Israeli leader visits DreamWorks

Katzenberg presented Peres having a gift from 'Prince of Egypt.'Israel's leader Shimon Peres, inside a four-day trip to La, stressed the special bond that his country has with Hollywood briefly remarks to DreamWorks Animation employees.Showing up with Peres inside a courtyard of DreamWorks' Glendale campus, the business's Boss Jeffrey Katzenberg presented the Israeli leader having a fitting gift: presented artwork from "Prince of Egypt," the business's first animated feature."If this involves a tireless hero, he's the real thing,Inch stated Katzenberg from the 88-year-old Peres.The visit was a part of an excursion through La to satisfy with prominent Jewish leaders and entertainment industry personas. The big event at DreamWorks was charged in an effort to discuss the "vital link between Hollywood and education, including the way the two can align to advertise peace and tolerance." Peres noted the the role of Jewish folks creating the studio business.Among individuals gift for Peres' trip to the campus were Ambassador Michael Oren, Leslie Moonves, Wealthy Ross, Billy Very, Steven Spielberg, Rabbi Marvin Hier, Michael Lynton, Arnon Milchan, Ron Meyer, Peter Grain, Tom Rothman, Barbra Streisand and Haim Saban. Following the remarks, Peres was brought to some dining area for any lunch using the industry professionals.The 2009 week, Peres is at Plastic Valley, where he released their own Facebook page along with a music video, "Be My Pal for Peace."Which was largely Peres' message prior to the studio's employees, although at some point he quipped concerning the cynicism of politics generally. "I believe the kids believe the stars a lot more than the political figures," he stated.On Thursday, Peres made an appearance in an event in the Beverly Hilton by which he sitting for any Q&A with Campbell Brown. Based on the Jewish Journal, he told everyone else that sanctions against Iran ought to be with time to operate, "but saying very clearly that other available choices are up for grabs.InchHe ended up being to attend further occasions with industry professionals on Saturday and planned to satisfy with Jewish and Latino leaders on Sunday. Individuals expected at Sunday's event include Avoi Longoria and Saban.The visit may come as the Obama campaign has worked to boost its support within the Jewish community, especially considering attacks from GOP candidates within the Whitened House's policy toward Iran. Peres, whose title is basically ceremonial, didn't address Iran in the remarks at DreamWorks. Katzenberg is one kind of Obama's most prominent fundraising, and contributed $two million towards the professional-Obama SuperPAC Focal points USA Action this past year. Contact Ted Manley at ted.manley@variety.com

Due To A Lot Of Round the Bubble, Can Smart Comedies Survive?

American Idol's ladies weren't too remote in the boys' performance - ratings-wise, that's.Idol's female semifinalists performance show won Wednesday for Fox with 17 million audiences together with a 4.9 inside the grownups 18-to-49 demo - a tenth below Tuesday's rating. The ladies, however, handled to lure of a million more audiences in comparison to males did. Compared to the other day, the demo appeared to become lower slightly, but viewership ... Discover More > Other Links From TVGuide.com America's Next Top ModelAmerican IdolCSI: Crime Scene InvestigationLaw & Order: Special Sufferers UnitOne Tree HillCriminal MindsThe MiddleModern FamilyHappy EndingsAre You There, Chelsea?RevengeSuburgatoryWhitneyRock Center With John WilliamsSurvivor: One World

DWA shares drop 12 percent

Shares of DreamWorks Animation plunged 12.16% to $17.26 Wednesday, one of the biggest losers on the Nasdaq and the stock's biggest one-day drop in several years, after dour quarterly earnings and negative comments on Wall Street. The studio announced Tuesday after market close that profits plunged more than 70% to $24 million from $85 million on lower home video sales, including a disappointing performance of "Kung Fu Panda 2" released in December. Goldman Sachs lowered its earnings estimates on the Glendale, Calif. company and analysts were concerned at rising costs as well as the softer home entertainment sales, which CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg said reflect "challenges for the industry as whole." But DreamWorks only releases two or three films a year and isn't part of a bigger company, making it particularly vulnerable to fluctuations in key revenue streams. The shares were in the doghouse for much of 2011 and had started a rocky climb this year. Earlier this month it announced a high-profile joint venture to create animated pics in China. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Mary-Louise Parker, Ving Rhames, And James Woods Cast In Jamesy Boy Pic

