Marling: Brings experience to 'Earth'

Brit MarlingBefore the Sundance Film Festival, Brit Marling had been butting up against the challenges facing any young actress."When I came to L.A., I really couldn't figure it out," she admits. "If you didn't start when you were 3 years old doing commercials, how do you begin?"So Marling decided to take matters into her own hands, co-writing, producing and starring in two shoestring indies: "Another Earth" and "Sound of My Voice," which both premiered in Park City this year.Though the actress had studied theater growing up, when it came time for college, she opted for a broad liberal arts degree over drama school."How could you be an actor and not study theology and physics?" asks Marling, who settled on economics as her major. Then she met Mike Cahill and Zal Batmanglij, fellow Georgetown students who had directed a short film featured in an on-campus sprocket opera.Impressed, she introduced herself to the pair, sparking an intense friendship that carried through college (she spent the rest of her time at Georgetown juggling econometrics proofs and making short films with the guys) and beyond. After graduating, she and Cahill went to Cuba and made a documentary called "Boxers and Ballerinas," while Batmanglij enrolled at the American Film Institute.Then came the disappointment of trying to make it in Hollywood."I'm always frustrated by the idea that so much of your ability to practice your craft is beyond your control," Marling says. "I realized the quickest way to do what I want, which is to act, would be to teach myself to write."So she made "Earth" (with Cahill) and "Voice" (with Batmanglij). While vastly different in style, the two projects -- one a portrait of regret set against an ambitious sci-fi premise, the other a mind-bender about a beguiling cult leader -- reveal Marling as a unique quantity, more ingenious than ingenue, with a soulful streak that comes through both onscreen and in the material itself.After Sundance, Fox Searchlight snapped up rights to both pics and greenlit another, "The East." Marling also stars in Robert Redford's "The Company You Keep," in which she could act someone else's words, for once."The thing that is most exciting and intoxicating is to lose yourself in someone else's imagination," she says.Lucky break: "Going to the Georgetown Film Festival and meeting Mike and Zal and finding two collaborators for life. And then Sundance."Favorite film: "'Lust, Caution.' I love that it's an espionage thriller with a female protagonist."Career I'd like to emulate: "Anthony Hopkins. It's astounding to have that longevity and to keep growing."10 ACTORS TO WATCH 2011:Benedict Cumberbatch | Jean Dujardin | Luke Evans | Josh Hutcherson | Felicity Jones | Taylor Kitsch | Brit Marling | Elizabeth Olsen | Octavia Spencer | Shailene Woodley Contact Peter Debruge at peter.debruge@variety.com

Kurtzman, Orci eye move to Skydance

Skydance has also come on board to co-produce the next 'Star Trek,' which Kurtzman and Orci are writing."Star Trek" and "Transformers" scribes Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci are in negotiations to move their K.O. Paper Products shingle to David Ellison's Skydance Productions. No further details were available but sources say the deal is shaping up as more than a basic production pact. Skydance had no comment. Kurtzman and Orci's current deal at DreamWorks is slated to expire at year-end. The split from DreamWorks is said to be a friendly one, as sources say the scribe-producers sat down with DreamWorks' co-chairman/CEO Stacey Snider to talk about their new venture. Kurtzman and Orci have several films they are still working on with DreamWorks, including "Welcome to People," which is slated to bow in 2012. The first film that Ellison, Kurtzman and Orci will produce together with Skydance is "Without Remorse," a thriller based on the Tom Clancy tome. Skydance has also come on board to co-produce the next "Star Trek" sequel that Orci and Kurtzman are writing and J.J. Abrams is set to direct. Though Kurtzman and Orci haven't previously worked with Skydance, the partners and Ellison are said to share similar visions for films they'd like to make. Ellison has said he's interested in big-budget tentpole pics, and the hypenates' work has been focused on such pics as "Star Trek" and "Transformers." The two have also built a strong relationship with Paramount, where Skydance's production deal is set up. Kurtzman and Orci are currently working on several projects, including Fox's "Fringe" TV series and the next "Star Trek" film. Skydance's next pic, "Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol" bows Dec. 16. Kurtzman and Orci are repped by CAA. Contact Justin Kroll at justin.kroll@variety.com

