Mega Buzz: Castle's Tough Choice, Housewives' Health Scare and a Diaries Death?

Stana Katic, Felicity Huffman, Nina Dobrev Every week, editors Adam Bryant and Natalie Abrams satisfy your need for TV scoop. Please send all questionsto mega_scoop@tvguide.com. Please tell me Castle and Beckett will still be in a good place when the show returns in January? -Anna ADAM: They'll be in a good place, but maybe not for long. When a dead woman ends up in the mayor's car, Beckett will find herself afraid of pursuing the most obvious suspect. "The stakes are enormous," creator Andrew W. Marlowe tells us. "If something happens to the mayor, Castle is not going to be able to continue his partnership with Beckett. How do you deal with an investigation when you're compromised because of the way you feel?" Got any scoop on Desperate Housewives? -Jennifer NATALIE: Two Wisteria Lane women will be stricken with two different diseases: One is of the venereal ilk and the other is even more severe. We'll go ahead and tell you that Bree is one of the women, and based on her upcoming escapades, it's probably safe to assume she's not the one about to battle cancer. So Rebecca's coming back on The Vampire Diaries? Please tell me that doesn't mean Elena is in danger! - Hayley ADAM: Well, somebody is in danger. Big danger. (I mean, isn't someone always on this show?) "There is definitely a major character whose fate is looking bleak," executive producer Julie Plec tells us. But not, like,Aunt Jenna bleak, right? "[He or she] may not come out the other side of a terrible life-or-death situation," Plec teases. Eek! Any guesses? Got any scoop on Revenge, Bones, Ringer, True Blood, or Castle? --Harry NATALIE: OK, that's plenty to choose from! On one of these shows, the leading man will be shot by a bullet intended for a person he'd rather kill himself - it's fair to call the other man a romantic rival, but it's not a complete description of their relationship. It's been a while since we had any good Blue Bloods scoop. - Will ADAM: When Danny's friend is gunned down during an undercover drug bust, he becomes consumed by the search for his killer. But solving the case will be the easy part. Linda is so shaken by the murder that she will ask Danny to choose between her and the department once and for all. Will Schmidt and Cece ever hook up on New Girl? -Tara NATALIE: Schmidt's dreams are about to come true, and after they've done the deed, he will shout it from the rooftops. (He will then put a dollar in the jar.) How will Cece feel about their flirtation/fling going public? How do you think? Can you tell me anything about Parenthood?-Kathryn ADAM: Zeek may have conquered ED with his smooth-as-silk acting skills, but in the real world, there's some question about his overall health. When a clumsy pharmacist accidentally gives Crosby his father's prescriptions, he learns that his dad isn't exactly as hale and hardy as he appeared in the ad. Anything good happening on Rizzoli & Isles? -Sammy NATALIE: The most difficult part of being a cop is putting those you love in the way of potential harm. The ladies will learn this the hard way when two family members are the victims of a hit-and-run as well as a shooting. How is Homeland going to get Carrie back into the CIA? -Josh ADAM: Whatever happens, we're betting that Saul will be leading the charge. "[Saul and Carrie's] relationship is sort of the axis of the series," executive producer Alex Gansa tells us. "In many ways, it's the focal point of the show." Our theory? Saul uses his knowledge of the drone attack to get Estes fired. Once Saul takes over, he brings Carrie back into the fold. Right? Is there any hope for Adam and Diana on The Secret Circle? -Jaime NATALIE: Sorry to break it to you, Jaime, but Diana is moving on. "She's going to be struggling for a bit," executive producer Andrew Miller says, "but you can't keep that girl away from love because she's too amazing, so there will be love for Diana in this half of the season. It'll just come from an unexpected place." Is Sheriff Roosevelt going to be a part of Sons of Anarchy next season? -Bart ADAM: If creator Kurt Sutter has his way, you bet. "We have not made a deal yet for him next season, but ... he is definitely open to it," Sutter says, noting that he likes the challenge Roosevelt presents to SAMCRO. "He is difficult for the Sons. They know how to go after a guy who just wants to shut them down. And then they know how to pay off a guy and keep him on the take.But how do you navigate around a cop who is a real cop? That will be a fun exploration." What's in store for the Shameless premiere? -Arnie NATALIE: This scoop will be as shameless as the series itself. James Wolk and Emmy Rossum. Naked. In public. Not enough? OK, how about this? William H. Macy. Half-naked. In the restroom of a gay bar. Adam's Mega Rave: We were sweating just as much as Brody watching the pivotal attack scene of Homeland's outstanding season finale. Would he do it? Ohmigod, yes! But it's a good thing he wasn't able to, since it means we'll still have Damian Lewis to kick around next season. Natalie's Mini Rant: Agreed. But here's hoping that Brody's plan to affect policy isn't as boring as it sounds. Crave scoop on your favorite TV shows?E-mail Adam and Natalie at mega_scoop@tvguide.comor drop us a line atTwitter.com/TVGuide Editor's Note: This will be the last Mega Buzz column of the year. Until Adam and Natalie return in 2012, entertain yourselves with our Best of the Year special section. Happy Holidays! (Additional reporting by Joyce Eng, Robyn Ross and Kate Stanhope)

VIDEO: James Franco's NYU-GradeGate Receives Gory, Hard-Hitting News Animation it Deserves

A former NY University film professor made headlines recently for suing the school, which he said fired him for giving barely present graduate student James Franco a D in his class. Jos Angel Santana alleges not only racist employment practices at NYU, but also that, “In my opinion, they’ve turned the NYU graduate film degree into swag for James Franco’s purposes, a possession, something you can buy.” Burn. Anyway, none of this would matter were it not for the requisite Taiwanese news animation showcasing both Santana’s firing and a reimagining of 127 Hours that’s quite possibly better than Danny Boyle’s film itself. NMA.tv has the story below. I’d err on the NSFW side of caution if I were you, but you tell me. Follow S.T. VanAirsdale on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.

Broadway B.O. slips 3% for week

'The Lion King'Broadway did a backslide after last week's gains, with overall box office decreasing by 3% and attendance falling 4% in week 29. Those declines were softened somewhat by newly previewing shows "Porgy and Bess" ($292,703, attendance 2,564 for two performances) and "The Road to Mecca" ($80,118, attendance 2,268 in five perfs). Subtract those ducats and butts and the Main Stem was off more than 4% in terms of dollars and nearly 6% of attendance. B.O. dropoff was especially severe at "Sister Act" ($601,705, off 23%) and the flagging one-act collection "Relatively Speaking" ($345,133, a drop of almost $400,000 from its peak in Week 23). The news was not all bad on the Rialto, though. "The Lion King" took the overall crown for the third consecutive week with a haul of $1,833,881, up 2% against last week. Audiences also flocked to "Billy Elliot" ($817,957, up 2%) in advance of its closing on Jan. 8, and "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" ($1,100,832, a 6% increase) to see star Daniel Radcliffe before his upcoming departure. Plays were also hit less hard than musicals, with "Other Desert Cities" ($551,176) continuing to command a per-ticket price above $100 and "War Horse" ($988,373) galloping along at 100% attendance more than eight months after opening. The prognosis is less rosy for struggling David Henry Hwang play "Chinglish" and just-opened basketball-Greek comedy-musical "Lysistrata Jones." "Chinglish" played to 35% of capacity at the Longacre, while "Jones" sold tickets for $25.14 on average, or $2 less than its lowest advertised price. Even taking opening-night comps into account, that's terrible news for the newcomer. However poor the news this week, legiters should look for Broadway to bounce back nicely during the final weeks of the year as tourists swarm to Midtown Manhattan. Indeed, recently opened Harry Connick, Jr. starrer "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever" ($744,076) and "An Evening With Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin" ($480,422) both increased their box office by adding an eighth performance to their weekly schedules to capture the winter crowds. Overall Broadway cume tallied to $24.3 million, up nearly $400,000 against last year, when three more shows were playing. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

The 8 Stupidest Movies to Ever Receive a Golden Globe Nomination

Congratulations, 2012 Golden Globe nominees, you can hold your head high knowing that you now have something in common with 'Patch Adams.' No one can ever take that away from you. It's quite an honor. (And, yes, 'Patch Adams' really was nominated for a Golden Globe.) You see, the reason the Golden Globes are not the most respected awards is because it's voted on by a very small group of foreign (ahem) journalists who have been known to be susceptible to, let's say, (ahem) outside influences that may or may not determine what gets a nomination. I was on an elevator with a member of the Hollywood Foreign Press (I bet he called it a "lift") on the day of the 'War Horse' junket. He seemed like a nice enough chap, but he really wanted to tell anyone that would listen that he was about to have lunch with "Steven." (I can only assume he was referring to Spielberg and not Seagal or Guttenberg.) Then, after, shared his tales of fortune on just how many times he has shared a meal with "Steven," going as far to list all of the different countries in which this has occurred. (This was a very long elevator lift ride.) So, in other words: If you treat the Hollywood Foreign Press right and promise that you will show up to their party, there's a good chance that they, in turn, will treat your movie right. (Though not Steven; he was snubbed.) With that, here are the eight stupidest movies that have ever gotten a Golden Globe nomination. 'The Tourist' (2010) This really awful movie starring Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp was nominated for a Best Picture Golden Globe. 'Burlesque' (2010) This really awful movie starring Cher was nominated for a Best Picture Golden Globe. 'Bobby' (2006) This really forgettable movie starring Lindsay Lohan was nominated for a Best Picture Golden Globe. 'Analyze This' (1999) This really awful movie starring Billy Crystal and Robert De Niro was nominated for a Best Picture Golden Globe. 'Patch Adams' (1998) This really awful movie starring Robin Williams with a ball on his nose was nominated for a Best Picture Golden Globe. 'Sabrina' (1995) This really awful remake starring Harrison Ford was nominated for a Best Picture Golden Globe. 'Sister Act' (1992) This really annoying movie starring Whoopi Goldberg was nominated for a Best Picture Golden Globe. 'The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas' (1982) This really awful movie starring Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton was nominated for a Best Picture Golden Globe. You can contact Mike Ryan directly on Twitter [Photo: Universal] 2012 Golden Globe Nominees Best Actor in a DramaBest Actor in a DramaBest Actor in a DramaBest Actor in a DramaBest Actor in a DramaBest Actress in a DramaBest Actress in a DramaBest Actress in a DramaBest Actress in a DramaBest Actress in a DramaBest Actor in a Comedy/MusicalBest Actor in a Comedy/MusicalBest Actor in a Comedy/MusicalBest Actor in a Comedy/MusicalBest Actor in a Comedy/MusicalBest Actress in a Comedy/MusicalBest Actress in a Comedy/MusicalBest Actress in a Comedy/MusicalBest Actress in a Comedy/MusicalBest Actress in a Comedy/MusicalBest Supporting ActorBest Supporting ActorBest Supporting Actor'A Dangerous Method'Best Supporting ActorBest Supporting ActressBest Supporting ActressBest Supporting ActressBest Supporting ActressBest Supporting ActressBest DirectorBest DirectorBest DirectorBest DirectorBest Director See All Moviefone Galleries » Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Ernest Gordon-Levitt Together With Other Golden Globes Nominations We're Psyched About

