James Franco in Predicts Play Hugh Hefner in Linda Lovelace Biopic

James Franco as Hugh Hefner?The actor, who last starred in "Rise in the Planet in the Apes," is at talks with Millenium/Nu Image to appear in the cameo since the legendary founding father of "Playboy," in "Lovelace," the biopic of Linda Lovelace.Lovelace sees Amanda Seyfried since the lady who starred inside the most well-known pornos ever, "Deep Throat." Also inside the cast are Peter Sarsgaard as her husband, Chuck Traynor, and Hank Azaria as Jerry Damiano, the director of "Deep Throat."Bobby Cannavale and Chris Noth are situated for your particular roles in the film's bankers, Butchie Peraino and Anthony Romano, while Robert Patrick may have Lovelace's father, John.Also inside the cast are Sharon Stone, Juno Temple, Wes Bentley and Romeo Brown.Franco, who was simply at some stage in predicts play Traynor before walking aside, appears inside the Hef cameo only if dates exercise. The actor and also the reps are actually dancing with producers across the timing from the one-day shoot, but up to now a consummation remains elusive.The expansion, beneath the direction of Make the most of Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, began shooting in La now. The Hollywood Reporter

Top Moments: Barbara Walters Touches Trump's "Onion Loaf" and Horror Story's Brutal Birth

Jesse Trump and Barbara Walters Our top moments every week: 14. The Ex Factor Award: Jenny doesn't learn how to frolic in the water, and so the sadistic producers of Fear Factor make her drive an automobile into water! When she and her ex/teammate Sean exit the automobile since it sinks, Jenny needs him to help her to dry land. But he doesn't. "He left her! Whoa! She's sinking," host Joe Rogan states. The show's diving team rescues Jenny, who's naturally peeved at Sean. "I anxiously anxiously waited there to suit your needs,In . according to him. Er, no, you didn't. And even if you most likely did, she can't frolic in the water! 13. Nerdiest Jokes: Nothing under to start with round the Amazing Race may have sufficed for perfectionist Cindy and her fiancé Ernie. They eventually win the $millions of, while not before dissing another two teams through the ultimate leg. "It may be like losing to C students and that we really are a+ students," she states, a comment neither of those states they remember now. But everybody knows who the specific "A+ students" of Race were this season: Andy and Tommy - who won six legs before losing the other day to "inferior" teams. 12. Most Frightened Baby (Or: Baby We're Most Frightened For) The most recent person in the Regular folks of Atlanta cast is Kim and Kroy's baby K.J., so when only his 1-day-old ears could process the terror around him. Not only has Kim shoved her dog, Chanel, hard (because yeah, dogs won't bite babies!) and screamed about her aching vagina and K.J.'s surprising first poop, nevertheless it calculates that large sis Brielle isn't so interested in him. Be cautious on her behalf dagger eyes, K.J.! 11. Worst Christmas Miracle: What's worse than requiring to see the man you're dating you do not love him a couple of days before Christmas? Having your roommate break unhealthy news without recommending! On New Girl, Nick, thinking Jess and Paul have formerly had "the talk," breaks his little weirdo heart while trying to comfort him. Would somewhat "light" choking have you feeling better, Paul? 10. Least Suspenseful High high cliff-hanger: Under monthly after marring Kris Humphries, Kim Kardashian notifies momager Kris Jenner that she's going off birth control to enable them to start a family on Kourtney and Kim Take NY. Her mother tries to talk her from this, mentioning the pair don't even live together. "Yeah, I'm prepared - I'm married," she replies. Kim eventually involves her senses and notifies they is not prepared for children... or marriage, since it calculates! 9. Worst Attitude: On Top Chef, Louise is coupled with Beverly, also called her punching bag, in the team elimination challenge. After they finish up within the bottom three, Louise decides gripe for the idol idol judges about how precisely Beverly spent a couple of days peeling 400 shrimp through the final challenge. Uh, precisely what does that have associated with your reason for waiting for Judges' Table now? And the way does throwing your teammate beneath the bus in the double elimination enable you to? Oh, wait, it doesn't. 8. Most Inappropriate Hug: When Deb's counselor on Dexter floats the possibility that they might subconsciously be deeply deeply in love with her brother, she rapidly pooh-poohs her theory. But your evening, she dreams they and Dex share some Chinese food... after which it another hug. Yeah yeah, they're adoptive siblings and siblings, but it's still pretty horrifying that Hollywood thinks incest can be a hot trend. 7. Oddest Trip With Time: After he's visited within the dreams by Chewbacca, Glee's Artie is inspired to make a public-access Christmas special that's two parts Judy Garland then one part Alien. (Together finally!) Inside the charmingly retro black-and-white-colored special, "holiday roommates" Blaine and Kurt welcome their pals for his or her winter chalet, where everyone breaks the fourth wall in the fashion even Zack Morris would shake his mind at. Everyone knows Lima, Ohio, is a touch round the conservative side, but does that really mean we should revert to 1963's holiday traditions? 6. Most Arresting Reunion: Eleven extended episodes after Alicia began Kalinda for the curb for sleeping with Peter, The Truly Amazing Wife's energy duo reunites when Alicia finds out that Kalinda was the one which found Sophistication and surprises the usually all-knowing detective agency by popping her from jail. Afterwards, Kalinda tries to understate her submit messiah, but Alicia demands on saying because of her and (appears to) no less than start to forgive Kalinda on her behalf past indiscretion. Never fight again, ladies. 5. Best Usage of Jazz: The penultimate episode of Homeland's riveting first season goes inside Carrie's manic (though not irrational) flight as Saul orders her chaotic Abu Nazir timeline in to a neat, color-coded timeline on Carrie's living room wall. Sadly, when her CIA bosses catch wind (via Brody) of her classified redecoration plan, David storms her apartment to place her on administrative leave and confiscate her rainbow-tinted wall of understanding. As Barbara rages in the intelligence machine, the audio of her thrashing progressively drops out which is transformed having a soothing, but nevertheless crazy jazz number. It's a nice metaphor for Carrie's self-destruction, as you possibly can only helplessly watch her fall, not fully alert to the value of what she's saying. 4. Indecent (Reply to a) Proposal Award: Christmas you're ready to inform individuals you want the amount you care, so Ellen fan Jacob asks her to help him stage an unpredicted proposal to his girlfriend, Jodi, before Ellen launches her 12 Occasions of Freebies segment. Jacob can get lower on one knee before a weeping Jodi (they are like tears of enjoyment, no less than initially). "I am unable to. ... I am sorry,Inch Jodi states, and before we could process this shameful public rejection, a Christmas carol that signals it is time totally free stuff blares inside the studio, everyone else increases towards the foot and cheers since the cameras cut from Jacob and Jodi. Just what the what? It's riveting train-wreck TV, but it's furthermore a sizable fake-out. It calculates that "Jacob" is certainly an Ellen worker who staged the same hoax before last year's first giveaway segment. No real surprise Ellen was laughing! 3. Most Hair-Raising Interview: Barbara Walters names Jesse Trump among her ten best people of year, that's clearly an inspired trick so she is going to do what every American independently desires to: touch the Onion loaf that Trump calls his hair. "Is part of your image or possibly could it be covering a bald place?" she chirps. Trump claims he's always worn the comb-up-over-back-and-around look and challenges Walters take a yank to check on its veracity. "Next, everyone knows it's real," Trump states after Walters musses his 'do as being a sexy coed. ("I still believe it is a hairpiece," Babs mentioned later.) 2. Most Shocking Dying: Boardwalk Empire's Nucky Thompson proves he's forget about "half a gangster" inside the Cinemax drama's second season finale. After Nucky marries Margaret to keep her from testifying against him, he vows to exhibit around the new leaf. But that's your window when, after an apologetic Jimmy Darmody effectively stages the suicide in the last witness in Nucky's trial, Nucky returns the favor by putting two bullets into Jimmy's face as payback for trying to possess Nucky destroyed. Jimmy may have seen it coming (he gave his boy his dog tags, ultimately), but we're able to not believe the show really went with this. R.I.P., Jimmy. 1. Best Birth: We're pretty certain we'll never see another TV birth like Vivien's haunting, bloody delivery on American Horror Story. It absolutely was gross enough once we found that certain twin was essentially eating another once they cooked in mother's womb. But watching as Constance distributed the babies to ghostly, not-at-all-stable adoptive parents handled to obtain much more heartbreaking. Hopefully, Ghost Vivien could possibly get some much-needed peace now from her sniveling wimp from the husband. Likely? Nah. What were your top moments?

The 10 Biggest Snubs, Surprises and Subplots of the 69th Golden Globes Nominations

