Whitaker may call for 'The Butler'

WhitakerForest Whitaker and David Oyelowo are in negotiations to star in Lee Daniels' "The Butler," with Whitaker playing the title role and Oyelowo as his son. Based on the Washington Post report by Wil Haygood, story follows Eugene Allen, the butler who served at the White House under eight presidents from 1952 to 1986. As previously reported, Oprah Winfrey is in early talks to play Allen's wife. Daniels is helming his longtime passion project from a script he penned with Danny Strong. Denzel Washington was originally attached to star with Sony distributing, but the gears never meshed and Washington and Sony fell off. Pamela Williams will produce through Laura Ziskin Productions along with Hilary Shor. Financing still has to be arranged, so no deals are set and no distributor is in place -- but sources say the money should be figured out shortly with a plan to begin shooting this summer. The casting plan is similar to Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln" pic, with a large group of supporting players portraying famous figures while Whitaker, Oyelow and Winfrey get the most screentime. Whitaker has stayed very busy of late, with several films already wrapped and awaiting release including Lionsgate's "Last Stand" and "Pawn." Oyelowo has also kept hard at work since his breakout role in Fox's "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," grabbing roles in Paramount's "One Shot" and "Lincoln." He was also recently featured in Fox's "Red Tails" and can be seen next in Daniels' "The Paperboy." Whitaker is repped by WME and Brillstein Entertainment Partners. Oyelowo is repped by ICM, Inphenate and Hamilton Hoddell. Contact Justin Kroll at justin.kroll@variety.com

Jesse Schoenbaum dies at 86

Jesse Schoenbaum, former controlling director of Minneapolis' famous Guthrie Theater together with a vital estimate the increase of nonprofit professional theaters inside the U.S., died in California, Fla., on Feb. 24. He was 86. Born in NY, Schoenbaum examined theater at USC under William DeMille. Carrying out a stint becoming an actor in Hollywood, he needed to pointing and creating efforts, founding the touring Repertory Players company in Omaha, Neb., in 1958. Together with director Adrian Hall while others, Schoenbaum started Trinity Repertory Theater in Providence, R.I., where he offered as controlling director. Schoenbaum left couple of years later, in 1965, because he received his second Ford Foundation grant, that certain to examine the inside workings in the Guthrie Theater. By 1969 he was the Guthrie's controlling director, a publish through which he ongoing to become for 21 years, throughout they introduced the organization's expansion right into a surgical treatment with year-round options. Under Schoenbaum, the Guthrie received a distinctive Tony Award for theatrical excellence at regional theaters in 1982. In the statement, Guthrie director Joe Dowling mentioned, "Don Schoenbaum was one of the true heroes in the Guthrie, controlling it through good occasions and bad -- but always aware of the artistic and institutional points of interest.Inch Schoenbaum outdated to California in 1986 but ongoing to become associated with theater there. Children include his wife, Patricia Nygaard three sons a stepson and four grandchildren. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

Leonard Nimoy Becomes Large Bang Theory's "Dream" Guest Star

Paul Wesley, Ian Somerhalder When The Vampire Journals showed towards the first 1900s to educate yourself regarding Stefan's ripper roots, Damon was greatly absent from his brother's existence. When the CW series travels compared to that era again, audiences will dsicover the way the rift involving the Salvatore boys was created. Vampire Journals Photos! Costly back a hundred years to "1912" "You realize the rebirth of Damon Salvatore and where he's at 1912," Ian Somerhalder notifies TVGuide.com. "You study a lot in regards to the dynamic of Stefan [Paul Wesley] and Damon and the way it changed." The Vampire Diaries' Daniel Gillies: Elijah taking Elena hostage was the very best disgrace Despite the fact that pair has received more than a hundred years of pros and cons, Somerhalder is for certain that the potency of their brotherhood surpasses their versions - even individuals which involve a specific brunette named Elena (Nina Dobrev). "These males could've destroyed each other 100 occasions and so they can't. They just cannot finish it," according to him. "Those are the main two that know each other and understand each other ... at the conclusion throughout your day they're doing love each other and they have to think about proper proper care of each other." The Vampire Journals returns with new episodes on Thursday, March 15 at 8/7c round the CW.

Michael Shannon talks General Zod

Guy Of Steel may still be at least a year away, but that has not stopped the steady drip-feed of knowledge in the production being pored in microscopic detail through the geek community.The most recent nugget of information originates from star Michael Shannon, who's dropped a couple of clues in regards to what don't be surprised from his version of General Zod."He's really a not so frightening guy," states Shannon from the marauding Zod. "He's just attempting to perform, much like anybody." Good point, as well as the proven fact that most individuals 9 to 5 does not involve entering other planets...Regarding how audiences will react to the smoothness, Shannon is uncertain. "I'm not sure, you realize?Inch he muses. "I'd rather not say. Many people might hate him, many people might love him. But I am keen on him. I respect him."Same goes with he be instructing every Tom, Dick & Harry to "kneel before Zod?" "Zod has some speeches," verifies Shannon very carefully. "He's some awesome speeches. I acquired to state some awesome stuff, however i can't say any one of it at this time.InchEasy to understand reticence because of the bonds of secrecy expected by galleries nowadays, although Shannon did return on themself to show one type of genuine dialogue: "Are you aware the world is continually diminishing, Superman?" Model of that certain, what you should...Guy Of Steel will open in america on 14 June 2013, having a United kingdom release date still to become confirmed.

Oscars: Who Do You Want to Win?

