Wednesday, December 28, 2011

New images released for The Amazing Spider-Man

Just as you'll finally be recovering from your respective food comas, Sony has given you the chance to re-gorge yourselves on a new batch of images from The Amazing Spider-Man. And they're a mite juicer than your average turkey sandwich...The new pictures give us a closer look at Spidey's new schoolyard setting, with Andrew Garfield getting involved in a spot of basketball whilst Emma Stone parks herself at a desk.Elsewhere, there's a look at Dennis Leary as Stone's father, police chief George Stacey, as well as a close-up shot of Garfield's mechanised web-dispensers. Quite nifty bits of kit, from the looks of them...The latter image marks a departure from Sam Raimi's adaptation, which portrayed Spidey's web-slinging abilities as an organic development. Marc Webb has instead reverted to the mechanical system depicted by the original comics, which should score him some points with the more fastidious of Marvel fanboys. The Amazing Spider-Man will be released in the UK on 4 July 2012. Just before another suited hero swoops into our screens, then. Shops can expect a big run on spandex come summertime...

Thursday, December 22, 2011

'Red Tails' Star Tristan Wilds Soars In Exclusive Clip

A good deal switches into developing a World War Ii epic like "Red-colored-colored Tails." It is simple to request among its stars Tristan Wilds. In this particular exclusive look behind the curtain, Wilds guides us with the building of George Lucas' pet project. In excess of twenty year, Lucas attempted to create the astounding story in the courageous Tuskegee Airmen for the silver screen. Getting finally been effective in moving ahead while using project as producer, all there's left to accomplish was film the main one factor. Inside the video, Wilds shares his encounters representing Ray "Ray Gun" Gannon, area of the all-black quantity of fighter aircraft aircraft pilots. For your film, Wilds pretended to fly an plane and sustain some serious-searching injuries, but what he couldn't fake, an incomplete parachute jump, needed a little more effort. The cast of "Red-colored-colored Tails" also features Cuba Gooding Junior., David Oyelowo, Kevin Phillips, Nate Parker, Daniela Ruah and Michael B. Jordan. The film hits theaters around the month of the month of january 20, 2012. Make certain to look at the entire look behind the curtain of "Red-colored-colored Trails" with Tristan Wilds above. Whoever else consider the behind the curtain video? Inform us inside the comments below and also on Twitter!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Filmmakers awarded $12 million in 'Crash' suit

Robert Moresco, left, Paul Haggis and Brendan Fraser, as well as Mark Harris, will receive $12 million in damages. After a four-year battle over profits from 2004 drama "Crash," a judge has awarded filmmakers Paul Haggis, Brendan Fraser, Mark Harris and Robert Moresco $12 million in damages from various companies run by producer Bob Yari.Tuesday's award follows a July ruling by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Daniel J. Buckley that Yari's Hollywood accounting practices kept millions of dollars away from the foursome's three-tiered contingent compensation deal. "First, according to the defendants' version of things, defendants could give away or re-route all interest in the picture to a third party, technically receive 'nothing' from exploitation of the picture and then claim, as defendants have here, that the plaintiffs are not entitled to any profit participations," the judge wrote in his decision. "Such an interpretation is obviously absurd."Filmmakers originally sought about $4.7 million when they filed suit in 2007, but that amount ballooned as the litigation progressed."It was a difficult case because Bob Yari in particular entered into a bunch of deals and refused to tell us about them even though he had a contractual obligation to consult with us before entering into any of these deals," Richard L. Charnley, who represented the plaintiffs, told Variety.Yari did not immediately return a message seeking comment."Crash" spawned a flurry of litigation in conjunction with its 2005 Academy Award for best picture. Producer Cathy Schulman sued Yari, claiming she was fired in retaliation for the Producers Guild of America's refusal to award him a producer credit. Yari, in turn, sued the PGA, claiming the process of awarding producer credits was arbitrary, secretive and unfair. Contact Rachel Abrams at Rachel.Abrams@variety.com

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Hot Trailer: The Pirates! Band Of Misfits

The latest feature from the UK’s Wallace & Gromit gang Aardman Animations arrives in the US in partnership with Sony Pictures Animation. Directed by Peter Lord and co-directed by Jeff Newitt, the stop-motion 3D adventure is based on books by Gideon Defoe, who also scripted. With the voices of Hugh Grant, Salma Hayek, Jeremy Piven, Imelda Staunton and David Tennant, it opens March 30.

Monday, November 21, 2011

News On The Dark Knight Rises

Tom Hardy on Bane, and Nolan speaks!You've seen the new Empire covers withBatman and Bane, but here's a sneak peek at some of the news on The Dark Knight Rises inside the magazine. Specifically, Nolan himself gives away a few tidbits on the film's plot and setting, and Tom Hardy talks about Bane.Let's hear from director Christopher Nolan first, and see what he'll divulge about the film. "It's really all about finishing Batman and Bruce Wayne's story. We left him in a very precarious place. Perhaps surprisingly for some people, our story picks up quite a bit later, eight years after The Dark Knight. So he's an older Bruce Wayne; he's not in a great state."WithBane, we're looking to give Batman a challenge he hasn't had before. With our choice of villain and with our choice of story we're testing Batman both physically as well as mentally."Speaking of physical challenges, what can Tom Hardy tell us about Bane?"He's brutal. Brutal. He's a big dude who's incredibly clinical, in the fact that he has a result-based and oriented fighting style. It's not about fighting. It's about carnage. The style is heavy-handed, heavy-footed, it's nasty. Anything from small-joint manipulation to crushing skulls, crushing rib cages, stamping on shins and knees and necks and collarbones and snapping heads off and tearing his fists through chests, ripping out spinal columns. He is a terrorist in mentality as well as brutal action."Costume designer Lindy Hemming also lets drop a few clues to his backstory as she talks about Bane's look. On the mask, she says,"He was injured early in his story. He's suffering from pain and needs gas to survive. He can't survive the pain without the mask. The pipes from the mask go back along his jawline and feed into the thing at his back, where there are two cannisters."For much, much more from all these people - as well as Christian Bale - pick up the new issue of Empire when it hits newsstands on Thursday. The Dark Knight Rises is out in cinemas on July 20, 2012. {Dark Knight Rises Covers}Its prologue, Nolan has confirmed, will be in select IMAX cinemas onDecember 21. As with The Dark Knight, it will be - according to Nolan - "basically the first six, seven minutes of the film" and will serve as "an introduction to Bane, and a taste of the rest of the film."Mouth. Watering.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Is overview of 'Breaking Dawn' or 'The Descendants' (and 24 Other Urgent Questions)

In theaters now's a film that fans have lengthy looked forward to. Lines have previously created neighborhood to look at the most recent escapades of Edward and Bella George Clooney. 'Breaking Dawn' 'The Descendants' is really a story of marriage and unfaithfulness, concluding having a baby being eaten from the womb a dreadful boating accident. There'll clearly be no Oscar nominations with this movie, but exactly how will the typical audience react lower at the local cinepex? Like a service, we answer 25 question about 'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Beginning Part 1' 'The Descendants.' Q: The number of occasions will we see Rachelle Lefervre shirtless in 'Breaking Dawn'? A: Really ... there is a final second change of plans. We're rather talking about the brand new George Clooney movie, 'The Descendants.' Q: Wait, why shouldn't you be responding to questions regarding 'Breaking Dawn'? A: After watching all Twilight movies in a single day and writing four separate liveblogs of every, for that existence of me, I simply can't discuss individuals movies any longer. Q: Your intro paragraph is extremely confusing. A: I'd already written the intro for 'Breaking Dawn' and was too lazy to alter it. Q: But all my questions are questions regarding 'Breaking Beginning.' You cannot just change all of this in the eleventh hour. A: Look, just request the questions you have and tweak them for 'The Descendants.' Believe me, it will likely be fine. Q: Um, OK ... So, the number of occasions will we see George Clooney shirtless in 'The Descendants'? A: Zero. Q: Can there be a frustrating voice-over by Billy Burke George Clooney that begins 'Breaking Dawn' 'The Descendants,' but rapidly vanishes. A: Yes. Q: How beautiful is George Clooney's wedding in 'The Descendants'? A: George Clooney plays Matt King, a guy that has been married quite a while, therefore we aren't seeing his wedding on the watch's screen. Q: Is 'The Descendants' still occur the depressing capital of scotland - Forks, Washington? A: 'The Descendants' happens in Hawaii. And, oddly enough, Hawaii is removed as very depressing. Q: Due to all the vampires of the underworld? A: No, it is simply that I have never witnessed a film by which Hawaii looks so depressing and run lower. Q: Does George Clooney transform his wife right into a vampire, as was the program in the earlier 'Descendants' movie. A: There's no previous 'Descendants' movie. Also, it's unknown if George Clooney has got the energy to change someone right into a vampire. Regardless, it's most likely past too far because his wife is within a coma. Q: Do George Clooney and the wife possess a beautiful honeymoon together? A: Before his wife experienced an injuries inside a terrible boating accident, leading to her coma, the honeymoon was certainly over. Because it works out, Matt King's wife continues to be cheating on him. Q: With Jacob? A: No, another man's title is John Speer, performed by Matthew Lillard. Q: And John Speer is really a werewolf? A: No, John Speer is a realtor. Q: It is possible to dramatic showdown between your two? A: Yes. Q: Throughout the showdown, does John Speer become his alternative type of b ... realtor? A: I will not spoil as soon as, but John Speers must use many guises to hide what he did from his wife (Judy Greer). Q: Are you currently on Team Matt King or Team John Speer? A: What type of an issue is the fact that? Seriously, are you currently a grownup? Q: Did George Clooney struggle over the truth that he privately killed serial murders within the 20's for his or her bloodstream? A: If he's, it isn't proven on the watch's screen. Though, he is doing struggle within the selling of a big bit of Hawaiian land -- land that's been in the family for decades -- to some corporate developer. Q: Is 'The Descendants' a dark movie? A: Thinking about the topic matter, it's really a great deal lighter than was expected. Q: How's Anna Kendrick in 'The Descendants?' A: You are considering when Kendrick starred with George Clooney in 'Up up.A Q: Could it have been hard to watch the gory scene by which Edward George Clooney chews out his infant daughter? A: "Gory" is really a strong word. And Matt King's youngest daughter, Scottie, is not an infant any longer -- but she sure functions enjoy it sometimes. After cruelly tease another girl in school, Scottie does obtain a good eating out by her father. Q: Did the ending of 'The Descendants' make you anticipating the following movie? A: From my understanding, you will find no plans for any follow up to 'The Descendants.' Q: At any time have you consider killing yourself throughout 'The Descendants'? A: Not whatsoever. The film is very good, really. Q: The number of questions had you been into this piece before you decide to recognized that you ought to have just went ahead and discussed 'Breaking Beginning?' A: Seven. Q: Does Matt King's father-in-law still seem like Jimmy Fallon having a mustache? A: George Clooney's father-in-law looks nearly the same as Robert Forester. Q: Will Rachelle Lefervre George Clooney be nominated for any Razzie Oscar? A: Yes. You are able to contact Mike Ryan on Twitter Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Kim Kardashian-Kris Humphries Breakup Boosts Entertainment News Show Ratings