Mary-Louise Parker, Ving Rhames and James Woods have joined the cast of Jamesy Boy, the feature debut of director/co-writer Trevor White. Filming is set to begin March 4 in Baltimore on the pic, which tells the story of a young man who goes from suburban street gangs to a maximum-security prison surrounded by hardened criminals. In prison, James fosters an unlikely friendship with a convicted murderer who ends up becoming his mentor and ultimately defines and changes the course of his life. The young guy will be played by newcomer Spencer Lofranco, who recently was signed by WME.Maryland-based Wayne L. Rogers and NY-based Bonnie Timmermann are executive producers. Trevor White’s brother Tim White, Maria Norman, Steve Saeta, Galen Walker and Scott Mednick are producing from a screenplay by Lane Shadgett and Trevor White.

20 Years of Crap That Opened on Oscar Weekend

As the Academy and its guests gather Sunday to enthusiastically slap congratulatory-calloused backs at the Oscars, an altogether different condition will overtake multiplexes nationwide. There, audiences will be confronted by a one-joke hippie comedy with Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston (Wanderlust), an Amanda Seyfried thriller withheld from critics before opening day (Gone), the Navy SEAL recruitment effort (Act of Valor), and frequent Oscar week performer Tyler Perry, departing from his matriarch Madea for a change (Good Deeds). Such a weak field is hardly an anomaly; the first months on the calendar historically are the wasteland of the release schedule, sitting in sharp contrast to the Academy's annual celebration of cinematic "greatness." A curious paradox is normally in play - at the time Hollywood crows about its best, it often serves up some of its worst. To gauge this phenomenon - and display the movie industry's staggering self-unawareness - here is a look back at what has been foisted on the public during the last 20 years of Academy Awards weekends: 83rd Academy Awards (2011): Last year the tepid comedy Hall Pass debuted at No. 1, while ex-Oscar heavyweight Nicolas Cage offered up his pulpy 3-D actioner Drive Angry, which could only reach No. 9. 82nd Academy Awards (2010): A rare occurrence of a quality, popular effort as Disneys Alice in Wonderland opened to nearly $150 million in business, while the sprawling cops-and-gangs saga Brooklyns Finest lagged well behind. 81st Academy Awards (2009): Tyler Perrys enduring hits continued with Madea Goes to Jail. Also featured was the roundly ignored comedy Fired Up - perhaps best-known for sporting the poster that basically said F-U to audiences. 80th Academy Awards (2008): Convoluted espionage thriller Vantage Point, with one-time Oscar king Forest Whitaker, debuted at No. 1, outpacing the forgettable comedy Be Kind, Rewind at a distant No. 8. Also languishing were Larry the Cable Guys Witless Protection, and Charlie Bartlett, both showing on over 1,000 screens and landing well out of the top 10. 79th Academy Awards (2007): Tellingly, no new release could manage to unseat Ghost Rider from the top; Jim Carreys failed thriller The Number 23 did best, Reno 911: Miami barely registered, and Warner Brothers put Billy Bob Thorntons The Astronaut Farmer in 2,000 theaters, where it crash-landed at No. 10. 78th Academy Awards (2006): Remember the Bruce Willis/Mos Def pairing 16 Blocks? That was an Oscar weekend debut. Also forgotten were Ultraviolet, the mermaid tale Aquamarine, and just to extend the execrable color theme, The Pink Panther in its fourth week. 77th Academy Awards (2005): Tyler Perry had his first big-screen hit with Diary of a Mad Black Woman. Then came the failed horror title Cursed, which sparked Wes Cravens self-imposed sabbatical from filmmaking. Worse still was the dreadfully unfunny Man of the House, featuring once-proud Oscar-winner Tommy Lee Jones. 76th Academy Awards (2004): Mel Gibsons pet project The Passsion of Christ shocked the world en route to $600 millon global, while Ashley Judd offered up the formulaic Twisted, the useless sequel Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights did little business, and the blatantly ignored comedy Club Dread did little of anything. 75th Academy Awards (2003): Possibly the weekend with the biggest departure from Oscar greatness. How did Bringing Down the House remain unseated after three weeks? It was challenged by anal-breaching aliens in Dreamcatcher and an unfunny airline farce with Oscar-winner Gweneth Paltrow called View from the Top. The most blatant affront to Academy excellence came via the hate crime called Boat Trip, starring Oscar exile Cuba Gooding Jr. 74th Academy Awards (2002): The vampire sequel Blade 2 earned some attention, joined by the 20th anniversary reissue of E.T, and the roundly bypassed cross-dressing comedy Sorority Boys. 73rd Academy Awards (2001): Sigourney Weaver and Jennifer Love-Hewitt sat at the top with a memory-defying lark called Heartbreakers, largely unchallenged by a familial outing called The Brothers and the Chris Klein implied-incest comedy called Say It Isnt So. 72nd Academy Awards (2000): Romeo Must Die was not strong enough to oust Erin Brockovich from staying on top. Another Chris Klein misfire, Here On Earth, begged for attention, and so did the early James Franco contemporary Cyrano update called Whatever it Takes. 71st Academy Awards (1999): Trophy winners Sandra Bullock and Ben Affleck tried to fake chemistry in Forces of Nature, while Clint Eastwood trailed behind with True Crime. Add the animated remake of The King & I to the mix for bad measure. 70th Academy Awards (1998): As Titanic steamed along at the Oscars and the box office alike, drowning in its wake were the political misfire Primary Colors, the sexy thriller Wild Things and Jackie Chan as Mr. Nice Guy. 69th Academy Awards (1997): Jim Carrey took the stage at the Oscars to present, mugging to the crowd as he touted how well his Liar, Liar had performed that weekend. It also marked the transformation of Jennifer Lopez from Fly Girl into thespian with her biopic Selena. 68th Academy Awards (1996): Few showed up for Sharon Stones remake of Diabolique as it placed a distant third (clearly in need of a nude scene), and Spike Lees Girl 6 was roundly ignored. 67th Academy Awards (1995): Living up to its name was the Damon Wayans comedy Major Payne, which nevertheless did better than the Stephen King adaptation Dolores Claiborne. Alas, neither could surpass Outbreak in its third week of release. Disneys Tall Tale was an also-ran. 66th Academy Awards (1994): The franchise parody Naked Gun 33 1/3 was a modest hit. A young Thora Birch was not as fortunate: Her animal slapstick outing Monkey Trouble (exec-produced by three-time nominee Ridley Scott) was barely seen. 65th Academy Awards (1993): Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson unveiled their vanity project Born Yesterday, yet still could not topple the third iteration of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Best Actress winner Marlee Matlin was also in a forgotten thriller, Hear No Evil, which must have sounded better on paper. 64th Academy Awards (1992): White Men Cant Jump did relatively well. Still, there was plenty of dismay to be had in the Rodney Dangerfield embarrassment Ladybugs. Doing even worse: the ice skating romance The Cutting Edge. Brad Slager has written about movies and entertainment for Film Threat, Mediaite, and is a columnist at CHUD.com. His less insightful impressions on entertainment can be found on Twitter. [Photo illustration: Movieline via Shutterstock/AMPAS]