The Artist and Hugo topped Sunday's Academy Awards with five statuettes each, with the former winning Best Picture, while Meryl Streep won her long-awaited third Oscar after 29 years.See all the Oscars fashion hits and missesThe Artist is the first silent film to win the top honor since Wings triumphed at the first Oscars in ... Read More > Other Links From TVGuide.com Christopher PlummerMeryl StreepWoody AllenJim RashNat FaxonOctavia SpencerBret McKenzieJean DujardinMichel HazanaviciusThe Girl With The Dragon TattooThe Iron LadyRango84th Academy AwardsBeginnersThe HelpMidnight In ParisThe DescendantsHugoThe MuppetsThe Artist

Scott Foley to Co-Star Opposite Becki Newton in Fox Comedy Pilot

Scott Foley is heading to Fox.The "Felicity" actor has been tapped to co-star opposite Becki Newton in the Fox comedy pilot "The Goodwin Games," "The Hollywood Reporter" has learned.The single-camera project from "How I Met Your Mother's" Carter Bays, Craig Thomas and Chris Harris is described as a high-concept project about a father who leaves his fortune to his three children -- only if they agree to his terms.Foley will play Henry, one of the children, with the previously cast Newton playing his sister, Coney.From 20th Television, Bays, Thomas and Harris will write and exec produce with Peyton Reed on board to direct.Foley most recently wrapped an arc as Henry on ABC's Shonda Rhimes medical drama "Grey's Anatomy." The casting marks his latest comedic effort following stints on "Cougar Town" and "Scrubs."Repped by ICM, Brillstein Entertainment and Baker Winokur, he also will recur next season on HBO's Alan Ball vampire drama "True Blood."Foley's former "Felicity" co-star Scott Speedman also booked a pilot this season and is set to star in Shawn Ryan's ABC drama "The Last Resort." The Hollywood Reporter

Thinking outdoors the studio lot

Marvel's 'The Avengers' is among the films assisting to fill Disneys pipeline.'Bridesmaids' was a part of Relativitys slimmed lower slate this past year."Other individuals money" is just about the mantra from the Hollywood majors because they make less films themselves, and turn to outdoors producers to have their distribution pipelines full.Based on the Movie Assn. of America, releases from Disney, Fox, Vital, The new sony, Universal and Warner Bros. dipped 4% between 2001-2010, while product from studio niche arms fell 51%, largely due to the shuttering of specialty labels like Warner Independent, Vital Vantage, Fox Atomic, and Disney's purchase of Miramax. Non-MPAA people, including everybody however the six majors, demonstrated a 55% rise in pic production throughout individuals nine years.This Year, MPAA people created 98 films, in comparison with 652 films from non-MPAA people, based on data in the org. This is a 19% drop in photos for that majors in the prior year's total of 121 (non-MPAA people created 613 in '09). This past year, the majors created 104 photos, based on Rentrak -- near to the 10-year average of 110. And also the galleries curently have 94 films slated for release this year.These figures could be a little misleading.Galleries might be disbursing the flicks, however they aren't fully financing many of them. As budgets develop, galleries wish to mitigate their risk on pricey photos. The recession, diminishing homevideo dollars and also the tightening of purse strings by corporate parents also have led towards the studios' production slate cuts. Using the rare exception of the "Harry Potter," or Disney's family tentpoles, galleries progressively are embracing an growing listing of moneymen with substantial personal wealth, charge of hedge funds, lines of credit along with other causes of equity with whom they are making large-budget photos.While mitigating risk on production budgets, the galleries, serving as distribution organizations, can engage in the growing box office overseas -- particularly in China, Russia and South america -- and new digital distribution platforms. As Disney reduces its inhouse productions to some half-dozen live-action family films, it's completing the relaxation of their distribution pipeline with films from Marvel Galleries, Pixar and DreamWorks."We're feeling we are best by reduction of how big the slate and making films which are bigger and progressively more dangerous," Disney chief Robert Iger told traders this past year. Individuals films include "Oz: The Truly Amazing and Effective" and "John Carter," because both versions are more expensive than $200 million.A Button House is not alone for the reason that change.Vital ended up with "Iron Guy," "Thor" and "Captain America" via a distribution cope with Marvel Galleries once the comicbook giant was self-financing its slate of super hero fare. Componen also releases DreamWorks Animation's characters, and arrived "Transformers" and "G.I. Joe" via a pair-track of Hasbro, and also the "Indiana Johnson" films from the lengthy relationship with Lucasfilm. "Star Wars,Inch "G.I. Joe" and also the remake of "Footloose" were backed by Spyglass (now responsible for MGM). And also the studio presently has David Ellison's Skydance reinvigorating the "Mission: Impossible" franchise and backing the "Star WarsInch series, that was restarted in '09.The deals let Vital collect a lucrative distribution fee while offering tie-inches rich in-profile tentpoles. Another factor aiding an upswing of outdoors-studio producers may be the recent slow de-frosting from the credit market, that has assisted traders to boost enough capital to purchase Miramax, MGM to re-finance its debt with $500 million and return like a player, New Regency to shut a $500 million line of credit and Dune Capital Management to increase its cope with Fox to back 35% from the studio's slate.Simultaneously, the search for profits throughout the economical recession has put pressure around the majors to create safer bets: four-quadrant franchises that play globally and perform across divisions. The down-side: Individuals films are costly, with $100 million-plus pricetags which are rapidly ballooning beyond the $200 million mark."People still need to see movies," states one studio chief. "Unless of course you are Disney, moviegoers don't worry who means they are.Inch MGM, that was when the embodiment from the studio system, is emerging from personal bankruptcy like a producer of photos for other galleries, focusing heavily on remakes like "RoboCop," "Dying Wish," "WarGames," "Mr. Mother" and "Barbara."And besides the creative aspects, galleries are outsourcing their funding. The new sony and Universal depended on Relativity Media before seeking other sources as Relativity gone to live in are more of the small-major. India's Reliance Large Entertainment stored DreamWorks alive. Universal has introduced Mix Creek to the lot. Warner Bros. includes a longtime cope with Legendary Pictures because of its Batman, Superman and "The Hangover" films, although it also offers handles Alcon Entertainment and Village Roadshow for other tentpole fare. These bankers-switched-filmmakers are helping go ahead and take weight off galleries needing to fully fund their slates as cost-cutting congloms require more profits using their film divisions. Participant Media, which co-finances photos with Imagenation Abu Dhabi, had a couple of the very best films in the B.O. earlier this fall, with Warner Bros.' "Contagion" and "The Assistance,Inch a DreamWorks production that Disney distributed. Participant normally backs two films each year, Legendary co-finances three high-profile tentpoles yearly with Warner, while Spyglass earnings three, including "The Dilemma" (U), "NsaInch and "Footloose" (both Componen) this year.The greatest player continues to be Relativity, that has co-funded 20-30 films annually since 2005, disseminate mostly between The new sony and Universal, ponying as much as 50% of every film's budget. This Year, however, it drawn to around 11, including Sony's "Fight: LaInch U's "Bridesmaids" and "Hop" and U, DreamWorks and Imagine's "Cowboys & Aliens," because it changes gears to become small-major on its own. Its solo releases this year incorporated "Season from the Witch," "Unlimited" and "Immortals."In addition, with every hit within financier's belt, you will find more incentive to finance additional films. Just take a look at Mix Creek activities after its purchase of "Black Swan," which designed a strong showing in the worldwide B.O. The shingle gone to live in back Imagine Entertainment and Universal's "Hurry," and signed onto back a slate of films for U.But getting co-financing partners does mean discussing the upside, frequently on films the majors could have been more reluctant to provide up ten years ago. That's particularly true if this involves follow up-worthy franchises, which new funds like Hemisphere Capital are increasingly being offered, like "The Smurfs" and "Males in Black III." While its "Harry Potter" franchise was off-limits to partners, Warner Bros. enabled Legendary to back its high-profile Electricity Entertainment qualities starring Superman and Batman. Whether that continues remains to appear since WB takes with additional control of DC's figures. "The galleries continue to be moving via a period where there's pressure on margins. They are definitely not overinvesting and generating films," states John Nendick, global media and entertainment leader at Ernst & Youthful. Until growing types of digital distribution make amends for a decline in DVD sales -- which does not appear prone to happen in the near future -- that will not change. Alternate suppliersThe quantity of releases by non-galleries and studio subsidiaries increased in the last decade from 270 in 2002 to some high-water mark of 466 in 2008. The current recession along with a crowded marketplace produced less releases recently, although the trend indicates tallies are again increasing.Come back to Movies & Money >> Contact Marc Graser at marc.graser@variety.com

