Megan Fox & Adam Scott Play The Yes/No Show

You'd think that when the answer to all the questions is either "yes" or "no," an interview should always go off without a hitch. But sometimes guests on Josh Horowitz's "After Hours" interview program, "The Yes/No Show," just miss out on opportunities to do awesome pirate accents. Stopping by "The Yes/No Show" in support of their new movie "Friends With Kids," Adam Scott and Megan Fox took the opportunity to answer a few "simple" questions that are supposed to have "simple" answers. A quick run down: Scott is appropriately jealous of his "Parks and Rec" co-star Nick Offerman and his mustache. Megan Fox can tell the Olsen twins—and presumably Elizabeth Olsen—apart. Plus, she would totally star in a Gobots movie. Unfortunately, when given the awesome opportunity to talk in either a pirate or British accent, Fox and Scott claimed they could do the voice, but then didn't. What gives? What did you think of "The Yes/No Show" with Adam Scott and Megan Fox? Let us know in the comments below and on Twitter!

Stan Lee Vs. Stan Lee: The Epic Legal Follies of a Comics Mastermind

In February, a federal court threw out a suit filed by Stan Lee Media Inc. against Paradox Entertainment - a failed attempt for the plaintiff to regain the intellectual-property rights of the Conan comic character. It might seem odd enough that a company sues for a claim to the proceeds of a film that lost tens of millions of dollars last summer, but odder still is that Stan Lee himself - the comic-book mastermind responsible for The Avengers, X-Men, Spider-Man, and hundreds of other iconic characters - was neither the plaintiff nor the defendant in that suit. As has been the case for over a decade, the legal wrangling surrounding Lee has been as convoluted and nonsensical as the script to Elektra, and it will only get more confounding on Thursday, when a new federal case comes to trial pitting SLMI against its namesake himself. That's right: Stan Lee Media is suing Stan Lee over characters created by Stan Lee. Figuring out how an individual becomes a defendant in a case filed by the company bearing his name is an effort nearly as heroic as his own characters' feats. It involves Lee bouncing between companies during repeated bankruptcies and determining where he was when activities took place. It also involves a company refusing to back down despite losing numerous judgments, and despite the exodus of the eponymous leader. Much of the acrimony dates back to the 1990s, when Lee was still the figurehead at the then-struggling Marvel. Throughout that decade the comic company over-leveraged acquisitions and hemorrhaged enough money to land in bankruptcy. By 1998, the company used that proceeding to end Lees contract of $1 million annual salary for life. Stan Lee left Marvel and started a new company, Stan Lee Entertainment (soon becoming SLMI) as a way to maintain control over his intellectual property. The company was started by Lee with a close friend, Peter F. Paul - a man with a checkered history of federal drug and conspiracy convictions for crimes including, but not limited to, selling $8.7 million worth of "nonexistent coffee" to Fidel Castro. Paul was to have an equally troubled future that would soon ensnare his new partner Lee. Initially the company made an impact with online animated comics, developing new characters on Web sites with the expectation of spinning them off into various media. The company enjoyed initial success. The creation known as The 7th Portal, for starters, had been acquired by Fox television for foreign broadcast, and was featured as a 3-D attraction for Paramount Theme Parks. Like so many digitally-based companies of the era, SLMI foundered with the bursting tech bubble. Then, after Peter Paul secured a bridge loan to prop up the struggling enterprise, he and numerous board members dumped large amounts of holdings ahead of the ultimate stock collapse. The Securities and Exchange Commission feared insider trading, and Paul feared the SEC - so he fled for Brazil. The company's stock price plunged to $.13 per share by the end of 2000, and it filed for bankruptcy in February 2001. Two key events occurred during this time. Sensing both SLMI's downfall and encroaching legal troubles, Lee founded POW! Entertainment - a new company that was strictly his own. He transferred the rights of his properties to POW! during bankruptcy and then departed SLMI. Additionally, in November of 2000, SLMI had negotiated for ownership of the Conan franchise. This came from purchasing all outstanding shares of rights-holder Conan Properties in exchange for SLMI stock, with a minimum price attached. It didn't take long for this deal to become compromised: The next month, following the stock dump by Paul and other officers, SLMI was delisted from trading by NASDAQ. Sitting in possession of worthless holdings, Conan Properties sued for a reversal of the sale, and in 2002 a bankruptcy court returned the rights to the company. (It eventually sold those rights to Paradox, a Swedish entertainment entity which shepherded the latest Conan film to the screen with Lionsgate.) The latter events coincided with Marvel's incredible comeback. Led by Vice Chairman (and longtime Marvel power broker) Isaac Perlmutter, the company had climbed out of bankruptcy by licensing the film rights for several of its highest-profile characters including Spider-Man (which Sony would soon develop into a box-office behemoth), X-Men and the Fantastic Four (both successfully adapted by Fox). In light of this swift, lucrative reversal of misfortune, Lee brought suit against Marvel for terminating his contract and demanding payment on the promise of 10 percent of profits earned by characters of his creation. Yet even while he pursued this lawsuit, Lee - and his intellectual property - returned to Marvel. Here is where the dispute regarding rights to Lee's characters, and whether they ever actually left Marvel, is focused - a dispute SLMI has been trying to win for years and which this week's trial will attempt to settle once and for all. In 2005, Marvel and Lee settled their case before going to jury; the court records were sealed, although Marvel later reported a $10 million write-down with regard to Lee. Meanwhile, that same year, Peter F. Paul was extradited from Brazil, earning four years of house arrest and 10 years imprisonment after separate plea deals in his SLMI stock-manipulation case. Once he returned to the States, a new group of his acolytes organized as board of directors for SLMI. Since then the company has been rather adept at filing - if not quite winning - lawsuits. Routinely, its legal attempts at securing the rights to comic characters have been denied or dismissed entirely in courts from NY to Los Angeles to Colorado. One suit sought to unseal the 2005 Lee/Marvel settlement in search of proof that Lee left Marvel in 1998 with the rights to his characters. Such a discovery would seemingly prove that Lee brought those rights to SLMI after Marvel spiked his contract and before fleeing SLMI with them illegally. Ultimately SLMI wants to prove that Lee was colluding with Marvel to cover the rights transfer in their 2005 settlement, thus entitling Marvel to full rights while Lee shared in huge profits. In dismissing that case in February 2011, U.S District Judge Robert Sweet summarized the lack of standing SLMI held as the intervening party, writing, "Their alleged mutual misrepresentations regarding the action's real party in interest, and their mutual mischaracterization of the nature and effect of the Marvel/Lee Employment Agreement have not been established." Lack of standing has done little to stop SLMI in its legal lurches. It took nine years following the bankruptcy ruling before the board decided to spring up suddenly with its claim to the rights of Conan; it cannily filed that lawsuit the very day Conan debuted in theaters last August. The judge in that case last month rejected the companys claims, stating that SLMI could not demonstrate proper standing and harm. That makes sense: The company dissolved one month following the Conan rights deal and had no funds to create any product; hard to show harm when you have nothing to show at all. Rather than a formidable archenemy from Lee's imagination, Stan Lee Media Inc. instead resurfaces with all the predictability and impotency of a villain defeated repeatedly in a serialized superhero saga. Nevertheless, SLMI forges ahead undeterred with its legal process - largely because the company has nothing to lose; it has not produced anything in over a decade. It doesn't even have a functioning Web site. Making a play for some of the most lucrative properties in Hollywood is all Stan Lee Media Inc. has in its arsenal, and the potential windfall is enough to motivate continuous torts. In a bit of understatement, Judge Sweet alluded to this possible perpetuity when he wrote, "Because of the success of the characters and the conflicting claims concerning their rights, it has been difficult to achieve finality." Should a loss in this weeks case send SLMI away for good, it still wont be the end of the lawsuits regarding these properties. The estate of Jack Kirby, a former collaborator of Lee, has also taken to the courts regarding copyrights of characters he also had a hand in creating. Expect Marvel and its corporate parents at Disney to be gathering an Avengers team of lawyers in their defense for years to come. Brad Slager has written about movies and entertainment for Film Threat, Mediaite, and is a columnist at CHUD.com. His less insightful impressions on entertainment can be found on Twitter. [Photos via Shutterstock; Illustration: Movieline]