Since we're a direct consequence in the Golden Globe nominations those everywhere are focusing around the snubs and robberies, it is really an important time to consider the choices we are absolutely deeply deeply in love with. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association did be capable of acknowledge many of the 2011 appropiate product no matter the annual longlist of snubs, here will be the picks you need to applaud using this year's section of competitors. Fixing the SAG Mistakes Possibly the finest good the HFPA did this year was fixing the oversights committed for that Screen Stars Guild. The heavens union snubbed a couple of from the year's best performances including Michael Fassbender for "Shame," Albert Brooks for "Drive," and Shailene Woodley for "The Descendants." These omissions were unquestionably most likely probably the most glaring for your SAGs as well as the HFPA did the very best factor and elevated their chances for Oscar nominations. Two for your Gos Simply put, the man had an incredible year. Ryan Gosling not only starred in three from the finest films of year, but handed in consistently stellar performances. I'll disregard the Lead Actor - Drama nomination came for "The Ides of March" instead of for "Drive," but his jerk for "Crazy, Stupid, Love" was both unforeseen and entirely deserved. Ernest Gordon-Levitt for '50/50' No entirely surprising nomination, but Ernest Gordon-Levitt deserved it for his be employed in "50/50." He's established themselves lately one of the better youthful stars in Hollywood, so anytime JGL can get honours recognition, it's proof the HFPA is needing to give consideration right stars. Brendan Gleeson for 'The Guard' He's been quietly stealing moments for any very long time, it is therefore nice to find out Brendan Gleeson get recognition for your under-seen "The Guard." Gleeson plays a larger than existence local officer that could have acquired him more serious honours consideration once the movie happen to be pressed harder. Fortunately, the HFPA looked for this and rightfully recognized Gleeson for his hilariously dark performance. Retroactively Nominating the Cast of 'The Wire' Both Idris Elba and Dominic West walked away with nominations for concentrate on television, and frankly, it feels as if justice. When the reveal that numerous people consider one of the better drama series ever, "The Wire," initially broadcast, it didn't score a singal nomination within the HFPA association. Now, finally, it seems like Stringer Bell and Jimmy McNulty have become their due. Reveal everything you consider the nominations inside the comments and also on Twitter!

Showrunners Q&A: The League On Foreign exchange

Rob and Jackie Schaffer, the showrunnersfor FXs The League, required to deal withan Nfl lockout which delayedproduction in the 3rd season cases of their comedy about several pals obsessedwith fantasy football.Your October sixth season premiere, withguest star Seth Rogen, was the shows most-seen telecast ever for women18-34 and itsthird most-seen among total audiences.Foreign exchange just restored The League for just about any fourth season. The Schafferstalked to Deadline contributor Diane Haithman the following day of thisseason’s premiere: DEADLINE: OK, I have to admit majorsports insufficient understanding -how will you play fantasy football? JACKIE SCHAFFER: Were always very happy to explain it,because clearly were obsessed. Rob: Fantasy football is actually anamazing American pastime, because it takes the very best team sport, Nfl andfootball, and turns it to the mission for individual achievement. Your fantasyteam might be attracted in the team inside the Nfl. You might have Aaron Rodgers, thequarterback in the Eco-friendly Bay Packers, but you may even have Matt Forte, therunning back in the Chicago Bears.Andhow they're doing happens when you must do.Just in case your running back scores a touchdown, you obtain people six points. Andyou play in person while using others within your league.What this really is really about is gloating andbragging rights. A person's heart of every single league might be the forum that you canjust trash-talk and dredge up any embarrassing factor about all your friendssince everybody were in secondary school. Thats that which you always say in regards to the show: You don't have to like fantasy football, you need to simply have pals that you just hate.Fantasy football leagues become asocial unit.Its an easy method for old pals,secondary school pals, or people in the office, or families to acquire together. Its as being a book club, except you'd nevertell folks your book club to think about a ride inside your suck stick. DEADLINE: Why perhaps you have think fantasy sportswould produce a good comedy series? Rob: We thought it may be an chance toexplore what pals are really like, especially pals with deephistory.It doesn't matter in the event you arenow a effective physician or lawyer, your pals will probably dredge up stuffyou did if you were 13 and may never live lower, and believe to dothat than as fantasy football? JACKIE: Inside the television business, I dont think anybody allows you to employ andpitch a show unless of course obviously you employ the words ‘organizing principle’ or ‘this is theprism through which we view their lives’.Everything takes a hook. That is a thing that provides an ideal way tosee people interact. Every week, becausetheres a game title title being won and rankings, you'll find always individuals who win and nonwinners.Sightseeing experience victory and defeat each week in differentcombinations is a good dynamic for your show. DEADLINE: Do enough people play fantasy football to produce vid viable TV series? Rob: People always inform us: Its this kind of niche show. But 35 million people arent a market. There arent 35 million doctors or lawyers or priests that solve crimes, but you'll find plenty of shows regarding the subject. Whether you are inside a league or else, everyone knows somebody that's within one or acting as being a maniac within a meaningless game because they wish to beat their pals. DEADLINE: TV series about sports have acheckered historyfinding an audience.Exactly why is you different? JACKIE: Hopefully its to begin with acomedy.Using the several hours we spend onthe whitened board every week, we arent thinking about whos prone to win and losefrom an illusion football perspective. Were thinking about are you aware the funnieststories? Back in the day our guest stars who got most likely probably the most attention werethe football players. However we've Eliza Dushku and may Forte and BrieLarson furthermore to Seth Rogen who was simply round the season premiere.We like to to believe that it is as much ahome for comedy since it is for your fantasy sports fans. Rob: It's not a comedy about fantasyfootball. Its a comedy about lots of males who play fantasy football. JACKIE: In my opinion individuals who're fanaticalabout anything are funny. DEADLINE:Rob, just like a veteran of Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm, whoever else bring from people shows for the League? Rob: I'd say we certainly carry out the League round the Curb model.In my opinion TheLeague outlines have an overabundance lines included the Curb outlines, andthats partly because you must do some air traffic control with as much as six or seven figures. Most of the Curb moments are Ray David then one otherperson. They are more elaboratelywritten in comparison to Curb remedies, nonetheless they arent scripts. JACKIE: Sometimes well whisper something in somebody's ear as well as your partner doesn't know its coming all people techniques that Rob remains type of crafting at Curb, hes used stylistically on our show. Its roughly Curb together with a network sitcom. I'd say a substantial misunderstanding about theshow is always that its 100% improvised and there's no script. People desire to labelthese shows because its one which having a systems or some customers may be alittlescary – assisting to release the strings and letting people go play. Our outlinestend being between 11 and 16 pages single-spread. Thats plenty of content fora demonstrate that eventually eventually ends up being 20 minutes and 45 seconds. DEADLINE: Where can you draw the street on content and where does Foreign exchange draw the street? JACKIE: I dont think that theres anythingthat weve mentioned: Were not going to accomplish this because its potential to gross peopleout. We always would rather say we are equal chance causes. We are notinterested in picking on anybody group or cause, singling anybody out. We areinterested in tales that are funny. It's not a soapbox. For better or worse,were just trying to entertain. Rob: Usually, if it's funny, we figureout a technique to make it happen.And yeah, Foreign exchange hasbeen great about basically giving us enough rope to keep ourselves, and wehavent had stood a hanging yet, so were feeling excellent. If it's funny,would have it inside. I am in a position to truly say weve never thoughtabout when the audience will enjoy something or else likesomething. We just think: is goingto be funny? DEADLINE: Describe the show’s process. Rob: Concentrating on this show is similar to beingwith several your wickedest, best, funniest pals. I've no clue thatpeople understand how small the show is.There is no staff. You'll find few other company company directors. You'll find no otherproducers.Theres the cast in-front ofthe camera, and us behind the digital camera at that time were which causes it to be, and thatsit. JACKIE: We feel it seems really goodfor 72 hours an instalment getting a $750,000 budget.It's not an pricey show, its a show shotentirely on location mix-boarded in a inch of the existence, Literally, ifwere in the bar, we must shoot every scene for the block of episodes atthat bar.In my opinion thats the way in which we love to itevaluated, very honestly, based on how it is. DEADLINE: Any advice to would-be comedywriters? Rob: In case you have only 10 jokes, andtheyre all within your spec script, and someone states, Right, I've no clue essentially likethat one, youll say:However cant losethat one, its a tenth of my jokes! Jackie which i Are going toproduce 13 episodes inside a few several days. You will have to have 100s andhundreds of jokes.And several Are going toend around the cutting room floor, some arent prone to work, some Are going tochange in manners you will not ever expected.Thatjoke will uncover its existence somewhere, nevertheless it need not function as the following.

'Great Gatsby' Photos: First Look At Leonardo DiCaprio And More!

"The Great Gatsby" is the Great American Novel, or at least the one you were assigned to read in class before skipping ahead to SparkNotes. Adaptations have been done before, but why not another one? That's the thinking behind Baz Luhrmann's version, a sparkling 3D blockbuster with a budget over $100 million, a cast headed by multiple Oscar nominees and a Christmas 2012 opening date that basically screams, "We are going to win so many freaking awards." Today, Warner Bros. released a handful of photos showing its actors in place. Check out Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby, Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway, and Carey Mulligan as Daisy, looking appropriately dressed to the nines for this 1920s period piece. We imagine the silver drapings in the background will shimmer in 3D, though hopefully the effect won't be too overt. Nothing would take one out of classic literature like having Gatsby pop out of the screen to grab a glass or point at a horse carriage he's about to step into. There's also this nice shot of DiCaprio holding Mulligan, looking like the tousled, sensitive millionaire that he probably is in real life. Way to challenge yourself creatively, dude. If you haven't caught up on pre-production news, don't worry: there's no singing. That'll probably put your English teacher's fears to rest, though probably not. After all, they're English teachers. What do you think of the first official photos from Baz Luhrman's "Great Gatsby" adaptation? Let us know your take in the comments section and on Twitter!

