AP Entertainment SummaryBrief at 9:46 a.m. EDT

The Motown Museum's $75M expansion aims to honor Detroit's musical legacy

DETROIT (AP) — The Motown Museum in Detroit is undergoing a $75 million expansion that is slated to open in 2027.  The original Motown hub known as Hitsville USA is where legends including Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye developed and recorded their early hits. Supporters hope the revamped museum campus will boost Detroit's visitor numbers. Former Motown arranger Paul Riser Sr. believes the Motown Museum deserves the same recognition as landmarks such as New York City's Times Square. The museum currently attracts over 100,000 visitors annually. The expansion will include a theater, recording studio and more. The project highlights the importance of preserving Motown's legacy and promoting Detroit's musical heritage.

OpenAI film 'Artificial,' dropped by Amazon, finds a new home with Neon

NEW YORK (AP) — “Artificial,” Luca Guadagnino’s starry film about Sam Altman and OpenAI, has been acquired by the indie distributor Neon after it was dropped by Amazon MGM Studios. Neon said Tuesday that it bought the film following a bidding process. Amazon dropped the nearly complete $40 million film, starring Andrew Garfield as Altman, earlier this month, a surprise move that came just months after Amazon announced a $50 billion investment in OpenAI. Amazon said then that “Artificial” would “be better served if it were released by a different studio.” Neon said it will release “Artificial” this year and “compete in this year’s Oscar race.”

Japan’s Eiko Kadono, author of ‘Kiki’s Delivery Service,’ still believes in the magic of books at 91

KAMAKURA, Japan (AP) — Eiko Kadono, the 91-year-old author behind Japan’s most famous and beloved children's fantasy books, has a little trouble going up the stairs these days. But she hasn’t stopped loving the color pink, dressing up or believing in the magic of books. Her best known 1985 novel “Kiki’s Delivery Service” — about a young witch who moves to the port town of Koriko with her cat, Jiji — led to a series of tales that have entertained a generation of readers. The original book was turned into a 1989 animation film by Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli. Kadono told The Associated Press at her home in the picturesque seaside town of Kamakura, south of Tokyo, that she still loves to write.

New Trump book, 'Regime Change,' has sold 300,000 copies, with more being printed, publisher says

The newest book on Donald Trump is a big hit. Publisher Simon & Schuster says that “Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump,” written by political journalists Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan, has sold more than 300,000 copies in its opening week. The total figures include preorders, print book sales, ebooks, and e-audiobooks and orders that have yet to be fulfilled because of demand. Simon & Schuster said the book is into its third hard copy printing. It’s the best first-week clip of any hardcover nonfiction book in 2026. Trump has said the book is largely made up. But Haberman's and Swan's reporting take readers inside Trump's second presidency with considerable detail.

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.

Los Angeles medical examiner says former child actor Daveigh Chase died of AIDS

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former child actor Daveigh Chase's death on June 16 was due to AIDS. That's according to the office of the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner. Chase was known for voicing Lilo in Disney's “Lilo & Stitch” and her role in the horror film “The Ring.” She also voiced a lead in “Spirited Away” and appeared in “Donnie Darko” and “Oliver Beene.” Chase died at a Los Angeles hospital at age 35. Her father has said she was homeless in that city with her boyfriend. He also said she struggled with drugs since age 13 and was estranged from her parents.

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.