Publicist Helen Rhodes dies

Former longtime Warner Bros. publicist Helen Rhodes has died on Tuesday, Feb. 28, in Los Angeles of natural causes. She was 81. Rhodes worked in Warners' international advertising and publicity department for 33 years until her retirement at age 74.She was a vice president of the Publicists Guild, continuing her involvement after it merged with the International Cinematographers Guild and sitting on the Publicists Awards Committee until last year. In 1998 she received the Les Mason Award, the guild's top honor. During her career she worked closely with members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn.Rhodes is survived by her a son, a daughter and a grandson.Funeral service will be held at Mt. Sinai in Burbank at 11 a.m. on Sunday, March 4. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

BOX OFFICE: Fridays Act Of Valor Enduring #1, Good Deeds Middling #2, Wanderlust And Gone Bombing #8 And #9

FRIDAY10 PM:It’s another up weekend for that eighth straight week publish Year’s,+4% over this past year. My sources sayRelativity’s R-ratedAct Of Valor isNo. 1based around the Bandito Siblings’ U.S. Navy fighting pressure tale(and taking advantage of actual Closes). Relativity acquired the privileges towards the project last June for $13 million along with a $$ 30 million in prints and advertising commitment -the greatest money taken care of a finished film by having an unknown cast in those days.Viewers gave it an ‘A’ CinemaScore, which Lionsgate’s romantic dramaGood Deeds also received. It makes sense middling for Tyler Perry not crossdressing as Madea. Universal’s alleged comedyWanderlust is bombing worse than expected while audiences gave it a ‘B-’ CinemaScore. The mixture of Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd demonstrated toxicto moviegoers. (FYI: this greenlight was the studio’s payback to director David Wain and producer Judd Apatow.) Also tanking is Summit’s thriller Gone starring Amanda Seyfried which gained merely a ‘C+’ CinemaScore.I’m certain the very best 10 order can change by morning: keep in mind that kids around the New England are from school a few days ago so family holdover Warner Bros’ Journey 2 might be more powerful. Here’s the very best Ten (order based on Friday grosses): 1. Act Of Valor (Relativity) NEW [3,039 Theaters] Friday $9.4, Est Weekend $27M 2. Tyler Perry’s Good Deeds (Lionsgate) NEW [2,132 Theaters] Friday $6.3M, Est Weekend: $17.5M 3. The Vow (Screen Gems/The new sony) Week 3 [3,038 Theaters] Friday $3.2M, Est Weekend $9.7M, Est Cume $101.9M 4. Safe House (Universal) Week 3 [3,052 Theaters] Friday $3.1M, Est Weekend $10.3M, Est Cume $96.6M 5. Journey 2 three dimensional (Warner Bros) Week3 [3,350 Theaters] Friday $3.0M, Est Weekend $12.5M, Est Cume $77.2M 6.What This Means Is War (Fox) Week 2 [3,189 Theaters] Friday $2.8M, Est Weekend $9M,Est Cume $33.2M 7.Ghost Driver 2 three dimensional (The new sony) Week 2 [3,174 Theaters] Friday $2.3M (-66%), Est Weekend$8M,Est Cume $36.3M 8. Wanderlust (Universal)NEW [2,002 Theaters] Friday $2.5M, Est Weekend $7M 9. Gone (Summit)NEW [2,186 Theaters] Friday $1.7M, Est Weekend $4.6M 10. Secret Realm Of Arrietty (Disney)Week 2 [1,522 Theaters] Friday $1.1M, Est Weekend $5M,Est Cume $14.2M

