Anna Faris and the Sexiest Comediennes in Movies

This weekend Anna Faris stars in the new romantic comedy 'What's Your Number?' -- the latest in what is turning out be a banner year for female-driven comedies at the box office ('Bridesmaids,' 'Bad Teacher' are just a few of the examples). 2011 has been dominated by a bevy of talented women who make us laugh and look good while doing it, so Moviefone decided it was time to salute all the sexy comediennes that light up the big screen. Anna Faris & The Sexiest Comedians Anna FarisAmy PoehlerCameron DiazChristina ApplegateElizabeth BanksIsla FisherJennifer AnistonKristen WiigLeslie MannLucy PunchOlivia MunnRashia JonesTina FeyZooey Deschanel See All Moviefone Galleries » Watch the trailer for 'What's Your Number?' (Banner image courtesy of WireImage | Getty Images | Everett Collection)

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Sony Might No Longer Have Right To Distribute Meat Loaf Albums (Exclusive)

Rick Nederstigt/AFP/Getty Images Meat Loaf's "Bat Out Of Hell" was released in 1977 and has sold approximately 43 million copies, making it the fifth best selling album of all time. The album continues to sell well, but Sony Music's control over this album as well as other hit albums is now under threat thanks to a lawsuit filed on Wednesday by the estate of a recently deceased record executive, Stephen Popovich, who was quite successful in his time. Sony is alleged to have engaged in massive accounting failures and ignoring the warnings of past lawsuits. As a result, Sony has purportedly forfeited rights to the album. PHOTOS: The Top 10 Highest Paid Music Artists Popovich was an American record executive who was particularly active in the 1970s as former vice president of Columbia Records and CBS. He is credited as signing acts such as Michael Jackson, Boston, The Charlie Daniels Band, and REO Speedwagon. In 1977, he founded Cleveland International Records, whose biggest success was signing Meat Loaf. A two-time Grammy Award winner, Popovich passed away on June 8. Now comes a lawsuit in Ohio federal court from Popovich's estate which claims that Sony has violated the terms of agreements with Cleveland International Records. The estate alleges that Sony has had a long history of underpaying royalties. As a result, Popovich and Sony have been in court on and off for the past fifteen years. The first lawsuit was filed in 1998 and then dismissed after the parties came to a settlement which purportedly required the record label to pay tens of millions of past due royalties. properly account for future royalties, and add the Cleveland International Records logo to all master recordings sold to the public. VIDEOS: MTV: 30 Years of Music Videos Sony allegedly didn't comply with the last provision of the agreement so Popovich filed a second lawsuit in 2002. The dispute is said to have resulted in a jury verdict of more than $5 million. "Despite having previously been sued for failing and refusing to accurately report and properly account to Plaintiff royalties owed on Plaintiff's Masters, Defendants have deliberately and knowingly continued to fail and refuse to pay the proper amounts due to Plaintiff," says the latest complaint. Specifically, Sony is alleged to have used a variety of fraudulent devices to understate what is owed, including failing to calculate proper royalties by deducting "packaging costs" and charging "blanket license fees" on Internet music sales, charging a "license fee" on foreign sales, taking deductions on excise taxes, giving away excessive amounts of purported "free goods" to dealers and distributors, applying incorrect royalty rates on foreign sales, etc. Popovich's estate believes the understatement has cost them in excess of $3 million, but isn't sure due to an alleged refusal to allow an audit. The plaintiff wants an accounting and damages but goes much further in alleging breaches of fiduciary duty and the contract. So now, Popovich's estate maintains that all rights in and to the master recordings have reverted to them. A declaratory judgement and a permanent injunction requiring delivery of all master recordings and the prohibition of future distribution is being requested. The albums at issue include Meat Loaf's "Bat Out of Hell," "Dead Ringer," "Midnight Lost and Found," and "Hits Out of Hell." Sony Music declined comment. E-mail: eriqgardner@yahoo.com Twitter: @eriqgardner

'Tinker' breaks record for StudioCanal U.K.