New Study Finds Top Hits Centered by Synths, Lyrics About Hooking up Up

A completely new group of hit songwriting trends was launched the other day plus a few of their findings are fascinating, others apparent.our editor recommendsDJ Magazine Reveals Its Annual Best Gamers DJs List in AmsterdamLady Gaga Drops F-Blast at Bill Clinton Concert (Video)Howard Stern Bids Goodbye to Radio Alma Mater WYSP With Half-Hour Mobile Call (Audio) According to Hit Tunes Decontructed, 79% of top pop hits used a synthesizer since the song's primary instrument. That's up from 62% this past year and seems to signal the present electro-pop fad is not going away soon -- no less than some time longer. Further enhancing that theory: the fact 88% of Top tunes used electric-based instrumentation. For minimal popular instrument? Playing the guitar, which hit a small of fourPercent through the second quarter of 2011. STORY:Rhianna, Bruno Mars to complete at MTV Europe Music Honours The 2nd should come hardly any surprise because the rock format is constantly lose ground at terrestrial radio. Indeed, through the latest quarter, rock tunes composed just 8% of Top hits, with dance/club music composed of half of tunes. Rap/stylish-hop remains second most broadly used genre influencer at 21%. For lyrical styles in pop music, "hooking up up" is regarded as the popular up to now this season, prevalent in 38% of hit tunes, then "inspiring" tunes, which have continuously elevated to consider 25% in the Top inside the second quarter of 2011, "chilling outOrclub bingInch (21%) and "love/associations" at 17%. Oddly enough, any "other" categories of lyrical styles have not successful to link up whatsoever, coming at zero % up to now this season. A year ago, when music audience were apparently considering a little a lot more than sex, it absolutely was at 9%. PHOTO:Rhianna Produces Warmth on 'Marry The Evening' Cover (Photo) But possibly most worth observing, no less than where music makers and purveyors are involved, might be the gender breakdown of lead vocalists. What is the news: the area is diminishing which is now almost equal. This past year, male entertainers may be heard on 57% of hit tunes. Today, the split reaches 46%/42% male to female. Duets consider 12% of hit tunes (is Nicki Minaj by means of saying thanks to?). Other curious trends pointed with a steep drop in solos, lower from 17% to fivePercent of hits, as well as the once popular bridge a part of a sound lesson now only will come in 42% of tunes, lower from 54% last quarter and 55% this past year. Adele's 21, Rhianna's Born Using This Method andMinaj's Pink Fridayare among the finest-selling albums of 2011. A couple of of the season's finest hits include Black Eyed Peas' "Just Can't Get Enough," Jennifer Lopez's "On the floor,Inch Katy Perry's "E.T.," Pitbull's "Produce Everything," Beyonce's "S&M" and LMFAO's "Party Rock Anthem." Have a look at more within the study here. Related Subjects Jennifer Lopez Katy Perry Rhianna Nicki Minaj Adele

Tom Hanks Developing College Athlete Comedy at Cinemax (Exclusive)

Cinemax is in business with Tom Hanks. The premium cable network includes a half-hour comedy, entitled Gamers, in development from Hanks and the lengthy-time creating partner and Playtone co-founderGary Goetzman. The project follows the lives of school sports athletes. James Evans and Darryl Scott assists as producers around the project, with Hanks and Goetzman attached as executive producers. VIDEO: 'Extremely Noisy and extremely Close' Trailer: Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock Star Gamers marks a reunion for Cinemax and also the Expanded polystyrene. The duo was behind acclaimed miniseries Gang of Siblings, John Adams and also the Off-shore, which gained Emmy honours, in addition to lengthy-running Cinemax drama, Large Love. Email: Lacey.Rose@THR.com Twitter: @LaceyVRose Related Subjects Tom Hanks Cinemax TV Development

