Jamie Bell on 'The Adventures of Tintin' and Andy Serkis's Oscar Campaign

You won't recognize Jamie Bell in 'The Adventures of Tintin'; after all, Bell's motion-capture character is the titular cub reporter, an icon of international fame going on nine decades, meaning he can't very well look like the kid from 'Billy Elliot.' (Not to fear, Daniel Craig fans; his villainous Sakharin looks exactly like the 'Dragon Tattoo' star.) But -- along with a cardboard dog masquerading as Snowy, and Andy Serkis as Captain Haddock -- Bell spent months wearing a motion-capture suit to play Tintin for director Steven Spielberg, and his work breathes life into a character that previous only lived on the funny pages. As Tintin might say, "Great snakes!" Out in theaters now, 'The Adventures of Tintin' focuses on Tintin, a young reporter who gets thrust into a world of adventure when he stumbles onto a model of a decades-old ship. Bell spoke with Moviefone about the new film, its motion-capture technology and whether Serkis -- who plays Haddock as the Felix Ungar to Bell's Oscar Madison -- deserves an Academy Award. For audiences, motion capture is still a slightly difficult thing to comprehend. Were you concerned at all about getting into it as a performer? No, I don't think so. I mean, working with people like Steven Spielberg, very much a pioneer of a technology, you know you're going to be taken care of and the movie is going to look amazing in the end. I think for all of us, as filmmakers and actors and performers, the most important thing was for people to go in to the movie and have an experience and come out the other end -- to forget the medium in which it was made. The medium isn't the message, you know. If they went in there and forget what they were watching and just went along for the ride, then we would feel like we had succeeded. I feel like the movie really does that to you. I think then it becomes less about the technique and more the adventure and thrill of the movie. Some of the sequences in this movie are pretty phenomenal. You could never achieve it in live action and it's just kind of astounding, the inventiveness of Steven Spielberg's brain and the way he sees movies. He sees those kinds of sequences as fully realized in this movie. You know, I think he has a future as a filmmaker. [Laughs] I know you were on record as being a big fan of the material. How did you guys balance doing justice to the legacy of 'Tintin,' while keeping it broad enough for people who aren't familiar with the source? I think there's a spirit of the character that is kind of everything about the success of the books. He has a great heart. The soul of this character is purely good, you know? He's a beacon of excellence for children. He has a friend who is -- they're the odd couple, him and Captain Haddock. There's this great, action-adventure hero with a great natural instinct -- a great natural ability to do all the things he needs to do, who is then coupled up with this guy who is a disaster. The most unconventional friendship in movies. It very much becomes a buddy movie at the heart of this Indiana Jones-like adventure. I think, for us, it was important for the fans -- especially internationally where the film's already opened -- that we hit all the chords and notes of a typical Tintin adventure. But, at the same time, with Steven Spielberg, I think he always has the audience in mind, and he wants to make it accessible. I think something about the Tintin character is that he is very accessible. You mention Captain Haddock, who is played by Andy Serkis, arguably the premier motion-capture performer of all time. How important was your collaboration with him? I think I was genuinely distracted a lot of the time just because of how good that guy is. Knowing Andy before we made the movie, knowing what he's capable of, knowing his embodiment of character, knowing that he is just an unbelievably talented individual, just was distracting! But, perfect casting for this kind of role. When you work with a master of things, I genuinely think asking questions is wrong. I find that, from my experience, just to listen, to watch and learn and listen, is the best thing. I would just admire and watch his performance. With Andy, every time he does one of these -- and this happened with 'Avatar,' too, with Zoe Saldana -- there's always this debate whether motion capture performances should be looked at in the same respect as a traditional performances. Do you think there should be a strict delineation? Don't get me wrong, I think there needs to be some kind of acknowledgement, somehow. I think if it's an invention of a new category -- because also some voice and vocal performance, which isn't necessarily motion capture, is also brilliant. I remember Robin Williams in 'Aladdin,' that amazing voice performance made that movie. I don't know, if it's the invention of a new category, an inclusion in other categories; I don't know. But there definitely needs to be some acknowledgement of the fact that these performances are genuinely moving people around the world, acknowledging a cultural phenomenon. I think Zoe Saldana was a massive part of the reason why the movie was successful. Obviously, we've seen Andy this year in 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' -- which, without a doubt, he makes the movie. Yeah, we need to bestow some kind of acknowledgement on these performers who turn in really great performances and get zero credit for them. What did you think when you saw the finished film? As a longtime fan, how did you think it came out? For me, dude, it exceeded any kind of expectation aesthetically of what it would look like. Joe Letteri is a magician! The guy is unbelievable. I've never seen such photorealism in an animated film in my life. I think the characters are fully realized. We really feel everything that they're feeling. When Andy Serkis is saying, "No one takes my ship!" and that spit comes flying out of his mouth and you see that glare in his eye, I'm there. I'm there with the character. I'm right there! It was beyond any expectation but at the same time, when you work with these kinds of people you know it's going to be something extra special. For me, looking at my performance, I can always tell the decisions I was making that day. You can see the authorship that you have of your own performance even though it doesn't look like you which is interesting. [Photo: WireImage] The Best Movies of 2011 The Best Movies of 201150. 'Breaking Dawn'49. 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon'48. 'The Trip'47. 'Warrior'46. 'Cave of Forgotten Dreams'45. 'The Iron Lady'44. 'We Bought a Zoo'43. 'Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol'42. 'Horrible Bosses'41. 'Contagion'40. 'Winnie the Pooh'39. 'Win Win'37. 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy'38. 'Hanna'36. 'Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close'35. 'The Interrupters'34. 'Crazy, Stupid, Love'33. 'The Guard'32. 'Captain America: The First Avenger'31. 'The Ides of March'30. 'Beginners'29. 'Martha Marcy May Marlene''A Dangerous Method'27. 'The Adventures of Tintin'26. 'Bill Cunningham NY'25. 'We Need to Talk About Kevin'24. 'Young Adult'23. 'My Week With Marilyn'22. 'Margin Call'21. 'X-Men: First Class'20. 'Attack the Block'19. 'Shame'18. 'Super 8'17. 'Melancholia'16. 'The Muppets'15. 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes'14. 'Tree of Life'13. 'Rango'12. 'The Help'11. 'Moneyball'10. '50/50'9. 'Drive'8. 'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo'7. 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part II'6. 'Midnight in Paris'5. 'Bridesmaids'4. 'The Descendants'3. 'War Horse'2. 'The Artist'1. 'Hugo' See All Moviefone Galleries » Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

'The Adventures of Tintin' Clip: Andy Serkis' Captain Haddock Showcases Real Seamanship

Thinking about that Andy Serkis could easily get an unlikely Oscar nomination for his concentrate on 'Rise in the Planet in the Apes,' it's apparent the actor has stood a pretty great 2011. While using year within the dying cycle, however, Serkis will get another jolt: he stars in 'The Adventures of Tintin' as Captain Haddock, the Oscar Madison to Tintin's (Jamie Bell) Felix Ungar. In this particular new clip within the Spielberg-directed motion-capture adventure, Haddock takes a challenge supplied by Tintin to heart -- after which it handles to knock his new friend unconscious. See the clip ahead. 'The Adventures of Tintin' is going in theaters on Wednesday. Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Morgan grilled over U.K. phone hacking

Morgan CNN anchor and former British tabloid editor Piers Morgan has refused all understanding of phone hacking in the Daily Mirror, 1 of 2 national papers he edited.Asked Tuesday through the government inquiry into press ethics, carried out by The almighty Justice John Leveson, Morgan stated he'd pointless to "accept is as true happeningInch in the Mirror throughout his almost 10-year tenure, which led to 2004.Talking with the U.K. via video link in the U.S. where lucrative lives, Morgan told the inquiry: "Not an individual makes a proper or legal complaint from the Daily Mirror for phone hacking."The Leveson inquiry is separate towards the parliamentary probe into phone hacking at Rupert Murdoch's now defunct News around the globe Sunday tabloid, which Morgan edited in 1994-95, years prior to the scandal emerged.Morgan seemed to be requested in regards to a report through the British Information Commissioner's Office that discovered that 45 Mirror journalists were pointed out within the files of private eye Steve Whittamore.Morgan was adamant that "all journalists understood they needed to operate inside the law. Which was enshrined within their contracts of employment."He was grilled in regards to a recording of the voicemail message message left by Paul McCartney for his then-wife Louise Mills once the couple were going through difficulties within their short-resided marriage.The CNN presenter, who quit like a judge on NBC's "America's Got Talent" to focus on his "Piers Morgan Tonight" talkshow in November, stated that hearing the content wasn't dishonest, but rejected to supply particulars of methods it happened to safeguard his source.Asked about his sights on privacy and just how the press goodies large names, he stated: "I have little sympathy with celebs who sell their wedding ceremonies for a million -- probably the most private times of their lives -- after which have a much privacy when they get caught getting matters."Those are the last individuals who ought to be protected with a privacy law."Following the session, Morgan stated he'd felt just like a "badly treated rock star" whose low points were constantly repeated while his achievements were overlooked. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

CBS rolls to weekly ratings victory

Freshman powerhouse 2 Broke Girls performed impressively for CBS when it anchored Monday for the first time. The finale of "Survivor," original episodes of most of its hit shows and a sizable NFL overrun on Sunday lifted CBS to one of the most dominant ratings victories of the season. With many of the top shows on the competition preempted or airing in repeat, the Eye claimed seven of the week's top 10 programs in adults 18-49 -- as well as the top five scripted skeins. CBS wraps fall tied with Fox for the lead among adults 18-49 while holding comfortable leads in its strongest categories -- adults 25-54 and total viewers. While CBS is up slightly across the board, Fox is the only net to improve by double-digit percentages. Looking at the week of Dec. 12-18, Nielsen estimates that CBS averaged a 2.8 rating/8 share in adults 18-49 during primetime, comfortably ahead of NBC (2.0/6) and Fox (1.9/5), with ABC and Univision (both 1.3/4) well behind. CBS also cruised in adults 25-54 (3.8/9 to 2.5/6 for runner-up NBC) and total viewers, where its 11.4 million was nearly as much as the next two nets combined (6.2 million for NBC, 5.6 million for Fox). Highlights for CBS included "2 Broke Girls" (4.2/11 in 18-49, 12.50m), which still performed very well despite airing a half-hour earlier than usual (in place of "How I Met Your Mother"). The net also won in the 9 o'clock hour with "Two and a Half Men" (4.7/11, 14.88m) and "Mike and Molly" (4.0/9, 12.77m). "NCIS" (3.6/10, 19.13m), "Criminal Minds" (3.4/9, 12.88m) and "Person of Interest" (2.8/8, 12.93m) were among the Eye's timeslot-winning dramas, with the last drawing its largest audience since its premiere. And Sunday, following a hugely rated NFL game, "60 Minutes" surged (4.0/11, 18.47m), and "Survivor" (4.0/10, 13.07m) wrapped on par with the show's spring conclusion and down a bit vs. last year's fall finale. NBC was paced by "Sunday Night Football" (6.1/15, 16.58m), though the Baltimore-San Diego match was one of the franchise's least-watched of the season. The net also was boosted by the return of "Fear Factor" (3.5/8, 8.52m), which significantly improved its Monday timeslot and became the net's second strongest entertainment series telecast of the fall in 18-49. Fox was led by Wednesday's episode of "The X Factor" (3.4/10, 10.79m), though the new comedy that followed it, "I Hate My Teenage Daughter" (1.8/5, 5.06m), took a hit in its second week. Net fared better with its Tuesday rookie comedy "New Girl" (3.3/9, 6.82m), again building on its demo lead-in from "Glee" (3.0/8, 7.13m). And ABC, which didn't air any original scripted programs, had a very quiet week, seeing its best numbers from Wednesday spec "Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2011" (2.3/6, 8.39m), though the annual event continues to see its popularity wane. ESPN's "Monday Night Football" was below average (3.7/10 in 18-49, 9.88m for St. Louis-Seattle) but was easily the top cable draw of the week. Top entertainment series among young adults were A&E's "Storage Wars" (2.3/6, 5.20m) and "Storage Wars: Texas" (2.1/6, 4.68m), Discovery's "Gold Rush" (2.1/7, 5.38m), History's "Pawn Stars" (2.1/6, 5.23m) and MTV's "Teen Mom" (2.0/5, 3.42m). Other than "MNF," the most-watched cablecast of the week was Fox News Channel's coverage of the Republican Presidential Debate on Thursday (6.71 million). It drew more viewers than ABC News' "The Year With Katie Couric" special that aired on the same night (5.54m). And on the pay cable side, Showtime was pleased with the numbers for its Sunday finales of "Dexter" (2.23 million) and "Homeland" (1.71m). When you add in a second showing that night, "Homeland's" audience (2.1 million) was the largest to date for the first-season finale of a Showtime series (Daily Variety, Dec. 20). Contact Rick Kissell at rick.kissell@variety.com