Sundance 2012: 15 Hot Movies Up for Grabs

Chris Hyde/Getty Images In the old days, superstar recording artists used to get together and warble for causes like humanitarian aid to Africa, world hunger and AIDS. Now a bunch of musicians and other celebrities are singing an ode to a popular file storage site that has often gotten under the skin of the movie and record industries.our editor recommends54th Annual Grammy Nominees: Kanye West, Adele, Bruno Mars, Rihanna, Katy PerryTweeting With the Devil: How the Grammys Launched a Misinformation Campaign in 140 Characters (Opinion)Kim Kardashian Attends THR's Women in Entertainment BreakfastFoo Fighters' Six Grammy Nominations Put Analog Recording Back on the Map Move over Band Aid and USA for Africa. It's time for the "Megaupload Mega Song," from Will.i.am, P Diddy, Kim Kardashian, Alicia Keys, Snoop Dogg, Chris Brown, Kanye West, Lil John, Jamie Foxx, Mary J Blige, Floyd Mayweather, The Game and more. Over a simple electro-beat, the various stars sing how much they love the service. Torrent Freak says the music video is a "stunning PR coup" for Megaupload, which has been attacked by the MPAA and RIAA. And on Friday the video was taken down from YouTube, a move that TechDirt says might be due to a copyright infringement claim from Universal Music Group. PHOTOS: 54th Annual Grammy Nominees The servicehas reportedly garnered Kanye West's support because it's "the fastest and safest way to send files," gotten Keys on board because it proves she's serious about music, and earned Snoop's endorsement because "it keeps the kids off the street." The Game adds that even his lawyers know he uses it, noting "...and I got plenty of them." Megaupload is based in Hong Kong and is run by a guy named Kim Dotcom (bornKim Schmitz). The company has only been sued one time in the United States for copyright infringement. In January, adult entertainment company Perfect 10 accused the company of encouraging users to upload its copyrighted material on the service. VIDEOS: The Best (and Worst) Moments of AMAs 2011 Many industry folks probably figured it would be tough to litigate against a company that operates outside U.S. jurisdiction and is cloaked in mystery, but Megaupload surprised Hollywood by responding to the lawsuit. In July, a federal judge turned down Megaupload's motion to dismiss the suit, finding: "Megaupload serves as more than a passive conduit and more than a mere 'file storage' company: It has created distinct Web sites presumably in an effort to streamline users' access to different types of media. It encourages and in some cases pays its users to upload vast amounts of popular media through its rewards programs. It disseminates URLS for various files throughout the Internet. It provides payouts to affiliate websites who maintain a catalogue of all available files and last at a minimum, it is plausibly aware of the ongoing rampant infringement taking place on its Web sites." In September, however, Megaupload settled the lawsuit with Perfect 10. Terms of the agreement haven't been revealed, but the parties submitted a motion so that the judge's July decision would be vacated. PHOTOS: 20 Best and Worst Music to Movie Crossovers The content industry has continued to attack Kim and the storage locker. Two weeks ago, Creative America, a coalition of major studios, networks, labor unions, and others, released an anti-piracy advertisement that includes among its targets "the infamous founder of Megaupload," alleging he makes up to $300 million in profits off of piracy. The creators of"Megaupload Mega Song" are now rallying support of Megaupload. Besides the video below, there's also a club remix of the song in circulation. MEGA UPLOAD SONG!!!! BROUGHT TO YOU BY OKFOCUS! from OKFocus on Vimeo. E-mail: eriqgardner@yahoo.com Twitter: @eriqgardner PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery 54th Annual Grammy Nominees: Kanye West, Adele, Bruno Mars, Rihanna, Katy Perry Alicia Keys Chris Brown Kanye West Kim Kardashian Mary J. Blige Snoop Dogg Will.i.am Lil Wayne P. Diddy

Hulk Hogan Sues Ex-Wife for Defamation

Hulk Hogan Hulk Hogan filed a civil suit against ex-wife Linda Bollea Thursday, proclaiming she defamed him in their new book Wrestling the Hulk - My Existence In the Ropes, in line with the St. Petersburg Occasions. Inside the book, and subsequent interviews to market it, Bollea claims that Hogan (real title: Terry Bollea) physically roughed up her in addition to stood a sexual relationship with male wrester Brutus Beefcake. Hulk Hogan remarries, while not without any fight Hogan is seeking an attempt by jury to avoid Bollea from visiting a additional comments. "He's being charged with a myriad of vile conduct he did not commit," mentioned Wil Florin, Hogan's attorney. "Miss Bollea's made an sufficient quantity of these crazy accusations it's the perfect time they stop. Really the only realistic approach to causing them to be stop is through legal court system." Bollea declared divorce from Hogan after 23 years in 2007. They have two children together: Brooke and Nick. Hogan got married girlfriend Jennifer McDaniel last December.

'Arthur' a big step for Sony-Aardman

Posted: Thu., Dec. 8, 2011, 4:00am PTBy 'Arthur Christmas'For its behind-the-scenes look at the complex logistics of Christmas present delivery, the team on the 3D CG comedy (co-produced by Sony Pictures Animation and U.K. stop-motion darling Aardman Animation) went appropriately big: "large sets, large scale, large amounts of detail to try to raise the bar on the visual look and 'believability factor,' which was the big challenge," reports visual effects supervisor Doug Ikeler."The look of our film is fairly distinctive, and it adheres to this formula we worked out. I really pushed for a very textural look and we painted very hi-res," he says.The film has more than 1,400 shots, including tricky water and cloud effects, and took 300 artists working at full capacity four years to complete. "The size of our geometry was huge: over 30 unique sets, including two cities and the North Pole," he explains. "Before, you'd limit the data, but we've turned a corner. Now, we're setting up 'super-rigs' that are nested into larger rigging systems, like the sleigh scenes where the animators can animate each reindeer and all the harnessing, so you get this very cool hierarchical rigging."It helped that the team had the muscle of Sony Imageworks' Arnold renderer to assist them, since the Aardman team back home in Bristol was more accustomed to the lo-fi approach of animating by hand."With the character animation, we can now give animators interactive tools to pose and shape faces," he says. "We did video dailies every morning, and it was a very efficient system. Now that we've established the pipeline, we're all set up for 'Arthur 2,' if and when." EYE ON THE OSCARS: ANIMATION Animated pics boost property valuesWhether working on a shoestring hand-drawn project or pushing the limits of computer-generated technology, this year's offerings overcame major challenges in bringing their animated visions to screen. Here's how:'Arthur Christmas' | 'Chico and Rita' | 'Gnomeo and Juliet' | 'Rango' | 'Wrinkles' | 'Rio' Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Mindy McCready & Son Zander Found Hiding In Closet

First Published: December 3, 2011 11:48 AM EST Credit: Access Hollywood Caption Mindy McCready: I Did Not Steal My Child! LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Mindy McCready and her 5-year-old son, Zander, have been found by police after being reported missing on Tuesday. On Friday night, the country singer, 36, and her son who she does not have custody of were reportedly found in Heber Springs, Ark., in a home belonging to the man believed to be her boyfriend, local authorities told CNN. The child appeared to be in good condition when we found him he was in the closet with his mother, eastern Arkansass chief deputy U.S. Marshal, Davuid Rahbany told CNN. Zander is currently in the custody of the Arkansas Division of Children and Family Services. The organization is expected to arrange for the child to be returned to Gayle Inge (McCreadys mother) and her husband, Michael Inge, who have legal custody of the boy and live in Florida, CNN reported. As previously reported on Access Hollywood.com, on Wednesday, McCready responded first to Access Hollywood, following a report she and her son were missing. I am working with lawyers to try to get all this straightened out, she told Access Hollywood in a previous e-mail. I did not steal my child, as it would be impossible for me to kidnap what already belongs to me! There never was any missing persons report and never an Amber Alert. According to the Associated Press, however, the Department of Children and Families said a missing persons report was filed in Florida on Tuesday. It was also revealed on Wednesday evening that McCready is expecting twins. A rep for the embattled singer confirmed the news to People, and, according to the Associated Press, which spoke to McCraedy on Wednesday, she is 7 months pregnant. Neither report listed details of who the father of the babies is. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Zynga to Raise up to $1 Billion in IPO

This story originally appeared in the Dec. 9 issue of The Hollywood Reporter. our editor recommendsHow to Be an Oscars Winner: Dress Like One at the Golden GlobesWhy 'Tintin' and 'Rango' Stand Out Among This Year's Animated Awards Contenders (Opinion)Does Brad Pitt's Beane in 'Moneyball' = Gregory Peck's Finch in 'Mockingbird'?THR Actor Roundtable: George Clooney's Worst Job, Nick Nolte's Thoughts On Death, and Who Has 'Rage' IssuesMichael Fassbender on Sexual Deviance in 'A Dangerous Method' and 'Shame' (Video) At 84, Oscar may no longer be a stud, but he still hangs out witha pretty studly crew. At least that could be the case this year if, as the bloggerati are predicting, a particularly handsome lineup of leading men is nominated for best actor. And that, in turn, could help the Oscar broadcast's efforts to fend off further ratings decline. VIDEOS: THR's Awards Season Actors Roundtable The contest is fluid -- nominations won't be announced until Jan.24 -- but the consensus has George Clooney, for his beleaguered dad in The Descendants, and Leonardo DiCaprio, for his embittered FBI director in J. Edgar, at the top of the list. Brad Pitt is a strong contender for the casual ease with which he steps into the shoes of baseball GM Billy Beane in Moneyball. And a couple of relative newcomers have become early favorites: Germany-born, London-based Michael Fassbender, who fearlessly lets it all hang out in the NC-17 Shame, and French matinee idol Jean Dujardin, who pours on the charm as a fading star in the silent movie The Artist. PHOTOS: Oscar Legends on Oscar It's a lineup straight out of the GQ Men of the Year Awards by way of People's Sexiest Man Alive cover-- Clooney and Pitt are two-time titleholders. (There's even an outside chance fellow SMA Matt Damon could join them for We Bought a Zoo.) It's not a typical Academy roundup if only because the Oscars tend to underrate the work of a lot of the best-looking leading men. Big-screen smoothies, they can make it look too easy; they often appear in action films or romantic comedies that aren't considered awards-worthy and steer clear of the showy transformations the Academy favors. That's one reason DiCaprio, who was ignored for his clean-cut earnestness in Titanic, is now being applauded for donning all that aging makeup in J. Edgar. It's all the more impressive that Clooney and Pitt are being taken seriously this year because neither adopts a thick accent or funny mustache to play his part. PHOTOS: Oscar Show Moments Now all of that would just be something for fan sites to gush over if it also didn't have ratings implications. The Academy might have breathed a sigh of relief when Billy Crystal agreed to emcee the show in the wake of Eddie Murphy's departure. But Crystal, who hasn't hosted since 2004, is 63, making him the second-oldest solo host since a 74-year-old Bob Hope fronted the show in 1978. And that's not going to make the young girls swoon. There's also a question of how widespread the appeal of the movies nominated for best picture will be when the show is broadcast Feb.26. When noms were announced last awards season, there were two mega-grossers: Toy Story 3 ($415 million domestic) and Inception ($293 million). But this year, with only five nominees guaranteed, it's an open question whether 2011's top-grossing movie, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part2, will make the cut. The closest thing to a popular nominee right now is the all-girl The Help, which has collected $168 million domestically. PHOTOS: Oscar Hosts Through the Years But if the best-picture nominees are short on crowd-pleasers, a posse of hot actors could provide ratings insurance. Certainly, it would help the surrounding media industry that feeds into the Oscars. "It's an exciting possibility that George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon, the men from the Ocean's movies, could all be on the red carpet together competing for best actor," says Entertainment Tonight executive producer Linda Bell Blue. "And they all play strong men with backbone, which is what female moviegoers are looking for." GOLDEN BOYS: Dishy leading men have to wait to get the gold Cary Grant: Two nominations before his Honorary Oscar in 1970 Paul Newman: 10 noms, a win for The Color of Money, an Honorary in 1986 Robert Redford: 1 acting nom, 1 directing win, then an Honorary in 2002 Warren Beatty: 4 acting noms, 1 directing win, then the Thalberg in 2000 PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery Oscars 2012: The Early Signals Related Topics Brad Pitt George Clooney Leonardo DiCaprio Matt Damon Michael Fassbender Moneyball The Descendants Shame Awards Season Preview