Whether Kim Kardashian's brief marriage to Kris Humphries will be a publicity stunt to work up her reality show ratings or perhaps the heartbreaker she claims, the break-up clearly offered provided a ratings tonic for almost all balance spoken about TV magazine shows.our editor recommendsMichael Buble Starts Kim Kardashian Feud Kim Kardashian Thanks Fans, Vows to Blog More Among ControversyKim Kardashian Utilizes Marty Singer to seal Lower Former PR RepKim Kardashian Has not Received Dying Risks on Number of 'The Counselor,A Reps Say Extra hit a completely new season high rating of a single.8, which was up twenty percent within the prior week, which since the greatest increase from the syndicated strips which come in access (late mid-day, early evening). Furthermore, it got one more rise in the key factor quantity of audiences 25 to 54 years of age, soaring 33 percent within the prior week. Entertainment Tonight, that will rates finest among the daily magazine shows, loved a three percent increase with a 3.9 rating, which matched up up its finest amounts for your season so far. That adopted a 13 percent gain on Monday, March. 31, your entire day Kardashian declared divorce. Inside Edition stood a 7 percent increase the other day in contrast for the prior week, with a 3.1 national rating. That aided it rebound in the season low a couple of days before Kardashian's marriage fouled on day 72. Access Hollywood saw an 11 percent increase with a 2.1 rating the other day. That was a completely new season high for your show. Access Hollywood Live, measured in 16-metered areas, was up 13 percent within the prior week and set their hands up 40% inside the key demo of girls 25 to 54 years of age. TMZ was up a peppy 17 % week to week with a 2.1 rating, which was a completely new season high. Only Entertainment Tonight's stable mate The Insider not successful to attain much from Kim K's busted relationship. The Insider held stead inside a 1.7 rating, but that was already inside a season greater level. Related Subjects Kim Kardashian TV Ratings

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

'Twilight: Breaking Dawn' Soundtrack: Video for Bruno Mars' Lead Single 'It Will Rain' Hits Web

The video for Bruno Mars' "It Will Rain" -- the first single from the soundtrack for the upcoming Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn -- Part 1 -- hit the Internet on Wednesday.our editor recommendsFrom 'Abduction' to Art House: Inside Taylor Lautner's Movie Makeover (Analysis)'Breaking Dawn' Box Office Battle: 'Twilight' Stars Fight for Love Outside of the Franchise'Breaking Dawn' Stars Feted By Stephenie Meyer at Chinese Theatre Ceremony (Video)'Twilight' Star Kristen Stewart Blows Off 'Breaking Dawn' Wedding Rumors The video features Mars making out with a love interest, only to end up fighting with her and then seemingly losing her in the end. PHOTOS: New Images of 'Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn' The scenes are intercut with clips from Breaking Dawn, in which Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner reprise their roles as Bella, Edward and Jacob, respectively. The lyrics seemingly reflect Bella's relationship with Edward, with lines including "I'll never be your mother's favorite/your daddy can't even look me in the eye" (Bella's father doesn't approve of their relationship) and "there'll be no sunlight if I lose you baby" (Edward avoids the sunlight, which causes his skin to sparkle). PHOTOS: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon' The song is currently No. 12 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. Breaking Dawn, the penultimate film in Summit Entertainment's five-movie franchise, opens Nov. 18. The soundtrack is available in stores and online this week. Related Topics Robert Pattinson Taylor Lautner Twilight Saga Bruno Mars Kristen Stewart

Julia Roberts Sports Form-Fitting Red-colored Dress Yourself In Tokyo, japan

First Released: November 9, 2011 9:42 AM EST Credit: Getty Images Tokyo, japan, Japan -- Caption Kaira Pitt and Julia Roberts come out in the Moneyball Japan premiere at Tokyo, japan Worldwide Forum in Tokyo, japan on November 9, 2011 Julia Roberts presented the fashion in Tokyo, japan on Wednesday! The 36-year-old actress, that has been vulnerable to simple black dresses recently, impressed everyone else inside a form-fitting red-colored dress wear and nude heels. Angelina walked out for that Tokyo, japan premiere of partner Kaira Pitts Moneyball, which will hit theaters in Japan on November 11. The pair and all sorts of six of the kids designed a splash on Tuesday once they showed up at Tokyos Haneda Airport Terminal, greeting 100s of fans who had anxiously waited hrs for his or her arrival. Just days prior, the huge family was on the other hand from the globe in Budapest, where Kaira ongoing to film his latest movie, World War Z, a spook apocalypse thriller. Browse the chic family driving style, HERE! Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Week in Review: Real Talk Is Scary, Y'All

It was a week for real talk ‘round these parts at Movieline HQ, with everything from Halloween to Lindsay Lohan’s latest legal woes bringing everyone to terms with the truth. Like the fact that no matter how many Halloweens you live through, you’ll never match Heidi Klum’s level of kookiness. Then the awful truth about the monster flop The Wolfman broke, and America’s favorite sparkly vampire dropped some cineaste science all over the Twilight crowd. What’s going on around here? First, Movieline celebrated Halloween with celebs, goth heroes, unintentionally scary characters, Verbal Vogueing, and the latest Heidi Klum getup. LiLo was sentenced back to the clink. Movieline remembered the late, great Oscar producer Gilbert Cates. Twilight madness continues! Oh that RPattz, always dropping Bunuel references into tween movie promo tours. Universal prexy Ron Meyer exploded a few truth bombs all over the Savannah Film Fest, and Movieline was there to report. http://www.movieline.com/2011/11/universal-chief-ron-meyer-addresses-tower-heist-vod-fiasco-admits-cowboys-aliens-land-of-the-lost-wo.php A hearty thank you to this week’s Movieline Interviewees Joely Richardson, Kal Penn, Ray Liotta, Lily Tomlin, Werner Herzog, and John Cho.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Schweitzman upped at Vendome

Vendome Pictures has marketed creative professional Sarah Schweitzman to Vice president of production and development. Schweitzman is going to be sourcing and obtaining additional material for that production and finance entity to create towards the screen. She'll are accountable to recently hired Vendome Leader of Production Guy Stodel.Schweitzman became a member of Vendome in 2008 when the organization was founded by Philippe Rousselet and Fabrice Gianfermi. She's done "Source Code" and "Ray Crowne."Schweitzman was an assistant at CAA and labored in production on Mike Mendes' version of "Cabaret in the Follies Bergeres." Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Amy Winehouse 'Not Suicidal' Before Death, Inquest Reveals

LONDON - Musical diva Amy Winehousehad refused therapy to address her alcohol issues, telling her medical team that she would resolve her problems in her own way.our editor recommendsAmy Winehouse Cause of Death Not Disclosed After AutopsyAmy Winehouse Back in RehabAmy Winehouse Died From Drinking Too Much Alcohol, Coroner RulesRelated Topics•Amy Winehouse Speaking at the Inquest, which found that the singer had died of alcohol poisoning on July 23, her physician of four years Dr Christina Rometesaid the star had been optimistic about the future and had refused psychological therapy for her alcohol issues on numerous occasions. "She [Winehouse] was opposed to any sort of psychological therapy...she was one of the most intelligent young women I've ever met. She was very determined to do things her way, including her therapy. She had very strict views on that," the doctor said, according to reports. Romete said the star interspersed alcohol with "periods of abstinence." Three vodka bottles were later found by her bed when Winehouse's inert body was discovered in the early evening of July 23. The physician told the inquest she had seen the singer at around 7 p.m. on the night before she died, and that Winehouse had already been drinking. "She was calm, she was coherent. She was tipsy I would say, but she didn't slur and was able to hold a full conversation." Romete said that she had no fears that Winehouse planned to take her own life, having discussed - among other things - plans for the singer's upcoming 28th birthday party. "Apart from the fact that she'd started drinking there was no other concern. I was not concerned that she was suicidal...she talked about future things. She said 'I have not achieved a lot of the things I wanted.' She was looking forward to the future." The inquest heard that at the time of her death, pathologist professorSuhail Baithunhad found 416mg of alcohol per deciliter of blood in the underweight and fragile singer's body. The legal driving limit is 80mg, a level of 200mg would see an ordinary person lose control over their bodies and face injury while a level of over 350mg is associated with fatalities, he told the court. Assistant deputy Coroner Suzanne Greenawaygave a verdict of "death by misadventure" In a statement, the Winehouse family said it was "some relief" to find out what had happened to their daughter. "The court heard that Amy was battling hard to conquer her problems with alcohol and it is a source of great pain to us that she could not win in time." The family has set up the Amy Winehouse Foundation in the singer's name. Related Topics International Amy Winehouse

Cable Pilot Castings: Serta Lauria To Star In Sullivan & Boy, Austin Butler In Intercept

EXCLUSIVE: Serta Lauria is positioned to star opposite Steve Byrne within the best spinner's half-hour comedy pilot Sullivan And Boy, starring comedian Byrne and executive produced by Vince Vaughn and Peter Billingsley. Put together by Byrne and Cheers alum Make the most of Extended, Sullivan And Boy influences vein in the classic NBC comedy and happens in the popular and legendary neighborhood bar in the working-class neighborhood in Pittsburgh. It concentrates on Steve Sullivan (Byrne), the boy in the bars current owner (Lauria) as well as the grand boy of the founder, who surprises his Irish-American father and Korean-American mother (Jodi Extended) when he decides to go away his job just like a effective corporate attorney in New You'll be able to and return to the region to think about over Sullivan & Boy. Lauria is to apply Talent Works, Marshak/Zachary & Rob Berger. Austin Butler, that's been recurring on ABC Family’s Switched At Birth, is positioned to star in the potential new series for your network. Butler has grew to become an associate of ABC Family’s hourlong pilot Intercept, a technology- and action-driven drama four college students who get roped into fixing crimes when one of those (Butler) creates a greater-tech communication device that intercepts conversations with the West Coast. Butler joins recently cast Danielle Panabaker and Chloe Wang.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Oliver Stone to Direct 'Power Broker' Film for Cinemax (Exclusive)