Madonna Won't have an Oscar Nomination for top Original Song

Existence can be a mystery ... and therefore is honours season. The Academy of motion Picture Arts and Sciences introduced 39 tunes qualified for nomination inside the Best Original Song category within the 84th annual Academy awards in February, and Madonna's latest track isn't incorporated within this. Madge, who directed the arrival romance 'W.E.' in addition to written the song "Masterpiece" due to its soundtrack, received a Golden Globe nomination for your tune the other day sadly, her charms were lost round the Academy. (Either that, or AMPAS isn't as susceptible to star-searching since the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.) While Madonna will stay home on Feb. 26, many other tunes will probably be qualified for just about any nomination, including three tracks from 'The Muppets,' the Mary J. Blige tune from 'The Help' as well as the Jonsi song "Gathering Gems" within the 'We Bought a Zoo' soundtrack. Full list ahead. "The Earth I Understood" from "African Cats" "Lay The Mind Lower" from "Albert Nobbs" "Star Spangled Guy" from "Captain America: The Initial Avenger" "Collision of Cell phone industry's" from "Cars 2&Prime "Dakkanaga Dugu Dugu" from "DAM999&Prime "DAM999 Theme Song" from "DAM999&Prime "Mujhe Chod Ke" from "DAM999&Prime "Rainbird" from "Dirty Girl" "Continue Walking" from "The Initial Grader" "Where the River Goes" from "Footloose" "Hello Hello" from "Gnomeo & Juliet" "Love Evolves an outdoorInch from "Gnomeo & Juliet" "Bridge of sunshineInch from "Happy Foot Two" "The Mighty Sven" from "Happy Foot Two" "'t Be DelayInch from "happythankyoumoreplease" "Hell and Back" from "Hell and AgainInch "The Living Proof" from "The AssistanceInch "Coeur Volant" from "Hugo" "It Is The Approach We Take To Play" from "I am Unsure How She'll ItInch "When the Heart Dies" from "Inside the Land of Blood stream and Honey" "Ja Nao Estar" from "José and Pilar" "The Keeper" from "Machine Gun Preacher" "Life's a cheerful Song" from "The Muppets" "Guy or Muppet" from "The Muppets" "Pictures throughout my thoughtsInch from "The Muppets" "Summer season Song" from "The Music Activity Never Stopped" "Imaginary Pals" from "Olive" "Sparkling Day" from "EventuallyInch "Taking You beside meInch from "Our Idiot Brother" "The Best Song I HeardInch from "POM Wonderful Is Certainly The Best Movie Ever Offered" "Hot Wings" from "Rio" "Let Me Enable You To Get to Rio" from "Rio" "Real in Rio" from "Rio" "Shelter" from "Take Shelter" "Gathering Tales" from "We Bought a Zoo" "Pop" from "White-colored Irish Customers" "Think You'll Be Able To Wait" from "Mutually BeneficialInch "The Backson Song" from "Winnie the Pooh" "This Type Of Very Long Time" from "Winnie the Pooh" [via MCN] [Photo: AP] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Sandra Bullock Describes Inadequate Screen In time 'Extremely Noisy and very Close' (VIDEO)

You could expect that Tom Hanks isn't in 'Extremely Noisy and very Close,' much as his character (SPOILER! ... although it's in every single trailer) died on 9/11. But Sandra Bullock, who plays his widow, also provides a far more compact-than-expected role. On 'Today' Thursday morning, the actress referred to they chosen for just about any supporting role as her first follow-around her Oscar-winning submit 'The Blind Side' because the movie was far too good to exhibit lower. "It's truly this excellent story from the child's perspective from the products happened within the existence that was this horribly tragic event," Bullock told 'Today' host Matt Lauer. "Also to notice through his eyes is a lot more, In my opinion, poignant and impactful, instead of notice by having an adult's eyes." Didn't she mind being banished to supporting status? "I've already had people moments [just like a leading lady], In my opinion. I'm speaking about, there might be more, I am unsure, but I am unsure the amount of moments and options similar to this you will see -- with tales similar to this, with company company directors and casts similar to this -- It's like the rare moments around where all the elements exist, and so they all meet up for a lot of strange or bigger reason. You can't refuse compared to that,In . she added. Watch the whole interview below. [via THR] [Photo: AP] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Buble's 'Christmas' stays No. 1

Sales of Michael Buble's "Christmas" kept a-jinglin' last week, maintaining the vocalist's position at No. 1 on the U.S. album chart. Buble's Warner Bros. holiday set gained a robust 64% and sits tight at No. 1 with a 479,000-unit week, according to Nielsen SoundScan data for the week ended Dec. 11. Holiday collection holds the apex for a third week. Four debuting titles breathed some much-needed new life into the chart. Post-Thanksgiving sales remain somewhat humdrum, however, with just five titles selling more than 100,000 copies; release schedule for the remainder of December is thin. Akron twosome the Black Keys burst in at No. 2 with "El Camino" (Nonesuch). Duo's 206,000-unit bow is their best ever; last year's breakthrough "Brothers" peaked at No. 3. Amy Winehouse's posthumous "Lioness: Hidden Treasures" (Universal Republic), a collection of previously unreleased tracks, arrived at No. 5, moving 114,000. British soul-pop vocalist, who died suddenly in July, saw her chart peak with her sophomore album "Back to Black," which climbed to No. 2 at the height of her popularity in 2008. The week's other, comparatively mild debuts were "Glee: the Music, Season 3: Volume 7" (Columbia), which entered at No. 9 with 58,000, and hard rock unit Korn's "The Path of Totality" (Roadrunner), which moved in at No. 10 with 55,000 shifted. Stanza's biggest holdovers are Adele's still formidable "21" (Columbia), which dipped one position to No. 3 with a 187,000-unit frame (up 30%), and Justin Bieber's "Under the Mistletoe" (Island), which fell one notch to No. 4 with 158,000 (up 19%). Top 10 is rounded out by Andrea Bocelli's "Concerto: One Night in Central Park" (No. 6, 79,000 sold, up 28%), Drake's "Take Care" (No. 7, 73,000, off 19%) and Nickelback's "Here and Now" (No. 8, 66,000, down 16%). Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Kaya Scodelario has 'Fishes' to fry

Scodelario"Skins" star Kaya Scodelario is positioned to switch Rooney Mara since the lead in Francesca Gregorini's indie "Emanuel and the real truth about Fishes."Gregorini written the script, which follows Emanuel, a troubled 17-year-old girl who babysits her new neighbor's "baby," that's a real really existence-like toy. She goes with the delusion while befriending the neighbor, who's really the spitting picture of Emanuel's late mother.Matthew Brady is creating via his MRB Prods. banner along with Gregorini, while Paul Schiff, Kevin Iwashina and Jonathan Gray will professional produce.Along with Tatiana von Furstenberg, Gregorini formerly written, directed and produced the 2011 indie drama "Tanner Hall," which Mara toplined right before her breakout role as Lisbeth Salander in David Fincher's "The Woman While using Dragon Tattoo."Most broadly known on her behalf role as Effy Stonem round the questionable hit Brit series "Skins," Scodelario next stars since the lead in Andrea Arnold's adaptation of "Wuthering Levels." Thesp, who also came out in "Clash in the Leaders" and "Moon," recently wrapped Ol Parker's indie drama "Now's Good," which stars Dakota Fanning and Jeremy Irvine.Scodelario is repped by CAA and U.K.-based Curtis Brown Group. Contact Rob Sneider at rob.sneider@variety.com

USA Network upfront breaks b'cast obstacles

USA will tout a number of new original programming, including drama Common Law, at its upfront event skedded for May 17. USAs Chris McCumber, left, and Shaun Wachtel, second from right, join Virginia Williams, NBCs Bonnie Hammer and Sarah Shahi at its upfront this season. It intends to hold next years event throughout bcasters upfront week.USA Network intends to crash the broadcast nets' upfront party next spring. USA stated Monday it'll host an upfront presentation around the evening of May 17 at Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln subsequently Center to tout its hot prospects, including dramedy "Common Law" and a number of new projects in development. USA's move aims to strengthen to Madison Avenue the NBCUniversal cabler's growing heft with original programming and underline USA's push for parity in advertising rates using the Large Four broadcast nets. In getting into a few days when NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox and CW hold their upfront fetes in marathon Monday-Thursday fashion, USA is following a lead of Turner, that was the very first cabler to create a large stand throughout broadcasters' upfront week in 2008. USA Network, that has rated No. 1 among fundamental cablers within the last couple of years, has typically held its upfront event a couple of days prior to the broadcast nets, which typically sked their occasions for that third week of May, just just before the finish from the TV season. USA's event this season occured May 2 at Lincoln subsequently Center. The coming year, USA's event will cap the most popular week of the season for media purchasers and television journos. "This is actually the right factor for that development of the funnel," USA co-leader Chris McCumber told Variety. "After talking with ad purchasers and organizers, we made the decision to choose a bigger presentation." Added co-leader Shaun Wachtel: "It feels as though the best time for all of us. We'll have the ability to achieve more and more people than before, and we are looking forward to being the grand finale." While a lot of the ad community relies in Gotham, USA can also be relying on receiving additional PR from out-of-town journalists, who definitely are in Manhattan that week. Which will give USA additional exposure on the customer and business side, reaching more potential viewer eyeballs than in the past. As the internet might possibly not have the identity of fellow NBCUniversal internet NBC among customers, USA is much more of the profit center for that Peacock and it is top shows could be competitive with broadcast nets. Knowing that, Wachtel and McCumber intend to push for CPM gains throughout next year's upfront advertising selling craze. The strong scatter market in recent several weeks continues to be great for USA Network, and also the internet hopes to keep its momentum having a greater-profile upfront event. "This can clearly not just enhance the picture of who we're and what we should do, but in addition helps the financial aspects," stated McCumber. Additionally to offering the stats on its slate of current hits -- "Suits," "Necessary Roughness," "Royal Pains" and "Whitened Collar," included in this -- USA will tubthumping its approaching skeins to potential marketers. Cabler is at the top of dramedy series "Common Law," about a set of cops who get into therapy to assist them to maintain their professional partnership. Skein was initially skedded to bow Jan. 26, but executives made the decision it might be more appropriate to some summer time bow. Also coming is Nathan Lane comedy "Local Talent," as USA looks to create a major push with laffers and reality shows in 2012. As well as on the syndie front, cabler acquired "Modern Family" and can easily be notifying the ad community that primetime's greatest-ranked comedy is going to cable. Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com

Jennifer Aniston To Star In Approaching Luc Besson Film?

