Kaxan plan mixes toons, apps, pix

'Secret of the Jade Medallion' is seen as a training run for 'Lucas.'MEXICO CITY --With a clutch of increasingly ambitious videogames and animated features in the pipeline, Guadalajara-based Kaxan Media Group is quickly becoming a key industry presence in the region. Founded in January 2010 under the leadership of CEO Ricardo Gomez, Kaxan has spawned three subsidiaries: Kaxan Games, Kaxan Studios and Kaxan Campus. The studios will release their first toon, the $3 million, Spanish-language feature "Secret of the Jade Medallion," in 2012. Gomez described the pic, which does not yet have distribution, as a dry-run to train his team for Kaxan's first major project, currently called "Lucas," which is budgeted at $25 million. Pic tells the story of a young boy who is transported to a world where everything from the trees to animals and cars are made of recycled materials. That project will be English-language, and Kaxan is looking for U.S. voice talents, dedicating nearly half the budget to fill the roles. Gomez noted that the film will be funded largely by private investors, all of whom reside in Guadalajara, but the company has already begun to reach out to the rest of Mexico and beyond in a search for venture capital. He says the company is in talks with different majors about a distribution deal for the U.S. It does not yet have a sales agent. Gomez stresses that Kaxan is aiming for a wide, international release for "Lucas," and that he is a big believer in the box office future of toons. "Worldwide, they make 3,000 films every year, and of those, 30 are animated, but of last year's top-10 films, five were animated," Gomez says. Kaxan is aiming for "Lucas" to be completed for a 2013 release. Both it and the company's next animated feature, "Bruno" -- about an awkward boy who discovers he has special powers -- will be launched simultaneously as videogames and mobile apps. Gomez says such cross-platform adaptability is part of Kaxan's 360 IP strategy, which places intellectual property in vidgames, films, TV series, digital content, merchandise and print. By March 2011, the games unit had become the first company in Latin America to win developer certification from Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft for the PlayStation, Wii and Xbox, respectively. The company's first game to be released for all three platforms will tie into the "Lucas" pic, with an estimated $4 million in development costs raised from private investors. In August, the company gained notoriety in the gaming world with the release of "Taco Master" for the iTunes App Store; "Taco" was No. 1 for 10 weeks in Mexico and Latin America, hit No. 5 in India and broke into the top 40 most downloaded apps in the U.S. When asked about "Taco Master" and the potential profit of such apps, Gomez thinks in terms of market positioning strategy. "What we want to put in place is the character and the story so that the whole world gets to know them," he says. "Taco Master" is the first of four apps developed in conjunction with Electronic Arts and Chillingo, onetime publisher of "Angry Birds." Two more games have since come out for the App Store under the deal -- "Torture Bunny" and "Finger Shoes" -- with "Fly or Die" on the way. On the console front, Kaxan Games is readying the launch of family party game "El Chavo del Ocho" for the Wii in March 2012. Touted as the first 100% Mexican videogame, "El Chavo" is based on the kids' TV show from Televisa of the same name, which celebrated its 40th anniversary this year. The game is part of a massive promotional campaign coordinated by Televisa starting early next year, which will include parades and a live-action show tour in cities across Latin America and the U.S. The show is a staple in countries as far as Brazil, where it is known as "Chavez," and has fans in Spain as well as the U.S., where it is carried by Univision. Gomez says nearly $3 million went into the development of the game, which for now is arriving on Wii only. The game will be distributed by Mexican game publisher Slang, which will be handling most of Kaxan's future game distribution, according to Gomez. The Kaxan Campus project, where many recruits receive a stipend to help cover expenses while studying, works to help train local animation talent -- a project Gomez began before he founded the company. Gomez worked for IBM in Guadalajara for 18 years in a variety of positions, finally heading the sales division for western Mexico. From 2007 to 2009 he held the presidency of the National Chamber of Telecommunications and Information Technology (Canieti). He began to learn about the CG industry through his role with Canieti, meeting business leaders in Guadalajara -- which calls itself "The Silicon Valley of Mexico" -- and noting the critical mass of multimedia firms and burgeoning talent. In 2008, when Gomez was working for Canieti, the federal government called on the org, along with Mexico's film institute, to develop 52 animated shorts to celebrate the 2010 bicentennial of Mexico's war for independence and 100-year anniversary of the Mexican Revolution. That project began with an open call for young animation talent, with no software skills required, and the creation of the multimillion-dollar Chapala Media Park, a high-tech infrastructure initiative funded by the state of Jalisco and federal coin. In the course of that training, Gomez helped create the Creanimax animation festival and brought a host of lecturers like Ricardo Curtis ("The Incredibles") and others from companies including Dreamworks, Pixar, Disney, Lionhead and Ubisoft. According to Gomez, about 30% of the 250-plus students who have undergone training went on to professional careers in animation, many jumping on board with Kaxan when it opened. Gomez has gone on to establish ties with the more traditional Mexican film industry, taking part in programs like this year's Morelia Lab producers workshop in October. "We give (the students) total creative freedom," Gomez says. "Many of them have now spent three years animating every single day." As a result, the company now has just over 100 increasingly seasoned employees whose average age is 23. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Liberty chief can't liberate from IRS

MaloneJohn Malone, the infamously tax-averse chief of Liberty Media, mentioned Tuesday the business pays $136 million to remain a dispute while using Irs over its 2010 taxes. It may need the hit in our fourth quarter.Liberty and former parent Liberty Interactive mentioned the sale resolves all outstanding disputed federal tax positions while using IRS through 2010.Malone, who freely abhors the tax code, has spent lots of energy trying to skirt it over time. He transformed Liberty from a great investment vehicle that only holds stakes in other people right into a practical company -- mainly to reduce their goverment goverment tax bill.This unique disagreement involved taxes connected with stock derivative positions taken by Liberty Interactive. Liberty mentioned it'll settle all outstanding share borrowing plans by year's finish by delivering the pledged shares found in the derivative deals with a counter party it didn't title. The settlement won't result in anymore taxed gain or loss.Liberty also needs its next quarterly financial statement to reflect a $240 million deferred tax benefit.Liberty's assets, spread through a maze of companies, include Starz, Sirius XM, Live Nation and Barnes & Noble and minority stakes with time Warner and Viacom. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

'True Blood' Star Joins 'The Lone Ranger'

One former "True Blood" star is headed to the Wild West in "The Lone Ranger," a new casting announcement for the upcoming Disney flick tells us. Meanwhile, Matt Damon readies his cast for his upcoming directorial debut, two more are courted for Spike Lee's "Oldboy," and the "300" prequel comes closer to finding its Artemisia. It's December 20, and you're tuning into today's Casting Call! "True Blood" Meets "The Lone Ranger" "True Blood" and "Tron: Legacy" star James Frain is transitioning from villain to villain's assistant for his role in "The Lone Ranger." The Hollywood Reporter has learned that the man better known as Franklin Mott, the vampire who traumatized Tara in season three of "True Blood," will be playing a tough foreman who works for baddie Tom Wilkinson in the upcoming Disney movie. It's unclear whether Frain will play an evil character himself, or if he just works for one. "The Lone Ranger" also stars Johnny Depp, Armie Hammer and Helena Bonham Carter. The flick is set to begin production in about six weeks. Matt Damon Begins Casting Directorial Debut With Frances McDormand Matt Damon first announced his planned directorial debut back in October, and now the casting process has finally started. In an interview with The Business, Damon said the first actor to join himself and co-developer John Krasinski in the film is Frances McDormand. He said they're trying to round out the cast now with production tentatively set to start in the spring. The interview is an interesting look at why Damon felt the urge to direct. He is also lined up with Warner Bros to direct the film "Father Daughter Time: A Tale of Armed Robbery and Eskimo Kisses." More Flock To Spike Lee's "Oldboy" The casting is coming together for Spike Lee's upcoming remake of "Oldboy." Two more actors are being courted for the project, Splash Page reports. Clive Owen is in negotiations for the villain role Colin Firth recently turned down, while Mia Wasikowska has been offered the female lead which previously could have gone to Rooney Mara. So far Josh Brolin is the only actor officially attached to the project. Eva Green Headlines "300" Prequel Slowly but steadily, the casting for Noam Murro's "300: Battle of Artemisia" is taking shape. Splash Page reports that Eva Green is the latest actress to be courted for the project. She would play the titular goddess Artemisia. The film is likely to start production next year, and is the follow-up to Zack Snyder's "300." German Buyer Snaps Rights To Schwarzenegger Film THR has learned that German indie film buyer Splendid Film has snapped up the rights to several major upcoming action films. They have acquired distribution in German-speaking European countries and Benelux for Arnold Schwarzenegger's "Black Sands" and "Last Stand," Paul Walker's "Hours," Aaron Eckhart's "I, Frankenstein," and "Killing Season" starring Robert De Niro and John Travolta, among others. Could this be a good sign for American distribution on these upcoming films? Hopefully. Got any casting news to pass along? Let us know in the comments section and on Twitter!