Cinemax will get political with director Oliver Stone.our editor recommendsAnalyst Compares News Corp. Phone Hacking Scandal to Oliver Stone Movie and 'Very Bad Things'Actors Who've Carried out PoliticiansBest Presidents in Movies and TV The premium cable network is developinga film based on Robert Caro's classic nonfiction book The Power Broker.Like the 1974 Pulitzer Prize-winning tome, the project will state the story of techniques Robert Moses cool the facial skin of NY. PHOTOS: 10 Hollywood Players That Will Really really make a difference inside the 2012 Elections Moses, who formerly was named the city's "master builder,' was probably the most effective males in last century urban planning and politics, getting affected NY's infrastructure around almost every other individual. Furthermore to supposing directorial duties, Stone will executive produce with former studio chiefPeter Guber and Sopranos vet James Gandolfini. PHOTOS: Box Office Politics: The Flicks and Stars Dems versus. GOPers Love (and Prefer to Hate) Gandolfini's managers Nancy Sanders and Mark Remedy are attached as co-executive producers, with Nicholas Meyer(Collateral Damage, The Prince of Egypt) aboard to pen the telepic. Gandolfini, Meyer and Stone are repped by CAA. Email: Lacey.Rose@thr.com Twitter: @LaceyVRose Related Subjects Oliver Stone Cinemax TV Development

Monday, October 24, 2011

Lifetime Orders Drama Pilot Melanie Griffith To Star And Convey With Antonio Banderas

Lifetime has greenlighted to pilot American Housewife, a drama that has Melanie Griffith is discussions to star additionally to executive produce with husband/creating partner Antonio Banderas. The pilot, which David Slade (Eclipse) is at discussions to direct, was put together by Erik Jendresen (Gang Of Brothers and sisters) based on an idea by him and Banderas. American Housewife, produced by Fox TV Art galleries, concentrates on a parent or gaurdian of two children which has conversations along with her inner voice while dealing and among her kids departing home for college as well as the other remaining in your house. Furthermore to Griffith, Banderas and Jendresen, the pilot will probably be executive produced by Jendresen’s creating partner Ray Ricord. Banderas labored with Jendresen round the Tony Krantz-directed movie The Big Bang, which Jendresen written and produced and Banderas starred in. The Two are really cooperating around the new feature project, Solo.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

'Cyrano' remake is music to Disney Funnel

Coco Manley Tyler James Williams will star in Disney Funnel original movie "Let It Shine," a gospel/stylish-hop musical adaptation of "Cyrano P Bergerac" that will premiere round the cabler in summer season 2012.Williams ("Everybody Hates Chris") may have 16-year-old Cyrus -- a precocious but self-questioning rapper -- opposite Coco Manley as Roxanne. Trevor Jackson may have super-confident dancer Kris, who expects to steal Roxanne's heart. Nicole Sullivan, Courtney B. Vance, Dawnn Lewis and Brandon Mychal Cruz co-star inside the film, which will feature 12 original tunes from artists including Rock Mafia, Toby Gad and David Banner.Paul Hoen ("Camping Rock 2: The Best Jam") is pointing the Atlanta-based production, in the script put together by Don D. Scott and Eric Daniel, for G Wave Prods. Contact Jon Weisman at jon.weisman@variety.com

Thursday, October 13, 2011

'Daily Show' Contributor Aasif Mandvi Scores CBS Comedy

CBS is getting into business with The Daily Show correspondent Aasif Mandvi. The Bombay-born actor-comedian is set to pen a script about a recently divorced marriage counselor who dispenses relationship advice. If picked up, Mandvi would star in the untitled project, which hails from Tagline (Man Up, Psych) and CBS TV Studios. STORY: Miner Not Amused By Aasif Mandvi's 'Daily Show' Asbestos Spoof Mandvi,whose past small-screen credits includeJericho, CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationandER, made his first appearance on Jon Stewart's Comedy Central show in summer 2006. Before that, he had dabbled in theater, including a role in the 2002 Broadway revival of Oklahoma! VIDEO: 'Premium Rush' Trailer: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Shannon, Jamie Chung, Dania Ramirez, Aasif Mandvi Star The comes as rival ABC picked up a comedy project fromCraig Kilborn, another former Daily Show talent. Mandviis repped by ICM. Related Topics CBS The Daily Show with Jon Stewart TV Development

James Cameron declines Sigourney Weavers Avatar 2 role

Sigourney Weaver lately confirmed that she'd be coming back to The planet pandora in Avatar 2 although talking about the condition of Ghostbusters 3.Thinking about her fate in Avatar, the implication that she'd possess a part to experience in Pandora's future surprised many people. Most famously James Cameron."Well, I'd rather not disabuse her of this fantasy. But did you ever hear of nonlinear storytelling?" Cameron stated throughout a current Q&A."A great deal happens on that planet before she turns up, and before Mike turns up to become listed on her. She's there for 15 years in advance. I'm not sure, however i wouldn't jump to conclusions.""And I have already stated a significant amount of about Avatar 2 and three in some places, but people piece it together like individuals voice cameos and tell the entire story!""If you have a science-fiction series, a science-fiction franchise, you are never dead, unless of course your DNA is expunged in the world. After which almost always there is time travel!"

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Rick Perry: The Strange Reason Hollywood is Disappointed in Him

Rick Perry's supporters weren't the only ones disappointed with the Texas governor's shaky performance in the latest Republican presidential debate on Tuesday night. He also let down a very determined cadre of Hollywood politicos.our editor recommendsJeffrey Katzenberg, J.J. Abrams Leading the Charge of Hollywood's Super PAC Spenders'The Daily Show' Slams MSNBC for Misrepresenting Rick Perry, Maligning President ObamaStephen Colbert's Super PAC Supports Rick Parry, Not Perry, in First Ad (Video) PHOTOS: Actor's Who've Played Politicians For weeks industry activists have been quietly rooting behind the scenes for a Perry victory in the Republican primary -- simply because they think he would be easy for President Obama to beat. With Perry seemingly weakened (he was the subject of widespread Internet ridicule Tuesday night after he misstated the date of the American Revolution by two centuries), there is more work ahead than some Hollywood Dems had anticipated. PHOTOS: Box Office Politics: The Movies and Stars Dems vs. GOPers Love (and Love to Hate) "What if it's a Romney/Christie ticket?" said one insider. "(New Jersey Gov. Chris) Christie could be wrongly seen by some as the Bill Clinton of the Republican Party." Los Angeles veteran political consultant Bill Carrick had a bit of advice today for his fellow Democrats: "Everyone has to get over their complaining and suck it up and go to work." PHOTOS: Democrats and Republicans' Favorite Movies What does that mean for Hollywood? "People are going to have to dig deep and help the Obama for President campaign," Carrick said. "Some of the traditional players are going to have to help the super PAC effort to define Romney by spring. We just can't let him have a free ride into the convention." The entertainment industry has given at least $3 million to the Obama campaign in conjunction with Democratic Party so far this year, according to some estimates. Another $2.5 million has gone to Democratic super PACS. However, those numbers pale in comparison to the millions Rove and fellow Republicans are raising to take out Obama and other Democrats in a massive super PAC spending frenzy in 2012. In other words, Obamajam will be a regular traffic phenomenon in Los Angeles. The president is going to be back on October 24 for a National Latino Gala. And plans are already underway for yet another Hollywood fundraiser after the first of the year. Although some members of the entertainment industry have been slow to jump on the Obama reelection bandwagon, the time for sitting on the fence is quickly coming to an end, Obama's supporters say. For those who are siding with Romney, expect him to be courting Hollywood dollars, as well, in the coming weeks. "If any of the Republicans are going to beat Romney, they're going to have to step up their game," Carrick said. If Romney clears the primary hurdle, "the general election will be a much different game. "It won't be just Mitt Romney running as the least controversial candidate. Last night he seemed to be switching gears," Carrick added. "He was even stealing one of President Clinton's phrases: We can all find common ground." Related Topics

Batpic keeps shoots up

"The Dark Dark night Increases" ongoing to help keep La film production chugging along within the first week from the 4th quarter, because the latest Batpic was probably the most active offlot shoot a week ago for that fifth week consecutively and also the sixth week within the last seven. The Batman follow up from director-producer Christopher Nolan -- for auction on permits as "Magnus Rex" -- tallied up 31 allowed days a week ago, based on figures provided Tuesday through the FilmL.A. enabling agency. Warner Bros. has set This summer 20 because the release date for Nolan's third Batpic. Total feature days allowed a week ago were flat at 105 days, a treadmill less compared to same week this year around the heels of rising 50% throughout the 3rd quarter. Additional features shooting in La include "Argo," "Sunken City," "531," and "The L Lounge." Total allowed production days rose 13% to 572 a week ago after third quarter production published a 15% hike within the same duration of 2010. TV shooting edged up four days to 310 days, with "How Do You Look?" probably the most active a week ago with 22 days. Other television productions shooting in La include "Prime Suspect," "Work,Inch "Awake," "House," "Justified," "Vehicle Players 2," "Real Existence" and "Take advantage of Drydek's Fantasy Factory." Commercial shooting was up 67% to 157 days with Picrow's CCI commercial shot accumulating probably the most days at 60. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Supernatural's Jared and Genevieve Padalecki Expecting a Baby

Genevieve Cortese and Jared Padalecki One of Supernatural's Winchester brothers is about to be a daddy. Jared Padalecki, who plays Sam on the CW series, and wife Genevieve, are expecting a baby, the actor announced on Twitter. "OK y'all I'd rather you officially hear it from me," he wrote. "So, yes. Genevieve is pregnant. We'll be welcoming a new member to our family in 2012." Supernatural's Jared Padalecki and Genevieve Cortese marry The 29-year-old actor and 30-year-old actress wed in February. The pair met while filming Supernatural's Season 4, when she played the second incarnation of the character Ruby. She also co-starred in ABC's FlashForward. Reps for the actor did not immediately respond to TVGuide.com's request for comment.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Tracy Morgan Describes Homophobic Comments to Letterman

