Expert: Michael Jackson Likely Gave Themself Fatal Drug Dose

Michael Jackson Could Michael Jackson have accidentally wiped out themself? Anesthesiologist Dr. Paul Whitened claimed for that defense Friday within the involuntary wrongful death trial of Dr. Conrad Murray and stated the fatal dose of propofol that wiped out the King of Play June 2009 was probably self-given, TheWrap.com reviews. Dr. Conrad Murray's lawyer: Michael Jackson died immediately His testimony tries to counter the prosecution witness' argument from earlier within the month that Murray had used an infusion via IV drip to provide propofol to Jackson which the physician had unsuccessful to see once the singer stopped breathing. Not just did the infusion theory seem sporadic with the amount of propofol present in Jackson's body throughout the autopsy, however the IV drip setup present in his home did not seem sensible either since no residual propofol was based in the bag or upper IV line along with a clip to suspend the bottle from an IV rig made the entire drip setup unnecessary. "It's befuddling in my experience,Inch Whitened claimed. "Why would put forth all of the hassle?" Rather, Whitened agreed it appeared likely Jackson had injected the fatal dose themself. The prosecution will start to mix-examine Whitened on Monday, and shutting arguments might happen the moment Tuesday prior to the jury starts to deliberate. If charged, Murray could address 4 years imprisonment and losing his medical license.

Vampire Journals Exclusive Start Looking: Meet Klaus' Mother

Alice Evans Prepare to satisfy the initial matriarch from the Vampire Journals. The Vampire Journals stars: "Ghost World" solutions (almost) everything Within the eighth episode, entitled "Regular People" and airing Thursday, November.3 at 8/7c around the CW, audiences can get their first peek at Esther throughout single,000-year flashback featuring her children Klaus (Frederick Morgan) Elijah (Daniel Gillies) and Rebekah (Claire Holt). Esther, performed by Alice Evans, is really as fierce as her sons, but longs to safeguard her family.Plus: Look carefully and you'll notice that Esther is putting on an essential bit of jewellery. See photos in the Vampire Journals What new mythology can we improve by meeting Esther? And can this help explain why Klaus may be the vampire he's today? The Vampire Journals airs Thursdays at 8/7c around the CW.

IMDb Publishes an Actor's Age, and She Strikes Back With a Lawsuit

The Internet Movie Database has for years published the ages of film and television professionals in its online profilesand for years many of the subjects of those profiles have hated that. With age discrimination a growing problem in the business, particularly in front of the camera, unions representing actors and other industry pros have pressed IMDb to modify its practice. But the company refuses to budge, claiming that the information is readily available in the public domain and that the act of publishing it is protected by the First Amendment.But what if the information that IMDb publishes doesn't come from the public domain? What if the company instead pulls it from credit card data that a person enters when subscribing to the company's premium listing service, IMDb Pro?That's what an anonymous actor claims in a lawsuit filed last week against IMDb's parent company, Amazon.com. The womana Texas actor of Asian descent who works under an Americanized stage name and is listed in the suit only as Jane Doeis seeking $1 million in punitive damages and $75,000 in compensatory damages. In the suit, she claims that she looks younger than she is and that, by publishing her birth date, IMDb has damaged her career, making it more difficult for her to land jobs playing characters younger than her actual age.Her attorney, John W. Dozier, told Back Stage that Amazon claims to have acquired the biographical information from his client's agentan assertion that the attorney said is false. He added that this client is not the only actor to approach him about IMDb."I'm getting constant calls from actors and actresses who have similar complaints and want to sue Amazon," he said. A spokesperson for Amazon declined to comment, citing the company's policy of not discussing active litigation.As national director of equal employment opportunities for the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, Ray Bradford has also fielded his share of complaints about IMDb. Though he has raised those concerns with the website, IMDb has stuck to its guns when it comes to publishing actors' ages."It's very frustrating to have to tell performers who want to get this [information off the website] that there's really no immediate way for us, as a labor organization, to get it off," Bradford said. "If it's something that a contractual partnersay, a network or an agencyis doing, then you have what I call a hook or an avenue for discussion, through a collective bargaining agreement. That's one thing. But we have no agreement." Instead, Bradford said, he has encouraged actors to pursue their complaints through civil litigation, as the anonymous Texas actor has.Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, deputy national executive director and general counsel for the Screen Actors Guild, has also discussed the age issue with IMDb to no avail. He indicated that the actions the website is accused of in the lawsuit would be illegal."Any organization that uses private data solicited from people over the Internet in violation of its privacy policy is crossing the line," Crabtree-Ireland said. "Federal and state laws protect people from the public disclosure of certain types of information obtained in that way, and breaching those laws could result in consequences."Bradford and Crabtree-Ireland, who have collaborated on this issue in the past, pointed to creeping age discrimination in filmed entertainment as the root problem behind their members' IMDb complaints. Crabtree-Ireland cited numbers from SAG's recently released 2009-10 Casting Data Report, which found that, though women make up 51 percent of the population, they portray only about 25 percent of the characters on television."In particular, women over 40 are still cast in far fewer roles than their representation in the population," he said. "With that gap in mind, it's easy to see why few actors would want their date of birth published on IMDb."Bradford also asserted that age discrimination is an especially big problem for female actors, saying, "I get calls primarily from women, if not solely from womenand some very well-known womenwanting to know what we can do" about IMDb. Having run up against a wall in his own dealings with the website, Bradford offered praise for the anonymous actor seeking her day in court."It is very courageous," he said. "I think it's courageous for a member to stand up against things that they may feel are incorrectto stand up in this business that's not only risk-averse on the industry side, because there are so many dollars at stake, but is risk-averse on the performers' side, because there is either a real or perceived fear of being blackballed."