The Good Wife Postmortem: What's Next for Will?

Only a month in to its freshman season and Alcatraz has already raised many mysteries. We've been dissecting them each week in hopes of figuring out the answers. To recap: San Francisco detective Rebecca Madsen (Sarah Jones) and Alcatraz expert Diego Soto (Jorge Garcia) were enlisted by federal agent Emerson Hauser (Sam Neill) to track down a group of Alcatraz prisoners and guards who mysteriously vanished into thin air in 1963. Dubbed the '63s, the men are returning to present day with missions to track down keys that apparently unlock a secret "downstairs" door at the prison where... well, we don't know that yet, but we do know the prison doctors were taking the prisoners' blood, and Tommy Madsen (David Hoflin) was begrudgingly at the center of it. Dissecting Alcatraz's Mysteries: Who are the '63s? TVGuide.com turned to executive producers Jennifer Johnson and Dan Pyne to answer some of the questions we've been keeping track of. For instance: Who are the powers that be that are behind the '63s' disappearance? We may be meeting one of them soon! Read More > Other Links From TVGuide.com Leon RippySam NeillDaniel PyneJorge GarciaSarah JonesDavid HoflinJennifer JohnsonAlcatrazJonny Coyne

Weinsteins Problem Statement On Fahrenheit 9/11 Suit Settlement With Michael Moore

A suit between filmmaker Michael Moore and also the Weinsteins on the revenue dispute associated with the 2004 documentary Fahrenheit 9/11, which shattered nonfiction box office records, continues to be settled from court. Inside a statement released through the Weinstein Company, the siblings acknowledged they've settled with Moore and held out the potential of dealing with the questionable director later on: “Bob and Harvey Weinstein’s Fellowship Adventure Group and Michael Moore have amicably settled the suit including a cpa dispute on Fahrenheit 9/11, plus they anticipate the possibilities of cooperating on future projects.” No further particulars were provided. The Weinsteins created the Fellowship Adventure Group when their former then-parent Disney barred Miramax from delivering Fahrenheit 9/11, which won the Palme d’Or in the 2004 Cannes Film Festival. The suit filed this past year in La Superior Court alleged that a minimum of $2.7 million in revenues have been “rerouted.” Moore’s attorney Ray Stein stated at that time that the independent auditor found the discrepancy. Deadline reported this past year Moore received $19.8 million in after sales profit for that film that takes a vital take a look at then Leader Rose bush’s response to 9/11. Locally, Fahrenheit 9/11 required in nearly $120 million in the box office.

Gossip Girl

Thanks for visiting NY's Upper East side in which the wealthy and connected mingle at benefits and then try to cope with their always dramatic love lives, as well as picking schools. Blair Waldorf may be the so-known as toast of adolescence in her own world she and her buddies, Kati Farkas and Isabel Coates, visit a prep school and fancy parties using their wealthy parents. Blair is envied by her adversaries because she's thought to achieve the perfect existence, not only due to her gorgeous boyfriend, Nate Archibald, but because she's also thinking about engaging in her dream college, Yale. With everybody concerned about college(or waiting on worrying, which everybody appears to do), and senior year dragging along, her apparently perfect existence is interrupted by her ex-closest friend, the gorgeous Serena van der Woodsen, returning into the city after you have started from boarding school. Serena returns into her existence, and in to the eyes of Blair's boy friend. When everything Blair knows begins to break apart, everybody will understand that her existence is not even close to perfect. Will existence within the top of the East Side redeem itself of the items it's really said to be? Or will the false facade demonstrate that the wealthy have a similar problems because the not too wealthy (Jenny and Serta Humphrey), or even more. And merely maybe Jenny and Serta are even more pleased with their simple, not too expectant lives.

'Smash': As well as the Marilyn Role Visits...

