“I can confirm our office received a case” involving Spacey, said Greg Risling, a spokesman for Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey told AFP.

But according to celebrity news site TMZ, the case will likely be rejected because it involves an allegation from the 1990s and is outside the statute of limitations.

The 58-year-old is also being investigated over similar allegations in London and Nantucket, an island off the coast of Massachusetts.

Two-time Oscar winner Spacey has disappeared from public life. Considered one of the pre-eminent actors of his generation, he was dropped from Ridley Scott’s “All The Money In The World” and expunged from the Netflix hit show “House of Cards.”

Case files on Harvey Weinstein, the Hollywood producer whose downfall sparked the #MeToo movement against powerful male harassers, and martial arts star Steven Seagal “remain under review,” said Risling.

“A Quiet Place” is built around a simple but chilling premise: flesh-eating creatures have invaded Earth, but they are blind and can track their prey only by sound.

So actor/director John Krasinski, his wife (in the film and in real life) Emily Blunt and their children must adapt — through sign language and ingenious adaptations — or die.

The film has drawn rave reviews, with a 97 percent Rotten Tomatoes rating.

Steven Spielberg’s “Ready Player One” — a futuristic tribute to 1980s films — came in second at $24.6 million from Friday to Sunday, according to box office tracker Exhibitor Relations.

The Warner Bros. film tells the story of a teenage gamer (Wade Watts) who finds himself inside an addictive virtual reality world. It’s earned $96.5 million in two weeks.

In third was another new release, Universal’s “Blockers,” at $20.6 million. A raunchy comedy starring John Cena and Leslie Mann, the movie drew considerable buzz at the South by Southwest film festival.

Still flourishing in its eighth week out, “Black Panther” netted $8.7 million for fourth spot.

Already the highest-grossing superhero film in US history, its cumulative total in the US and Canada now exceeds $665.6 million. The film stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan and Lupita Nyong’o.

That number takes the film past “Titanic,” which had collected $659 million in North America. “Black Panther” is now third in movie ticket sales of all time on the continent.

“Avatar” (2009) and “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” (2015) are still ahead, with $760 million and $936.7 million in ticket sales respectively.

In terms of global sales, “Avatar” leads with $2.8 billion, followed by “Titanic” ($2.2 billion), both directed by James Cameron. “Black Panther” is only 10th worldwide.

In North America, the weekend’s fifth spot went to psychological thriller “Tyler Perry’s Acrimony” with $8.4 million.

Rounding out the top 10 were:

“I Can Only Imagine” ($7.8 million)

“Chappaquiddick” ($5.8 million)

“Sherlock Gnomes” ($5.4 million)

“Pacific Rim: Uprising” ($4.8 million)

“Isle of Dogs” ($4.6 million)

Developed by HBO Asia and created by award-winning Singaporean film maker, Eric Khoo, all six episodes of “Foklore” will take place across multiple Asian countries including Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand and each episode will be based on each country’s deeply-rooted superstitions and myths.

For Thailand, Pen-ek Ratanaruang will make his TV debut and his project is the remake of the classic horror comedy franchise “Baan Phee Pob”.

Helmed by different directors from various countries in Asia, each episode will seek to modernise or update Asian horror, exploring societal dysfunctions in a manner that is specific to the country but possessing themes that will resonate across the continent. The other five directors involved in “Folkore” are Joko Anwar (Indonesia), Takumi Saitoh (Japan), Lee Sang-Woo (Korea), Ho Yuhang (Malaysia) and Khoo himself.

“Folklore” will be filmed in the local language of the country that the episode is based in, with English and local language subtitles (where available).

“Folklore” was created to embrace the rich culture and history that Asia has to offer. We’re looking forward to telling these treasured myths and stories from Asia to audiences in the region and the rest of the world,” said Jonathan Spink, HBO Asia’s chief executive.