LONDON -- "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" has become the highest grossing release ever for the U.K. arm of StudioCanal, which recently changed its name from Optimum Releasing. The film has grossed 6.92 million ($10.8 million) in 10 days, beating the company's previous record with "Unknown," which took $10.2 million earlier this year. By coincidence, "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" is based on a novel by John le Carre, while the script for "Unknown" was co-written by his son Stephen Cornwell. "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," directed by Tomas Alfredson and starring Gary Oldman, Colin Firth and Tom Hardy, was produced by Working Title and fully financed by StudioCanal. The box office has been powered by uniformly positive reviews and strong word-of-mouth. After posting StudioCanal's best-ever U.K. opening weekend, the gross dropped by only 25% on its second weekend, with a 10% increase in screens to 422. It is the first film to be released in the U.K. under the StudioCanal banner following the company's rebranding Sept. 1. Optimum was founded in 2000, and sold to French major StudioCanal in 2006. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

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Hough, Brand to star in Cody's debut

Julianne Hough and Russell Brand will star within the untitled Mandate Pictures pic that Diablo Cody can make her directorial debut. Cody composed the storyline of the protected youthful lady (Hough) who manages to lose her belief following a plane crash and would go to Vegas to see the wild existence. She meets an unlikely companion (Brand), who helps her find her true self. Mason Novick will produce with Mandate Prexy Nathan Kahane will professional produce with Cody. Hough is visible next in Paramount's "Footloose," while Brand just wrapped New Line's "Rock of Age range." Hough is repped by CAA and Brand is repped by WME. Contact Justin Kroll at justin.kroll@variety.com

Zodiak Nordic signs Jensen topper

MOSCOW - Shingle Zodiak Media Group has appointed Johannes Jensen as CEO, Zodiak Nordic. Jensen, who was named Friday by the international TV, radio, film and new-media producer, will head up the group's division that is responsible for Scandinavia as well as Poland and Hungary. Zodiak Nordic includes top regional production companies such as Mastiff (in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Poland and Hungary), Jarowskij (in Sweden and Finland) and Broadcasters (in Finland). Formerly VP Zodiak Nordic, Jensen will run the Scandinavian division alongside COO Jens Eriksson, CCO Joel Karsberg and CFO Mikael Royson. Zodiak companies are responsible for popular television shows that include "Paradise Hotel," "Strictly Come Dancing," "Don't Forget the Lyrics," "So You Think You Can Dance," "Secret Millionaire" and "Fort Boyard." Over the past 18 months Zodiak Nordic has successfully launched homegrown shows such as Jarowskij's comedy show; Solsidan and Mastiff's adaptions of the Zodiak formats "Best Singer" and "Beyond Boundaries." "Our goal is to be the most reliable producer in the market as well as being the best at creating developed formats," Jensen said. "We are already one of the top three production companies in almost all of the Nordic markets. Our aim for the future is to build on this foundation be delivering more and more original shows for our broadcaster customers." Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

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Kiefer Sutherland's 'Touch' Gets Series Order at Fox

Jemal Countess/Getty ImagesKiefer Sutherland Kiefer Sutherland is officially coming back to TV. As expected, Fox has given the series order to drama pilot Touch, from Heroes creator Tim Kring. The network has ordered 13 episodes of the drama, which stars Suthlerland as a single father to Jake, a mute 11-year-old who communicates through numbers. The project reunites former 24 star Sutherland with the network. Fox has set a spring premiere date for the drama, which at the May upfront presentation to Madison Avenue was considered a likely bet for midseason and was already staffing up with writers. "With Kiefer back on the network as the face and force behind this creative new series, I'm confident it will resonate with viewers this spring," Fox Entertainment president Kevin Reilly said in a statement. "Touch is another ambitious series from Tim Kring that is beautifully executed and has incredibly resonant themes for our times," he noted. Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Undercovers) co-stars as a social worker who works with Sutherland's Martin as they learn that Jake can see things and patterns that connect unrelated events. STORY: Official: Kiefer Sutherland Returning to Primetime Danny Glover co-stars as a professor and expert on gifted children who works alongside Martin in deciphering the meaning of Jake's visions. Touch hails from Chernin Entertainment and Tailwin Productions, in association with 20th Television. Kring penned the pilot and will executive produce alongside Sutherland, Francis Lawrence, Peter Chernin, Katherine Pope, Suzan Bymel and Carol Barbee. Lawrence directed the pilot. Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit Kiefer Sutherland Touch Fall TV Preview

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Kristin Cavallaris Dwts Blog: My Dancing Debut!