Is This the Worst Movie Set in History?

Would you travel back in time for the chance to live in Soviet Russia? Probably not. But what if doing so meant you'd be in a movie -- would you do it then? Probably not? The idea sounds ridiculous, but not to director Ilya Khrzhanovsky. For the last six years, the Russian filmmaker has been working on 'Dau,' a movie based on the life of Soviet physicist Lev Landau. To film it, Khrzahnovsky has done the unthinkable: he's set up an exact replicable of a Soviet town inside an enormous brick building, where saying the wrong word can either mean loss of paycheck, or, loss of job. In the latest issue of GQ, writer Michael Idov travels to Russia to visit the set (or, as the film crew refers to it, "The Institute") and document his experience. However, this is the era of Communism! He can't just go strolling in there as a journalist. Before he's allowed to enter, Idov is forced to dress in Soviet attire and have his hair cut. Then things get even weirder when he begins to interview the actors, in particular a girl named Olya. Olya has been living [on set] 'since 1949,' a pat answer everyone gives this week; in reality, she's been on the set for four months. She works at the cafeteria from noon to 10 p.m. and spends the rest of her time in a communal apartment she shares with a 'physicist' named Konstantin. On what I imagine is Khrzhanovsky's signal, she invites us over later that night. Outside for a quick Soviet cigarette, far from the director's gaze, Olya doesn't let the facade crack for a second. 'Do you want to be an actress,' I ask. 'What? No! I want to be a scientist. And there you have it folks: method acting at its finest. In true USSR form, the director has been capturing everything through hidden cameras and microphones. And if you happen to do something that's not up-to-snuff with the set's strict policy, you could get fined. At one point, Idov asks if the director plans on augmenting the city with CGI in post-production. "See, if one of the guards heard you, he would fine me a thousand hryvinas [about $125] ... You can't use words that have no meaning in this world," says Khrzhanovsky. In all honesty, this project sounds less like a movie and more like some giant experiment on the human condition. After all, production has been going on since 2006. They've almost been shut down several times, only for Khrzhanovsky to find funding at the last minute. So what is the point of all this? What type of film is Khrzhanovsky trying to shoot? Khrzhanovsky came up with the idea of the Institute not long after preproduction on 'Dau' began in 2006. He wanted a space where he could elicit the needed emotions from his cast in controlled conditions, twenty-four hours a day ... The Institute's ostensible goal was to re-create '50s and '60s Mostcow, home to 'Dau''s subject, Lev Landau. According to the article, the film is about 80 percent done. At the end of the piece, Idov screens some raw footage. He describes it as "a vertiginous mix of avant-garde sensibilities, Hollywood sweep, and reality-show techniques. One sequence, a riot at a train station, looked like Michael Bay crossed with Heironymus Bosch... Another piece was a forty-minute-long improvised squabble between Landau and his wife." So, when the movie is finally finished, what's going to happen to The Institute? "I don't know," said Khrzhanovsky. "Right now, shooting is the only thing that justifies the enormous costs of keeping it up. I don't know what to do later." [via GQ] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Exclusive Video: LOTR Reunion