Cruise cues 'All You Need Is Kill'

CruiseAfter sitting in development limbo for many months, "All You Need Is Kill" may finally be on the fast track as Tom Cruise has agreed to star.Based on the graphic novel, the original story is in the vein of "Groundhog Day," with a twist: A soldier in a war against aliens finds himself reliving his last day over and over after being killed. Through the training and battles he experiences in these time loops, he becomes a better soldier.While a deal with the studio isn't officially signed, Cruise has been weighing this role for some time after continued talks with director Doug Liman.Sources say Warners. prexy Jeff Robinov always wanted a big star, though the script called for a younger actor like Ryan Gosling or Joseph Gordon Levitt. Studio has already had the script rewritten to make the character fit Cruise's age.Dante Harper penned the script with Joby Harold doing the rewrite. Sources said Cruise liked the script so much that Liman traveled to Pittsburgh, where the thesp was shooting Paramount and Skydance's "One Shot," to meet with the actor about the role.Another important development: Liman, who's been onboard to direct "Kill" for some time, has lined it up as his next project. For months, Liman had been weighing doing this or the Paramount space adventure "Luna," which struggled to assemble financing and saw David Ellison's Skydance Productions drop out -- forcing Liman to turn to "Kill" for now.Cruise' busy schedule could enable Liman to do both: After "One Shot," Cruise is expected to shoot the Universal sci-fier "Oblivion" in March, then start on "Kill" in the late third/early fourth quarter of 2012. No start date is yet set.Cruise, repped by CAA, can be seen next in Par and Skydance's "Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol," which bows Dec. 16, followed by New Line's "Rock of Ages" next summer.Erwin Stoff, Tom Lassally and Jason Hoffs are producing through 3 Arts Entertainment.Harold is an exec producer on the project. Contact Justin Kroll at justin.kroll@variety.com

Zynga Offered $2.25 Billion Deal to Buy 'Angry Birds' Owner (Report)

NY - Social gaming giant Zynga, which has filed for an IPO, this summer offered to acquire Angry Birds maker Rovio, but a deal never materialized, the NY Times reported. It said the deal would have valued Rovio at roughly $2.25 billion in cash and stock. In July, Zynga also failed to seal another deal to buy mobile game firm PopCap for $950 million in cash. Electronic Arts won the bidding for the firm by offering a higher potential total - $750 million in cash and stock plus the potential of an additional $550 million if certain financial targets are met. But the Times said that PopCap founders also expressed concern that Zynga was rescinding share awards and had a culture of fierce internal competition. With its IPO expected by year's end, the hard-driving Zynga may face a brain drain, the Times suggested, reporting that competitors are preparing to poach disgruntled Zynga staff, with one recruiting firm sending cookie baskets to 150 employees this month. The company, whose Facebook games include Mafia Wars and CityVille, itself has hired talent from Electronic Arts and various other gaming firms. Zynga has long emphasized it is a meritocracy, so the fact that staff works long hours and managers track performance and get rid of weaker performers may not come as a surprise. But the Times said the internal competition and hard-charging approach may make it tougher for Zynga to retain talent. Zynga CEO Mark Pincus last month acknowledged e-mails from frustrated staff complaining about long work hours and stressful deadlines, promising to address concerns, the Times said. At a meeting, Pincus read some of the toughest criticism from a regular employee survey, saying he was aware of the problems and asking for guidance to fix them, it said. Among the complaints was one from a person who said he planned to cash out and leave after the IPO, according to the Times. "Zynga should be an example of entrepreneurship at its best," Roger McNamee, a co-founder of venture capital firm Elevation Partners told the Times. "Instead it's going to be a Harvard Business School case study on founder overreach - this will be a cautionary tale." "I expect a lot of game and tech companies will begin recruiting Zynga's talent after their equity becomes liquid," said Gabrielle Toledano, head of human resources for Electronic Arts. Zynga declined to comment, citing the quiet period before its IPO. Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com Twitter: @georgszalai Related Topics Zynga

Signs of the Apocalypse From the 2011-12 Awards Season

The penultimate film in Summit Entertainment's Twilight franchise nearly matched the box office brawn of New Moon in its opening weekend, but just one week after Breaking Dawn Part 1 was released in theaters reports are surfacing that it has been causing seizures.our editor recommendsBox Office Report: 'Twilight: Breaking Dawn' and 'Muppets' Rule Thanksgiving'Breaking Dawn' Wedding: Luxury Brand Product Placement Draws Criticism For Mis-Targeting 'Twilight: Breaking Dawn's' Taylor Lautner on His Most Challenging Scene and Jacob's Massive Transformation (Video) 'Breaking Dawn's' Taylor Lautner Draws Affection From Overzealous Male Fan at Film's PremiereBox Office Report: 'Twilight: Breaking Dawn' Scores $9.9 Mil on Monday'Breaking Dawn' Fan Blames Drunk Driving on Boyfriend's Refusal to See Film A California man, Brandon Gephart, was reportedly rushed to the hospital after getting sick while watching Breaking Dawn's birth scene.The screening ended when paramedics arrived to help Gephart. PHOTOS: New Images of 'Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn' "He was convulsing, snorting, trying to breathe," Gephart's girlfriend Kelly Bauman told CBS Sacramento. "He scared me big time." Gephart admitted that he has no interest in seeing how the movie ends. A Salt Lake City man also suffered a similar seizure while watching Breaking Dawn, ABC4 reports. PHOTOS: The Evolution of Film Vampires "I didn't really remember what happened after that," he said. "I think I blacked out. According to [my wife] I was shaking and mumbling different noises." His wife explained further: "I was kneeling in front of him and slapping his face." The man's name was not given because he was afraid he would lose his job. Breaking Dawn features Bella's violent pregnancy of her child with her significant other, vampire Edward. PHOTOS: 10 Biggest Book-to-Big Screen Adaptations of the Last 25 Years "Bella turns pale and gaunt and seems in danger of wasting away; it appears the fetus is taking all of the nutrients for itself and leaving nothing for Mom, who can no longer eat normal food," writes THR's chief film critic Todd McCarthy. Medical experts said that the film's birth scene -- which features red, white and black images -- could have triggered episodes of photosensitive epilepsy. "It's like a light going off because it hits your brain all at once," Dr. Michael G. Chez tells CBS Sacramento. "The trouble with theaters is that they're so dark, the light flashing in there is more like a strobe light." This isn't the first instance of a film causing moviegoers to feel uncomfortable. During screenings of Danny Boyle's 127 Hours, which tells the story of climber Aron Ralston whose arm is trapped by a boulder in a Utah canyon, it has caused some moviegoers to vomit and faint, with one taken out of the theater and an ambulance called. PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery 'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn -- Part 1' Black Carpet Premiere Arrivals Related Topics Twilight

Overheard At The 39th Annual American Music Awards

First Published: November 21, 2011 9:15 AM EST Credit: Getty Premium LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Caption Adam Levine arrives at the 2011 American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles on November 20, 2011Overheard at the 39th annual American Music Awards, presented Sunday at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles: Weve never won an American Music Award, and its wonderful to be acknowledged for our music. Its very sharp, though, so well have to be careful around the house. Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine backstage on the pyramid-shaped AMA trophy. We just want to say thank you to the fans. It starts and ends with you and we just love you very, very much. Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum as she accepted the bands prize for favorite country band, duo or group. Just chase your dreams. I never thought this could be possible. Shout out to all the female rappers, past present and future. Nicki Minaj, who beat out Lil Wayne, Kanye West and Jay-Z to win favorite hip-hop album for Pink Friday. Heavy had a huge effect on all of us. He was inspiring and optimistic. He just always told us or gave us great advice. He always wanted us to do good. He was like a father figure for us. Mary J. Blige backstage on Heavy D, who died unexpectedly earlier this month and whom Blige honored on stage with her performance. I just want to thank my family most of all, my beautiful babies, who just inspire me every day to be a better person. Jennifer Lopez accepting the award for favorite Latin music artist. I think the two of us should just get on TV and let our hair fight each other. Pompadour-ed presenter Robin Thicke backstage on fellow fluffy-haired singer, Bruno Mars, who was named favorite male pop/rock artist. This is like one of the craziest things that has ever happened to me. Taylor Swift accepting theaward for artist of the year. Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Brett Ratner's Apologies: The Last Stand