Starring in the lead role for the episode based in Japan and directed by Saitoh (“Blank 13”, “Ramen Teh”) will be Japanese actor, Kazuki Kitamura. Kitamura has acted in a number of Hollywood and Japanese films. Internationally, he is best known for his roles in “Godzilla: Final Wars”, “Kill Bill: Vol 1” and “Kill Bill: Vol 2”. In Japan, Kitamura has won the award for Best Supporting Actor at the Yokohama Film Festival for his works in three films – “Kyohansha”, “Minazuki” and “Kanzen-naru Shiiku”.

The episode based in Malaysia will be directed by Ho Yuhang (“Rain Dogs”, “Mrs K”) with Malaysian actor Bront Palarae in the lead role. Palarae is a familiar name in the Asian television circuit having starred in a variety of drama and comedy series in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. His film credits include a Malaysian comedy series “Sejoli”, both seasons of HBO Asia’s Original fantasy drama series “Halfworlds” and most recently, “Satan’s Slave”, the biggest Indonesian horror hit movie of 2017. He has also been awarded the Best Actor awards at the 23rd Malaysia Film Festival Awards, Astro Warna Award 2014 and the ASEAN International Film Festival Awards in 2015.

Production for “Folklore” kicked off with Anwar’s episode based and shot in Jakarta, followed by Khoo’s episode based in Singapore and shot in Batam, and Ho Yuhang’s episode shot in Malaysia. The remaining three episodes are currently in production.

“Folklore” is produced in partnership with the Info-communications Media Development Authority (IMDA) as part of a two-and-a-half-year collaboration to develop the drama production capabilities of Singapore’s media industry and talent. Under this partnership, HBO Asia will conduct training and development work with local talent and companies.

The now frail and isolated 80-year-old could spend the rest of his life behind bars if convicted of drugging and molesting former university employee Andrea Constand at his Philadelphia home in 2004.

The pioneering black entertainer’s first trial ended in a hung jury on June 17, with a sequestered panel hopelessly deadlocked after six days of testimony and 52 hours of deliberations.

The case forever tarnished the legacy of an actor once adored by millions as “America’s Dad” for his seminal role as a lovable father and obstetrician on hit 1984-92 television series “The Cosby Show.”

In recent years, some 60 women have accused the Emmy winner, who today claims to be legally blind, of being a serial predator, alleging that he drugged and assaulted them over a span of 40 years.

Yet three counts of aggravated indecent assault against Constand, who now lives in Canada, are the only criminal charges to stick, with most of the alleged abuse having occurred too long ago to prosecute.

But the second trial is likely to be dramatically different from the first when opening statements begin at the courthouse in the Philadelphia suburb of Norristown.

Judge Steven O’Neill has agreed to let five other Cosby accusers testify, compared to just one the last time, handing a major victory to prosecutors, who will seek to paint Cosby as a serial predator.

– Michael Jackson’s lawyer –

“This is the most significant difference between the two trials and is a substantial problem for the defense,” said Melissa Gomez, a Philadelphia-based jury expert.

The most well-known of the five is 63-year-old model Janice Dickinson, who says Cosby drugged and sexually assaulted her in 1982.

“More accusers creates a consensus,” Gomez told AFP. “It is much easier to attack the credibility of one person than it is six.”

The defense team has also changed, now headed by Los Angeles celebrity import Tom Mesereau, with his distinctive mane of thick white hair, known for getting Michael Jackson acquitted of child molestation.

Last time, Cosby did not testify and the defense spent just minutes presenting their case, arguing that there was no evidence to convict.

This time, O’Neill has warned the trial may last a month. He also handed a win to the defense in allowing testimony from a former co-worker who alleges that Constand schemed against Cosby.

Lawyers may also be able to make public the amount of money that Cosby paid Constand in a civil suit to settle her claim in 2006, which could strengthen efforts to portray her as a scheming money-grabber.