There's no limit once you have won an Oscar. You'll be able to pair tabs on your good-searching options with an ostentatious action film. You'll be able to lend your voice with a cartoon about kung-fu animals. You may even choose another Oscar, why not? Nevertheless the ultimate moment of FTW excess must be starring in the Luc Besson film. Refreshing stars as action stars from Statham to Neeson, Besson's hyperkinetic blow outs have charmed American audiences, destroyed laminator tl901 office, and more importantly, done one essential aspect: made their stars look really, really awesome. It appears sensible, then, that Jennifer Aniston might be the most recent actress to acquire round the Besson bandwagon. According to Deadline, Jolie is at predicts "star next spring in the dramatic thriller that's rooted in true scientific elements." Yeah, scientific elements like people getting shot a good deal! Simply because they write, it will likely be probably be closer to earlier Besson films like "The Professional" and "The fifth Element." That's okay by us, as people are likely his most satisfying movies. Otherwise, Jolie's remaining busy. Besides her perpetual existence before paparazzi cameras, her directorial debut, "Inside The Land of Blood stream and Honey," has been launched soon. Should you didn't see, we spoken to her yesterday in regards to the movie's styles and the way she thinks it'll resonate with audiences. "This youthful audience will probably be interested because [of] the figures they'll recognize them," Jolie mentioned. "This really is really the 1990's. They may have been children or else alive throughout that time, but they're sightseeing who've been 18 years old, 10 years old in the European cosmopolitan society, which is so what can have happened once they visited war." Jennifer Aniston talks "Blood stream and Honey" reactions! Reveal everything you consider Jolie's approaching Besson project inside the comments section and also on Twitter!

Comedy Central busy developing projects

Comedy Central has bulked up its development slate for 2012, including an untitled project with "Daily Show" correspondent Wyatt Cenac based on public-matters shows within the eighties. Cenac is aboard to produce and professional produce, with David Rath of Generate creating. Among the three animated shows in development online are "Robots," about inept androids' not successful attempts at world domination, and ShadowMachine's anthology series "TripTank," including work by "Delocated" creator Jon Glaser and "Mr. Show" co-creator Bob Odenkirk, among others. Another untitled series changes the "Cyanide and Happiness" webcomics for television. Also round the slate: 3Arts' "Gregory Brothers and sisters," a completely new show featuring the titular digital music team behind "Auto-Tune this newsInch and Avalon's "@Make the most of Delaney," a variety show starring comedian Delaney and such as the net's hit "Tosh.." "Overloaded," too, takes a comic think about the Internet, focusing on social media. The Viacom cabler may also be developing a single-camera sitcom titled "Braunger," using the information on comic Matt Braunger, and sketch series "Eugene!," put together by and starring Eugene Mirman. Other comics around whom the web is building shows include Amy Schumer, Anthony Jeselnik and Nathan Felder. Contact Mike Thielman at mike.thielman@variety.com

Scribe assigned new Stan Lee character

Stan Lee helped launch Magic Storm Entertainment this summer to bring his newest superhero characters to life, particularly for Asian auds -- and now one is on the way, as the film finance company has hired "Real Steel" screenwriter Dan Gilroy to introduce the Annihilator. It's the first film project for Magic Storm, a joint creation of Lee's Pow! Entertainment, Hong-Kong-based Ricco Capital Holdings and Fidelis Entertainment. Los Angeles-based Magic Storm, topped by CEO Eric Mika, was launched in June to develop and finance a slate of superhero fare designed to appeal to Asian markets, but that can cross over to others. Gilroy will begin work on the story of a young Chinese man given a second chance as an international superhero who returns home to mete out justice. "Words can't express how excited I am about this project," Lee said. "It's based on the most incredibly original and unique superhero I've created in a long time." The CAA-repped Gilroy's credits include Universal's "Two for the Money" and the upcoming "The Bourne Legacy." "Stan (Lee) is straight-up at the top of his game," Gilroy said, "and it's a joy to have a hand in bringing this to the screen." Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Graham King nabs 'Out of Time'

Graham King's TV division has acquired global distribution privileges for that approaching Canadian series "From Time."Simon Craig authored the pilot and can professional produce with fellow scribe Shaun King. Patt Williams will even professional produce.Ten episodes happen to be purchased to air on Canuck broadcaster Shaw Media, with Reunion Pictures set to create. Tom Rowe, Lisa Richardson and Matthew O'Connor are professional producers for Reunion.No U.S. network is presently attached.One-hour drama focuses on a lady cop around 2077 who's moving several terrorists on the way to their execution. All of a sudden, however, the audience is distributed time traveling to 2012 where they are able to reconstitute their violent agenda. While casting has yet to accomplish, Thandie Newton is circling the project as well as in foretells take part in the lead. Newton is co-starring within the new Tyler Perry pic "Good Deeds," that is scheduled for release early the coming year.GK-TV continues to be searching to increase its pipeline recently. Shingle is creating a biopic for Lifetime on former Hollywood bigwig William Wilkerson and "Port Royal" is within script development at Forex.Created with Gale Anne Hurd's Valhalla Entertainment, "Port Royal" focuses on pirates and all kinds of undesirables who go through a 17th century Jamaican town. Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com

The new sony Pictures' 'Smurfs 2,' 'Houdini' and 'Singularity' to Shoot in Montreal

TORONTO - Studio movie shoots in Canada nowadays progressively are available in bunches for additional production savings.our editor recommendsForeign Box Office: 'The Smurfs' Remains No. 1 A Few Days Ago Overseas Columbia's 'Houdini' Project Taps Author Scott Frank (Exclusive) Roland Emmerich might have postponed production on his sci-fi epic Singularity in Montreal, but that has not stopped The new sony Pictures piling into Quebec with yet more large-budget movie shoots. The studio has become prone to shoot the $175 million Singularity picture in fall 2012, in front of a May 2013 release, after Steven Spielberg systems production on Robopocalypse in the Cite' du Cinema studio in summer time 2012. Now there's word The new sony Pictures would be to shoot the approaching follow up towards the Smurfs and it is Houdini project in Montreal because it uses Quebec's generous all-spend tax credit and extra digital media tax incentives for live action/CG hybrid cars. The studio is close to beginning pre-production around the Smurfs 2, that has an August 2, 2013 release, and Jordan Kerner coming back as producer. And The new sony Pictures can also be delivering to Montreal director Francis Lawrence's much talked about film about Houdini, the famous escape artist and magician. The studio is simply the latest La producer to secure financial systems of scale by shooting movies one by one in Canada, frequently with similar local production deck hands and facilties. Relativity Media had Tarsem Singh shoot the CGI-heavy epic Immortals within the Cite' du Cinema studio in Montreal, then manufacture of next year's Jennifer Aniston-starring Snow Whitened movie Mirror, Mirror, also in Montreal. And Universal Pictures similarly chose Montreal to shoot Mummy 3 and Dying Race one by one in 2007. Related Subjects Jennifer Aniston Worldwide The Smurfs The new sony Pictures Entertainment Singularity Immortals

TV Producer Jonathan Prince, Clorox Team for 'Supermoms' Web Series

NY - A brand new top quality entertainment campaign for consumer items giant The Clorox Co. is searching to achieve American moms by making use of the super hero craze. TV producer Jonathan Prince(American Dreams, Stick, The Cleanser) and RedLever Galleries stated Tuesday they have joined to make a live action and animated Web series known as Supermoms, which is presented by Clorox. The series, that is presently in publish-production and it is directed by Michael Barnett(Cinemax documentary Superheroes), will encompass eight webisodes and concentrates on four moms who're also super heroes who fight their arch-enemy Dr. Deconstructo. The moms bounce between their real details as well as their animated alter egos. On the way, they share existence training and solve domestic difficulties with the aid of Clorox items, for example Clorox Liquid Bleach, Clorox Clean-Up, Glad Trash Bags and Fresh Step Kitty. The cast of Supermomsincludes Brennan Hesser, Joey Lauren Adams, Julie Warner, Lourdes Benedicto, Tabitha Morella, Tim Rock, K Callan, Hank Baskett, Jacob Hopkins, Caitlin Carmichael, Mike Borelli, Patrick Fabianand Ray Poindexter. "Our collaboration with Jonathan Prince is centered on creating an entertainment property which will capture the creativeness of online audiences while effortlessly integrating Clorox product messages," stated Richard Shoreline, leader of RedLever Galleries. "Whether one produces content for Web, television or even the giant screen, story and character are what drives loyal, passionate viewership," stated Prince. "Clorox 'gets' might has urged us to complete what must be done to produce that type of "'ean-forward,' engaging program." RedLever stated it'll distribute the net series to countless audiences within the U.S. Related Subjects

Critic's Guide to Monday TV: Farewell to Regis, a Diane Sawyer "Get," and More!

Mark Kelly, Gabrielle Giffords, Diane Sawyer This week, it's all about Regis Philbin. The irrepressible broadcasting legend, who holds a Guinness World Record for most hours spent in front of a TV camera, will finally give it a rest at the end of this week, as he steps away from Live! With Regis and Kelly (check local listings) after nearly 25 years in national syndication and many years before that in a variety of jobs, including as Joey Bishop's late-night sidekick in the late '60s.His time on Live! cemented his popularity and his ubiquity, during which time he also launched Who Wants To Be a Millionaire on ABC to massive ratings (before the network burned it out). As Live! counts down to his Friday farewell show, the celebration will include visits by famous guests and friends, including David Letterman on Wednesday and his former co-host Kathie Lee Gifford on Thursday. On today's lineup: Jimmy Fallon and Don Rickles. There will also be surprise musical guests and themed retrospectives of his 28 years in the Live! hot seat. But if you think you've seen the last of this guy, you don't know Reege.Want more TV news? Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!Shifting to prime time, the big event is an ABC News prime-time exclusive: Diane Sawyer's sit-down (10/9c) with Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and her husband, Space Shuttle Commander Mark Kelly, to discuss Giffords' remarkable ongoing recovery and rehabilitation after the near-fatal shooting in Tucson last winter that left six others dead.Signing the guest-star book: Rescue Me's John Scurti, last seen covering his friends in ashes and becoming Tommy's new ghost companion in the series finale, checks in on Fox's House (9/8c) as a patient convinced he has diabetes. ... And as Alan tries to recover from last week's mental breakdown on CBS' Two and a Half Men (9/8c), Gary Busey makes a special appearance, we're presuming in the mental ward. Run, Alan, run!So what else is on? ... Have hankies ready as you watch Animal Planet's Saved (8/7c), a new six-part docu-series about the therapeutic effect animals can have on people when they need a lift the most. In the opener, a stray war puppy from Iraq brings solace to the fiancée and parents of a soldier killed in the war. ... On CBS' How I Met Your Mother (8/7c), Barney and Robin try to keep last week's impulsive kiss from their respective current squeezes. Why bother? If it gets the mirthless Kevin (Kal Penn) and Nora (Nazanin Boniadi) off the show faster, someone please spill. ... It's been a while since The CW's Gossip Girl (8/7c) has been what you might call trendy, but this week the gang attends the ultra-hip immersive theater experience "Sleep No More" (a true NY phenom), and you never know what will happen when everyone dons masks.Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Rapper Immortal Technique Reviews Immortals, Invokes Kubrick, Slams Star Wars