By John Mitchell Brett Ratner is currently on some sort of apology tour after using an anti-gay slur during a question-and-answer session while promoting "Tower Heist." His latest atonement, following a formal apology and his resignation as producer of next year's Oscars, is, like Tracy Morgan before him, to team up with GLAAD to "convene public discussions featuring leaders in the entertainment industry about promoting fair and accurate inclusions of LGBT people and stories." "When we sat down with Brett today, he seemed very sincere in his desire to use this experience as a way to begin speaking out against anti-gay language in popular culture, Herndon Graddick, GLAAD's senior director of Programs and Communications, said in a statement. That's all well and good and, of course, it's admirable that he's taking some responsibility for saying something as foolish as "Rehearsal is for f**s." But come on. Why is no one calling this guy out on all the other things he's been saying that he should be apologizing for? Namely the misogynistic and racist remarks he made about Olivia Munn and Lindsay Lohan. Let's start with the grossest of all the frat-guy trash this dude has offered up recently. During a call to Howard Stern's radio show, Ratner went into rather graphic detail about his relationship with a "very young" Lindsay Lohan. He bragged about performing oral sex on Lohan, saying, "I'm probably the best in the world," adding that he knows he's the best "because they cry." He also admitted he had Lohan tested for STDs before the two slept together in 2006 you know, when she was 20 and he was 37. "Before I have sex with a girl, I do do one weird thing, Ratner told Stern. I do take em to the doctor and check em out. Im like a cootie freak. Im a germaphobe. Im a hypochondriac. Before I go all the way, I send the girl to the doctor and check them for everything. My doctor has a test to tell if youre going to catch something in the future even. For the record, Lohan came back clean. Aren't you glad you know that? He went on to recount how Lohan later found him in bed with a Victoria's Secret model and the two got into a fight over him. In a separate but equally tasteful and appropriate conversation on G4's "Attack of the Show," Ratner copped to being the unnamed director mentioned in Olivia Munn's book "Suck It, Wonder Woman: The Misadventures of a Hollywood Geek," admitting that he "banged her a few times" but forgot who she was when she later came in to audition for him. He did, however, deny Munn's account that he masturbated in front of her while eating a shrimp cocktail, but didn't really take on her charge that he was, er, packing a shrimp of his own. While all the sex talk about Munn and Lohan is patently tasteless, it's another quote about Munn that gets under my skin more. "I used to date Olivia Munn when she was Lisa. That was the problem," he told "AOTS" host Kevin Pereira. "She wasn't Asian back then." What? His point, I suppose, is that Munn now supposedly plays up her race like it's some sort of Hollywood wild card. That perhaps it's some sort of joke when she does a report on "The Daily Show" as its "Senior Asian Correspondent" because it wasn't listed as a talent on her resume when he first met "Lisa." That's a pretty crazy thing to toss out there so offhandedly, yes? From the get go, I believed the Academy made the wrong choice in giving Ratner the reins on the biggest night in Hollywood. He's a financially successful director, yes, but he also has a well-deserved reputation for frat boy antics and lowbrow humor, neither of which have any place at the Academy Awards. Say what you will about the Oscars namely that they can be boring but they're anything but lowbrow and given Ratner's recent string of public misfires, particularly the ones he hasn't apologized for, "lowbrow" is just about the only word we can think of to describe the almost-Oscar producer. Tell us what you think in the comments section and on Twitter!

Discovery acquires Betty

LONDON -- Discovery Communications has the first time acquired a U.K. shingle -- factual entertainment specialist Betty. No financial particulars were revealed, nevertheless the deal is thought to own cost the U.S. cable giant around $16 million. Discovery, that's keen to bolster its worldwide production activities, mentioned move would enable Betty to create "an international infrastructure" and increase its acquisition of shows of worldwide appeal. Inside the U.S., the invention-possessed TLC web has commissioned two runs of Betty's "Freaky People." The shingle will establish and convey new ideas and formats for Discovery's portfolio of factual and lifestyle channels, like the female-skewing TLC. Discovery may also get careful analysis get formats from Betty's library. Producer is constantly on the use individually in the London h.q., wonderful staff remaining aboard for your expected future. The U.S. cabler is pretty late to acquiring a U.K. shingle. NBC U bought Circus in August 2008, while a year ago Warners clicked on up "super indie" Shed Media. Betty is handled by founder Liz Warner, mind of production Sophy Master and artistic director Walter Iuzzolino. Its shows include "The Pleasure of teenybopper Sex," "Beauty as well as the Animal," "Food Hospital" and "Country House Save." A year ago Betty had revenue of seven.5 million ($12 million), and pre-tax profit of $1.2 million. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Best Movie Art Ever (This Week): 'Nightmare Before Christmas' Arts & Crafts

With the first week of November here, department stores can't get rid of their Halloween decorations fast enough to replace them with a 24/7 cornucopia of Christmas. This odd little moment of holiday commercialization actually had a profound effect on a young Tim Burton; watching the clash of Halloween and Christmas decorations inspired the director to create the world of 'Nightmare Before Christmas.' Burton's animated fairy-tale has become a modern classic for the holiday season. To understand how big of an impact the movie has had on a generation of viewers, all you need to do is check out the scores of innovative arts and crafts made by fans of the film. You'll find everything from tattoos to shoes, and if you're a Jack Skellington fan -- you'll even find a way to bring the Pumpkin King into your wedding. Best Movie Art Ever (This Week): November 5, 2011 Jack Skellington CosplayJack Skellington TattooHand-painted VansLock, Stock, and Barrel MuralOogie Boogie Bag'NBC' Pilsner GlassesAcryllic Fan ArtOogie Boogie Bobble HeadAcrylic and Colored Pencil Barrel ArtJack and Sally Wedding Cake ToppersSally's SongOogie Boogie FigureFan ArtZero Christmas OrnamentYard DisplayMy Little Sally See All Moviefone Galleries » Want More? Check These Out: Famous Monsters, Alien Supervillains & a Godzilla Make-Out Session Marvel-Disney Mash-ups Our sister site, ComicsAlliance, makes a habit of spotlighting particular artists and/or specific bodies of work, but there's just so much great work to see that they've initiated Best Art Ever (This Week), a weekly depository for just some of the virtually countless pieces of especially compelling artwork that they come across in their travels across the digital media landscape. Some of it's new, some of it's old, some of it's created by working professionals, some of it's created by talented fans, and some of it's endearingly stupid. And all of it's awesome. Check out ComicsAlliance's Best Art Ever (This Week). Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook RELATED #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-319696{display:none;}.cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-319696, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-319696{width:475px;height:357px;display:block;}

CTV orders more 'Saving Hope'

Canuck broadcaster CTV purchased 12 one-hour instances of original hospital drama "Saving Hope" as parent Bell Media introduced an professional reshuffle of their production unit on Wednesday. Series is professional created by Thump Corporation. founder Ilana Frank ("Rookie Blue"), Lesley Harrison and veteran TV helmer David Wellington, who's also the series director. Co-produced and compiled by Malcolm MacRury and Morwyn Brebner, "Hope" was inspired with a three-part number of articles, released in 2005, by Globe and Mail scribe Ian Brown, who spent eight days in Toronto's Mount Sinai Hospital. "Hope" stars Michael Shanks ("Stargate Atlantis") as Dr. Harris, chief surgeon of the imaginary Toronto hospital, who is based on coma and wanders the wards in spirit form. Erica Durance ("Smallville") stars as his girlfriend and fellow surgeon, and Joel Goran ("The Vampire Journals") may be the hot new surgeon.An airplane pilot was shot this summer time. Not sure yet on when lensing starts. Bell Media is re-aiming its production unit, headed by senior Vice president Corrie Coe, to mirror development and production by genre across all Bell qualities, a change in the funnel-focused model. Trish Williams has become the unit's director of drama (shows airing across CTV, Space, Muchmusic and Bravo) Sarah Fowlie is director of comedy (these along with the Comedy Network) and Susan Makela is director of Canadian programming management. Coe is constantly on the helm Bell's factual and reality series development and production. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

UPDATE: Discovery Tracks For Additional Digital Cash After Netflix Deal Helps It To Top 3Q Earnings Estimations

UPDATE, 2:30 PM: Discovery states that OWN is draining cash — the organization added $12M to the purchase of the partnership throughout 3Q. Still, Boss David Zaslav states he’soptimistic, although “this normally takes a while”: The task is “putting up great content that drives the The famous host oprah brand.” He’s preparing for a number of discussions with satellite and cable operators to attain obligations for that Discovery programming they would like to operate on their TV Everywhere digital services. Presently “no distributor has the authority to take our channels onto TV Everywhere.”Some talks will occur soon despite the fact that Discovery’s carriage deals go to the finish of 2012. “We’re very encouraging” of TV Everywhere, Zaslav states. “We simply need to find value.” One hurdle is to determine digital rankings. “Today it’s measured on computer systems, but this is not on iPads.” Headds that Discovery’s cope with Netflix is “a large internet positive for all of us” because it only requires the U.S., it’s not exclusive, and itinvolves implies that are in least 18 several weeks old. But he states that “nobody knows” whether online viewing cuts into TV rankings. “We couldn’t find any noticeable degradation,” he notes although “there isn’t enough data available.”Discovery shares were up 1.7% in after hrs buying and selling. PREVIOUS, 1:30 PM: Discovery states thatit saw strong growth in the U.S. and overseas. The companyhad internet earnings from ongoing procedures of of $238M, up 45.1% versus this past year’s 3Q, on revenues of $1.1B, up 18.3%. Earnings at 59 cents a share exceeded the 55 cents that experts expected. The organization states that revenues in internet marketing U.S. systems was up 19% to $$695M because of enhanced ad sales and revenues from pay TV marketers. That offset losing $4M because of the offer that in The month of january switched its wholly possessed Discovery Health in to the partnership with The famous host oprah Winfrey, OWN.The funnel were built with a rocky start, but Boss David Zaslav states that “Oprah is beginning to nurture the wedding guests.” Younger crowd states that the organization tips in 3Q from the recent program certification cope with Netflix and soaring rankings for ID: Analysis Discovery. The organization reviews that ad sales remain strong. It needs to finish the entire year with around $4.3B in revenue and $1.1B in net gain for stockholders.

Charter Creates Online Directory For Netflix, Amazon, And Hulu Content

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 1, 2011 — Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: CHTR) is expanding choice and increasing convenience for its Internet customers by organizing online content from Netflix, Amazon Instant Video and Hulu into a single online directory on Charter.net. Leveraging its robust broadband network, Charter is in a unique position to provide additional value through a comprehensive search and discovery experience, including entitled cable content and over the top content, not available from any other multichannel video programming distributor. Charter’s Internet customers already have access to a variety of movies, shows and sports coverage on Charter.net, and the choices will continue to grow at a rapid pace over the course of the next year. Initially available online, the enhanced functionality will be available on tablets and mobile devices next year. Pointers to content offered by Netflix, Amazon Instant Video and Hulu will be integrated with links to content already available on Charter.net through a unified search and discovery experience. Customers will have the ability to search the full library of content available from a variety of distributors, and choose the source of the content with just a few quick clicks. “Consumers are watching streaming video from a variety of content providers on multiple devices at an increasing rate,” said Rich DiGeronimo, Charter’s Senior Vice President, Product and Strategy. “Charter is embracing this change in landscape, and making the search and discovery for all types of content easier and more convenient for consumers by integrating content from numerous sources into a single online directory. We’re starting by expanding our online functionality, but this is just the beginning of our aspiration to deliver the best customer experience with all video content on all devices, everywhere our customers go over the most robust network.” Charter is providing access for its customers to search the additional content for free. Customers must have appropriate rights to view the movies and shows by maintaining relationships directly with Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Instant Video in accordance with each services member agreements. Earlier this year, Charter launched online content from a number of popular premium and sports content providers. Integrating content from Netflix, Amazon Instant Video and Hulu is the next step in providing a robust library of content to enjoy online, from anywhere in the country, and over time, on tablets and mobile devices.