Mesereau’s hardball tactics have already been in evidence in a failed attempt to get the judge booted off the case for alleged bias because his wife works with sexual assault victims.

The defense has also moved to strike one juror from the trial for being allegedly overheard saying: “I just think he’s guilty, so we can all be done and get out of here.”

#MeToo fog

Permeating the entire case is the #MeToo movement, which erupted in October and has seen the likes of Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey shamed and stripped of their positions for alleged sexual misconduct.

Experts say the cultural watershed may make jurors more inclined to believe victims.

“It’s like a fog,” said William Brennan, a prominent Philadelphia lawyer who has followed the trial.

At the time of the alleged assault, Constand was the director of women’s basketball at Temple University, where the actor sat on the board of trustees. She will take the stand again second time around.

In a 2005 deposition, Cosby said he gave Constand an over-the-counter antihistamine to relieve stress and that they had consensual relations, but admitted obtaining sedatives with a view to having sex.

The case boils down to he-said, she-said. There is no physical evidence, and many still remember Cosby as a beloved entertainer.

Twelve jurors — five women and seven men, 10 white and two black — together with six alternates, are to be sequestered.

Cosby, who was lauded as a hero by African Americans and revered by whites for smashing through racial barriers, is best remembered for his role as Cliff Huxtable on “The Cosby Show.”

One of the most popular television series in history, it propelled the son of a maid and a US Navy cook into a life of fame and wealth.

Solo: A Star Wars Story will grace the festival’s red carpet ahead of its release in France and the US.

“Presented out of competition, the latest film of the Star Wars galaxy (directed) by Ron Howard brings together Han Solo, his faithful Chewbacca, the crooked Lando Calrissian, the Millenium Falcon and of course the droids,” the festival said on its website.

Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith was the last in the franchise to air at Cannes in 2005.

The latest instalment takes the audience back to the youth of the famous smuggler and pilot Han Solo, played by US actor Alden Ehrenreich.

It is the second spin-off derived from the famous science fiction series, after Rogue One was released in December 2016 which made more than $1 billion at the box office.

The Cannes International Film Festival will run from May 8 to 19.

Citing unnamed sources related to him, public broadcaster NHK said he had died at a Tokyo hospital after a recent bout of ill health. The information could not be immediately confirmed.

Takahata’s latest film, “The Tale of the Princess Kaguya” earned him an Academy nomination in 2014 for best animated feature.

It was also selected for a slot in the Directors’ Fortnight sidebar to the main competition at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival.

However, most consider the 1988 film “Grave of the Fireflies”, a moving tale of two orphans during World War II, to be his best work.

Born in Mie prefecture in central Japan, Takahata started his career in animation at the Toei studio in 1959, where he met long-term collaborator and rival Hayao Miyazaki.

With Miyazaki, he co-founded in 1985 the Japanese animation studio Ghibli, which went on to produce several blockbusters.

The pair are often described by media as friends and rivals at the same time.

Over a long and distinguished career, he produced around 20 films, including “Only Yesterday” (1991) and “Pom Poko” (1994).

He also produced the Miyazaki-directed 1984 film “Kaze no Tani no Naushika” (“The Valley of the Wind”), a science fantasy adventure that describes the relationship between nature and human beings.

He is also well-known for animation series “Alps no Shojo Heidi” (“Heidi, Girl of the Alps”) and “Lupin Sansei” (“Lupin the Third”).

Takahata also dabbled in politics, co-signing with around 250 other film celebrities, a petition against a controversial state secrets law in 2013.

“Busted” is a new type of K-variety show, in which seven cast regulars play bumbling detectives trying to solve a fun-filled mystery. There’s no script, but there are plenty of chuckles.

The stars are K-variety veterans Yoo Jaesuk, Lee Kwangsoo and Kim Jongmin, plus serious actors having some laughs Ahn Jaewook and Park Minyoung, plus Kpop stars Sehun of Exo and Sejeong of Gugudan.