Still reeling from this week’s installment of Oscar index, Movieline’s Institute for the Advanced Study of Kudos Forensics has had a rare Thursday open for business. Blame the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the shadowy swag goblins behind today’s predictably headscratching slate of snubs, surprises and subplots also known as the 69th Golden Globe nominations. So far the Institute has chosen 10 worth investigating, but feel free to weigh in with your own as well: SUBPLOT: Is The Ides of March for real? George Clooney’s fine political drama bowed strongly but perhaps prematurely in the awards race, eventually ceding its early front-runner terrain to the likes of The Help and Hugo. (I can’t believe I just wrote that sentence.) Its dormancy extended through virtually every awards announcement before today, when it collected four nominations, including Best Picture - Drama, Best Director, Best Actor - Drama (Ryan Gosling), and Best Screenplay. What are we to think, and how much influence do we really want to ascribe to a pliant, star-fucking awards bloc that added an extra nomination in the Drama category just to make sure its bases were covered? I still think it’s toast overall — not enough first-place votes to sneak it into the Academy’s Best Picture consciousness, and it doesn’t stand a chance going up against Fox Searchlight’s Tree of Life campaign. “But,” one may ask, “where’s Tree of Life at the Globes?” Easy: Brad Pitt is at the Moneyball table, and Jessica Chastain is at The Help table. That’s all the HFPA cares about. The Academy has slightly different standards — but only slightly. So we’ll see. SNUB: Melissa McCarthy The Bridesmaids scene-stealer’s omission wouldn’t seem so conspicuous were it not for her surge over the last week and the film itself earning two nominations in Best Picture - Musical/Comedy and Actress - Musical/Comedy. I can’t even legitimately float the thought that NBC — which broadcasts the Globes — pushed for recognition of its SNL star over CBS’s Mike and Molly star; after all, NBC Universal released Bridesmaids. What’s an awards conspiracy theorist to do? Anyway, Academy tastes will settle this in a month, and I for one can totally wait. SUBPLOT: The Weinstein Factor On the one hand, TWC led all individual distributors with 12 nominations; Harvey took full advantage of the split categories in Picture and Actress, moving Michelle Williams in for the Musical/Comedy kill. That’s ridiculous by any standard but the HFPA’s and, well, Harvey’s. But at the end of the day, when Williams wins, it’s only small print on the DVD box. On the other hand… SUBPLOT: The Sony Factor Particularly apropos of Ides, I’m just going to throw this stat out there for your consideration of how Golden Globes sausage is made: Sony subsidiaries — including Columbia Pictures and Sony Classics — combined for 22 out of 71 nominations on the film side. Think about it: Almost every third nominee — 31 percent — is a Sony product, or at least one acquired and branded by Sony. Do what you will with that. SNUB: Uggie What has four legs, 2,000 supporters and apparently can’t be budged — even by Harvey Weinstein? [Insert a long, lusty “BOOOOOO” here.] SURPRISE: Ryan Gosling You know what? I think it’s great that Gosling got in for Crazy Stupid Love. That’s what the Musical/Comedy category is there for (even if technically he’s supporting Steve Carell, but that’s the last objection I’m going to raise to this crop of nominees), and he and Emma Stone arguably account for the entire soul of that movie. Good luck, Gos! That said, why ya gotta go all ninja-like on… SNUB: Gary Oldman Brutal. Absolutely brutal. But despite incredible early critical and commercial interest, the guy can’t buy a break at the Critics Choice Awards, the Globes, or even with his own freaking union. And while I don’t see Gosling carrying his Ides citation over to the Academy, Oldman still has Michael Shannon and Demián Bichir to fight off for the fifth slot. It could happen, but as downswings go, this is pretty bad. I mean, even Woody Harrelson got to plug Rampart this morning during the nominations announcement. SUBPLOT: Extremely Loud & Incredibly Finished Maybe there’s something I’m missing about The Daldry, but to expand the Best Picture - Drama category and not include this seems like a sizable red flag. In any case, it’s a serious statistical disadvantage: The only film to win the Oscar for Best Picture without even being nominated for the Golden Globes’ Best Picture - Drama award was Crash in 2006. (The Sting did it without a Musical/Comedy nod back in 1974.) Simply drawing a Best Picture Oscar nomination under such circumstances is a little easier, but not much: Milk did it in 2009, preceded by Lost in Translation in 2004, and then The Sixth Sense in 2000. Not good. SNUB: Nick Nolte This is probably the Globes snub with the least likelihood of reflecting in the Oscar nominations: Nolte’s SAG recognition should even out Mortensen’s mysterious Sony bump soon enough. No offense to Viggo, either, who’s one of the few bright spots of A Dangerous Method; I just have a feeling that his nomination here will just rally Team Nolte. SURPRISE: Rooney Mara Yay! Someone was listening! Or maybe the HFPA is just fundamentally opposed to nominating an Olsen. It’s not like Mary-Kate or Ashley ever made the cut, right? Coincidence? OK, don’t answer that. Follow S.T. VanAirsdale on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.

AFI Recognizes 'The Artist' and 'Harry Potter' Movies With Special Honours

British espionage thriller Mess, Tailor, Soldier, Spy--starring Gary Oldman opposite Colin Firth and Tom Sturdy--acquired one of the top limited openings of year since it prepares for honours season.our editor recommends'Shame,' 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' and 'Tyrannosaur' Lead the region with this particular Years British Independent Film AwardsNew Thinker Trailer for 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' is Fancy for Domestic Audiences (Video)Charlize Theron on Playing a 'Bitch' in 'Young Adult' (Video)Related Subjects•Box Office Updates Compiled by Focus Features inside the U.S., Mess Customized 300,737 from four theaters in NY and La in the last weekend for just about any location average of $71,184--the next finest of the season after Evening amount of time in Paris ($99,824) as well as the Tree of Existence ($93,000). STORY:Box Office Report: 'New Year's Eve' Leads Worst Weekend Since 2008 With $13.7 Million The crticially acclaimed Mess Tailor, directed by Thomas Alfredson from an modified script by Peter Straughan as well as the late Bridget O'Connor, was produced by Working Title and StudioCanal. Focus leader of distribution Jack Foley mentioned all theaters where the film carried out saw sell-out crowds, or close to sell-out crowds, from mid-mid-day through 9 p.m. Mess Tailor carried out within the ArcLIght Hollywood and Landmark in La, and Lincoln subsequently subsequently Square as well as the AMC Village 7 in NY City. The uptick in operation from Friday to Saturday established there's real demand in the marketplace for adult-skewing movies, although Mess Tailor can also be appealing to youthful moviegoers, evidenced by strong evening shows. VENICE FILM REVIEW: Mess, Tailor, Soldier, Spy "The film is playing with a mixed audience if this involves age," Foley mentioned. Mess Tailor is a type of a slew of films positioning themselves as honours season will get warmer, and since the Hollywood Foreign Press Association prepares to announce Golden Globe Nominations on 12 ,. 15, preceded every day earlier by SAG noms. Carlize Theron starrer Youthful Adult -- reteaming director Jason Reitman along with his Juno film author Diablo Cody -- also released strong amounts as essential opened up in the film in eight theaters in the last weekend in La, NY, Chicago, San Francisco Bay Area and Ontario, where Gody got her start just like a stripper. Youthful Adult, costing Vital $12 million to produce, made an thought $320,000 within the eight theaters for just about any location average of $40,000. The pic will probably be playing in the total of a single,000 theaters on 12 ,. 16. STORY:'Young Adult': Just what the Experts Say "We have become great reviews inside the areas where we opened up up, which allowed us to reduce great spots," Vital leader of domestic marketing and distribution Megan Colligan mentioned. Vital also thinks that Martin Scorsese's Hugo will succeed throughout honours season. The 3 dimensional film, already named the most effective film of year with the National Board of Review, extended in to a total of two,608 theaters in the last weekend, grossing $6.millions of for just about any domestic cume of $33.5 million within the third frame. Numerous platform photos ongoing to develop a couple of days ago as honours season heated, including Fox Searchlight's The Descendants, which added 300 theaters towards the run. The Alexander Payne-directed film showed up No. 7 for your weekend, grossing an thought $4.4 million from 876 theaters for just about any stellar domestic cume of $23.6 000 0000. Searchlight's Shame, wanting to conquer the stigma connected while using NC-17 rating, added 11 theaters towards the run for just about any total count of 21. Directed by Steve McQueen and headlining Michael Fassbender, Shamegrossed $276,068 for just about any location average of $13,146 and cume of $774,154. STORY: Nudity, Three-Ways, Hints of Incest: A Studio's Plan to Sell 'Shame' to Oscar The Artist released an amount more effective theater average of $18,258 since it extended in to a total of 16 theaters, grossing $292,130. The Weinstein Co. is disseminating the black-and-white-colored, quiet film inside the U.S. The Weinstein Co. also provides Michelle Williams-starrer My Week with Marilyn, which ended the weekend getting a cume of $5.millions of. David Cronenberg's A Dangerous Method held its theater count at four theaters, grossing an thought $80,125 with an average $20,031 and cume of $539,174. Madonna's W.E., within the Weinstein Co., and Scottish filmmaker Lynne Ramsay's edgy indie film We must Discuss Kevin, starring Tilda Swinton and John C. Reilly, both began one-week award being qualified runs in the last weekend in La. Oscilloscope Labs acquired U.S. rights to We must Discuss Kevin in the Cannes Film Festival. Related Subjects Charlize Theron Colin Firth Jason Reitman Box Office Gary Oldman Youthful Adult Mess Tailor Soldier Spy Honours Season Preview

VIDEO: Bikinis, Bleeps and Ben's Bare Butt! Watch the Preview from the Bachelor

Ben Flajnik The Bachelor has returned - with bikinis, bleeps... and bare butts! Following a sweet montage of Ben Flajnik on romantic mountaintop dates, the clip cuts rapidly towards the drama: skinny-sinking, face-drawing and girl-on-girl crime. "I will kill whomever walks for the reason that door," states one classy lady when she discovers that the girl from Ben's past has showed up. (Hint: It's someone you have often seen about this show before!) VIDEO: Bachelorette's first pair offer their advice to be a effective reality TV couple Watch the Grandmother-safe preview below after which mind to Entertainment Weekly for that unsafe for work (also known as "bare butts") version. The Bachelor premieres Monday, Jan. 2 at 8/7c on ABC.Will you stay tuned?

'Bachelor' Producers Sue Spoiler Website for Soliciting Info Leaks from Contestants (Exclusive)

Ray Mickshaw/FOX A former Universal Network Television employee might soon get to bring to a jury claims that behind the scenes of TV show House there's "hard-drinking, over-sexed, cussing, gun-toting males" who made life difficult for her.our editor recommends'House' Star Hugh Laurie Says He'll Retire From TV Acting Once Show EndsOlivia Wilde Makes Final 'House' Appearance Monday: 'I See It as a Really Important Chapter in My Life' (Video) In July 2010,Carl Jones, who spent four years working as an assistant property master on the Fox medical mystery show, suedHouseproducer Universal and two of its staffers, claiming that he was victim to sexual harassment and was fired when he spoke up about allegedly obnoxious behavior on the part of his supervisors. After nearly a year and a half of extensive discovery and pre-trial motions, Los Angeles Superior Court JudgeRichard Fruinindicated last week his willingness to have a jury decide whether Jones was retaliated against for objecting to a hostile workplace. Jones makes some wild allegations in his lawsuit about back-stage behavior on the show. He targets his supervisorsTyler PattonandMike Caseyfor repeated bad acts and says his genitals were groped and that he was called a "bitch," "faggot," "slave," and "pussy." In the prop trailer where Jones worked, the plaintiff alleges that adult magazines and adult movies were around and that his supervisors were hard drinkers who would invite females from the wardrobe and other production departments there to engage in sexual activity. Jones allegeshe was forced to clean up semen and condom wrappers and was ridiculed when he declined to go out to a nearby off-set strip club. The set ofHouseis also described as a dangerous place to work. Against Universal's policies, Patton allegedly brought a real gun there and would throw knifes in between bouts of tequila drinking. Jones says he was fired in March 2010, by an extremely drunk Patton, after which he complained to Garret van der Meer, the show's co-executive producer/unit production manager. Jones says his complaints were ignored, and the former staffer believes that speaking up about what was going on, including contacting his union, led to retaliation, included being "blackballed from all Universal Productions." Jones says he scored another job after his dismissal, but as a result of being placed on a blacklist, he wasn't able to get access to the Fox lot, so he then lost that second job. Universal wanted a summary judgment dismissal of this lawsuit, saying that Jones had failed to exhaust his administrative remedies, that his claims were time-barred, and that the plaintiff couldn't show "discriminatory motive based on his gender or perceived sexual orientation." The studio said that each season was an independent one in terms of employment and that the decision to not rehire Jones for Season 7 of House couldn't be tied to Jones' allegations of sexual innuendo on the set. The defendant believes that Jones' theories about why he was dismissed are merely speculative. For their part,Patton and Casey vigorously denied they engaged in the above-described offensive conduct. At a hearing last week, Judge Fruin considered some of the evidence submitted in depositions so far and tentatively decided there are enough triable issues to reject Universal's motions to dismiss discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims. He threw out claims based on the Unruh Civil Rights Act, and asked for additional briefings for a hearing scheduled for December 16. If the judge sticks to his tentative ruling, the case could be on track to be heard by a jury next year. Jones is represented byLawrence Organat Equality Law, and Universal is being repped byLori BowmanandMarrian Changat Ogletree, Deakins. E-mail: eriqgardner@yahoo.com Twitter: @eriqgardner House

