Sunday, May 13, 2012

Hunger Game Movies

The Hunger Games can be a Next year Usa sci-fi steps video guided through Gary Ross, based on the fresh the exact same brand through Suzanne Collins. The particular video has been manufactured by Nina Jacobson in addition to Jon Kilik, using a screenplay through Ross, Collins, in addition to Billy Beam. The item actors Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, At the Banking companies, in addition to Jesse Sutherland. The storyline happens in a dystopian post-apocalyptic future while in the state connected with Panem, which consists of your abundant location, the Capitol, flanked by Twelve significantly less well-off areas. When punishment for your past revolt from the authorities, the Capitol started the Hunger Games-a public 12-monthly occurrence through which one boy and another woman through all of the Twelve areas will be determined in a sweepstakes seeing that "tributes" and so are essential to fight to the loss of life in an area right up until there is one outstanding winner. Once the character Katniss Everdeen (Lawrence) listens to her newer sister's brand called as the feminine honor because of their centre, the lady volunteers to look at her devote buy to conserve her through needing to engage. Joined by her district's man honor Peeta Mellark (Hutcherson), Katniss goes on the Capitol to practice to get the Hunger Games under the guidance connected with original winner Haymitch Abernathy (Harrelson). The particular video was published in Goal Twenty one, Next year, inside England along with nations around the world in addition to worldwide in Goal Twenty-three, Next year, within classic concert halls in addition to electronic IMAX concert halls. During put out, the video placed the file to the third best opening few days field business office profits of your movie ($152.5 various zillion) inside Canada and america powering Harry Knitter as well as the Deathly Hallows ( blank ) Element A couple of ($169 zillion) as well as the Black Soldier ($158 zillion) called the largest field business office debut for your non-sequel. It is the first video because The movie avatar to be on the first page for the field business office to get some continuous saturdays and sundays. The Hunger Games has been recommended through the majority of experts, that highly regarded that it is topics in addition to emails, and also Lawrence's performance seeing that Katniss. Like the fresh, the video offers pulled in critique for its resemblances to is effective, such as the Japan fresh War Royale and its particular video adaptation, together with the Usa brief story "The Lottery". It is documented, on the other hand, that Collins' fresh in addition to screenplay own key variances through making use of types of motivation such as the belief connected with Theseus, Roman gladiatorial games, truth television system, as well as the Irak Warfare. The Hunger Games is the topic of differing understanding, which include allusions so that you can feminist, politics, in addition to orlando allegory. The world connected with Panem, established from your post-apocalyptic Canada and america, created abundant Capitol in addition to 10 less well off encircling areas. Like a punishment for your prior revolt from the Capitol by the areas, one boy and another woman between Twelve in addition to 20 through just about every centre will be determined through a sweepstakes (known as the "Reaping") to sign up inside hunger games pdf download. The particular individuals (or even "tributes") connected with the Hunger Games need to deal with in an area manipulated by the Capitol right up until just one single remains to be living; the winner is treated by using celebrity in addition to riches. Katniss Everdeen, your 16-year-old woman through District Twelve, volunteers to the 74th 12-monthly Hunger Games, to take the host to her newer sibling Primrose, who was determined by the sweepstakes. Peeta Mellark, your baker's kid that when offered Katniss breads if her loved ones has been eager, can also be determined. Katniss in addition to Peeta will be delivered to the Capitol, the place his or her drunk guru, original Games winner Haymitch Abernathy, tells the theifs to view in addition to find out the advantages of the various other tributes, particularly the "Careers", who are trained through entry into the world so that you can participate while in the Games. After a pre-Games meet with by using Telly individuality Caesar Flickerman, Peeta all of the sudden uncovers the romance to get Katniss. The girl with to begin with outraged, trusting it to be a scheme to get target audience support, seeing that "sponsors" may provide in-Games gift ideas connected with foods, medication, in addition to tools. The particular Games focus on 1 / 2 the tributes murdered for the first day time, when Katniss relies on her well-practiced tracking in addition to out-of-doors expertise to outlive. Peeta types the anxious partnership together with the Occupations, which include Cato, Clove, Sight, in addition to Glimmer, along with her following help they place Katniss while in the wood. Katniss grows your collaboration by using District 14 honor Feel dissapointed about once the little lady highlights your tracker jacker nesting, that Katniss declines for the Occupations, eradicating Glimmer. Feel dissapointed about cares for you to get Katniss seeing that the lady recovers through tracker jacker toxic body, nevertheless the collaboration ends if Feel dissapointed about is fatally hurt through Sight, exactly who Katniss destroys within their protection. Katniss keeps by using Feel dissapointed about seeing that the lady dies, and then develops blooms around her entire body for a indication of admiration. If this is public, them cause your huge range inside District 14. With Katniss in addition to Peeta presented to anyone seeing that "star-crossed lovers" ( blank ) as well as the Gamemakers looking to keep away from inciting further riots ( blank ) a guide transform is reported halfway through the Games, stating that 2 tributes from the similar centre can win the Games for a match. Upon reading that, Katniss searches for Peeta in addition to locates him or her, hurt through Cato using a blade. When Katniss nurse practitioners Peeta back in well being, the lady offers very little seeing that motivated by him or her to get target audience benefit in addition to support. If the lady efforts to retrieve medication to get Peeta, Clove episodes her. Thresh seems in addition to destroys Clove, sparing Katniss inside storage connected with Feel dissapointed about. "Foxface" dies through feeding on nightlock blueberries thieved through Peeta, that didn't know they were really poisonous. The wrap up connected with inappropriate hound-like critters are discharged, eradicating Thresh in addition to pressuring Katniss in addition to Peeta on the Cornucopia, the place they knowledge Cato. Following a ferocious deal with, Katniss limbs Cato through an arrow to conserve Peeta's existence. Cato tumbles on the critters, in addition to Katniss limbs him or her so that you can spare him or her a prolonged loss of life. With Peeta in addition to Katniss evidently successful alongside one another, the Gamemakers out of the blue turn back the tip transform allowing 2 victors, placing all of them around the multiple 1 another on the loss of life. Preferably, Katniss has a cache connected with nightlock blueberries in addition to hands half so that you can Peeta. Realizing that his or her suicide would deny anyone of your winner, the Gamemakers rapidly say them both seeing that victors of the 74th Hunger Games. Even though they will be handled to the hero's encouraged while in the Capitol, Katniss is informed through Haymitch that they has recently donrrrt politics opposing forces just after this sort of open defiance connected with her society's authoritarian leaders. When Katniss in addition to Peeta come back to District Twelve, Lead designer Compacted snow ponders how to deal with the combined victors as well as the feelings connected with revolt that they will get motivated.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Exclusive: Moonrise Kingdom Poster