Tracy Morgan, David Letterman That homophobic rant that got 30 Rock's Tracy Morgan in danger several weeks ago has not gone away. David Letterman requested him about this on Monday's Late Show.Browse the relaxation from the day's news on TVGuide.com"In the finish during the day, I am a comedian. I use the gift God provided to assist the planet, to heal the planet, to not hurt anybody," Morgan stated Monday evening concerning the June 3 show in Nashville. "I had been hurt because of it because individuals found the show and were annoyed out."Morgan indicated the entire factor like a "misunderstanding" and attempted to describe that his type of comedy might be more roundabout than many people are familiar with. "Comedy Central is premise, set-up, point. However I emerged underneath the old regime ... Sometimes I must reach it."Tracy Morgan calls homophobia a "sickness"Letterman wondered: "Have you not say the things they were upset about?""I can not remember. Which was maybe 50 shows ago," Morgan responded. "Whatever it had been, I actually do comedy within the spirit of Richard Pryor, Lenny Bruce, George Carlin, and all sorts of the folks like yourself that came before me."Watch Morgan and Letterman discuss the contretemps:

Monday, October 10, 2011

O.D. Welch New COO At Cameron-Pace

BURBANK, CA, October 10, 2011 James Cameron and Vince Pace, Co-Chairmen of CAMERON | PACE Group (CPG) announced today that industry veteran O.D. Welch has joined the company as Chief Operating Officer. Based out of the companys Burbank headquarters, Welch will be responsible for leading CPGs global expansion, focusing on strategic planning and execution, international business development, and worldwide operations of the group.In his new role, Welch will prepare the company for this expansion by streamlining products and services offerings, adapting overall operations to be easily replicated internationally, and turning CPGs recent partnership alliances (i.e. ARRI & Grass Valley) into new, and even more efficient 3D production solutions. Prior to joining CAMERON | PACE Group, Welch served as President of Evolve Consulting in Los Angeles where he oversaw strategic and financial advising to the companys entertainment and media clientele. In addition, he has held roles as Chief Operating Officer, North America for Prime Focus Group, Chief Operating and Financial Officer for the ComputerCafe Group, and President of 525 Studios among others. As Production Executive on nearly three dozen feature films, Welchs credits include Iron Man, Speed Racer, Spider Man 3, Pans Labyrinth and King Kong. He is also a member of the Producers Guild of America, the Visual Effects Society and the Hollywood Post Alliance.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Mixed Marriage

A 31 Prods. in association with Neil McPherson for the Finborough Theater presentation of a play in one act by St. John Ervine. Directed by Sam Yates.John Rainey - Daragh O'Malley Mrs. Rainey - Fiona Victory Hugh Rainey - Christopher Brandon Nora Murray - Nora-Jane Noone Michael O'Hara - Damien Hannaway Tom Rainey - Joel OrmsbyAnyone who believes issue-based political dramas only arrived in the 1970s will be shocked by "Mixed Marriage," St. John Ervine's tragedy unearthed by the unstintingly enterprising Finborough Theater. Premiered in 1911 at Dublin's Abbey Theater and unseen in London in 90 years, it presents a plea for tolerance amid religious sectarian violence and embeds it into a family drama. Although its analysis is sadly still relevant a century later, its dramaturgy remains immured within its time. "What religion is she?" That's the question beadily asked by suspicious John Rainey (Daragh O'Malley) of young Nora (Nora-Jane Noone), who is stepping out with his son Hugh (shiningly idealistic Christopher Brandon). Nora is Catholic, which goes down extremely badly with staunchly Protestant Rainey. Hugh has persuaded his father, something of a working-class hero, to put his religious views aside to urge local Protestant and Catholic workers to join together in the struggle against the bosses. But when John discovers that Hugh and Nora are going to marry, his class analysis is subsumed beneath religious hatred with fatal consequences. On Richard Kent's set of a nicely shabby home, the actors work hard to invest their roles with more dimensions than Ervine's earnest characters actually provide. Fiona Victory is busily maternal, looking askance at her husband's intransigence and hoping for the best. And dogged O'Malley gives weight to a man defined by obstinacy who refuses to budge. It's the younger generation, however, who come off best, with Noone and Brandon holding back on the thwarted lovers scenario. The difficulty facing director Sam Yates is that all the ideas and intentions of the text are so plainly spelt out that audiences stay far further ahead of potential plot developments than the characters. In order to keep things going, Yates keeps the pace up and runs the original four-act play in 80 minutes without a break. Yet he still finds time for repose, filling transitions with characters isolated in David Plater's coolly atmospheric light. The play's good intentions are of genuine historical interest, but on the strength of this production, it's unlikely anyone will be spearheading a St. John Ervine retrospective any time soon.Sets and costumes, Richard Kent; lighting, David Plater; sound and music, Alex Baranowski; production stage manager, Christina Lemon. Opened, reviewed Oct. 6, 2011. Running time: 1 HOUR, 20 MIN. Contact David Benedict at benedictdavid@mac.com

Monday, October 3, 2011

Exclusive: Debbi Morgan Finally Talks about Her Hush-Hush Role round the Youthful as well as the Restless

Debbi Morgan There will soon be plenty of Harmony in Genoa City... and several folks won't appreciate it one bit. Emmy-winning phenom Debbi Morgan - formerly Dr. Angie Hubbard on my small Children - will join The Youthful as well as the Restless on Friday, October 7 since the ne'er-do-well, drug-addict mother of Devon Hamilton (Bryton James). Fans are actually familiar with Morgan's character, who was simply formerly known to as Yolanda when the role was carried out by Chene Lawson (2005-06). Nowadays, Yolanda is becoming in the crack, named herself Harmony and contains started a completely new existence just like a waitress in the Milwaukee diner. TV Guide Magazine went lower for the Y&R set to talk to Morgan about her hot new gig and, clearly, to fire place in the million-dollar question: Will she and Peter Bergman (Jack) finally circumvent compared to that interracial romance they weren't allowed to own 22 in the past on AMC?TV Guide Magazine: You have been a sizable Y&R nut, right?Morgan: I have always loved Y&R! [Laughs] It's my job to use to convey to Victoria Rowell, "Personally, i can't stand you, Vicky! If perhaps they'd eliminate you therefore i could seriously that relate because you know they'd not have access to two black divas on concurrently! Or else you is certainly going do Angie and I'll do Drucilla!" We familiar with laugh relating to this constantly. Who'd have ever thunk?TV Guide Magazine: Reveal about Harmony.Morgan: It's so nice to defend myself against a completely new group of shoes. The moment the truth is Harmony she's 180 levels from Angie. Angie was our world mother. Harmony features a real edge to her and, unlike Angie, she's no educated lady. She'd no relationship with Devon as soon as he was produced. She would be a substance abuser who gave her child for the grandmother to think about proper proper care of, then when the grandmother died, the boy fell into the promote care system. Now she will get her act together, or otherwise she's trying.TV Guide Magazine: What brings her to Genoa City? Morgan: She's not a clue what's been happening with Devon - that his father, Tucker [Stephen Nichols], might be the boy of Katherine Chancellor [Jeanne Cooper]. Really, that's still a sizable secret in Genoa City until Phyllis [Michelle Stafford] puts the story on the internet. Harmony sees what is the news around the customer's laptop while employed in the diner and comprises a beeline to Genoa City to reunite with Devon. Clearly, she doesn't get yourself a warm reception. Devon's furious they abandoned him and doesn't want anything associated with her.TV Guide Magazine: What's Tucker's reaction?Morgan: It's states Devon was the consequence of one-evening stand between Harmony and Tucker. Your evening meant the earth to her - Tucker was the adoration for her existence - nevertheless it meant so little to him he doesn't even recognize Harmony after they meet again. Not just a clue! It's as being a dagger through her heart.TV Guide Magazine: And Mrs. Chancellor?Morgan: [Laughs] Oh, sherrrd like Harmony to stay in Genoa City by herself selfish reasons. She and Tucker have been in odds and he or she desires to put it to him! Ulterior motives, baby! And Harmony knows it. She's much less stupid! I merely love that Jeanne Cooper. This type of hoot.TV Guide Magazine: How extended has Harmony been sober? Does her druggie past remain a sizable problem here? Morgan: I'd say she's been clean for your a year ago roughly and you also see her around the telephone, checking together with her sponsor. You will discover always people emotional triggers that are a hazard as a substance abuser as well as the rejection from Devon can be a large one. But she's waiting on hold and keeping strong. If you feel you're alone and possess no love within your existence you'll be able to so easily relapse, causeing this to be harder than she could ever imagine. But she is going to stay and fighting wishing her boy will sooner or later accept her.TV Guide Magazine: What's along with your character's title change?Morgan: [Executive producer-mind author] Maria Bell described she just hated the title Yolanda! And therefore, because Yolanda and Tucker both was formerly inside the music business, Maria emerged while using title Harmony. The trunk story is always that Tucker handled a rock-band inside the eighties and Yolanda will be a groupie who adopted this rock band around from city to city. She grew to become pregnant by him and was afraid to see him, so she went rather for the road manager who wound up offering her money to acquire an abortion. She only decided to be livid! When she meets tabs on Tucker in Genoa City, he claims he'd not a clue the manager did that. She's unsure if you should believe him or else. Sherrrd like to consider she's not just a little of something at the bottom of Tucker's shoe, however he really goes after her, proclaiming that she's a no-good mother.TV Guide Magazine: Therefore I guess we won't see Harmony and Tucker coming back to any kind of romance... or are we able to?Morgan: Well, through all his anger she does search for a minute of hope here or there, hope that maybe she did mean something to him. She thinks he protests a lot of! And So I am wanting we have to see with this particular a little more.Television Guide Magazine: What about Harmony and Jack Abbott? If you and Peter Bergman attempted a romance back on AMC there has been lots of complaints within the audience that Bergman wound up getting fired.Morgan: Who knows? [Laughs] Maybe Harmony will use function as black Erica Kane! People are actually connecting in the dots and so are supposing that Harmony will discover yourself with Neil [Kristoff St. John]. It might be excellent once we went somewhere unforeseen. That was this kind of factor with Peter in older times! AMC was getting everything hate mail which we understood they'd need to part ways High high cliff and Angie which in our midst might be from employment. I merely assumed it may be me, nevertheless it was Peter! He'd just purchased a condo in NY. His wife was pregnant. I used to be so shocked they did that to him. However eventually Peter calls me from La and states he'll an audition being Terry Lester's alternative on Y&R which i mentioned, "Peter, don't walk compared to that audition. F--king run! It'll be the role of your life!In . [Laughs] He notifies that story to this day!Tv Guide Magazine: Why perhaps you have jump to another cleaning cleaning soap so quickly? You are probably the rare handful of in daytime which has also juggled major films and primetime, too. Why not see what else can be obtained?Morgan: Like a lady in this business, being from the certain age group, just as one Black, the jobs just aren't there personally in considerable amounts. Although soon after I signed a couple-year deal with Y&R, my manager got a telephone call that there's interest to own me play opposite Denzel Washington inside the movie Flight, that's shooting from October to December. [Laughs] The timing could not are actually worse! But you know what happens? I'm Confident with it, because I wasn't prone to turn lower an element similar to this round the No. 1 cleaning cleaning soap! Maybe essentially reaches my twenties or my thirties I'd have held out. While not now. I needed this just before being introduced that AMC would the net now people request me essentially regret not remaining there. Certainly not! That is business.TV Guide Magazine: And, you know, these shows would drop you'll need a hot potato whether or not this suited them!Morgan: [Laughs] Ain't the reality! In my first visit to Y&R, I went into Jacob Youthful inside the hallway at CBS. We'd done AMC together which he just visited The Bold as well as the Beautiful. I hopped up into his arms which we simply howled and howled with laughter within the craziness from this all!Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Imagenation rebrands, restructures