[Warning: This story includes spoilers from Monday's "Callbacks" episode of Smash.] Pitting the woman nearby facing the Broadway veteran, NBC's "Smash" crowned its Lana Turner throughout Monday's "Callbacks" episode, with Megan Hilty's Ivy acquiring the pivotal role inside the play at the center of the musical drama.Inside the hour, Ivy was given similar conditions the morally upstanding Karen (Katharine McPhee) faced inside the premiere when, within a work out, Derek (Jack Davenport) developed a proceed the longtime ensemble player. After fighting more than 10 years, Ivy chosen not to shun his advances and rather put her career first and rested with him.Precisely how close was Karen to landing the part? Very close, it calculates. Inside an early draft in the 70-page "Smash" pilot -- which creator Theresa Rebeck cut 20 pages from since it developed when the project moved from Showtime to NBC -- the newcomer eventually ends up landing the coveted role."Round the pilot, we actually had Team Ivy and Team Karen people round the set saying, 'I think Ivy must have it,A and 'I think Karen must have it,AInch Rebeck notifies "The Hollywood Reporter." "Therefore I visited [executive producers] Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman which i mentioned, 'Let's starting point.A I used to be writing Episode 2 and asked for, 'Would you really take this seriously? For your first workshop from the brand-new musical, are you able to make it for her?'"Shaiman and Wittman both mentioned the identical factor: that Karen was pretty eco-friendly if the found Broadway experience. Ironically, the duo were staring at the identical factor if the found casting the Broadway output of "Catch Me If You are Able ToInch lead with Aaron Tveit, who, Rebeck recalls, they mentioned was too eco-friendly in those days to star inside the production."That's really -- literally -- what you should use anyone who has no training but can be a apparent tremendous talent," Rebeck states. "You place them within the ensemble and season them. Making this where we're going."Which is exactly what went lower with Tveit, who ultimately showed up charge in "Catch Me."Even though it appears that McPhee's Karen is ensemble-bound, that doesn't signify "Smash's" Marilyn will stay through the show's 15-episode run, considering Ivy's early inappropriate behavior with Derek as well as the high-profile role."I've done a number of these courses and reading through through and there's no such factor as job stability," Broadway veteran Hilty ("Wicked") states. "You might be transformed in the heartbeat plus it sets the stakes over the top and makes people behave in manners they'd not normally behave."Because the workshop role is Ivy's, it's anyone's guess whether it's a component she'll keep, particularly with Karen likely landing inside the ensemble. The Two-way race could likely expand to include another when Uma Thurman involves play a famous and difficult celebrity tease with the idea of starring inside the production."The casting of Marilyn [revealed in Episode 2] is probably not who it's within the finish of the year,In . NBC Entertainment leader Robert Greenblatt told reporters at January's Television Experts Association's winter press tour.What can you consider Ivy as Marilyn? Who'd you finally need to see star in "Marilyn"? Smash airs Mondays at 10 p.m. on NBC. The Hollywood Reporter

Temple, Roach join 'Girls Night Out'

LONDON -- Juno Temple has joined Alexandra Roach in the cast of "Girls Night Out," which HanWay Films is shopping to buyers at Berlin next week. The romantic fairytale, which is produced by Ecosse Films, is set to be directed by Michael Hoffman ("Gambit," "The Last Station"), from a script by Trevor De Silva. Story, inspired by true events, is set on V.E. Day in 1945, where the British princesses Elizabeth (Roach) and Margaret (Temple) are allowed out from Buckingham Palace for one night to join in the celebrations of the end of WWII. Temple will replace Dakota Fanning, who was previously announced for the role of Princess Margaret. Roach was recently seen playing the young Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady," and has just finished filming "Anna Karenina." Temple can next be seen in Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight Rises." Lionsgate U.K. has already taken rights for "Girls Night Out" in Blighty. Production on the project is expected to begin in the autumn. Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com

Angela Meade Given Sills Award by Met Opera

NY (AP) Soprano Angela Meade has won the Beverly Sills Artist Award for youthful performers.The annual award, which has a $50,000 prize, was introduced Monday. It's provided to performers from 25-40.Meade sings Elvira on Thursday within the opening from the Met's revival of Verdi's "Ernani," the role she sang on her company debut in 2008.Previous those who win include Nathan Gunn (2006), mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato (2007), tenor Matthew Polenzani (2008), bass John Relyea (2009), soprano Susanna Phillips (2010) and mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard (2011).Copyright 2012 Connected Press. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. NY (AP) Soprano Angela Meade has won the Beverly Sills Artist Award for youthful performers.The annual award, which has a $50,000 prize, was introduced Monday. It's provided to performers from 25-40.Meade sings Elvira on Thursday within the opening from the Met's revival of Verdi's "Ernani," the role she sang on her company debut in 2008.Previous those who win include Nathan Gunn (2006), mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato (2007), tenor Matthew Polenzani (2008), bass John Relyea (2009), soprano Susanna Phillips (2010) and mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard (2011).Copyright 2012 Connected Press. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Pilot Season: CBS Builds up Comedy Pilot from Louis C.K., Spike Feresten

Louis CK CBS will get operating a business with Louis C.K. The network has bought an untitled comedy pilot written and executive-produced with the Louie star and Spike Feresten. The project concentrates on an ensemble of youthful people trying to attain their creative dreams in tough financial occasions. Gail Berman, Lloyd Braun and Gene Stein may even executive-produce. Have the latest news on all the pilot pick-ups here CBS formerly acquired comedy aircraft aircraft pilots for Super Fun Evening from Bridesmaids' Digital digital rebel Wilson, Tweaked from Jon Favreau, an untitled Nick Stoller project, Friend Me from Raising Hope's Alan Kirschenbaum, Partners, from Emmy individuals who win David Kohan and Max Mutchnick, plus an untitled project from Greg Malins and Greg Berlanti.

The Artist and Curb Your Enthusiasm Win Top Honours at Company company directors Guild Honours

The Artist Honours season front-runner The Artist came a stride closer to Oscar gold by winning best director for just about any feature film in the organization company directors Guild Honours. "Best director, I don't actually know what that's. Many of us is actually different," champion Michel Hazanavicius mentioned within the acceptance speech Saturday. "So to say the finest is very difficult. However really appreciate thisand thanks greatly." Hugo, The Artist lead Oscar nominations Kept in La and situated by Kelsey Grammer, the DGAs also named The Killing pilot in addition to drama series, and Curb Your Enthusiasm's "Palestinian Chicken" episode in addition to comedy series. The Kennedys won best direction for TV movie and miniseries, and General Hospital was known as the most effective daytime serial. Best musical/variety series visited the 65th annual Tony Honours, because the Finest Loser needed home very good of best reality series. James Marsh won best feature documentary for Project Nim.