Fox Buys Marshall Herskovitz/Erectile dysfunction Zwick-Created Cleaning soap, Steve Faber Comedy

Thirtysomething designers Marshall Herskovitz and Erectile dysfunction Zwick, who lately came back to television by having an overall deal at twentieth century Fox TV, have offered their first project under that pact, an adaptation of Richard Murphy’s novel Confessions Of The Contractor, that has arrived a script commitment plus penalty at Fox, with Tom Spezialy writing. Furthermore, Fox has purchased a comedy composed by Wedding Crashers co-author Steve Faber. Confessions of the Contractor is referred to like a cleaning soap concerning the combustible mix that results whenever you blend desire, jealousy, and home restoration. Spezialy, Herskovitz and Zwick will executive produce. This 20th TV’s second stab at creating a TV series according to Murphy’s novel. Throughout the 2008-09 season, a drama compiled by Murphy and executive created by Shawn Ryan was setup at CBS. Steve Faber’s comedy, tentatively entitled Merry Go Round, is going to be compiled by Faber, who'll executive produce with Alan Gasmer and Peter Jaysen for The new sony Pictures TV. With different true event of Jaysens, existence, the project involves five inseparable close friends attending college (two ladies and three males) who by accident are reunited 10 years later and, regardless of themselves, resume their old college personas — negative and positive, normal and odd, due that the 3 men were crazily deeply in love with among the women… and possibly are still. Genesis Entertainment-repped Faber is also joining with Gasmer and Jaysen in addition to Grant Turck around the feature side to evolve Shepherd Meads book How You Can Succeed With Females Without Really Trying.