David Mix "Not Ashamed" to do Cocaine Near Leader Obama

The Vista Star Johnson came back towards the View Wednesday, almost six years after she left the show under uncomfortable conditions. "It had been ugly, everything around was ugly," Johnson, 49, observed. "It had been a poor, emotional time. Nasty things were being stated in media. It had been just a bad emotional time." Johnson, who had been on the program to advertise women's heart health, appeared surprised at Walters' type of questioning about her questionable exit. "I'd eight fantastic years here. One was 'eh,'" she stated. "I returned to congratulate yourself on whatever you accomplished. I think you'll congratulate me on which I accomplished." Take a look at photos in the View In 2006, View creator and co-host Barbara Walters revealed to Johnson that her contract wouldn't be restored for any tenth season, and stated Johnson could state that it had been her decision. Johnson then introduced on the program that they could be departing, but told People magazine that they felt like she was "fired." The very next day, Walters informed audiences that Johnson would no more take part in the show effective immediately, and her title was rapidly taken off the show's credits and from the official website. "I take real responsibility for my very own behavior whatsoever occasions, however i will not be responsible if haven't made the decision I'm able to accept. I made a decision to embark on my very own terms," Johnson stated. "I needed to have the ability to manage it then when I walk in here, basically were ever asked, I'd feel better about arriving." Watch more videos in the View Walters and Pleasure Behar also requested Johnson about her 2003 gastric bypass surgery. At that time, Johnson declined to verify she'd gone through the process, despite her subsequent 160 pound weight reduction. "We attempted to safeguard you. I was told, 'Don't say it had been gastric [bypass]. Say it had been bikram yoga and portion control,' " Behar stated. "After you are a skinny b---. Congratulations." Added Walters: "We did lie for you personally!Inch Watch the entire semi-awkward exchange below: Exactly what do you think about Jones' reason behind departing? Would you miss seeing her around the View?