LONDON -- Abu Dhabi's $1 billion production arm Imagenation Abu Dhabi is rebranding being simply Image Nation and it has also produced two divisions -- Image Nation Abu Dhabi and Image Nation Worldwide -- to be able to better align its core objectives. Image Nation Abu Dhabi will oversee a slate of Emirati photos, including two game titles scheduled for release this season: coming-of-age story "Ocean Shadow" and Tobe Hooper's horror thriller "Djinn." It will likewise lead numerous initiatives targeted toward developing local talent both before and behind your camera, including internships and casting programs. Image Nation Worldwide will manage the business's proper associations with numerous producers, including its joint endeavors with Participant Media and Hyde Park Entertainment, and associations with Parkes/Macdonald Productions and Warner Bros. Through its partnership with Participant Media, Image Nation Intl. co-created two photos faring well in the U.S. box office: "The Assistance,Inch which spent 25 days at number 1, and "Contagion," which opened up within the top place and it has made nearly $68 million in under per month. Mohammed Al Otaiba will mind up Image Nation Abu Dhabi and can are accountable to Image Nation Boss Michael Garin. He'll be accountable for Image Nation's local film activities and can work to build up the division's industry systems both regionally and abroad, while determining possibilities and potential partners for that company's local productions. Al Otaiba formerly spent yesteryear ten years being employed as a diplomat where he symbolized the UAE in the Un in NY, Beijing and London. He's also written numerous video clip scripts and produced docu "Afghan Days." "Our new company structure reflects Image Nation's pursuit to build the fundamentals of the strong local film industry within the UAE," stated the business's chairman Mohammed Al Mubarak. "Both our local and worldwide activities lead towards the local industry we're developing projects and talent inside the UAE, while supporting them through vital worldwide close ties and opportunities." "By aiming our activities under two distinct divisions, we'll have the ability to better balance our local and worldwide activities," added Garin. "Within the next couple of several weeks we anticipate delivering our first couple of local films and numerous programs to assist develop local talent, both based on the assets and understanding transfer given by our worldwide close ties." An extensive new brand for the organization is going to be folded out within the next couple of several weeks. Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com

Friday, September 30, 2011

Business Insider: Low Bids Could Disaster Hulu Auction

Themuch-over-blown Hulu auction may finish off a bustbecause “the bids aren't coming as much as (the business’s backers) wanted,”Business Insider reviews. Hulu was trying to find greater than $2B, however they have mentioned that Dish Networkcame in at $1.9B. Google’s considered to possess assigned by utilizing $4B, butthat’s contingent on program certification terms that Hulu’s entrepreneurs Disney, News Corp, and Comcastapparently can’t swallow. That’s exactly the dilemma that numerous professionals anticipated in June when Hulu setup the “for purchase” sign. News Corp COO Chase Carey also indicated lately that his company could be ready to hold onto Hulu. The web video venture’s Boss Jason Kilar and Disney are believed being individuals who're most attempting to sell.

Monday, September 19, 2011

The Playboy Club Boss around the Distinction Between Rabbits and Play pals

Amber Heard and Laura Benanti The primary factor that Chad Hodge wants you to understand about his approaching NBC series The Playboy Club is the fact that it isn't concerning the centerfolds. When Hodge, who last produced The CW drama Runaway, was initially contacted through the studio to perform a show about Hugh Hefner's famous Playboy Rabbits, his reaction was, "Is likely to be a scripted version from the Women Nearby? No, thanks.Inch But which was before he understood concerning the rather factor between Rabbits and also the Play pals. Hef's Rabbits labored at his chain of nightclubs, the very first which opened up in Chicago in 1960 and where membership would be a symbol of status. Rabbits - mainly waitresses and cigarette hawkers - weren't permitted up to now patrons, referred to as "keyholders," who consequently weren't permitted to the touch the Rabbits. Play pals were individuals who patterned, frequently nude, for Playboy magazine. Fall TV: Obtain the lowdown about this season's must-see new shows Hodge wanted to produce a dark twisty cleaning soap about the field of the Rabbits - and also the males and mobsters who admired them. "I would like this to become the one thing that you simply get home drunk, take a seat on your couch, review your Digital recording device list and it is the very first factor you need to watch. Which was my mission." But his first job continues to be explaining - and re-explaining - the show isn't concerning the centerfolds. "There is a certain debate that naturally swirls around our show because individuals feelings about Playboy, the organization and also the title itself," he stated. It is a brand which has attracted early ire in the Parents Television Council and triggered a minumum of one NBC affiliate to won't air it. Within the summer time, Hodge stressed to reporters in the network's fall preview session the show, actually, displayed a particular type of female empowerment because of its era. "I realize why people question that, however , what this show is, most importantly, is really a sexy, fun cleaning soap with crime, with music, with love tales and love triangles," he stated. "It is, really fun." The Playboy Club's Amber Heard is just one of TVGuide.com's stars to look at this season TVGuide.com spoke with Hodge concerning the research that went into creating The Playboy Club, the show's troubled protagonist Maureen (Amber Heard), and also the story behind the club's closeted lesbian Bunny. What research have you do for that Playboy Club? Hodge: I did not know a lot about this. My first stop was the Playboy Mansion and that i increased towards the archives in Hef's mansion. He's over 2,500 scrapbooks which are maintained. The moment I discovered a brief history from the club, the Rabbits and exactly what the Chicago Playboy Club was like and what these tales might be, and that i spoken to former Rabbits, I had been totally excited. I figured it ought to be a network show, actually. Whether it was something about Playboy Magazine and that we were telling a tale about centerfolds, this is a different story. Many people have no idea the Playboy Rabbits had practically nothing related to Playboy magazine and as being a centerfold. Rabbits were waitresses in swimsuits. What is the best factor you based in the Playboy archives? Hodge: When Hef was 14 or 15, he began keeping a journal of his existence except it had not been an ordinary journal as if you think about. It had been a cartoon comic strip of themself. Therefore if he experienced a fight together with his mother on that day, he'd detail your dream within the comics. It had been amusing. He'd write it just like a comic and draw all of the pictures. He did that for quite some time about his buddies, his school, his parents. It inspired a lot of the series. Hef's voice-over, the thought of the omniscient narrator and Hef creating our planet and creating our story kind of originated from that. Although the series is definitely an ensemble, Maureen is our eyes in to the club. Inform us about her. Hodge: We are arriving together with her and she or he wants to become a star. She originates from elsewhere and it is seeing this the very first time - after which this horrible factor transpires with her inside the first three minutes from the show. All of a sudden we are off and running and Maureen reaches the middle of that story. I did not want her to become the doe-eyed optimist or even the girl who fell from the turnip truck, I needed her to become broken and troubled. I needed her to seem like she's resided nine lives. Stuff has happened to her and you will discover what that's within the series. She comes here with many different baggage. Take a look at our fall preview for art galleries, scoop, premiere calendars and much more! Due to that horrible factor that occurs, she will get associated with key holder Nick Dalton (Eddie Cibrian). What else could you say about where she's headed? Hodge: When she thinks that Nick is not adequately masking what went down, she'll go by herself and take proper care of things. She evolves rapport using the mob, who're the those who are after her. She keeps them close. You introduce this subterranean society of homosexuals, The Mattachine Society, within the pilot. Is the fact that something which emerged inside your research? Hodge: Most gay history you learn about begins at Stonewall, but this really is way before that. [The Mattachine Society] began, actually, within the late '50s and in to the '60s, and sections sprouted up in most metropolitan areas across the nation. This is one of the Chicago chapter ... I did not include it because I always felt a desire to make an argument by any means. History is necessary in lots of ways through this show, but it is always through character. I understood which i wanted that one specific character to become a closeted lesbian who had been inside a marriage, a lavender marriage, the industry marriage of convenience in which a gay lady along with a gay guy are married like a cover. ... But like I stated before, this show is fun and entertaining contributing to our figures, therefore the narrative is not driven through the history a lot because the people on the planet. The Playboy Club premieres Monday at 10/9c on NBC.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Person of curiosity

Shot in NY by Bad Robot in colaboration with Warner Bros. Television. Executive producers, J.J. Abrams, Bryan Burk, Jonathan Nolan, David Semel, Greg Plageman director, Semel author, Nolan.Reese - Jim Caviezel Finch - Michael Emerson Det. Carter - Taraji P. Henson Det. Fusco - Kevin Chapman CBS cleverly recycles its old cornerstones with modest twists, thus delivering comforting familiarity engrossed in a shiny exterior. That's largely the formula with "Person of curiosity,In . which recasts "The Equalizer" in the publish-Sept. 11 package, informed by accusations about intrusive information-gathering technologically. "Lost" alum Michael Emerson certainly enhances the material, but Jim Caviezel's taciturn operative is actually psychologically removed that audiences don't have much, initially, that they could connect. Altering "CSI" since the network's Thursday linchpin, the show can be a shrewd otherwise terribly exciting wager on improving the network's stylish quotient without straying off off definately not its procedural wheelhouse. Caviezel's former special-forces officer Reese -- introduced toughing up punks concerning the subway -- is outdated and incredibly dangerous, additionally to bearded and destitute, when utilized by Finch (Emerson), a billionaire benefactor likely to turn him loose about the pet project. "You will need a purpose," Finch notifies him, suggesting mentioned sense of direction is dependant on helping people, offering these potential redemption. How can Finch's program work? As devised by author Jonathan Nolan, the crux is certainly a more sophisticated surveillance system the tech whiz devised inside the wake of Sept. 11 the federal government remains using within the anti-terror efforts. But he still keeps utilisation of the information, or otherwise a lot of it -- delivering him Social Security amounts for individuals who're generally likely to behave bad or have something terrible happen to them. Due to the vagueness of the explanation, it's probably better to not dwell a lot of concerning the particulars, since its all mostly an inspired excuse to alter Reese in to a kind of avenging protector angel. The approach inside the pilot, anyway, proves just a little chilly -- offering with no interaction involving the hero and also the mark, though Nolan's script provides the opportunity to show this type of serious badass they can be on several occasions. Producer J.J. Abrams might call his company Bad Robot, but that's an unpleasant description for that series lead. The knowledge is crisp, and Emerson is amongst the watchable artists on television. Furthermore, Taraji P. Henson is onboard just like a detective, though what she'll supply the party remains as murky since the technology undergirding Finch's creation. Indeed, it's difficult to leave the feeling our prime-tech plot device is just a high-fallutin' method of creating a well-funded vigilante -- to get into a writing credit Nolan distributed to his brother Christopher: Batman, with no cape and cowl -- and turn him loose on evildoers with procedural precision. With this measure, "Person of Interest's" premise triggers some interest but sometimes be hard-pressed to sustain it about the very competitive evening -- unless of course obviously Finch's miracle machine can manipulate Nielsen's to goes favorable amounts.Camera, Teodoro Maniaci production designer, Kalina Ivanov editors, Dorian Harris, Farrel Levy casting, April Webster. 60 MIN. Contact John Lowry at john.lowry@variety.com

