Reuters Entertainment News Summary

Tom Hanks reprises the role of Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon in the film version of Dan Brown's thriller "Inferno," unlocking more mysterious codes as the world-famous character he describes as "the smartest guy in the room". "Inferno", which follows on the blockbuster book and film franchise Brown's 2003 religious-themed mystery novel "The Da Vinci Code," centers on the "Divine Comedy," the masterpiece by Italian poet Dante Alighieri.

'The Simpsons' Springfield comes to life at U.S. theme park

Springfield comes to life on Wednesday with the opening of a replica of the town from the hit animated television series "The Simpsons". Set within Universal Studios Hollywood, the life-sized "Springfield" plays host to many of the show's landmarks such as the cooling towers of the Springfield nuclear power plant, convenience store Kwik-E-Mart, Moe's tavern and Krusty Burger.

Curtains for 'American Idol' after 15th season, says Fox

"American Idol", the most popular music reality show in U.S. television history, will end after its 15th season airs in January next year, Fox Television said on Monday. The show was once a ratings powerhouse for Fox, watched by more than 30 million viewers at its peak, but the popularity of the competition, which launched the careers of stars such as Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, has fallen in recent years.

Female African musicians unite in 'Poverty is Sexist' campaign

Leading African female musicians have recorded a video of songs and instrumental music, joining a "Poverty is Sexist" campaign to put women and girls at the center of the global drive to eradicate extreme poverty by 2030. Investing in women and closing the gender gap could reduce hunger, cut maternal and child deaths and boost economies in the world's poorest countries, according to the ONE Campaign, co-founded by Irish rocker Bono to end extreme poverty and disease.

Art house to 'Mad Max' - Cannes festival has it all

The world's most important film festival is about to start in Cannes with a mix of starpower, art house cinema, Hollywood blockbusters and everything in between, though its director would be happier if the "selfie" had never been invented. After making a selection from 1,854 films, festival director Thierry Fremaux said this edition, which opens on Wednesday, would stand out for the new names it introduces.

George Clooney teams up with Disney for futuristic 'Tomorrowland'

George Clooney teams up with Disney for the expected summer box office hit "Tomorrowland", a futuristic adventure which the Hollywood actor says he was drawn to because of its hopeful message. Clooney, known for his roles in "Ocean's Eleven" and "Syriana", plays the jaded former boy-genius Frank, who joins teenage science-fan Casey (Britt Robertson) on a mission to unearth the secrets of a place somewhere in time and space called "Tomorrowland".

TV chef Sandra Lee, N.Y. governor's girlfriend, diagnosed with cancer

Sandra Lee, a television chef and longtime girlfriend of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, has been diagnosed with breast cancer, and the governor will be taking time off to be with her, his office announced on Tuesday. Lee, 48, will undergo a double mastectomy this week, she said in an appearance on ABC's "Good Morning America" program.

Director Del Toro says Cannes gives new talent a chance

Mexican director Guillermo del Toro said as he arrived in Cannes to serve on the main film festival jury on Tuesday that having gotten his start there with a debut film in 1993, he now wanted to give new generations of filmmakers a chance. Del Toro, director of the dark fantasy "Pan's Labyrinth", had his first film "Chronos" screened in Cannes. He will sit on a jury headed by the filmmaking brothers Joel and Ethan Coen for the festival, which opens on the French Riviera on Wednesday.

Wield a lightsaber, chill with Han Solo at UK 'Star Wars' exhibit

Fancy wielding a lightsaber with Anakin Skywalker amidst the lava of Mustafar? Or how about chilling with Han Solo before stepping onto the Millennium Falcon ship with his Wookiee warrior co-pilot Chewbacca? "Star Wars" fans can come face to face with the heroes and villains of the sci-fi universe at a new interactive experience at London wax museum Madame Tussauds, which has recreated scenes from one of the most popular movie franchises of all time.

George Miller sweeps viewers back into striking world of 'Mad Max'

When director George Miller returned to his dystopian "Mad Max" franchise after 30 years for "Fury Road," he wanted to find a visceral way to immerse the audience in his surreal, saturated post-apocalyptic world. "It felt like going back to something we had done in the past," Miller told Reuters. "I wanted to make a movie almost like visual rock and roll or opera that just sweeps you up into the screen."