Pols battle in marathon piracy debate

The House Judiciary Committee's debate over a major piece of anti-piracy legislation extended into the evening on Thursday, as opponents sought to introduce dozens of amendments to legislation they argue would harm the architecture of the Internet and stifle free speech. Their opposition marked a marathon day of contentious, even absurd debate, as opponents also asked that the legislation be given additional hearings with technical experts and even a debriefing with national security officials. But House Judiciary Committee chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas), a chief sponsor of the legislation, vowed to shepherd it through the committee before Congress recesses for holiday break, perhaps aware that the bill could stall out if it drags too far in to an election year. Noting that Congress has long sought remedies to rampant copyright infringement, Smith said that he had "every intention of moving forward today, tomorrow, however long this takes." The legislation is backed by Hollywood studios, record labels and almost all of its major unions and guilds. A companion bill in the Senate passed the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously in May. Despite the long slog, there were indication that the legislation would have the votes to make it out of committee, based on those who voted against amendments introduced by chief opponents of the legislation. In a 22-12 vote, the committee turned back an effort by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) to strip the bill of one of its most controversial provisions that would require some kind of blocking of sites on the part of Internet providers. Although Smith has changed the legislation to give Internet providers some flexibility in choosing what steps they take to block access to infringing sites, Issa still opposed it. Another amendment, also voted down, would have restricted the Department of Justice from combating piracy on behalf of pornographers. Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) noted that because such a significant amount of Internet commerce is for pornography -- to underscore his point he introduced the Avenue Q song "The Internet is for porn" into the record -- companies that traffic in such sexually graphic material also are among the most aggressive in trying to enforce their copyrights. "It is truly a pornographer's wet dream," he said. But Smith said that such an exemption would make pornography even more prevalent online, and said that such decisions should be "left to the discretion of law enforcement." The legislation has polarized supporters and opponents -- not along partisan lines, but largely on those who seek broad Internet freedom versus those who seek stronger intellectual property protection. The bill is aimed at curbing so-called foreign rogue websites that traffic in infringing content, such as movies and TV shows but also other goods like pharmaceuticals and apparel. It would give the Department of Justice new powers to seek a court order to force payment processors and ad networks to cut off support for foreign sites, and for Internet providers and search engines to block access and links to such ventures. Another provision allows content holders to seek their own court action against foreign sites by getting payment processors and ad firms to choke off support. Internet companies, public Internet groups and orgs like the ACLU have said that the legislation is written too broadly, without enough safeguards in the event a site is falsely accused of trafficking in infringing content. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), another chief opponent, warned that the legislation would amount to the "Balkanization of the Internet," and said that as written it would give the U.S. government the same powers that countries like China and Iran use to suppress free speech. That drew a strong rebuke from Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.), who called such arguments "nonsense" and noted that what the bill would do would be akin to existing efforts to bock child pornography, malware and spam. Issa and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) have proposed alternative legislation that would use existing trade laws to combat infringement, with the International Trade Commission given the authority to adjudicate complaints over copyright infringement by foreign sites. But Smith said that those measures would be insufficient to combat piracy and would create a new bureaucracy. Debate was still going on as of 7 p.m. ET, nine hours after it started. Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) suggested that members of the committee still had not analyzed the technological impact of the legislation, and called for engineering experts to give testimony. "Maybe we ought to ask some nerds what this really does," he said. But Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), a supporter of the legislation, accused opponents of stall tactics. One fear is that by dragging the debate too far into 2012, it will stall out during an election year. "If someone thinks a bill of this magnitude is going to stall because we got tired, they got the wrong thing coming," Conyers said. Easier said than done. At one point, the debate was consumed not by discussion about amendments, but the nature of the debate itself. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) raised objections when she was informed of a tweet that a fellow member of the committee, Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) sent to his Twitter followers. It read: "We are debating the Stop Online Piracy Act and Sheila Jackson Lee has so bored me that I'm killing time by surfing the Internet." Jackson Lee called the tweet "offensive," a statement that itself garnered a rebuke from Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.). Jackson Lee refused to withdraw the comment until Smith stopped the proceedings, huddled with her for a bit, and she agreed to change her criticism of King to "impolitic" and "unkind." Contact Ted Johnson at ted.johnson@variety.com

Kris Humphries Felt Ambushed by Hello America Interview

Kris Humphries Kris Humphries states he feels ambushed through the rapid-fire type of questioning about his short-resided marriage to Kim Kardashian throughout his appearance on Hello America, TMZ.com reviews. Humphries made an appearance around the morning show Friday, where anchor Josh Elliot requested him about his separation from Kardashian. "For me personally, it is simply some things take place in existence plus you've got to maneuver forward," Humphries stated, getting increasingly more uncomfortable because the questions ongoing. Report: Kris Humphries wants an annulment calls marriage a fraud TMZ reviews that Humphries was aware he'd be requested concerning the relationship, but did not be prepared to be grilled. However, an ABC repetition demands, "There have been no guidelines." Do you consider Hello America was from line? Discover the shocking truth below and inform us within the comments section: video platformvideo managementvideo solutionsvideo player

USA has high hopes for 'Moment'

USA Network, aiming to make an impact in reality programming next year, has high expectations for "The Moment."Series, from producers Charlie Ebersol and Justin Hochberg, will be hosted by former NFL quarterback Kurt Warner and will focus on personal reinvention and life transformation. Warner, who ended up winning a Super Bowl with the St. Louis Rams and playing in another, thought his career was over in the mid-1990's when he was stocking shelves in a supermarket in Iowa before given a chance to play football again.Format for "The Moment" will be similar to CBS' "Undercover Boss," focusing on one individual for each episode.Pilot was shot in Los Angeles and USA Network is pegging to debut "The Moment" in the 2012 second quarter.Cabler, which has steadily relied on hourlong blue sky-themed dramedies to stay atop its entertainment competition in total viewers and the 18-49 demo in recent years, believes it needs to branch out to different genres to maintain that lead.In addition to "The Moment," net has plans for other reality series, including Shed Media's "The Choir" -- where a town transforms itself through music -- as well projects from Magical Elves ("Top Chef") and "The Hills" creator Adam DiVello. Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com

Michelle Duggar Suffers Miscarriage

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar Michelle Duggar learned Thursday she suffered a miscarriage during her second trimester, People reports. Duggar, 45, and her husband, Jim Bob, were at a routine check-up to learn the sex of the unborn child when their doctor was unable to find a heartbeat. The child would have been the reality TV couple's 20th. Duggars expecting 20th child "We had just been talking about baby names last night and [the children] were getting excited about naming a boy or a girl," the 19 Kids and Counting mom tells the magazine. "It has been a real sad disappointment." Michelle says that the family plans to name the child once they learn the sex and then hold a funeral service. "I feel like my heart broke telling my children," she tells People. "They have all been so excited about this baby and looking forward to April coming around and having a new little one in our arms. That was the most difficult." Duggar baby No. 19 released from the hospital Unfortunately, this is not the first miscarriage for the Duggars. Michelle miscarried during her second pregnancy. She was taking oral birth control at the time, and says this is one of the reasons she and her husband have since left the number of children they have "up to God." The Duggars' youngest child, Josie, also experienced medical problems when she was born three months prematurely in December 2009.

Rainey Qualley named Miss Golden Globe

The Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. has crowned Rainey Qualley as Miss Golden Globe 2012. Qualley, the daughter of thesp Andie MacDowell and Paul Qualley, will make her feature debut inside the indie "Mighty Fine," starring Chazz Palminteri and MacDowell. She's also pursuing operate in music. Typically, Miss Golden Globe might be the kid from the Hollywood thesp who assists on stage through the Globes kudocast. The HFPA made the announcement inside a Evening of Firsts, an inaugural party for your Globes season at Cecconi's in West Hollywood. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Steve Jobs Bio Tops iTunes and Amazon Bestseller Lists for 2011

More than three years after the situation came to light, ESPN reporter Erin Andrews has filed a lawsuit against several parties involved in the 2008 incident in which she was videotaped nude through the peephole of a Nashville hotel room.our editor recommendsDid a Former ESPN Exec Make a Big Mistake Suing Over a Crude Erin Andrews Story? (Analysis)Man pleads not guilty in Erin Andrews case She's seeking $10 million for invasion of privacy, asking $6 million of the West End Marriott where the incident took place and another $4 million from the man who taped her. Michael Barrett, who was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison in 2010 after pleading guilty to stalking Andrews, followed the TV personality to at least three cities where he shot footage of her through hotel peephole doors. Reuters reports that Andrews filed the suit in 2010, but her attorney recently refiled so it would move forward before the statute of limitations runs out. The bulk of the damages sought come from the West End Marriott, where the leaked video was shot. Andrews reportedly claims the hotel is guilty of allowing Barrett to know that she was staying in the hotel and then allowing him to book a room next to her own. And though no parties are commenting on the suit, it reportedly claimed the stalking, videotaping and ensuing leak of the footage has caused the ESPN host "great emotional distress and embarrassment." In addition to hosting ESPN's College GameDay and appearing on season 10 of Dancing With the Stars, Andrews also works as a Good Morning America contributor. Related Topics Erin Andrews ESPN

Allison Janney on The Help, Her Mentor Paul Newman and Overindulging in Eggnog This Holiday Season

