Reuters Entertainment News Summary

Following is a summary of current entertainment news briefs. U.S. film director John Singleton dead at age 51

John Singleton, who made his directorial debut with the acclaimed film "Boyz n the Hood" about young men struggling in a gang-ridden Los Angeles neighborhood, died on Monday at the age of 51, his family said, days after he suffered a stroke. "We are sad to relay that John Singleton has died," the family said in a statement. "John passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family and friends." U.S. youth suicides up after Netflix show, cause unclear: study

Suicides by young Americans rose by nearly a third in the month following the 2017 debut of popular Netflix television drama series "13 Reasons Why," in which a teenage girl kills herself, a U.S. study showed on Monday. The researchers said the study had limitations and they could not make a direct causal link between "13 Reasons Why" and the increase in suicide rates or rule out other factors. Another, previous study had found watching the program was associated with a reduced risk of self-harm for some young adults. Elle Fanning, 'The Favourite' director Lanthimos picked for Cannes jury

U.S. actress Elle Fanning, French graphic novelist Enki Bilal and the Oscar-nominated director of "The Favourite", Yorgos Lanthimos, will be among jury members at the Cannes Film Festival next month, organizers said on Monday. The world's biggest cinema showcase kicks off on the French Riviera on May 14th, with Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu presiding over the panel that decides on prizes, including the top Palme D'Or award. 'Tolkien' looks at early years of 'Lord of the Rings' writer

J.R.R. Tolkien's fantastical world of hobbits, elves and orcs have won over fans around the world in the decades since "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" stories were published. Now the British novelist himself is the subject of a film that looks at his early years and inspirations for his works. Netflix signs deal for Thai cave boy rescue miniseries

Netflix said on Tuesday it had secured the rights to make a miniseries about the dramatic rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach from a cave in northern Thailand last year that captured international attention. "The story combines so many unique local and universal themes which connected people from all walks of life, from all around the world," Erika North, Netflix's Director of International Originals, said. World turns out for record 'Avengers: Endgame' movie debut

Fans around the globe packed movie theaters for the debut of "Avengers: Endgame" over the weekend, pushing total ticket sales for the Walt Disney Co superhero spectacle to a stunning $1.2 billion and crushing records in dozens of countries. "Endgame" generated an unprecedented $350 million in the United States and Canada from Thursday night through Sunday, according to Disney estimates. The three-hour action spectacle that revealed the fates of Iron Man, Thor and other popular comic-book heroes also made history in China, Brazil, France, Egypt, South Africa and 38 other markets. Pakistan's 'Tyrion Lannister' longs to fight in battle of Winterfell

As the north prepared for the battle of Winterfell, people in the Pakistani city of Rawalpindi were surprised to see Tyrion Lannister serving flatbread at a local restaurant. Waiter Rozi Khan has taken social media in his homeland - where "Game of Thrones" has a strong following - by storm for his uncanny resemblance to U.S. actor Peter Dinklage, who plays Tyrion Lannister in the HBO fantasy series. 'Star Wars' Darth Vader costume could go for $2 million at auction

A man who made appearances as Darth Vader at film premieres and fan conventions will sell a costume created in 1979 by the "Star Wars" design team at an auction of classic movie memorabilia next month, auction house Bonhams said. The 17-piece ensemble includes the villain's black mask, boots, a pair of capes and a cod piece, said the auctioneers, who estimated it could sell for between $1 million and $2 million. Woodstock 50th anniversary going ahead, organizers say, despite investor withdrawal

A planned three-day concert marking the 50th anniversary of the Woodstock music festival was thrown into doubt on Monday after the lead investors said they had canceled the event but organizers said they were going ahead. Woodstock 50 is planned for Aug. 16-18 at the Watkins Glen motor racing venue in upstate New York with a lineup that included rapper Jay-Z, singer Miley Cyrus and rockers the Killers.