Hobbits assemble!It's ten years on since four little hobbits trigger within the Shire by having an epic mission that spanned Middle Earth and needed in huge battles, demonic monsters, wizardry, Orcs and, ultimately, enough Oscars to fill the Lonely Mountain. It's ten years that have seen a tight schedule up and lower and rise again of two-part prequel The Hobbit, now firmly in production in Wellington, offering moviegoers an imminent return to Middle Earth.Clearly all this known for any large celebration so a celebration is what Empire gets. The completely new problem is a lot more filled with revelry and nostalgia when compared to a Friday evening within the Prancing Pony. There's tall tales - well, tallish tales - recollections behind-the-moments photos from Aragorn themselves, Viggo Mortensen Oscar evening experience from Ian McKellen, Jackson and Mortensen and rarely-seen concept art.In addition, though, can be a gathering in the four hobbits themselves: Elijah Wood (Frodo), Sean Astin (Samwise Gamgee), Billy Boyd (Pippin) and Dominic Monaghan (Merry). It absolutely was so momentous it referred to as due to its very own trailer - and here you opt for the search pleasure. Sadly the Nazgûl got stuck in LA traffic.Obtain a duplicate of Empire's December problem this Thursday for your full bday.

Fox's World Series tops Wednesday

Preliminary estimations for Game one of the World Series are murky because of time-zone variations, but Fox seems to possess won Wednesday both in demos and total audiences. ABC, brought by ''Modern Family,'' and CBS, by ''Criminal Minds,'' tied for demo honors one of the nets airing entertainment programming. Affiliated-based Nielsen preliminaries show the St. Louis Cardinals' 3-2 victory within the Texas Rangers calculating a 3.9 rating/10 be part of grown ups 18-49 and 12.9 million audiences overall on Fox's stations from 8 to 11 p.m. -- with one of these amounts likely to be modified a little within the excellent. Last year's opener between your Rangers and Bay Area Titans gained a 4.7/14 in 18-49 and 15 million audiences overall within the excellent, which year's Game 1 looks to become the cheapest-ranked within the demo since 2006, whenever a Saturday start created a 3.6 rating for that first game within the series between your Cardinals and Detroit Tigers. Fox is anticipated to win the evening within the same-day excellent, though both ABC and CBS could exceed it in demos once all same-week Digital recording device playback is incorporated. CBS also could pull ahead as a whole audiences. At CBS, ''Survivor'' (3.3/9 in 18-49, 11.a million audiences overall) required benefit of ''The X Factor's'' absence to edge up week to week, and ''Criminal Minds'' similarly acquired at 9 (3.9/10 in 18-49, 13.a million audiences overall), using the latter probably the most-viewed entertainment series around the evening. And also at 10, ''CSI'' (2.6/7 in 18-49, 10.six million audiences overall) was flat week to week but edged back in front of ABC rookie ''Revenge'' (2.5/7 in 18-49, 7.9 million audiences overall), that was lower a little. ABC continued to be solid within the night's opening hour with ''The Middle'' (2.9/9 in 18-49, 9. million audiences overall) and rookie ''Suburgatory'' (3.1/8 in 18-49, 8.8 million audiences overall), using the latter ongoing to look great because they build on its established lead-in in 18-49 rating. Within the 9 o'clock hour, ''Modern Family'' (5.6/14 in 18-49, 12.8 million audiences overall) and ''Happy Endings'' (3./7 in 18-49, 6.9 million audiences overall) both were lower using their above-average shipping of a week ago, and 10 p.m. ''Revenge'' dropped too but has tallied up a good average through five days. NBC saw the 3 of their original series hold steady week to week: ''Up All Night'' at 8 (2.1/6 in 18-49, 5.six million audiences overall), ''Harry's Law'' at 9 (1.2/3 in 18-49, 8.two million audiences overall) and ''Law and Order: SVU'' at 10 (2.1/5 in 18-49, 7.six million audiences overall). At 8:30 p.m., a unique repeat of ''Whitney'' did single.2/3 in 18-49 and 4.a million audiences overall, that is still a smidge much better than the ultimate episode of ''Free Agents'' to air within the slot. At CW, a ''Ringer'' repeat (.4/one in 18-49, 1.two million audiences overall) was then ''America's Next Top Model'' (.8/2 in 18-49, 1.9 million audiences overall), that was flat week to week. Preliminary 18-49 earnings for that evening: Fox, 3.9/10 ABC and CBS, 3.3/9 NBC, 1.7/4 Univision, 1.5/5 CW, .6/2. As a whole audiences: Fox, 12.9 million CBS, 11.six million ABC, 8.9 million NBC, 6.9 million Univision, 3.5 million CW, 1.six million. Contact Ron Kissell at ron.kissell@variety.com