After approximately eighty roles in television and film, four Emmy awards, two Tony nominations and countless Kaiser Permanente ads, the inimitable Allison Janney has certainly earned her place among Hollywood’s best character actresses. In her most recent film, the Civil Rights-era comedy-drama The Help — Tate Taylor’s adaptation of Kathryn Stockett’s novel — the Ohio-bred thesp channeled her own mother to play the worrisome mama bear to Emma Stone’s boundary-pushing protagonist. In lesser hands, Charlotte Phelan could have been a thin character — a Southern woman more concerned with her daughter’s marital prospects than her happiness — but Janney summoned fear, humor and subtlety for a fully-fleshed and fully-flawed character who earns her personal growth. In celebration of The Help’s home-video release this week, the quadruple Emmy winner phoned Movieline to reminisce on her character’s cure for lesbianism, her one television role that changed lives and the time Paul Newman cast her in college — all while suffering a bit of a holiday-season hangover. You’ve been in so many films and television shows; do you ever just turn on the television and flip through five consecutive channels that are airing Allison Janney projects? No! I’ve never had that happen. I have seen that American Beauty or one of my movies is on but I’ve never seen them coincidentally on at the same time. That would be amazing. Do you stop and watch? No, I usually don’t, I have to tell you. I’m one of those actors who doesn’t like looking at themselves. Years after I can. I can look at Drop Dead Gorgeous now and say, “Oh my God! I know I was playing trailer trash but I didn’t look so bad.” I can look at American Beauty. I just need some time to transpire. That being said, if I do watch, it won’t be to watch myself. It’ll be to have all of those memories come back and to remember what it was like filming. That’s what lingers. The Help was based on a book, but did you base your character on anyone you know in real life? I think most of my characters have my mother’s sensibility in there. She’s someone who always inspires me and informs my characters because I think she is heartbreakingly funny. She doesn’t try to be funny but her commitment to the things she thinks are important sometimes [are funny]. When Charlotte tells [Emma Stone’s character] Skeeter that there is a root tea that could cure her if she is a lesbian. Those moments are just very fun for me to play. I love playing the tragically uninformed and stuck-in-their-ways types. I also related to Charlotte in that I have too much fear in my life. I’m afraid of change. That’s how I really got into her character — because I knew what it’s like to not want anything to change. That’s all life is though is change. I just want to hold onto things too tightly and I think that Charlotte would too. I was so grateful to Tate for giving her some redemption at the end since that wasn’t in the book. It was wonderful to get two moments — the one when I dress down [Bryce Dallas Howard’s character] Hilly and throw her off of the porch and the moment where she finally sees her daughter for who she really is and not for who she wants her to be. That was a great moment to get to play. She was a really rewarding character to play because I got to do a 180 and completely change. She was an amazingly complicated character to get to play. What’s your history with Tate? This movie was kind of like a family business. Tate and I have known each other since 1988. Octavia [Spencer] as well, and of course [author] Kathryn [Stockett] and Tate grew up together in Jackson. We knew Kathryn through Tate. Brunson Green, who is one of the producers is a dear friend of ours too. We’re all really good friends. We made a lot of really low-budget movies on weekends or whenever we got together, so for this to happen is just an unlikely Hollywood story. It’s very satisfying — the loyalty and friendship, which were some themes in the movie too. I’m glad you were able to film in Mississippi and not Los Angeles as Mississippi. That was so important. That informed the acting and the characters. Being down there just felt more authentic in your role. To be in these houses and these great locations — people opened up their homes and we were filming in these big, old houses with beautiful wrap around porches. It really was 114 degrees and you’ve got corsets on. I feel like now, if I ever have to do a show on Broadway that is set in the South, I will know what that is. It just really gives you a good foundation. It feels like you’re in a different country down there, I swear. Knowing the history of what happened down there — it’s just a shameful part of our history. To be down there — I don’t know what I’m trying to say. I’m sorry, I’m so hungover. [Laughs] What did you do last night? I went to a tree-trimming party and I think I ended up trimming myself a little bit. Sorry! What were you asking? Let’s change direction: As an actor, are you able to use your acting abilities in real-life situations? Are you a convincing liar or able to dial in a dramatic performance with a customer service rep to get your way? You know what, I’m terrible without a script in front of me. I can’t. I wish! That’s why I’m an actor though because I love having everything written out for me and I can just say it. Even just talking to you now, it’s frustrating because I can’t ever finish a sentence or finish a thought. It’s very frustrating. I wish. My friends though — they would tell you that I can be overly dramatic, especially after a couple of egg nogs. [Laughs] You starred in the last Diabo Cody-Jason Reitman collaboration. Have you seen Young Adult yet? I have not, and I can’t wait to see it. I know it’s going to be amazing. I wish I could have been in it, but I can’t wait to see it. They were both so wonderful to work it. I can’t wait to see The Descendants too. There are a lot of good movies this year! The Artist, I want to see that. What else? I’m excited for The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. That’s right! When does Mission Impossible come out? I think next Friday in IMAX. Oh, it’s going to be in IMAX? That’s going to be fantastic. I will wait in line to see that. It’s amazing that in spite of your lengthy filmography, you haven’t worked with Tom Cruise yet. You’re right. I’ve never worked with him, and I don’t think I’ve ever met him either. Nope, I never have. I used to work out with Katie [Holmes] at Barry’s Boot Camp, here in the Valley. She was in the same class as me. But that’s the closest I’ve been to Tom Cruise. It’s been five years since The West Wing ended, yet that series is still very dear to a lot of people. Do you carry any bits of C.J. Cregg with you? I love her. I wish that I carried more of her with me than I actually do. She is kind of my hero. What a great woman to get to play! I wish that she could have lived on and done other things. She’s just such a truly great role model for women and that’s one of my characters and one of those instances where you felt like you got to give back. I feel like I really got to inspire young girls. I get so many letters and see people on the street who come up to me and say, “Oh my God. You changed my life. I was majoring in this and I changed it to this and now I’m going to work in Washington.” Aaron Sorkin really inspired a lot of people with that show. Getting to play C.J., that was an important female role on television and I am still really, really proud of it in a different way than I am of my other characters. Like in Mr. Sunshine, I loved my character, but she was the exact opposite. C.J. will always be the role that I’m maybe most proud of in terms of what it said to the world. Are you looking to get back into television? I am. I’m looking at some other shows now figuring out what’s going to become a reality for me. I very much want to be back on television and I’m actively looking for the right script for me. I’m chomping at the bit. I’m a worker bee — I need to be working all of the time, so I’d love to find a home for awhile on a good television show. Are you thinking drama? Premium cable drama? Oh, I’ll go either way. I don’t care. I particularly like things that have a healthy dose of comedy and drama. I like things that are a little messy and complicated, not just punchline-punchline-punchline. I’m not a fan of [the sitcom format] as much. I don’t know if I’ve ever done that, other than, I suppose Mr. Sunshine. As long as the writing is great, I will go anywhere. Finally, is it true that Paul Newman cast you in one of your first plays while you were in college? Yes it is. He had gone to Kenyon College and he came back to christen the brand new theater there by directing the first play. I read for him, he cast me and he and Joanne Woodward kind of became my mentors as I started off in this world of acting. When I came to NY, Joanne got me into the Actor’s Studio. She directed a group of actors and formed a company and gave us the opportunity to act as a young actor. Usually, you have to find agents. Everything is such a catch-22 when you’re starting out with Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward’s support — it’s a great leg up in this business. I know you have about four movies in post-production. Which one are you most excited for audiences to see? The Chris Colfer movie, Struck By Lightning is a beautiful, beautiful movie that I’m very proud to be a part of. Josh Radnor’s movie Liberal Arts is going to Sundance, and I’m excited about that. I’m anxiously awaiting both of those movies, and I think that they are going to do really well. [Top photo: Getty Images; Help photo: Dale Robinette/DreamWorks II] Follow Julie Miller on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.

Dujardin, Bejo tapped for Santa Barbara Fest honor

Jean Dujardin and Brnice Bejo, who currently star in "The Artist," will receive the Santa Barbara International Film Festival's Cinema Vanguard Award at a Feb. 4 tribute, festival executive director Roger Durling announced Wednesday. "In an age of sight-and-sound spectacle, there is great risk in a silent film," Durling said in a statement. "Jean and Brnice's acting is an amazing pas des deux both physically and emotionally -- recalling classic Hollywood pairings like Hepburn and Tracy, and of course Ginger and Fred." SBIFF, which runs Jan. 26 through Feb. 5, is a key stop on the campaign trail for Oscar hopefuls. The Cinema Vanguard Award is likely to keep Dujardin and Bejo top of mind for Academy voters and help "The Artist" maintain momentum during the balloting process. The award has previously been presented to Nicole Kidman, Christoph Waltz, Vera Farmiga, Stanley Tucci, Peter Sarsgaard, Kristin Scott Thomas and Ryan Gosling. Contact Christy Grosz at christy.grosz@variety.com

'Transformers' And Much More: 2011's 5 Best Alien Invasion Movies

From battles in La and Chicago to children battling against otherworldly risks, 2011 was an memorable year for fighting opponents from past the stars. Keep reading through for the top 5 favorite alien invasion movies of the season! 5. "Fight LaInch Though not quite among my personal favorite movies of the season, even I can not deny the awesome imagery from the initial waves of invasion in "Fight La.Inch The floor-level action puts you within the grungy trenches of the alien assault on which would normally be considered a sunny day in California. If you're able to forgive a skinny plot, the visual assault you'll weather in "Fight LA" may be worth the rental fee. 4. "Paul" Most aliens arrive on the planet with dying-sun rays within their hands and universal domination within their hearts. Paul, however, goes about his business having a joint in the mouth and Doritos in the belly. Thinking about how these invasions normally go, "Paul" was refreshingly light on take-me-to-your-leader danger and high on toke-with-me-and-your-leader humor. 3. "Transformers: Dark from the Moon" Go forward towards the final hour of Michael Bay's latest "Transformers" movie, and you will end up knee-deep within the most balls-out crazy action flick of the season. When Shockwave and also the Decepticons descend upon downtown Chicago, absolute madness develops. Autobots are actually pulled out to the roads and performed. Optimus Prime shoots his opponents hard at pointblank range. He rips heads off. He rips heads off! Yeah, it's pretty awesome. 2. "Super 8" It's less the appearance of the mysterious extraterrestrial that puts "Super 8" about this list it is the kids hanging round the central mystery. Joel Courtney, Riley Griffiths and Ryan Lee are perfect within their large-screen breakout roles, and let us not disregard the moving performance shipped by future Oscar champion Elle Fanning. Coupled with a effective nostalgia kick of pure Spielbergia, J.J. Abrams' sci-fi throwback flick remains among 2011's best popular culture efforts. 1. "Attack the Block" From phenomenal creature design to some wonderfully unique setting for any sci-fi film, Joe Cornish's directorial debut has everything you may request for from the hard R-ranked action comedy. Sporting the "Goonies" elements "Super 8" takes up very well spread with "Alien"-inspired action and scares permanently measure, "Attack the Block" is not only the finest alien invasion movie of 2011 it's among the best movies of the season, period. Believe! Inform us which 2011 alien invasion movie was your preferred within the comments section as well as on Twitter!