Jersey Shore's Ronnie and Vinny on Sex, Stalkers and Snooki

J.K. Rowling Since the Harry Potter era is finished, author J.K. Rowling is moving onto bigger and things: She's written and it is set to write her first novel to have an adult audience, Little, Brown and Company, the book's writer, introduced Thursday.Browse the relaxation of present day news"Although I have loved writing it just as much, my next book can be really dissimilar to the Harry Potter series," stated Rowling inside a statement. "The liberty to understand more about new territory is really a gift that Harry's success has introduced me, and knowning that new territory it appeared may well progression to possess a new writer."Oscar Nominees: Who'll win?David Shelley, writer from the Little Brown Book Group within the U.K., assists as Rowling's editor around the book's U.K. version, and Michael Pietsch, executive v . p . of Little, Brown and Company, will result in publication within the U . s . States.Further particulars concerning the book, including its title, subject and release date, are stated to become launched later this season.Can you read a grownup novel by Rowling or does your heart still fit in with Harry?

I Am Legend sequel in development

WhenI Am Legendscooped £368 million at the box office, there was almost immediate talk of a sequel. The follow-up was initially rumoured as a prequel, detailing the fall of mankind, but the project never came to fruition.However, Warner Bros have breathed new life into the return of the plague-ridden thriller. I Am Legend, based on the 1954 novel by Richard Matheson, saw Will Smith battle to survive a desolate Manhattan. His only companion was his pet dog after a disease savagely wiped out most of humanity, turning a select (and unlucky) few into rampant, bloodthirsty monsters. The film's ending saw Smith's character, Robert Neville - spoiler alert - sacrifice his life to save other survivors and despite this, it seems the star could potentially play a part in the new film. Smith's production company, Overbrook Entertainment and producer Akiva Goldsman are on board, with new screenwriter Arash Amel taking the writing duties. Details are hazy at present, so whether Smith will be appearing is not yet confirmed, but if the film's plot doesn't delve into the events prior to the plague then there is another route open to Arash Amel. An alternate endingsaw Neville survive the third-act, perhaps giving the studio enough room to continue Neville's story. Will Smith has largely taken a step back from acting over the last few years with Hancock (2008) and Seven Pounds (2008) being his most recent outings before Men In Black III hits our cinema screens in May.

Gina Carano Finds Be Employed In The Blood stream

She'll star in John Stockwell's thrillerAfter kicking major arse (and blending the existence from Michael Fassbender) in Haywire, Gina Carano has showed up her next gig: she'll star in John Stockwell's action thriller Inside The Blood stream.Bennett Yellin and James Robert Johnston written the script, which finds a husband disappearing throughout holiday along with his wife inside the Caribbean. Assuming that he's been destroyed, the lately minted widow strikes to pursue his kidnappers and convey those to justice. By justice, we're supposing she'll punch them hard so desperately their teeth shatter."This role will showcase not only Gina's fighting capabilities, but furthermore her acting abilities as her character struggles to reign in their violent past," Stockwell notifies the Hollywood Reporter. We're supposing the man behind Blue Crush and To The Blue actually was just hunting for a reason to shoot in another tropical location. In this particular situation, which will be Puerto Rico, where Stockwell and also the team will mind later this year.Although it doesn't appear as being a huge stretch for Carano (and many a little as being a female version of Taken), i had been impressed along with her in Haywire, therefore we are glad doing receiving targeted work. Even when it's not the rom com she's itching to tackle...