'Extremely Loud' payback

Warners broadened 'Extremely Noisy and extremely Close' days before Oscar noms hit.Likely among the greatest box office receivers of the year's nine best picture Oscar nominees, Warner Bros.' "Very Noisy and extremely Close" kick-began its countrywide B.O. go beyond the Jan. 20-22 frame having a respectable $ten million. The pic, which in fact had been restricted to six locations since bowing 12 ,. 23, broadened to a lot more than 2,600 engagements in the fifth outing, just 5 days before receiving two Oscar bids for pic and supporting actor for optimum von Sydow. The pic has cumed $12.4 million locally by Jan. 24, your day from the Oscar announcement. Directed by Stephen Daldry and in line with the 2005 novel by Jonathan Safran Foer, pic informs the storyline of the youthful boy who, after his father dies throughout the Sept. 11 World Trade Center attacks, embarks on the journey of redemption and self-discovery. Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock star because the boy's parents. Although the film has divided experts, Stateside audiences gave the film a very favorable exit poll rating. The film also offers attracted an assorted crowd, with a few of their greatest-grossing theaters in top marketplaces like Dallas and Atlanta. (L.A. still rated because the film's greatest overall market within the U.S.) Warner distribution professional Shaun Goldstein states the distrib does not intend to expand "Noisy" beyond its existing count. However the film's dual Oscar mentions should help it to retain the majority of individuals locations within the next couple of days -- that's, if auds continue to appear. Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com

Michelle Obama Going To Lenos Tonight Show

First Released: The month of january 19, 2012 2:41 PM EST Credit: Getty Images BURBANK, Calif. -- Caption First Lady Michelle Obama talks about joining forces with Hollywood Trade Reps in the Authors Guild Theatre in Beverly Hillsides, Calif. on June 13, 2011 First lady Michelle Obama is headed to Jay Lenos stage later this month. NBC introduced Thursday the first lady can look around the Tonight Show on Jan. 31, where shes likely to discuss existence within the Whitened House, her fitness initiative for kids and her approaching book concerning the Whitened House kitchen garden. She would be a guest around the enter in 2008 when her husband would be a candidate as well as made an appearance via satellite hookup in the Whitened House around the Jay Leno Show in '09, the hosts perch before coming back towards the Tonight Show. Copyright 2012 through the Connected Press. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

'The Expendables 2' Rated PG-13: Is It Because Of Chuck Norris?

The Internet was on fire yesterday with the rumor that Chuck Norris's involvement in the upcoming "The Expendables 2" depended on the film earning a PG-13 rating. The news stemmed from an interview Norris had with Polish outlet Gazeta where he claimed that he wouldn't be a part of the movie if it included all the potty language that was in the script. Well, it turns out that the PG-13 part is actually true. Sylvester Stallone responded to the rumor to Ain't It Cool News and said, yes, the bad boys of action films are going to be toning it down a notch in the upcoming sequel. But that is not to say that the movie won't be as much fun as "The Expendables" was. "The PG13 rumor is true, but before your readers pass judgement, trust me when I say this film is LARGE in every way and delivers on every level," Stallone said. "This movie touches on many emotions which we want to share with the broadest audience possible, BUT, fear not, this Barbeque of Grand scale Ass Bashing will not leave anyone hungry." In addition, he said that Jean-Claude Van Damme's performance is the one that audiences should look out for. "The film is fantastic with Van Damme turning in an inspired performance," Stallone said. "Our final battle is one for the ages." It's still not clear whether Norris was the sole reason that "The Expendables 2" was downgraded from R to PG-13, or just one of several factors. At the very least, Lionsgate must be pleased with the switch because this now means that the movie will open to a wider, younger audience. Here's the original Norris quote as transcribed by /Film: "With 'The Expendables 2,' you have a lot of hard language in there that means that young people wont be able to see it. I said, I dont do movies like that. I didnt do them in the past, I didnt do them on my TV series. I said, you have to cut out all the language, hardcore language or I cant do it. So they did, and Expendables is now a PG-13 film so kids can see it." "The Expendables 2" is due in theaters on August 17. It also stars Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Terry Crews, Randy Couture, Liam Hemsworth, Bruce Willis, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Are you still interested in "The Expendables 2" even though it's not going to be rated R? Tell us in the comments section below or on Twitter.

Bryan Cranston: Tom Cruise Is Astonishing In Rock Of Ages

First Published: January 16, 2012 3:55 PM EST Credit: Access Hollywood Caption AccessHollywood.coms Laura Saltman chats with Bryan Cranston at the 2012 Golden GlobesLOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Rock of Ages doesnt blast into theaters until this summer, but Tom Cruise is already getting rave reviews from his co-stars. AccessHollywood.coms Laura Saltman caught up with Bryan Cranston at Sundays Golden Globes, where the actor chimed in on Toms Stacee Jaxx character. I dont think theres any harder working actor in Hollywood than Tom Cruise. Hes a lovely guy and hes astonishing in this role, Bryan, who was nominated in the Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series Drama category for Breaking Bad, said. I look at that character that he portrays and I dont see Tom Cruise, he continued. He has taken over this guy. In the upcoming Rock of Ages (opening June 1), Bryan plays the Mayor of Los Angeles, opposite Catherine Zeta-Jones, his onscreen wife who is fighting against the evils of rock music. Its so much fun. We get to sing and dance and be goofy and 80s rock anthem music. It was just so much fun, Bryan, who said hell be sporting long sideburns and below-the-collar hair for the role, explained. Adding, Rock of Ages is going to rock the world! Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