The show also features guest appearances by other well-known stars helping to complete the story in each episode.

There are 10 episodes in the season, with two airing every week starting on May 4.

Netflix teamed up with producers Jang Hyukjae, Cho Hyojin and Kim Juhyung of Company SangSang, who have a successful track record in the K-variety scene. They’ve produced such popular shows as “Running Man” and “X-Man in Korea”.

“Busted” will air in more than 190 countries and territories, reaching virtually all 117 million Netflix members around the world.

The film about a teenage gamer, who finds himself inside an addictive virtual reality world in the year 2045, scored $41.8 million in its opening weekend, industry tracker Exhibitor Relations said.

Starring Tye Sheridan as the gamer Wade Watts, the all-star support cast features Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn, TJ Miller and Simon Pegg.

Reviewers have framed “Ready Player One” — in which Wade encounters 1980s pop culture icons including Freddy Krueger — as something of a cinematic autobiography for Spielberg, the veteran director of a number of successes including “E.T.” and “Jaws.”

Another newcomer, Lionsgate thriller “Tyler Perry’s Acrimony,” displaced Marvel’s box office juggernaut “Black Panther” at number two, with $17.2 million in receipts over the three-day weekend.

The film stars Taraji P. Henson as a vengeful wife.

At third place, “Black Panther” pulled in $11.5 million, bringing its cumulative total to $650.9 million in the US and Canada.

The Marvel smash hit, starring Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan and Lupita Nyong’o, had already overtaken “The Avengers” (2012) as the highest-grossing superhero film in US history.

Telling the story of Wakanda’s King T’Challa, “Black Panther” was also the first film since “Avatar” (2009) to notch five consecutive top spots, and is the fifth-highest grossing movie ever in the United States.

Low-budget faith-based drama “I Can Only Imagine,” fell to fourth place, earning $10.4 million.

Made for a modest $7 million, the movie stars J. Michael Finley as the lead singer of a popular Christian band. Dennis Quaid and Cloris Leachman also star.

Dropping from first to fifth place was smash-’em up sequel “Pacific Rim: Uprising,” which has attracted mixed reviews and gained a measly $9.4 million after a massive 67 percent drop on its first weekend earnings.

Set 10 years after “Pacific Rim” (2013), “Uprising” follows a new generation of pilots of the first film’s giant “Jaeger” military mechanoids fending off enormous Kaiju monsters aiming to end humanity.

The Universal movie centers on “Star Wars” sensation John Boyega as Jake Pentecost, son of Idris Elba’s character Stacker, who died to save the world in the first film.

Rounding out the top 10 were:

“Sherlock Gnomes” ($7 million)

“Tomb Raider” ($4.9 million)

“A Wrinkle in Time” ($4.8 million)

“Love, Simon” ($4.8 million)

“Paul, Apostle of Christ” ($3.5 million)

He died on Sunday morning surrounded by family and friends, personal assistant Phillip Arnold told the media.

Bochco was known for his risk-taking approach that brought gritty realism and large ensemble casts to the small screen.

The 10-time Primetime Emmy Award winner was also behind comedy-drama “Doogie Howser, M.D” starring Neil Patrick Harris.

Tributes poured in from across Hollywood including collaborators and fellow producers.

Robert Iger, the chairman and CEO of Disney, tweeted: “Today, our industry lost a visionary, a creative force, a risk taker, a witty, urbane story teller with an uncanny ability to know what the world wanted. We were long-term colleagues, and longer term friends., and I am deeply saddened.”

Fellow producer and screenwriter Joss Whedon said: “Absolutely one of the biggest influences on Buffy (and me) was HILL STREET BLUES. Complex, unpredictable and unfailingly humane. Steven Bochco changed television, more than once. He’s a legend.”

Leading the charge is “No Postage Necessary,” a romantic indie comedy about a luckless hacker that is being distributed via peer-to-peer video network app Vevue, running on Qtum, the most advanced blockchain in the world.

