Following is a abstract of present leisure information briefs.

Netflix takes ‘Stranger Things’ to the stage in London

The uncommon world of Hawkins, Indiana, got here alive in London on Thursday as Netflix debuted a stage play primarily based on its hit sci-fi sequence “Stranger Things.” Called “Stranger Things: The First Shadow,” the play takes place in 1959, twenty years earlier than the interval explored within the TV present. It was produced by Matt and Ross Duffer, the brothers who created the sequence.

‘American Fiction’ movie takes characters past stereotypes to true selves

Actor Jeffrey Wright desires audiences to know the comedy-drama movie “American Fiction” is supposed to seize the “humanness” of its characters as they work to be seen for who they’re, somewhat than how others understand them to be. “He wants to be true to himself and his interests and his inclination,” Wright mentioned about his character, Thelonious “Monk” Ellison.

Film ‘Poor Things’ conjures up curiosity, says star Emma Stone

Oscar-winner Emma Stone says her sex-charged gothic comedy-drama “Poor Things” is a lesson in embracing change and variety. Directed by Greece’s Yorgos Lanthimos, the movie stars Stone as Bella Baxter, who’s reanimated after suicide by a deformed, eccentric physician (Willem Dafoe) who replaces her mind with that of her unborn child.

Mattel to make ‘American Girl’ film after ‘Barbie’ success

Mattel mentioned on Wednesday it was planning to make a live-action characteristic movie primarily based on its “American Girl” doll line with Paramount Pictures and Temple Hill Entertainment, after the box-office success of its “Barbie” film earlier this yr. Shares of the toymaker rose marginally in prolonged buying and selling after it additionally mentioned Lindsey Anderson Beer, who wrote the Netflix movie “Sierra Burgess is a Loser”, would write the screenplay and produce the movie.

Actor Andre Braugher had been identified with lung most cancers months earlier than demise -publicist

Emmy-winning actor Andre Braugher, finest recognized for 2 tv roles taking part in cops – one dramatic, the opposite comedic – was identified with lung most cancers months earlier than his demise this week at age 61, his publicist mentioned on Thursday. Braugher, who made his 1989 movie debut within the Civil War drama “Glory,” taking part in a corporal in an all-Black Union Army infantry regiment, died on Monday after what his publicist, Jennifer Allen, initially described solely as a short sickness.

Royalty, stars pay tribute to comic Barry Humphries in Sydney ceremony

Elton John, Rupert Murdoch and King Charles III paid tribute to Australian comic Barry Humphries, whose character Dame Edna Everage earned him plaudits as one of many world’s funniest individuals, at a memorial service in Sydney on Friday. Thousands gathered on the Sydney Opera House on Friday to listen to tributes to the famed comic, who died aged 89 in April.

Disney prepares for bitter battle as activist Peltz seeks two board seats

Walt Disney is bracing for a bitter proxy battle as activist investor Nelson Peltz nominated himself and an ally to Disney’s board, his second try this yr to realize sway over the corporate’s technique. The looming battle comes at a pivotal time for Disney, as the corporate is making an attempt to reinvigorate its inventive franchises, make its streaming enterprise worthwhile and discover companions to assist construct ESPN’s digital future.

‘Barbie’ director Greta Gerwig to go Cannes Film Festival jury

U.S. director Greta Gerwig, who packed theatres this summer time with the pink-themed film phenomenon “Barbie”, was named as jury president for the 2024 Cannes Film Festival on Thursday.

“This is an obvious choice, since Greta Gerwig so audaciously embodies the renewal of world cinema, for which Cannes is each year both the forerunner and the sounding board,” mentioned pageant president Iris Knobloch and pageant director Thierry Fremaux in a joint assertion.

‘Black-ish’ star Anthony Anderson to host Emmys ceremony

Actor Anthony Anderson is about to host the seventy fifth annual Primetime Emmys on Jan. 15 after the ceremony was delayed as a result of 2023 Hollywood strikes. Anderson’s lead function as Andre on the ABC comedy “Black-ish” and his govt producer place on the present garnered 11 Primetime Emmy Award nominations lately.

(With inputs from companies.)