Entertainment News Roundup: Satanic Temple sues Netflix, Disney plans new 'Star Wars' prequel

The Satanic Temple sued Netflix Inc and Warner Bros Entertainment on Thursday, seeking more than $50 million for their alleged unauthorized use of a statue of the goat-headed deity Baphomet in the series "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina."

Satanic Temple sues Netflix over 'Sabrina' use of Baphomet deity

The Satanic Temple sued Netflix Inc and Warner Bros Entertainment on Thursday, seeking more than $50 million for their alleged unauthorized use of a statue of the goat-headed deity Baphomet in the series "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina." In a complaint filed with the U.S. District Court, the plaintiff, the whose stated mission includes encouraging benevolence and empathy among people rejecting tyrannical authority, accused the defendants of copyright infringement, trademark violations and injury to its reputation.

Disney plans new 'Star Wars' prequel series for streaming service

A new "Star Wars" prequel series is on its way, this time for Walt Disney Co's planned Disney+ streaming service, Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger said on Thursday. The live action series will be a prequel to the 2016 movie "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" and will star Diego Luna, Iger said in an earnings call. The series will start production in 2019.

'Fantastic Beasts' casts its spell over Paris

Harry Potter fans got their first look at the second "Fantastic Beasts" movie on Thursday at a world premiere in Paris - the setting for the latest wizarding adventure from British author J.K. Rowling. Eddie Redmayne, who stars as magical zoologist Newt Scamander, along with Jude Law in his first outing as a young version of Hogwarts School headmaster Albus Dumbledore, walked a red carpet decorated with huge gold-coloured wands.

Malibu burning: Kardashians, Lady Gaga, Cher fear for homes

Kim Kardashian and Lady Gaga were among thousands fleeing their homes on Friday as a fast-moving wildfire engulfed Malibu and nearby celebrity neighbourhoods. Kardashian, who on Thursday evacuated the home she shares in nearby Calabasas with Kanye West, tweeted on Friday that she "heard the flames have hit our property... but now are more contained and have stopped."

China cracks down on celebrity hype and fake click-through rates

Chinese broadcasters and online entertainment sites should avoid celebrity hype and crack down on the fake audience and click-through rates, state media quoted the National Radio and Television Administration as saying. The edict comes after Beijing ordered A-list movie star Fan Bingbing to pay about 884 million yuan ($129 million) in taxes and fines, spurring widespread discussion on the moral health of China's film industry.

'Wizard of Oz' draft scripts head for the auction block

A collection of draft scripts for "The Wizard of Oz" and other material from the archives of the 1939 film are going up for auction in December and could fetch up to $1.2 million. Los Angeles auctioneers Profiles in History said on Thursday four handwritten draft screenplays by Noel Langley were being sold.

Ed Sheeran, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill settle the copyright lawsuit

Ed Sheeran, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill have settled a copyright lawsuit claiming that their song "The Rest of Our Life" was a "blatant" rip-off of a song by two Australian songwriters, titled "When I Found You." A lawyer for the songwriters Sean Carey and Beau Golden said all parties have agreed in principle to settle the case, and have it dismissed in 30 days if all "final issues" are resolved.

Netflix CEO Hastings says no plans for cheaper India offerings

Netflix chief executive Reed Hastings said that the streaming video company had no plans for cheaper prices in the hotly competitive India market and that an executive's comments suggesting otherwise had been "misunderstood." In an interview with Reuters on Friday, Hastings noted that Netflix had three price tiers in India: 500 rupees ($6.90) for a basic plan, 650 ($9.00) for a standard plan and 800 rupees ($11) for premium. Those prices are only modestly lower than what the company charges in the United States.

Japan TV cancels a show of K-pop's BTS over atom bomb t-shirt furore

A Japanese TV station said it had cancelled a Friday television show with South Korean boy band BTS after news one member had worn a t-shirt that sparked anger on social media and was interpreted as commemorating the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. The hugely successful group's Japan tour - its first after they reached the top of the Billboard 200 album chart in May -comes as ties between the two nations have frayed due to a diplomatic row over South Koreans forced to work for Japanese firms during World War Two.

Beyond 'Serial': Hollywood eyes gameshows in booming podcast market

Four years after "Serial" put podcasts on the mainstream map with a twisty true crime murder story, Hollywood is rushing to embrace the audio format with everything from fictional thrillers to game shows. At the same time, TV and movie producers are making their own podcasts, which are fast and relatively inexpensive to produce, in a search for the next breakout hit in a rapidly expanding crossover market.

(With inputs from Reuters)

(With inputs from agencies.)