Fox Agendas 'American Idol,' 'Alcatraz,' 'The Finder,' 'Touch,' More

FoxKiefer Sutherland in "Touch" Fox features its midseason selection, introduced with the eleventh season of yank Idol and newcomer series Alcatraz, The Finder, Touch additionally to returning series Breaking In and Kitchen Bad dreams or nightmares.our editor recommends'Touch': First Trailer for Kiefer Sutherland Drama Debuts (Video)'Alcatraz' Co-Creator Liz Sarnoff Steps Lower as Showrunner Idol will premiere its eleventh season getting a 2-evening event searching for Wednesday, Jan. 18 and Thursday, Jan. 19 getting a unique episode airing carrying out a NFC Championship game on Sunday, Jan. 22. 24 star Kiefer Sutherland will return to the network with newcomer drama Touch getting a unique preview on Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 9 p.m., it's series premiere Monday, March 10 at 9 p.m. PHOTOS: Fall TV Dying Pool: Which New Show Will Probably Be Axed? J.J. Abrams' thriller Alcatraz will premiere Monday, Jan. 16 at 8 p.m. getting a 2-hour event, returning the following week within the regular time slot at 9 p.m. undertaking a brand new episode of House. Bones spinoff The Finder will bow Thursday, Jan. 12 at 9 p.m. following an encore in the David Boreanaz series from Hart Hanson. Animated comedy Napoleon Dynamite, getting a voice cast within the feature film of the title, will join the Sunday Animation Domination selection with some episodes beginning Sunday, Jan. 15 at 8:30 p.m. Second year animated series Bob's Burgers, meanwhile, will return Sunday, March 11 at 8:30 p.m. Elevated and retooled comedy Breaking In will return due to its second season on Tuesday, March 6 at 8:30 p.m. when the workplace comedy starring Christian Slater and Megan Mullally follows encores of latest Girl at 8 p.m. Glee will return Tuesday, Jan. 17, with Mobbed returning for completely new episodes on Wednesday, Jan. 4 through Feb. 8 at 9 p.m., while Kitchen Bad dreams or nightmares will return Friday, Jan. 13 then fresh cases of Fringe. STORY: NBC Sets Midseason Schedule, Moves 'Whitney,' 'Up With The Evening,' More Cops will return Saturday, Jan. 7 at 8 p.m., and air back-to-back episodes beginning Jan. 14 at 9 p.m., while a distinctive edition of America's Popular remains slotted for Saturday, Feb. 11 at 8 p.m. An entire schedule follows: MONDAY Monday, Jan. 16: 8-10 p.m. ALCATRAZ (Series Premiere) Mondays, beginning Jan. 23: 8-9 p.m. HOUSE (Time Period Premiere) 9-10 p.m. ALCATRAZ (Time Period Premiere) Monday, March 12: 8-10 p.m. ALCATRAZ (Two-Hour Episode) Mondays, beginning March 19: 8-9 p.m. HOUSE 9-10 p.m. TOUCH (Series Premiere) TUESDAY Tuesdays, beginning Jan. 17: 8-9 p.m. GLEE 9-9:30 p.m. NEW GIRL 9:30-10 p.m. RAISING HOPE Tuesdays, beginning March 6: 8-8:30 p.m. NEW GIRL (encore) 8:30-9 p.m. BREAKING IN (Season Premiere) 9-9:30 p.m. NEW GIRL 9:30-10 p.m. RAISING HOPE WEDNESDAY Wednesday, Jan. 4: 8-9 p.m. GLEE (encore) 9-10 p.m. MOBBED Wednesday, Jan. 11: 8-9 p.m. MOBBED (encore) 9-10 p.m. MOBBED Wednesday, Jan. 18: 8-10 p.m. The The American Idol Show Show (Season Premiere, The Start) Wednesday, Jan. 25: 8-9 p.m. The The American Idol Show Show 9-10 p.m. TOUCH (Special Preview) Wednesdays, beginning Feb. 1: 8-9 p.m. The The American Idol Show Show 9-10 p.m. MOBBED Wednesdays, beginning Feb. 15: 8-10 p.m. The The American Idol Show Show (Two-Hour Episodes) THURSDAY Thursday, Jan. 12: 8-9 p.m. BONES (encore) 9-10 p.m. THE FINDER (Series Premiere) Thursdays, beginning Jan. 19: 8-9 p.m. The The American Idol Show Show (Season Premiere, Part Two) 9-10 p.m. THE FINDER FRIDAY Friday, Jan. 6: 8 p.m. ETFOX SPORTS SPECIAL: 2012 AT&T COTTON BOWL CLASSIC (Live) Fridays, beginning Jan. 13: 8-9 p.m. KITCHEN Bad dreams or nightmares 9-10 p.m. FRINGE SATURDAY Saturdays, beginning Jan. 7: 8-8:30 p.m. COPS 8:30-9 p.m. COPS 9-10 p.m. DRAMA ENCORES 11 p.m.-Evening time ENCORES Evening time-12:30 a.m. ENCORES Saturday, Feb. 11: 8-10 p.m. AMERICA'S Popular Unique 11 p.m.-Evening time ENCORES Evening time-12:30 a.m. ENCORES SUNDAY Sunday, Jan. 8: 7-7:30 p.m. BOB'S Burgers (encore) 7:30-8 p.m. THE CLEVELAND SHOW (encore) 8-8:30 p.m. THE SIMPSONS 8:30-9 p.m. THE CLEVELAND SHOW 9-9:30 p.m. FAMILY GUY 9:30-10 p.m. AMERICAN Father Sunday, Jan. 15: 8-8:30 p.m. THE SIMPSONS 8:30-9 p.m. NAPOLEON DYNAMITE (Series Premiere) 9-9:30 p.m. FAMILY GUY 9:30-10 p.m. NAPOLEON DYNAMITE (Special Time) Sunday, Jan. 22: 6 p.m. ET FOX SPORTS SPECIAL: NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (Live) 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PTAMERICAN IDOL (Special Broadcast Approximate Start Time) Sundays, beginning Jan. 29: 7-7:30 p.m. BOB'S Burgers (encore) 7:30-8 p.m. THE CLEVELAND SHOW 8-8:30 p.m. THE SIMPSONS 8:30-9 p.m. NAPOLEON DYNAMITE 9-9:30 p.m. FAMILY GUY 9:30-10 p.m. AMERICAN Father Sundays, beginning March 11: 7-7:30 p.m. ANIMATION DOMINATION ENCORES 7:30-8 p.m. THE CLEVELAND SHOW 8-8:30 p.m. THE SIMPSONS 8:30-9 p.m. BOB'S Burgers (Season Premiere) 9-9:30 p.m. FAMILY GUY 9:30-10 p.m. AMERICAN Father The The American Idol Show Show Kitchen Bad dreams or nightmares Fox Broadcasting Corporation Touch Alcatraz The Finder

DDA Pr links with Blueprint

DDA Pr and Blueprint Pr are beginning a London-based partnership named DDA Blueprint. The standalone company will probably be headed up by Blueprint PR's co-company company directors Jesse Balmforth and Aimee Norman, with DDA's Boss Lawrence Atkinson and COO John Stannard as non-executive company company directors. The companies mentioned the organization of DDA Blueprint will mainly be worldwide TV trade and theater publicity with Blueprint PR theater mind Kate Morley leading the venture's legit activity. "Just like a specialist PR agency getting a worldwide and famous clientele, DDA Blueprint can make and offer proper and goal-driven, tailor-made campaigns within the worldwide and Uk television and theater industries," the announcement mentioned. The companies also mentioned the television arm of lately minted DDA Blueprint will support worldwide sales activity, while focusing on getting in co-production partners and potential traders, aiding in communications on mergers and purchases and co-ordinating global PR techniques. In theater, DDA Blueprint will plan and implement media campaigns for theater companies and individual plays and musicals. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Acad shortlists 10 animated shorts

Ten animated shorts have advanced within the Oscar voting process, including, not remarkably, Pixar's "La Luna," which most auds will not see until it plays before "Brave" next summer time. In the 10 runners up, Academy people in the short films and have animation branches will choose 3 to 5 nominees. The Ten films, in alphabetical order by title: -- "Dimanche/Sunday," Patrick Doyon, director (National Film Board of Canada) -- "The Great Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore," William Joyce and Brandon Oldenburg, company directors (Moonbot Galleries LA, LLC) -- "I Tawt I Taw a Puddy Tat," Matthew O'Callaghan, director and Mike Register, executive producer (Warner Bros. Animation Corporation.) -- "La Luna," Enrico Casarosa, director (Pixar Animation Galleries) -- "Luminaris," Juan Pablo Zaramella, director (JPZtudio) -- "Miracle Piano," Martin Clapp, director and Hugh Welchman, producer (BreakThru Films) -- "A Morning Stroll," Grant Orchard, director and Sue Goffe, producer (Studio Also known as) -- "Pathways of Hate," Damian Nenow, director (Platige Image) -- "Specky Four-Eyes," Jean-Claude Rozec, director and Mathieu Courtois, producer (Vivement Lundi!) -- "Wild Existence," Amanda Forbis and Wendy Tilby, company directors (National Film Board of Canada) Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Asa Butterfield Signs for 'Ender's Game' Harrison Ford Among Other Names Being Talked about

That which was a deal has turned into a deal: 'Hugo' star Asa Butterfield has formally signed onto star within the large-screen adaptation of 'Ender's Game' for Summit Entertainment. Authored the kid on Twitter concerning the news, "Indeed. I am really doing the work. F*** YEAAA!!!" Due March 15, 2013 -- roughly twelve months after 'The Hunger Games' -- 'Ender's Game' concentrates on a youthful gamer who will get employed through the government to battle off an alien race due to his gifted natural capabilities of strategy. Gavin Hood ('X-Males Roots: Wolverine') will direct 'Game,' which is dependant on Orson Scott Card's beloved 1985 book. Additionally to Butterfield, another names might be coming aboard soon. Like maybe Harrison Ford. Minimal influential star is apparently being talked about to experience Colonel Hyrum Graff, "the Commander of coaching for that Worldwide Fleet, a top-notch boys' military academy." Viggo Mortensen was searched for for that role, but no deal might be arrived at. When Butterfield was requested about 'Ender's Game' throughout his 'Hugo' press obligations, he illuminated just like a candle. "It is extremely exciting," he told Moviefone. "I really like it. I have been doing lots of serious films, it will be good to behave relaxing and very exciting, which 'Ender's Game' is." [via Variety] [Photo: Getty] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Oscar Index: So an Artist and a Horse Walk into a Bar...