Tuners imagine Broadway landing

'Jesus Christ Superstar'To in your town premiere a tuner and discover it's an excellent White-colored Way cash cow might be the trickiest of grails. Still, every "Memphis" keeps the dream alive for that type of "Bonnie and Clyde," a La Jolla Playhouse alumnus from 2009 that's slated for just about any December opening within the Schoenfeld.Managements are frequently coy regarding hopes. Yet surely some independently pray that, much like ART's "The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess," a boat'll be leavin' soon for NY for an additional tuners."Jesus Celebrity"Des McAnuff's high-tech Stratford, Ontario, revival copped a La Jolla November slot when tuner hopeful "Finding Neverland" shown unready for primetime.Why It Could Soar: Fans and agnostics alike adore this score.Why It Could Sink: Overfamiliarity might elicit an over-all ho-hum."Chess"Entrepreneur Craig Revel Horwood thinks he's cracked the legendary material carrying out a extended U.K. tour. Toronto, September.Why It Could Soar: Marketing options inside the concept album's lots of fans, and Abba appeal rubbing off on Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus.Why It Could Sink: Has it ever labored? Isn't everything Cold War stuff more than just a little passe?"Some Fanatics" Following a promises, promises of one other tuner after "Promises, Promises" (along with the Liv Ullmann movie musical "Lost Horizon"), Burt Bacharach returns for just about any modern spin on O. Henry's "Gift in the Magi," words by Steven Sater ("Spring Awakening"). Old Globe, December.Why It Could Soar: Everything old might be new again, including Bacharach's signature '60s swing. His tricky, cheerful tempos is an interesting match Sater's emotional near-rhymingWhy It Could Sink: Overfamiliar and overadapted source material risks a scenario in the Christmas cutes."Newsies"Extry! Punks pummel Pulitzer's papers sing in solidarity. 1992 Disney cult pic transformed for Paper Mill Playhouse, September.Why It Could Soar: Oppressed employees hooking up in the Guy may have resonance throughout these anti-union occasions.Why It Could Sink: Grit and authenticity will probably be needed to prevent the cadre of ragged-trousered newsboys from as being a smarmy, precocious chorus line."Funny Girl"Lauren Ambrose steps into the shoes of whatshername for your Fanny Brice bio's first professional revival since 1964. Ahmanson, February.Why It Could Soar: Helmer Bartlett Sher vitalized under-elevated classic "South Off-shoreline." You will see fascination with when the "Six Foot Under" star can funnel her inner Second Avenue comedienne.Why It Could Sink: Harder than altering Streisand's memory may be cracking that second act, which was like watching fresh fresh paint dry dating back '64."Nobody Loves You" A guy tries to reunite along with his ex utilizing a TV dating show. Initially titled "Reality!" when workshopped in 2008, the romance features music by Gaby Alter and words by Itamar Moses. Old Globe, May.Why It Could Soar: Appears just like a smart and contempo premise, even though Alter's avowed influences are rock and pop he professes respect and reverence for your tuner form.Why It Could Sink: Alter has mentioned he likes "appealing tunes and simple refrains," but Moses' playwrighting is interested in subverting genres and anticipation. These males may require their unique reality show to produce this marriage work."Los Otros"Chamber musical of a Mexican-American guy and Southern Californian lady, from Michael John LaChiusa and Ellen Fitzhugh. Mark Taper Forum, June.Why It Could Soar: Why not? It might seem different, and a combination of the non-public and political is not amiss.Why It Could Sink: LaChiusa is actually caviar for the general. Will the subject matter carry much punch east in the Rockies?"Sleep deprived in Dallas"Rob Arch, who composed the 1993 hit pic, crafts a libretto for the tunes of rock- and jazz-based beginners Michelle Citrin, Michael Garin and Josh Nelson. Pasadena Playhouse, June.Why It Could Soar: Fanatics who meet restricted to the finale might have interesting options for coast-to-coast ballads and comedy amounts. Males drawn there by their dolls will no less than understand what they're looking for, and tartness inside the telling could cancel out the sentiment.Why It Could Sink: What exactly can tunes increase a formerly carefully crafted vehicle? That certain may hinge on casting. If Mike and Annie aren't totally winning, it might be one gloppy slog.BROADWAY As Well As The ROAD 2011Road presenters bank on 'Book' Tuners imagine Broadway landing Winning and losing on stage in Vegas Curtains up for Toronto legit Tour is reserved, options are open Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Threat Averted: Fox Renews Simpsons For 2 Years

First Released: October 8, 2011 2:41 PM EDT Credit: Last Century Fox Caption "The Simpsons Movie"NY, N.Y. -- Fans from the Simpsons can breathe a doh! of relief: The animated series was restored Friday for 2 more seasons. An agreement dispute using the shows voice cast had threatened to finish the series, but Fox introduced it'll air through seasons 24 and 25. The animated series concerning the Simpson family, including father Homer and the familiar Doh! is Televisions longest-running scripted night time series. Discussions over the way forward for The Simpsons, which started its 23rd season recently, leaking out in to the public. Last Century Fox Television, making the show, stated it couldnt continue without cutting costs and specific the salaries of voice stars Harry Shearer, Serta Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Cruz and Hank Azaria. Each actor constitutes a reported $8 million annually for his or her focus on The Simpsons, and Fox stated the show couldn't continue without pay cuts. Earlier Friday, Shearer stated producers demandeda 45 percent reduction. The the casts new deal weren't introduced. The Hollywood Reporter, stating unknown sources, stated the stars recognized a 30 % pay cut within the $440,000 theyd received for every of 22 episodes per season. Shearer stated hed told producers hed be prepared to simply accept a 70 % pay cut, but in exchange the stars wanted a small share from the vast amounts of dollars in profits the show has gained through distribution and marketing. The shows designers, Matt Groening and James L. Brooks, have profit participation however the stars happen to be rebuffed in efforts to become listed on them. Shearer stated his reps were advised that there have been virtually no conditions to which the network would consider permitting me or the stars to talk about within the shows success. A spokesperson for Last Century Fox Television, Chris Alexander, stated Friday he'd no discuss Shearers statement. Weve were built with a great run with no you ought to have a pity party for anybody, stated Shearer, who conceded that his salary was absurd by any normal standard. 'But given just how much pleasure the show has given a lot of people through the years and given the number of vast amounts of dollars in profits News Corp. has gained and can make money it I fight to think that this really is Foxs final word about them. News Corp. is the owner of both television studio and Fox network. Questions were elevated about whether Fox and also the studio wanted the series to carry on. The Daily Animal, which first reported the salary impasse, noted the studio is locked into its current distribution deals while new episodes continue being made. When the show may be canceled, the studio may potentially make a lot more lucrative deals for utilisation of the reruns. (Copyright 2011 by Connected Press. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed) Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Stars Must Align to Win an area on Walk of Fame