Rumor: 'Dark Dark evening Rises' Prologue Installed on IMAX Prints of 'Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol'?

In December of 2007, Warner Bros. attached the opening scene of 'The Dark Knight' to IMAX prints of 'I Am Legend' in order to goose fan fascination with the Christopher Nolan super follow-up additionally to IMAX box office for your Will Cruz film. It labored: 'I Am Legend' props up record for finest December opening weekend ever, and 'The Dark Knight' acquired a then-record $158.4 million throughout its rollout within this summer time 2008. (That mark was surpassed this summer season by 'Harry Potter as well as the Deathly Hallows Part 2,' though H . p . had the benefit of 3d taxes.) With 'The Dark Dark evening Rises' due next summer season, will Warner Bros. pull the same stunt getting a higher-profile IMAX release this December? Potentially. According to Slashfilm, who heard it in the "reliable theater (read: exhibitor) source," Warner Bros. will unspool the six-minute opening sequence from 'The Dark Dark evening Rises' before 'Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol,' despite the fact that 'M:I 4' is property of significant. The thinking is always that since Warner Bros. doesn't have its own large IMAX release searching for December, the studio can piggyback on Vital and Tom Cruise getting an offer that might be mutually beneficial to each side. Warner Bros. rejected to comment to Slashfilm round the story. 'Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol' involves IMAX on 12 ,. 16 before striking theaters on 12 ,. 21. [via Slashfilm] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook RELATED