Good news and bad news this week from Movieline’s Institute For the Advanced Study of Kudos Forensics — the good news being that a handful of critics organizations and awards bodies have helped to draw the year’s noteworthiest (i.e. Oscar-baitiest) titles and talent of the season into their sharpest relief yet. The bad news: Sharp relief remains a total mess, with the fields in most major categories wide open heading into December. Which is the way we like it, right? Right? Ugh. To the Index… [Click the graphs for full-size images.] The Leading 10: 1. The Artist 2. War Horse 3. The Descendants 4. The Help 5. Midnight in Paris 6. Hugo 7. Moneyball 8. The Tree of Life 9. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close 10. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Outsiders: Margin Call; Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2; The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn; My Week With Marilyn; Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy; Shame First things first: Anyone who tells you the Gotham Awards, Independent Spirit Awards, NY Film Critics Circle Awards and tomorrow’s National Board of Review Awards have no impact whatsoever on the Oscar race is either misinformed or deeply in denial. I know: I used to be one of them myself, hewing to the austerity and imperviousness of the Academy Awards, especially by such starfucking hat-passers as IFP and Film Independent. But when FIND executive director Dawn Hudson wound up hopping to the Academy’s CEO gig earlier this year, it was roughly my 843rd sign in the last five years of the institutional insularity that binds such awards-culture monoliths. People can inveigh about the NYFCC’s own austerity and rectitude, but let’s face it: If I knew I could A) jolt a film like Moneyball to awards life after two months in hibernation and B) get Brad Pitt to come to my party, I’d give the movie my Best Actor and Best Screenplay awards, too. These guys didn’t even see one of the movies long regarded as the season’s biggest wild card (Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close) just so they could vote first in the derby, and what for? So they could perpetuate the awards narrative that Harvey Weinstein initiated back in May? It’s all connected — profiles, visibility, timing. Check out Oscar oracle Mark Harris’s painstaking analysis this week for his view, or Mike Ryan’s narrower breakdown of if/how the NYFCC has recently tended to move the Oscar needle. Look at this week’s select honorees at the Gothams (not to mention Scott Feinberg’s helpful follow-up). I mean, Charlize Theron? Gary Oldman? I love both — especially in their new films (hint hint) — but we are ultimately talking about deploying any and every means available to cling to the neurons of an aging, overstimulated voting elite of 6,000-plus for the next two months. Can your organization do it better than my organization? Give it your best shot. And so on… and so on… Anyway! As noted, the awards bustle paid off most nicely for The Artist and Moneyball, the latter of which also had Pitt and fellow nomination-hunter Jonah Hill conveniently, simultaneously out and about on the campaign trail. (The Tree of Life, for which Pitt split his NYFCC Best actor nod, also benefited from tying Beginners at the Gothams. (I repeat: The Tree of Life tied Beginners — a distinction that one may think might invalidate the Gothams entirely were it not for the fact that the awards cognoscenti have spent the last 48 hours writing about them.) The Artist, meanwhile, will take its critical approbation and Indie Spirit nods (which are supposed to be for American films, but whatever), but it’ll really take its $52,500 opening-weekend per-screen average. Alas, the disturbing news arrives via Nathaniel Rogers: Everyone predicting a win for The Artist before the nominations are even announced should consider the following list and sobering fact: No movie about movies has ever won Best Picture. […] You’d think that Hollywood’s High Holy Night, which is one big self-congratulatory spectacle, would embrace movies about movies and they do to a point. But perhaps even Hollywood’s notoriously fulsome egos feel sheepish about taking it all the way. Do they fear it would be overkill, the back-patting night of nights morphing into something far more orgiastic, a daisy chain of self regard? Excellent questions! In a semi-related development, movie-love nostalgia showcase Hugo came out strong as well in limited-wide release, portending, in the words of one wag, “early rustlings of a longer-running sleeper success, the kind of success that happens infrequently in Hollywood and even more rarely in the family film realm.” Combined with staggeringly strong reviews, that success would almost certainly secure Hugo’s spot in the Best Picture coterie. It’s a tandem War Horse doesn’t need nearly as desperately, but kudos to Steven Spielberg for not taking any chances on a holiday weekend when his most formidable competition was raking in the accolades and cash. The filmmaker and Disney unveiled his latest for press and industry insiders at a handful of screenings in NYC and L.A., plus a public sneak preview (and a Web Q&A) attended by Spielberg himself. The feedback among the Oscar orthodoxy was incredibly strong, with influencers like Steve Pond, Sasha Stone, David Poland, Kristopher Tapley, Anne Thompson and numerous tweeting others (“Wept through last half of WAR HORSE. Beautiful story of hope and love in the worst of times,” wrote Devin Faraci) going to bat for it as the formidable Best Picture contender we always knew it would be. For the prosecution, meanwhile, Jeffrey Wells dismissed Tapley’s analysis in particular (which downplayed critics awards, incidentally) as “one of the basest insults to the Academy membership I’ve ever read.” Now that’s when you know you have a real contender. One last thing: How about Patrick Goldstein’s idea of a luxury tax for studios lavishly pushing the likes of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2? By publicly identifying the biggest spenders, a luxury tax could serve as a disincentive for crass studio excess. It might also help level the Oscar playing field. The vast majority of recent Oscar best picture nominees have been films that were either financed by a major studio or one of its specialty film divisions, which, if necessary, can draw on the resources of the parent conglomerate. (The 2007 best picture nominee Babel from Paramount Vantage is a good example.) Given the new formula for picking best picture nominees, if Warners’ ad spree earns Hallows 5% of the first-place votes for best picture, it could knock a smaller movie out of the running. Even though indie movies can still earn a best picture win, as Summit’s The Hurt Locker did in 2009, most Oscar insiders say that when it comes to vaulting your film into the awards season conversation, money talks. Love it! Except this whole thing about penalties going to causes like the eventual Academy museum or film scholarships for underprivileged kids is a clear misappropriation of funds that should be going to the Consider Uggie campaign. Thoughts? The Leading 5: 1. Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist 2. Steven Spielberg, War Horse 3. Alexander Payne, The Descendants 4. Martin Scorsese, Hugo 5. David Fincher, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Outsiders: Stephen Daldry, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close; Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris; Bennett Miller, Moneyball; Tate Taylor, The Help; George Clooney, The Ides of March; Tomas Alfredson, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy As usual, their films’ rising tides generally lifted the filmmakers’ boats — or the inverse, as evidenced by The Descendants and Alexander Payne. According to NY Post critic and NYFCC member Lou Lumenick, Payne’s film never received more than 17 points in any round of Best Picture voting, and the director himself never broke through a top-three cluster of Hazanavicius, Scorsese and, uh, Lars von Trier. Thanks for playing, Lars! Mr. Spielberg will take it from here.

'Dark Dark night Rises' News: Christian Bale Ditches Batman, Talks Cast

"Dark Dark night Increases" viewers, present day your lucky day! We are kicking a few days off right with believe it or not than three products straight from Gotham City and to your virtual reading through space, including new interviews with Christian Bale plus some terrifying ideas on which the brand new "Dark Dark night Increases" trailer might seem like. Get everything and much more following the jump! Bye-Bye Batman After many years of threatening the chance, Bale has confirmed the inevitable: he's done playing Batman. Inside a recent interview, he revealed: "I wrapped a couple of days ago to ensure that would be the before I am by taking your cowl off." It is the finish of the era for him and Nolan, who gave the Batman franchise a significantly needed booster shot with "Starts" in 2005. Assemble The Softball bat Squad Bale also spoke out lately about his fellow "Dark Dark night Increases" co-stars, including Hathaway As Catwoman, Tom Sturdy and Frederick Gordon-Levitt. Hathaway's job may be the most difficult from the bunch in Bale's eyes: "I usually saw Anne's role as the most difficult job of anybody. During my situation, Ive stopped referencing outdoors sources. I now reference Chris own realm of Batman as helpful tips for things i continues doing." "Dark Dark night" Trailer Bad dreams Searching ahead, a brand new "Dark Dark night Increases" trailer will probably be here before December shuts out, and MTV News author Kevin Sullivan mulled the harmful options about what is available within the latest edition from the Weekly Rising. Take a look right here. Inform us that which you think about present day "Dark Dark night Increases" updates within the comments section as well as on Twitter!

James Murdoch faces BSkyB revolt

LONDON -- Opposition grows to James Murdoch's chairmanship of U.K. paybox BSkyB while watching company's AGM on Tuesday. Institutional investor Legal & General, which has 2.9% in the satcaster, will probably election against Murdoch's re-election, in line with the Protector newspaper Monday. L&G supported his chairmanship this past year, but has apparently changed its undertake the stability of Murdoch to steer the board carrying out a collapse of News Corp.'s try to possess BSkyB outright. The sale crumbled within this summer time due to a public outcry if the emerged that News Corp.-possessed U.K. tabloid What Is The News around the world had required directly into messages around the cell-phone possessed by wiped out British schoolgirl Milly Dowler. Other traders prone to election against Murdoch's re-election include financial group Aviva, British Airways Pensions Investment as well as the Co-operative Resource Management. Lobby group Pensions & Investment Research Consultants has advised stockholders not to re-elect Murdoch. In the statement Pirc mentioned: "Mr. Murdoch's participation inside the phone-hacking inquiry enhances the risk the business's public standing image overall will probably be damaged." Three U.S.-based traders have formerly cast their votes against Murdoch. The California Condition Teachers' Retirement System (Calstrs), the Florida Condition Board of Administration, as well as the Christian Brothers and sisters Investment Services (CBIS) have selected against Murdoch's re-election. Calstrs has selected against all the organization company directors round the BSkyB board. Calstrs was among the traders to election in the re-election of James Murdoch for the board of News Corp. finally month's AGM in La. CBIS had introduced an abortive campaign for Rupert Murdoch to need to stand lower as chairman and leader of News Corp. Murdoch, who's News Corp.'s deputy COO, is predicted to live the election. That is because of the backing by News Corp., which has 39% from the organization, together with other stockholders including Capital Research Global Traders. The other day it emerged that in September Murdoch resigned as director of News Group Newspapers, author of U.K. game game titles The Sun's Sun rays as well as the Occasions. Captured, in the second grilling by British pols he "disputed intensely" claims by former News around the world editor Colin Myler and ex-legal manager Tom Crone they told him a great email showing that phone-hacking within the tabloid was common. Nick Ferguson, BSkyB's deputy chairman, has freely given his backing to Murdoch. In the letter to traders he mentioned that Murdoch had "done a preliminary-class job" as chairman. Writers also provide recognized Murdoch's achievements when he was BSkyB's Boss from 2003-2007. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

ROLL CALL: Katie Holmes Wants To Return To Dawsons Creek

First Published: November 9, 2011 2:46 PM EST Credit: Getty Images Caption James Van Der Beek and Katie Holmes seen in a promo shot for Dawsons Creek in 1998LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Your Daily Dispatch of Celebrity Shenanigans Ready For The Creek To Run Again?: Grab your dictionary and thesauruses, one original Dawsons Creek star is ready to return to Capetown! It would be fun, Katie Holmes said on Wednesdays Good Morning America, when asked about reprising her Joey Potter role for a reunion. I had so much fun working on that show and I loved everyone so much and I think about it with such fond memories. A really great group of people. OK, Katies in James? Michelle? Joshua? Busy? Kerr? Revenge Get Bloody!: The cast of Revenge get the Tyler Shields treatment with blood, skimpy attire and plenty of skin. TVs best new guilty pleasure gets even better, HERE! The U.K. Says No Way To Dakota: Dakota Fanning is usually not one to be at the center of a controversy, but the 17-year-olds latest ad for ad for Marc Jacobss Oh, Lola! Perfume has been banned across the pond for being too suggestive. See whats causing the Brits to bristle, HERE! LCs Latest Hollywood Conquest: Lauren Conrad sure does love herself a Hollywood fella! Her latest star of interest is reportedly Gossip Girls Chace Crawford. The former The Hills star-turned-author/designer was spotted sucking face with Chace at a party after spotted flirting with each other earlier in the night at LAs Voyeur, Us Weekly reported. But according to one source, the alleged encounter might not exactly be a budding romance. Theres always been an attraction between them, a source told the mag. [But] Lauren is just enjoying herself. Shes not taking anything too seriously! Somehow we doubt Chace is either! Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Webber support for U.K. school

The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, the charitable org founded by the mega-successful legit composer, will donate 3.54 million ($5.69 million) to Arts Educational Schools, one of the U.K.'s pre-eminent musical theater centers. Donation will cover all estimated building costs, surveys, statutory applications and costs for a complete refurbishment project for the drama school, which offers undergraduate musical theater and acting training for stage, film and TV. Founded in 1919, its alumni run from Julie Andrews to Catherine Zeta-Jones. "The new facilities will provide an ideal environment for the students to take advantage of the exemplary training the School is renowned for," said Lloyd Webber. Composer makes something of a Broadway return this season, with new productions of his tuners "Evita" and "Jesus Christ Superstar" opening in the spring to play alongside his Rialto longrunner "The Phantom of the Opera." Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