Oscarcast counts on coming back brands

Billy CrystalNow the Super Bowl has ended, the Academy awards are moving the red-colored carpet for marketers -- who are able to still buy their distance to the approaching kudocast in a reduced rate versus. the past few years.With ABC charging entrepreneurs between $1.six million and $1.7 million per place this season, the typical cost of the 30-second ad throughout the 84th Oscars expires only decently versus. yesteryear 2 yrs.The peak was 2008, when ABC required $1.8 million per place. The cheapest price is at 2009, once the recession forced rates lower close to $1.3 million. Last year's spots went for pretty much $1.7 million, generating the network $74.4 million. (The 2011 Super Bowl spots went for between $3.5 million and $4 million.)Numerous entrepreneurs are coming back to advertise their items throughout the February. 26 show, including these marquee sponsors: carmaker Hyundai, mall chain JC Penney and also the Coca-Cola Co.This past year, 40% from the total ad revenue produced through the Oscarcast originated from individuals three companies, based on research group Kantar Media. Hyundai and JC Penney are each likely to save money than $ten million throughout the 2011 show.Hyundai continues to be the Oscars' exclusive auto sponsor since 2009, along with a major presence again this season. JC Penney is a continuous sponsor since 2002 and can make use of this year's broadcast to advertise its rebranding as JCP. Both companies received probably the most exposure throughout the commercial breaks, with three minutes and thirty seconds of airtime total.Carl's junior has made an appearance throughout the show each year since 1992, and American Express since 1993. But numerous first-timers will also be expected when ABC discloses its listing of marketers on Wednesday. Throughout last year's show, 31% of Oscar's marketers were first-timers, for example Amazon . com, Best To Buy and Living Social, Kantar Media stated.It has been tougher for beginners to seize a number of ABC's commercial time, considering that the network and Academy limit the quantity of available ad time which entrepreneurs with existing place obligations weren't willing to stop their slots.In the last decade, the show has consistently averaged 8-ten minutes each hour of advertisements, a figure which includes marketing plugs for ABC's shows. By comparison, the Super Bowl earnings 13-14 minutes each hour.The current recession did open some doorways last year, enabling Hyundai to exchange Vehicle because the Oscars' vehicle partner.Because of its greatest marketers, the Oscarcast has turned into a high-profile platform, based on Kantar Media, given its female-centered audience. Additionally, the telecast frequently draws in an trendy demographic, most of which consists of individuals who seldom stay tuned to primetime TV.Just like the Super Bowl, most audiences watch the Academy awards live, adding a stylish Digital recording device-resistant spotlight for brands.And, as opposed to the Super Bowl, whose selection of advertisements was populated with a minimum of eight vehicle companies, for instance, the Academy awards enable entrepreneurs additional time to stick out on television and thru ABC's digital Oscar-related platforms.One concern for that network and ad purchasers this season may be audience tune-in.Rankings for last year's show arrived because the second littlest ever. An believed 37.9 million audiences updated in this past year, based on Nielsen, lower from 2010, when 41.7 million viewed. The rankings for that kudocast have ended up 23% in the last decade and 15% from 5 years ago, Kantar Media stated.However the unique and sturdy platform presented through the Oscars continues to be formidable, based on Kantar."Large-scale, high-visibility television occasions still draw large audiences, and also the Oscars comes only a couple of days following the most broadly viewed Super Bowl ever,Inch stated Jon Swallen, senior Vice president of research at Kantar Media The United States. "While coverage continues to be focused on the network TV broadcast, digital platforms an internet-based content are providing additional methods to target brand messages in an engaged audience of Oscar fanatics." Contact Marc Graser at marc.graser@variety.com

Mythology accumulates 'Altered Carbon'

Mythology Entertainment, the lately minted banner created by Kaira Fischer, Laeta Kalogridis and James Vanderbilt, has acquired feature privileges to Richard Morgan's sci-fier "Changed Carbon." Fischer, Kalogridis and Vanderbilt will produce, with Mike Medavoy and Arnie Messer professional creating. Kalogridis, who composed "Shutter Island" and professional created "Avatar," will adapt the novel together with David Goodman. The offer for "Changed Carbon" also covers books in Morgan's "Takeshi Kovacs" series. "Changed Carbon" was formerly setup with Warner-based Joel Silver. First released in 2002, "Changed Carbon" is occur the next where awareness is scanned and saved in cortical stacks inserted within the spine, permitting humans to outlive physical dying by getting their reminiscences and awareness "re-sleeved" into new physiques. The storyline follows specifically trained soldier Takeshi Kovacs, who's downloaded from an off-world prison and in to the body of the disgraced cop in the behest of the highly influential aristocrat who's convinced he was killed and wants Kovacs to discover the reality. "?'Altered Carbon' is among the most seminal bits of publish-cyberpunk hard sci-fi available -- a dark, complex noir story that challenges our ideas of the items this means to become human when information becomes encodable, such as the human mind," stated Kalogridis. Mythology released in November and it has closed deals around the John Bellairs' number of family-fantasy books, starting with "The Home Having a Clock in the Walls," which "Supernatural" creator Eric Kripke is adapting and drama series "The Lobotomist" at Cinemax with Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way, with Serta Thomsen writing the pilot and Robert Schwentke pointing. Shingle's being produced on Antoine Fuqua's Suge Dark night documentary for Showtime. Mythology is repped by lawyers Katz Golden Rosenman and McKuin, Frankel & Whitehead. Morgan is repped by Alan Nevins at Renaissance Literary & Talent with respect to the Orion Posting Group and Carolyn Whitaker based in london Independent Books. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Cheers & Jeers: Curtin Increases on Memorable

