Reuters Entertainment News Summary

An actress who accused Los Angeles police of mistreating her due to her race during an arrest last year pleaded no contest to disturbing the peace over the incident on Monday and was ordered to write an apology letter to the officers, officials said. Daniele Watts, best known for her role in Quentin Tarantino's 2012 slavery western "Django Unchained", made headlines last September when she said she had been accosted by police largely because she is black and her boyfriend is white.

Costumes and replicas, fans fete 'Star Wars' as new release nears

From building Lego spaceships to dressing up as Jedi Knights, fans around the world have celebrated Star Wars Day ahead of the release of the much-anticipated next installment of the galactic space fantasy franchise. In Australia, "Star Wars" enthusiasts built a five-metre wide replica of Han Solo's Millennium Falcon ship, made from around 250,000 Lego bricks.

Actor Martin Freeman joins Marvel's 'Captain America: Civil War'

After solving murders in central London with "Sherlock" and traipsing through Middle Earth in "The Hobbit," actor Martin Freeman is heading into the Marvel universe, the Walt Disney Co-owned studio said on Tuesday. Freeman, 43, who played Bilbo Baggins in "The Hobbit" trilogy and won an Emmy for his role as Dr. John Watson alongside Benedict Cumberbatch's crime-solving detective in BBC's popular "Sherlock" series, is joining the cast of "Captain America: Civil War."

Bold and colorful prevail at Met Gala for fashion's big night out

Bold and colorful designs prevailed on the red carpet at the Met Gala on Monday, where celebrities showed off their frocks for one of the biggest nights in fashion. Madonna, Lady Gaga, Naomi Campbell and Anna Wintour were among the big names attending the annual ball at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, which debuts its new exhibition "China Through the Looking Glass".

Las Vegas battery case against singer Chris Brown dropped

A misdemeanor battery case against R&B singer Chris Brown has been dropped after the man who accused the performer of punching him during a game of basketball in Las Vegas decided against pressing charges, police said on Tuesday. News that the Grammy-winning recording star was off the hook in his latest brush with the law came as Brown celebrated his 26th birthday.

'Walking Dead' actor Gilliam arrested for drunken driving in Georgia

Actor Seth Gilliam, who plays a priest on the hit TV zombie series "The Walking Dead," is facing charges in Georgia of drunken driving, speeding and drug possession after he was caught driving 107 miles per hour (172 kph) on a highway not far from where the show is filmed. The actor, 46, who plays Father Gabriel Stokes on the popular AMC show, was pulled over early on Sunday morning in Peachtree City, about 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Atlanta, where police said they smelled alcohol on his breath and found a marijuana cigarette in his car.

Prince to perform in Baltimore in wake of black man's death

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Prince will perform a special concert in Baltimore on Sunday, apparently in part to honor the 25-year-old black man whose death from spinal injuries suffered in police custody sparked weeks of protest and a day of rioting. The Grammy award-winning musician will hold his "Rally 4 Peace" show on Mother's Day along with his backing band 3RDEYEGIRL, Royal Farms Arena said in a statement on Tuesday night. The statement added that "superstar guests" were also expected to attend.

'Satisfaction' guaranteed - Stones' bassist Wyman sells cars

A Mercedes-Benz sedan and a Citroen with a Maserati engine that Rolling Stones bass player Bill Wyman says he used to drive to recording sessions and to visit artists and writers in France, will be auctioned off in June, Bonham's said on Tuesday. The cars, a 1966 Mercedes-Benz 250 S and a 1971 Citroen Maserati SM, are to be sold at a car auction in Chichester, England on June 26, the auction house said.

Rocker Noel Gallagher goes for eclectic feel on 'Chasing Yesterday'

Singer/songwriter Noel Gallagher believes his second solo album, "Chasing Yesterday," includes some of his best ever work with a range of instrumental melodies and an eclectic feel to it. The former lead guitarist and songwriter with the British rock group Oasis wrote and produced the album that features 10 tracks and rose to the top of album charts in England when it was released in March.

Elizabeth Banks takes director's chair in 'Pitch Perfect 2'

"The Hunger Games" actress Elizabeth Banks makes her debut as a feature film director in the musical comedy "Pitch Perfect 2" and hopes to inspire more women to get behind the camera. Banks also appears in the sequel to the 2012 "Pitch Perfect" box office hit about a girls college singing group. The new film stars U.S. actresses Anna Kendrick and Hailee Steinfeld and Australian Rebel Wilson.