Colin Firth About The Railway Guy

Full steam ahead for Bang dramaGary Oldman might be drawing the evaluations with Alec Guinness right now but it is his Mess Tailor Soldier Spy co-star Colin Firth who's heading onto Guinness' patch next. Firth continues to be freshly cast being an ex-Bang within the approaching adaptation of Eric Lomax's memoir The Railway Guy, and that he shared some early impressions from the project when Empire swept up with him now. Lomax, a lieutenant within the Royal Signals, was taken through the Japanese at nov Singapore in 1942 and delivered to focus on the infamous Burma railway. The film will cut between his brutal war time encounters and the tries to adjust to civilian existence and reconcile together with his Japanese captors. The film begins shooting early the coming year in great britan, Thailand and Australia. It dates back and forth over time and put, Firth described. My character's story occupies Britain, and precisely Berwick. You will notice the moments that occur throughout the war but clearly another person is going to be doing that. The actor told us the railway moments is going to be shot around australia, unlike The Bridge About The River Kwai where Sri Lanka bending-up for that Burma-Siam railroad. Director Jonathan Teplitzky and the crew set to operate in Feb the coming year. Real question is: who should take part in the youthful Colin? Suggestions on the forum-formed postcard....

Trailer: Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Michael Shannon Play Good Bike Messenger, Bad Cop in Premium Rush

Take it from Jennifer Aniston — working as a NY City bike messenger is neither glamorous nor exciting. Unless you’re Joseph Gordon-Levitt in David Koepp’s upcoming bike messenger thriller Premium Rush, in which case transporting packages across town is a fast-paced career option with hot co-workers, adrenaline rushes and the occasional highly dangerous assignment. Here, we see Gordon-Levitt as a passionate bike messenger who waxes poetic about riding fixed speed and flirts with a gorgeous colleague (Dania Ramirez) who bashes in side-view mirrors for fun. They take pride in the timeliness of their deliveries and happen to get a rush from their job. It seems kind of great! Until Michael Shannon shows up as a dirty cop who will do anything to get his hands on one a mysterious package that JGL has picked up from Columbia University. Premium Rush was written and directed by David Koepp (Secret Window). Look for the thriller in theaters Jan. 13. To see the trailer in HD, head on over to Sony.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Ryan Murphy On Glee: Passion Has Came back

Ray Richmond is contributing to Deadline’s TV coverage. Coming off a sophomore season of Glee that came gripes from fans together with a debate surrounding his comments about stars Jum Michele, Chris Colfer, and Cory Monteith departing the show, co-creator Ryan Murphy has the capacity to make amends. “This year, the idea is merely to use the show,” he mentioned this mid-day carrying out a screening of Glee‘s third season premiere. “Last year will be a new factor personally. I’d run television shows before, but I’d never manage a business before. It absolutely was an unusual factor. I many userful stuff here. Which I will not again say people are departing (the show). I have learned my lesson.” As well as, since Michele, Colfer and Monteith’s figures will finish secondary school within the finish from the coming season, how they be built-in to the series’ high-school setting? “There are plenty of things they may do,” Murphy told Deadline. “They could become teachers. They may become college students. You will discover very organicways you can preserve them about the program, and them large and also the crowd invested these… Nevertheless the show is certainly apt to be relating to this choir room.” For undertaking a spinoff, when the producers revisit the idea in the year, “we would do discussions from this much in different ways than we handled it before,” Murphy mentioned. But for the moment, the primary focus is “on making this the most effective year we’ve ever done (on Glee),” he mentioned. “And really, we feel that’s just what we’re prone to have. Part of the reason behind your is we’ve determined the most effective approach to shoot the show, along with a method to make it happen more economically for Fox…I have my desire for (Glee) back…And you can view the excitement concerning the set. The heavens I'm are really restored and excited and so are thrilled being there. It’s fun again…You know, things needed a bit of the nasty turn, however happy relating to this again.” The screening today confirmed that Glee exhibits a restored zest, energy while focusing inside the kickoff hour, replete with rousing amounts, a geniune surprise or two, plus an indisputable miracle. The summer season opener, which airs Tuesday, also featured Lindsay Pearce –one in the four finalistson the Oxygen reality series The Glee Project– who's playing a substantial role about the program throughout Season 3.Pearce switched as (SPOILER ALERT!) the best option from the rival singing group to New Directions, and he or she’ll still recur just like a enemy to Rachel (Michele) in severalepisodes. Her large first music number is singing Anything That Can Be Done from Annie Obtain A Gun. Murphy told reporters thatit happened to him following a part curently have been written that Pearce could work best with this but required to shoot her first episode just before the Glee Project finale had broadcast. “We saved stalling carrying it out so that it wouldn’t leak,” Murphy mentioned. He noted the Glee Project‘s two individuals who win, Damian McGinty and Mike Larsen, will are also made of significant story arcs about the program later this fall, with McGinty representing “a forex student shacking tabs on Brittany (Heater Morris), and he or she clearly thinks him to become leprechaun with magical forces.” McGinty “isn’t an actress,” Murphy acknowledged, “but he did great. On his first day he gotshoved in to a locker like 25 occasions” but came through eliminate it. Larsen look in “somewhere around Episode 10 or 11,” he added.

'The Help' Generating More Online Buzz Than Any Other Film (Exclusive)

Will Forte is moving into the Neighborhood.our editor recommendsAkiva Schaffer Has Offer to Direct 'Neighborhood Watch'; Ben Stiller CirclingVince Vaughn Joining Ben Stiller in 'Neighborhood Watch' The actor and Saturday Night Live alum is set to join the cast of the Ben Stiller-Vince Vaughn comedy Neighborhood Watch, being directed by Akiva Schaffer. EXCLUSIVE: 'Rock of Ages' Movie Casts Will Forte as New Character The 20th Century Fox comedy is about a group of concerned neighbors who form a neighborhood watch group only to uncover a bigger conspiracy. Forte will play a character named Sergeant Bressman. The film is being produced by Shawn Levy. Jonah Hill, Richard Ayoade and Rosemarie DeWitt co-star. STORY: Jonah Hill Joining Ben Stiller in Fox's 'Neighborhood Watch' Forte, who starred in the SNL-based comedy MacGruber, is on a bit of a roll. In the next year he will be seen in the upcoming I Hate You Dad, opposite Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg, New Line's all-star ensemble adaptation of the musical Rock of Ages, and Billion Dollar Movie opposite Will Farrell and Zach Galifianakis. He also lends his voice to the upcoming Fox series Allen Gregory. STORY: Rosemarie DeWitt to Play Ben Stiller's Wife in 'Neighborhood Watch' Forte is repped by UTA, Mosaic and attorney Ken Richman. Email: Matthew.Belloni@thr.com Twitter: @THRMattBelloni Related Topics Jonah Hill Will Forte Movie Casting Vince Vaughn Ben Stiller

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Ryan Reynolds and Jeff Bridges snapped on the R.I.P.D. set

Snaps of Ryan Reynolds and Kevin Bacon on the set of comic-book flick R.I.P.D. appeared earlier this week and now Jeff Bridges has been spotted there too.The man they call The Dude plays Reynolds' law enforcement partner at the Rest In Peace Department in the supernatural drama.His 'tache may look like something Colonel Sanders or General Custer would recognise, but as you can see from the Dark Horse comic-book image below it captures his Wild West gunslinger pretty well - just with more facial hair!Can't wait to see the full look when they add the hat and coat.

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Wednesday, September 14, 2011

George Clooney Is the World's Worst Pool Boy, Moderately Bad Parent in New Descendants Clip

George Clooney may have been voted Sexiest Man Alive twice by People magazine but you still might want to think long and hard before hiring the Oscar winner to maintain your inground pool. The Ides of March writer/director/star certainly looks pretty while wielding a leaf skimmer but in a new clip for Alexander Payne’s The Descendants, he misses an entire forest’s worth of foliage in his pool while barking frustrated parenting cues at his daughters. Pool Boy Union of America, you may want to avert your eyes. The Descendants, which Movieline’s Stephanie Zacharek reviewed from the Toronto International Film Festival last week, opens in theaters November 18.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Chris Evans Eats Tacos, Talks Conspiracies In Exclusive 'Puncture' Clip

Chris Evans did not always feel entirely awesome or comfortable in the Captain America costume. "Sometimes putting it on and you are like, 'What am I doing? What's this? How is this given serious attention?AInch he accepted to MTV News. "We are trying to produce a reality to think in. But I am playing around inside a red-colored, whitened and blue outfit? This really is so silly." Exactly what does the 30-year-old actor think about his "Puncture" wardrobe a constantly-altering assemblage of gaudy ties, strongly-colored dress t shirts and rumpled suits? Well, a way symbol within this film he is really not...but that is type of the purpose. Evans plays a drug-addicted lawyer named Mike, a man having a penchant for prescription pills, questionable attire and social justice. Included in our Fall Movie Preview, we have got a unique clip in the approaching flick, which hits theaters on September 23, by which a number of these affinities are created obvious. Ideas find Mike and the partner Paul Danziger (performed by Mark Kassen, who co-direceted the film) gobbling lower tacos and talking about the situation that drives the film's action: an ER nurse who's stuck with a contaminated needle is searching to file for a suit that may bring lower a common healthcare conspiracy. Hit experience the recording to listen to what these lawyers are getting out of bed to (too to look at Evans happily rocking a really awful brown shirt, red-colored tie and suspender getup). Inform us what you believe within the comments section as well as on Twitter!