I’ve said it before: Next Movie’s “Rappers Review Movies” video series is ingenious. The latest rhymer to play Ebert with Hollywood’s new releases is NYC-based Immortal Technique, a lyricist who frequently uses his songs to draw attention to socio-economic and political disparities. Taking on Tarsem’s Greek actioner Immortals, he drops some serious conscious commentary on even greater issues: Namely, how much Clash of the Titans and the next-gen Star Wars movies totally sucked. PREACH! Well, first Immortal Technique invokes Kubrick’s name in discussing “that raw element of humanity,” then praises Mickey Rourke for being “the illest bad guy.” He moves on to the work of art that is naked (via body double, I’m pretty sure) Freida Pinto, disappointed that her sex scene is “G-rated.” Onto dialogue, the spoken words — Immortal Technique’s specialty! “It wasn’t that kind of cheesy Phantom Menace, Clone Wars [dialogue] where we were all expecting a great movie,” he pontificates. “Lucas, did you write this on the toilet six hours before the script was due?” And there’s still more yet in Immortal Technique’s immortal Immortals review. Watch it below, and hit the link to watch all of Next Movie’s archived rapper reviews. Get More: For more from NextMovie: Trailers | Movies | DVD & Blu-Ray Immortal Technique Reviews ‘Immortals’ [Next Movie]

R.I.P. Hal Kanter

Veteran film author, producer and directort Hal Kanter died Sunday of complications of pneumonia in Encino, his daughter Donna Kanter told the La Occasions. He was 92. “He was one amongst the wits of the marketplace,” mentioned Carl Reiner, upon learning of Kanter’s dying.”He will be a funny elder statesman, there’s nothing better.”In work that spanned several decades, Kanter labored in radio, TV and flicks. He written for Bob Hope and Bing Crosby too for Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin. Kanter directed Elvis in Loving You which ones ones he co-written which he written the screenplaly for Blue Hawaii. He even labored with with Tennessee Williams round the 1955 movie version in the Rose Tatoo. Among other movie credits wereGeorge Cukor’s Let’s Have Sexual Intercourse, with Marilyn Monroe and Yves Montand and Frank Capra’s Pocketful of Miracles. His numerous TV credits incorporated growth and development of the landmark sitcom Julia, that DiahannCarroll increased being the initial black actress to star within their sitcom whose character will be a professional lady instead of a maid. More youthful crowd labored briefly on All inherited and will be a author and produceer on Chico as well as the Guy.His link with the Oscars just like a author round the ceremony began in 1952 if the still on radio and continuing more than thirty years. In 1991 and 󈨠 he shared Emmys for writing duties round the Oscar show telecast. His other Emmy was for your George Gobel Show. Kanter appeared to be really confused in Authors Guild of America which honored him multiple occasions for his intend to the guild, the as well as the community. The WGA West recognized Kanter for lifetime achievement wtih the Paddy ChayevskyLaurel Award for Television (a very long time achievement jerk) in 1989. Reiner noted thatKanter also offered as master of occasions for your Company company directors Guild of America’s honours dinner for quite some time. “Any chronilogical age of referred to as upon, he always will make everyone else laugh.”He situated numerous Authors Guild occasions too. He's managed to get by his longtime wife Doris, kids Donna Kanter, Lisa Kanter Shafer and Abigail Kanter Jaye, a sister together with a daughter.

Andy Serkis Signs For More 'Planet Of The Apes'

When "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" surprised with $453 million world-wide, the talk of Hollywood didn't center on the on-camera leads James Franco and Freida Pinto, but the man behind Caesar the ape, Andy Serkis. Good news, then, that the mo-cap wizard responsible for the life-like ape and the iconic Gollum from "The Lord of the Rings" just signed for more "Apes" movies in a deal that Deadline Hollywood is reporting is for more than seven figures. Serkis is the first cast member to sign on for any further installments, beating all the on-screen actors from the first hit film. Deadline's report also mentions that director Rupert Wyatt and screenwriters Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver had already agreed to a sequel when they initially signed on for "Rise of the Planet of the Apes." The only man to rocket to stardom just for donning a motion capture suit, Serkis' slate is more than filled up with further work behind CG characters. He's currently at work on Peter Jackson's "Hobbit" films, reprising the role that made him famous. His work, both for motion capture and voice acting, in the upcoming "Adventures of Tintin" as Captain Haddock hits theaters this December. Ever since the release and subsequent success of "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," there has been buzz about whether Serkis could garner serious awards attention early next year. Fox confirms to Deadline that they'll be making an Oscar push for Serkis come 2012. It is still unclear what form more "Apes" movies will take, but it is certain that Serkis will be there for whatever is to come. Are you excited to see more "Apes" movies with Andy Serkis? Let us know in the comments below and on Twitter!

Clint Eastwood Taught Leonardo DiCaprio How to Fight in 'J. Edgar'

If you have to film a fight scene on the set of a Clint Eastwood movie, you better learn how to do it right. While shooting the upcoming biopic 'J.Edgar,' Leonardo DiCaprio and Armie Hammer (or, more specifically, their characters) were required to get into a brawl. But before the camera started rolling, Dirty Harry himself stepped in to show them the ropes. In this week's Hollywood Reporter, Hammer talks about how it all went down. "Clint was there with one of his stunt-guy friends, Buddy Van Horn, and they put on an impromptu fight scene for us." said Hammer. "There's Buddy standing in the middle of the room and Clint says, 'I think it should be something like this' -- and he explodes into Clint Eastwood the fighter and they start smacking each other around and rolling on the floor. And then Clint just gets up and says, 'OK, something like that.'" That's right: 81-year-old Clint Eastwood can still throw down with the best of them. Although, if you have ever watched 'Gran Torino,' then you'd know that already. 'J. Edgar' opens Nov. 11 nationwide. To read about the making of the film, head on over to The Hollywood Reporter. [via THR] [Photo: AFP/Getty Images] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Exclusive First Look: Jaime Pressly Under Attack in I Hate My Teenage Daughter

I Hate My Teenage Daughter Jaime Pressly spent four years and won an Emmy for terrorizing on-screen ex-husband Earl on My Name is Earl, but now she's bearing the brunt of the abuse on her new series I Hate My Teenage Daughter. The series, premiering on Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 9:30/8:30c, follows single moms Annie (Pressly) and Nikki (Katie Finneran), who realize that by raising their daughters to be cool (as opposed to the nerds they were in high school), they have actually created two bratty monsters. "The relationship between Annie, my character, and my daughter Sophie is actually a really good one," Pressly says. Adds Kristi Lauren, who plays Annie's daughter: "Annie let Sophie grow up without a lot of rules and so Sophie thinks, 'Oh, I can do whatever I want.' They always have this struggle for power." Mark Consuelos joins I Hate My Teenage Daughter The question is whether both women can (finally) start disciplining their daughters, but also keeping those mother-daughter bonds intact. "My problem is that I always want my daughter to love me so much," Finneran says with a laugh. Watch an exclusive first look at I Hate My Teenage Daughter:

Weekend Movie Preview: 'Puss in Boots' Prepared to Become Cat's Meow at Box Office

What box-office slump? Fresh from the record-setting opening weekend of 'Paranormal Activity 3,' audiences are going to emerge in groups for 'Puss in Boots.' Just how much will the finicky cat make over the past weekend? Lots! Your weekend movie preview is here now. Countrywide RELEASES 'Puss in Boots' What is the story: Since the 'Shrek' franchise has sauntered off in to the sunset, here comes Puss in Boots to guide 'Puss in Boots,' a prequel about how exactly the swashbuckling cat grew to become pals with Shrek and company. Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis and Billy Bob Thornton provide voices. Box-office projection: With box-office figures becoming bullish within the wake of 'Paranormal Activity 3,' all signs indicate an enormous opening for 'Puss in Boots.' Precisely how massive? Well, take into account that not just may be the film in three dimensional (as well as on IMAX screens), but the first new new animated feature hitting theaters since 'Cars 2' within the summer time. Thinking about that 'The Lion King 3D' handled to earn open with almost $$ 30 million in the box office throughout the dead days of September, does not it seem like 'Puss in Boots' might be a kiddie juggernaut? Forecasts possess the film striking around $35 million within the three-day weekend, but go ahead and take over on that number with full confidence. $44.7 million [Showtimes & Tickets Mr. Moviefone's Six-Second Review] 'In Time' What is the story: Occur the next where people stop aging at 25 and the years have changed currency, 'In Time' follows Will Salas (Justin Timberlake), an old time pauper charged with murder who continues the lam using the daughter (Amanda Seyfried) of the very effective businessman (Vincent Kartheiser). Box-office projection: What's going to 'In Time' share with 'The Three Musketeers' and 'The Thing'? Definitely not reviews ('In Time' has become some glowing critical response), but similar opening weekends. The excitement around the Andrew Niccol-directed film is small, even though Justin Timberlake is among the most well-known males in the usa, he's still in a position to guarantee a dent weekend. 'In Time' is his first action role, and he's encircled with a cast of youthful up-and-comers, but let us not expect a lot of miracles here. $9.a million [Showtimes & Tickets Mr. Moviefone's Six-Second Review] 'The Rum Diary' What is the story: The Actor-brad Pitt stars as Paul Kemp, a united states journalist in Puerto Rico who loves booze and discovering shady land deals. In line with the novel by Hunter S. Thompson. Box-office projection: Everybody loves 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' now, however it would be a going under upon release in 1998 the film gained just $3 million on opening weekend and $ten million overall. That's far from Depp's decade of blockbusters ('Pirates from the Caribbean,' 'Alice in Wonderland,' 'Charlie and also the Chocolate Factory'), but expecting 'The Rum Diary' to drift along on individuals large films is really a mistake. Not just is 'Rum Diary' coming on the little over 2000 screens, but audience interest is not that high. (The R-rating does not help either.) Depp is money -- among the couple of actual celebrities left -- bear in mind that neither him nor Julia Roberts might make 'The Tourist' work. 'The Rum Diary' might be like this film, although with reduced stakes. $6.9 million [Showtimes & Tickets Mr. Moviefone's Six-Second Review] LIMITED RELEASES In nearly 250 theaters, Roland Emmerich's 'Anonymous' posits that William Shakespeare did not really write the plays credited to William Shakespeare. Scandalous! Also in limited release, Anton Yelchin as well as your new favorite crush, Felicity Johnson, star within the indie romance 'Like Crazy.' Both Johnson and also the film won honours at Sundance when 'Like Crazy' first showed captured. [Photo: DreamWorks] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook RELATED

China Cracks Lower On Television Shows Considered Excessively Entertaining

The federal government of China just put a chill into media companies salivating at the possibilities of distributing entertainment shows to Tv producers that achieve the nation’s flourishing middle-class. The Condition Administration of Radio, Film and tv just purchased China’s 34 satellite television stations to significantly reduce programs it views to become vulgar or “overly entertaining,” the AP reviews. It really wants to see more news and cultural programming rather than talent shows, game shows, variety shows, talk shows and reality programming. “Satellite channels mostly are for that broadcast of news propaganda and really should expand the proportion of news, economic, cultural, science and education, children’s, and documentary programming,” the company stated. It added that programs must “resolutely oppose money worship, hedonism, and extreme individualism and arduously correct bad habits for example mistreating one’s forces, fakery, unprincipled functions, and doing harm to others to make money.” Satellite channels with each other can provide no more than nine restricted programs a evening between 7:30 and 10:00 while individual channels possess a cap of two shows of 1 hour 30 minutes or less. Additionally, they have to have two hrs or even more of news programs from 6:00 AM to 11:30 PM, including two running a minimum of thirty minutes throughout prime time. The brand new rules were no real surprise: Recently the federal government told Hunan Satellite to prevent showing a singing contest Super Girl. The federal government also stated it'll crack lower on the internet sites that transmit pornography, vulgarity, and also the “transmission of dangerous information.” The condition news agency Xinhua stated that three individuals have received alerts or detained for approximately 15 days for implementing the net to spread gossips. ..

McG Eyes Summits Puzzle Palace

EXCLUSIVE: Summit Entertainment is in talks with McG to direct Puzzle Palace, the cop drama script by David Guggenheim. Summit acquired the project at a pitch early last year from Guggenheim after the scribe sold the spec script Safe House to Universal, which set Daniel Espinoza to direct Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds. Puzzle Palace is being produced by Temple Hill partners Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen, who produce the Twilight series for Summit. McG most recently directed the 20th Century Fox comedy This Means War with Chris Pine, Tom Hardy and Reese Witherspoon. McG is repped by WME and Management 360.