By Kristin CavallariLOS ANGELES, Calif. -- To begin with, a large thanks to everybody who updated into last nights premiere episode, and the other large thanks to everybody who chosen for Mark and that i! I must admit, I had been very nervous so making it through last nights cha cha would be a huge relief. Now Im just excited for the following one! Easily the funniest part is, the whole time prior to the very first show, all I possibly could consider was how afraid I had been to get this done before an active audience. Cameras is one factor but an enormous, screaming audience just freaked me out. After we got available though I felt different. The power from the audience pumps you up therefore it really assisted a great deal! It had been pretty incredible. When Mark and that i began our cha cha, everything just kind of grew to become a blur. My thoughts went completely blank and fortunately my body system stored moving! After we began, I truly had a lot fun by using it! It had been lots of effort prior to our large debut dance, however it was all worthwhile. Im very excited with this season! Ive already had the very best experience and i believe its just getting better and. Help you around the next show! xx,Kristin Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved.These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Andy Samberg, Erection dysfunction Helms and Maya Rudolph to complete Music Medley at Emmys (Exclusive)

Sunday's Emmy telecast will get some good Lonely Island love.our editor recommendsEmmys 2011: Joel McHale and Zachary Levi to Sing as 'Emmingtons'Charlie Sheen Prone to Contained in the Emmys Andy Samberg's digital production arm famous for such Saturday Evening Live viral hits as "Mother Lover," "D--- in the Box" which is recently-nominated "3-Way (The Golden Rule)," "Jack Sparrow" and "I Merely Had Sex," does a medley of tunes, sources tell The Hollywood Reporter. "3-Way," 1 of three tunes from Samberg's The Lonely Island nominated with an Emmy inside the original music and lyrics category, lost to Timberlake's SNL monologue. The Lonely Island includes Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone. Work's Erection dysfunction Helms or even more With The Evening's Maya Rudolph look, as well as other bold face title. Samberg's Saturday Evening Live expires with an Emmy inside the variety, music or comedy series. THR first reported that several Emmy groups can also be produced with a star-studded group referred to as Emmingtons, including Joel McHale, Taraji P. Henson and Zachary Levi. Related Subjects Emmy Honours Emmys 2011

Global Showbiz Briefs: UK, France

British TV’s ‘Postman Pat’ Heads To The Big Screen Stephen Mangan, Jim Broadbent, Rupert Grint and David Tennantlead the voice cast for the 3-D animated feature. Mike Disa (Hood vs. Evil) will direct. The screenplay will be co-written by Kim Fuller and Annika Bluhm, who produced the Postman Pat kids TV series in the UK. Robert Anich and Miles Horst are producing for Rubicon Group Entertainment, with Ceri Barnes and Annika Bluhm for Classic Media. Production begins this month. Timeless Films is selling the film worldwide. Icon Film Distribution has picked up the rights in the UK and Ireland. France Picks ‘Declaration of War’ For Oscar Consideration The low-budget tale centers on a couple coping with their baby boy’s tumor. Valerie Donzelli wrote the script from her own experience and stars in the film along with Jeremie Elkaim, the father of her two children. Sundance Selects bought the U.S. rights after the film bowed in Cannes last year. Wild Bunch is handling global sales of the film, which has taken in more than $3M in two weeks of release in France.

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Natalie Portman Had Better Not Be Getting Rich Off Star Wars

Carrie Fisher would not approve: “Mistakes are a drag, because you get in the area of regret and self-pity. I don’t like to linger in this zone. Obviously, drug use is a huge mistake. So I’ve made some bad choices. That’s reflected in the Princess Leia thing. I do not take it on. Me having a tantrum in the corner for my cut of Star Wars toothpaste? I don’t want to get into it. Every so often, I wonder if Natalie Portman is getting more money than the none I’m getting. If she’s holding a check for Princess Amidala’s likeness in one hand and her Oscar in the other, that would piss me off.” [The Daily Beast]