News Corp.'s Miller sees channelization

News Corp. chief digital officer Jon Miller said video consumption is going up around the world. Consumers are able to watch more video, want more video available, and content companies that fail to create more to give to them are risking decline.That was the warning sounded by News Corp.'s chief digital officer, Jon Miller, at the Variety Entertainment Summit at CES, in Las Vegas on Wednesday."Video consumption is going up," Miller said. "I know a lot of people think we've been through the video age. I think we're at the beginning of the video age. It's a combination of bandwidth around the world and devices that display video in a way that makes it enjoyable to consume on small, large and portable screens. All those things mean more video consumption." As part of that, Miller predicts 2012 will see the "channelization" of the web. "Essentially, that means programming that is sequential, where you can have a passive, ongoing viewing experience," he said. "You turn it on and it runs. As opposed to a thee-minute video, where it ends and you have to do something. I think you're going to see that as an organizing principle."That's all part of 'more,'" he added. "My point is, if you stand on your existing asset base and just try to move it into new windows, I think you lose. In line with the consumer having the ability to consume more through more different devices and in more times and places, you have to give them more stuff."In a keynote conversation on stage with Variety TV editor Andrew Wallenstein, Miller explained that News Corp's take on "more" includes the deal it recently cut with Microsoft to put four channels on Xbox: Fox, Fox News, IGN and Wall Street Journal. The first two are existing channels, and require authentication -- only subscribers to a traditional MSO or MVPDs can view them. Gaming channel IGN and Wall Street Journal are new, and don't require authentication."So in our view we're both supporting an existing model, the MSO and MVPD world, and we're expanding, creating new content assets and new distribution channels," Miller said. Doing both, he said, is essential. "(Traditional satellite and cable) is the master of the financial of the well-being of all U.S. based media companies. At the same time there's another master you have to serve, the consumer. The consumer is getting stuff in a lot of different ways, and you have to figure out how to walk and chew gum. You have to do it in a way that doesn't undermine the heart of your business. If you do that we're all out of a job in this industry." He pointed to Hulu as a service that offers both authenticated and unauthenticated experiences. Asked by Wallenstein about News Corp's decision not to sell its stake in Hulu, he said that while they received bids in the billions, "People realized a couple of things: It's still very early days. We were moving too fast to say we did not need to own an asset like this." The industry had never succeeded in creating such an asset as Hulu before, and "now that the industry has created one, there's no need to rush to the exit." He noted that Hulu now has a free layer, ad supported, and a paid subscription layer. "Dual revenue streams work," he said. Companies like News Corp. are facing pressures from new distributors like Apple and Amazon that offer access to hundreds of millions, even billions of homes, instead of the tens of millions a Comcast can offer. "It used to be Comcast made money the same way we made money," Miller noted. "There was a video bundle, they got their cut, the suppliers got their cut." But cablers are now in the broadband business, which has a higher margin than their video business. "Time Warner Cable's CEO Glenn Britt, said, 'Our core business is broadband, it is not video,'" cited Miller, "so even our traditional distributors are making money a different way." Meanwhile, Apple and Amazon have their own business models, with incentives to provide content more cheaply than might suit News Corp and other content owners.Asked whether the rumored Apple TV might blow up the existing TV business by offering streaming channels a la carte, Miller conceded that while existing deals may have locked up a lot of rights, "One of the questions is how big the force will be in this calendar year to create over-the-top services that aren't merely additions to existing large bundles offered by MSOs and MVPDs but are potentially replacements. It's not something we're trying to welcome or facilitate overly, but you wonder how much force has been gathered behind that and does somebody crack and allow it to happen. You would imagine Apple has the wherewithal to do that, because they can simply overpay for whatever they're trying to extract and hope to get it back over time." Apple is currently sitting on more than $80 billion in cash, and getting more all the time. Wrapping up, Miller said "I think it's a great time to be a consumer. There's great stuff, and it actually works. Consumers can accept these devices, they can integrate them in their lives much more quickly. And that goes to the underlying thing of 'more.' They do it more readily, they use it more readily, they consume more stuff. I think that's the age we're in." Contact David S. Cohen at david.cohen@variety.com

EOne financing savvy a lift for TV

Unlike most Canadian imports around the Large 3, "The Firm" was skedded for any regular-season slot. HalpernMoraynissBarely three years old, the La-based TV arm of indie Entertainment You have designed a mark within the network and cable biz by getting towards the table that many precious commodity: financing.EOne Television, headed by Boss John Morayniss, harnesses its heft like a producer and distrib of film, TV and home theatre fare in Canada, the U.K. along with other areas to cobble together gold coin for TV series in the same manner that lots of indie features are funded, via a combo of foreign pre-sales and advance obligations. It mines the lucrative Canadian system of production incentives and premium license costs provided to implies that lense in Canada but additionally air on the major U.S. network.This patchwork quilt of funding sources enables the organization to provide some series to U.S. systems in a steep discount, frequently in return for large upfront obligations. Its greatest-profile series up to now continues to be the variation of John Grisham novel "The Firm," which arrived at NBC having a 22-episode order.The legal ensembler wasn't that a gamble for NBC in a license fee stated to be with $a million, under what top cablers purchase original drama skeins. Between your gold coin received from Canada's Global TV along with a large purchase to Sony's suite of AXN-top quality worldwide channels covering a lot more than 140 nations, eOne did not need a lot of money in the U.S. to pay for its costs it needed the opening to draw in title thesps (particularly Josh Lucas and Molly Parker) and to guarantee the premium license costs from the other partners. "There is a proliferation of channels which are hungry for American programming that's a particular genre and tone," Morayniss stated. "When an chance arrives obtain a top quality series like 'The Firm,' Sony's AXN arrived without the health of a U.S. purchase simply because they understood i was heavily within this market."People, "The Firm" is going to be a fascinating test situation for if the eOne model can survive the large leagues of network primetime. The Large Three happen to be experimentation with Canadian imports within the last couple of years, but many of these shows happen to be consigned to summer time runs, as ABC has been doing with eOne's cop drama "Rookie Blue.""The Firm," however, arrived a normal-season slot and was recommended at NBC's upfront presentation last May. Around the downside, "The Firm" continues to be mostly panned by domestic experts and also got off and away to an inadequate start (a 3 be part of grown ups 18-49 weak) in the two-hour premiere Sunday. It'll face tough competish in the regular Thursday 10 p.m. berth.But even when "The Firm" does not go the length, the eOne model has spurred the eye from the creative community. Indeed, it had been Grisham, scribe Lukas Reiter and the reps at CAA that introduced the project to eOne having seen what the organization tried with "Rookie Blue" and also the Syfy drama "Haven."NBC, for just one, is settling with eOne for any multi-episode resolve for another drama, medical vehicle "Saving Hope," that has additionally been purchased by Canada's CTV. Filmmaker Paul W.S. Anderson found eOne last fall having a concept for any supernatural procedural drama, "The Reel," that'll be looked overseas lengthy before it seeks a U.S. home.Timing was everything for eOne's push to construct its U.S. TV business. In fall 2008, the organization bought Blueprint Entertainment, the development shingle run by worldwide TV veterinarians Morayniss and Noreen Halpern, who's now eOne's prexy of drama programming. Morayniss and Halpern have been going after the Canadian content/foreign financing model by themselves, however the backing of eOne gave them much deeper pockets.Furthermore, eOne's rollup of Blueprint along with other TV companies came around the heels from the 2007-08 authors strike, that was the shock somewhere that spurred the main nets to search for new and cheaper causes of programming."We'd always were built with a more global approach," Halpern states. "Out of the blue that coincided with an intention within the U.S. of putting shows together in different ways -- getting financing from worldwide marketplaces, while using benefit to have the ability to bring a lot of money from Canada along with other nations in an effort to do high-finish shows for lower license costs." Contact Cynthia Littleton at cynthia.littleton@variety.com