Image, W2 ink distribution deal

Image Entertainment has struck a distribution cope with W2 Media covering U.S. privileges to Image films which include homevideo, television, digital and VOD. W2 Media maintains theatrical privileges on all Image game titles. The first slate of releases includes "Toast," "Pete Smalls Is Dead," "Smile" and "The Puck Hogs." "Toast" was launched theatrically in September "Pete Smalls Is Dead," starring Peter Dinklage, is placed for any theatrical release on Friday. The offer announcement is made Tuesday throughout the American Film Market by Bill Bromiley, chief purchases officer for Image. "This recently created deal is really a terrific addition to the distribution pipeline of recent release from Image Entertainment," Bromiley stated. "We are very happy to have W2 onboard and anticipate the broad spectrum of films they'll provide the marketplace.Inch "Smile" focuses on seven buddies who've organized a calming vacation in The other agents that becomes a nightmare. Mock documentary "The Puck Hogs" follows a men's leisure hockey team through the path of a weekend tournament. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

'Skyfall' adds to cast

LONDON -- Helen McCrory and Ola Rapace have grew to become an associate from the cast of Jason Bourne pic "Skyfall." News was introduced round the official Bond Twitter account on Monday. Brit thesp McCrory remains noticed in the ultimate three "Harry Potter" photos featuring in Martin Scorsese's "Hugo." She also voiced the level of smoothness of Mrs. Bean in "Fantastic Mr. Fox" and carried out former Pm Tony Blair's wife, Cherie Blair, in "The EntireInch in 2006. Swedish thesp Rapace (who was simply once married to Noomi Rapace, star in the Swedish version of "The Woman Getting a Dragon Tattoo") has starred in many of photos native to his home territory, including "Beyond" and "Jag Saknar Search." Both will join a superb cast including Difficulties, Javier Bardem, Judi Dench, Take advantage of Fiennes, Albert Finney, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris and Berenice Marlohe. Mike Mendes reaches the helm in the 23rd Bond pic, that's skedded being released March. 26, 2012 in Blighty. Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com

Herman Cain Sexual Harassment Scandal Detailed at Press Conference (Video)

Herman Cain showed up at within former worker's skirt and attracted her mind toward his crotch some 14 in the past, a girl told a lot of reporters inside a press conference Monday that was moved live and eat some cable news shops.our editor recommends10 Hollywood Players That Will Really really make a difference inside the 2012 ElectionsGOP Presidential Candidate Herman Cain's Campaign Bio Hits Amazon . com . com Top Waiting her famous attorney, Gloria Allred, inside a Friars club facility in NY, Sharon Bialek mentioned she looked for Cain's help after she lost her job within the National Restaurant Association when Cain was running the entity. Cain, who's running for your Republican nomination for leader, remains accused by a few women who say he sexually bothered them on difference occasions inside the the 19 nineties whilst in the Restaurant Association. Bialek, though, is the first to provide her title, are available in public and describe Cain's alleged behavior. PHOTOS: 10 Hollywood Players That Will Really really make a difference inside the 2012 Elections Carrying out a heckler disrupted the press conference and was asked for to go away, Allred introduced Bialek just like a registered Repbulican, a classic co-host from the TV cooking show and former worker of CBS Radio. She also labored for your Restaurant Association in 1996 and 1997 when she increased being friendly with Cain because she sitting alongside him at luncheons and dinner occasions. After she lost her job, she arranged to fulfill Cain in Washington, D.C. and was surpised to find out that Cain had upgraded her accommodation with a "palatial suite." Bialek mentioned she was seeking advice or possibly employment recommendation from Cain, or he'd make sure that they be rehired within the Restaurant Association. While driving back from dinner, Cain stopped the automobile: "He put his hands in my leg, under my skirt and showed up at for my sex organs. More youthful crowd clicked up my thoughts and introduced it toward his crotch," Bialek told the journalists. STORY: Hermain Cain's Wife Cancels Interview With Fox News' Greta Van Susteren "Mr. Cain mentioned, 'You need a job, right?' I asked for him to avoid, which he did." "Instead of recieving the help that they wanted for, Mr. Cain rather made a decision to provide her along with his idea of a stimuus package," Allred quipped. (Video below). Bialek mentioned she shared with her boyfriend and aother guy in those days what had happened, and Allred waved affidavits within the males as proof. STORY: Herman Cain Places blame Journalists for Sexual Harassment Drama Bialek mentioned she didn't file complaints because she wasn't utilized by the Restaurant Association throughout time from the incident. She mentioned she saw Cain recently inside a Tea Party Rally and faced him, wanting he'd be "guy enough to confess what he'd done some 14 in the past.In . "I'm coming toward give a face together with a voice to people women who cannot," Bialek mentioned Monday. "I really didn't wish to be here today, and wouldn't are actually here whether it wasn't for your three other women who had alleged sexual harassment against Mr. Cain. I wish for you, Mr. Cain, later on clean. Just admit everything you did." Bialek didn't take questions within the journalists. Allred mentioned no law suits are actually filed, and he or she mentioned Bialek is certainly an discovered a bag single mom today. Video streaming by Ustream Related Subjects Politics Herman Cain

CBS Beats 3Q Earnings Forecasts With Retransmission Consent And Digital Dough

CBS also announced that it’s increasing its share repurchasing program by $1.5B — ithas already spent $850M from its previous $1.5B authorization. As for 3Q earnings, CBS says it had net income of $338M, up 6.6% vs last year’s 3Q, on revenues of $3.37B, up 2%. Earnings at 50 cents a share beat the 46 cents that analysts expected, although they figured that revenues would come in at $3.43B. The company says that revenues for the Entertainment unit, which includes the CBS network and CBS Films, was up 1% to $1.63B. It cites challenges from “the timing of domestic syndication sales” as a challenge while it benefited from new cash from pay TV retransmission consent deals and digital streaming agreements with companies including Netflix. Cable networks, which includes Showtime, were up 14% to $420M, partly due to rate increases. The Simon & Schuster publishing unit was up 1% to $220M, helped by sales of Jaycee Dugard’s A Stolen Life and Dick Cheney’s In My Time. But the company’s local TV and radio stations were down 3% to $656M without last year’s political ads. Outdoor ad sales were up 4% to $477M helped by changes in foreign exchange rates. CBS chief Les Moonves says he is “confident that we will close out 2011 strongly, and look forward to a terrific 2012 in which we will increasingly benefit from online video, retransmission consent, reverse compensation from affiliates, international and local opportunities as well as political advertising that promises to be very robust.”

Susan Sarandon's Daughter Avoi Amurri Marries Former Professional Soccer Player

Kyle Martino and Avoi Amurri Avoi Amurri, the daughter of Susan Sarandon, has married former Major League Soccer player Kyle Martino, People reviews. The pair, who got involved in December, was married in Charleston, S.C. by Sister Helen Prejean, the lady Sarandon described in Dead Guy Walking. The black-tie ceremony was located by both Sarandon and her former partner Tim Robbins, who assisted raise Amurri. See cure has married this season Amurri, 26, used an outfit created by Lela Rose and Martino, 30, used a Brioni tuxedo. Amurri has made an appearance on such Television shows as Californication, Generate An Income Met Your Mother and House.

Ryan Manley Joins USA Drama Fairly Legal As New Regular

EXCLUSIVE: Ryan Manley (Ghost Driver) has became a member of USA Network’s drama Fairly Legal like a new regular for Season 2. Around the series starring Sarah Shahi as lawyer-switched-mediator Kate Reed, Manley will have Ben Grogan, a clear, crisp, up-and-coming trial attorney having a knack to make money. He sees no shame in getting been “that lawyer guy around the bus advertisements” and it is completely unafraid to talk truth to energy, or other people for your matter. Fairly Legal, from Universal Cable Prods, is going through creative changes starting Season 2, together with a new showrunner, Peter Ocko, who changed creator Michael Sardo.

Bradley Cooper wanted for your Guy From U.N.C.L.E.

It was not way back when that individuals heard that Warner Bros stood a pretty starry wishlist for Steven Soderbergh's adaptation of '60s TV series, The Man From U.N.C.L.E.Now there's word from Variety that Bradley Cooper remains offered charge role of yank agent Napoleon Solo, carried out by Robert Vaughn inside the TV series.It seems difficult to believe that Cooper would turn lower the chance to make use of an on-form Soderbergh (especially since the director keeps threatening to retire), but organizing is an problem.Cooper has completed concentrate on Derek Cianfrance and Ryan Gosling's Blue Valentine follow-within the Place Beyond The Pines, and he'll soon be jumping into David O Russell's The Silver Textures Playbook.Could he have plenty of time to shoot U.N.C.L.E. before he starts target the ambitious Paradise Lost adaptation?He's certainly got the looks, charm and confidence to get a clever '60s agent be ready to hear confirmation from the a way over the following number of days.There's presently unsure on who'll play his partner, Russian Illya Kuryakin, though.Soderbergh's Contagion is at cinemas now, with Haywire following within the month of the month of january.

Re-Discharge of River Phoenix's Last Film Doesn't Have His Family's Blessing

Forget individuals reviews that Joaquin Phoenix will be the re-discharge of his brother River Phoenix's last film. Based on Deadline's Nikki Finke, director George Sluizer's claims that Joaquin is likely to overdub River's voice came as news towards the Phoenix family. "Joaquin Phoenix and the family haven't experienced communication using the director nor can they participate by any means,Inch a household representative states. River died in the far-too-youthful chronilogical age of 23 from the drug overdose in 1993. The film under consideration is known as 'Dark Bloodstream.' Sluizer authored the film's synopsis on IMDb themself: Coping with nuclear testing and it is lengthy-lasting deadly effects, the storyline shows Boy, a youthful widower residing in the desert on the nuclear testing site. Living like a hermit, he waits for that finish around the globe carving Katchina [sic] dolls he thinks have magical forces. On a trip on the "second" honeymoon over the Arizona desert,t he vehicle of the Hollywood jet-set couple stops working. They're saved by Boy, who holds them criminals while he desires the lady and wishes to produce a better world together with her. Sluizer's most well-known film is 1990's 'The Disappearing,' a remake of their own Nederlander thriller, 'Spoorloos.' [via Deadline] [Photo: Everett Collection] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook RELATED

UMPG ups Lambert to film-TV chief

John Lambert remains promoted to professional V . p .-mind of film and tv music for Universal Music Posting Group, the business introduced Thursday.A 20-year music posting vet, Lambert works in the company's Santa Monica headquarters and therefore are accountable to Evan Lamberg, UMPG's U . s . States leader."John Lambert is amongst the prominent creative professionals, and leaders, within the film and TV industry and is constantly drive success for Universal Music Posting," Lamberg mentioned in the statement.Lambert will oversee synchronization and catalog positioning in film, TV and advertising. Right before joining Universal, Lambert offered as V . p . of advertising, film and TV music for Zomba Music Posting, Jive Records and and BMG Music. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Hot Trailer: The Flowers Of War

A 20-minute snippet from the Christian Bale-starring The Flowers Of War, China’s official entry in to the Best Foreign-Language Film Oscar race, was proven to purchasers recently in the Toronto Film Festival. Now comes a trailer for Zhang Yimou’s true-existence drama set from the backdrop from the 1937 Nanking Massacre (the film have been entitled Heroes Of Nanking). It will likely be a distinctive property to promote for whomever acquires U.S. privileges: The film is all about 60% Mandarin-language and 40% British within this trailer, you will find subtitles for. The film may have its world premiere in Beijing on 12 ,. 16.