Andrew Embiricos Dies: Rita Hayworth's Grand son Found Dead

Andrew Embiricos, grand son from the late Rita Hayworth, was discovered dead in the NY City apartment on Sunday the 25-year-old died of the apparent suicide. Based on the NY Daily News, Embiricos was the boy of Hayworth's daughter Princess Yasmin Aga Khan his LinkedIn page had him listed like a sales executive for Virgin Atlantic Airways. Embiricos' grandfather was Prince Aly Aga Khan, who married Hayworth in 1949 in the height of her career. It had been the actress's third marriage. Hayworth starred in films for example 'Tonight and each Night' and 'Gilda.' She received a Golden Globe nomination on her 1964 performance in 'Circus World.' The actress died later from Alzheimer's disease. [via NY Daily News and THR] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Glee Star Mark Salling Suffers Fractured Pelvis

First Launched: December 1, 2011 1:45 PM EST Credit: Getty Images La, Calif. -- Caption Mark Salling reaches the launch of Activisions Guitar Hero: Gamers of Rock with Soundgarden at Vital Art galleries in La on September 27, 2010 Well, this might hamper Pucks romantic liaisons along with his new teacher ladylove! Glee star Mark Salling features a broken pelvis, the actor revealed on his Twitter page on Wednesday. So apparently ive fractured my pelvis. one of the issues to become a basketball periodic athlete. and guess what happens i am able to perform relating to this? NOTHING! Mark Tweeted around 4 PM PST on Wednesday. No matter the injuries, Mark whose Glee character (SPOILER ALERT!) appears to own rested with Idina Menzels Shelby Corcoran on Tuesdays episode seems to remain in good spirits. It is not too shabby, i am in a position to still walk in addition to run but sitting and escaping . of mattress is excruciating, he released in another Tweet. is one able to get some good crylenol? or even some sadvil? The injuries also doesn't appear to become supporting production on Glee. Late Wednesday evening, Mark released an image of themselves lounging up for grabs which came out being the shows set, while using line Pelvic injuries are glamourous. A repetition for FOX wasn't immediately designed for comment when contacted by Access Hollywood on Thursday on whether output of the show could have any means. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Hwood Hopes For T-Day Weekend Bounty: Breaking Dawn Still #1, The Muppets #2, Hugo #3, Happy Feet #4, Arthur Xmas #5

THURSDAY PM/FRIDAY AM, 3RD UPDATE: My sources are giving me these estimates for North American movie openings and for the 5-day Thanksgiving holiday. “Things really bounced around Thursday with pics flying in both directions,” one studio exec emails me. “Won’t know how it affects the 5-day estimates until Friday when the kids pics should come roaring back.” Already it’s looking like some of the new family fare won’t speed out of the theatrical gate, leaving a clear path for Summit Entertainment’sholdover Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Part 1 to win the weekend derby. Hollywood will havehissy fitsif the North American box office slump keeps continuing. The good news is that critics are bestowing good reviews and audiences are giving great CinemaScores to today’s opening pics: Disney’s rebootedThe Muppets earned an ‘A’, and Sony Pictures’ Arthur Christmas an ‘A-’.But the big news Thursday wasthe$2.3M made by Martin Scorsese’s 3D film Hugo that’s playing on 2,000 less screens than all the competition. Paramount is gleefully estimating $14M for its first 5 days on just 1,277 screens and noting its 97% positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. But I’m still going to wait until Friday night to draw any major conclusionsabout this weekend’s grosses. Meanwhile, The Weinstein Co is platforming its Oscar-buzzed My Week With Marilyn and expands from123 theaters and adds another 121 runs in 61 markets including Canada on Friday.It’s made $150K Wednesday and $162K Thursday for around $2M for the 5-day holiday.The Weinstein Co’s other Academy Awards-touted film The Artist debuts in 4 locations in NY and LAFriday. Full analysis later: 1. Twilight Saga’s Breaking Dawn Part 1 (Summit) Week2 [4,066 Theaters] Wednesday $12.5M, Thursday $7.6M Estimated 5-Day Holiday $55M, Estimated Cume $179M 2. The Muppets (Disney) NEW [3,440 Theaters] Wednesday $7.3M, Thursday $5.5M Estimated 5-Day Holiday $40M 3. Hugo 3D (Paramount) NEW [1,277 Theaters] Wednesday $1.6M, Thursday $2.3M Estimated 5-Day Holiday $14M 4. Happy Feet Two 3D (Warner Bros) Week2 [3,606 Theaters] Wednesday $3M, Thursday $2M Estimated 5-Day Holiday $17.5M, Estimated Cume $30.2M 5. Arthur Christmas 3D (Sony Pictures) NEW [3,376 Theaters] Wednesday $2.8M, Thursday $1.8M Estimated5-Day Holiday $16M 6. Jack & Jill (Sony) Week3 [3,438 Theaters] Wednesday $2.1M, Thursday $1.8M Estimated 5-Day Holiday $14M, Estimated Cume $47M 7. Immortals 3D (Relativity) Week 3 [3,120 Theaters] Wednesday $2.2M, Thursday $1.8M Estimated 5-Day Holiday $13M, Estimated Cume $59.8M 8. Puss In Boots 3D (DreamWorks Animation/Par) Week5 [3,005 Theaters] Wednesday $2M, Thursday $1.3M Estimated 5-Day Holiday $10M, Estimated Cume $127.8M 9. Tower Heist (Universal) Week4 [2,474 Theaters] Wednesday $1.4M, Thursday $1.5M Estimated 5-Day Holiday $9.8M, Estimated $58M 10. The Descendants (Fox Searchlight) Week2 [390 Theaters] Wednesday $1MK, Thursday $1.1M Estimated 5-Day Holiday $7.1M

Former Idol Lauren Alaina Flubs National Anthem At Lions/Packers Game: I Messed Up

First Published: November 24, 2011 3:32 PM EST Credit: Getty Images Caption Lauren Alaina performs the National Anthem before the Green Bay Packers take on the Detroit Lions during the Thanksgiving Day game at Ford Field, Detroit, November 24, 2011LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- She performed live in front of a television audience of millions week in and week out on Season 10 of American Idol, but at the Detroit Lions/Green Bay Packers game on Thanksgiving, Lauren Alainas nerves got the best of her as she flubbed the National Anthem. Unlike Christina Aguilera, who, at last years Super Bowl actually sang the wrong lyrics to The Star-Spangled Banner, but kept singing, on Thursday, Lauren completely went silent for about five seconds in the middle of the song. What so proudly we hailed, through the twi she trailed off into silence. Brian Baumgartner, who plays Kevin Malone on NBC comedy The Office, was one of the many fans who caught Laurens singing snafu and Tweeted about it, quickly propelling her name into a top 10 Twitter trending topic. Oh Lauren Alaina Poor you. Poor poor you. he wrote. Lauren was able to jump back in on the line, Whose broad stripes and bright stars and, with a smile on her face, finished to the delight of the patrons in the sold-out stadium, who cheered loudly. FOXs Joe Buck, the TV announcer for the game, summed it up best, saying, Its all about how you finish. On Thursday afternoon, Lauren took ownership for her flub in response to a Tweet of encouragement from fellow Idol alum, Kellie Pickler. HEY DOLL! YOU HANDLED YOURSELF LIKE A PRO! SEND THE BULLIES MY WAY & ILL TELL EM WHERE TO GO, Kellie Tweeted. thank you so much, Lauren responded. Im not a robot. I have No excuses. I messed up. You know what can ya do. At Least didnt fall down again. Thank you everyone for the kind words, she added a little later. But the truth is I messed up. Im gonna spend the rest of the day being thankful for all my blessings. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

GUNS N ROSES

Presented by AEG Live. Band: Axl Rose, DJ Ashba, Ron Thal, Richard Fortus, Tommy Stinson, Dizzy Reed, Chris Pitman, Frank Ferrer. Reviewed November 18, 2011 Timing is everything in the world of Guns N Roses. From the oft-ridiculed span it took to create the ultimately disappointing "Chinese Democracy" album to Axl Rose's curfew-busting, occasionally riot-inducing lateness, the band might as well incorporate a clock and/or a calendar into its logo. At this, the only Gotham-area stop on the band's first North American tour in five years, time was on Guns n Roses' side. Onstage by eleven a mere hour after openers Asking Alexandria played their final tune the band bobbed and weaved through a full three hours of material, a surprising amount of it culled from the catalogs of other bands. Depending on your point of view, that made for a perf that was either incredibly generous or wildly bloated. The main body of the set started promisingly, with the title track to "Chinese Democracy" segueing into "Welcome to the Jungle" (a surprisingly early airing to what was arguably the evening's most anticipated song). Rose's voice, a point of much internet discussion, was strong. He can't really hit the high notes that characterized his singing in his twenties, but he's no longer stretching and missing them, choosing instead to re-interpret tunes like "It's So Easy" and "Estranged" for a lower register. While there was no criticizing his vocal performance, Rose's overall vibe was a bit off-kilter. He left the stage for enough costume changes to make Diana Ross nod in approval and also took his leave at random points during instrumental passages and solos, of which there were many (including guitarist Ron Thal's take on the Pink Panther theme and an all-hands on deck vamp through "Another Brick in the Wall.") The sheer number of covers from a Tommy Stinson-sung rave-up on "My Generation" to not one, but two forays into AC-DC's catalog was striking, given the number of vintage originals that were left by the wayside. Then again, the ensemble seemed most electrified when going down that road. Even Rose himself looked happiest when seated at the piano for a solo "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road." While purists yearn for lightning to strike, prompting a reunion of the original G n R lineup, which imploded nearly two decades ago, the current incarnation actually operates more effectively as a band. No, the three-guitar, two-keyboard combo currently backing Axl Rose isn't as dynamic or personality-driven as its long-ago predecessor, but it is far more coherent and cohesive, never threatening to spin off the rails or generate an onstage fistfight. Does that mean that this incarnation of Guns 'n Roses has an iconic album in it? Doubtful. But if the band could rein in some of the excesses that saw it playing to a half-filled venue at 2 a.m., its potential as a touring juggernaut is considerable. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