Wes Anderson's latest goes GrimmFans of all things charming and quirky roll up for this first look at the new poster for Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom. The indie doyen has delved back into the recent past - 1965 New England to be exact - for a tale of two escapading 12 year-olds in love and on the run from those pesky, interfering grown-ups. Happily, he's got them to stand still long enough to pose for this rather lovely poster.If the illustrated style is a wild departure from previous Anderson one-sheets, the sight of the main characters eyeballing us solemnly will be familiar to anyone who remembers them. Here the gazes belongs to two tween tearaways, Sam (Jared Gilman) and Suzy (Kara Hayward), whose eloping is overshadowed, literally, by a gathering storm.{Moonrise Kingdom poster}Other members of their island community not featured include sheriff Captain Sharp (Bruce Willis), Khaki Scout troop leader, Scout Master Ward(Edward Norton), as well as Bill Murray and Frances McDormand as Suzy's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bishop. Judging by the poster and recent stills from the film, Anderson's kingdom will be a world of earthy tones, warm wit and nostalgic period design - a little like Fantastic Mr. Fox but filmed in live action and without the trippy opossum.Even Anderson sceptics will surely be happy to see the resumption of his collaboration with Murray, a movie partnership that's had us chuckling sinceThe Royal Tenenbaums. They're the Hitchcock and Grant of Jaguar shark hunting, aquarium-building and badger-based legal work. Moonrise Kingdom is out on May 25. Let us know where your anticipation levels stand in the usual place.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Talkback: After Billy Crystal's Tepid Turn, Who Would Make the Ultimate Oscar Host?

