Quick Takes: ’47 Ronin’ delayed again

Universal Pictures’ troubled big-budget film “47 Ronin,” starring Keanu Reeves, has been delayed for a second time. It is now scheduled to come out on Dec. 25, 2013.

Originally set for Nov. 21 of this year, “Ronin” in April was pushed to Feb. 8, 2013, to allow time for reshoots and work on its extensive 3-D visual effects, which have not yet begun.

The movie, which stars Reeves along with an all-Japanese cast, is a retelling of the classic myth of a group of samurai that avenge the death of their master.

It has been beset with production problems, including conflicts between director Carl Rinsch and the studio.

—Ben Fritz

A+ cameo by Alice Cooper

Shock rocker Alice Cooper made a surprise appearance as a guest performer at the”Rock of Ages”musical in London.

The 64-year-old joined the cast of the West End musical Tuesday to perform his classic hit “School’s Out” — marking the anniversary of the track hitting No. 1 in the U.K. charts 40 years ago this week.

The audience members appeared delighted, shouting, dancing and singing along with him. Those who hope to catch him again will be disappointed, though. He said the appearance was a one-off.

—Associated Press

‘Chorus Line,’ hear that roar?

“The Lion King”was set to roar past”A Chorus Line”on Wednesday to become the fifth-longest running show in Broadway history.

The Disney musical, directed by Julie Taymor, has been playing for 14 years and nine months.

“The Phantom of the Opera” is the longest-running show in Broadway history at 22 years and counting. “Cats,””Les Miserables”and “Chicago” round out the second-, third- and fourth-longest-running shows.

Earlier this year, “The Lion King” beat another Broadway record, surpassing “Phantom” as the all-time box-office champion. But the record came with a caveat — the Disney musical has benefited from higher ticket prices than “Phantom.”

“Lion King” also holds a local record: It ran at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood for more than two years beginning in 2000, the theater’s longest-running production.

—David Ng

‘SNL’ has new spot to fill

Another one bites the dust.

In an interview with the comedy website Splitsider,”Saturday Night Live”cast member Abby Elliott made a surprise announcement that she would not be returning to the long-running sketch comedy show this fall. Elliott first joined “SNL” as a featured player during its 2008 season.

NBC declined to comment, but a person with knowledge of the situation but not authorized to speak publicly confirmed the news.

Elliott is the latest cast member to leave in what is shaping up to be a big transitional year for “SNL.” Kristen Wiig and Andy Samberg both left the show earlier this year, and star Jason Sudeikis has repeatedly hinted at his desire to move on.

—Meredith Blake

Minaj salutes Foxy Brown

Nicki Minaj’s New York City concert featured usual suspects such as mentor Lil Wayne and label mate Drake, but it was another guest appearance that was really striking: rapper Foxy Brown.

Brown joined Minaj onstage Tuesday night at the Roseland Ballroom. Before she took the stage, Minaj said she wanted to introduce “the female rapper who influenced me the most.”

As Brown entered, the crowd of nearly 3,000 roared. She performed three songs from her last album, 2001’s “Broken Silence.”

“There aren’t any other female rappers who have opened doors for me than you,” Minaj said, looking to Brown and quickly adding: “You andLauryn [Hill].”

Brown, the Brooklyn-born feisty rapper, has released three successful albums, but she’s seen her career wane since criminal charges on a probation violation led to time behind bars. But Brown said she’s returning to music, thanks to Minaj.

—Associated Press

Real Jersey Boy on Broadway

The Broadway smash “Jersey Boys” is about to get some tough competition — from an original Jersey Boy.

Frankie Valli, 78, whose falsetto fuels the Four Seasons’ music, on Wednesday announced plans to make his Broadway debut with seven shows at the Broadway Theatre from Oct. 19-27. The band is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

That will put him up against “Jersey Boys,” the behind-the-music musical about the doo-wop group. Valli will sing many of the same songs that appear in the show at his concerts.

Producers of “Jersey Boys” took the news in stride. “We are thrilled that Frankie is making his Broadway debut,” they said.

—Associated Press