CBS Mind Scolds Kutcher Over Penn Condition Tweet

First Launched: November 17, 2011 8:53 PM EST Credit: WireImage La, Calif. -- Caption Ashton Kutcher waves while he heads to the Late Show with David Letterman within the Erection dysfunction Sullivan Theater, New you are able to city, August. 24, 2011Ashton Kutcher knows this type of tough day is similar to. Demi Moore introduced that shes ending their marriage, and Kutcher acquired a slap from his top CBS boss for just about any questionable Twitter posting. Within a Q-and-A session Thursday inside a TV industry meeting, CBS Corp. Chief Leslie Moonves mentioned hes pleased with the ratings for refurbished two and a half Males with new star Kutcher aside from his comments about Penn Condition, Moonves added. The other day, Kutcher condemned the firing of Penn Condition football coach Joe Paterno after which it recanted the Twitter posting after it came a flurry of critique. The actor mentioned hed been unaware in the child sex-abuse scandal engulfing the school. On Thursday, the 49-year-old Moore introduced she was splitting from Kutcher, 33, the subject of gossips of alleged infidelity. The happy couple got married in 2005. Copyright 2011 with the Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Anna Kournikova Is Off NBC's 'Biggest Loser' (Exclusive)

Anna Kournikova will not be returning for next season of NBC's The Finest Loser, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.our editor recommendsAnna Kournikova Makes Debut as 'Biggest Loser' Trainer Viewer Reaction Mixed 'Biggest Loser': Anna Kournikova Altering Jillian Michaels PHOTOS: 2011 Glamour Women of year Honours Kournikova was hired by NBC to host and become trainer on season 12 in the reality fat loss series, following Jillian Michael's exit. It made an appearance like advisable in those days: she's attractive, camera friendly together with a significant athlete. But staffers say they clashed along with her, along with a couple of from the participants found her just a little brash. Whereas Michaels was soothing, encouraging in addition to advantageous, Kournikova did not understand her overweight participants, frequently allowing them to learn about her own tough upbringing once they weren't impressed with training being hard. VIDEOS: Emmy Roundtable With Reality TV An origin around the program really referred to as Kournikova "a nightmare." She'd certainly not need been mistaken for just about any existence coach. STORY: Anna Kournikova Makes Debut as 'Biggest Loser' Trainer Viewer Reaction Mixed Kournikova and her reps did admit to THR they is departing the show after one season, as well as the tennis star launched this statement to us: "I loved time round the Finest Loser ranch. Although I will not be returning just like a full-time trainer on season 13, I'll always play in the Finest Loser family and my persistence for enhancing lives through health and fitness continues.Inch Related Subjects NBC The Finest Loser

Warren Buffett Makes Tech Foray With 5.4 Percent Stake in IBM

Warren Buffet seems to be overcoming his aversion to technology. Having spent his career as a billionaire investor steering clear of computing brands, he revealed that he's now in business with IBM. Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway fund now owns a 5.4% stake in IBM. He disclosed Monday, during an interview with CNBC, the fund has spent $10.7 billion on shares since March. "Well, I didn't buy railroad companies for a long time either," he said of his tech transition. "I've had two interesting incidents in my life connected with IBM, but I've probably read the annual report of IBM every year for 50 years. And this year it came in on a Saturday, and I read it. And I got a different slant on it, which I then proceeded to do some checking out of. But I just -- I read it through a different lens." Buffett says that he had not told IBM chief executive Sam Palmisano about the stake before he announced it on television, adding that he has no plans increase his shares at the time. One of the richest people in the world, Buffet has a track record for buying undervalued stock. "I don't think there's any company that I can think of... that's done a better job of laying out where they're going to go and then having gone there," he continued. "They have laid out a road map and I should have paid more attention to it five years ago where they were going to go in five years ending in 2010. Now they've laid out another road map for 2015." IBM's shares rose slightly after the CNBC broadcast, but the company has yet to comment publicly on Buffet's vote of confidence. Related Topics IBM Warren Buffett

House's Jesse Spencer on Chase's Return, Playing Energy Games and Molding New Team People

Jesse Spencer This guitar rock band has returned together.On Monday's House (9/8c, Fox) Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) finally fishing lures Drs. Chase (Jesse Spencer) and Taub (Peter Jacobson) to Princeton-Plainsboro to rejoin his team of diagnosticians. Unlike a few of the other paperwork, Spencer informs TVGuide.com that Chase has little reservation about returning under House's wing.House Season 8 scoop: Cuddy fallout, new bloodstream along with a go back to the show's roots"Chase may be the earliest team member on the program,Inch he states. "They know what he's getting themself into. House's games don't really worry him an excessive amount of. He really just really wants to work under this genius diagnostician and then further his career."Possibly the larger hurdle for Chase is going to be once more dealing with Foreman (Omar Epps), Chase's former peer and friend who's the Dean of drugs calling the shots. "There's clearly a push and pull," Spencer states. "With respect to the situation, he's going against Foreman and joining House or going against House and joining Foreman. He really eventually ends up playing energy games between the pair of them.InchIt is this constant bet on people attempting to one-up one another," Spencer continues. "But simultaneously, the finish consequence of the overall game would be to cure the individual. So, it is a harmful game, and they're really careful the way they listen to it. However they do wish to win since they're ambitious plus they will have something to prove."House: The brand new Dean of drugs talks!Also searching to prove are the team's two latest people, Dr. Jessica Adams (Odette Annable) and Dr. Chi Park (Charlyne Yi). Because the veteran around the team, Chase attempts to show the brand new doctors the fastest methods to win House over."[He's teaching them] ways to get onto House's wavelength, how you can understand him, how you can interpret him," Spencer states. "He has a tendency to finish up counseling the brand new team people about how exactly House toys and plays games and just how they need to react to House's demands. ... Essentially, Chase is attempting to mold these new doctors so that they are House's puppets for that better."That becomes particularly tricky in Monday's episode, once the Patient each week (Jamie Bamber) needs to show some dark, harmful tips for best facilitate his treatment.House exclusive: Obtain a start looking at unseen photos"We make use of this creative approach to breaks to resolve some things,Inch Spencer states. "How can we obtain the truth from patients? How can we skirt round the problem, and arrive at the truth each time therefore we can really enable them to? House's rule may be the finish always justifies the means. [You've to experience dirty a bit to obtain what you would like.InchDespite the fact that Chase usually sees eye to eye with House, Spencer states this season - which may be the Fox drama's last - may examine the effects of bending the guidelines as part of your.InchThere is kind of a feeling of foreboding," Spencer states. "If it's the final season, large stuff will probably be heading down this season. House can't carry on only at that pace. So something huge will happen."House airs Mondays at 9/8c on Fox.

Junkhearts

A Soda Pictures discharge of a Coded Pictures and Hustle Prods. presentation. Created by Karen Katz. Directed by Tinge Krishnan. Script, Simon Frank.With: Eddie Marsan, Candese Reid, Romola Garai, Tom Sturridge, Valerie Gogan, John Boyega, Chris Coghill.That hoary proverb about charitable organisation beginning in your own home would seem to be the muse for shorts director Tinge Krishnan's murky debut feature, "Junkhearts." However the moral of the structurally addled urban drama might be summarized another way: It's generally not recommended to allow destitute addicts transfer to your apartment. Youth violence, publish-Iraq trauma and also the class ladder are probably the floating concerns of Simon Frank's alarmist script, however the compressed, splintered narrative offers no room to understand more about one coherently. Presence of Eddie Marsan and Romola Garai as headliners will not be sufficient to draw in eyeballs outdoors the U.K. In bleakest East London, brooding ex-soldier Frank (Marsan) rather rashly consumes prickly black teen Lynette (erratic newcomer Candese Reid), who's sleeping outdoors his local liquor store regrettably, her volatile Irish boyfriend, Danny (Tom Sturridge, miscast), follows. Elsewhere, chic career lady Christine (Garai) frenetically juggles single motherhood, employment along with a robust drug habit: This parallel thread is rarely visited, nevertheless its link with Marsan's story is too apparent. Logic falters because the pic pushes for inexpensively ironic reversals over-ambitious, focus-shy lensing style does not clarify matters.Camera (color), Catherine Derry editor, Alastair Reid music, Christopher N. Bangs production designer, Kristian Milsted costume designer, Camille Benda. Examined at BFI Southbank, London, Sept. 26, 2011. (Also working in london Film Festival -- New British Cinema.) Running time: 95 MIN. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Dimension Acquires Rights To Michael Keaton Thriller Penthouse North

Dimension Films has landed U.S. distribution rights to director Joseph Ruben’s thriller Penthouse North, which stars Michael Keaton and Michelle Monaghan and begins shooting in December in Ottawa. David Loughery wrote the script and is producing with Ruben, Jeff Sackman and Michael Baker; Jon Shiffman is executive producer. The story centers on a sadistic criminal named Hollander (Keaton) who plays a cat-and-mouse game with Sara Taylor (Monaghan), a photojournalist who was blinded in Iraq and also has a fortune of stolen diamonds hidden in her apartment. Hollander uses psychological and physical torture in an effort to find them, but Sara fights back. Dimension’s Andrew Kramer and Michal Steinberg negotiated the deal with Sackman and ICM, which helped package the film and co-repped U.S. rights.

Critic's Guide to Monday TV: Rock Center, Halloween Marathons, and More!

