streamed than ever before

NEW YORK (AP) — Luminate’s 2026 Midyear Report reveals key streaming trends in music, film and TV. Music streaming has reached new heights globally, with on-demand audio streams hitting 2.8 trillion. In the U.S., R&B/hip-hop remains popular, but its dominance is being challenged. Latin and country music are on the rise. Latin music reached 363.2 billion streams worldwide. Some AI-generated music is gaining traction, with notable tracks like “Papaoutai (Afro Soul)” and “Livin’ on Borrowed Time.” In original content streaming, Netflix dominates U.S. streams. However, library content still surpasses original programming in popularity. Library content is older, preexisting and licensed shows and movies.

Tom Cruise, IShowSpeed and Post Malone join the World Cup closing ceremony's cast

NEW YORK (AP) — FIFA has announced a star-studded lineup for the closing ceremony of the World Cup. The event is set for 90 minutes before Sunday's final and will feature performers like Tom Cruise, Post Malone and streamer IShowSpeed. The ceremony aims to celebrate the journey of 48 teams across 16 host cities in three countries. Other performers include Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger and Robbie Williams. Jennifer Hudson will sing the U.S. national anthem. FIFA promises fans an active role. It starts at 1:30 p.m. at a stadium just outside New York in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with kickoff at 3 p.m.

Tom Cruise’s love for ‘Amores Perros’ led him to ‘Digger’

BURBANK, Calif. (AP) — Tom Cruise has launched an early promotional tour — and preview of a potential Hollywood awards campaign — for his next film. The 64-year-old star says he still remembers being amazed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s debut film “Amores Perros.” Now, 25 years later, they are collaborating on the dark comedy “Digger,” set for release Oct. 2. Cruise stars alongside John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, Riz Ahmed, and Jesse Plemons. Iñárritu first approached Cruise with the script, reading it line by line. The film follows an eccentric oil baron named Digger Rockwell, played by Cruise in heavy prosthetic makeup.

What to know: 70mm? IMAX? Dolby? Christopher Nolan breaks down his favorite big screen formats

Christopher Nolan has fulfilled his dream of shooting a feature film entirely on IMAX film with “The Odyssey.” This achievement follows years of innovation since “The Dark Knight,” when IMAX cameras were too noisy for dialogue scenes. After “Oppenheimer,” a new camera muffler called “the blimp” was developed, allowing this landmark project. The camera, named The Keighley, weighed 300 pounds and required frequent film reloading. Nolan aims to offer audiences a unique cinematic experience. He believes IMAX 70 mm film provides unparalleled sharpness and depth, immersing viewers in the film's world without needing 3D glasses.

A horde of golden mini-Mozarts marks 270 years since the composer's birth in Salzburg

SALZBURG, Austria (AP) — Visitors to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s hometown can see the composer — and his dog — in miniature as Salzburg celebrates the 270th anniversary of his birth. But they shouldn’t wait too long. The Mozarteum Foundation on Wednesday unveiled 300 gold-colored statuettes of Mozart, which are barely 50 centimeters (less than 20 inches) tall. They were designed by German concept artist Ottmar Hörl. To give the statues a human touch, Hörl depicted the composer with his favorite dog, Pimperl. The Mozart statues are scheduled to remain on display until Aug. 30.

Greece awaits Nolan's 'The Odyssey' with anticipation despite casting controversy

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Christopher Nolan’s film adaptation of Homer’s “The Odyssey” opens July 17 amid international anticipation and controversy over its casting. In Greece, where the 3,000-year-old epic is taught in every school, people are long accustomed to foreign actors playing their ancient heroes, and often argue that the poem has survived through its retelling and reinvention. Teachers, scholars and theatergoers told The Associated Press that each generation makes the story its own, while Greece’s culture minister dismissed calls to interfere with the production, which received about $7 million in state subsidies.