Some folks out there may have enjoyed Billy Crystal's ninth outing as host of the Academy Awards last night, but his turn was as tepid as James Franco's 2011 "performance" was bizarre. Crystal's Oscars-themed song and dance routine? Dated. The weak banter and soft barbs at Hollywood's gathered illuminati? Snoozeville. Given that the previously and frequently great Crystal was upstaged by the night's random moments (Angelina Jolie's leg, J. Lo's boob, those Cirque du Soleil acrobats) and young, actually funny presenters (the Bridesmaids crew and Emma Stone) it's time to start anew and refresh what's already known as the fussiest night in the film calendar. In other words: Who would make the ultimate, charismatic, hilarious, non-sucky Oscar host? Let's start by taking anyone who already hosted the Oscars off the board, for freshness' sake; that includes 2005 host Chris Rock, who provided last night's telecast with a much-needed jolt of real talk hilarity as he presented Best Animated Feature. Or, say, Ellen Degeneres, Emmy-nominated for her 2006 turn, who was nonetheless all over the tube Oscar night in those movie-themed JC Penney ads. The tradition of hiring comedians to host is a longstanding one that paid off in spades in the days of Bob Hope (who hosted a record 18 shows). But these days even the most daring, subversive stand-ups (read: the funny ones) run up against the stifling sense of decorum perpetuated by the older-skewing Academy; it seems you either get an "edgier" host who dares to push the envelope and draw in the coveted younger demographic -- Bieber alone can't cut it, even if the ill-advised blackface gets press -- or you hire a safe host who won't go too far and bore everyone to death. In fairness to Crystal, he was saddled with an awfully boring script. The few sparks of life only came in the odd ad-lib or when he roasted celebs in the audience, but even that devolved into easy mean jokes. (Leave Nick Nolte alone!) Another past Oscar trend was to cast a slew of famous actors to host the night -- charismatic personalities who split hosting duties and draw in diverse viewers. In 1974 it was the eclectic mix of John Huston, Burt Reynolds, David Niven, Diana Ross; a year later the Academy tapped Sammy Davis Jr, Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, and Shirley MacLaine. Why not get the modern day equivalent of an A-lister superteam to host? I'm not talking Anne Hathaway and James Franco, but George Clooney! Robert Downey Jr.! Sandra Bullock! Cute little Emma Stone, for goodness sake! Then again, maybe there are celebrities out there who could reinvigorate the Oscars solo: Oprah, for one? The talk show titan was batted around last year as a potential Oscar host before then-telecast co-producer Brett Ratner hired Eddie Murphy (who would also probably be great, if he were to come back). I'd watch an entire telecast hosted by Zach Galifianakis, even if it was a three-hour parade of weirdness on par with his and Will Ferrell's crash cymbals gag. If the Academy's older membership and demographic knew who the hell he was, Louis C.K. would be fantastically entertaining. And then there's Sacha Baron Cohen... I'll turn it over to you, Movieliners -- who would make the perfect audience-grabbing, attention-holding non-snoozeworthy Oscar host... and would the Academy ever bite?