Rock Center with Brian Williams The biggest TV news of the night comes from a network's news division, as NBC News launches Rock Center With Brian Williams (10/9c), the first high-profile network newsmagazine with serious intent to premiere in a long while, closer in tone to 60 Minutes than Dateline's lurid true-crime fixation. How serious is this? No less a legend than Ted Koppel has signed on as a contributor, though he wasn't on the initial first-night playlist. Top-rated Nightly News anchor Brian Williams hosts live from Studio 3B in Rockefeller Center, and the opening lineup includes a report on Syrian rebellion from star foreign correspondent Richard Engel, a Kate Snow investigation about Chinese women who come to America to give birth and return with U.S. citizenship, and former CBS anchor Harry Smith with a piece about "the one place in America with a negative unemployment rate."No one's expecting blockbuster ratings, especially on Halloween night, but this project is more about prestige and credibility, and NBC is going to give it time. Besides, it's not as if they could do any worse in the time period.Want more TV news? Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!Boo! Halloween is a good excuse to get your freak on, and TV is happy to comply. Among the selected highlights: FX repeats the first four episodes of its stylishly berserk American Horror Story starting at 10/9c. ... MTV replays the entire 12-episode first season of its summer hit Teen Wolf (which turned out to be much better than expected) starting at 9 am/8c. ... Syfy goes wall-to-wall with Ghost Hunters, capping a daylong marathon (starting at 8 am/7c) with a six-hour live extravaganza (starting at 7/6c). ... AMC fills the day and night with various installments of the Halloween movie franchise, but the best is still the first, the 1978 classic (8/7c). ... TCM saves its creepiest classics for the witching hour of midnight, with the brilliant The Innocents, a 1961 adaptation of "The Turn of the Screw" starring Deborah Kerr, at 12:15 am/11:15c, followed by the equally chilling The Haunting (2 am/1c) from 1963, based on Shirley Jackson's masterpiece "The Haunting of Hill House."Episodic TV is also taking note of Halloween, most notably on CBS, where How I Met Your Mother (8/7c) finally reveals the identity of the "Slutty Pumpkin" mystery girl, played by Katie Holmes. ... Mike & Molly (9:31/8:31c) go to a Halloween party at her boss's house, despite Mike's aversion to the holiday. ... Freddy's back! Robert Englund, anyway, from the Nightmare on Elm Street movies, guesting as a drifter who puts a curse on Danny on Hawaii Five-0 (10/9c).We don't usually recommend turning to PBS for laughs, but Will Ferrell: The Mark Twain Prize (check local schedules) finds the Saturday Night Live funnyman-turned-movie star following in Tina Fey's footsteps, receiving the coveted prize for American humor. Among those paying wry tribute: Jack Black, Paul Rudd, Conan O'Brien and Ben Stiller.Speaking of Conan, his TBS talk show (11/10c) kicks off a week of NY broadcasts by welcoming his NBC replacement, Jimmy Fallon. Who says there's no civility in late night?Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Hollywood's Human Rights Problem(s), and 5 Other Tales You'll Be Talking About Today

Happy Monday! Also in today’s edition in the Broadsheet: Arnold Schwarzenegger sets another action comeback… James Franco can get kinky with James Dean… Doris Day draws love within the experts… Michael Shannon teases a bit of General Zod… plus much more. · Nearly any Hollywood debate blows over time, but Hilary Swank likely added some existence to her Chechen despot birthday debacle in the last weekend when she fired her manager and came thisclose to axing three of her agency squad at CAA. The moves follow Swank’s paid out appearance within the 35th special birthday of Ramzan Kadyrov, whose status for torture together with other human-rights abuses in Chechnya motivated an apology from Swank as well as the donation of her fee to charitable organization. I'm speaking about, fine, however who'll she blame for completely new Year’s Eve? [The Independent] · Not to be surpassed, Relativity Media is within serious challenge with human-rights watchdogs for filming regions of its Hangover-esque buddy comedy 21 & In china province of Shangdong, where blind dissident Chen Guangcheng remains under house arrest and prone to regular harassment from condition government physiques. Relativity overlooked the concerns in the statement, re-inifocing its persistence for the coexistence of human-rights advocacy and foreign money: “As a company, we're feeling deeply that growing trade and business ties with this particular options in China and elsewhere can result in positive benefits.” Clearly. [Deadline] · Arnold Schwarzenegger’s comeback will apparently include Black Sands, which will feature the ex-California governor as “a loner who wages war against a callous weapons manufacturer and also the private military inside the Southwest.” [Deadline] · Within the same classy joint that introduced you James Franco’s ass-y magazine cover, why not a glimpse to the actor-filmmaker’s raunchy Digital digital rebel Without any Cause-inspired art project? “Having sex with dolls with plastic dicks is fucking great […] because you are in a position to examine that act without any onus of people just searching advertising online and saying, ‘That’s pornography.’ You'll be able to really contemplate it for just about any second and ask for yourself what's happening there if you’re doing that legitimate.’” Don’t have a look at me I used to be gonna request you. [THR] · Champion to Doris Day on her behalf account forthcoming career achievement recognition within the La Film Experts Association, news which incorporated the shocking snippet tomorrow hasn’t developed a movie since 1968. Common understanding? Sure, but nevertheless: How's that possible? [LAT] · Finally, Michael Shannon offers the critical distinction you're trying to find between his Boardwalk Empire character and also the Guy of Steel villain: “General Zod is, In my opinion, a bit more effective than Van Alden. General Zod wouldn't go close to the speakeasy and possess a go. General Zod visit nothing to get the job done. General Zod doesn’t have a very supervisor.” You now know. [EW] · What’s shakin’ in North Korea? Oh, hardly any, only the official government exile of employees situated in Libya, lest they return and spread only one word of revolutionary promise or potential. Absolutely, absolutely fascinating stuff. [The Telegraph]

'Hunger Games': New Posters Hit the Web (Photos)

A series of posters promoting The Hunger Games hit the web Thursday, each showing a character in profile against a black backdrop. The one-sheets are simple and to the point with only the actor, his or her character's name, and the movie's title and logo featured. Smaller type points to The Hunger Games website and company credits. PHOTOS: 'The Hunger Games' Cast The Hunger Games, out March 23 and directed by Gary Ross, is the first of Lionsgate's trilogy of adaptations from Suzanne Collins' young adult novels. The film stars Jennifer Lawrence as heroine Katniss, Josh Hutcherson as her tireless protector Peeta and Liam Hemsworth as Katniss' confidante and crush, Gale. Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks and Lenny Kravitz also have major roles in the picture, about a a young woman's struggle to survive in a deadly, government sponsored event where only one survivor emerges. PHOTOS: 10 Biggest Book-to-Big Screen Adaptations of the Last 25 Years Lawrence's one-sheet as Katniss is below. Posters of other characters follow each page break. Source: Yahoo Movies Next poster: Hunger Games' Gale Back to Heat Vision 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 next last Josh Hutcherson Lenny Kravitz Woody Harrelson Jennifer Lawrence Lionsgate Gary Ross Hunger Games

Photo: Does Scarlett Johansson Look Like Our Sexiest Movie Alien Yet?

Over the course of her career, Scarlett Johansson has played a sexy Dutch muse, a sexy clone, a sexy journalism student, a sexy Boleyn sister and a sexy, spandex-clad Roman spy. (She is so sexy that David Fincher did not cast her in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo for fear that audiences wouldn’t be able “to wait for her to take her clothes off.”) So it’s not surprising that in Jonathan Glazer’s upcoming film Under The Skin, the bombshell doesn’t just play an alien — she plays an alien who uses a voluptuous human body to ensnare male prey. Take a look at the first photo of Johansson in character to see how she stacks up against cinema’s other most titillating extraterrestrials. Here, Johannsson seems to be channeling a few different sexy alien attributes: the ultimate femme fatale quality of Natasha Henstridge’s Sil in Species with the edginess of Milla Jovovich’s Leeloo in The Fifth Element with the total disregard for PETA-approved outerwear of Alex Pettyfer’s John Smith in I Am Number Four. Do you think that makes her the sexiest movie extraterrestrial of them all. Before weighing in below, be sure to consider Jeff Bridges in Starman? Under The Skin — not to be confused with Pedro Almodovar’s The Skin I Live In — will be the first feature from Glazer since 2004’s Birth starring Nicole Kidman. Adapted from Michael Faber’s novel of the same title, Under The Skin stars Johansson as Isserley, an extraterrestrial sent to Earth by a rich corporation on her planet to pick up unwary hitchhikers. Through her terrestrial adventures though, Isserley ultimately meets a man who convinces her to change her view on hitchhikers and breaks her heart. Obviously. Under The Skin is currently shooting in Scotland. [ICYDK via Playlist]

Julia X

A Dixie Theatrical Corp. production. Created by Greg Hall, P.J. Pettiette, Claudie Viguerie. Directed by P.J. Pettiette. Script, Matt Cunningham, Pettiette.With: Kevin Sorbo, Valerie Azlynn, Joel David Moore, Alicia Leigh Willis, Courtney Rawls, Ving Rhames.Self-conscious snark will get you simply to date when you are creating a semi-satirical slasher pic, even if you will find cheap three dimensional shocks to take advantage of, and "Julia X" virtually defines the extent of the items a movie can provide with your a restricted bag of methods. Helmer P.J. Pettiette aims mightily to raise a strenuously unfunny clash between rival serial murders to the stage of crazy, even transgressive black comedy. Only genre fans impatient to determine Kevin Sorbo cast against type like a smooth-speaking psycho will choose to catch the pic before it reaches 2D homevid. Sorbo sustains an aura of wink-wink bemusement being an irresistible nutjob keen on trolling the web for lovely sufferers to wine and dine, then torture and slay. Indeed, he keeps his sassy sangfroid despite he's trapped by a similarly deranged beauty (Valerie Azlynn) and her flakier sister (Alicia Leigh Willis). Regrettably, even while the mayhem gets worse, "Julia X" remains an encouraging premise looking for a satisfying execution. Because of three dimensional, various objects periodically seem to jut out of the screen. But that does not help.Camera (color, three dimensional), Jason Goodman editor, Take advantage of Neal music supervisor, Mason Cooper production designer, Mark Tanner. Examined at Fantastic Fest, Austin, Sept. 25, 2011. Running time: 92 MIN. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Michael Douglas Boy Pleads Guilty To Drug Charge

First Released: October 20, 2011 12:39 PM EDT Credit: Getty Images NY, N.Y. -- Caption Cameron Douglas and Michael Douglas get through to the premiere of Warner Bros. Ghosts Of Female friends Past, La, April 27, 2009Michael Douglas jailed boy has pleaded guilty to a different drug charge. Cameron Douglas accepted Thursday he handled to obtain drugs imprisonment while serving a five-year sentence to have an earlier drug plea. Douglas joined the plea to some drugs possession charge. Hes decided to serve another year imprisonment. Douglas accepted having drugs from May through a week ago. Thats when government bodies found what made an appearance to become heroin and cocaine in the cell. Federal Judge Richard Berman asked whether security lapses at two federal prison facilities managed to get feasible for Douglas to acquire drugs. The 32-year-old boy from the Academy Award-winning actor had formerly accepted to dealing methamphetamine and cocaine. He lately claimed for that government inside a drug trial included in a cooperation deal. Copyright 2011 through the Connected Press. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Hungary mulls porn tax to finance film biz