Jane Curtin Cheers to Jane Curtin for showing she's still Memorable. Want more Cheers & Jeers? Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now! The onetime Not ready for Primetime Player - who's already got two hit sitcoms under her belt (CBS' Kate & Allie and NBC's 3rd Rock Under the sun) - brings a considerably-needed spontaneity for the Eye network's rookie procedural. Star Poppy Montgomery may use a effective female foil, and Curtin is exactly what the doctor bought as Joanne Webster, a mouthy medical examiner who's been exiled to Queens. In their first situation, Dr. Webster aided Montgomery's Barbara Wells try to capture a killer whose crimes hit a tad too close to home. Getting a examined veteran like Curtin aboard, chances are Memorable won't slip CBS' mind come renewal time. What can you consider Jane Curtin on Memorable? Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Bravo Orders tenth Season of Top Chef

Top Chef: Texas Top Chefwill return for just about any tenth season, Bravo introduced Thursday.Furthermore, they'll begin open requires chefs considering who audition for just about any perfect Feb. 21. Casting calls will exist in NY, Colorado, Atlanta, San Francisco Bay Area, Washington and La.Best Chef's Chris Manley: I'd an undesirable feeling about everythingThe culinary-competition show has won two Emmys (Outstanding Editing in the Reality Series and Outstanding Reality-Competition Program) since its starting in 2006Top Chef airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on Bravo.

'Motor City' Adds Gary Oldman As Villain

Gary Oldman's Oscar nomination is a very long time coming, so excuse the Englishman to get just a little cast crazy within the publish-ceremony celebration. Based on the Hollywood Reporter, Oldman is entering final discussions to experience the villain of "Motor City," a film about "a little-time hood who's presented and delivered to prison, simply to exact revenge years later to obtain back the lady he loves." Directed by Albert Hughes, who formerly helmed "It of Eli" and "From Hell," it'll turn to start shooting in April. In "Motor City," Dominic Cooper plays the hood, Amber Heard would be the girlfriend, and Oldman themself would be the "kingpin-type that has his hooks in to the lady." With talent like this, how could it fail? Even when Hughes' previous projects haven't all lit the Hollywood world burning, he's a powerful sense of dark landscapes and moral greys. Oldman and Hughes formerly labored together on "Eli," by which he performed a conniving boy of the gun attempting to stake out his devote the publish-apocalyptic America. I'd say something about Hughes' ability to obtain a good performance from Oldman, but this really is Gary Oldman, you realize? The miracle flows through him and out in to the world. Incidentally, should you haven't seen Oldman's Oscar-nominated role in "Mess Tailor Soldier Spy," get thee to some cinema. Inform us that which you think about the casting news within the comments section as well as on Twitter!

Scorsese talks tech at DGA

Martin Scorsese believes "Hugo," a 3D film about the 1920s, is a precursor -- one that shows his fellow directors need to adjust to the 21st Century technologies as soon as possible.'3D is not a gimmick," Scorsese asserted as Saturday's Directors Guild of America panel for DGA nominees for the guild's feature award. "It's the way we see life. Use it.''Scorsese told the capacity crowd of more than 400 at the DGA headquarters that his enthusiasm for 3D went back to his youth -- even before such films as Alfred Hitchcock's "Dial M for Murder." 'I'm a 3D fanatic," he added. "It goes back to the Viewmaster."Asked by moderator Jeremy Kagan what advice he'd give to young directors, Scorsese first turned to humor and said that if a director needs a dog to kiss an actor's face, sardine oil does the trick. The director, who's won DGA awards for "The Departed" and "Boardwalk Empire," then turned serious and emphasized that directors to stay current with how films can be shot and exhibited. "Keep an open mind about new technology because that's where this is going," he urged.The panel also featured Michel Hazanavicius of "The Artist," Alexandere Payne of "The Descendants" and David Fincher of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo." Woody Allen, nommed for "Midnight in Paris" was a no-show and DGA prez Taylor Hackford evoked a big laugh when introduced the panel at the start of the event. "Woody Allen can't be with us because he can't go out in public," Hackford said.The quartet dissected the intricacies of their films, addressing such issues as dealing with actors, story structure and the agonies of editing. Hazanavicius stressed the challenges of getting the story right in order to make a silent film -- such as a key scene in which actor Jean Dujardin admires Berenice Bejo."If it had sound, the scene would not be as effective," he added. "The less I do as a director, the more people get involved -- that's how silent films worked. I have to tell the story in the most efficient way possible." Hazanivicius asserted that the story itself required that he make a silent film. "'There were no bad guys," he noted. "The antagonist in the story is sound." Payne sought to give credit to his longtime editor Kevin Tent, who was nommed for an editing Oscar on "The Descendants." "He's helpless without me and I'm helpless without him," he added.Payne stressed the importance of having Hawaiian handscapes play a major role in his film. "I wanted to get feeling of life in the islands because the overwhelming sense of nature makes you feel puny -- in a good way," he added.He also admitted that the key beach sunrise scene, in which George Clooney's character finds Matthew Lillard running, was a happy accident. "The gods smiled on me that day," he added.Fincher credited star Rooney Mara with meeting the challenge of a demanding role, noting that she learned how to skateboard, motorcycle and smoke for the Lisbeth Salander part -- to say nothing of acting in a pair of rape scenes. "I work to find a way that they can unleash themselves," he added. Scorsese recalled that his key breakthrough with longtime editor Thelma Schoonmaker came after the fourth test screening on "Hugo."''We cut out most of the exposition because we realized we didn't need it," Scorsese said. "We locked ourselves away for four weeks because we knew what we needed to do."Hazanavicius underlined Scorsese's point that the editing process is stressful. "The first cut is horrible," he added. "In France, we call it the monster." Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

