AP Entertainment SummaryBrief at 5:47 p.m. EDT

UK actor Micheal Ward acquitted by London jury of rape and sexual assault charges

LONDON (AP) — British actor Micheal Ward has been acquitted of rape and other charges in a London court. A jury found him not guilty of all charges, including two counts of rape, on Friday. Ward, known for his role in the Netflix drama “Top Boy,” was accused of sexually assaulting a woman in a Mercedes in 2023. His defense lawyer said Ward looks forward to returning to work. Ward has appeared in films like last year’s American political satire “Eddington,” “Blue Story” and “The Book of Clarence.” In 2020, he won the Rising Star award at the British Academy Film Awards.

Who is Telemachus, again? Circe? A guide to the characters of Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey'

NEW YORK (AP) — Christopher Nolan has adapted “The Odyssey” to make it accessible and relatable for modern audiences. The film, in theaters July 17, features Matt Damon as Odysseus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, and Tom Holland as Telemachus. Nolan aims to capture the essence of the classic tale while exploring the human elements of its characters. The Associated Press has made a who's who of the large ensemble cast as a primer before the film's release. Robert Pattinson plays the antagonist Antinous, and Zendaya portrays the goddess Athena. The cast also includes Lupita Nyong’o, Charlize Theron and John Leguizamo.

Movie Review: The live-action 'Moana' is a lifeless carbon copy of an animated classic

Say what you will about them, but the Disney live-action remakes have at least given us a choice. Which would you rather see? A spirited, soaring animated “Moana,” or a purposeless remake featuring Dwayne Johnson with Fabio hair? Few of the live-action remakes, regardless of box-office receipts, are covered in glory. But “Moana,” directed by “Hamilton” veteran Thomas Kail, feels especially off course, offering little more than a lamentable swap of cartoon imagination for live-action do-over,” writes AP Film Writer Jake Coyle in his review. The lifeless result veers perilously close to “Saturday Night Live” parody or one of those joke parallel universes in the “Spider-Verse” movies.

New 'Little House' series explores complicated history but keeps heart, community at the center

Netflix is set to premiere a remake of “Little House on the Prairie” on Thursday. Showrunner Rebecca Sonnenshine says the series still resonates with the American dream. Set in the late 1800s, it follows the Ingalls family as they settle in the frontier. The show explores themes of rugged individualism and the complexities of pioneer life. Sonnenshine emphasizes the importance of understanding diverse perspectives, highlighting interactions with the Osage Nation. Luke Bracey plays Pa, a character portrayed as good but flawed. Filming for Season 2 is already underway, with a fan favorite addition to the cast.

In any language: English speakers are tuning into World Cup broadcasts in Spanish

MIAMI (AP) — Ashleigh Hallam teaches English at her local library in Indiana. She's brushing up on her Spanish by watching the World Cup. Many English speakers in the U.S. are tuning into Spanish broadcasts, even if they don't understand the language. Census figures show that about 20% of the U.S. is Hispanic, yet Telemundo points to Nielsen ratings to show that roughly half the World Cup viewers in the U.S. have watched at least some portion of some matches in Spanish. Viewers are drawn to the excitement of Spanish commentary, famed broadcaster Andrés Cantor’s “goooool” call, and the lack of commercial breaks. Some, like comedian Trevor Noah, prefer the uninterrupted coverage.

Community screenings help a movie set during an Indian insurgency bypass censorship

GURDASPUR, India (AP) — Sikh organizations and local activists are organizing community screenings in India’s northern Punjab state of a movie set during its bloody insurgency. “Satluj” is based on the life of a human rights activist who was killed and explores disappearances and extrajudicial killings during the 1980s and 1990s. Originally titled “Punjab 95,” it faced censorship and was removed from a streaming platform. But now temples and village halls are being turned into makeshift cinemas for screenings that have reignited the debate about censorship and artistic freedom in India. For many, the film offers a poignant retelling of memories of one of India’s bloodiest internal conflicts.

Charles hosted Prince Harry and family for first time in years as they try to repair a family rift

LONDON (AP) — King Charles III has hosted Prince Harry and met with his family for the first time in years. The two are trying to repair a rift that has persisted since Charles' youngest son and wife quit royal life and moved to America six years ago. Harry, Meghan and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, met Friday with the king and Queen Camilla at Highgrove House, a country estate west of London. The Duke of Sussex arrived Monday in his homeland for a number of charity events that were overshadowed by speculation of whether he would meet with his father.

Behind Christopher Nolan’s 6-country epic undertaking to bring ‘The Odyssey’ to the big screen

NEW YORK (AP) — Christopher Nolan has taken on the epic challenge of adapting “The Odyssey” into a large-scale Hollywood film. Known for pushing cinematic boundaries, Nolan aimed to create something both accessible and realistic. This involved filming in real locations and using real ships on the open waters to bring the mythic tale to life. Despite the grueling shoot, the production finished early. Nolan's approach rejects typical Hollywood tropes, opting for colloquial language and unique musical elements. Matt Damon leads the massive ensemble as Odysseus, alongside Anne Hathaway and Tom Holland. The movie, the first to be shot entirely on IMAX film, opens worldwide on July 17.

Dustin Hoffman and 'cricket royalty' Sachin Tendulkar among celebrities at Wimbledon

LONDON (AP) — American actor Dustin Hoffman and cricket great Sachin Tendulkar were among the celebrities at Wimbledon on Friday to watch defending champion Jannik Sinner play Novak Djokovic on Centre Court. British actors Benedict Cumberbatch, Hugh Laurie and Damian Lewis watched from the Royal Box, as did fashion designer Tom Ford and Anna Wintour. The 88-year-old Hoffman wasn’t in the Royal Box, though he was a guest there in 2024.