Tugg sets handles participants

Tugg Corporation., recommended like a Web platform for do-it-yourself exhibition, has introduced it's began dealing with participants Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, AMC Theaters, Bow Tie Movie theaters, Cinemark Theaters, Goodrich Quality Movie theaters, Rave Movie theaters and Regal Movie theaters. Austin, Texas-based Tugg, that has Film Clip, Richard Linklater and Terrence Malick on its board of advisors, stated its close ties with marketers is going to be introduced just before the state launch at South by Southwest the following month. Tugg, founded by Nicolas Gonda and Pablo Gonzalez, offers people to choose a movie, screening some time and nearby theater after which spread the term for their immediate an internet-based community. When a necessary number of individuals invest in attending, Tugg will reserve the theater, manage ticketing and be sure delivery from the film. "Every film talks to a new person, and also the most enjoyable factor about Tugg is it enables for audiences to locate their films and flicks to locate their audiences," Gonda and Gonzalez stated. "We're eager to provide a platform that allows galleries, filmmakers and participants to possess unparalleled interaction with towns and influencers." Gonda has labored with Malick and Steven Soderbergh. Gonzalez is really a high-tech and marketing professional who leads Tugg's development and procedures. "Because the film exhibition industry is constantly on the evolve, AMC Theaters remains devoted to remaining the main thing on innovation, and that's why we have been proud to utilize Tugg in the beginning to look for the feasibility of their platform," stated Robert J. Lenihan, leader of programming at AMC. "Once we still assess the program through tests at our theaters, we have experienced its potential first-hands through effective results by not just putting the option straight into our guests' hands, but additionally with the energy of grassroots, guest-advocate marketing." Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

'Lockout' Exclusive Poster Takes No Prisoners

As a movie fan, there are few things I enjoy more than Guy Pearce movies and Luc Besson movies. So fuse the two together into one ridiculous, over-the-top space-set thriller, and you know I'm going to be on board. That's why I'm pretty pumped to host this exclusive "Lockout" poster here on Movies Blog. It's got Guy Pearce. It's got Maggie Grace. It's got an awesome future gun riddling bullets into who-knows-what. In short, it's awesome. Check it out in full past the break! "Lockout" is described as follows: Starring Guy Pearce and Maggie Grace and set in the near future, LOCKOUT follows a falsely convicted ex- government agent (Pearce), whose one chance at obtaining freedom lies in the dangerous mission of rescuing the Presidents daughter (Grace) from rioting convicts at an outer space maximum security prison. In other words, it's going to be pretty fantastic. Produced by and co-written by Luc Besson and directed by James Mather and Stephen St. Leger, "Lockout" breaks into theaters nationwide on April 20, 2012. It will not, sadly, be playing in outer space. Tell us what you think of the "Lockout" poster in the comments section and on Twitter!