The brand new the new sony unit offers exhibs 4K hands

The brand new the new sony Electronics' Digital Cinema Solutions group is searching to obtain additional exhibs aboard to change their theaters to another 4K projection system.The business features an initiative encompassing a smaller upfront cost, no-interest financing together with a purchasing option incorporated within the development of their Virtual Print Fee Program. Effort comes at any time when a lot more compact exhibs are actually squashed with the costs of changing and improving theaters to ensure that as movie attendance is gloomier versus. a year ago.The main exhibs are faced with ongoing debates over 3d glasses and reduced theatrical home home windows -- issues that may (for now) pressure exhibs being more careful from the purses.The brand new the new sony elevated the issue of 3d glasses late lately if the introduced it could forget about subsidize the cost of 3d eyeglasses. That cost could fall rather to exhibs, who fired back by threatening to screen some films on less 3d screens.However The new the new sony demands it knows the cost associated with changing to 4K."The transition to digital cinema can be a reality, but so can be the conversion costs with an exhibitor," mentioned Tim Cruz, director of economic development for that new the new sony Electronics Digital Cinema Solutions. "This is why The brand new the new sony provides several flexible purchasing and financing options for participants within the U . s . States that could make changing to digital simpler plus much more affordable."Really, Cruz mentioned in the roughly 10,000 screens offered worldwide, a maximum of 25 were agreed to participants inside the U.S. The comfort were agreed to banks, that the new the new sony would then sub-lease to Stateside participants.Sony's leasing program helps it be achievable for participants to begin a ten-year operating lease agreement using the new the new sony getting a 1-time payment with the exhibitor. Some clients might be capable of then distribute the cost of this fee inside the term in the arrangement using the new the new sony. The business also only charges florida florida sales tax round the one-time payment, as opposed to the entire price of the 4K projection system."The exhibitor is not requiring to pay for anything real for your financing," Cruz told Variety. "I'm not aware of others who's offering a operating lease agreement such as this.InchThe VPF package incorporated Sony's 4K projector, 2D lens, screen server/media block, screen management and theatre management software, central server and storage network and shipping costs and installation. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Magnolia Closing In On LFF Opener 360

EXCLUSIVE: Im hearing that Magnolia is placed to shut a U.S. deal for Fernando Meirelles sexual drama 360, which opened up the 55th BFI London Film Festival last evening. Artificial Eye can also be in foretells release 360 within the United kingdom on March 3 2012, I realize. Co-created by Revolution Films, the United kingdom production company behind IFCs The Trip, the Peter Morgan-scripted feature follows a sexual circle of prostitution, infidelity and real love. Anthony Hopkins, Rachel Weisz and Jude Law star. Paris-based telemarketer Wild Bunch is selling the BBC Films-backed project worldwide. Reviews here today happen to be pretty moderate: The Daily Telegraph summarized the film like a glossily unengaging trudge through other bands love lives explaining one moment in which a character imagines an airplane transporting away his lover as spectacularly stupid. The Occasions based in london provides the film quite a dismissive 3-star review, calling the plot improbable, and stated the merry-go-round structure crushes performances into twenty-minute slots that frequently neglect to elicit our sympathy. The Evening Standard though was a lot more positive, calling 360 a properly-crafted package along with a film of lovely moments, elegant structure and vivid locations. Coordinators from the LFF drummed up some star energy with Jude Law talking around the red-colored carpet Anthony Hopkins and Rachel Weisz though werent available. Weisz, who stars in LFF closing film The Dark Blue Ocean on October 27, was busy in NY filming while Hopkins, Im told, doesn't enjoy travelling. Personally, I figured that Hopkins gave an incredible performance like a sober alcoholic although given his lengthy connection to Aa, you need to do question just how much of 1 scene where he shares in an AA meeting was ad-libbed while Ben Promote was scarily unpredictable like a charged child rapist.

Universal Backs Off 'Tower Heist' Premium VOD Test

Universal has scrubbed intends to make Brett Ratner's action-comedy Tower Heist obtainable in houses only three days after it debuts in theaters on November. 4, following risks by theater proprietors to boycott the film altogether.our editor recommendsBrett Ratner Not Involved with $59.99 VOD 'Tower Heist' TestGiant Theater Chain Cinemark Intends to Boycott Universal's 'Tower Heist' Universal to provide 'Tower Heist' on Early VOD for $59.99 However the studio stessed it'll still pursue premium VOD. "Universal Pictures today introduced that in reaction to some request from theater proprietors, it's made the decision to obstruct its planned premium home video when needed (PVOD) experiment by which Comcast digital customers in Tigard and Atlanta might have had the chance to rent Tower Heist when needed just three days after its theatrical release on November 4, 2011. "Universal is constantly on the think that the theater experience along with a PVOD window are business models that may coincide and thrive and that we anticipate dealing with our partners in exhibition to try to experiment in this region later on," the studio stated inside a statement." The announcement sparked an instantaneous response from National Association of Theater Proprietors leader Boss John Fithian. "NATO want to thank Universal for reacting to numerous theater proprietors' concerns and rescheduling the PVOD test drive it was considering. They've been engaged with individual participants about this test, even though it had been something which many theater proprietors couldn't ultimately support, outdoors and collaborative character from the dialogue is appreciated. NATO sees that galleries must find new models and possibilities in your home market, and appears toward marketers and participants cooperating for his or her mutual benefit," Fithian stated. Related Subjects

'Strawberry Fields' is real to Soda

LONDON -- Soda Pictures has clicked on up U.K. distribution rights to micro-budget "Strawberry Fields," helmed by Frances Jum. Pic, which will world preem within the BFI London Film Festival this month, was produced through Film London's low-budget Microwave Plan which is the sixth pic to secure U.K. distribution using the plan. "Strawberry Fields," toplining Anna Madeley ("In Bruges"), Christine Bottomley ("The Arbor") and Emun Elliott ("Wager on Thrones") can be a twisted tale of sister competition, sexual awakening and mind games set within a hot British summer season. Jum and Judith Manley pen the script while Liam Beatty and Lucie Wenigerova produce. Soda will release the pic in April incorporated in is completely new British Cinema Quarterly platform, an initiative that supports helping produce youthful British filmmakers. Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com

Dominic Purcell Joins Paradise Lost

He'll be MolochWith the shoot searching for The month of the month of january, director Alex Proyas is ongoing to accomplish the angelic ranks for his action fantasy Paradise Lost. The newest addition for the heavenly (or possibly in cases like this formerly heavenly) host? Dominic Purcell.Proyas' undertake John Milton's epic poem, that's been reconceived becoming an action epic for Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures, will chart the war in Paradise sparked with the arrival of mankind as God's new selected favourite as well as the clash between Michael (Ben Master) and Lucifer(Bradley Cooper).The actor, which has roles in Hay Dogs and Killer Elite but remains most broadly noted for TV drama Prison Break, is playing Jerahmeel, an angel who joins Lucifer's side and finally eventually ends up falling alongside him. When serving within the right hands of his dark master, he's re-named Moloch.Alongside Cooper, Master and Purcell, the ensemble now includes Casey Affleck, Djimon Hounsou, Camilla Belle and Callan McAuliffe.Proyas expects to make use of performance capture methods to show his stars for their fantastical forms, as well as the film will probably be in 2013.

'Simpsons' Actor States He's Prepared to Cut His Salary by 70 %

"Simpsons" voice actor Harry Shearer has had one step by himself within the ongoing tense discussions between your animated series cast and Fox professionals who state that unless of course the voice stars take massive pay cuts, the show won't be restored for any 24th season.Inside a statement launched Friday, the actor stated, "I only say, fine -- if pay cuts are what it will require to help keep the show around the air, then cut my pay. Actually, to really make it pretty simple for Fox to help keep new instances of "The Simpsons" coming, I am prepared to allow them to cut my salary not only 45 percent but a lot more than 70 % -- lower to 1 / 2 of the things they stated they'd be prepared to pay for us. All I'd request in exchange is the fact that I be permitted a little share from the eventual profits."On Tuesday, "THR" reported that RBC Capital Marketplaces analyst David Bank believed that Fox could are in position to circumvent $750 million from an off-network distribution privileges purchase when the show is canceled.Shearer states he talks for themself and never for his fellow cast people as well as states that after his reps contacted Fox executives together with his proposal, these were rebuffed."There have been, the Fox people stated, virtually no conditions to which the network would consider permitting me or the stars to talk about within the show's success," Shearer described.Shearer and also the other people from the cast, including Serta Castellaneta, who voices Homer Simpson, Julie Kavner (Marge), Nancy Cartwright (Bart), Yeardley Cruz (Lisa) and Hank Azaria (Moe), have been getting $400,000 per episode since an income re-settlement in 2008.Fox states the series cannot continue underneath the current business model. The Hollywood Reporter

A Modest Proposal to Turn Lady Gaga's Fame Monster Into a Movie

Since news broke that a Lady Gaga biopic may be in the works, I’ve fretted. The 25-year-old superstar is ripe for a big-screen toasting, but she’s only been a phenomenon since the latter half of 2008. Would you want to watch a Madonna biopic that stopped after the release of True Blue? Of course not. Lady Gaga has a gnarly, couture-bedecked arc ahead of her, and I say if she’s destined to be a cineplex draw, why not adapt her eight-track mini-album The Fame Monster into a full-fledged film? Even the title of the biopic’s source material, Maureen Callahan’s 2010 biography Poker Face: The Rise and Rise of Lady Gaga, indicates that the singer hasn’t existed long enough for plot complications. Her life story isn’t engrossing: Moving from NYU to clubland to the pop charts is not a revelatory trajectory. Meanwhile, Gaga herself has produced a captivating visual feast with the imagery-laden EP (which is long enough to be considered a sophomore album) The Fame Monster. From “Bad Romance” to “Alejandro” to “Telephone” to “Teeth,” it’s a jarring, danceably Gothic medley of sideshows. If the rock opera ever went out of style, surely The Fame Monster is the best incentive to revive the genre’s unholy grandeur. Picture if you will a Spike Jonze-directed musical blitz of monster schlock, Laurieann Gibson choreography, and the torrid throes of clubland romance. It’s Queen of the Damned meets 54 (!), with the spirits of Mamma Mia and Dr. Frankenfurter added liberally. A leotard-loving ingenue (Gaga) falls into a bad romance with a hulking, primitive, mythological beast (muffled voice of Ron Perlman and/or Madonna) who happens to spin records in Manhattan. They engage in a hokey, but haunting freestyle dance that ensures their destiny together. But wait: Gaga’s hot, blue-collar ex-paramour Alejandro nags her by telephone and woos her to her old life of comfortable domesticity. He leaves her speechless! She’s so happy she could die. Ultimately, she chooses between the two by forcing them to dance in the dark and show their teeth — which is a Rocky Horror tribute all its own. Already this is better than a by-the-books biopic. And it’s a logical extension of Gaga’s intrigue as opposed to a stilted, elementary retelling of her life. Would you see a Fame Monster movie? More importantly: Can you envision schlock lovers and “little monsters” seeing a Fame Monster movie? I’m in, teeth bared.

Hope Davis Joins Cast Of Indie Disconnect

EXCLUSIVE: Hope Davis has arrived a job within the Disconnect, the Henry Alex Rubin drama which stars Alexander Skarsgard, Max Theriot, Andrea Riseborough, Frank Grillo, Paula Patton and Jason Bateman. The storyline, compiled by Andrew Stern, involves disparate lives that intertwine because the digital technologies meant to bring people closer together push families further apart. Davis, who definitely are onscreen a few days ago in Disney’s Real Steel, will have a lady dealing with her sons attempted suicide while concurrently looking for her very own identity. She's repped by UTA and Kipperman Management.