BBC top quality channels for Asia

LONDON -- BBC Worldwide is growing its Asian footprint by starting top quality channels. This news is going to be introduced by Jana Bennett, prexy of BBC Worldwide Systems and global BBC iPlayer, in the Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Assn. of Asia gabfest in Hong Kong on Tuesday. BBC Worldwide will bow BBC Understanding, BBC Entertainment, BBC Lifestyle and CBeebies in Thailand in The month of january. In Taiwan, BBC Worldwide Channels has pacted with Chung Hwa Telecom to produce BBC Understanding, BBC Lifestyle and BBC Entertainment on IPTV platform MOD. In Indonesia, BBC Lifestyle joins BBC Understanding and CBeebies on NexMedia. The Corp.'s commercial arm can also be bowing a Lonely Planet-top quality block of shows on BBC Understanding across Asia beginning Tuesday. Beefing in the agendas may be the U.K. version of series "Top Gear," that will air on BBC Understanding across Asia within two days of their British broadcast in 2012. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Stuntman Dies During The Filming Of The Expendables 2

UPDATED: A stuntman has died on the set of The Expendables 2, which is filming in Bulgaria. The accident happened a little after 7 PM local time on Thursday while the movie’s 2nd Unit Stunt Team was filming a scene on reservoir Ognyanovo 15 miles outside the capital Sofia. Two stuntmen participated in the stunt, which involved an explosion. One of them died, while the other was injured and is currently in a hospital in critical condition. The local police has launched an investigation into the incident which happened while the film’s main unit, led by director Simon West and star/producer Sylvester Stallone was filming in the picturesque mountain resort village Bansko 2.5 hours away. “It is with great regret that we confirm this unfortunate accident,” Nu Image/Millennium Films, the production company behind The Expendables 2, said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to the families and those on the production affected by this tragedy. The filmmakers are working closely with the authorities in responding to and investigating this accident.” In consideration of the families of the victims, names and other details are not being released at this time, a spokesman for the production said. The Expendables 2, the sequel to Sylvester Stallone’s 2010 sleeper hit action-hero actioner, boasts a star-studded ensemble cast that includes Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Liam Hemsworth, Terry Crews, Jet Li, Chuck Norris and Jean-Claude Van Damme.

Martin Scorsese at the begining of Foretells Direct 'The Snowman'

If this involves Martin Scorsese and the future pointing projects, the acclaimed director appears to consider a webpage from Lay's poker chips: he can't have only one. Variety reviews the Oscar-winning Scorsese is within early foretells direct 'The Snowman,' an adaptation of Norwegian novelist Jo Nesbo's acclaimed novel. Great! But maybe 'The Snowman' should have a number. During the last few years, Scorsese has seen his title mounted on a number of major projects: a remake of 'The Gambler' with Leonardo DiCaprio an adaptation of 'The Wolf of Wall Street' with Leonardo DiCaprio a biopic about Frank Sinatra and also the Rat Pack, possibly with Leonardo DiCaprio 'The Irishman,' with Robert P Niro, Joe Pesci and Al Pacino 'Silence,' a movie about Jesuit monks in 17th century Japan with Daniel Day-Lewis and Benicio Del Toro and 'Furious Love,' concerning the romance between Bette Davis and Richard Burton. Which would be to say: expect if Scorsese's participation with 'The Snowman' touches away following a couple of years. According to Nesbo's Harry Hole series, 'The Snowman' is occur Norwegian and concentrates on a serial killer who attacks women. Working Title -- the development company behind 'Love Actually' and also the approaching 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' -- hopes the film might have franchise potential, a la 'The Girl Using the Dragon Tattoo.' The Nesbo books have offered 5 million copies worldwide. Scorsese will next direct 'Hugo,' on November. 23. [via Variety] [Photo: Getty] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook RELATED

'Vreeeland' goes worldwide

Documentary ''Diana Vreeeland: The Interest Must Travel" remains agreed to many foreign areas, including Madman Entertainment for brand new zealand and australia, Studio Canal for your Uk and Ireland and Desltop for Benelux. Submarine Entertainment made the sale annoucement Wednesday and mentioned it's licensed the pic to HanWay Films for foreign sales. Hanway will repetition the docu within the American Film Market. Submarine had formerly offered U . s . States rights through the Toronto Intl. Film Festival for the Samuel Goldwyn Co. for release next season. Pic was directed and produced by Lisa Immordino Vreeland, wife of Vreeland's grand boy. Vreeland was the design and style editor of Harpers Bazaar where she labored for 2-and-a-half decades before becoming editor in chief of fashion a stint within the Met's Costume Institute where she aided popularize its historic collections. Immordino Vreeland's co-company company directors round the film are Bent-Jorgen Perlmutt and Frederic Tcheng. Gloss Studio, Jonathan Gray and Mark Lee executive produced. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

'Once Upon a Time': TV Review

If there might be five -- or perhaps is it seven or even more? -- comedies about how exactly modern men're too weak to become known as males, then what lengths-fetched will it be that two new series concentrate on favorite anecdotes?our editor recommendsThe Hollywood Reporter's 10 Showrunners to Watch'Once Upon A Time' Executive Producers Would like to Have Rhianna on the ShowNBC Previews First twenty minutes of 'Grimm,' Extended Look of 'Chuck' (Video) PHOTOS: Fall TV's 12 Most Anticipated Shows ABC's Not so long ago feels confident making use of a slew of well-known favorite anecdotes, while NBC's Grimm mines the more dark tales from the Siblings Grimm. It's a higher-concept hootenanny with varied results. Possibly greater sell is Not so long ago, which opens like a period piece in which the Seven Dwarfs are huddled around an entombed Snow Whitened -- and before you let out what's going to happen, you may finish up laughing rather. Why? Since it feels and looks hokey. Hokey is a concern. Snow Whitened is performed by Ginnifer Goodwin and Prince Charming by Josh Dallas. There's an Evil Full, obviously, performed by Lana Parrilla, whose make an effort to play evil falls well lacking convincing. She's not by yourself because even Robert Carlyle, who is capable of doing tugging off both evil and costumed, is eyebrow-raisingly cheesy as Rumpelstiltskin. Place them altogether within an excessively lengthy summary of the series, and a loved one will require the forces of Merlin to pry the remote from your hands while you lunge to alter the funnel. PHOTOS: ABC's Year Television Shows After which something interesting happens -- certainly more interesting these days tugging off a period of time piece in primetime. The experience switches to the current, and that we meet Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison), a bail bondswoman, loner and all sorts of-around tough girl. Into her existence jumps Henry (Jared Gilmore), a precocious 10-year-old boy from Storybrooke (wink, wink), Maine. He tracks lower Emma and claims he's her boy, the main one she threw in the towel for adoption at birth. He has a book of favorite anecdotes and states that Emma must return to Storybrooke to place things right. What things? Well, Henry thinks the Evil Witch has cast a spell, and today all of the fairy-tale figures from lore are held in Storybrooke, being unsure of who they really are or what continued previously. His adoptive mother is Regina (also performed by Parrilla), the only-mother mayor of Storybrooke and, states Henry, possibly the Evil Witch. Henry also thinks Emma may be the daughter of Prince Charming and Snow Whitened which only she will unlock the mysteries of Storybrooke and provide everybody a contented ending by clearing them. Got that? Company, in Storybrooke, virtually every fairy-tale character you are able to develop -- you realize, like Geppetto -- is chilling out his or her modern self. This area of the series holds a minimum of minimal fascination as Henry attempts to unveil the reality. However when Not so long ago flashes to fairy-tale days, Uncle Hokey complements them. With him, you will find no happy being. PHOTOS: Fall TV Preview 2011: 10 Fresh Faces To Understand In individuals moments -- particularly when modern vocabulary sneaks in and Goodwin appears embarrassed to see her lines -- Not so long ago completely stops time. You are able to't know if this should be farce it's the opt-out moment. The show is really a bold idea, there's expect the current-world portions, however it doesn't quite know what it's (or possibly it will, however the audience won't). ABC made episode three open to experts too, and -- tragic ending alert! -- the series seems to become getting worse, not better. AirdateOnce Upon a period 8 p.m. Sundays (ABC) Email:Tim.Goodman@THR.com Twitter: @BastardMachine Related Subjects ABC NBC TV Reviews Not so long ago Grimm Fall TV Preview

'Paranormal' screams to surface of B.O.

'Paranormal Activity 3'With an believed $54 million domestic open, Paramount's third installment within the "Paranormal Activity" franchise grew to become the very best-ever October debut, along with the greatest opening for any horror film, inserting some much-needed existence into what is a blah domestic B.O. recently."Paranormal 3" wasn't likely to land much greater than $40 million locally, showing the micro-allocated series has lots of scares left inside it.Abroad, the horror prequel nabbed a forecasted $26 million from 42 areas, brought through the U.K., which led $5.8 million since starting the film on Friday. Australia arrived second for "Paranormal," with $3.two million, then Russia and France, grossing believed debut takes of $2.9 million and $2.8 million, correspondingly."Everyone was completely skeptical of the franchise," Componen vice chairman Take advantage of Moore told Variety. "But this film is proof of people within our creative team, keeping it fresh."Unlike "Paranormal 3," the weekend's other wide releases -- Summit's "The 3 Musketeers," from Constantin Films, and Universal's "Johnny British Reborn" -- both first showed below anticipation. "Musketeers" bowed for an believed $8.8 million "Johnny British" totalled $3.8 million through Sunday.Neither from the photos are extremely just a few Stateside perfs: The "Johnny British" follow up, grossing one more $13.5 million, passed the $100 million mark in overseas grosses, while "Musketeers" has cumed just north of $64 million worldwide, with this particular weekend's reported take at $13.a million.Even though "Paranormal 3's" opening outstripped its predecessor's by a lot more than $ten million within the U.S., the 2010 overall domestic frame still was lower roughly 3%-5% in the comparable 2010 weekend, when "Paranormal 2" first showed alongside a crop of high-flying holdovers like "Jackass three dimensional" and "Red-colored." ("Paranormal 2" and "Jackass three dimensional" held the prior industry records for top horror and October debuts, correspondingly.)But overall totals were up a notable 41% versus. last weekend.Fox Searchlight's "Martha Marcy May Marlene" first showed having a stellar $34,385 per-screen average from four locations in NY and L.A.Meanwhile, The new sony Pictures Classics saw a good second-week growth of Pedro Almodovar's "Your Skin My Home Is,Inch which averaged $12,436 from 21 engagements, up from six last weekend. Pic has cumed $569,335 locally, much better than SPC's "Take Shelter," which in four days has made $522,798.Also succeeding in limited release, Kerbside Attractions' Wall Street-designed thriller "Margin Call" gained an believed weekend take of $582,400 at 56 locations, thanks mainly to publicity all around the Occupy Wall Street movement. "Margin Call," which obtained a per-screen average of $10,400, broke the home record at NY's Elinor Bunin Film Center where it made $32,750 after 72 hours. Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com

'Terraferma' to open Italo showcase in L.A.