BUDAPEST -- A proposal for any tax on porn sites that will help the local film biz is attaining bi-partisan support in Hungary. Laszlo Simon, person in parliament for that ruling center-right Fidesz party, has backed an initiative backed through the rival liberal LMP party to tax the neighborhood porn industry to be able to generate revenue for that cultural fund that adds gold coin to local arthouse photos. Particulars of the Fidesz-LMP co-backed bill still have to be ironed out, Simon stated. LMP Mega pixel Gergely Karacsony stated Monday that his party can also be in support of applying a 3% tax on multiplex revenues. Proceeds would be employed to subsidize the nation's ailing art-house circuit. Meanwhile, Hungary's film government bodies have reported the 20% tax break for foreign photos shot in the united states has motivated an outburst running a business. The Filmiroda film office stated that foreign productions, including miniseries "World Without Finish" and "The Borgias," and features for example Keanu Reeves starrer "47 Ronin," have introduced HUF 21 billion ($98 million) to Hungary. The figure doesn't range from the Kaira Pitt created zombie film "World War Z," that is presently lensing in Hungary. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Ivana Chubbuck on Discovery Through the Craft

Ivana Chubbuck on Discovery Through the Craft October 19, 2011 Actors have the unique obligation in their work to not only find the truth of the character, but to make that character's journey one that empowers and creates revelation for the actor and therefore the audience. When I break down a script with an actor, I always keep this in mind. This inspires growth not only in the character but in the actor as well. It's important to find that primal constant that all human beings can relate tono matter their religious beliefs, socioeconomic status, geography, age, or genderand to make choices that create universality.Beyonc Knowles played Etta James in the film "Cadillac Records." Etta was a heroin addict, and her skin color made it difficult to succeed in a white man's world. But she did cross over from an urban African-American audience and became internationally successful. Firstly, when we dug into the character, we had to look at Beyonc playing an addict, as she has never taken drugs in her life. Truth is, Beyonc barely drinks. She had no touchstone for that mentality. So why someone needs to take heroin became the first question we had to answer.Opiates are taken to kill pain, both physically and emotionally. They also help one feel capable of coping in difficult situations. Though ultimately a destructive drug, heroin initially gives one a sense that everything is manageable. We had to find where in Beyonc's life she felt emotional pain and helplessness dire enough to create a craving for a drug such as heroin. We found her personal triggers and then took a fraction of her feelings of helplessness and pain and expanded and magnified it until it motivated the need to take the drug. When acting drugged out (or drunk), it's essential to first find the need to take the drug, then the behaviors and organic feelings resulting from the drug will make sense to the actor and establish a more accurate depiction. (I have exercises in my book, "The Power of the Actor," to create organic highs for drugs and alcohol, so you're really feeling it, not just acting it out.)Understanding her own helplessness also provided Beyonc with Etta's need to changeto become someone empowered, someone who won't let life's traumas lead to self-destruction but who'll use them to fuel the struggle to overcome. That's a path that everyone can relate to. And an audience wants to watch the journey of a winner, not someone who has accepted defeat. As Beyonc has said, "We always try to find the strength and heroism of a character, no matter how much a victim that character seems to be on the page."Through exploring a character like Etta James, Beyonc saw the need to empower not only a black woman's journey, but women in general. Throughout history, the role of women has often been made secondary to that of men. Beyonc told me that she used the work we did for Etta to bring substance to her music and lyrics, to give them the depth of our need to rejoice in our strengths as women. Because playing Etta James made it so clear how necessary it was. This has become a consistent theme in Beyonc's music the last few years, as heard in "Single Ladies," "Just Stand Up," and "Run the World (Girls)."In "Hustle & Flow," Terrence Howard and I discovered that we could transcend the "pimp/ho" scenario by making his relationship with his prostitutes that of a father taking care of his children. All the things he does with and for them are the actions of a father who loves his children enough to want them to become effective and happy adults. Even when the character is abusive, we saw it as "tough love." His wanting to be a rap star was about making them proud of him, as any parent wants of his offspring. In this way, we made the film about family and the importance of it. We took a story that on the page was relatable only to a small section of people and made it universally accessible.In looking at "Pineapple Express," James Franco and I found that it wasn't a "stoner" movie at all, but a movie about a lonely man who uses marijuana as a common thread with others, a way to bond. A "bromance" was formed. James is a renaissance man who explores daily through all art forms, and through this movie he came to discover that humor, and the depth that humor is born from, is essential in the arts.Sometimes the work bleeds into your life and creates a personal discovery. In my work with Halle Berry on "Monster's Ball," we scored so deeply the reality of having a childand then the profound loss of the childthat Halle realized how much she truly wanted to be a mother. And then came her daughter, Nahla.It's hard to think of Eva Mendes without thinking how sexy she is. But when I first met her in my classes, she could be described more as a Catholic schoolgirl than a seductress. Through our work and her breakthrough in class doing a scene from "The Seven Year Itch," she came to this realization: "Sexuality is a very compelling component that makes people respond in a larger way than if the driving force of the character is solely emotional or intellectual. When both Ivana and I break down a role that I'm doing, we always make sure that all the human elements are thereemotional, spiritual, intellectual, and sexual. It works together to create one full person."In working with Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz for the past six years on "Bones," I helped them realize that "Bones" should not be looked at as a procedural crime-of-the-week show, but rather it's about two people falling in love. I've also helped them to recognize that each crime facilitates the growth of their relationship, and whatever the subject of the crime, it is fodder to grow and add richness to their love. The sexual connection and the humor are a part of their attachment. It is crucial to understand that relationships are successful not because two people have great "feelings talks" but because they have fun with one another. That is key to a person wanting to be with someone. In this way, an audience ends up rooting for their union. Bottom line: Creating a relationship is premier in an actor's script analysis. The plot enables and accelerates the relationship.All forms of art should allow for discovery. For the actor, writer, and director, the choices they make should cover ground that supports revelation for the character, the actor playing the role, and the audience.Ivana Chubbuck is an acting coach and the founder and director of the Ivana Chubbuck Studio. Her students have also included Brad Pitt, Ryan Reynolds, Chris Pine, Terrence Howard, Elisabeth Shue, Catherine Keener, Djimon Hounsou, America Ferrera, Kate Bosworth, Ian Somerhalder, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Charlize Theron. She has also worked with Jim Carrey, Jessica Alba, Radha Mitchell, Carrie-Anne Moss, Garry Shandling, Jessica Biel, Amy Brenneman, Kate Walsh, Judith Light, Amy Smart, Marcia Cross, Jared Leto, David Spade, Matthew Perry, Ali Larter, and Gerard Butler. Her book, "The Power of the Actor: The Chubbuck Technique," has been adopted for use as a textbook in many colleges and universities internationally, as well as being translated into a number of languages around the world. Ivana has also taught at the Juilliard School in New York. Ivana Chubbuck on Discovery Through the Craft October 19, 2011 Actors have the unique obligation in their work to not only find the truth of the character, but to make that character's journey one that empowers and creates revelation for the actor and therefore the audience. When I break down a script with an actor, I always keep this in mind. This inspires growth not only in the character but in the actor as well. It's important to find that primal constant that all human beings can relate tono matter their religious beliefs, socioeconomic status, geography, age, or genderand to make choices that create universality.Beyonc Knowles played Etta James in the film "Cadillac Records." Etta was a heroin addict, and her skin color made it difficult to succeed in a white man's world. But she did cross over from an urban African-American audience and became internationally successful. Firstly, when we dug into the character, we had to look at Beyonc playing an addict, as she has never taken drugs in her life. Truth is, Beyonc barely drinks. She had no touchstone for that mentality. So why someone needs to take heroin became the first question we had to answer.Opiates are taken to kill pain, both physically and emotionally. They also help one feel capable of coping in difficult situations. Though ultimately a destructive drug, heroin initially gives one a sense that everything is manageable. We had to find where in Beyonc's life she felt emotional pain and helplessness dire enough to create a craving for a drug such as heroin. We found her personal triggers and then took a fraction of her feelings of helplessness and pain and expanded and magnified it until it motivated the need to take the drug. When acting drugged out (or drunk), it's essential to first find the need to take the drug, then the behaviors and organic feelings resulting from the drug will make sense to the actor and establish a more accurate depiction. (I have exercises in my book, "The Power of the Actor," to create organic highs for drugs and alcohol, so you're really feeling it, not just acting it out.)Understanding her own helplessness also provided Beyonc with Etta's need to changeto become someone empowered, someone who won't let life's traumas lead to self-destruction but who'll use them to fuel the struggle to overcome. That's a path that everyone can relate to. And an audience wants to watch the journey of a winner, not someone who has accepted defeat. As Beyonc has said, "We always try to find the strength and heroism of a character, no matter how much a victim that character seems to be on the page."Through exploring a character like Etta James, Beyonc saw the need to empower not only a black woman's journey, but women in general. Throughout history, the role of women has often been made secondary to that of men. Beyonc told me that she used the work we did for Etta to bring substance to her music and lyrics, to give them the depth of our need to rejoice in our strengths as women. Because playing Etta James made it so clear how necessary it was. This has become a consistent theme in Beyonc's music the last few years, as heard in "Single Ladies," "Just Stand Up," and "Run the World (Girls)."In "Hustle & Flow," Terrence Howard and I discovered that we could transcend the "pimp/ho" scenario by making his relationship with his prostitutes that of a father taking care of his children. All the things he does with and for them are the actions of a father who loves his children enough to want them to become effective and happy adults. Even when the character is abusive, we saw it as "tough love." His wanting to be a rap star was about making them proud of him, as any parent wants of his offspring. In this way, we made the film about family and the importance of it. We took a story that on the page was relatable only to a small section of people and made it universally accessible.In looking at "Pineapple Express," James Franco and I found that it wasn't a "stoner" movie at all, but a movie about a lonely man who uses marijuana as a common thread with others, a way to bond. A "bromance" was formed. James is a renaissance man who explores daily through all art forms, and through this movie he came to discover that humor, and the depth that humor is born from, is essential in the arts.Sometimes the work bleeds into your life and creates a personal discovery. In my work with Halle Berry on "Monster's Ball," we scored so deeply the reality of having a childand then the profound loss of the childthat Halle realized how much she truly wanted to be a mother. And then came her daughter, Nahla.It's hard to think of Eva Mendes without thinking how sexy she is. But when I first met her in my classes, she could be described more as a Catholic schoolgirl than a seductress. Through our work and her breakthrough in class doing a scene from "The Seven Year Itch," she came to this realization: "Sexuality is a very compelling component that makes people respond in a larger way than if the driving force of the character is solely emotional or intellectual. When both Ivana and I break down a role that I'm doing, we always make sure that all the human elements are thereemotional, spiritual, intellectual, and sexual. It works together to create one full person."In working with Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz for the past six years on "Bones," I helped them realize that "Bones" should not be looked at as a procedural crime-of-the-week show, but rather it's about two people falling in love. I've also helped them to recognize that each crime facilitates the growth of their relationship, and whatever the subject of the crime, it is fodder to grow and add richness to their love. The sexual connection and the humor are a part of their attachment. It is crucial to understand that relationships are successful not because two people have great "feelings talks" but because they have fun with one another. That is key to a person wanting to be with someone. In this way, an audience ends up rooting for their union. Bottom line: Creating a relationship is premier in an actor's script analysis. The plot enables and accelerates the relationship.All forms of art should allow for discovery. For the actor, writer, and director, the choices they make should cover ground that supports revelation for the character, the actor playing the role, and the audience.Ivana Chubbuck is an acting coach and the founder and director of the Ivana Chubbuck Studio. Her students have also included Brad Pitt, Ryan Reynolds, Chris Pine, Terrence Howard, Elisabeth Shue, Catherine Keener, Djimon Hounsou, America Ferrera, Kate Bosworth, Ian Somerhalder, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Charlize Theron. She has also worked with Jim Carrey, Jessica Alba, Radha Mitchell, Carrie-Anne Moss, Garry Shandling, Jessica Biel, Amy Brenneman, Kate Walsh, Judith Light, Amy Smart, Marcia Cross, Jared Leto, David Spade, Matthew Perry, Ali Larter, and Gerard Butler. Her book, "The Power of the Actor: The Chubbuck Technique," has been adopted for use as a textbook in many colleges and universities internationally, as well as being translated into a number of languages around the world. Ivana has also taught at the Juilliard School in NY.

