AP Entertainment SummaryBrief at 2:25 p.m. EDT

What, like it's hard? Newcomer Lexi Minetree put in the work to play a teen Elle Woods in 'Elle'

Lexi Minetree stars as a teenage Elle Woods in a new “Legally Blonde” prequel series for Prime Video. Executive producer Lauren Neustadter says Minetree impressed by recreating Elle's Harvard admission video. The series debuts Wednesday. Minetree says she watched the original film about 200 times to prepare but aimed to bring her unique touch to the role. The story begins at Elle's 16th birthday party before her family moves to Seattle in 1995. The students at her new school are initially unfriendly, and the series explores themes of self-acceptance and kindness. Season 2 has already wrapped, and a third “Legally Blonde” film is in the works.

Movie Review: 'Minions & Monsters' is a very yellow mash note to Hollywood

“Minions & Monsters,” the third standalone Minions movie, explores the magic of moviemaking but misses the mark, says Associated Press critic Mark Kennedy. The film, set at the dawn of Hollywood and the suffragist movement, features Minions James and Henry trying to make a movie. They succeed with silent films but struggle with talkies due to their gibberish language. The plot takes a turn when they attempt to create a monster movie with real creatures. Directed by Pierre Coffin, the film is filled with cinematic references that may go over kids' heads. Despite playful nods to film history, Kennedy says it feels like a misfire.

Blake Lively wants $8 million in legal fees from Justin Baldoni after 'It Ends With Us' dispute

NEW YORK (AP) — Blake Lively is seeking $8 million in legal costs from actor and director Justin Baldoni after resolving their dispute over the acrimonious production of their 2024 film “It Ends With Us.” Lively’s lawyers disclosed the amount, covering nearly $7.5 million in attorney’s fees from two law firms that represented her and about $500,000 in other expenses, in a court filing Tuesday. Lively and Baldoni settled last month just before a trial was to start in federal court in Manhattan on Lively’s claims that he engineered an effort to damage her public reputation and credibility after she accused him of sexually harassing her while shooting the movie. Baldoni, who directed the dark romantic drama and starred in it with Lively, denied her claims.

Bello again: Pierre Coffin, voice of the Minions, finally understands his yellow henchman

NEW YORK (AP) — Filmmaker Pierre Coffin is the creator and chief practitioner of Minionese, but it’s a dialect — like most things Minions — that’s taken time to hone. It’s been 16 years since Coffin co-directed “Despicable Me.” He has made three more movies in the franchise. But the Minions, like Coffin’s multiheaded version of Frankenstein’s monster, have often remained a deviling, even mystifying force. After stepping away from the franchise, Coffin returns for “Minions & Monsters.” The concept — that the Minions try to make a monster movie — was too hard to pass up. The film opens Wednesday in theaters.

Star-maker Clive Davis honored at funeral that draws Bruce Springsteen, Dionne Warwick and others

NEW YORK (AP) — Pop music royalty including Bruce Springsteen, Barry Manilow, Stevie Wonder and Dionne Warwick were among the many notables who paid tribute to music legend Clive Davis at the esteemed producer's funeral in Manhattan. Rabbi Angela Warnick Buchdahl said Davis would have loved how many stars showed up to Monday's service, which was closed to the public but was livestreamed. Davis, who died June 22 at age 94, launched the careers of stars such as Whitney Houston and Springsteen. At the service, Kenny G played a mournful sax solo, Jennifer Hudson sang Leonard Cohen's “Hallelujah,” and Alicia Keys teared up while talking about Davis' influence on her career.

Rapper Twista pleads guilty to not paying taxes and faces potential prison time

WASHINGTON (AP) — Chicago rapper Twista has pleaded guilty to willfully failing to pay income taxes. The IRS says he owes over $440,000 for the years 2019 through 2023. Twista, whose real name is Carl Mitchell, faces up to five years in prison. He is scheduled for sentencing on Oct. 22. Known for his 2004 album "Kamikaze," Mitchell has collaborated with artists including Ye and Jamie Foxx. Despite warnings from the IRS and his accountants, he diverted funds to avoid tax levies. The IRS emphasizes that fame doesn't exempt anyone from tax obligations. Representatives for Mitchell did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.

Director Carl Rinsch is sentenced to prison in $11M fraud case over unfinished Netflix show

NEW YORK (AP) — Hollywood writer-director Carl Rinsch has been sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison after being convicted of conning Netflix out of $11 million for a never-finished sci-fi show. Supporters including Keanu Reeves had asked the court in letters to show him leniency. The 48-year-old Rinsch was sentenced Monday in a federal court in New York. Rinsch and his lawyers told the court that his behavior was fueled by mental health struggles and medication problems that now are being addressed. Prosecutors said he was motivated by greed and should serve five years in prison. Rinsch is best known for the 2013 samurai fantasy movie “47 Ronin,” which starred Reeves.

DC will pay $50,000 to man detained while protesting guard patrol with 'Star Wars' song, record says

WASHINGTON (AP) — A settlement document reveals the District of Columbia has agreed to pay $50,000 to resolve a lawsuit filed by a resident who accused police officers of illegally detaining him for following an Ohio National Guard patrol while playing Darth Vader’s theme song from “Star Wars” on his phone. The amount of plaintiff Sam O'Hara's settlement with the district is disclosed in a document D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb’s office provided to The Associated Press on Monday. O’Hara sued the district last year over what he says was his act of protest against Republican President Donald Trump’s federal law enforcement surge in overwhelmingly Democratic Washington.

Kara Swisher took Silicon Valley by force. Now she's eyeing influence in the 2028 campaign

WASHINGTON (AP) — Kara Swisher is expanding her influence from tech journalism to politics. Swisher is known for her fearless interviews and has hosted figures like Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk. Swisher's podcasts include “On with Kara Swisher” and “Pivot” and are gaining traction as political platforms. The former traditional print journalist often challenges guests like Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Swisher's goal is to engage a wide audience, including Republicans, despite her critical views on some. Swisher's podcasts are financially successful, reflecting the growing importance of digital media in political discourse. Swisher says from her Washington home she gets called by all the presidential candidates and she's "going to get to all of them.”