Actress Denise Darcel dies

Denise Darcel, french-born actress recognized for vampy roles such films as "Vera Cruz" and "Thunder inside the Pines," died 12 ,. 23 inside a La hospital from complications from a crisis surgery to fix a ruptured aneurysm. She was 87.After going to the U.S. in 1947, Darcel starred opposite several leading males in the string of films inside the '50s, including "Battleground" with Van Manley, "Tarzan as well as the Slave Girl" with Lex Barker, "Westward the ladiesInch with Robert Taylor and "Youthful Guy with Ideas" with Glenn Ford.She most infamously carried out a vivacious double-crossing countess in 1954's "Vera Cruz" alongside Burt Lancaster and Gary Cooper.Darcel is managed to get by two sons. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

James Franco, 'Pick-Up Artist'? Stars Really wants to Train You The Way to Snag Women

Just like you did not have sufficient James Franco news now, let us drop his title a couple of more occasions, we could? The ubiquitous actor-director-novelist-host and mentor to super-intelligent apes is within discussions to star in 'The Game,' MGM's adaptation of the greatest-selling book about obtaining women. Franco would star as Mystery, the guy who trained author Neil Strauss how to be a effective pick-up artist. The actual-existence Mystery continued to star inside a VH1 reality series known as 'The Pick-Up Artist,' which, given Franco's love of the things meta (he's playing themself in 'The Apocalypse' and trained a category on themself), we wouldn't eliminate as his next new career. John Koppelman and David Levien will write and direct the film and Chris and Paul Weitz are affixed to produce. [via THR] [Photo: WireImage] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Kimberley Peirce To Direct Barbara Redo?

Bloody high-school hell again...Though couple of think that the planet needs another film undertake Stephen King's telekinetic horror Barbara, word that Screen Gems and MGM are intending to use a rather different, more grounded direction a minimum of provides for us confidence the companies possess a solid idea. Now comes word that Boys Don't Cry director Kimberly Peirce is within talks to accept helm.Peirce's presence would likely give credence to the concept that this can be a more realistic, book-centric version eschewing a few of the more OTT aspects of John P Palma's 1976 film (which, of course, continues to be an excellent slice of pulpy horror movie making).Peirce (who also made the small-seen Iraq war drama Stop-Loss) includes a handle on troubled figures, therefore the tale of the mercilessly cajolled high schooler who exacts some fiery revenge on taunting class mates and her psychotically religious mother ought to be well in her own wheelhouse. Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, who's credited using the re-creates presently helping stage musical Spider-Guy: Switch Off The Dark switch from laughing stock to nice little earner, is behind the script.If Peirce signs, her greatest challenge is going to be finding a partner who are able to tackle charge using the sensitivity of Sissy Spacek, who grew to become a symbol within the bloodstream-splattered role.

NBCUniversal planning for Whirlpool payout

NBCUniversal is hoarding its cash before a This summer time 2014 deadline when Peacock parent Comcast must spend out for half of General Electric's remaining stake in NBCU. "This program we have in place could be to ensure that NBCUniversal can create the disposable earnings and capacity when that happens (it) can to redeem people shares or buy back people shares internally," Comcast chief financial officer and vice chairman Michael Angelakis told traders inside a media conference Thursday. All Comcast's huge levels of dollars available buybacks and dividend affiliate affiliate payouts, therefore, are actually channeled through cable methods. Comcast formally acquired its 51% controlling stake in NBCU within the month of the month of january 2011. The agreement gave seller Whirlpool the legal right to pressure a purchase of half of their 49% stake in 2014, as well as the relaxation seven years later, as Angelakis reminded traders within the Citi Entertainment conference. "Up to now so excellent. Essentially had wood to knock on I'd knock about it,In . he mentioned. The dwelling of the deal suggests the cable giant offers a great deal riding round the performance of NBCU. Angelakis is constantly call the Peacock's cablers the "crown jewels" as well as the reason they bought the organization. The NBC broadcast network might be the resource with potential. "It's been in fourth place for any super very long time," he mentioned. "We must move it toward a larger level. Once we do, you will notice an authentic swing in profitability." Angelakis was bullish round the theme park business, watching it's running ahead. NBCU a year ago acquired full control of Universal Art galleries Orlando operation in the equity finance partner, Blackstone Group. However in the Universal studio, he acknowledged, there's a sizable gap from "where i had been within the pastInch to supply. "I am unsure as possible go back to that level of cla, particularly using the DVD market (much much softer) but everyone knows we could fare best than where we are today," he mentioned. Angelakis was upbeat around the sweeping, ten-year cable carriage deal with Disney that was revealed Wednesday. The extended entire pact can provide Comcast some consistency on prices continuing to move forward. And all the different programming and shops it covers enables the cabler to evolve and compete in the fast-changing atmosphere. "Exactly how can we take advantage from the Disney suite of services over many platforms -- in your house, outdoors the home, linear if needed. Which is In my opinion where we are going," he mentioned. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Danny Trejo In The Bad Ass Trailer