Viacom's Dauman: 'Mob mentality' around piracy bill

Viacom Boss Philippe Dauman bemoaned the "mob attitude" that sunk legislation like SOPA safeguarding content entrepreneurs in the Q&A on Tuesday within the D:Dive into Media conference."There's plenty of rhetoric--unfortunate rhetoric--and false tales put available that dedicated to the SOPA a lot of it,In . he mentioned. "It increased being almost religious dogma that any legislation that could emerge using the process built across the Senate bill may have broken the net, created censorship around the globe as well as the truth is In my opinion the total amount which will are situated might have been very economical.InchThe conglom chieftain made his remarks just days following a SOPA/PIPA plans lost steam inside the wake from the considerable outcry online introduced by Internet leaders including Wikipedia and Google. Consequently, it's doubtful new legislation could possibly get much traction this year, according to Dauman.Dauman noted that objectionable portions of SOPA/PIPA might have been weeded in tmie. "For individuals who've the very best argument getting a specific provision--DNS impeding was removed of both bills before--it must be spoken about rationally and also you get legislation."The Viacom Boss referred to as round the content and technology industries to acquire on one page given their mutual interests. "You ought to be cooperating.InchDauman went up to now regarding declare that the piracy the recommended legislation may have curbed has carried out employment within the option for Viacom-possessed studio Vital to produce less movies.Dauman, who was simply introduced as "Philadelphia D" in the pretaped segment featuring Snooki, star of "Jersey Shoreline" on Viacom-possessed cable network, talked about numerous content-related subjects being debated with AllThingsD editor Peter Kafka. Dauman candidly examined the struggles in the art galleries to acquire momentum pointed within the premium VOD window but mentioned that further experimentation was necessary. The the like of making a completely new window just several days carrying out a theatrical run were not lost on him given how important it's to driving interest for movies completely through its lifecycle."If theaters disappear, then you don't have the marketing window," he mentioned. " You need to preserve the theatrical window for the moment. At this time around there doesn't appear there's a great substituion for the window."He suggested his conglom's cable channels, they indicated as costing entrepreneurs underneath the growing volume of sports systems despite the fact that they drove more viewing time. Dauman mentioned in charge from the major distributor who he declined to identify told him that half of his subscriber base didn't watch any sports systems, according to its set-top-box data."I actually do think premium content should command premium value," mentioned Dauman. "There's however a skinny line where once the balance no longer has sufficient whack, then an adjustment must occur. As well as the market will dictate that."Dauman known towards the worldwide areas as response to the introduction of Viacom, particularly given how digital platforms are driving new customers during the pay TV window, including Skye Deutscheland and Lovefilm. "We presently have been in where you've online entrepreneurs that economically have grown to be as essential, and in several ways more valuable, than incumbent entrepreneurs." Contact Andrew Wallenstein at andrew.wallenstein@variety.com

Demi Moore's 'Lovelace' Replacement, 'Hangover 3' Cast Gears Up

The boys could be back in town for a new installment of "The Hangover," but not before they get some ginormous paychecks for the movie. Meanwhile, Chloe Sevingy could be getting Demi Moore's recently-vacated spot in "Lovelace," Russell Brand is headed to family-friendly territory and Paul Giamatti is ready for some Shakespearean tragedy. It's January 26, and you're tuning in to today's casting call. "The Hangover 3" Is In The Works Good news for fans of "The Hangover" franchise: The Hollywood Reporter has learned that Warner Bros is looking to make a new chapter in the series that will ditch the tried-and-true "forgotten-debauchery" formula. Apparently leading men Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis have been in negotiations for the project for a while, but have been holding out trying to get $15 million a piece for the film. THR thinks the leads are likely to get it, and that the film will start shooting over the summer for a Memorial Day 2013 release. Chloe Sevigny Joins "Lovelace" Chloe Sevigny is the latest star to come on board "Lovelace," the Amanda Seyfried-starring Linda Lovelace biopic. According to The Hollywood Reporter, she'll be playing "a feminist journalist on freelance assignment for a men's magazine to find out who the real Linda Lovelace is." Hmm, that sounds an awful lot like the description for Demi Moore's Gloria Steinmen role. Could it be that Sevigny has replaced Moore in the movie? We'll have to wait for an official confirmation to find out. Russell Brand Could Be "The Hauntrepeneur" Variety is reporting that Russell Brand is attached to star in the upcoming family-friendly comedy "The Hauntrepeneur" for Michael Bay's Platinum Dunes production company. He'd play a peculiar man hired to help a family adjust to their new town by creating for them a haunted house full of "oddball characters." The movie is being described as "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" meets "Beetlejuice." The studio did not have any comment on the casting, so it's not entirely official quite yet. Paul Giamatti Joins "Romeo And Juliet" Paul Giamatti is bringing together two unrequited lovers in the upcoming Carlo Carlei-directed movie, "Romeo and Juliet." He'll play Friar Lawrence, according to Variety. The movie stars Hailee Steinfeld as Juliet and Douglas Booth as Romeo, with Ed Westwick and Kodi Smit-McPhee playing their cousins Tybalt and Benvolio, respectively. The film is being touted as "Romeo and Juliet" for the "Twilight" generation. It starts shooting in Italy this month. "The Office" Spin-Off Might Star Dwight Schrute? Could Dwight Schrute be headed from "The Office" to the beet farm? Deadline is reporting that NBC is readying a "The Office" spin-off starring Rainn Wilson that would follow his character's life as manager of the Schrute Farms B&B. The network is considering airing the show as early as midseason 2013, but it wouldn't act as a substitute for Wilson's role in "The Office." Instead, he'd star in both shows as "The Office" enters its ninth season. The Deadline story does not imply that Wilson would leave "The Office" for good immediately. Tell us your thoughts on today's Casting Call in the comments section below or on Twitter!

