LOS ANGELES, May 15 (UPI) -- Syesha Mercado was the latest contestant voted off of the TV singing competition series "American Idol" by viewers.

Remaining finalists David Archuleta and David Cook will compete for the "Idol" title in next week's finale.

"I don't know what to say," People.com quoted Mercado as saying when host Ryan Seacrest encouraged her to comment upon learning she had been eliminated from the show. "I just want to say, thank you."

Alicia Keys's "If I Ain't Got You" was the last song Mercado sang on the series.

"We're going to have a real humdinger," "Idol" judge Simon Cowell said of next week's finale.

Michael Apted to direct 3rd 'Narnia' film

NEW YORK, May 15 (UPI) -- New Zealand filmmaker Andrew Adamson said that after directing two "Chronicles of Narnia" epics, he is ready to hand the franchise off to someone else.

"Michael Apted is directing the third one ('The Voyage of the Dawn Treader,')" Adamson recently told UPI while promoting the second "Narnia" film "Prince Caspian."

"I'll be producing (the third one)," Adamson added. "I think (Apted is) up for the challenge. He'll bring a different perspective to it. He's very cognizant of what we've done and what we're building and the places and locations we've established and, at the same time, he wants to make his own film."

Adamson said one reason why he loves the "Narnia" books and movies is because each story is so different.

"I think this film is very different than the last film I did. In some ways it looks like they could have been made by two entirely different people," he said, adding that the various stories will also mean cast changes in future installments.

"I don't think it's going to hurt the franchise for that to happen. The stories stand alone. It's kind of like C.S. Lewis actually wrote them for this purpose. Because he sort of passed the baton."

Daniel Day-Lewis may star in 'Nine'

LOS ANGELES, May 15 (UPI) -- Oscar-winning British actor Daniel Day-Lewis reportedly is in negotiations to headline the Hollywood movie musical "Nine."

The lead role of Guido Contini in the Rob Marshall-directed picture was left vacant when Javier Bardem dropped out because he was exhausted from working and making the publicity rounds during awards season.

Day-Lewis and Bardem won the Oscars for best actor and best supporting actor, respectively, earlier this year.

Variety.com said Day-Lewis would play the role of Contini, a famous movie director who experiences personal and creative crisis while trying to balance the women in his life.

Bardem's rumored girlfriend Penelope Cruz, as well as actresses Marion Cotillard, Sophia Loren, Nicole Kidman and Judi Dench are to play the women.

A representative for The Weinstein Co., the studio behind "Nine," declined to discuss the possibility of Day-Lewis taking over the role, telling Variety.com only, "Any of the names being thrown around is pure conjecture and when we're ready to make an announcement we'll let you know."

Rapper ordered to pay Lil' Kim $500,000

NEW YORK, May 15 (UPI) -- A U.S. court judge in New York has ordered James Lloyd to pay his fellow former Junior MAFIA rapper Lil' Kim $500,000 for featuring her in an unauthorized film.

The New York Post said Judge Jed Rakoff awarded Lil' Kim the $500,000 when he ruled that Lloyd and his Ground Zero Entertainment wrongfully used Kim's name and image for a DVD without her permission.

Lil' Kim had sued Lloyd for $6 million, the newspaper said.