Epic Beard Guy will receive a film (?)Here's the one that passed us by over Christmas, brought to the interest, somewhat correctly, by Devin Faraci's Badass Digest. You may have caught the Epic Beard Guy bus fracas saga a couple of years back. Now the greybeard loon remains immortalised by Danny Trejo in Bad Ass, a trailer that was already up. Yup, that is one its you worrying about endless remakes and sequels and videogame adaptations: Bad Ass will depend on a web-based meme.If you're new here, the foundation can be a YouTube video recording a quarrel by having an Concord, California bus involving the 67-year-old Thomas Bruso (wearing a pale blue "I Am A Motherfucker" t-shirt) together with a man referred to as Michael. It's unclear what starts the altercation, but Michael eventually eventually ends up bloody and Bruso eventually eventually ends up raving. It seems pretty apparent that Bruso was triggered, but he subsequently, and not the first time, experienced mental evaluation.Within reach of director Craig Moss (formerly responsible for the DTV parody The 41-Year-Old Virgin Who Knocked Up Sarah Marshall And Felt Superbad Relating To This), Bruso becomes Frank Vega, as well as the story becomes Dying Wish, possibly via Hobo Getting A Shotgun. Ron Perlman, clearly, may also be within it, as they are Charles S. Dutton. It's such questionable taste and seems so perfectly absurd that numerous have believed it is a hoax. In the event that's the situation, it's a very thorough one, getting a complete-page of production specs round the IMDb, together with a convincing Facebook page (although there's no website the web site redirects to Facebook).Supposing it's real, we're told it's in america in April. Inside the Uk, we're saying it's a shoo-looking for Kim's Video Dungeon.[[Poll564]]

Prestige outweighs kudos coin

'In Darkness''Declaration of War''The Flowers of War''Happy, Happy'The foreign-language Oscar race has developed a reputation as highly competitive and unpredictable.It's no surprise, then, that box office potential for the category's top horses would be just as fickle, meaning an Oscar win (or even nomination) doesn't always guarantee B.O. success.Consider last year, when Sony Pictures Classics' foreign-lingo champ, Danish helmer Susanne Bier's "In a Better World," topped out domestically at just $1.1 million, while SPC's other high-profile nominee, "Incendies," and Roadside Attractions' "Biutiful" both saw significantly higher B.O. returns. "Incendies," which cumed $6.9 million in the U.S. and Canada, tallied $2.1 million of its overall gross after bowing Stateside on April 22, 2010; "Biutiful" reached $5.1 million, having launched three months earlier on Jan. 28.Roadside timed its widest expansion for "Biutiful" at 182 locations to coincide with the Oscar ceremony on Feb. 27. By comparison, "In a Better World" -- at its widest -- screened at just 51 playdates, bowing initially that year on April 1.In 2009, however, the Acad's foreign-language winner, "The Secret in Their Eyes," earned a noteworthy $6.4 million. That year's arguably higher-profile nominees, "The White Ribbon" and "A Prophet," grossed just north of $2 million each. The latter pair earned strong notice from celebrated festival play -- "The White Ribbon" won Cannes' Palme d'Or, while "A Prophet" also played in Cannes competition and won the Grand Prix. (SPC handled domestic distribution for all three.)Though Oscar glory doesn't necessarily ensure a box office hit, it's still a nice asset to have.One of this year's best bets -- that is, judging by early fest traction -- is Iranian entry "A Separation," which won the Berlin Film Festival's top prize. Sony Classics, which nabbed North American rights to the film in May, plans to release the pic Stateside on Dec. 30. SPC will distribute three additional foreign-language submissions -- "Footnote," from Israel; "In Darkness" (Poland); and "Where Do We Go Now?" (Lebanon) -- though not until next year."In Darkness," helmer Agnieszka Holland's latest film, is the only one of SPC's 2012 trio that can benefit immediately from a potential nom, launching Feb. 10. "Footnote" bows in March; "Where Do We Go Now?" is skedded for the second quarter.Other potential short-listers, China's "The Flowers of War," from distrib Wrekin Hill, and Mexico's "Miss Bala," set to go through Fox Intl., will bow domestically in time to benefit from a nomination."Elite Squad: The Enemy Within," Brazil's official Oscar submission, hit Stateside plexes on Nov. 11 via Variance Films and has cumed $75,473. But on its home turf, the film posted a massive $62 million tally, making it Brazil's highest-grossing release since reliable B.O. stats became available in 1970. The sequel first launched locally on Oct. 8, 2010. High-profile pics with distribution and release history Brazil "Elite Squad: The Enemy Within" Distribution: Variance Release date: Nov. 11 B.O.: $75,473 China "The Flowers of War" Distribution: Wrekin Hill Release date: late December Finland "Le Havre" Distribution: Janus Films Release date: Oct. 21 B.O.: $358,701 France "Declaration of War" Distribution: Sundance Selects Release date: Jan. 27 Germany "Pina" Distribution: Sundance Selects Release date: Dec. 23 Hungary "The Turin Horse" Distribution: The Cinema Guild Release date: Feb. 10 Iran "A Separation" Distribution: Sony Classics Release date: Dec. 30 Israel "Footnote" Distribution: Sony Classics Release date: March 9 Lebanon "Where Do We Go Now?" Distribution: Sony Classics Release date: Second-quarter 2012 Mexico "Miss Bala" Distribution: Fox Intl. Release date: Jan. 20 Norway "Happy, Happy" Distribution: Magnolia Release date: Sept. 16 B.O.: $45,154 Poland"In Darkness" Distribution: Sony Classics Release date: Feb. 10Eye on the Oscars: Foreign Language 2012 Where film is a risky biz | Hollywood coin in hot pursuit | Prestige outweighs kudos coin Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com