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Festive kickoff for Busan fest

Always stars Han Hyo-joo and So Ji-sub attend the Busan fest opener. The 16th Busan Film Festival kicked off Thursday with fireworks and lasers outside its $141 million, purpose-built home that organizers hope will showcase ambitious plans to expand the event.Under the new leadership of Lee Yong-kwan, who replaces the revered Kim Dong-ho, the fest has been reorganized as it enters what organizers hope will be a new era.Event opened with Korean helmer Song Il-gon's love story "Always" and will screen 307 films from 70 countries before it wraps Oct. 14 with Japanese helmer Harada Masato's "Chronicle of My Mother."Much of fest activity will focus on the new Busan Cinema Center, which has five theaters and a host of facilities in a nine-storey building.The opening ceremony was staged at the 4,000-seat outdoor theater. Stars in attendance included Japanese thesp Joe Odagiri, Hong Kong filmmaker Yonfan, and numerous local stars such as Jang Dong-gun. The ceremony was hosted by Korean actresses Ye Ji-won and Um Ji-won, and a high point was the award of the Asian Filmmaker of the Year laurel to Hong Kong legend Tsui Hark.Fest was formerly known as Pusan, but the city revised its English name to Busan to reflect changes in the way South Korea writes the Roman alphabet. Pusan Promotion Plan is now the Asian Project Market.Busan will feature many international co-productions, including "Yang gui fei," a Chinese drama based on a true story starring Fan Bing Bing and Chow Yun-fat by Korean helmer Kwak Jae-yong ("My Sassy Girl").Busan's upgrade is a major step in the fest's efforts to compete with Tokyo for the title of Asia's premier film event. Competish for that crown is intensifying with Shanghai, Beijing and Singapore also adding muscle to their fests. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Billy Ray Writing 'The Thin Man' for Johnny Depp and Warner Bros. (Exclusive)

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Billy Ray, the writer-director of Shattered Glass and Breach, has been tapped to write The Thin Man, an adaptation of the classic Dashiell Hammett novel. Johnny Depp isattached to star and Rob Marshall isattached to direct the Warner Bros. project. PHOTOS: Johnny Depp's Most Memorable Career Moments William Powell and Myrna Loy starred in the 1934 adaptation of the book,which centered onformer private detective-turned-professional drunkard Nick Charles, hislovely socialite wife Nora and their schnauzer Asta as theyinvestigate a murder involving an eccentricinventor and his bizarre family. The film led to five more movies and a TV series. PHOTOS: Hollywood's 10 Highest Grossing Actors The project is a priority at the studio, but it has been putting writers through the spin cycle. Jerry Stahl was initially on board to write. ThenDavid Koepp was brought on, but he left when his vision didn't line up with Marshall's, forcing a hunt for a new scribe. Depp will produce Thin Man with his Infinitum Nihil partner Christi Dembrowski. Former Warner Bros. exec Kevin McCormick is producing via his studio-basedLangley Park. Ray has been on a studio hot streak of late. He is writingPeter Pan Beginsfor producerJoe Rothand Columbia, where he also hasA Captain's Duty, the story of boat captain Richard Phillips and his days-long ordeal with Somali pirates. (Tom Hanksis attached to the latter.) Repped by CAA and Management 360, Ray is also working on the 24 movie at Fox, and he is writing an English-language remake of the Oscar-winning 2009 Argentinean thriller The Secret in Their Eyes for himself to directat Warners. Johnny Depp Warner Bros. Pictures Group

