Entertainment Roundup: Disney rebukes Georgia; Hollywood against abortion ban; more

Walt Disney Co Chief Executive Bob Iger told Reuters on Wednesday it would be "very difficult" for the media company to keep filming in Georgia if a new abortion law takes effect because many people will not want to work in the U.S. state. Disney has filmed blockbuster movies in Georgia such as "Black Panther" and "Avengers: Endgame," and it would be a blow to the state's efforts to create production jobs if the entertainment giant stopped filming there.

Country star Kenny Rogers dismisses 'wild misinformation' about his health

Country singer Kenny Rogers on Friday dismissed "wild misinformation and speculation" about his health and said he planned on "sticking around" for years to come. A statement issued on his behalf by his representatives was published after a U.S. tabloid report claimed the "Lucille" singer had been diagnosed with bladder cancer and was dying.

Mars invades: Jeff Wayne's 'The War of the Worlds' goes interactive

Twenty-first-century Londoners will be transported back to the late 19th century of H.G. Wells' "The War of the Worlds" to join a fight for survival after a Martian invasion in an interactive experience featuring theatre and virtual reality and holograms. "The War of the Worlds: The Immersive Experience", which opens in London on Friday, is based on composer Jeff Wayne's multi-million selling a double-album musical version of the Victorian novel that has terrified generations.

Elton John slams Russian cuts to 'Rocketman' gay scenes

Elton John on Friday criticized Russia's reported censorship of gay sex scenes in the new movie musical based on his life, "Rocketman," calling the decision "cruelly unaccepting of the love between two people." John and the makers of "Rocketman," which depicts the warts-and-all rise to fame of the gay British musician, issued a statement after Russian media reported that scenes involving gay sex and drug taking had been cut from screening in Russia.

R. Kelly charged with new felony sex assault, abuse counts: Chicago Sun-Times report

Grammy-winning singer R. Kelly was charged on Thursday with 11 new felony counts of sexual assault and abuse that could, if he is convicted, send the R & B singer to prison for 30 years, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. Kelly was indicted by a Cook County Grand Jury on four counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault, two counts of criminal sexual assault by force and two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, documents posted on the newspaper's website showed.

MTV dating show first to feature sexually fluid cast

MTV is flipping the script on dating, broadcasting what it says is the first reality dating competition show in which all the contestants identify as sexually fluid. "Are You The One?" will air in June featuring 16 men and women in their 20s, all of whom experience changes in their attraction to men or women or both, MTV said on Thursday.

Major Hollywood studios may reconsider Georgia business over abortion law

The producer of the hit television series "The Walking Dead" and other major Hollywood film and TV studios said on Thursday they would reconsider locating productions in Georgia if a new state law restricting abortions takes effect. WarnerMedia, CBS Corp, Viacom Inc, NBCUniversal and "Walking Dead" producer AMC Networks Inc weighed in a day after Walt Disney Co's chief executive, Bob Iger, told Reuters that many people will not want to work in Georgia if the law is implemented, making it "very difficult" for the company to film there.

Chewbacca, Ford and Hamill launch Disney's 'Star Wars' land

Chewbacca climbed into the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon and fireworks flew overhead as Walt Disney Co dedicated its new "Star Wars" section at California's Disneyland Resort on Wednesday. "Chewie, let's fire up the Falcon!" Mark Hamill, the actor who played Luke Skywalker, said at an evening ceremony in the 14-acre area now called Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, which opens to the public on Friday.

Disney aims to thrill 'Star Wars' fans of all kinds at U.S. parks

At a new "Star Wars" land at Disneyland Resort in California, Walt Disney Co will let visitors fly the Millennium Falcon and drink blue milk as it aims to satisfy a wide range of the space saga's fans with its most ambitious expansion ever. When visitors step into the 14-acre section called Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge starting on Friday, "we want them to feel great anticipation," said Margaret Kerrison, a story editor at Walt Disney Imagineering, even if they have only passing the knowledge of Solo, Chewbacca and other characters.