DC Comics, WB team for charity

DC Comics and parent Warner Bros. announced on Monday a multimillion-dollar, two-year campaign to fight hunger in the Horn of Africa using images of iconic superheroes and promoted across all Time Warner divisions.Justice League characters Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, the Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg will be featured outlined in silhouette against the African continent in the "We Can Be Heroes" campaign. The muscle of Warner Bros., Turner Broadcasting, Time Inc. and HBO will partner in "generating millions of consumer impressions and creating crucially needed awareness of this crisis worldwide," the companies said. They will work with three key humanitarian groups as partners. Over the next two years Save the Children, International Rescue Committee and Mercy Corps will equally share a corporate donation of at least $2 million comprised of cash donations, employee matching funds and consumer matching funds."Warner Bros. has a long history of corporate philanthropy and outreach, and this campaign proudly continues that tradition," said Warner Bros. chairman-CEO Barry Meyer. "We are a global company, and this is a global issue. By marshalling our expertise in consumer and fan engagement and creating global awareness, we hope we're able to inspire others to join us in becoming 'heroes' and make a difference." Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

On the Set Farewell to Chuck, Part 1: Jet Planes and A Jeffster! Swan Song

Chuck, Scott Krinsky and Vik Sahay Chuck's two-hour series finale wraps up the fan-favorite spy show with plenty of action, snazzy outfits, heartwarming moments and a song. "The finale is very much haunted by seasons past. This is an episode that's not only a finale for Season 5, but also five seasons of television," series co-creator Chris Fedak told reporters on the final set visit in December. "So we're going to be bringing back a lot of things that it wouldn't be an episode unless we saw Yvonne [Strahovski] in the cat suit, also wearing an evening gown dancing the tango." From Chuck to Nikita: TV's sexiest crime fighters Fedak promised the finale (Friday, 8/7c, NBC) will be "epic" and feel and look like a movie. "We're a little over budget," he confessed. "It's a long episode, it's a big episode and we go to a lot of different places. We blew up most of the Universal backlot a few days ago with helicopters and stuff like that. "The opening scene of the finale we have one of the deepest into the matrix callbacks of the show," Fedak added. "Mark Pellegrino [is] in the opening scene, reprising very quickly a bad guy role from one of our previous seasons. In consideration that he's a Fulcrum agent, we touch upon 'What's going on with Fulcrum and The Ring these days?' So the episode begins on a private jet, and ... we actually did a special skydiving unit based on what happens on board the jet." December's set visit took place at an auditorium on a Southern California university campus, which doubles as a concert hall. In another nod to cinema, part of the episode will take place at a pivotal concert - a Jeffster! concert. "This is our Act 4 set piece," said Fedak. "This is very much an ode to The Man Who Knew Too Much, which is a sequence that takes place in the Albert Hall and when someone's going to be killed when the cymbals crash. This is the Chuck version of that." Director Alfred Hitchcock's 1956 film also features another musical moment when star Doris Day loudly sings the Oscar-winning song "Que Sera Sera." Although that song won't be featured on Chuck, Fedak said, "There's a different ear-splitting experience that's going to happen here." Chuck creators share some of their favorite episodes Jeffster! band members Jeff (Scott Krinsky) and Lester (Vik Sahay ) will instead tackle a familiar 1980s pop song that reporters were cautioned not to reveal. "I never know what they're going to come up with, but then it always seems to make sense," Krinsky commented. "I think they always sort of have a way of finding some great, iconic pop song. I think this one works." As the band's frontman responsible for the vocals, Sahay had a more passionate response to the challenging song choice. "I really feel like the criteria must be 'What's the most difficult song for Vik to sing? That's how we'll choose our music!'" he said. "I mean, it's an insane song. It's so difficult! But I think it's kind of a beautiful, bizarre, apt choice, and in all honesty, I've gotten to a place where I relish the challenge. I'm like, 'Okay, bring me the mountains; let me try to climb these things.' The scariest part was when I'd go to work on it. The musicians are like, 'Oh God,' like they are terrified of the song, so that's not fun. But it worked out OK." Since last week's episode, Jeff and Lester have finally been let in on Chuck's double life as a spy and were even enlisted to help save Alex (Mekenna Melvin). It's possible that they're helping out once again through their concert, but where's the rest of the real spy team when all of this is going down? And how is Sarah (Strahovski) going to overcome her memory loss and new order to kill her husband? Check out Part 2 of our farewell to Chuck on Tuesday to see what's in store for Sarah and Chuck (Zachary Levi). Chuck's two-hour finale airs Friday at 8/7c on NBC.