Joe Manganiello Unveils Some 'Magic Mike' Male Stripper Programs

"OutdatedInch director Steven Soderbergh arranged a beefcake-y cast for his beefcake-y drama 'Magic Mike': Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Matt Bomer, Matthew McConaughey, Kevin Nash, Adam Rodriguez and Joe Manganiello all co-star inside the male stripper film, that's based, simply, on Tatum's own encounters just like a dancer. What exactly can fans expect within the dance programs of his and her favorite pin-ups? As 'True Blood' star Manganiello states, plenty of generic male-draining dreams! "Everybody kinda does their unique factor," he mentioned for the La Occasions. "Large sexy Kevin Nash has his Tarzan factor, I've experienced my fireman factor, Matt Bomer's got your physician factor happening, Adam Rodriguez does a Latino lover bit." Further elaborating to Celebuzz, Manganiello mentioned he'll have "suspenders, hat" and may "have the axe going." 'Magic Mike' still doesn't have a very distributor or release date, just one of people could enter focus relatively soon. Deadline reviews that Warner Bros. has emerged just like a leader to get the domestic rights for Soderbergh's next film. Get excited. [LAT/Secretary of condition for Gossip, Celebuzz via Vulture] [Photo: DW/bauergriffinonline.com] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook RELATED

'Happy Days' Cast Suffers Setback in $ten million Suit Against CBS

Courtesy Everett Collection Cast people of Happy Days have observed a setback inside their $ten million suit over selling revenue within the hit sitcom. A La judge on Wednesday released claims that CBS committed fraud by shortchanging them money from slots featuring their faces together with other consumer products that have been licensed over time.our editor recommends'Happy Days' Cast Sues CBS, Vital for $10 Million'Happy Days' alum dies at 58 Your final decision by Judge Elizabeth Allen White-colored means the heavens- Marion Ross, Don Most, Anson Williams, Erin Moran as well as the widow of Tom Bosley (he died a year ago) - cannot receive punitive damages within the trial, that's scheduled for June 2012. "We are thrilled a legal court has thrown out all claims for punitive damages and substantially simplified this with a situation of contract interpretation," CBS notifies The Hollywood Reporter in statement. Jon Pfeiffer, attorney for your stars, told CNN his clients intend to press forward while using suit. In April, the crowd punished CBS for $ten million proclaiming they never received revenue claims connected with selling within the 1974-1984 series, which CBS never designed to pay them back. The heavens say their contracts granted them 5% of internet proceeds, or 2 1/2% if their images were found in a business. CBS, represented by lawyers Andrew White-colored and Keri E. Campbell, responded getting a motion to dismiss several claims inside the suit, as well as the judge grants that request concerning the fraud, concealment and conversion claims. The breach of contract situation continues. Email: Matthew.Belloni@thr.com Twitter: @THRMattBelloni CBS Happy Days

Rankings: Guy Up! Debuts with 7.8 Million Audiences

Mather Zickel. Teri Polo Guy Up! Rankings meh! Last Guy Standing? Nearly 3 million standing ... and leaving. The debut from the ABC sitcom around three men (Christopher Moynihan, Mather Zickel and Serta Folger) sussing out what must be done to become a modern guy (and whether or not this includes using pomegranate body clean) snapped up 7.8 million audiences at 8:30/7:30c, posting a couple.4 rating among industry-valued 18-to-49-year-olds - third in the time slot by both measures. Reviews considered the show insultingly bad. At 8/7c, per week after Tim Allen's new sitcom first showed to 12.95 million audiences, the show had 10.20 million tuning in - a 21 percent drop. Additionally, it received a 3. demo rating, lower from three.5 the other day. Photo timeline: The emasculation of males on television Obviously, ABC's sitcom tandem needed to go facing CBS' NCIS, which attracted 19.01 million audiences (3.8 demo rating), along with the first 1 / 2 of a Tuesday evening edition from the X Factor, which averaged 10.15 million (3.8) over two hrs. Also within the first hour of prime time, The Greatest Loser on NBC came 5.04 million people and also the CW's 90210 1.44 million. At 9/8c, NCIS: La attracted 15.39 million versus. Dancing using the Stars' results (13.55 million), the 2nd hour of Loser (5.25 million) and Ringer (1.79 million) - that the CW is attempting to provide a lift by airing numerous reruns and lately gave a complete-season order. Prime time's final hour Tuesday again was won by Memorable, which came 11.34 million audiences versus. Body of Proof (9.50 million) and Being a parent (4.98 million).

First Tintin Reviews: Spielberg's Herg Adaptation Reminiscent of Indiana Jones, But Is the Mo-Cap Up to Snuff?

The first batch of reviews are in for The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn, Steven Spielberg’s long-awaited big-budget adventure that attempts to revive the charming Herg character (first introduced in 1929) with the most advanced motion capture technology money can buy. So what did the earlybird critics have to say? Thanks in part to the director’s storytelling ability, the well-executed action sequences (sometimes done in impossibly long takes) and the brilliance of mo-cap king Andy Serkis, it sounds as though the first Tintin has succeeded as an entertaining Spielberg film. But because of the limitations of motion capture — even in its most advanced current state — Tintin also fails to meet the revolutionary filmmaking expectations set for Spielberg’s first foray into the format. Following the first screening in Belgium on October 10, a number of reviews have surfaced ranging from mixed-positive to positive. The most critical write-up of the film yet comes from The Telegraph which gave Tintin a 3/5 rating: …there’s a mechanistic quality to Spielberg’s craft that’s undoubtedly disappointing: a film directed by one such distinctive artist and based on the work of another shouldn’t feel like it could have been made by almost anyone. The main personality-stifler is the film’s use of performance capture; the method by which the cast’s movements and expressions have been translated into computer-generated visuals. However much more successful the technique is here than it has been elsewhere, crucially it’s not successful enough: even if Jamie Bell wasn’t so monotonously earnest as Tintin, he’d still look about as conscious as a bollard with a quiff. Even so, the U.K. paper notes that the film’s “breakneck pace” works favorably and that the “stuffiest 3-D refuseniks” will appreciate “a terrific motorbike chase through a Moroccan marketplace, presented in one impossible, continuous take” and a “hallucinatory sequence that brings galleons crashing through the moonlit Saharan dunes is pure blockbusting spectacle.” Variety is more forgiving of the motion capture, noting that audiences might question the format until “Snowy, Tintin’s faithful white terrier, performs antics not even the best-trained pooch could perform and the sets, stunts and action sequences become ever more lavish.” “The worst” that Variety says of the film is that “the action is so relentless, it nearly comes to feel like a videogame as it leaps from one challenge to the next.” Even so, the “consistently stylish and richly detailed design work” will more than make up for the pace. Like other reviewers, HitFix claims that Tintin follows the original Indiana Jones template more than the Spielberg franchise’s last, disappointing installment Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, “in which Harrison Ford’s eyes appeared deader than those of any mo-cap mannequin.” HitFix also credits Spielberg for sharing Herg’s “story-loyal earnestness,” a commonality which allows the charming cartoon character to make his hi-tech feature film debut organically enough. Even if the mo-cap characters are not that appealing, the “film’s smashing key set piece […] fully justify this technological leap of faith, while also successfully adapting the distinctive flat-color textures of Herg’s trademark ligne claire drawing style.” And then there are the unabashed raves from ScreenJabber.com (“The Adventures of Tintin is an absolute belter. […] It’s slick, exciting, laugh-out-loud funny, sympathetic to its origins, superbly voiced and leaves you wanting more.”) and The Sun (“…laughs aplenty.”) Which review do you trust most? The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn will continue premiering overseas this month until it finally reaches U.S. theaters on December 21. · The Adventures Of Tintin: The Secret Of The Unicorn - review [The Telegraph] · The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn [Variety] · Review: Fun, frisky ‘Tintin’ pages Indiana Jones [Hitfix]

Brazil commission pacts with Ile de France

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Brazil's Filme Rio-Rio Film Commission has sealed a broad-based partnership pact with the Paris-region Ile de France Film Commission.The cooperation agreement was inked Thursday at Rio's Casa Franca-Brasil Foundation, an imposing colonial-era mansion in downtown Rio, and comes as Rio, and Brazil at large, is attracting huge interest as a market, shoot locale and potential co-production partner."This ceremony gives us the chance to strengthen our organizations' relationship within a wonderful context," said FR-RFC prexy Steve Solot."Rio has the attention of the whole world now, thanks to events such as the forthcoming World Soccer Cup and the Olympic Games, a trend which now also holds true for the audiovisual sector," he added.Major U.S. productions - "Fast Five," most notably "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1" -- have partly shot in the city of Rio or - think 20th Century Fox toon pic "Rio" - been largely set there.The FR-RFC - Ile de France deal will see both commissions analyzing and advising on potential shoots or co-prods presented by producers, said Ile de France Film Commission exec director Olivier-Rene Veillon.Pact will also seek to further Rio-Paris producer relationships, foreseeably through co-prod workshops, Veillon added. France and Brazil signed a new co-production treaty in 2010 that eased co-production criteria and takes in TV. French film board CNC and Brazil's cinema agency, Ancine, joined forces to organize a Franco-Brazilian co-production workshop at Cannes this year. Also at Cannes, the FR-RFC inked a collaboration agreement with Film London.The Rio-London pact attempts to promote co-productions and the exchange of best practice film and TV expertise as London and Rio build up to the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Grease Actor Conaway Died Of Major Infections

FIRST Released: September 30, 2011 9:42 PM EDT La, Calif. -- An autopsy has ruled that Taxi and Grease star actor Shaun Conaways May 27 dying was accidental and triggered by major internal infection. La County coroner Craig Harvey states coroners didn't conduct a toxicology test because Conaway have been put in the hospital for days just before his dying, so his bloodstream might have return clean. However, Harvey states when Conaway joined a healthcare facility May 10, opiates along with other drugs were in the system. Conaway battled openly together with his destructive addictions on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Came. Conaway, who had repeated back surgical procedures to have an injuries, blamed his substance abuse, simply, on his residual back problem. Conaway was noted for playing vain, battling actor Bobby Wheeler on Taxi and Kenicke, the swaggering closest friend of Travolta Qantas Video in Grease. Copyright 2011 by Connected Press. All privileges reserved.These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Defense: Jackson Gave Himself Fatal Dose Of Drug