Rising Star: Joel Edgerton

By Jesse SperoLOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Joel Edgerton is probably not a family group title at this time, however with a slew of high-profile projects within the works including this weekends Warrior, with former AccessHollywood.com Rising Star Tom Sturdy, this Australian actor is going to remove. Joel would be better recognized to fans for his role in 2 The Exorcist movies playing the youthful version of Luke Skywalkers uncle, Owen Lars (blue milk!), but a few days ago moviegoers will discover a totally new side from the actor a well developed, tough and ripped side when he plays Brendan, an old Martial artist-switched-senior high school teacher at the time of the family crisis including his brother, performed by Sturdy. The 37-year-old actor lately told Access in the Warrior junket the movies physical needs were initially daunting. We've got hurt, but thats area of the excitement about registering for something of that nature, he stated. Its a genuine challenge, Joel, who tore his MCL while filming and was cautioned with a physician not result in the movie, ongoing. I'd this kind of stupid indisputable fact that I had been too old to complete something that sports any longer. Outweighing the physical perils associated with the role was his need to flex his acting chops. It seamless comfort to possess a opportunity to do all individuals things, because I [was] craving them years back, he told Access. It had been like, Produce an opportunity! Allow me to do each one of these stuff that I believe I understand I'm able to do! And [then sometimes,] you do not obtain the job, or they create it for another person. So, its good. The jobs have ongoing to set up for Joel, that has The Odd Existence of Timothy Eco-friendly, with Jennifer Garner and also the Great Gatsby, with Leonardo DiCaprio approaching. Hes a upright guy, Joel stated of approaching co-star Leo. Hes an excellent actor too. Joel wasnt the only person providing the compliments. Access also spoke to his Warrior co-star, Jennifer Morrison, and director Gavin OConnor. Someone that's loaded with integrity, the type of person who comes with an intelligence and soulfulness and someone you want to become your husband, the daddy of the child, Gavin stated when requested about his look for the role of Brendan. Whenever you understand this guy, you are able to think that maybe in the past hes maybe a little of the bar room brawler. [Joel] had that in him. When he left I stated towards the casting director, We simply found Brandon. Joels onscreen wife also gushed concerning the actor, revealing that you will find many sides towards the Aussie. Hes just an amazing individual. You will find insufficient nice things to say of Joel, she told Access. Joel is really a true renaissance guy Hes kind of that guy that each guy really wants to be Hes an amazing author, hes a designer, hes plays guitar. Adding having a smile, Hes pretty dreamy. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved.These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Eastwoods J.Edgar To World Premiere As AFI Fest Opener

Although it was speculated that Clint Eastwood’s much-anticipated J. Edgar would show up at either Venice, Telluride, Toronto or New York Film Festivals this Fall, it has been conspicuously absent from all of those lineups. Until now. Warner Bros and Eastwood have agreed to have its World Premiere as the opening night gala of the 25th edition of AFI Fest 2011presented by Audion November 3rd at the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. Warners will open the film in limited engagements on November 9 and go wide two days later. The film starring Leonardo DiCaprio as the controversial founding director of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover co-stars Naomi Watts, Armie Hammer and Judi Dench in an original screenplay by Oscar winner Dustin Lance Black (Milk) which explores the public and private life of a man described as one of the most powerful, controversial and enigmatic figures of the 20th Century. Eastwood , a four time Oscar winner including Best Pictures Unforgiven and Million Dollar Baby also has ties to the American Film Institute as the recipient of the 1996 AFI Life Achievement Award. Word inside Warners from those who have seen it say the film could putthe prolific directorback in the Best Picture race for the first time since Million Dollar Baby won in 2004. A (biased?)source there told me thatit is definitely 3-time nomineeDiCaprio’s best shot to finally take an Oscar so the premiere is a coup for AFI which opened their fest last year with Ed Zwick’s Love and Other Drugs. This year’s fest will take place Nov 3 through 10 and is likely to feature several other awards contenders thanks to its perfect timing for Oscar campaigns. “What a gift it is to be going to the movies when Clint Eastwood is making them, and what an honor it is for the American Film Institute to premiere his latest contribution to America’s cultural legacy,” Bob Gazzale, President and CEO of the American Film Institute said in a statement announcing the selection.