Roundabout 'Loves' stars

The Roundabout Theater Company has arranged a starry cast for any benefit concert reading through from the 1963 tuner "She Loves Me," with Josh Radnor, Jane Krakowski, Cheyenne Jackson, Kelli O'Hara and Victor Garber one of the thesps aboard. Reading through is going to be helmed by Scott Ellis, who also directed the Roundabout's revival from the show in 1993. The advantage event is timed towards the 20th anniversary from the Gotham nonprofit's Broadway creating activities, which began in the now-defunct Qualifying criterion Center having a revival of Harold Pinter's "The Homecoming." O'Hara ("South Off-shore," "The Pajama Game") and Radnor ("Generate An Income Met Your Mother") will have two clerks in a perfume shop who hate one another at the office but create a romance as anonymous pen pals. Rory O'Malley ("It of Mormon") and Michael McGrath also are probably the cast. A 15-person orchestra offers the music for that concert reading through. Tuner has music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, the duo behind "Fiddler on the top,Inch "Fiorello" and "The Apple Tree," having a book by Joe Masteroff ("Cabaret"). Gala benefit will have 12 ,. 5 in the Stephen Sondheim Theater, among the three Broadway venues possessed by Roundabout, on the evening once the theater's current occupant, the Roundabout's current revival of "Anything Goes," is dark for that evening. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com

'Jesus Christ Superstar' Musical is Broadway-Bound

NEW You are able to (AP) What is the buzz? Popular manufacture of "Jesus Celebrity" in Canada is originating south to Broadway.Producers introduced Tuesday the rock musical concerning the last times of Jesus compiled by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Grain will hit NY early in the year, a move which was broadly expected.Previews will start on March 1 in the Neil Simon Theatre as well as an official opening is placed for March 22. Des McAnuff, the artistic director from the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Ontario, in which the revival came from this summer time, will again direct."I am very happy, and incredibly, happy for the organization of stars because I believe they anticipated this can happen and that i certainly haven't frustrated them from thinking that," McAnuff stated by telephone from Italia.Your guitar- and keyboard-driven musical, which first showed on Broadway in 1971, includes such tunes as "What is the Buzz?" ''Superstar" and "I'm Not Sure How you can Love Him." The initial production gained five Tony Award nominations, including one for Ben Vereen, who performed Judas. A movie version was launched in 1973.The musical dramatizes Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, the unrest triggered by his preaching and recognition, his unfaithfulness by Judas, the trial before Pontius Pilate and the ultimate crucifixion. It marked an earlier collaboration between Lloyd Webber and Grain, who does go onto create "Frederick and also the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and "Evita," that is visiting Broadway early in the year of 2012."Celebrity" was initially introduced being an album prior to being staged on Broadway and McAnuff states his production is extremely faithful towards the original recording. "We have treated it a lot more like an opera than the usual musical," he stated. The brand new production also teases the story's love triangular.The most recent stage production opened up in the Canadian festival in June and finishes its run there on November. 6 before moving towards the La Jolla Playhouse in La Jolla, Calif., for final fine-tuning from November. 18 to 12 ,. 31 before its Broadway run.Many other productions placed on in the Stratford Festival have discovered their method to Broadway, including 2002's "King Lear" with Christopher Plummer and also the 2009 manufacture of "The significance of Being Serious," starring and directed by John Bedford.Though no casting was introduced for Broadway, McAnuff anticipates keeping together the majority of the cast he initially molded, including Chilina Kennedy as Mary Magdalene, Paul Nolan as Jesus, Josh Youthful as Judas Iscariot, Bruce Dow as King Herod, and Brent Carver as Pontius Pilate.Producers hope "Jesus Celebrity" will discover a receptive Broadway audience which has already seen revivals of these seventies-era shows as "Hair" and "Godspell," which begins performances later this month. Additionally, it taps in to the religious-designed musicals which have chosen Broadway "Sister Act" and "It of Mormon.""I believe there's exceptional expression, 'There's something in mid-air.A I guess that's what it's," stated McAnuff, who had been a teen when he first saw "Hair" in Toronto. "That type of anarchic procedure that went into creating albums and shows in individuals days is possibly dealing with a type of new respect."Copyright 2011 Connected Press. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Werner Herzog to Play Villain in Tom Cruise Vehicle One Shot

Today’s mind-blowing, near-unexplainable but still awesome casting news: Werner Herzog, German filmmaker, roadside angel, and the man Franois Truffaut once called “the most important film director alive,” has been cast opposite Tom Cruise in One Shot, writer-director Christopher McQuarrie’s adaptation of Lee Childs’ Jack Reacher novel. Details after the jump. Variety reports that Herzog has been cast as the villain of One Shot, which is based on Child’s novel of the same name in his Jack Reacher books and follows a former military cop turned drifter investigating a series of sniper killings. The Oscar-nominated Herzog will play “The Zec, an ex-prisoner of war who arranges and stages the killing and is the head of the conspiracy.” One Shot is expected in theaters in 2013. Werner Herzog to play villain in Tom Cruise pic [Variety]

Arrested Development Creator: Were Back!

Arrested Development Arrested Development creator Mitch Hurwitz introduced in the NYer Festival Sunday the sitcom will go back to television for just one abbreviated season.The series will concentrate on exactly what the figures happen to be doing because the show was canceled in 2006. The brand new season assists because the precursor for an Arrested Development movie, that has been kicking around for a long time.Examine out: Fall TV Eye CandyShortly following the The NYer panel -- first reported by TVLine.com -- Jason Bateman tweeted: "It's correct. We is going to do 10 episodes and also the movie. Most likely shoot them altogether next summer time for any release at the begining of '13. VERY excited!"The show opened in 2003, and was cancelled for only three seasons despite its popularity.Perhaps you have skipped Arrested Development? Do you consider the series and movie will really happen?

Still Existence (Stillleben)

A FreibeuterFilm, Lotus Film production. Produced by Oliver Neumann, Erich Lackner, Thomas Pridnig, Peter Wirthensohn. Directed by Sebastian Meise. Script, Thomas Reider, Meise.With: Fritz Hoertenhuber, Christoph Luser, Daniela Golpashin, Roswitha Soukup, Anja Plaschg.Calling your movie "Still Existence" probably isn't the simplest method of standing up for in the crowd, specially when the film is the one other Austrian pic about pedophilia. Tyro helmer Sebastian Meise's fresh tack is always to make his protag a perv in thought rather than deed, nevertheless the results don't add much for the discussion. San Sebastian's First Film jury gave "Still Existence" a decent mention, which will help fest bookings but hardly anything else. Bernhard (Christoph Luser) sees father Gerhard (Fritz Hoertenhuber) hands a contact with a streetwalker (Anja Plaschg) and accompany her with a brothel. He follows them and steals the note, which instructs the prostitute to pretend she's Gerhard's daughter, Lydia, becoming an adult. Deeply disturbed, Bernhard passes the note for the now-adult Lydia (Daniela Golpashin), who's naturally freaked out, though their mother (Roswitha Soukup) seems most disturbed the key she kind of understood about is outdoors. Gerhard, a recouping alcoholic who never really molested his daughter, doesn't get seem advice and will receive a rifle. Repression is conveyed via hardened faces, believe it or not than interfamily dialogue together with a properly controlled camera.Camera (color), Gerald Kerkletz editor, Julia Drack music, Cleaning cleaning soap&Skin production designers, Katharina Woeppermann, Anja Ronacher costume designer, Woeppermann. Examined at San Sebastian Film Festival (Zabaltegi New Company company directors), Sept. 21, 2011. Running time: 76 MIN. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Duvall takes 'One Shot'

DuvallRobert Duvall is searching to synergy together with his "Times of Thunder" co-star because the thesp is within final discussions to become listed on the cast of Vital and Skydance's "One Shot" starring Tom Cruise. The pic also starring Rosamund Pike and Richard Jenkins with Christopher McQuarrie aboard to direct from the script he composed. It series by Lee Child follows Jack Reacher, an old military policeman switched drifter. In "One Shot," Reacher looks into the situation of the sniper charged with killing five people prior to being taken. Particulars about Duvall's character were not revealed despite the fact that it's a small role, associates say it's significant to Reacher's narrative. Componen didn't have discuss the casting. Cruise and David Ellison will produce together with Don Granger, Paula Wagner, Dana Goldberg and Gary Levinsohn through Mutual Film Company and Cruise/Wagner Productions. Duvall just wrapped production on two projects, Billy Bob Thorton's "Jayne Mansfield's Vehicle" and also the indie "Mississippi Wild." He's repped by ICM. Contact Justin Kroll at justin.kroll@variety.com

Vital Plans Free 'Footloose' Tests

The reboot of 'Footloose' does not emerge in theaters for an additional two days, but that does not mean Vital can't obtain the ball moving on some pre-release hype. The studio introduced on Tuesday that it'll offer free tests from the Craig Maker-directed film within the U . s . States and Canada. Scheduled for NY, La, Washington D.C., Bay Area, Chicago, Boston, Might, Miami, Philadelphia and Sacramento, the 'Footloose' tests may happen on Friday. After, fans are urged to tweet those reviews -- embargoes be damned for that one! The brand new version of 'Footloose' stars Kenny Wormald, Julianne Hough and Dennis Quaid. Search for it in theaters on March. 14. (Though you will need to pay to determine after that it.) [via THR] 16 Approaching Movie Remakes You cannot appear to visit each day without listening to a brand new Hollywood remake. Ahead, a short listing of 16 films headed to theaters, again, soon. FootlooseWarGamesThe Wild BunchTop GunTotal RecallTeenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesShort CircuitRoboCopJudge DreddHighlanderThe CrowA Star is BornOldboyRed DawnPoint BreakDirty Dancing See All Moviefone Art galleries »

Universal Pictures Re-Ups Donna Langley As Co-Chairman

BREAKING: Universal Pictures co-chairman Donna Langley continues her term through 2014. The studio extended the option on her behalf account deal, a move that was broadly expected when Universal Pictures Chairman Adam Fogelson re-upped the other day and may keep getting full day-to-day operating responsibility for your Film Group, verifying to Universal Art galleries Leader and Chief Operating Officer Ron Meyer (whose contract was recently re-upped through 2015) and NBCUniversal Boss Steve Burke. That was a sign the studio’s production team would remain intact after NBCUniversal was acquired by Comcast. Langley is constantly on the be the key proper business partner controlling the companys production department, Focus Features as well as the art galleries worldwide purchases efforts. She reviews to Fogelson and contains been co-chairman since October, 2009. This gives Fogelson and Langley the chance to predict their 2012 and 2013 slates. The 2012 slate includes the studio’s major wager, the Peter Berg-directed Battleship, that literally brings an extraterrestrial story for the Hasbro game the Tony Gilroy-directed The Bourne Legacy with Jeremy Renner the Rupert Sanders-directed Snow White-colored as well as the Huntsman with Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron and Billy Burke the Carl Rinsch-directed Keanu Reeves-starrer 47 Ronin the Daniel Espinosa-directed Safe House with Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds, the American Cake follow-up American Reunion the Seth MacFarlane-directed Ted with Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis the Wahlberg-starrer Contraband, as well as the Oliver Stone-directed Savages with Aaron Manley, Kitsch, Blake Lively and Benicio Del Toro. Judd Apatow has some projects and 2012 will close while using Tom Hooper-directed Ces Miserables, which stars Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe. For 2013 slate, there is a sixth installment in the Fast as well as the Furious franchise, the Robert Schwentke-directed R.I.P.D. with Rob Bridges and Ryan Reynolds, the Illumination Films follow-up to Wretched Me, as well as the untitled sci-fi film that Tron: Legacy helmer Ernest Kosinski will direct with Tom Cruise and Jessica Chastain starring.