"Terraferma"ROME -- The U.S. bow of Emanuele Crialese's "Terraferma," which is Italy's foreign-language Oscar contender, will open the 8th Cinema Italian Style showcase, which will run Nov. 10-15 at Hollywood's Egyptian Theater. Besides tubthumping a dozen recent Italo pics, the cinema marathon, organized by Cinecitta Luce and the American Cinematheque, will also pay tribute to late great producer Dino De Laurentiis. A four-minute clip from Mario Camerini's freshly restored 1939 "Batticuore," in which De Laurentiis had a cameo as a flower delivery boy, will unspool Nov. 10 during an inaugural at the De Laurentiis residence in Beverly Hills. The Italo showcase comprises Nanni Moretti's "Habemus Papam," Mario Martone's "We Believed" and Alice Rohrwacher's "Corpo Celeste," among other titles. Screenings will be attended by talent and introduced by La Repubblica's Los Angeles-based journo Silvia Bixio. Italy's culture minister Giancarlo Galan is also expected to make the trek. The Italian delegation, headed by Cinecitta Luce topper Roberto Cicutto, will also be promoting Italy's recently introduced tax credits for international productions. Contact Nick Vivarelli at nvivarelli@gmail.com

CBS Nears Back Orders For Person Of Interest And Unforgettable

I’ve learned that CBS is finalizing deals for back orders to rookies Person Of Interest and Unforgettable. Neither of them has been the breakout hit that CBS’ new comedy 2 Broke Girls has been (that series was given an early full-season order a couple of weeks ago), but they have both performed solidly in their time slots and are coming off ratings upticks. Unforgettable (2.5/5) on Tuesday was up 2 tenths from last week, while Person Of Interest last Thursday drew 2.7/7 in 18-49 and 12.6 million viewers, up 2 tenths from the previous week in the demo. It benefited from a Big Bang Theory repeat as a lead-in vs. How To Be A Gentleman the week before.

News Corp. braces for traders brawl

R. Murdoch J. MurdochElisabeth MurdochNews Corp. traders are hopping mad and Friday they'll get yourself a rare chance to slam Rupert Murdoch personally regarding concerns -- from U.K. phone hacking, with a servile board, to boy James' leadership cred, to buying daughter Elisabeth's production company. But no matter how heated the number might get, change at News Corp. is almost mathematically impossible without Murdoch's assent. He controls nearly 40% in the Class B voting stock and also the close ally, Saudi Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, holds 7%. Every single other investor will have to election just like a block against them. Nonetheless they could send an email. The annual shareholders' meeting, usually in NY City, will probably be held this year within the Zanuck Theater round the last century Fox lot in L.A. where, as several Wall Streeters noted, security might be tightly enforced. There's no parking round the studio lot. News Corp.'s intricate attendance manifesto includes diagrams and all of the restrictions. Nobody will probably be recognized who not arrive on the organization passenger bus that leaves in the parking facility nearby on Century Park West. Yet News Corp.'s experts face a conundrum: no matter the drama as well as the angst, its stock has ongoing to become sturdy which is companies are undertaking well. Compelled with the phone hacking scandal at its now shuttered Blighty weekly, what is the news around the world, the business within this summer time cast off expects to purchase its British pay TV platform BSkyB and used the money for just about any hefty $5 billion share repurchase, that's unquestionably Wall Street's favorite usage of supplemental earnings. "This is actually the interesting factor," mentioned one analyst. While using stock buyback, the scandal "even becomes victoryInch for traders. "You will notice fireworks within the meeting, however when you think about the current methods, customers are going virtually. Cable systems do great, broadcast expires from this past year, the film side does fine." In the tough economy, ad revenue at Fox's domestic cable channels rose 23% for your fiscal fourth quarter brought to June, the latest reported, introduced by prices and ratings growth at Foreign exchange. Film profits elevated 53%. Broadcast television saw greater local and national advertising and growing gold gold coin from retransmission consent deals. The shares are purchasing and selling at about $17, well above their 52-week low of $13.83. On Wednesday, they closed off 1.69% at $16.90 in the lower market after striking $17.35 earlier inside the day. "Once the companies weren't succeeding or perhaps the hacking scandal advances for the U.S., then Rupert may have trouble,Inch mentioned one investor. He while others appreciated the maelstrom at Disney in 2004 when irate traders removed Michael Eisner in the chairmanship. He ongoing to become Boss. News Corp. traders also provide asked for the business to split up the posts. The Disney coup succeed because the companies weren't being run well, and Eisner wasn't well loved personally. And Disney isn't a household-controlled company. Investor advisory groups inside the U.S. as well as the U.K. want radical changes for the board, sometimes promoting traders to election lower 13 in the 15 company company directors, including James, deputy Boss and chairman and mind of worldwide Rupert's earliest boy Lachlan and deputy chairman and chief operating officer Chase Carey. Murdoch's daughter Elisabeth was created to possess a board chair this summer season after News Corp. acquired her company Shine for $675 million, nevertheless the move was tabled following a phone hacking scandal faster. Amalgamated Bank, just like a trustee for several funds, has prosecuted against News Corp. in Delaware Chancery Court, accusing the Murdoch number of self obtaining the Shine acquisition after which enhancing the complaint to include the phone hacking scandal, therefore it claims might be the direct results of a negligent board. The judge inside the situation is becoming considering News Corp.'s motion to dismiss. Some uncover the outcry disingenuous. "Saying Murdoch makes some stupid purchases is similar to saying it's flowing lower rain water," mentioned one fund manager. Being "shocked, shocked" of a cozy board or nepotism is pointless, he added, since Murdoch's been public about wanting dynastic succession at News Corp. "Who's surprised? You can't complain relating to this stuff. You understand they're happening.Inch James' position as heir apparent, however, remains shaky while he faces another round of questioning before a U.K. Parliamentary committee the next month. Since the mind of News Intl. he approved a substantial out-of-court settlement for phone hacking victim Gordon Taylor, a classic professional-soccer player and mind in the Professional Footballers' Assn. According to him haven't any knowledge of common abuse in those days but several former employees contradict him, proclaiming that he was alert to a larger problem. Pressure elevated on Wednesday as Julian Pike, a classic lawyer for News Intl., stated he saw evidence of extensive hacking and informed company management. James has closed News around the world newspaper where the offenses happened and declined a $6 000 0000 bonus the board granted him for fiscal 2011. However, many on Wall Street and on the market think it possible he may be arrested, as have many the division's former employees, or fall on his sword and resign. "James prefer to us to think about he's in a small way incompetent rather than completely dishonest," mentioned Mark Lewis, a lawyer for U.K. hacking sufferers.There's been 63 hacking suits filed inside the U.K. up to now. Lewis, who signifies ten in the cases, mentioned only 400 of some 6,500 sufferers are actually contacted.News Corp. has reserve about $32 million to handle steady stream of law suits stemming within the phone-hacking scandal. Nevertheless the eventual financial impact does not appear possible to calculate. "I basically have no idea what size it will likely be,Inch mentioned Alan Gould, an analyst with Evercore Partners. Inside the summer season, when the scandal skyrocketed, he put a $1 billion you will need damages but confesses that was probably an over-estimate. But it's still one a conglom how large News Corp. can digest. "It absolutely was a U.K. paper doing the hacking as well as the U.K. paper was closed," mentioned another analyst. "Just purely hypothetically, once they found something within the Wall Street Journal, at Fox, or perhaps in the Fox television stations, that could be a bad.InchLewis states they are fully aware of two Us citizens who've been jeopardized, within the U.K. He's asked for NY lawyers, Norman Siegel, former director in the NY Civil Protections Union, and Steven Hyman of McLaughlin & Stern, to educate yourself regarding U.S. angles. "We're doing research, trying to find evidence of hacking here. Or trying to find out whether people at News Corp. in NY understood or should have known the thing that was happening there," Siegel mentioned. According to what emerges, he mentioned he could request a Federal Court for authorization to think about depositions in NY that will help the U.K. suit. "We feel that might be real issues being attacked, which we intend to pursue them," mentioned Hyman. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

John Cusack, Johnny Knoxville to Star in Comedy 'Carnaval' (Exclusive)

John Cusack and Johnny Knoxville are joining up for Carnaval, a comedy that Josh Stern is pointing.our editor recommends'Horrible Bosses' Almost Once Starred Ashton Kutcher, Johnny Knoxville Sequels Spoken about Stone Village is creating and financing. Their Scott Steindorff, Dylan Russell and Scott LaStaiti work as producers. VIDEO: 'The Raven' Trailer: John Cusack as Edgar Allen Poe Cusack may have a sports scout shipped to Rio p Janeiro through the over-the-top bacchanalia of Carnaval to recruit our planet's best soccer player while using promise when he signs the star, he'll inherit the organization. Knoxville plays his nearest friend, a music artist who tags along and contains an affair getting a girl who calculates being the player's girlfriend, derailing the signing mission. Former agent David Styne written the very first script, which was rewritten by Stern. (Styne may also be being a producer.) PHOTO: 'The Raven' Poster Revealed The film will shoot in Rio this The month of the month of january. HSI Worldwide will probably be selling the foreign rights to Carnaval at next month's American Film Market. Stone Village is shopping at AFM its untitled Pablo Escobar project (Lincoln subsequently subsequently Lawyer director Kaira Furman is helming) together with the actual and Margarita, an adaptation in the famous Russian novel put together by Mikhail Bulgakov. CAA-repped Cusack will next be seen as Edgar Allan Poe inside the thriller The Raven, searching for a March 9 release. Knoxville, also repped by CAA, just started shooting Last Stand with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Email: Borys.Package@thr.com Twitter: @Borys_Package Related Subjects John Cusack Johnny Knoxville