CBS picks up three drama pilots

CBS picked up a trio of drama pilots Thursday. The Eye gave the nod to "Quean," from Ilene Chaiken ("The L Word"), Silver Pictures and Warner Bros. TV. Pilot concerns an edgy and independent millennial hacker girl who teams up with an Oakland police detective to solve crimes. Chaiken and Joel Silver are executive producers. Also ordered was "Applebaum," a series based on author Ayelet Waldman's "Mommy Track Mysteries" series of books in which a former public defender becomes a private investigator to keep from being bored to death as a stay-at-home mom. CBS TV Studios is behind "Applebaum," which will be executive produced by Waldman, Jennifer Levin, Sherri Cooper and Chris Columbus, who will direct the pilot. Columbus has helmed theatricals including "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets." Finally, "American Gangster" screenwriter Nicholas Pileggi has teamed with "Without A Trace" executive producer Greg Walker on an untitled period piece set in the 1960's centered around the true story of Ralph Lamb, a rodeo cowboy turned longtime sheriff of Las Vegas. CBS TV Studios is behind the pilot, which will be executive produced by Cathy Konrad and Arthur Sarkissian and James Mangold, who will direct the pilot. Mangold has helmed theatricals including "Walk the Line" and "3:10 to Uma." Contact Andrew Wallenstein at andrew.wallenstein@variety.com

'Bel Ami,' 'Haywire' to unspool in Berlin

BERLIN -- Robert Pattinson starrer "Bel Ami" and Steven Soderbergh's spy actioner "Haywire" are heading to the Berlin Film Festival. "Bel Ami," Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod's feature debut, also stars Christina Ricci, Uma Thurman and Kristin Scott Thomas. An adaptation of the novel by Guy de Maupassant, the pic chronicles a young scoundrel's rise to power in Paris through his manipulation of influential and wealthy women. "Haywire," which stars mixed martial arts star Gina Carano along with a big-name cast that includes Channing Tatum, Michael Douglas, Antonio Banderas, Ewan McGregor and Michael Fassbender, follows a black ops soldier looking for revenge. Both films will unspool out of competition in the Berlinale's main program. Also screening out of competition are Hark Tsui's 3D actioner "Flying Swords of Dragon Gate," starring Jet Li, and James Marsh's Northern Ireland drama "Shadow Dancer," with Clive Owen, Andrea Riseborough and Gillian Anderson. The titles are among seven new films selected for the Berlinale's main Competition lineup, which is nearing completion. So far 22 films have been announced, 17 of which are vying for the Golden and Silver Bears. A total of 18 films will celebrate their world premieres in the Competition section. Further competition selections include Frederic Videau's French drama "Coming Home," Nikolaj Arcel's "A Royal Affair," starring Mads Mikkelsen, and Kim Nguyen's Canadian title "Rebelle." The Berlinale runs Feb. 9-19. Contact Ed Meza at staff@variety.com

Andrea Riseborough Joins Cruise's Latest

Olga Kurylenko also aboardJust because it appears to become getting real trouble buying a title, getting used both Oblivion and Horizons without luck, the brand new film from Tron Legacy director Frederick Kosinski continues to be going for a while to secure female results in star opposite Tom Cruise. Now Andrea Riseborough and Olga Kurylenko are signing on.The film, as you may remember, finds Earth like a destroyed, inhospitable wasteland and also the people living above it within the clouds. Cruise will have Jack (presuming his title has not transformed within the multiple script drafts), a soldier positioned in the world who repairs drones that protect against alien existence.Jack's one real connection to folks above is his partner and lover (Kurylenko) who remains in radio connection with him. She's somewhat naturally disturbed as he meets and falls for any lady (Riseborough) that has in some way crash-arrived on the planet. And that is only some of the change, because the new arrival forces him to alter his worldview substantially.Whatever it eventually ends up being known as, the project continues to be through many changes itself. Initially setup at Tron studio Disney, it had been jettisoned once the studio bods grew to become nervous it wouldn't match their warm and friendly brand. Universal swooped directly into get it and Kosinski has overseen script work from Karl Gajdusek, William Monahan and, most lately, Michael Arndt. Despite the fact that Jessica Chastain is at position to star among the women, she needed to jump ship for among the 100s of other films she's focusing on at anyone time.Presuming you will find forget about delays, Kosinski should have the ability to start shooting this factor over a couple of several weeks, striving for any This summer 2013 release date.Riseborough has seen her career leap into gear recently, and is visible now in Madonna's W.E. Kurylenko continues to be most widely known as Camille from Quantum Of Solace, but has additionally made an appearance in Centurion and Max Payne. She's presently at the office on Seven Psychopaths.