Tuner traffic gone with travelers

Broadway's The month of the month of january slide ongoing in Week 33 (Jan. 9-15), with particularly dramatic drops among the tuners most only a couple of tourist biz. But whilst travelers went home, playgoers switched to take full advantage of a less-crowded Occasions Square atmosphere and winter ticket deals.Numerous non-musicals saw a sales uptick, while using finest increase reported at "The Mountaintop" ($636,651), the Martin Luther King Junior. tale that likely also accomplished good results within the MLK holiday weekend. "Relatively Speaking" ($359,460), "Stick Fly" ($303,386) and "Chinglish" ($222,233) were among people to log gains.Numerous tuners, meanwhile, saw their B.O. fall, with "Mary Poppins" ($790,802) losing greater than $250,000 and "The Phantom in the Opera" ($779,751) and "Chicago" ($481,836) lower by greater than $100,000 each.Among musicals, one of the sturdiest showings in the frame what food is at "Porgy and Bess" ($853,017), despite the fact that a couple of days incorporated the production's heavily comped opening evening additionally with a press previews.Despite the fact that modified version in the Gershwin musical has stirred debate among purists, and acquired reviews that have been all over the map, sales up to now have proven solid, particularly for just about any production opening at that time in the annual winter slump.Meanwhile, both "Follies" ($878,826) and "Around the Apparent Day You Will See Forever" ($627,972) rose, with momentum likely provided through the imminent closing of each and every.The possible lack of recently shuttered tuners "Billy Elliot" and "Lysistrata Manley" brought for the Broadway cume's overall decline, as did a hefty drop at "War Equine" ($613,711), because of a lower performance week only at that show.Total Rialto sales slid around $3 million to $20.9 million for your 29 shows round the boards. Attendance deflated by around 20,000 to 229,469, or 81% in the Street's overall capacity.The 20 musicals made $17,359,006 for 83.1% in the Broadway total, with attendance of 182,538 plus an average paid out admission of $95.10.The nine plays made $3,542,340 for 16.9% in the Broadway total, with attendance of 46,931 plus an average paid out admission of $75.48. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com

Haywire fight clip online

[brightcove]1396288507001[/brightcove]The folk behind Steven Soderbergh's actioner Haywire understand how to pique your curiosity about the film.How so? By tantalisingly delivering a clip from probably the best scene within the movie, by which Gina Carano and Michael Fassbender treat one another like punchbags inside a trendy accommodation.Unique operations badass Mallory Kane (Carano) is on the mission in Dublin, before she understands that Paul (Fassbender) may be there to double-mix her. Fisticuffs ensue.Don't allow the glamourous eveningwear fool you, these men mean business, also it appears like just one person will probably leave behind the ruck...Browse the clip above.Haywire opens within the United kingdom now.

Millennium finds 'Heaven'

Millennium Entertainment has acquired United States privileges towards the romantic dramedy "Some Paradise," starring Kate Hudson together with Kathy Bates, Whoopi Goldberg, Gael Garcia Bernal, Lucy Punch, Romany Malco, Rosemarie DeWitt, Steven Weber and Treat Williams. Millennium Boss Bill Lee introduced the offer Tuesday. "Paradise" will launch on VOD on April 3 then a platform theatrical release on May 4, with ancillary to follow along with on June 12. The Brand New Orleans-set film, directed by Nicole Kassell ("The Woodsman") from the script by Gren Wells, concerns an irreverent youthful lady (Hudson) who suddenly falls deeply in love with her physician, performed by Garcia Bernal. Millennium's recent purchases include "Rampart," "Bernie" and "Burglar." Vincent Scordino discussed the offer with respect to Millennium Entertainment. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Hollywood Prepares For Golden Globes

First Published: January 13, 2012 2:54 PM EST Credit: AFP Caption Workers prepare the red carpet arrivals area the 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards, outside the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California January 14, 2011BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- The stage is set for the Golden Globe Awards, but the tables, not so much. Dozens of dining tables stood stacked against the walls of the Beverly Hilton Hotels International Ballroom, where nominees including George Clooney, Viola Davis and Leonardo DiCaprio will be seated during Sundays ceremony. With two days until the live broadcast, executive producer Barry Adelman and director Louis J. Horvitz are still tweaking the script and the seating chart. Chaos is always a part of it, Adelman said of the last-minute show preparations. Workers bustled around the ballroom Thursday afternoon, putting the finishing touches on the sets sloping chandeliers and installing remote-controlled cameras on stage to offer viewers at home a fresh perspective on the festivities. Seventeen cameras, including the two new robotic ones on stage, will capture the action during the three-hour show. You take one shot and theres like 20 different stars in it, Horvitz said. Jane Fonda, Harrison Ford, Robert Downey, Jr., Salma Hayek, Natalie Portman, Nicole Kidman, Ashton Kutcher, Reese Witherspoon, William H. Macy and Dustin Hoffman are among the more than 150 stars set to attend the ceremony, where the silent film The Artist is the leading nominee. Though the seats arent set, the stage is nearly complete, anchored by swooping lights and clear crystal rods for a look that production designer Brian Stonestreet described as architectural and feminine. Its a very sexy set, and I think this is probably one of the sexiest Golden Globes weve ever had, Adelman said, citing the roster of beautiful stars on the guest list. Ricky Gervais returns for his third stint as host, despite criticism last year that the British comedian went too far. Part of the reason people watch is its unpredictable and anything can happen, and he embodies that like no one else, Adelman said. You dont know what hes going to say next and you dont want to miss it. Also sure to be a highlight Sunday is Sidney Poitier and Helen Mirrens presentation of the Cecil B. DeMille award to Morgan Freeman. Hes worked with almost everybody in the room, Adelman said of the actor, so its going to be a chance for everybody to let loose and just salute him. (Aiding in the letting loose will be the more than 9,000 glasses of Champagne Mot&Chandon expects to serve at the ceremony.) Preparations and rehearsals will continue through Sunday, when the ballroom will be picture perfect (from 17 angles). The excitement of the big day which Horvitz compares to driving a Formula One race, winning a playoff game and winning the Super Bowl is what fuels the hundreds of workers it takes to put on the show. The 69th annual Golden Globe Awards will be broadcast live Sunday on NBC. Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Three new Dark Knight Rises images online

