Entertainment News Roundup: Disney CEO says company will 'quiet the noise' in culture wars -analyst; Striking writers, Hollywood studios to meet again Thursday and more

The WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents Walt Disney, Netflix and other media companies, held talks for the first time in about a month on Wednesday. 'Let's Get It On' songwriter's estate ends Ed Sheeran copyright fight The heirs of a musician who co-wrote Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" have agreed to drop their appeal of a U.S. jury verdict clearing British pop star Ed Sheeran of allegations his song "Thinking Out Loud" illegally copied Gaye's classic.

Following is a summary of current entertainment news briefs.

Disney CEO says company will 'quiet the noise' in culture wars -analyst

Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger told investors the company will "quiet the noise" in a culture war that has pitted social conservatives against the global media and entertainment conglomerate, according to an analyst note on Wednesday. Iger's brief statement, included in an analyst report from Needham media analyst Laura Martin, was part of an investors' presentation on Tuesday at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, in which the CEO also announced Disney will double its investment in theme parks and cruise ships over the next decade.

Striking writers, Hollywood studios to meet again Thursday

Negotiators for the striking Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Hollywood studios will meet again on Thursday to try to resolve a nearly five-month standoff that has disrupted film and television production. The WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents Walt Disney, Netflix and other media companies, held talks for the first time in about a month on Wednesday.

'Let's Get It On' songwriter's estate ends Ed Sheeran copyright fight

The heirs of a musician who co-wrote Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" have agreed to drop their appeal of a U.S. jury verdict clearing British pop star Ed Sheeran of allegations his song "Thinking Out Loud" illegally copied Gaye's classic. A court filing on Wednesday said that songwriter Ed Townsend's estate would withdraw the appeal with prejudice, which means it cannot be refiled.

Hollywood workers resort to flea markets, bake sales as strikes drag on

"Set decorator for 20 years. Single mom of 15-year-old twins," said the sign above a table of cupcakes, cookies and other baked goods for sale. "Struggling to pay bills, especially my mortgage." A prop master nearby was selling handmade quilts, normally a side gig, to help make ends meet. "I now work two part-time jobs just to barely pay rent and utilities," her sign read.

Romania's Enescu music festival eyes next edition as 2023 event wraps up

As this year's George Enescu Festival winds down in Romania's capital city, organizers of one of Europe's biggest classical music events are already training their sights on the next edition of the festival to be held in 2025. The 27th Enescu festival, a biennial event, could bring in American orchestras for the first time in years, said Cristina Uruc, one of the main planners, alongside established festival performers.

Warner Bros to expand British studios' production capacity by over 50%

Warner Bros Discovery on Thursday said it planned to expand production capacity at its Leavesden studios near London by more than 50%, adding 10 new sound stages to the facility where much of the "Barbie" blockbuster and HBO's "House of the Dragon" were filmed. The project, announced during a visit to Los Angeles by British Finance Minister Jeremy Hunt, is expected to create some 4,000 direct and indirect jobs, the company said in a statement.

Moschino close to naming new creative director, owner says

Italy's fashion label Moschino will hire its new creative director in the next few weeks, said Massimo Ferretti, the executive chairman at Aeffe, which owns the brand. Jeremy Scott stepped down as creative director last March after a decade in the role.

Mexican singer Peso Pluma cancels concert after death threats

The Mexican singer known as Peso Pluma has called off an October concert in Tijuana, a city on the border with the United States, after receiving death threats, his record label said on Wednesday. Several banners appeared on four major roads in Tijuana warning in red letters that if the 24-year-old, whose real name is Hassan Kabande, sang in the city, it would be his last performance.