Manufacturers Partners with DreamWorks Animation for Exclusive 3DS Video Content

Manufacturers has joined with DreamWorks Animation SKG to own world premiere of a set of original three dimensional shorts featuring figures from blockbuster films Shrek and Monsters versus. Aliens around the Manufacturers 3DS video service. The Halloween-designed shorts, "Evening from the Living Celery," featuring Monsters versus. Aliens figures, and "The Pig Who Cried Werewolf," which stars the 3 Little Pigs from Shrek, debut now around the Manufacturers 3DS video service. Manufacturers 3DS players will have the ability to view these three dimensional videos free of charge around the Manufacturers 3DS glasses-free gaming device.our editor recommendsIAC's CollegeHumor Partners With Manufacturers 3DS on Original three dimensional Comedy VideosGDC 2011: Manufacturers 3DS Players to obtain Netflix Access, Free Wi-Fi Tony Elison, Manufacturers of America's senior director and gm of Network Business, stated the videos will premiere around the portable gaming products video funnel and will also be exclusive for any limited time period. The videos will run about six minutes long, using the longer video, "Evening from the Living Celery," being cut into two parts from the 13-minute running time for you to ensure bite-sized, portable viewing for that on-the-go gaming audience. "Should you consider the success that DreamWorks has already established in the box office, it's apparent three dimensional and animation work very well together," stated Elison. "We now have something pretty special on our hands here with one of these three dimensional shorts." STORY: Manufacturers Slashes Prices of 3DS Device Jim Mainard, Mind of Production Development for DreamWorks Animation, stated Manufacturers 3DS is really a effective platform that enables content designers to achieve customers on-the-go. Manufacturers has additionally struck an on-going cope with 3net, the partnership between The new sony, IMAX and Discovery Communications, to create short-format packages from that systems three dimensional programming to the gaming device. Manufacturers will have the ability to choose content from all the systems shows. Elison stated they are presently concentrating on "Building the company,Inch a documentary series that shows the inner-workings from the manufacturing processes from the world's most well-known brands like Winnebago, the bull riding series "Bull Proof," and "Feeding Time," an up-critical look at creatures. Manufacturers slashed the cost of their battling Manufacturers 3DS hardware from $250 to $170 on August 12 and saw hardware sales skyrocket 260 percent. The organization offered over 235,000 Manufacturers 3DS models within the U.S. alone in August. Which has extended the possibility audience for portable three dimensional content. "Should you seize on the specific demo that we are focusing on with this particular three dimensional content, early at launch i was concentrating on the archetypal early adopter 20-something male gamer," stated Elison. "Consider the cost drop, this audience is certainly increasingly universal. And we have extended the scope in our video plan to attract early adopters in addition to families and youngsters.Inch Elison stated that becasue it is still very at the start of the Manufacturers 3DS existence cycle, there is no obvious pattern of the items genres prosper yet around the three dimensional video front. Manufacturers is mixing content from megawatt brands like DreamWorks Animation with three dimensional animated content from independent producers who're pushing the limitations of three dimensional. Ellison noted the partnership with College Humor has already established success using its claymation dinosaur shorts. "A couple of guidelines when choosing the programming in the network is the fact that we are searching for content that's creative, innovative and humorous," stated Elison. "We have labored with Blue Guy Group plus they exemplify individuals things. A few of their videos begin in 2D and change to three dimensional for dramatic effect. We are searching for kid-friendly humor that's accessible." Manufacturers has additionally labored using the band OK Go, which Elison stated has consistently pressed innovation in music videos. The audience shot a unique three dimensional video for "Stop WorryingInch for that Manufacturers 3DS. "Whenever we use the background music industry that could be accustomed to doing things edgy, we sit lower together and make certain this content attracts everybody," stated Elison. "They have it. There's an inner child inside everyone and that is something we have really been searching to attract out." Elison lately spoke in the three dimensional Entertainment Summit and that he firmly thinks that "three dimensional is not nearly spectacle, there is lots more that you can do with three dimensional." With Manufacturers 3DS now facing glasses-free three dimensional competition from new mobile phones such as the Sprint HTC Evo three dimensional and also at&T's Thrill 4G, each of which offer three dimensional Hollywood movies, Elison stated Manufacturers could explore lengthy-form content later on. "We do not have almost anything to announce when it comes to lengthy-form content today," stated Elison. "We are attempting to select the content that best suits the portable lifestyle, however i wouldn't rule anything out." Related Subjects DreamWorks Animation Shrek Manufacturers