Lovefilm woos Disney U.K.

By DIANA LODDERHOSE LONDON -- European online film and television subscription service Lovefilm has joined with Disney U.K. to provide people use of U.S. Television shows including "Desperate Average women," "Lost" and "Siblings and Siblings." The top quality VOD service, named ABC TV On-Demand, will offer you ABC Studios' library of network and cable series released as full seasons after their first operate on U.K. pay and/reely TV. Previous seasons of some series may even be accessible to Lovefilm people prior to the next season airs on U.K. TV. People will have the ability to access content via Internet-connected products including PC, The new sony Ps 3, Xbox 360 360, iPads and web-enabled Televisions and Blu-ray gamers. The information deal is yet another move ahead the chessboard for Amazon . com-possessed Lovefilm, that is ramping up biz on its home turf spurred by U.S. rival Netflix, which bowed within the U.K. on Jan. 9 having a streaming-only package in a cut rate of 5.99 ($9.25) along with a one-month free trial offer. Lovefilm responded having a cost cut, offering limitless streaming for $7.71 monthly. Since Netflix introduced it might be operating in Europe, both services happen to be competing very for content. To date, Netflix has deals include Miramax, BBC, ITV, Funnel 4, Disney, Lionsgate U.K. and Momentum Pictures while Lovefilm, that has two million customers, has handles The new sony Pictures, Warner Bros., BBC Worldwide, ITV, eOne and Studiocanal. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

'Artist' wins Lumiere best pic

PARIS -- Gaul's kudos season kicked off Friday with Michel Hazanavicius' "The Artist" winning best film and actress for Berenice Bejo at the Lumieres Awards, the French equivalent to the Golden Globes. The pic, which has been on an award-winning spree ever since bowing at Cannes, and is nommed for six Golden Globes, beat out other Cannes titles vying for the Lumieres best film nod: Pierre Schoeller's "The Minister," Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache's smash hit comedy "Intouchables," Bertrand Bonello's "Apolonide" and Aki Kaurismaki's "Le Havre," winner of the Louis Delluc prize, which is handed out by French critics. "The Artist," which was produced by Thomas Langmann's La Petite Reine, was released Stateside in November by the Weinstein Co. Competing against Hazanavicius, Bonello and Kaurismaki, Maiwenn picked up helmer for her third feature, "Polisse," a gritty ensemble drama centering on cops working in a child protection unit. Omar Sy, who stars opposite Francois Cluzet in "Intouchables," won actor, beating out "The Artist's" Jean Dujardin, among other strong contenders. Before his breakthrough performance in "Intouchables," Sy was best known in France as a smallscreen comic on "SAV," a daily comedy show that airs on Canal Plus. Sy also starred in Nakache and Toledano's previous two films, "Those Happy Days" and "So Happy Together." "Intouchables," Gaul's second biggest B.O. hit ever, was produced by Quad Films and co-produced by Gaumont. Weinstein Co. has acquired the film for multiple territories, including U.S. distribution and remake rights. Denis Menochet nabbed newcomer for his part in "Les Adoptes," a family dramedy that marks the directorial debut of thesp Melanie Laurent ("Inglourious Basterds"); while three of "Apollonide's" thesps, Alice Barnole, Adele Haenel and Celine Sallette, shared the female newcomer prize. Quebec helmer Denis Villeneuve's heart-wrenching drama "Incendies," based on a play by Wajdi Mouawad, won for foreign film in the French language. A critical success, "Incendies" repped Canada in last year's foreign-language film Oscar race. Taking place during the Unifrance's mini-market, Rendez-Vous, the Lumieres Awards are voted on by foreign correspondents based in Paris. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Christmas date for 'Playing the Field'