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Friday, September 9, 2011

Auction Time: How Much Would You Pay for the Limited Edition Back to the Future Nikes?

Turns out Frank Marshall’s mysterious Back to the Future tweets this week weren’t just for a cash-grab retro Nike tie-in shoe, but part of an entire operation created to raise money for the Parkinson’s research charity of Michael J. Fox, the film series star. As of 9:30pm PT Thursday, one hour into the 10-day auction of 150 pairs of the limited edition kicks — fully replicated from Marty McFly’s shoe closet and pimped out in futuristic detail — bids were already in the thousands for a single pair. Worth the money? Check out specs, photos, and more on the worthy cause. The 2011 Nike MAG shoes in gray previously only existed in the year 2015 in the Back to the Future universe (and in your dreams, BTTF nerds). Between the MAGs and Kyle Reese’s Nike Vandals from The Terminator, the ’80s were rife with sneakers you wish you owned. So it’s nice that instead of simply re-releasing the BTTF shoes, Nike paired up with Fox to capitalize on sneaker freak culture and raise money for charity at the same time. Among the shoes’ accoutrements, designed by Tinker Hatfield and Tiffany Beers, are “an electroluminescent outsole, space-age materials and a rechargeable internal battery good for 3,000 hours.” A certificate of authenticity designed like the DeLorean’s license plate comes with each pair. (Left: Also, when the lights go off, the Nike MAGs look like this.) The Nike auction website states that all net proceeds from the auction will go to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. In addition to a live auction event hosted last night in Los Angeles by Joel McHale, where a pair of MAGs were sold to a high bidder for $37,500, the online portion of the auction event is taking place over a 10-day span at eBay running from Sept. 8 to Sept. 18. There, 150 pairs of Nike MAGs are each up for bidding in separate auctions in sizes 7-13. Within an hour of the online auction’s opening Thursday night, things got so nuts that one pair of size 11s were going for $75,100, with over 100 bids placed. (That particular auction appears to have been eventually removed from the public auction website for unknown reasons and replaced with this pair of 11s, currently at $8,200 with 27 bids.) The current high bid overall, 12 hours into the 10-day event, is $9,000 for a men’s size 8. Meanwhile, a new promo short directed by Frank Marshall, shot by Dean Cundey, and produced by Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, starring Bill Hader, Christopher Lloyd himself (!) and Kevin Durant, has been released in conjunction with the auction. It’s part shoe commercial, part familiar hijinks, but am I crazy to think super-producer Marshall, who directed second unit on the first Back to the Future and exec produced the whole trilogy, wouldn’t be bonkers if he looked into somehow making yet another BTTF film? I’d watch it. And a personal message from Marty McFly himself, Michael J. Fox: Find more information on the charity auction at www.back4thefuture.com.

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Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Elisabetta Canalis Reacts To Having Her Tattoos Edited From Dancing Cast Shot

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Elisabetta Canalis has said her recent Dancing with the Stars tattoo photo snafu came as surprise to her as well. In recent days, official photos surfaced on ABCs press site, picturing the Italian television presenter and model in her ballroom costume. But, while she was bearing plenty of skin, none of that skin featured her trademark body art. So what happened? You should ask them, because I didnt [sic] know, the Italian, who is taking English lessons, told Access Hollywood on Wednesday, referring to ABC. It was a surprise for me too. I knew something was weird when I saw these pictures, her partner, Val Chmerkovskiy, the brother of fellow pro Maksim Chmerkovskiy, added. Maybe they didnt like them, she added of her tattoos. A source close to the situation told Access Hollywood that the photos were uploaded by mistake and the matter has since been corrected. Revised cast shots, featuring Elisabetta and Val ones with her tattoos on display, were uploaded to ABCs media site (see new cast shot above, right). While they were airbrushed out of the photos that hit ABCs media site originally (see above photo, left), Elisabettas ink is there for good. I have them, she said. I cant get rid of them so easily, so I have to keep them. And partner Val thinks his partners body art is attractive. I enjoy them. I think that phase of tattoos being taboo in our society is over, he said. I think its more self-expression and they all have meaning to her. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Monday, August 29, 2011

ZDF Businesses nabs 'Texas Killing Fields'

BERLIN -- ZDF Businesses, the commercial arm of German pubcaster ZDF, is beefing up its feature film purchases having a slew of high-profile worldwide pick-ups, including Ami Canaan Mann's approaching Venice screener "Texas Killing Fields," starring Mike Worthington and Jeffrey Dean Morgan. Headed by Margrit Staerk, ZDF Enterprises' feature film purchases unit continues to be intensifying its concentrate on worldwide productions, and boarding projects that generally nabs all privileges. Texas Killing Fields," created by Michael Mann (the helmer's father), as well as starring Jessica Chastain and Chloe Moretz, hits U.S. screens March. 7. A German release date has not yet been set. ZDF Businesses also lately acquired Take advantage of Cohen's "I, Alex Mix," starring Tyler Perry. The variation of James Patterson's crime novel is shooting within the U.S., and it is tentatively scheduled for any late 2012 or early 2013 release. Staerk is settling with assorted film marketers for that pic. Other game titles include Stephen Sommers' adaptation of Dean Koontz's bestseller "Odd Thomas," starring Anton Yelchin like a clairvoyant short-order prepare who encounters a mysterious guy having a connect to dark forces. Pic is within publish and can likely arrived at theaters next summer time. ZDF Businesses is handling distribution for Craig Lahiff's Australian thriller "Swerve" in German-language nations too as with an array of foreign areas. Also in the selection is Olivier Horlait's family film "Nicostratos," in regards to a boy living on the Greek island who befriends a pelican. Pic, which stars Emir Kusturica and Thibault Le Guellec, is because of hit German theaters the coming year. The Mainz-based ZDF Businesses runs all purchases and worldwide co-productions with respect to ZDF, acquires programming for worldwide distribution and it is accountable for development, production and global distribution of original programming. Contact Erectile dysfunction Meza at staff@variety.com

Friday, August 26, 2011

Ough Gervais States NBC Has Asked Him To Host The Golden Globes, And That He Was Contacted Concerning The Academy awards, Too

UPDATE, 2:55 PM: ABC just taken care of immediately Ron Gervais’ claim today he continues to be contacted to host the Academy awards. The Oscar broadcaster states there's no truth into it. PREVIOUS: 2:12 PM: Ough Gervais had Hollywood buzzing in The month of january together with his no-holds-barred hosting stint on NBC’s Golden Globes telecast. He ripped enough folks — from Charlie Sheen to Robert Downey to The Actor-brad Pitt to God — that couple of thought the host Hollywood Foreign Press Association want him back for any third stint (see Deadline’s undertake the evening:Live-Snarking The Meanest Golden Globes). Apparently, though, NBC has other ideas about this: The British comedian stated in the Edinburgh Worldwide Television Festival today the network has requested him to host again, saying he's thinking about it “but I shouldn’t get it done.” NBC rejected to discuss the problem. “I love NBC, I really like the very fact they stuck by me through it,” Gervais stated, adding, “I don’t think I ought to get it done. What am I returning as?” Gervais wasn’t done yet in the annual TV confab. He also says he was contacted about hosting the Academy awards, although it’s unclear whether which was before or following the Academy introduced Brett Ratner and Don Mischer would produce the Oscarcast — normally the producers result in the ask the host. Regardless, Gervais stated he’d never go ahead and take gig. “They stated to my agent would he enjoy being on our list. I couldn’t perform the Academy awards. It’s a thankless job for a comedian. They don’t wish to hear jokes, they would like to hear should they have won the most crucial award of the career,” he stated. Gervais also stated he continues to be offered a U.S.-based talk show “a couple of occasions” but isn’t interested. “I experienced e-commerce and so i didn’t need to put a suit on and sit behind a desk five occasions per week. It might be strange to get it done.” The question for you is what hasn’t Gervais been offered? What about SAG leader?

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Weinsteins Latest Bid For Free Film PR: Our Idiot Brother Trailer That ABC Wont Air

Almost every time TheWeinstein Co gets set to release a new movie, it manufactures some fake”controversy” in order to get free film publicity from media outlets. Usually it’s Weinstein Co vs MPAA’s ratings system. Now it’sWeinstein Covs ABC. I’m sick and tired of this, frankly. So here’s the latest,Weinstein todayis bitching thatABCrefused to air the commercial spot for its newcomedy Our Idiot Brother being released Friday unless TWC makes specified cuts.The action has promptedHarvey Weinsteinto cut a new and dirtier red-band trailer for the film and dedicate it “to censorship everywhere”.Oh barf.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Last Exorcism sequel on the way

Despite covering fairly well-worn ground in terms of its subject matter, Daniel Stamm's The Last Exorcism was a nastily effective little horror film. It also turned a healthy profit, raking in a worldwide haul of $62.5 million to more than cover its meagre $1.8 million budget.It should come as no surprise then to learn that Canal Plus are keen to see sequel made, with production set to begin on the project in the coming months. According to Heat Vision, Damien Chazelle is already hard at work on penning the script.Chazelle is a recent Harvard grad, whose only completed film credit is Guy And Madeleine On A Park Bench, a small-scale musical that served as part of his college thesis. However, since then things have been very much on the up for the talented youngster.His 2010 Black-Listed script The Claim was picked up last year and Chazelle recently sold Grand Piano to Buried producer Adrian Guerra. Not bad going for a 25-year-old, is it?No word as yet on the direction the sequel will take, or indeed who will occupy the director's chair. The first film was a found-footage chiller, based around the premise of a documentary crew that follow a preacher through his final confrontation with the forces of evil.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

What's Really Happening With Mike Myers And 'Austin Powers 4'?

