Entertainment News Roundup: Water baby Hugh Jackman get soaking in sci-fi thriller 'Reminiscence'; New York to mark coronavirus comeback with free concert and more

Kelly said at the R&B singer's sex abuse trial on Friday that working for his former boss was almost like being in a "twilight zone," and sometimes made him uncomfortable.

Following is a summary of current entertainment news briefs.

Water baby Hugh Jackman get soaking in sci-fi thriller 'Reminiscence'

Hugh Jackman calls himself a water baby, but he's never spent as much time getting wet as in his latest movie, "Reminiscence." "I'm Australian born and bred so I love the water. I go into the ocean almost every day, if I can," said Jackman.

New James Bond movie release to go ahead in September

The new James Bond movie "No Time To Die" on Friday set a world premiere date for late September, despite speculation in the entertainment industry that the film's release might be delayed for a fourth time because of the coronavirus epidemic. A posting on the official @007 Bond Twitter account said the red carpet world premiere for the Universal Pictures and MGM film would take place in London on Sept. 28, ahead of the planned Sept. 30 release date in U.K. movie theaters.

Karlovy Vary film festival opens with award for Caine

Stars returned to the Czech town of Karlovy Vary for its annual film festival for the first time in over two years on Friday, as central and eastern Europe's leading film industry event got back into action after a COVID hiatus. The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival opened with two-time Oscar winner Michael Caine walking the red carpet. Caine, 88, later received the festival's Crystal Globe for his contribution to cinema.

Newly minted 'Jeopardy!' host Richards out over past comments

Mike Richards said on Friday he will no longer host the iconic TV quiz show "Jeopardy!" amid backlash about offensive comments he made in the past. Earlier this month Richards, an executive producer on the show, was appointed to replace legendary host Alex Trebek, who died in 2020 after more than three decades on the series.

‘Paw Patrol’ unleashed: Behind ViacomCBS’s plan to take on Disney

When “Paw Patrol: The Movie” hits theaters and the Paramount+ streaming service on Friday, it will kick off one of ViacomCBS’ most ambitious efforts to take on Disney in the streaming wars. The release of the feature film based on the animated children’s series about a group of rescue dogs who protect their community, will be backed by an “eight figure” marketing blitz, with 1,800 TV ads across channels like Nickelodeon. It involves partnerships with almost 200 companies - from Kellogg’s cereal to Best Western hotels - on tie-ins for toys and other products, many of which will come with a free trial of Paramount+.

Timeline: A timeline of R. Kelly's life and the sex abuse case against him

R&B singer R. Kelly is on trial in Brooklyn federal court on charges he led a two-decade racketeering scheme in which women and girls were recruited for him to have sex with and subjected to physical abuse and blackmail. Kelly has denied the charges.

Working for R. Kelly resembled 'twilight zone,' ex-manager says at sex abuse trial

A former manager for R. Kelly said at the R&B singer's sex abuse trial on Friday that working for his former boss was almost like being in a "twilight zone," and sometimes made him uncomfortable. Anthony Navarro, who said he worked for Kelly for about 2-1/2 years ending in 2009, testified that his job included picking up and driving girls to be with the singer, as well as other tasks associated with Kelly's recording career.

Country Music Awards moves from broadcast TV to streaming on Amazon

Next year's Academy of Country Music Awards will stream live on Amazon.com Inc's Prime Video, the first major awards show to move exclusively online, organizers said on Thursday. The awards, first held in 1966, are the longest-running honors in country music and had been broadcast live in the United States on the CBS broadcast channel. CBS decided to instead air the CMT Music Awards, country music honors voted on by fans, in April 2022.

Japan action star Sonny Chiba dies from COVID-19 complications, NHK says

Japanese action star Shinichi "Sonny" Chiba died in hospital from complications related to COVID-19, public broadcaster NHK said late on Thursday. He was 82. Chiba a martial artist and imposing actor known for his legendary fight scenes, was best known in the West for his role as sword maker Hattori Hanzo in the "Kill Bill" series of films.

New York to mark coronavirus comeback with free concert

New York marks its emergence from the worst of the coronavirus pandemic with a star-studded free concert in Central Park on Saturday. "We're reopening New York City to the rest of the world and music will be the catalyst," said record producer Clive Davis, who put together the event with promoters Live Nation.

(With inputs from agencies.)