FilmDistrict has moved back its opening of romantic comedy "Playing the Field" from March 9 to Christmas Day. "Playing the Field" would have faced competition on the earlier date from Disney's "John Carter," Sony's "Think Like a Man," Relativity's "The Raven" and Open Road's "Silent House." Christmas features a pair of Leonardo DiCaprio titles -- "The Great Gatsby" from Warner Bros. and "Django Unchained" from The Weinstein Co. "Playing the Field" stars Gerard Butler and Jessica Biel along with Judy Greer, Dennis Quaid, Uma Thurman and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Story centers on the homecoming of a retired soccer pro whose glory days are behind him, moves to Virginia to reconnect with his estranged ex-wife and neglected son and starts to coach the boys' soccer team. FilmDistrict, launched in 2010 by Graham King and Tim Headington, acquired domestic rights to "Playing" from Nu Image/Millenium during last year's Cannes Film Festival. A spokesman for FilmDistrict indicated Thursday that the date shift was made to take advantage of holiday season moviegoing. The shift comes a month after FilmDistrict agreed to a three-film distribution deal with Open Road, under which Open Road will release scifier "Escape From M.S. One," starring Guy Pearce and Maggie Grace, on April 20, and the "Red Dawn" remake on Nov. 2. The third film hasn't been selected. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

AFTRA ballroom ballroom dancers rally for contract deal

Ballroom ballroom dancers for music videos repped with the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists have held rallies in Beverly Slopes, Miami and NY to press record labels with an up-to-date contract deal.Greater than 150 ballroom ballroom dancers and supporters attended a mid-day rally Friday outdoors The brand new the new sony Music offices in Beverly Slopes. People also leafleted outdoors The brand new the new sony offices in Miami and NY. AFTRA as well as the labels -- inlcuding UMG, Warner, EMI and Disney -- will sit lower Wednesday for first settling session in seven several days, scheduled inside the wake of repeated union complaints the was stalling.The Beverly Slopes event incorporated a "costly mob" performance with the ballroom ballroom dancers plus speeches by AFTRA board member Jason George, AFTRA local leader Gabrielle Carteris, ballroom ballroom dancers Dana Wilson, Teresa Espinosa, Sabrina Bryan ("Cheetah Women," "DwtsInch) and Maria Elena Durazo, secretary-treasurer in the La County Federation at the office.Steve Garrity, a representative for that new the new sony Music, mentioned the label did not have discuss the rallies or perhaps the discussions."It's so exciting to find out a great deal oneness inside the dance community," mentioned Wilson, who's completed with Justin Timberlake and Joe Jonas. "We dance as it is our passion, but we be ready to be analyzed seriously as professional artists inside the entertainment industry."AFTRA's current deal on its appear recording contract features a contract with the labels to bargain for just about any music-video agreement to switch an agreement talked about in 1986. The union's contended the 1986 agreement is outdated, particularly with ad-supported streaming services, music videos creating growing revenues."AFTRA people remain dedicated to achieving an acceptable contract that will cover their concentrate on music videos," mentioned Randall Himes, AFTRA National Director of Appear Tracks. "Ongoing delays with the labels have only provided to bolster their resolve revisit the settling table. It is time these artists receive contractual protections and health insurance pension benefits for work, specifically when music videos are becoming a completely new way to obtain revenue for your labels. We anticipate getting effective discussions and ongoing to proceed with production," he added. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Exclusive: Greys Anatomy and exercise Doing Another Crossover

Caterina Scorsone Grey's Anatomy and exercise do another crossover episode, TVGuide.com has learned exclusively. Carrying out a "If/Then" episode of Grey's - through which Kate Walsh look inside an alternate reality that sees Ellis Grey (Kate Burton) alive and Addison and Derek (Patrick Dempsey) still married - Caterina Scorsone's Amelia will mind to Dallas Sophistication with an episode slated for mid-February. Particulars are scarce, but both Derek and Lexie (Chyler Leigh) may even are available in the non-public Practice hour in the crossover. Grey's Anatomy reunites Derek and Addison - in another world Throughout the summer season 7 crossover, Amelia embarked to Dallas Sophistication wishing repairing with Derek. The Two was this is not on speaking terms since Amelia switched to drugs while grieving the dying of her father, who was simply shot and destroyed before her and Derek. Since she's getting neat and sober again, the siblings and siblings will definitely have lots to go over. Grey's Anatomy returns Thursday at 9/8c then your midseason premiere of non-public Practice at 10/9c on ABC.