Kathleen Kennedy, steward of 'Star Wars,' steps down from Lucasfilm
Kathleen Kennedy is stepping down from Lucasfilm after more than 13 years. The Walt Disney Co. announced Thursday that Dave Filoni will now lead “Star Wars” into its next era. Filoni, who was the chief commercial officer, and Lynwen Brennan, president and general manager, will take over. Kennedy, chosen by George Lucas, oversaw a lucrative but contentious period since Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012. Under her leadership, the franchise earned over $5.6 billion at the box office. Filoni will focus on creative aspects, having worked on projects like “The Mandalorian” and “Ahsoka.”
Movie Review: In 'The Rip,' cops both good and dirty find millions in cash
Lines between cop and criminal get murky in Joe Carnahan’s “The Rip,” a crime thriller set across one foggy Miami night, starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, writes Associated Press Film Writer Jake Coyle in his review. Damon and Affleck, of course, are so closely associated with Boston that a detour to South Florida puts them, a little awkwardly, in an entirely different movie landscape. This is “Miami Vice” territory or Elmore Leonard Land, not Southie or “The Town.” It's a lean and potent-enough neo-noir where almost all the characters are police officers, yet it’s a mystery as to who’s a good guy and who’s not. It debuts Friday on Netflix.
Harry Styles announces first album in 4 years, 'Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally'
NEW YORK (AP) — Harry Styles has announced that his long-awaited, fourth studio album will arrive this spring. “Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally” will arrive March 6. The album is Styles’ first full-length project in four years. It follows the critically acclaimed synth pop “Harry’s House,” which earned the former One Direction star album of the year at the 2023 Grammy Awards. A press release says “Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally” will contain 12 tracks and is executive produced by Kid Harpoon. The British songwriter and producer has been a close collaborator of Styles’ since the beginning of his solo career. “Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally” is now available for preorder.
Actor Timothy Busfield ordered held without bond in New Mexico child sex abuse case
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Actor Timothy Busfield was ordered held without bond at his first New Mexico court appearance on child sex abuse charges, pending a detention hearing in coming days. Wednesday's hearing took place a day after Busfield turned himself on an arrest warrant and criminal complaint from Albuquerque police that accused him of inappropriately touching a minor while on the set of the series “The Cleaning Lady." Busfield denies the allegations, and an attorney says he underwent a polygraph test. Prosecutors are seeking to keep Busfield in custody pending trial. They pointed to a history of alleged sexual misconduct over two decades.
The new BTS album title and what to know about the K-pop band’s comeback
NEW YORK (AP) — After a nearly four-year musical hiatus, the K-pop giants BTS are back. Well, almost. On Thursday morning, the entertainment company BigHit Music shared on social media that the septet will release a new album on March 20 titled “ARIRANG.” It is their fifth album. Fans can preorder 10 different vinyl versions and two different CD versions of the release. The news arrives two days after the septet of RM, Jin, Jimin, V, Suga, Jung Kook and j-hope announced a 2026-2027 world tour. It will kick off in South Korea in April and run through March 2027 with over 70 dates across Asia, North America, South America, Australia and Europe.
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Mattel and Alex Aster team up for Barbie young adult novel, 'Barbie: Dreamscape'
NEW YORK (AP) — Mattel Publishing is teaming up with bestselling author Alex Aster for a new Barbie young adult novel. “Barbie: Dreamscape,” set for release on July 28, takes Barbie on a journey across magical lands. This is the first novel for young adults from Mattel Publishing since its launch three years ago. The novel isn't connected to the 2023 movie, and no screen adaptation is planned. Mattel describes it as a coming-of-age story where Barbie, declared “Fateless,” must find her destiny. Aster, known for her “Lightlark” series, says Barbie dolls were a formative part of her childhood.
Former Universal chair David Linde named CEO of Sundance Institute
David Linde, former chairman of Universal Pictures and CEO of Participant Media, has been named CEO of the Sundance Institute. The nonprofit organization announced Thursday that Linde will assume the role on Feb. 17, after this year’s festival concludes. His responsibilities will include overseeing the Sundance Film Festival’s transition to Boulder, Colorado, in 2027 and managing year-round programs like artist labs and fellowships. Sundance has been operating under interim CEO Amanda Kelso since early 2024. Linde, a Hollywood veteran, has worked across television and film for decades, cofounding Focus Features and overseeing numerous Oscar nominees and winners.
Defense Department says military newspaper Stars and Stripes must eliminate 'woke distractions'
The Defense Department says it is revamping the military newspaper Stars and Stripes to focus on “reporting for our warfighters” and eliminate woke distractions. That message left Stars and Stripes' ombudsman concerned that it was a threat to the outlet's congressionally mandated independence, even though the Pentagon is responsible for half its budget. The move is one of several made by the Trump administration to impose restrictions on journalists. Most legacy reporters have left the Pentagon rather than agree to new rules imposed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The Washington Post reported this week that applicants for jobs at Stars and Stripes are being asked what they would do to advance President Donald Trump's agenda.
Rachel Goldberg-Polin's memoir recounts her journey after her son's abduction by Hamas
NEW YORK (AP) — Rachel Goldberg-Polin, known for her advocacy for hostages abducted by Hamas-led militants, has a memoir coming out this spring. Random House announced Thursday that “When We See You Again” will be published April 21. Goldberg-Polin, a Chicago-born educator living in Jerusalem, shares her journey of loss and resilience. Her son, Hersh, was taken during a music festival in southern Israel. She traveled the world calling for his release, meeting with leaders like President Joe Biden and Pope Francis. Despite the discovery of her son's body, she continues to share her story of grief and love.
Music streams hit 5 trillion in 2025. Christian, rock and Latin lead growth in the US
NEW YORK (AP) — The global music industry hit 5.1 trillion streams in 2025. That’s a new single-year record, up 9.6% from 2024. That’s according to a 2025 Year-End Report from Luminate. They are an industry data and analytics company that provides insight into changing behaviors across music listenership. In the U.S., on-demand audio streams hit 1.4 trillion. That’s a 4.6% increase from last year. But attention is on older music. Less than half all U.S. on-demand audio streams were from tracks released in the last five years. However, in the U.S., streams of Christian music, rock, Latin and AI performers are growing.

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