OSCAR ALUMNI: Maximilian Schell to look at Academy Tribute Tuesday

U . s . Artists It's been 5 years because the legendary Austrian-born Swiss actor-director Maximilian Schell was last within the U . s . States, however the 80-year-old, who arrived in La Monday, is going to be honoring a significantly bigger milestone Tuesday in the Academy of movement Picture Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hillsides: the approaching 50th anniversary of his best actor Oscar win for his performance being an attorney protecting alleged Nazi war crooks in Stanley Kramer's Judgment at Nuremberg (1961). (Schell seemed to be identified by the Academy having a jerk for that Guy within the Glass Booth [1975] along with a best supporting actor jerk for Julia [1977], and directed the foreign-language films First Love [1970] and also the Pedestrian [1973] and documentary feature Marlene [1984], which received nods within their particular groups, too.) The Academy tribute, that will can start 7:30pm PST, will have a screening from the film, a Q&A using the actor moderated by Ray King and videotaped tributes to him from the kind of Tom Brokaw, William Shatner (who also made an appearance in Judgment at Nuremberg), and Alec Baldwin (who starred within the 2000 TV small-series Nuremberg). Advanced tickets have offered out, but individuals who would like to stand in the standby line is going to be designated amounts beginning at 5:30pm PST. Schell granted The Hollywood Reporter his only interview just before the Academy event for that to begin our "Oscar Alumni" pieces, by which we'll meet up with honorees from Academy awards past at least one time every month. Requested if he is able to think that it's been one half-century since his large evening, he jeered, "I have to!Inch Other highlights from the conversation appear below. On his parents and why his family fled Vienna for Zurich when he was 8 "My mother was an actress along with a director, too. And my dad would be a playwright and poet. He authored plays -- and that he authored things against Hitler." On his acting debut at 4 years old "I performed inside a abide by my dad... My mother directed it. I needed to dance having a 'violet,' and she or he was very beautiful, and, obviously, I fell, kind of, for each other. But my mother, for whatever reason, transformed it, in the last moment, to a different girl... and that i stated I wouldn't appear. Then she stated I wouldn't get almost anything to eat that evening, and that i still stated, 'Nm-mm.' Then your 'violet' even came and required my hands, and so i went while watching audience, and that i yelled, 'I'm not really a flower. I'm grass!' And there is an incredible reaction in the audience -- huge applause. I'd the greatest I ever endured.Inch On being 'discovered' for his first American film The Youthful Lions (1958) "A real estate agent... for William Morris was delivered to Europe for scouting... to discover who does be interesting for America... plus they sent him to my agent, who stated, 'The just one I understand is Maximilian Schell'... after which he requested me arrive at Paris to satisfy [director] Edward Dmytryk and Marlon Brando. Marlon couldn't speak a thing of German and that i couldn't speak a thing of British, but, in some way, we've got along perfectly for 2 hrs, and also at the finish he stated I ought to take part in the part." On coming in Hollywood "It had been exciting. I loved Hollywood right from the start. It's this type of wonderful, adventurous city, and all sorts of the great situations are here... [However] Among the bad things in Hollywood was after i drove with this particular girl lower Sunset Blvd., and she or he stated, 'Who's your preferred composer?' and that i stated Mozart. 'How would you spell that?' I stated, 'I don't think this is actually the right city for me personally.Inch Around the live TV version of Judgment at Nuremberg that broadcast on CBS's Playhouse 90 in 1959 "George [Roy Hill] am pleased with me [within the 1959 live TV version of Child in our time which broadcast on CBS's Playhouse 90] he stated, 'If I ever look for a part for you personally I'll immediately phone you'... then George sent us a script known as Judgment at Nuremberg." [Claude Rains, Melvyn Douglas, and Paul Lukas also starred.] On Stanley Kramer's giant screen adaptation of Judgment at Nuremberg "Stanley Kramer saw [the television version], and that i was the only person he required [almost -- Werner Klemperer also made an appearance both in versions], while he thought, 'That youthful actor will be a special Hendes Rolfe'... I had been really surprised... obviously, I didn't know it might be this type of success." [Spencer Tracy, Burt Lancaster, Richard Widmark, Montgomery Clift, Marlene Dietrich, and Judy Garland also starred.] Around the role he performed in on television and film (and also the role he initially wanted much more) "Hendes Rolfe only agreed to be an attorney -- and, really, it wasn't written for any 3 decades old, you realize, but George felt which i would work best with the part. Really, I preferred the accused one, the role which Burt Lancaster performed, since it's an excellent role: you may be quiet for the entire film, after which, again, you've got a great speech. But he [Hill] stated, 'He is really a minister -- he or she must be older. And i believe it's a lot more interesting that you simply take part in the youthful guy -- it had been written for you personally!' And i believe he was right." On carrying out his large speech close to the finish from the film (click the link to see watching it in the whole) "Tracy been on his contract he would always only work from ten to 1 and from 3 to 5... Always, once they wanted to setup a scene with Spence, also it was ten to 5, you realize, Spence would take his watch and say, 'Well, folks, I don't know for a moment allow it to be!' Plus they didn't allow it to be, obviously, and that he went. However, after i had my great ending speech -- which we authored together, really, Abby Mann, and George Roy Hill, and myself -- he stated, 'Max, do you want me?' You realize, it's usual that the partner who's this is not on the screen sits or stands near the camera. So he stated, 'Max, do you want me with this scene?' I stated, 'Spence, it's already five o'clock.' He stated, 'Well, you don't need me.' However he remained there to have an unknown little actor from Europe -- he remained, and that he assisted. It had been an excellent show of friendship, also it trained us a lot." On learning he -- together with co-star Tracy -- have been nominated for top actor Oscar "I believe I had been skiing somewhere in Europe. I didn't know anything much about acting honors. It had been wonderful to become nominated." On Oscar evening "I came for that Academy awards. The very first three occasions I came, after which later on I stated, 'I'll remain in Munich, and have a sleeping pill, and when the phone rings I'll know I won, and when it doesn't ring I'll get enough rest.'" [Click the link to look at Joan Crawford announce the very best actor nominees for 1961 (that also incorporated Charles Boyer, Paul Newman, Stuart Whitman, and Tracy), available to envelope and browse his title, and him deliver his victory speech.] Around the impact from the Oscar "Well, it had been, for me personally, an advantage. Obviously, it helped me known on the planet... Obviously, it's extremely important to have an actor -- but my real goal was pointing... Regrettably, there weren't a lot of good parts... And That I began to direct." On being so carefully connected with playing Spanish people and/or films about The Second World War (including Judgment at Nuremberg [1959-TV, 1961-film], Return in the Ashes, Counterpoint [1967], The Pedestrian [1973], The Odessa File [1974], A Bridge Too Much [1977], Mix of Iron [1977], Julia [1977], The Guy within the Glass Booth [1975], and also the Diary of Anne Frank [1980-TV]) "I didn't prefer to [play] a lot of Spanish people, you realize? Since the Spanish people didn't possess the picture of loving, fantastic males, you realize?... Germany has another side -- an excellent side -- which side I usually loved to represent." On whether lucrative thinks about themself more like a director than an actress "Yes, a lot more. To tell the truth, I don't think I'm an actress. I'm a creator -- or play the role of.Inch On his current projects "I've three plans: the first is to perform a film about Karl Marx in the last days in Algeria... these guys to perform a wonderful film about Mozart and Napoleon, who, based on history, had never met, however i understood they did... after which to perform a film maybe about myself -- a classic actor who did Hamlet three occasions in German, and today he hopes to get it done once again... I don't determine if I'm able to make sure they are, however it's nice to consider... I enjoy uncover -- constantly to uncover, constantly to become surprised, constantly to become astonished by what's happening on the planet.Inch Alec Baldwin William Shatner Academy awards