After the Hitfix website reported that Mike Myers had signed a deal to do a fourth Austin Powers film, other websites are running wild with it. What's really going on? Well, I wouldn't necessarily dress for the premiere just yet. No deal has yet been signed, and top New Line brass are surprised the whole thing has reared up after they made Myers an offer six months to a year ago, and hear nothing. Forgive New Line for being skeptical: The film company thought it was well on the way to another Austin Powers installment when it made a deal in 2008 with Myers to collaborate with Mike McCullers for a Dr. Evil film that was to focus on his relationship with son Scotty (Seth Green), meant to be an unabashed homage to Myers' father, whose Brit influence basically prodded Myers to create the British agent Austin Powers character in the first place. Then, Myers' screen creation, The Love Guru, opened to $13 million in June 2008 against the nearly $40 million that Steve Carell's Get Smart grossed with Steve Carell. Myers went AWOL, surfacing only for a small role in Inglourious Basterds. McCullers never moved forward with the script. Cut to six month ago. While Myers got a $20 million against 20% of first-dollar gross for Austin Powers in Goldmember (which grossed $297 million in 2002), New Line sent Myers' reps a pro forma deal offer that gave a low upfront payday against a gross that would kick in after Warner Bros recouped its costs. That's not an uncommon deal for stars who cashed out-sized first-dollar gross checks but who ain't ever getting those deals again. Myers was offered a deal similar to the one Cameron Diaz got for Bad Teacher and Jim Carrey for Mr. Popper's Penguins. The studio heard nothing from Myers -- until this week, when Myers' reps came out of the woodwork and expressed interest. New Line's not sure what this means. It's unclear whether Myers wants to proceed with his 2008 dad homage idea, or whether he's figured out a new way to revive his Shagadelic secret agent. I'm told that at this point it's not clear whether McCullers will be back or if Myers would work with another collaborator. Also unclear is whether Jay Roach is engaged at this point, even though he directed the first three films. And there is the question of whether Myers waited too long to bring his franchise character back. It's the risk actors take when they choose to stay away for years at a time. I often wonder the same thing about the wildly talented Chris Tucker, whose name was mentioned as the possible lead in Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained (a role that went to Jamie Foxx) but who has not been on screen since 2007's Rush Hour 3. But say one thing for Mike Myers: He's a handful to work with, but the only movie star who reliably creates screen characters as memorable is Sacha Baron Cohen, who's currently back at it with The Dictator. Myers probably has enough good will to launch another Austin Powers, but if he wants it, he'd better move quickly and not disappear like he did in 2008. After all, we're coming up on 10 years since the last Austin Powers, and the clock is ticking.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Covert Affairs Postmortem: Creators on Finale Game-Changer, and Annie's and Jai's Futures

Covert Affairs, Anne Dudek and Piper Perabo [WARNING: The following story contains major spoilers from the summer season finale of Covert Affairs. Read at your own risk.]No, those bruises weren't from stapler accidents.After being cleared of polonium poisoning on the Covert Affairs summer season finale, Annie (Piper Perabo) decides to finally come clean to her increasingly suspicious big sis Danielle (Anne Dudek) about her secret spy life. Danielle's reaction? Stunned and hurt, she kicks Annie out of her guesthouse.Covert Affairs exclusive: Meet Auggie's new girlfriendAnnie, of course, wasn't the only one forced to take a hike: Joan (Kari Matchett) dispatches a disgruntled Jai (Sendhil Ramamurthy) to the DPD's Southwest station in Phoenix (not Asia), prompting him to make a cryptic phone call by episode's end.Who was Jai calling? And where do Annie and Danielle go from here? Co-creators/co-executive producers Chris Ord and Matt Corman answer our burning questions about the finale and what's ahead in the six-episode winter season. (A familiar face is returning!)How and why did you decide now was the time for Annie to read in Danielle?Matt Corman: I think in our minds, it was just a question of when. You can't sustain that for too long. It starts to push credulity. At the very beginning of the season, when we were sort of breaking the arcs, we said, at a certain point, we want this to happen. It's a momentous moment in both of their lives and their relationship. It sort of felt finale-worthy.Chris Ord: We felt our own pressure to do it [not just from the fans]. As Matt said, you can only sustain a lie like that for so long before you start losing sympathy for the person that's being lied to. You just can't believe that they could be so blind. It was a matter of figuring out how to do it.I like that Annie just flat-out told her when she walked into the house. Was it important for you that Annie read in Danielle instead of Danielle finding out herself somehow?Corman: Yeah, I think that was really important and I think that allowed for more dramatic tension. First of all, we loved how Annie and Piper played it. It was really nuanced and they spent a lot of effort in perfecting their performance. As far as crafting the scene, we thought about how one reacts when they're told something totally seismic or incredibly traumatic, or life-changing news comes down. The normal person's reaction is shock and disbelief and only later do you process it and start to ask questions. Ord: We knew we wanted to do this polonium episode and we felt it really lent itself to the reading-in story. You could create that moment where Annie wants to read her sister in and doesn't, but because of this health scare, has to start to read her in under very different circumstances. By that point, there was no recourse.Corman: And the allegory is there. At least in Danielle's mind, Annie's sort of radioactive for the family and so she kicks her out. That's sort of the meaning behind the meaning and that was the other thing that was important for us. She needs to stick to her guns. Danielle claims she's not feeling safe with Annie there and we needed to honor that sentiment. She really will be kicked out. That's not a TV thing where you come back and she's back in the house.Ord: I think she will regret [kicking Annie out] to some degree. She has a very close relationship with her sister and that's going to not be there. Annie's absence will affect her and Annie's gotta re-earn her trust.How much of Danielle will we see going forward? The presumption may be that her presence would be diminished or obsolete now that Annie's out of the house.Corman: We still intend for there to be a really vigorous and vital role for her. It's just going to be different. We love Annie Dudek; we love the character of Danielle. It's not all about Annie pretending to bob and weave and pretending she's doing something else. Ord: Just because you've been read in to what your sister does, you can't know anything beyond that. So in some ways, it could become more difficult once you read your family in. We felt that gave us more grist, in the same way you see at the end of the episode, Danielle now knows the bruise on Annie's face is not a stapler accident. And she can't find any solace in that sort of naivete. ... We're going to have an Annie-Danielle story line [that] will be more emblematic of the challenges they have going forward now that she has read her in, not because of. We're really excited about the stories we can do now.Does Danielle have or have you considered her having a secret she's kept from Annie?Ord: I think that's the interesting thing - it could be a two-way street.[We haven't thought of] anythingspecific, but that's a really good notion. I think everyone has secrets, not just people in the CIA. Covert Affairs: A Heroes reunion, Annie's "crowded" love life and a USA crossoverWhat about Jai? Is he actually going to Phoenix and who is he calling? Henry (Gregory Itzin)?Corman: We can't say who he's calling, but it's someone he's familiar with and somebody with whom he's trying to change his paradigm by calling. ... Will he be in Phoenix? Let's put it this way: His role is changing in a very interesting way.Where do his loyalties lie now? His dad's blackmailing him and he's forced to relocate with no room for advancement...Ord: Jai - he's been loyal to Arthur (Peter Gallagher), to his dad, to Annie - now recognizes that he can only rely on himself, so he's most loyal to himself. But he has goods on Henry as well. They're sort of locked in a stalemate and things are going to get more complex with them. ... We're sort of seeing the repercussions of the leak rather than the ongoing nature of it too, so we may see Liza Hearn (Emmanuelle Vaugier) as needed.Is he going to turn on the DPD? Sendhil said he's never pictured Jai as a bad guy.Corman: That remains to be seen. What we love about Sendhil as an actor and what we love about the character is that you want to see him challenged and tempted by these forces. He's taking matters into his own hands. He wants to be everything his dad was and more. He's not going to be satisfied until people see his dad in the context of just his dad.Ord: I'm not sure Jai is satisfied without some sort of world domination. ... He's definitely going to be much more of a force to contend with. No more sulking! Every marathon begins with a step and that phone call was a step.Auggie (Christopher Gorham) is going to have a girlfriend, Parker (Devin Kelley). What kind of impact will she have on him and Annie?Corman: I think they just want each other to be happy. Annie and Auggie have a very strong relationship and a very strong friendship. They will continue to orbit one another, even though other romantic things will go on. They're stronger than the romances they have independently. ... We're very excited about [Parker]. Devin's really terrific. We feel she and Chris are going to interact in a really fun way on screen. They make a good-looking couple! And Annie will have her share of suitors too now that Dr. Scott (Ben Lawson) is out of the picture.Corman: Definitely her share of suitors! We had great chemistry between Piper and Oded Fehr, so he's going to be back in the [winter] premiere. He's a great actor. ... I wouldn't say it would never [be romantic between them]. You never know. There's always going to be suitors circling around. We have Santiago Cabrera from Heroes in the first one back. He'll come into Annie's life and he's a good-looking, charismatic guy.Ord: We want to explore other relationships now, which was how Dr. Scott came about, but Ben (Eion Bailey) is always going to be the guy through which Annie judges all other guys. Their love was so powerful and so strong and defined so many other things in her life. It drove her into the CIA on many levels. He's the prism through which she sees everything. Even when he's not around, he is around.Are you still firm on not pairing Annie and Auggie together yet? When is the right time?Ord: It's not now! Thankfully, it seems the fans also recognize it would really be a disservice to the show to go there too quickly. Obviously we know there's a great chemistry and great friendship there, but I think we're going to bide our time. ... Piper and Chris really recognize those little moments between Annie and Auggie. They can see the forest for the trees.A Covert Affairs sight to behold: Auggie's blind past revealed with "plenty of shirtlessness"What's next for Joan and Arthur? They seemed a bit more stable this season.Corman: Yeah, that was the goal. Their marriage gets tested every day just by going to work. We'll see more of that. I think it can get exhausting watching a couple snipe at one another and I think, although they were tested in the first season, there is a strong core there, and they have a shared history, a shared ambition that's very real. ... We have a really exciting Arthur-centric episode. We'll revisit some of his past. Part of his romantic past will resurface. We're going back to when he was new to the CIA. It wouldn't be [flashbacks], but someone coming out of the past. Ord: It's set in Berlin because that's where Arthur was stationed. We're going to shoot on location.Matt: He was stationed there right before the Wall fell, so it's got kind of a Cold War feel, but still contemporary. It's a great episode.What do you have planned for the winter finale?Corman: We're building toward something as big as this finale was in Annie's life. We have something in mind that will be life-altering for her. Our goal is to give the audience something big. Not just big cliff-hangers, but big stories that are satisfying in their own right because they contain textual bombshells, like this [summer] one - it was a game-changer.Ord: And emotional bombshells. I think people identify with Annie and want her to be OK, physically and emotionally, and this [winter one] will definitely play into the emotional side.Chris said he's pitched to you a prequel movie for Auggie showing his recovery after getting blinded.Corman: Yeah, he told us that! The Auggie character is certainly interesting, but I think right now we're just focused on the stories that are right in front of us. But it could be really fascinating.Ord: We'd be up for it. I think for us it's about figuring out whether it would work. We're kind of up for any and all of it. We love doing the show and we love exploring all the different story lines. Something like that, it's a cool idea, so let's think about that.What did you think of the finale?