Friday, February 24, 2012

New trailer for Pixar's Brave

Brave, the most recent offering from Pixar, has launched a brand new teaser trailer, by which Kelly Macdonald's feisty princess Merida showcases her abilities having a bow and arrow.The brand new trailer takes the form of merely one scene, as opposed to the usual hotpotch of dialogue and action, and focuses upon an archery contest to find out who'll win Merida's submit marriage.Frustrated using the saps and show-offs competing being her husband, Merida soon takes matters into her very own hands, much towards the chagrin of parents Emma Thompson and Billy Connolly.Have a look in the new trailer, below...[brightcove]1467679956001[/brightcove]The film follows the mayhem triggered within the kingdom following Merida's rebellion, a scenario compounded even more once the youthful princess hastily demands a desire in unknown Smart Lady (Julie Walters).We have still not seen much from Brave to actually obtain the adrenaline moving, but given the standard from the voice cast and Pixar's exemplary history, we are sure they are holding the very best material back for that finished film.Brave opens within the United kingdom on 13 August 2012.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Schweiger taking actioner to U.S.

BERLIN - Multihyphenate German star Til Schweiger is beginning on his most ambitious project so far -- a U.S. remake of his actioner "Schutzengel" (The Mother And Father). Schweiger is pointing and starring inside the German-language film, and expects to build up and provide the remake Stateside with U.S. partners next season via Barefoot Films, the Berlin-based shingle he runs with producer Tom Zickler. Warner Bros. is delivering the film, known to becoming an "emotional action-drama," in Germany on Sept. 27 and may also board the U.S. version. Alexander van Duelmen's Berlin-based A Company has acquired rights for Russia, where Schweiger, Germany's leading star, also likes major box-office clout. The film is out utilizing a Company's Moscow-based distrib Gala Media & Film Intl. "Schutzengel" is allotted at E7.5 million ($9.85 million) and contains already guaranteed $4.13 million in federal and regional subsidy gold gold coin. Co-composed by Schweiger, Paul Maurice and Stephen Butchard, the film concentrates on a psychologically troubled former elite soldier who rescues a teenage orphan, really the only witness with a murder, from deadly assassins. It's lensing in Berlin that has a lot more filming planned for Brighton, England. The film co-stars Schweiger's 15-year-old daughter Luna Schweiger, who's set to reprise her role inside the remake plus a u . s . states cast. Also starring inside the German version are Moritz Bleibtreu, Hannah Herzsprung, Heiner Lauterbach and Karoline Schuch. The pic marks a large change of pace for Schweiger, which has loved huge success getting a string of romantic comedies lately, like the "Rabbit Without Ears" franchise and several recently "Kokowaah," which acquired some $40 million within the German box office a year ago, which causes it to be 2011's best local pic and also the other major hit for Warners. Contact Erection dysfunction Meza at staff@variety.com

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Naomi W to see Princess Diana

Naomi W remains set to see the late Princess Diana in approaching pic ''Caught Flying,'' directed by ''Downfall'' helmer Oliver Hirschbiegel. Pic, that's produced by U.K. shingle Ecosse Films, is founded on a script by Stephen Jeffreys. Story focuses on the ultimate couple of years in the Princess' existence and charts how finding true personal happiness the first time allowed her to achieve her accomplishments altering in to a major worldwide campaigner and humanitarian. Production round the pic is predicted to begin in Blighty later this year. W, who'll next be seen starring in ''The Impossible'' alongside Ewan McGregor, mentioned: ''It is actually an recognition to be capable of play this legendary role -- Princess Diana was loved around the world which i anticipate rising for the challenge of playing her on-screen.''Ecosse Films, headed up by Douglas Rae and Robert Bernstein, recently produced Andrea Arnold's adaptation of ''Wuthering Levels.''The duo are presently concentrating on another royal pic, ''Girls Balancing,'' toplining Juno Temple and Alexandra Roach, which HanWay Films is selling at EFM. Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com