Patti Stanger Limits Her Claims on Gay Males and Monogamy to La, Issues Apology

Tommy Garcia/NBC After Uniform Matchmaker star Patti Stanger angered audiences with comments she made on Sunday night's Watch What Continues: Live, she needed to Twitter to explain her claims about gay males in addition to their failure being monogamous known particularly to people who were living in La. STORY: Patti Stanger Sparks Debate With Anti-Jewish, Gay Comments on Bravo "It's true LA gays hardest nuts to break into to monogamy!" she tweets. She then produces, "Attn male Gays: I you & my discuss WWHL wound up being to some LA guy who is able to't find commitment." That's better, right? We're unsure when really helps her situation, especially as she taunted NY resident and freely gay Watch What Continues: Live host Andy Cohen or as she recognized to him, "you people." "I have tried to curb 'you people,'" she mentioned to Cohen. He responded, "I am a gay and am lower for your monogamy." That, Stanger jeered. She also told Cohen, "You understand this. You're gay." VIDEO: Bravo Launches New Facebook Game for Fans, 'Turtle Time': Meet Its Star Stanger has yet to cope with her comments stating that Jewish males lie. Bravo did not immediately respond to a request comment. [Update 5:17 p.m.Stanger launched an apology,tweeting, "Accept you @joyvbehar for letting me have the record straight. So sorry to LA gays @glaad essentially upset you. X0"] Email: Jethro.Nededog@thr.com Twitter:@TheRealJethro RELATED: Bravo's 'Millionaire Matchmaker' Moving to Thursday Nights 'Millionaire Matchmaker' Patti Stanger Ink two year Development Deal at Bravo More Bravo Coverage on THR Bravo

Toronto TOLDJA! Horror Hit Youre Next Sells To Lionsgate

BREAKING: Among the hot game titles from the Toronto Film Festival, the horror film You’re Next, has offered to Lionsgate. I reported during my festival analysis story that Lionsgate was causeing this to be deal, coupled with been hearing for that better a part of per week it had been hot and high with CAA in settling a minimal-seven-figure minimum guarantee and P&Dedication for that film some feel might have this area-office breakout potential of 2010 Toronto’s Insidious, in line with the raucous response the film received at tests. You’re Next was directed by Adam Wingard and compiled by Simon Barrett, they behind this years Toronto film A Terrible Method to Die. It had been an aggressive situation, using the Weinstein Company and Vital and Indian Paintbrush also circling the offer. This settlement continues to be happening because the film’s first screening September 10 within the Night time Madness program. The offer required some time since it anticipates the chance that it could launch a franchise with future payments, that the filmmakers have strong control in. The theatrical release is going to be wide and many likely exist in fall 2012. In Your Soul’re Next, a household comes within terrifying and sadistic attack throughout a reunion getaway. Stranded inside a secluded home, they have to protect against a barrage of axes, crossbows and machetes. The murders soon uncover that certain from the sufferers is remarkably gifted at fighting back. Keith Calder, Jessica Wu and Barrett created the film that stars Sharni Vinson, Joe Swanberg, AJ Bowen, Nicholas Tucci and Barbara Crampton. Lionsgate co-COO and Film Group leader Joe Drake and Purchases and Co-Productions leader Jason Constantine finally fessed up today they’d closed the offer. “This project signifies exactly what we search for inside a horror film,” Constantine stated inside a statement. “It is really a celebration of their genre, featuring top-notch performances from the sophisticated script, superbly directed, which will leave audiences around the fringe of their seats once they’re not jumping from them.”

Carre blanc

A Solair Films production in association with Tarantula. (International sales: Coach 14, Paris.) Produced by Benjamin Mamou, Jean-Baptiste Leonetti. Executive producer, Camille Havard Bourdon. Co-producers, Joseph Rouschop, Xavier Ruiz, Alexander Rodnyansky. Directed, written by Jean-Baptiste Leonetti.With: Sami Bouajila, Julie Gayet, Jean-Pierre Andreani, Carlos Leal, Dominique Paturel, Fejria Deliba, Valerie Bodson, Viviana Aliberti, Majid Hives, Adele Exarchopoulos, Nathalie Becue Prader. (French dialogue)A prominent film website describes the premise of "Carre blanc" thus: "In the future, society's weak are killed and used for meat." This is either one helluva false assumption, or it's symptomatic of writer-director Jean-Baptiste Leonetti's excessively cryptic debut feature, in that such a major conceptual point is barely even suggested onscreen. Bleak, minimalist dystopian sci-fi a la "1984" and "THX-1138," pic epitomizes the carefully thought-out aesthetic package with almost zero interest in narrative and audience engagement. Adventurous genre fans will discover it via disc or download; a few will be rapt, many bored. As children, Philippe (Sami Bouajila) and Marie (Julie Gayet) met when she saved him from committing suicide as his mother had. Two decades later, he's become the perfect managerial tool of an all-pervasive corporation, subjecting subordinates to psychologically and/or physically harmful tests they can't possibly pass, while she laments their childlessness and his obedience to the devouring machine. An initially striking, obtuse objet d'art, "Carre Blanc" soon grows turgid as one realizes the precise, sterile visual and ominous audio tactics are all that is going to "happen."Camera (color, HD), David Nissen; editors, Alex Rodriguez, Eric Jacquemin; music, Evgueni Galperine; production designers, Marie Pierre Durand, Noelle Van Parijs. Reviewed at Toronto Film Festival (Vanguard), Sept. 14, 2011. Running time: 80 MIN. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

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Hugh Jackman Wants to Sing Before Growling: 'Wolverine' Delayed for 'Les Mis'

'The Wolverine' has had its share of problems. Director Darren Aronofsky quit in March, then the earthquakes and tsunami in Japan -- where the film takes place -- delayed production. When director James Mangold came on in June, things looked better for Fox's sequel, and production was penciled in for the fall. Now, however, it looks like production has been moved back to the spring. The reason, according to Deadline: Star Hugh Jackman wants to star in Tom Hooper's 'Les Miserables' first, since that production is starting to get off the ground. According to ThePlaylist, Hooper's follow-up to 'The King's Speech' has been casting this summer with Russell Crowe as Inspector Javert to Jackman's Jean Valjean. In addition, names like Hayden Panettiere, Miranda Cosgrove, Lucy Hale and Emma Watson were being considered for Eponine and Cosette; Amy Adams and Rebecca Hall were being eyed for Fantine. And Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter are in negotiations to reteam with Hooper to play the Thenardiers. What an impressive lineup if even half the castings are made. Meanwhile, Fox will most likely move production on 'The Wolverine' to Canada, both because filming in Japan is still an unsure proposition and to ease production cost pains -- or go with a combination of Canadian and Japanese locations, according to Deadline. But in any case, production won't start until Jackman is finished with his singing and dancing, and that means a 2013 debut for the sequel. So you fans of the hirsute Marvel character are just going to have to be a bit more patient.

Loki causes mischief on Avengers' Cleveland set

Tom Hiddleston was on set causing trouble as the character Loki in the latest scenes to be filmed for Joss Whedon's Avengers movie.WEWS5 reported that Public Square and Terminal Tower in downtown Cleveland were dressed to look like to Stuttgart, Germany, including street signs and banners written in German.An extra told NewsChannel5 that Terminal Tower doubled for a museum in the scenes and Loki killed someone there and sent visitors running in fear.The crew then used a pneumatic ram mounted in the rear of a German police car to flip it onto its roof, although the stunt had to be performed twice because the car did not flip completely the first time.Check out footage below...The Avengers opens 4 May 2012.

T Bone Burnett Reflects on 'O Brother Where Art Thou' Soundtrack

Lots of films have soundtracks that exceed the critical success of the movie, however the album for 'O Brother Where Art Thou' would be a entirely unique monster. Not just did the record sell a lot more than eight million copies worldwide, it won the 2001 Grammy Award for Album of the season. Lately, music producer/archivist T Bone Burnett sitting lower with HuffPost Culture to go over his role in picking the background music for that film, the entire process of recording it and, most of all, whether George Clooney includes a good voice. A couple of of Burnett's choice quotes are below. If you're a large 'O Brother' fan (from the film or movie), mind on to HuffPost Culture to see the whole piece. What it really was like focusing on the film 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?' grew to become much greater than a killer gig. It had been a fulfillment of the existence of chasing after lower that old music without ever knowing where it had been leading me. I was making use of an attractive and effective musical stream. What's frequently known as Bluegrass might have been in the center of this stream, but it is a part of a lengthy history which includes everybody from Duke Ellington to Lefty Frizzell, from Billie Holiday to Elvis, and perhaps first and foremost, to Louis Remedy. This stream we investigated may be the remarkable music from the 20th century -- an amazing treasure that involves us from a time when music is made by everybody. It had been analogue. It had been made prior to the rise from the machines. On selecting the movie's top song, 'Man of Constant Sorrow' We recorded the background music prior to the movie. The very first song we needed to get was "Guy Of Constant Sorrow." The song is, obviously, a typical -- you will find most likely fifty versions from it. The version we employed for our template was the version the Stanley Siblings tried with two performers responding to the final type of every verse -- that is, obviously, comedy and peculiar because the tune is all about a tore-lower, blown-out cat with one of these other voices proclaiming towards the veracity of his tragic situation. In some way this song taken a dark tone from the movie--epic and dead serious on one side and comic and affable alternatively. On George Clooney singing 'Man of Constant Sorrow' As numerous people know, Serta Tyminski from Alison Krauss and Union Station sang "Guy Of Constant Sorrow" within an original and soulful way about the soundtrack. He also authored and performed your guitar part that gave the song a brand new existence. But simply for that record, George Clooney is an extremely good singer. We'd already recorded Serta singing the song to locate an arrangement and, at the minimum, give George something to utilize. If there was additional time to obtain George up to date, he might have sang that song themself.

Ducoboo (L'eleve Ducobu)

An UGC Distribution release of a UGC presentation of a Les Films du 24, UGC Images, TF1 Films Prod., TF1 Droits Audiovisuels production, in association with Canal Plus, Cinecinema. (International sales: TF1 Intl., Paris.) Produced by Romain Rojtman. Directed by Philippe de Chauveron. Screenplay, Marc de Chauveron, Philippe de Chauveron, based on the comicbooks by Zidrou, Godi.With: Elie Semoun, Vincent Claude, Josephine de Meaux, Denis Podalydes, Juliette Chappey, Helena Noguerra.Every day at school it's trick or cheat for the eponymous protag of "Ducoboo," the 11-year-old French rascal who dedicates all his brainpower to improving his cheating techniques. Scribe-turned-helmer Philippe de Chauveron ("La Beuze") adapts Zidrou and Godi's popular gag-based comicbook into a brightly colored, naturally flowing story involving Ducoboo's arrival at a new school. Solid family entertainment is Gaul's fifth biggest local title of 2011, and a sequel is already in the works. Euro theatrical sales should follow in the footsteps of the similarly themed "Le petit Nicolas." Ducoboo (Vincent Claude, who co-starred in "Nicolas") is a rotund boy in a striped sweater who moves in next door to the brightest girl (Juliette Chappey) at his new school. Because he copies her work in inventive, unnoticeable ways, she sees Ducoboo as both rival and potential love interest. Their teacher, the high-strung Mr. Letouche (Elie Semoun, doing his usual shtick), is the first to doubt the kid's genius. Acting is generally broad, though Denis Podalydes, as Ducoboo's dad, injects a welcome note of human warmth. Bright tech package gets the balance between realism and comicbook stylization just right.Camera (color/B&W), Christophe Paturange; editor, Sandro Lavezzi; music, Marc Chouarain; production designer, Denis Mercier; costume designer, Christel Birot. Reviewed at Cine Utopia, Luxembourg, Aug. 2, 2011. Running time: 96 MIN. Contact Boyd van Hoeij at news@variety.com