Jeremy Culver (“An Evergreen Christmas”) wrote, directed and produced the release from US production house Two Roads Picture Co., shot on 35 mm film.

The movie gets its US theatrical release and worldwide blockchain debut in June and will also be available to buy online using cryptocurrency.

“We are thrilled to provide movie lovers around the world a brand new way to experience their entertainment by turning the blockchain into a feature film distribution channel,” Culver said in a statement.

“Although this is a first for the industry, we hope it will signal a shift in the way content is shared and consumed.”

A blockchain is essentially a shared, encrypted “ledger” that cannot be manipulated, offering the promise of secure transactions that allow anyone to get an accurate accounting of money, property or other assets.

The technology publicly records the unique alphanumeric strings that identify buyers and sellers, allowing more transparent and secure peer-to-peer payment systems.

Blockchain debuted in 2009 as a ledger for the leading cryptocurrency bitcoin and is already used in food safety, finance and sea freight.

Its advantages, according to Culver, include immutable proof of intellectual property rights, transparent royalty payments, and, since all blockchain data is resistant to duplication, a future in which movies are “no longer pirated.”

‘Timely and relevant’

“No Postage Necessary” tells the story of cynical, single computer hacker Sam — played by “Vikings” and “Black Mirror” actor George Blagden — who makes ends meet by stealing mail while disguised as a postal worker.

He happens upon a letter written by a heartsick Josie (Charleene Closshey) to her late husband and fallen marine, and the tender missive awakens something in Sam.

He conspires to meet the beautiful, young war widow and she warms to the idea of a new chance at love — but not before Sam’s past comes knocking in the form of an FBI agent looking for missing bitcoins.

Closshey, who composed the score and was part of the female-led production team, says she and her colleagues recognized the opportunities around the title the moment they read the “timely and relevant” script.

“Although the film makes light of a misguided cyber genius who can hack a multi-billion dollar corporation within minutes, these types of technological advancements are becoming a normal part of everyday life for society as a whole,” she said.

Culver is hoping blockchain can help “No Postage Necessary” go viral, as moviegoers who upload a review as soon as they leave the theater will be able to unlock Vevue tokens as rewards.

“Up until now, the technology just hasn’t been ready — there wasn’t a platform to support the vision,” he added, noting the serendipity of a movie about bitcoin being the first to release on the blockchain.

“But innovation creates its own timing.”

Following the movie into blockchain technology will be sci-fi anthology “New Frontiers,” effectively five sci-fi movies filmed around the world and stitched together into one feature film.

‘Simply a database’

Funded and distributed on the blockchain via a partnership between XYZ Films, Ground Control, and SingularDTV, production is already underway with a release expected before the end of the year.

“Decentralized,” a movie from the LiveTree ADEPT blockchain platform, is set for release in autumn, starring Amari Cheatom (“Django Unchained”) as a skeptical economics professor learning about the technology.

The feature from video shorts specialist Christopher Arcella will serve as a pilot to a television series covering many topics in the complex tech and computing sector.

“The story is written to provide an educational narrative in a fictional setting to help people completely unfamiliar with the technology gain some initial footing,” a spokesman for ADEPT said in a statement.

A number of issues need to be resolved before blockchain technology becomes mainstream, with the anonymity of transactions concerning regulators seeking to crack down on money laundering and financing of terrorism.

Pop culture writer Amy Roberts says Culver’s statements are demonstrative of a widespread fallacy that the mere presence of a blockchain can guarantee the information in it is resistant to alteration.

“Bitcoins, for example, cannot be copied as they are just entries on a ledger — not digital files per se — whose authenticity is incentivized and managed by thousands of individual peer operators worldwide,” Roberts wrote in a commentary for the Film Daily online magazine.

“But media or other data, even if referenced on a blockchain, can always be duplicated. A blockchain is simply a database.”