Monday, February 6, 2012

'Mormon' tops box office

"It of Mormon" hit No. 1 round the Broadway top the other day -- which is something from the miracle. Sure, Tony-sweeper "Mormon" ($1,455,329) is really a offered out hit since last spring, and sky-popular for tickets has pressed the normal cost paid out per ducat to the stratosphere. Nevertheless the show's overall weekly tallies are restricted because when large its venue, the Eugene O'Neill Theater, which at under 1,100 seats substantially hampers the gross potential when compared to, say, "Wicked," the extended-running hit in the theater of a single,800 seats. But the other day, "Mormon," undampened having a slow winter week that saved sales below componen at many productions round the boards, enhanced round the prior frame, broke another house record and showed up in this area before "Wicked" ($1,349,433), "Spider-Guy: Turn Off the Dark" ($1,268,002) and "The Lion King" ($1,226,681). In the mark in the ongoing curiosity about "Mormon," average cost paid out per ticket hit a walloping $166. That's means by front from the second-finest per-ticket average drenched for your week, $109, reported at Lincoln subsequently subsequently Center Theater's hit play "War Equine" ($860,311). Inside the chilliest frames of Broadway's annual winter slump, basically a really handful of productions the other day saw B.O. rise inside the prior sesh, as well as the handful to get this done -- "Sister Act" ($482,863), "Seminar" ($380,701) and "Wit" ($244,728), within the first days time after opening -- upticked only slightly. Despite everything, "Porgy and Bess" ($905,134) seems to own established itself just like a solid artist when faced using the Street's overall downward trend. It is really an open question if sales will further rise along with the tourist tide later this spring. Overall sales fell $2.4 million near to $15 million for 23 shows round the board. The B.O. declines aren't an unexpected to legiters, who spend the season girding themselves for your tough occasions that hit the main Stem following a holiday boom. A year ago at this time around around, sales had wound up near to $12 million for 19 productions running. Attendance also was lower the other day, falling by about 25,000 to 179,706. Still, that's well while watching 145,000 theatergoers drenched a year ago at this time around around, and last week's average capacity of 78% showed up in this area while watching 73% released this season. A year ago it absolutely was around this time around around that B.O. began to obtain on an outing. When the same is true inside the coming week remains to look. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Hirai takes reins in the new the new sony

Kazuo Hirai has transformed Howard Stringer as prexy-Boss in the new the new sony.Tokyo, japan, japan -- The brand new the new sony features the appointment of executive v . p . Kazuo Hirai becasue it is new prexy and Boss, altering Howard Stringer, who'll stick to as board chairman. Hirai will formally assume command on April 1, while Stringer is skedded to think about his new duties on June 2012. Departing comments round the extended-anticipated move, Stringer known to his successor as "a globally focused executive to whom technology as well as the cloud are conversant territory, distribution are desired, and digital transformation is second character. For me his tough-mindedness and leadership capabilities will probably be beneficial towards the organization which is clients inside the several days and years ahead." While improving Stringer on his "strong leadership" throughout his seven years towards the top, Hirai defined their very own program for your electronics giant's future: "To operate a vehicle the expansion within our core electronics companies -- mainly digital imaging, smart mobile and game to exhibit across the television business also to accelerate the innovation that enables us to create home based business domains.Inch Hirai, who was simply anointed as Stringer's successor after shaking up Sony's once-troubled game operation and being promoted in your thoughts in the consumer products and services division last March, might have his work eliminate for him: The brand new the new sony features a corporate worth about one-fifth exactly what it is at the turn in the millennium since it lost to Apple, Samsung together with other rivals. The brand new the new sony will announce its October-December earnings on Thursday, then it's prone to confirm a young forecast for just about any fourth-straight year of internet deficits, together with its eighth straight year at an adverse balance due to its core TV biz. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Oops Raspberry braid encourages Maurer

Maurer Andy Fickman's Oops Raspberry braid has promoted Laura Maurer for everybody as creative executive within the shingle.She formerly assisted Oops partner Betsy Sullenger and labored at Flower Films on "Whip It," "Unhealthy Foods Nation" and "He's Not That Into You." Oops' current slate includes "Boy Scouts versus. Zombies" "The Plantation," some pot production with RKO and Twisted Pictures based on RKO's "I Walked Getting a spook,Inch with Adam Marcus pointing and Bryan Fogel's "Jewtopia," which just completed production starring Jennifer Love Hewitt, Rita Wilson, Jon Lovitz, Camryn Manheim, Tom Arnold, Joel David Moore, Ivan Sergai and Jamie Lynn Sigler. Fickman directed family comedy "Parental Guidance," likely to be out November. 21. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Friday, January 27, 2012

Sucherman Talking to grows in L.A.