Three new stills from The Dark Knight Rises has arrived over at Entertainment Weekly.Bane dominates the new shots, with Batman and Commissioner Gordon also appearing on behalf of the Gotham good guys.If you were hoping the new snaps would reveal crucial plot points, you're out of luck, but they'll do little to quell your excitement for Nolan's Bat-threequel.Tom Hardy's bemuscled übervillian looks as imposing as ever, Batman's spoiling for a scrap, and Gordon appears to be in a spot of bother.Check out the images in full below:The Dark Knight Rises opens on 20 July 2012. Just thinking of that date makes us a little giddy.

Courteney Cox & Christa Miller Talk Secrets Of Cougar Town Season 3 An Engagement & Scrubs Stars

First Published: January 10, 2012 9:57 AM EST Credit: ABC Caption Courteney Cox and Christa Miller in Cougar TownLOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Cougar Town will be back for Season 3 at some point in the coming months on ABC, and when it does, big things are on the way for Courteney Coxs Jules and Josh Hopkins Grayson. We get engaged in the first episode, Courteney told AccessHollywood.com during Monday nights Cougar Town pop-up Television Critics Association shindig in Pasadena. And the season will tackle the run up to the wedding. If we make it to the altar, Courteney teased. All the things that come with an engagement and planning a wedding will definitely unnerve the completely flappable real estate agent with a penchant for wine, Jules Cobb. Shes neurotic, but shes game for everything, Courteney told Access. Shes not that smart, but shes nervous about bringing her past baggage into the relationship. But I like it I like that were just dealing with issues head on as opposed to Will they? Wont they? They just went right for it. Having just brought her son, Travis (Dan Byrd), back from an emotional low in the Season 2 finale, which saw him run off to live in Hawaii, Jules is ready to watch her boy succeed, without meddling too much in Season 3. Shes gonna be OK. Its definitely a struggle because she loves her son so much. Shes slightly in love with him. Hes the most important thing in her life, but luckily, hes so grounded and he actually gives her lessons in life all the time, Courteney said. I like that relationship. One relationship the actress is surprised by is how at ease Jules is with the fact that her upcoming fianc Grayson, romped between the sheets with one of her best friends, Lori (Busy Philipps). I cant believe how open Jules is, I would never Courteney would never be ok with that stuff, the actress said. Beyond Jules engagement, the show in Season 3, will feature guest spots from several members of co-creator Bill Lawrences former show, Scrubs. Maybe Zach Braff did a cameo on Cougar Town, Christa Miller (Ellie) teased. Maybe a lot of the Scrubs cast did a cameo on Cougar Town You never know who stops by our show. In fact, Sarah Chalke, Christas former Scrubs co-star, is set to stir the loins of Bobby (Bryan van Holt). Bobby falls in love. Sarah Chalke, she comes in the show, Courteney said, of upcoming plot twists, adding, Travis has an accident on his skateboard and has to wear a helmet for seven episodes Lori falls in love with someone online. Christa said the episodes the gang has filmed so far have gone further with the funny thanks to the cast settling into their roles. I feel like, this is the third season when people really hit their stride. Because you know the character, you can really have fun with it, she said. And this year, the shows have really been making me laugh. And all the show needs to survive when it does come back, is, presumably, better ratings. We need people to watch and tell their friends and just keep the momentum going, Christa said. I think the people that appreciate our show and love our show will keep it going. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Melrose Place 3.? CW Is Purchasing the Canadian Series L.A. Complex

The L.A. Complex It appears such as the CW is preparing a move to La. The network is approaching an offer to purchase the approaching Canadian cleaning soap The L.A. Complex, Deadline reviews. The series follows the lives of countless twentysomethings who reside in exactly the same La apartment complex and then try to allow it to be in Hollywood. The CW orders mystery drama pilot Cult The series, that will premiere around the Canadian music funnel MuchMusic in a few days and can also air on Canadian brother or sister network CTV, sounds a great deal like Melrose Place. The drama initially went from 1992 to 1999 on Fox prior to the CW remade the series last year, however canceled it after 18 low-ranked episodes. The CW is searching to purchase a minimum of the very first six instances of The L.A. Complex, but tend to get as much as 13. The network intends to launch the show this summer time, based on Deadline. The L.A. Complex stars Jonathan Patrick Moore (Neighbours), Cassie Steele (Degrassi), Joe Dinicol (Existence with Derek) and Chelan Simmons (Kyle XY). Watch a preview: Are you going to watch The L.A. Complex?