The Glee Project Winners Talk Subtitles, Cameron and Making Musical Love to Ryan Murphy

Samuel Larsen and Damian McGinty In an eleventh-hour twist, Ryan Murphy named not one but two winners of The Glee Project. Both Samuel Larsen and Damian McGinty will get seven-episode arcs in Season 3 of Glee. (In another surprise, runners-up Lindsay Pearce and Alex Newell were told they'd get two-episode arcs. Everybody wins!) Who won The Glee Project? Find out who's joining the Glee cast (There is a twist!) The morning after their finale, TVGuide.com talked to Larsen, 19, and McGinty, 18 - neither of whom slept much Sunday night - about how they've been training for their Glee debuts, why Zach squealed so much during the finale, what the toughest part of the competitions was and whether subtitles are a good thing. Read on: Congratulations! Why haven't you both been sleeping? Larsen: Oh, my God. I couldn't stop talking to my roommates and my family. It's just ridiculous. I was just buzzing and couldn't sleep. I did get a good, solid one-hour power nap in, though. McGinty: We're still taking it all in. This happened in the middle of April, but to be honest I think it hit us just last night, sitting there watching it. It was like, "Wow, did that really happen to me?" It's going crazy, I mean, it's going insane back home. Mind-blowing stuff, you know? Larsen: We watched it at the exact same time as we were doing an Oxygen live interview. It was really odd how our bodies went right back to the same feeling we had when we were filming it. Like we got scared we were going to home. Damian, what were you thinking when they announced that Samuel had won? McGinty: When they said Alex and Lindsay hadn't won The Glee Project, I remember one moment where me and Sam looked at each other like "What the ..." I'll never forget it. ... Then Ryan said great things about both of us, and then they said, "Samuel, you've won The Glee Project." I'm human -- it was very much a sinking feeling. My heart sunk. But I was happy for Samuel, he deserved it and he was 100 percent consistent through the competition. I definitely said in my head that the right man won. But then Ryan asked how I felt, I told him, and he said I didn't need to worry because I also won The Glee Project. It was a huge twist. You saw my reaction, I literally hit the roof. I remember I nearly hit my head on the piano, too. I nearly committed suicide at probably the best moment in my life. What happened right after that moment when you were announced as the winners? Larsen: We celebrated the night away. I've never been that tired and that unable to sleep. I remember Damian and I just kept going up to each other like, "Hey, do you have a job? What's your job?" "Oh, I'm an actor on Glee. Do you happen to have a job?" "I just so happen to be an actor on Glee as well!" We just did that all night long. McGinty: It's been kind of hard because we couldn't tell anybody about our achievement for obvious reasons. The only people that knew were my mom and dad. Everyone kept asking, and I'd say, I did fine ... but you know they knew I was away for 10 weeks. They'd say, "Obviously, you did pretty well." I kept dodging the questions. Did Ryan and Ian talk to you guys afterward? Larsen: Oh, no. I think they were of the mindset of, "Holy crap, we just committed to four new characters. We gotta get writing now." The Glee Project finalists sound off on Christianity, reality TV editing and Ryan Murphy Samuel, on the show you said your biggest dream had just come true. What do both of you like about Glee so much that made winning so important? Larsen: The thing that Glee has successfully done that no other TV show has is that they're just honest - but they don't tell you what's right or wrong. They don't tell you what to agree with, or what to believe in. They simply just show you what exists in high school and they do it in such a way that you can appreciate it, no matter what your background is. You can just love it. On top of that, it's a musical, and it's got that Annie happy feel to it at the same time. McGinty: I think it's such a proud show in many ways because of the message it sends out. It's an incredible one, and it's done it like no other show has before. To a certain degree, I had the underdog tag throughout the competition and Glee proves the underdog sometimes can come out on top. A lot of us can really relate to that. Obviously, the fact that it's a worldwide hit also helps. It plays a big part in you wanting to be on it. Samuel, are you a musical fan? Larsen: You know, I used to watch a lot of musicals as a kid. Musical movies, not so much musical theater. But that's what I like about Glee, it opened me up to the musical theater side of things. It just caters to everyone. But I will admit, I am very happy I got cast, just from a fan point of view ... I always wanted to see the indie rock guy that Ryan kinda sees me as. Damian, in the news release Oxygen sent out about your win, it says you came to The Glee Project through "industry channels." What does that mean and how exactly did you get on the show? McGinty: I just think that meant that I had a bit of experience -- [McGinty has been a member of the Irish vocal group Celtic Thunder for several years] -- because I auditioned the same way everybody else did. I sent my audition tape online through MySpace and I got a call. Then I auditioned for Robert and I was told I had made the final 83. So I have an identical journey to everyone else. I suppose being a so-called professional for the past four years gave me a little more experience, but I think the fact that I was in the bottom three so much (laughs)... Samuel, you tried out for American Idol a few years ago. How was this experience different? Larsen: For one, I'm not 17 and terrified out of my mind anymore. It's different because I was literally at American Idol thinking I don't even like this show, I don't really want to be here. But, you know, when you put yourself in the competition setting, you instinctively think you gotta do your best. But at the end of the day, I knew American Idol wasn't for me and I was OK with it ... I'm not a very typical singer. You also auditioned for Glee before. The role of Sam eventually went to Chord Overstreet. How was performing for Ryan different this time? Larsen: I remember getting the phone call from Robert to go up for Sam almost two years ago. I did my first audition for him and I made the callback the next day. There were seven of us going up for the role. I remember Ryan walks in and all these suits and everyone, and I could not even look at him. I literally went in the room, performed my bit, and did not look at anyone at all. I was terrified. Two days before I was on Facebook and then I was auditioning for this big role, you know? I think all that experience did was make me a lot more hungry to be on Glee and push even harder. This time around I knew I had to become friends with them as opposed to being intimidated. And did you look Ryan in the eye this time? Larsen: Oh yeah, I wanted to ... how do I put it ... make musical love, if you will, to him. "I'm looking at you, I'm singing this song, feel it please!" Have either of you been working on Glee yet? Do you know what they have planned for you? Larsen: No, we're not working yet. I don't know what they have in store so far. I know Ryan's working hard. I heard this is the hardest season yet. But we haven't jumped in just yet. We're kind of waiting. Glee is a very fast-paced show, I'm sure it'll be all of a sudden we get a call like, "Hey, tomorrow's your first scene!" McGinty: We haven't heard an awful lot. We haven't heard much whatsoever to be honest. I think they were really waiting for this to happen and for it to be out there ... I think they have clear and obvious plans in their head for myself and Samuel. I'm guessing inside the next month we'll begin work on Glee. Plans for Season 2 of The Glee Project underway; Quitter Cameron has no regrets Damian, you've become really good friends with Cameron. During last night's finale, it was announced that he had won the Fan Favorite prize, and he also has more Twitter followers than any of the contestants. Do you think Ryan might write a role for him on Glee even if he quit? One where he doesn't have to kiss anyone? McGinty: You know, on the show itself they told Cameron, "Listen Cameron, you have a free ride to the finals," they basically put a role on Glee on a plate for him. I've been talking to him quite a bit and it's as simple as he just really doesn't particularly want to be on Glee at this moment in time. Obviously, he's good enough for it, he's got all the talent in the world. But you know, sometimes it's either for you or it's not, and it's just not the right moment for Cameron right now. But who knows? I have a feeling he's going to pop up. What was your reaction when you saw yourself on the show with subtitles? McGinty: I was thinking, "Are you serious?" There were no subtitles up until Episode 6, and then all of a sudden they were everywhere. I thought at first someone was playing a little joke, and then I was like, "Are you freaking kidding?" Surely, I'm not that hard to understand! ... It sounds crazy, but as the weeks went on, we got more tired and more run-down and I think I was just getting lazier, so my real accent was coming through more. I wasn't trying as hard to be clear. Hence, the subtitles. Have either of you met anyone else in the cast yet besides the guest mentors? Who are you most excited to meet? Larsen: No, I mean I met Chord but that's just because we went up for that role and I've seen him around town. Is it a cop-out to say I'm most excited to meet everyone? I think the one I'm most excited to see is Jane Lynch and Matthew Morrison. And then I start thinking about Chris Colfer and Lea Michele, and then I start thinking, "Please don't give me a scene with them my first day, when I still completely suck ... you know?" McGinty: I'm really excited to meet everyone, but I'm looking forward to meeting Jane Lynch. Lea Michele is really one of the biggest stars on the show, so it'll be interesting to get to know her. It's crazy because myself and Samuel are going to - at least we hope - become close friends with these guys. We'll be hanging out with them 24/7, it's pretty insane. Who do you hope your character befriends first on Glee? McGinty: I don't know what is happening, but I have a feeling my character is going to be very lonely in the beginning, being from Ireland. You can really see an Irish kid coming in and having no friends and being very vulnerable and lonely, and then I would imagine someone will take me under their wing, but that is up to the writers ... I could be very wrong. I could come in and be Brad Pitt or something, but I don't think so! Samuel, we talked about your Christianity a lot last week. I'm curious to know what you think about the Christian characters already on Glee, Mercedes and Quinn. Larsen: Yeah, the show has touched on Christianity a bit, but they've kind of done it in the way every show has, where it's just kind of matter-of-fact. The fact that Ryan wants to focus on it more is really, really cool. I feel honored and lucky to be that character. Zach seemed very animated, more than usual, in the finale. He kept squealing! Do you know what was up with that? Larsen: Throughout the entire thing, Zach's been a light. He's so happy. He'd actually do that all the time! He'd scream, and you'd feel more free. You could tell you were doing your job right when he was having fun. McGinty: That's actually the way Zach is all the time, they just finally showed it last night. It's weird. We all feel like Robert's the dad, Ryan's the godfather and Zach is like the big brother. He's the one with the younger enthusiasm for it all. We all love Zach dearly. Check out today's news What was the hardest part of the competition? Larsen: I'm a very open person. I like to talk a lot about what I'm going through. It's how I cope with things. Not being able to vent to any of the other contenders - like, how can I sit down with Damian and say, "Dude, today's so hard, I just really wanna beat you!" - I just kept thinking if I could have an hour and get some coffee with a good friend and vent, it would feel so much better. It was just so much pressure all the time. There was already pressure when it was a normal Glee audition, and that was an hour or two a day and you went home and relaxed. This was 24/7 living with your competition. McGinty: Being cut off from the outside world and constantly living in that competitive environment was pretty hard. And then personally for me seeing Ryan week in and week out, it was basically a weekly visit I got from Ryan, it was very "nice" of him. No, it was hard. Constantly getting songs you didn't know. Eventually it begins to break you down. You can only take so much. Even looking back now, I don't know how I got through. But it's one hell of a story. Samuel, last week you said you wanted to sing songs by The Black Keys, Phoenix and The Strokes. Damian, If you had your choice, what song would you want to sing first on Glee? McGinty: That's a very good question. There are so many songs. I would love to do some Michael Buble on Glee. I think it's my window of opportunity ... I hope it's a possibility that it happens. What have you both been doing since you won back in April? Larsen: I've been writing tons and tons of music and studying some acting, getting my head straight, getting it all in there. Obviously, celebrating quite a bit. I have a band, Bridges That Burn, and we've just been writing a lot and recording a bit here and there. They're stoked. McGinty: I've still been trying to take it all in. I've been getting ready, taking a few acting lessons, vocal coaching. Getting ready for the madness! I did go to Greece for 10 days on vacation. It's really the end of one roller-coaster and the beginning of an even bigger one. What do you think of Samuel and Damian? What do you hope they get to do on Glee? Let us know in the comments.