Stuart Sucherman's talking to and executive search firm has broadened its La office and hired Angela Garden enthusiast, an experienced professional and former senior Vice president for Talent Purchases at Fox Entertainment Group. ''This is definitely an incredibly interesting some time and the planet is altering in a very rapid pace,'' Sucherman told Variety. ''The real question is, have you got the best folks the best job?'' because the media biz develops more complicated each day and firms are constantly seek advice and executives who're creative and electronically savvy. Sucherman Talking to, a little eclectic shop with decades-lengthy associations with leading media and entertainment companies, also stated chief operating officer Erik Sorenson, who became a member of this year, is becoming an equity partner. Garden enthusiast began late this past year located in La with Matthew Wagner, who heads free airline Coast operation in addition to SGC Industry Intelligence, a brand new business offshoot ''to bring thorough industry analyses to the clients using private, highly-placed contacts inside the media and entertainment landscape,'' the organization stated. It presently has five employees in La and 15 in NY. Clients include divisions of NBC Universal, Wally Disney and Viacom, America online and also the NY Mets. It's placed professionals at ABC, AandE, CNN, CNBC, Comedy Central, Endemol, Food Network, Fuse, Fox, Game Show Network, MTV, NBC, Nickelodeon, Showtime, Sundance, Telemundo, Tennis Funnel, VH1, the NY Mets and also the NY Jets. Sucherman would be a friend of broadcast legend Fred Friendly, and it has labored for that Columbia School of Journalisml, WNET/ 13 NY, CBS News so that as an attorney for that FCC. Sorenson leader of MSNBC from 1998 to 2004, was professional producer of ''CBS This Morning'' and ''The CBS Evening News with Serta Rather.'' He's won a lot more than 20 Emmys along with a Peabody. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Friday, January 13, 2012

OWN greenlights three series

The Oprah Winfrey Network is adding three more new series to its programming slate, amping up a sked that is slowly finding its feet after a shaky first year.New series include "Lovetown, USA," "Lives on Fire" and "Are You Normal, America?"The first two series are produced by BBC Worldwide Productions for OWN, with "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader" shingle Zoo Productions producing "Normal.""Lovetown" follows a pair of matchmaking relationship gurus as they take over Kingsland, GA in an effort to help eight singletons locate mates. "Lives" is a little less lighthearted, focusing on the struggles of four female firefighters in California as they try to balance the demands of their difficult jobs with the challenges of a male-dominated field and the pressures of family life."Normal" is, coincidentally, the least conventional of the three. The series tells viewers whether or not they're normal for, say, doing their household chores naked or snooping into their partners' emails. Series takes a gameshow format. Contact Sam Thielman at sam.thielman@variety.com