24 Movie Almost Has a Script, and 5 Other Stories You'll be talking About Today

Happy Tuesday! Also in today’s edition of The Broadsheet: Warner Bros. wants a Leonardo DiCaprio franchise… David Cronenberg has The Fly and Eastern Promises sequels on the brain… Fox fires back at those litigious Black Swan interns… Are you ready for some football nonsensical racist celebrity spewage?… and more. · Good-ish news for Jack Bauer fans hungrily awaiting the rumored big-screen adaptation of 24 to the big screen: Kiefer Sutherland says there’s a script! Almost! Sort of? “We are coming very close to having a finished script. That’s been the most difficult thing. You have to remember that we have 24 hours to explain the stories in 24 and so trying to condense that into a two-hour film version has been a real shift in gear for us. We were originally trying to make it too big and put too much into it - but once we relaxed, we found out how to tell that story. So yes, we definitely do plan on making the film.” Believe it when you see it, but hey. FYI. [The Telegraph] · Speaking of Hollywood glaciers, let’s see how quickly — if at all — Warner Bros. can turn around Satori, the Don Winslow best-seller it has acquired as a possible franchise for Leonardo DiCaprio. The actor, whose production company is involved with development (the initial project has a script forthcoming from Winslow and Shane Salerno), would play “a Westerner, raised in Japan and taught an assassin’s skills, who gets caught up in the chaos of post-WWII as the U.S., Soviet Union, France and China maneuver for power in Southeast Asia in the early 1950s.” And apparently he’s good at… board games. Seriously. [Deadline] · How about a run through David Cronenberg’s pending IMDB profile, including ayes on those rumored The Fly and Eastern Promises follow-ups and a nay on Timecrimes? And Cosmopolis, about which Cronenberg declaimed: “Most of the movie takes place inside a limo, so some people would say that’s not cinematic, but I say it is!” Allllll I needed to hear. [Shock Till Ya Drop] · Fox is officially passing the buck to Darren Aronofsky and Co. in the Case of the Sue-Happy Black Swan Interns: “These interns were not even retained by Fox Searchlight and, in fact, were working for the production company that made Black Swan well before Fox Searchlight even acquired its rights in the film.” [Deadline] · Simon Cowell and his high-stakes talent-search gamble The X Factor are not failures, says Simon Cowell. [AP] · It took an unfortunate, utterly irrational comparison between Barack Obama and Adolf Hitler to make it happen, but we finally, finally got a Monday Night Football broadcast minus the hoary old Hank Williams Jr. theme song. ESPN pulled it after the country star’s ridiculous comments on Fox and Friends, which you’ll find below. Also: OMG that Eric Foster injury. If that was a dislocated right ankle, then I have totally misunderstood the way bones work all these years. [NFL.com]

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