The Playboy Club: What Went Wrong

The Playboy Club It took years for The Playboy Club to hop into primetime. It took NBC three weeks to kill it. Quick cancellations are nothing new in TV, but the rapid demise of The Playboy Club might serve as a cautionary tale for programmers as they depend more on familiar franchises and icons to attract distracted viewers. With so much competition for the attention of viewers, network execs are looking for anything that might give them an edge in marketing and awareness - which is why so many remakes with familiar titles are hitting the air. The Playboy Club wasn't a reboot of an old show, but rather an original series looking to leverage a popular global brand. NBC liked that the name "Playboy" would at least cut through the clutter of fall TV's slew of new series launches. "Many programmers would look at it and say, 'Here's a huge brand that should be able to give us baked-in awareness," says one insider. But the brand may have ultimately prevented audiences from even sampling what was ultimately a rather tepid period crime drama. "It was a fundamentally flawed concept," the insider adds. "It's a soap, which inherently appeals to women. But it's a brand so tied to men. I just think it was doomed from the start." Early on, the idea of building a primetime series around the Playboy brand seemed like a novel plan. After all, E! Entertainment's The Girls Next Door had helped push Playboy and founder Hugh Hefner into the mainstream - and 60 years after the magazine first launched, Playboy now seemed almost quaint and tame. At the same time, Playboy had just begun to license its name to a new chain of Playboy Clubs (which had been dormant for 20 years) in locations such as Macau and Las Vegas, making it an actual, active business again. The show also boasted some pretty hefty auspices. If anyone was going to produce a series set in the world of Playboy, it was going to be Imagine TV. Imagine Entertainment's Brian Grazer - who even has a vintage Playboy pinball machine outside his Beverly Hills office - has been eager to produce a feature film about Playboy founder Hugh Hefner since at least 1999, when he first secured the icon's life rights. Three years later, Imagine also gained the archival rights to Playboy content to use as source material for projects. Oliver Stone was attached to the Hefner biopic at one point, and Brett Ratner later came on board, with Robert Downey, Jr. rumored to star. But while the feature idea crept along, TV was about to dive right in. In 2009, NBC first bought the script Bunny Tales, about 1960s-era cocktail waitresses working at The Playboy Club, from Imagine and 20th Century Fox TV. But that project, from writer Becky Mode, didn't make it to the pilot stage. A year later, Imagine and 20th tried again, this time with a script by Chad Hodge. By then, AMC's Mad Men - which even set an episode inside a Playboy Club - had made it cool to set your show in the swinging '60s. And new NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt, looking to make a big splash in a short amount of time, was enamored enough with the idea of a Playboy-branded series that in January he gave the show, rechristened Playboy (and later amended to The Playboy Club), his first pilot order at the network. Early on, there were a few hiccups: Newcomer Jeff Hephner was originally cast as the show's lead but days later replaced by Eddie Cibrian after the show's first table read. But by May, it was clear that fourth-place NBC was eager to put big names and big ideas on the screen as it looked to turn things around. A pre-sold title like The Playboy Club was worth a try. As a matter of fact, when NBC greenlit the show to series, the network stipulated that "Playboy" had to be in the show's title. Insiders said an alternative title, such as dusting off Bunny Tales, wasn't even discussed. Execs at Imagine and 20th Century Fox TV, which always assumed the title would be changed, were surprised. "That brand is so established in its meaning, so embedded in the conciousness of the audience, for good and for bad," says one insider. Then came the backlash, which revolved solely around the title, as NBC's Salt Lake City affiliate, owned by the Mormon church, refused to air a show with Playboy in its name. Several groups called for a boycott of NBC stations that aired the show, as well as advertisers that appeared during its commercial breaks. Even women's rights leader Gloria Steinem, who famously wrote in the 1960s about going undercover at a Playboy Club, advocated a boycott. But most of those cultural critics hadn't actually seen the show. The TV critics who had watched the pilot weren't impressed, perhaps in part because the controversy belied the fact that The Playboy Club was ultimately a run-of-the-mill drama. Says an exec: "Most women look at the show's title and say, 'It's not the show for me, it's a show for my husband. Their husband looks at it and sees there's no T-and-A, because it's on broadcast." In other words, viewers intrigued by the Playboy name were disappointed by the lack of titillation. Viewers who might be interested in the show's mainstream stories were turned off by the word "Playboy." Net result? No viewers. In the end, saddled with a weak lead-in (The Sing-Off), bad reviews and too much negative baggage, The Playboy Club never even opened. The show debuted to 5 million viewers, dropping to 3.4 million by Week 3. "I'm sorry NBC's The Playboy Club didn't find its audience," Hefner wrote on Twitter. "It should have been on cable, aimed at a more adult audience." Hodge told Out magazine that he thought The Playboy Club might fit better on another NBC Universal network like Bravo. But he won't get the chance to find out: 20th and Imagine have no plans to shop the show elsewhere. "If the show were hugely well-reviewed and there was a groundswell of support from a core group of viewers there maybe would be some potential," an exec says. "But it only aired a few times and dropped every week." Adds another exec: "It was an idea targeted at one audience, but a brand connection that unfortunately was at odds with who that audience is." Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Vin Diesel inks first-look deal with Universal

DieselAfter Universal Pictures locked the writer and director of "Fast Five" into first-look deals, it only made sense that one of its stars was next.That would be Vin Diesel, who's signed a two-year production pact at Universal to house his One Race Films. Diesel, who's appeared in all but one of the "Fast" pics that have grossed more than $1.5 billion worldwide, will be joined on the lot by his One Race execs Samantha Vincent and David Ortiz."Fast Five" scribe Chris Morgan and director Justin Lin were given first-look deals after the automotive actioner kicked off this year's blockbuster season, grossing $600 million worldwide and ending a significant slump for Universal with an $82.3 million domestic bow, the biggest in the studio's history.Universal has now wrapped up key creatives from all sides of a single franchise. And though first-look talent deals are common, it's unusual for a barrage of production contracts to spring from just one film. The deals show that Universal is not only committed to future "Fast" pics, but other unrelated projects that Diesel could drive as well.Besides the "Fast" franchise, the thesp has been a key force in shaping U's "Riddick" series, which he has produced and starred in. The first, 2000's "Pitch Black," became a cult fave, and Diesel's character returned in 2004's "Chronicles of Riddick." That film earned $116 million worldwide and spawned a hit vidgame series. Diesel and writer-helmer David Twohy have continued development on the third film, releasing concept art and keeping fans up to date via Facebook and Twitter.Diesel is repped by CAA and Brillistein Entertainment Partners. Contact Justin Kroll at justin.kroll@variety.com

FilmDistrict Sued Over 'Misleading' 'Drive' Trailer (Video)

Ryan Gosling's crime drama Drive may have been a hit with critics, earning a score of 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, but one Michigan woman was so unhappy with the film -- she's suing.our editor recommendsDrive: Cannes 2011 Review'Drive' Star Ryan Gosling's 11 Most Memorable Roles (Photos)CANNES 2011 Q&A: 'Drive' Director Nicolas Winding Refn PHOTOS: Ryan Gosling's Career in Pictures Sarah Deming has filed a lawsuit against FilmDistrict claiming that the distributors, "promoted the film Drive as very similar to the Fast and Furious, or similar, series of movies." The film, directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, sees Gosling as an unnamed stunt driver by day who moonlights as getaway driver by night. While the movie features a few impressive car scenes, the story centers mostly on the Driver's relationship with Carey Mulligan's character and several gruesome casualties along his journey to protect her family from harm. STORY: 'Drive' Soundtrack Climbs iTunes Charts on Strong Viral Reviews "Drive bore very little similarity to a chase, or race action film... having very little driving in the motion picture," the suit continues. "Drive was a motion picture that substantially contained extreme gratuitous defamatory dehumanizing racism directed against members of the Jewish faith, and thereby promoted criminal violence against members of the Jewish faith. Deming is seeking a refund for her movie ticket, in addition to halting the production of "misleading movie trailers" in the future. The plaintiff intends to turn her individual case into a class action lawsuit, thereby allowing fellow movie-goers an opportunity to share in the settlement, reports Detroit's WDIV-TV. See the trailer in question below. Related Topics Ryan Gosling Drive

Hot Trailer: Arthur Christmas

Here’s a trailer for that new the new sony Pictures Animation’s Arthur Christmas, the initial pic to look for the sunshine within three-year deal with Wallace & Gromit producer Aardman Animations. It premieres November 23. James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Jim Broadbent, Bill Nighy and Imelda Staunton perform the voice target the 3d film, which shows exactly how Santa has the ability to accomplish Christmas each year.

KickStarter Seeks To Protect Fan-Funding Model From Patent Threat (Exclusive)

Kickstarter, the burgeoning online forum that allows filmmakers, musicians, and other artists to raise independent financing for projects, is being threatened by competitors who claim to have patented the "fan-funding" approach. The company is seeking to save itself by asking a NY federal court for declaratory relief from claims of patent infringement. Started in 2009 by Perry Chen, Yancey Strickler, and Charles Adler, Kickstarter has been hailed as an innovative way to raise capital for micro-projects. Instead of going to Hollywood studios, big record labels, or large publishing houses, artists go to the Kickstarter website, describe their project, and ask fans for money. Kickstarter has raised more than $75 million in two years for 10,626"creative projects" based on the donations of813,205 "backers," according to a glowing review in August by The NY Times Magazine. The website has grown in popularity because it takes no ownership percentage of projects, instead taking a small percentage of total funding if a project is successfully funded. But in the six months, according to legal documents filed by Kickstarter, the company has been repeatedly threatened by other companies who are also in the fan-funded arena. In February, ArtistShare CEO Brian Camelio registered a patent that was titled, "Methods and Apparatuses for Financing and Marketing a Creative Work." The patent describes a process by which artists register works into a centralized database and offer entitlements in exchange for capital. The following month, Camello is said to have written two senior executives at Kickstarter "to discuss ArtistShare's patent and software licensing terms for Kickstarter." After hearing no response, he sent another letter in an attempt to "initiate amicable discussions" before showing up in person to Kickstarter's NY office unannounced in an unsuccessful effort to corner Strickler. Over the next few months, conversations between Kickstarter's outside counsel and Camelio continued over the allegations of patent infringement. In August, it's alleged that a company called Fan Funded was formed with money put up from ArtistShare. The following month, Fan Funded declared it "owns" the patent in question and sought to resolve the situation. But negotiations went nowhere, and now KickStarter says it believes it is under threat of a patent infringement lawsuit. The registered patent appears to be an example of a relatively new class of patents known as "business method patents," which allow enterprises the exclusive rights to conduct business in a certain way, and have been controversial among those who question whether these method patents meet the patentable standard of non-obviousness. These types of patents became subject to an important Supreme Court case in 2010in Bilski v. Kappos, which didn't eradicate them and may have helped pushed Congress into enacting significant patent reform earlier this year. Ironically, one of the latest projects seeking funding on KickStarter is from a patent agent looking to score money for a bookthat celebrates the art contained in published U.S. patent applications and granted U.S. patents. It's doubtful the patent now in question will make it into that book. E-mail: eriqgardner@yahoo.com Twitter: @eriqgardner

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Is Berenice Marlohe a Bond 23 girl?

It's a hard existence being Difficulties. Quite simply the quote about Jason Bourne: males wish to be you, women desire to lick you.Then every few years you're asked for to smooch around our planet's finest female stars. Which side we sign up for it may?Because Bond 23 has came back all set to go it is time for your casting company company directors to search through all of the stunning stars as being a bloke in the white-colored van moving through Nuts magazine.The newest vibrant youthful step to become examined by Bond's charms will (once the whispers are true) be Berenice Marlohe, a young French TV actress which has started to find her distance to films.Can it be just us or possibly is she holding a golden gun because picture? Be cautious Bond, that certain may provide you with a damn good licking.