Monday, January 9, 2012

A Few More Details On The 24 Movie

It's a day in two hoursBack at the start of December, Kiefer Sutherland confirmed that the long-developing 24 Movie was finally storming ahead. Intriguingly, it seems that it's only Sutherland that's ever talking about this film, which gives us an appropriately Jack Bauer-like notion of him going rogue and making the thing entirely on his own. But whatever the circumstances, Sutherland has just provided a few more bits of 24 Movie intel to compliment what we already knew.Firstly, while the film will obviously not be 24 hours long, it will still cover a full day. Hence the name. So all you wags who suggested it should be re-titled something like 90 Minutes... are sort of right, actually. There is a precedent for a more conflated 24 narrative: there was the Redemption TV movie back in 2008. But that was still supposedly in real time and only covered a two-hour period. This will be the first 24 hours that hasn't unfolded over (more or less) 24 hours...Secondly, in terms of the film's place in the 24 canon, Sutherland says it's about six months after the end of the eighth season, picking up the thread of... actually, we won't say, in case you haven't got that far yet.And finally, there's confirmation that Mary Lynn Rajskub's Chloe will have a place in the movie's story.The much-touted Billy Ray wrote the initial drafts of the screenplay, with recent additional work by Mark Bomback (Unstoppable, the upcoming Wolverine). Brian Grazer is producing.The film is believed to see Jack Bauer making his ends justify his means in Europe, but the previously reported Fox shortlist of five directors still hasn't resulted in an announcement. Can't be long now.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

George Clooney, 'Monuments Men'? Actor Plans to Direct and Star in Film About Stolen Nazi Art

It looks like George Clooney has found his next directorial project -- and it might be the biggest of his career. Speaking with TheWrap at the Palm Springs Film Festival over the weekend, Clooney confirmed that he would tackle "Monuments Men" next -- a film about the recovery of art stolen by the Nazis in World War II. "I'm excited about it," Clooney said to TheWrap on Saturday. "It's a fun move because it could be big entertainment. It's a big budget, you can't do it small -- it's landing in Normandy." Based on the Robert M. Edsel book "The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History," the project would follow a team of art experts who hunt the lost artifacts. (Like "Ocean's 11" in World War II?) In addition to starring and directing, Clooney will co-write "Monuments Men" with his long-time producing partner Grant Heslov. Clooney, who previously directed "The Ides of March," "Leatherheads," "Good Night, and Good Luck," and "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind," said this could be his most commercial film yet...but with a twist. "Im not opposed to doing a commercial film, I'm just opposed to doing a commercial film that doesn't feel organic to me," he said. "So if we're going to do a commercial film we thought, 'Let's do something that seems fun and actually have something to say.'" Start the Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon casting rumors...now. [via TheWrap] [Photo: Getty] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

CW accumulates 'Cult' pilot

The CW has acquired the pilot "Cult" from author Rockne O'Bannon. Logline for that project: Following a rash of disappearances along with a likely murder, an inquisitive, youthful female production assistant on the extremely popular tv program known as "Cult" joins a journalist blogger in looking into the rabid fans from the series who may be re-creating crimes seen around the program, in tangible existence. The show was initially developed in the WB for that 2006-2007 and then again in the CW for that 2009-2010 season. From Warner Bros. Television and Fake Empire, the CW's "Cult" is going to be professional created by O'Bannon, Josh Schwartz, Stephanie Savage and Len Goldstein. O'Bannon, who had been the creator of "Fascape," most lately composed a chapter of ABC's sci-fi drama "V." When the pilot will be acquired to series, there's the chance CW would only order 13 episodes as opposed to the traditional 22. Fox attempted that strategy last fall, but which was mostly due to the in-depth effects work required for the series that shoots around australia. Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com

Monday, January 2, 2012

Aretha Franklin Engaged To Longtime Friend

First Published: January 2, 2012 3:53 PM EST Credit: Getty Images NY, N.Y. -- Caption Aretha Franklin steps out at the 2010 Apollo Theater Spring Benefit Concert & Awards Ceremony at The Apollo Theater in NY City on June 14, 2010Aretha Franklin is engaged to longtime friend William Willie Wilkerson. The Grammy-winning singer told The Associated Press in a statement Monday that she and Wilkerson are considering a summer wedding, perhaps in Miami Beach, Fla. The Queen of Soul wants to follow the ceremony with a reception on a private yacht. The 69-year-old jokes: No, Im not pregnant. Franklin and Wilkerson became engaged over the holidays. She is considering Vera Wang, Valentino and Donna Karan to design her dress. Franklin has been married twice before. ___ Mesfin Fekadu covers entertainment for The Associated Press. Follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/musicmesfin Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.