Lena Headey Embracing The Crazy For Game Of Thrones Season 2

First Published: October 17, 2011 6:26 PM EDT Credit: WireImage LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Caption Lena Headey arrives at Spike TVs Scream Awards 2011 at Universal Studios Backlot, Hollywood, on October 15, 2011Production on the Belfast set of Game of Thrones Season 2 is rapidly coming to a close, and Lena Headey said big things are in store for her character, the controversial Queen Cersei Lannister. She is losing control because her son is totally out of control, Lena told Access Hollywood on Saturday at the Scream Awards, referring to Cerseis son, Joffrey, who is now king following the death of his father, Robert Baratheon, in Season 1 of the HBO show. I think she cant admit it to anybody, the actress continued, referring to Cerseis upcoming Season 2 predicament. Shes dying to ask for help, and she never will. After a brief trip to Los Angeles for the Scream Awards, where Game of Thrones was honored as Best Show, Lena is already on her way back to Belfast to wrap things up. Were on our last few episodes, she said of progress on Season 2. Joffrey is becoming more trouble. Its the young actor Jack Gleason who plays King Joffrey, a character, who like his mother Cersei is polarizing but central to the thrilling drama. Jack Gleason is adorable, and just so good at being a little sh**, she laughed, complimenting her co-star. Hes so good at being terrible. With Sean Beans Ned Stark out of the picture, following his execution at the hands of the new teen king, Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) is headed back to Kings Landing in Season 2, having just been appointed the Hand of the King. The move, of course, will put The Imp right in Cerseis path, material Lena has sunk her teeth into. This season theres a big arc with Cersei and Tyrions relationship, which is really interesting, because its love/hate there, totally, she told Access. Its been really fun filming all those scenes, and theres just a lot more drama this year. While one of Cerseis brothers is in Kings Landing, the other her twin and lover Jamie Lannister, is now in the hands of The Starks and Lena said that does funny things to her character. There is a slightly incestuous relationship, which is very wrong, but its the way she was brought up. Shes a little crazy under thesurface, Lena said. Second season, Im getting to explore that a bit more, which is good, because I like the crazy. Season 2 of Game of Thrones returns to HBO in 2012. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Five Chapters in the Origin Story of George Clooney

George Clooney directs and co-stars in this weekend's new political thriller 'The Ides of March.' Before George Clooney was a Very Famous Person, he used to spend his time on a show called 'E/R.' (I promise: the 'E/R' that we are talking about is not at all the 'ER' that you're thinking of right now.) After that he would go on to hang out with Joe Polniaczek on 'The Facts of Life.' Even a Very Famous Person like George Clooney has an origin, and sometimes that origin has you starring in 'Return of the Killer Tomatoes!' 'E/R' (1984) In George Clooney's first credited role, he played Mark "Ace" Kolmar in this sitcom that stars George Clooney that also happen to have the same title as the show that would later make George Clooney a star. Elliot Gould, the star of this 'E/R,' would later co-star with Clooney in the three 'Oceans' films. 'Riptide' (1984) I have absolutely no idea what's going on in this clip because it's dubbed into German for whatever reason. But George Clooney has a knife! Also, I faintly remember liking 'Riptide' because it came on right after 'The A-Team.' 'Street Hawk' (1985) 'Street Hawk' was a short-lived television series about a police officer who fought crime at night as a vigilante on his high powered motorcycle. His motorcycle could travel up to 300 miles per hour. Also, this is not a joke. This show existed. Sadly, George Clooney was not the Street Hawk. Fortunately, in his guest starring role, Clooney does appear to win a stuffed lion at a carnival. Facts of Life (1985) George Clooney played "George" as a semi regular on 'Facts of Life' after 'Facts of Life' stopped being a good show. Put it this way: a year later even Mrs. Garrett would bail on this ship. 'Return of the Killer Tomatoes!' (1988) I think even Clooney knew back then that this was beneath him. Only then it was more in a "I used to be a regular on 'The Facts of Life'!" kind of way. At least he had a recurring role in 'Rosanne' to look forward to. Oh, and 'ER.' Oh, and an Oscar and worldwide fame. Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook You can contact Mike Ryan directly on Twitter. RELATED

Simpsons Actor: Cut My Salary To Keep Show Going

First Launched: October 7, 2011 3:23 PM EDT Credit: WireImage NY, N.Y. -- Caption Harry Shearer attends the 2011 Cinema Eye Honors within the Museum in the Moving Image in NY City around the month of the month of january 18, 2011 One of the voice stars round the Simpsons states hes ready to cut his salary by seventy percent to keep the show going in exchange to have an idea in the productions profits. Harry Shearer is among six stars who provide voices for your animated figures on Foxs Sunday evening show. He mentioned Friday that producers switched lower his offer. 20th Century Fox Television representative Chris Alexander states the business will not comment. The discussions are mentioned to threaten the way ahead for the comedy, which became a member of its 23rd season lately. Shearer provides the voices for your figures of Mr. Burns, Ned Flanders while others. (Copyright 2011 by Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed) Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

First Three 'Twilight' Photos Coming back to Theaters for just one Evening Only

Summit Entertainment and NCM Fathom are joining to come back the very first three Twilight Saga movies to theaters for just one evening each within the days prior to the discharge from the Twilight Saga: Breaking Beginning - Part I on November. 18.our editor recommends'Breaking Beginning Part 1': The Way It Finish?'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn' New Poster Features Billy Burke, Taylor Lautner in Embrace (Photo)'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Beginning Part 1' New Trailer Is Launched (Video) PHOTOS: 'Twilight: Breaking Beginning': New Pictures In the Film Roughly 730 theaters countrywide will take part in the fan-appreciation program, named "Twilight: Saga Tuesdays." PHOTOS: The Evolution of Film Vampires of the underworld Twilight, the very first film in Summit's blockbuster franchise, will have on Tuesday November. 1, adopted not much later on November. 8 through the Twilight Saga: New Moon and also the Twilight Saga: Eclipse on November. 15. Fathom, one of National CineMedia, will also present never-before-seen footage and new cast interviews as part of the Tuesday screening series. Summit has frequently screening previous films within the franchise before a brand new Twilight film opens. Related Subjects Twilight Saga Summit Entertainment

James Bond 23: Will the Film's Title Be 'Skyfall'?

NY - The titles of James Bondfilms have traditionally been the subject of much debate.our editor recommendsJames Bond '23' Gets U.K. Release DateFate of James Bond hangs in the balanceJames Bond films head to Blu-ray The latest release in the franchise, Bond 23, could well have a name now, according to Fusible.com. The site reported that the MGM and Sony Pictures release, slated for late 2012, will likely be called Skyfall, according to several domain name registrations that were privately purchased through brand protection company MarkMonitor this week. Sony Pictures has used MarkMonitor for thousands of domain names, including SonyPictures.com, according to the site. Fusible said that among the Web addresses purchased are JamesBond-Skyfall.com and Skyfallthefilm.com. The company had registered other Skyfall names back in August, it said. Sony officials weren't immediately available for comment. Earlier this year, the studios announcedthat Bond 23will be released in the U.K. and Ireland on Oct. 26 of next year, with the U.S. launch set for Nov. 9. In the movie, Daniel Craigreturns as Bond with Sam Mendesdirecting. Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com Twitter: @georgszalai Related Topics MGM International Daniel Craig Sony Bond 23 Sam Mendes

'Steel' heartstrings

Sugar Ray Leonard and Dakota Goyo show their stuff.Actor Hugh Jackman and Evangeline Lilly arrive at the "Real Steel" Los Angeles premiere at Gibson Amphitheatre.Shawn Levy Stacey Snider and Rich Ross Scribe John Gatins celebrates with exec producer Jack Rapke. Give Shawn Levy the story of a gritty, down-on-his luck boxer, an 11-year-old son he doesn't want and dozens of frighteningly destructive killing machines and what do you get?A cynicism-free heartstring-tugger of a family film."You know what? Someone asked me, 'Is this like an Amblin movie?'" Levy said at Sunday's preem of "Real Steel." "And I said, 'If by "Amblin" you mean pre-cynicism, pre-irony, then hell yeah.'"There certainly is Spielbergian DNA running through "Real Steel," as the man himself is an executive producer of the DreamWorks film that opens Friday. Judging by the reactions of the dozens of kids streaming from the Gibson Amphitheater to the after-party out back -- shadowboxing and marvelling at the life-sized mockups of the pic's fighting bots -- there's still some magic left in moviemaking minus misanthropy."That's why I did it," said the pic's Evangeline Lilly. "Because I read the script and for the first time ever, it was pure. It was beautiful. And I had someone tell me before I took the job, 'Why would you take that script? It's hokey.' And I said, 'I like hokey.'" Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Among Dodgers Chaos, Baseball Posts Attendance Rise in 2011

Regardless of the worst season in the turnstiles at Dodger Stadium since 1992, Mlb stated Thursday it offered the 5th-most tickets within the sport's history this year.our editor recommendsL.A. Dodgers Apply for Personal bankruptcy Among Frank McCourt Drama Major league baseball stated it surpassed the attendance of their 2009 and 2010 seasons by drawing 73,425,568 fans throughout the standard season that ended Wednesday evening with three wild games that removed the Boston Red-colored Sox and Atlanta Braves from playoff contention while putting the Polk Bay Sun rays and St. Louis Cardinals within the postseason. Attendance was .five percent much better than last year's total of 73,054,407, which incorporated six more games due to rainouts, and also the total symbolized probably the most tickets offered because the 2008 season (78,588,004). Overall, yesteryear eight years would be the eight best-attended seasons in large-league history. 18 from the 30 teams finished the 2011 campaign having a increase in attendance, and nine clubs offered a lot more than 3 million tickets. The bump came despite abnormally inclement weather throughout much of the season. The final time a season had more rainouts than the 2010 51 was 1997. The very first round from the 2010 nfl playoffs starts Friday on The best spinner's. Fox and The best spinner's possess the privileges towards the American and Nation League Championship series, correspondingly, and Fox will broadcast the planet Series, scheduled to start March. 19. The very first time, the Philadelphia Phillies brought baseball in overall and average attendance with franchise records of three,680,718 tickets offered along with a per-game average of 45,441 at People Bank Park, that has now located 204 consecutive regular-season sellouts. The NY Yankees capped the American League with 3,653,680 tickets offered, calculating 45,107 fans per game at Yankee Stadium. Additionally towards the playoff-bound Phillies, the Milwaukee Machines and Texas Rangers, also headed for that postseason, and also the protecting World Series champion Bay Area Titans also set franchise records. The Red-colored Sox offered out all of their 81 home games, stretching their record streak of consecutive sellouts at Fenway Park to 712. "The resiliency in our sport never ceases to amaze," commissioner Bud Selig stated Thursday. "Generating the 5th-greatest attendance ever among such challenging economic occasions reaffirms the incredible passion and enthusiasm from the fans ofour national pastime." The La Dodgers, among a personal bankruptcy filing and worries about fan safety at Dodger Stadium with owner Frank McCourt involved inside a bitter divorce, saw attendance decline 18 percent to two,935,139 tickets offered, typically 36,236 per game. They unsuccessful to market 3 million tickets inside a nonstrike year the very first time since 1992 and was beaten in the gate through the La Angels (3,166,321 tickets offered) the very first time. The Houston Astros and Polk Bay also saw significant attendance dips of 11 percent as well as an Major league baseball-high 19 percent, correspondingly. Related Subjects