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Prosecutors told jurors Tuesday that Michael Jackson was killed by the actions of his personal physician, who used a dangerous anesthetic without adequate safeguards and botched recovery efforts when he found the singer unconscious. Defense attorneys countered that Jackson caused his own death by taking the drug propofol after his doctor left the room in a desperate attempt to overcome his chronic inability to sleep. Nothing Dr. Conrad Murray could have done would have saved the King of Pop, defense attorney Ed Chernoff told the panel, because Jackson was desperate to regain his fame and needed rest to prepare for a series of crucial comeback concerts. The competing versions of Jacksons death and Murrays role in it were laid out in opening statements at the physicians involuntary manslaughter trial. Speaking for more than an hour, prosecutor David Walgren relied heavily on photos and audio recordings to make his case that Murray was an inept and reckless caretaker of Jackson. He showed a photo of a lifeless Jackson on a hospital gurney, and played a recording of Jackson speaking to Murray while the prosecutor said he was under the influence of an unknown substance roughly six weeks before his death. The singers speech was heavily slurred but recognizable as the international superstar. He spoke of his hopes for the upcoming concerts. We have to be phenomenal, Jackson isheard telling Murray. When people leave this show, when people leave my show, I want them to say, Ive never seen nothing like this in my life. Go. Go. Ive never seen nothing like this. Go. Its amazing. Hes the greatest entertainer in the world. Murray is accused of giving Jackson a lethal dose of propofol in the bedroom of the singers rented mansion, but Chernoff said Jackson gave himself the fatal dose. He claimed the singer swallowed several pills of the sedative lorazepam on the morning of his death and that was enough to put six people to sleep. He also said Jackson self-ingested propofol, and it killed him instantly. Jackson did not even have a chance to close his eyes, Chernoff said. In his opening remarks, Walgren said Murray was grossly negligent by providing Jackson propofol. The prosecutor said while working for Jackson, the doctor was shipped more than four gallons of the anesthetic, which is normally given in hospital settings. He said Jackson trusted Murray as his physician. That misplaced trust in Conrad Murray cost Michael Jackson his life, Walgren said. He left him there, abandoned him to fend for himself, the prosecutor said later while winding down his opening remarks. The doctor had initially requested $5 million to work for the singer for a year, but accepted the lower rate of $150,000 a month, Walgren said. His contract to be Jacksons personal physician was never signed and he was never paid. He told jurors that Murray deceived paramedics and emergency room doctors by not telling them he had been giving Jackson propofol as a sleep aid. He also called the doctor inept and said he repeatedly deviated from the standard of care by leaving the singer alone while under sedation and not immediately calling 911 when he found the singer was unconscious. Murray never calledfor emergency services himself, instead waiting more than 20 minutes to have one of Jacksons bodyguards make the call. Basic common sense requires 911 be called immediately, Walgren said. Basic common sense. And we know that was not done. Chernoff told jurors it was not their job to determine whether Murray was a good doctor. He said Murray and Jackson were actually friends, and Murray was trying to wean Jackson off of propofol. Jackson, however, took a lethal dose before he died, the lawyer said. At times during the defense attorneys opening statements, Murray appeared to be crying and wiped his eyes with a tissue. Testimony was expected to begin later in the day, with prosecutors planning to call the pop superstars friend and choreographer, Kenny Ortega. A number of Jacksons family members were in the courthouse, including his father Joseph, mother Katherine, sisters LaToya and Janet, and brothers Jermaine, Randy and Tito. LaToya Jackson carried a sunflower, Michaels favorite flower. Murray arrived holding hands with his mother. If convicted, he faces up to four years in prison and the loss of his medical license. Copyright 2011 by Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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'Awkward' Finale: Jenna Makes Her Formal Choice Between Matty and Mike (Exclusive Video)

MTV As MTV's first season of Awkward involves a detailed at 11 p.m. on Tuesday, the figures finish up in a familiar spot for audiences, a large formal dance. Not to mention, the large real question is whom will Jenna choose ultimately? Situations are going better with Matty (Love Mirchoff), but Mike (Brett Davern) will still be a contender on her attention. STORY: 'Awkward's' Ashley Rickards Evaluates Matty and Mike's Benefits and drawbacks "In the finish of year she is going to come to a decision," Ashley Rickards, who plays Jenna, informs The Hollywood Reporter. "And she or he constitutes a decision you heard right on her at that time over time, and it is a difficult decision. And nobody eventually ends up winning, because nobody ever does." "I am talking about she eventually ends up happy, and among the boys eventually ends up happy," Rickards continues. "There is however still part of her, just like any person, that will doubt their decision. And ultimately, one person's likely to be upset, and something person's likely to have forfeit. And that is not really a victory." The show's creator Lauren Iungerich informs us the finale is going to be "heartbreaking and lovely" simultaneously. Even though she knows what happens, it does not exactly mean the option was simple for her. STORY: 'Awkward's' Love Mirchoff states Matty and Jenna 'Might Exercise In the Finish' "Her heart is by using Matty and she's beginning to become really surprised at Mike," Iungerich informs us about Jenna's options. "Mike is indeed a contender on her heart too. I believe that this is exactly why really I am unsure. I do not have that determined yet. I really like they both.Inch To ensure that the audiences to get themselves in Jenna's plight, Iungerich informs us she's needed to go through it all again herself. "You must see individuals painful places," she states. "I seem like individuals painful places have defined me but still are determining me," she continues. "I am still dealing with lots of discomfort during my existence. I love to discover that humor is exactly what saved me. I believe humor originates from probably the most painful encounters like that's how you'll be able to survive a few of the hard occasions is that you simply emerge from it with a few levity." STORY:'Awkward's' Jillian Rose Reed on Who Authored the Letter: 'Everyone Is really a Suspect' Then when it involves your decision that Jenna needs to make between your two boys, Iungerich takes note of what individuals feelings are just like. "I believe there is something very effective regarding your first love," Iungerich describes. "It always will get you," she continues. "I am talking about, I am certainly not 15 and that i get goose bumps each time I speak with that individual which i had that first real senior high school love despite the fact that I have developed past it and every one of that. Will still be just like a touchdown, you realize. So, I believe that's always something that's always a pull for Jenna to Matty, however i not have the concrete response to state that she'll ultimately find yourself with him." Watch THR's exclusive sneak look at Tuesday's finale below. Email: Jethro.Nededog@thr.com Twitter:@TheRealJethro RELATED Summer time TV's Those who win and Nonwinners: What Individuals Were Watching This Year 'Awkward' Restored for Second Season 'Awkward's' Creator Discloses the Strategies of Writing Complicated Teens MTV Awkward

Google, Dish Made Finest Hulu Bids in First Round (Report)

NEW You'll be able to - Google and Charlie Ergen's Dish Network published the two finest offers for movie partnership Hulu, introduced by Boss Jason Kilar, inside the recent first round of investing in an offer, Business Insider reported. They outshine Amazon . com . com.com and Yahoo inside the opening round. Stating two not named sources, it mentioned that satellite tv firm Dish, which taken acquired Blockbuster since it is constantly boost its movie services, offered around $1.9 billion, in contrast up up to the more than $2 billion that Hulu's entrepreneurs were trying to find. It mentioned Dish comes with an interest inside the Hulu content, but furthermore its back-finish technology. Meanwhile, YouTube owner Google bid in all the different $4 billion for Hulu, but recommended special conditions, according to Business Insider. Google asked for more content for just about any very long time than Hulu entrepreneurs Wally Disney, News Corp. and NBCUniversal have offered in the purchase. Analyst Richard Greenfield of BTIG recently referred to as Google the "most compelling" buyer for Hulu. Hulu's entrepreneurs must now choose their next steps. Many of them recently signaled they may choose to not sell once the cost is not right or possibly they see advantages of ongoing possession. Email: Georg.SzalaI@thr.com Twitter: @georgszalai Related Subjects Google Hulu Dish Network

Courtney Love Twitter Defamation Case Moves Forward

Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images Courtney Loveis one step closer to facing a jury over comments made on Twitter about a former lawyer who she claimed took bribes in a case involving allegedly stolen money from the estate of Kurt Cobain.A California judge this week has limited a defamation lawsuit against the rocker but is allowing the main claim to move forward. PHOTOS: A History of Grunge Gordon & Holmes, a San Diego-based law firm, represented Love between December 2008 and May 2009 in a fraud lawsuit, but it stopped providing legal counsel after Love hooked up with another lawyer who made the rocker second-guess the firm's litigation strategy. Later, according to a lawsuit filed by the firm against Love in May, she became dissatisfied with her new lawyer and returned to have Gordon & Holmes once again pick up her case over the Cobain money.Love allegedly was told her substance abuse precluded that possibility. So Love unloaded on Twitter. PHOTOS: MTV VMAs Greatest Feuds Gallery The rocker has a history of writing flamboyant tweets. Earlier in the year, Love paid $430,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by a fashion designer who claimed to be on the receiving end of nasty Twitter rampages. In this instance, Love is said to have directed her venom atthe firm's partnerRhonda Holmes. "I was f---ing devastated (sic) when Rhonda J Holmes Esq of San Diego was bought off [...]" Love tweeted. STORY: Memories of Nirvana, Grunge Scene: A Reporter's First-Hand Account Soon after, Love also made comments to a gossip reporter at The NY Post about a female attorney who had "stopped taking her calls" because "they got to her." In response, Holmes sued. This week, California judge Ramona See considered Love's motion to dismiss the lawsuit. The judge reportedly threw out many of the claims, including whether the law firm at large was defamed and whether there was an invasion of privacy, but gave the firm ten days to amend their complaint. STORY: Nirvana Producer Reflects on 'Nevermind's' Legacy, Kurt Cobain's 'Mood Swings,' Band's Early Days (Q&A) Most importantly, Judge See rejected Love's bid to dismiss the charge that Holmes was defamed by that Twitter comment suggesting bribery, ruling the statements could be seen as fact rather than opinion. There's been some question as to whether the casual nature of Twitter would lead courts to see the social forum akin to an op-ed section of a newspaper, but thus far courts are taking Love's tweets pretty seriously. Her last reported Twitter handle, @cloverxxxlove, now seems to be disabled. E-mail: eriqgardner@yahoo.com Twitter: @eriqgardner Courtney Love Twitter Nirvana

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