Lauren Alaina Talks Ensure It Is Or Break It Debut

First Launched: October 18, 2011 11:59 AM EDT Credit: Getty Premium NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Caption The The American Idol Show Show 2011 runner-up Lauren Alaina leaves her Midtown Manhattan hotel in NY City on June 2, 2011 Lauren Alaina is maturing quickly. The 16-year-old The The American Idol Show Show runner-up has spent yesteryear four several days since the shows season finale undertaking in arenas nationwide, doing interviews, music video and photo shoots, and recording her debut album, Wildflower, released the other day. The first sort secondary school cheerleader is wanting your time and energy might help solidify her within the u . s . states music world, because she realizes the stakes are high. I appear like thisfirst album is kind of make-it-or-break-it personally, because I merely got off national television. So people know who I am, nonetheless they have no clue who I am becoming an artist, mentioned Lauren in the recent interview. I merely appear such as this album is my approach to kind of putting myself available and showing them who I am. Ads connect director of charts, Keith Caulfield, thinks Lauren is away and off to a good beginning. Her first single, Like My Mother Does, influences top 40. Even though she's Idol as this great platform to create her, shes still a developing artist. You usually dont see Idol individuals who win utilizing their first single round the country charts fly to No. 1, he mentioned. In my opinion both her and (champion) Scotty (McCreery) are usually inside a good position at this time around, because theyre both youthful and theyre both singing new bands, he added, watching the wealth of Taylor Quick has opened up up entrance doors for youthful artists inside the genre. The 12 tunes Lauren chose for Wildflower reveal encounters shes experienced or tales she relates to around the personal level. She co-written one track, referred to as Funny Factor About Love, with Nashville songwriting talents Luke Laird and Brett James. I guess when people hear the tunes, theyre prone to determine whether Ive had my heart broken or possibly Ive had my first love or everything kind of stuff, she mentioned. I merely think its awesome will have the ability to share that wonderful (my fans) the means by which Barbara Underwood or Miranda Lambert or someone would. Lauren cut a sound lesson Underwood co-written, referred to as 18 Inches. Just like a former The The American Idol Show Show champion, Underwood provides significant support to Lauren. The Two exchanged numbers, and Lauren asks her for advice when she'll get upset. Recently, the Georgia native was feeling particularly homesick and showed up at to Underwood. I merely mentioned, How will you deal with escaping your family members for this type of very long time and basically being gone constantly? And he or she mentioned, You have to consider all the positive stuff thats happening, since you've got a lot choosing for you personally at this time around. Your family members is going to be there. Just hearing that from her, knowning that she'd experienced what Im coping with, just assisted me feel 10 occasions better, mentioned Lauren. The respect is mutual. She's a breath of outdoors in new bands today, mentioned Underwood inside an email. I cant wait to determine which spend do afterwards! Lauren has completed round the Grand Ole Opry, presented within the CMT Music Honours, and sang with Martina McBride before over 60,000 people throughout CMA Music Fest. She's impressed greater than her great deal of industry veterans. In my opinion shes really gifted and shes this kind of sweet girl, mentioned McBride inside an interview. I merely really hope they goes far. Laurens short journey isn't without challenges. The finest obstacle she's faced up to now remains with herself. Lauren, which has a frame most would consider conventional a teen girl, mentioned she never fought along with her weight until arriving Hollywood. Just like a girl, a teenage girl, without trying to, you constantly compare yourself to other women. Its like I used to be in this competition wonderful these beautiful women, mentioned Lauren. Often it would swallow me up. I'd compare myself to people other women to the level where it could cause me to feel sick, because I'm not like heavy, heavy, but I'm not the skinniest girl in the world. Lauren mentioned she required to learn to cut herself some slack and her motivations in check. Im really working out at this time around. personally. Thats the finest factor, you must do it by yourself, she mentioned. Through the show I believed, These people arent prone to at all like me essentially look using this method. But it's not the case, because i rapidly started realizing that my number of fans wasgrowing which i had been getting further along inside the competition, which i had been thinking, I havent changed anything. Copyright 2011 with the Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Twisted honours really are a Scream

Colin Farrell and Robert Downey Junior. enter into the horror spirit in the Spike TV event.Actor Paul Reubens also known as Pee-Wee Herman.The Scream Honours showed off a twisted circus-meets-steampunk motif to recognition the 2010 photos for horror, sci-fi, fantasy and all sorts of things nerdy.The Lucent Dossier Experience set the scene among fans who experienced the Halloween spirit by dressing his or her favorite nominees on Universal's backlot. Interacting one of many Black Swans and Jack Sparrows were "Dark Dark night Returns" stars Hathaway As Catwoman, Gary Oldman and Frederick Gordon-Levitt, Maverick Award champion Nicolas Cage, Ultimate Villain honoree Darth Vader (together with George Lucas), Visionary Award honoree Paul Reubens and Hero Award champion Robert Downey Junior., who had been welcomed through the fans with Tony Stark placards and chants of "RDJ.""After I think about quite the hero, I think about one guy: He's brave, he's strong ... and I am slightly drawn to him," joked presenter Colin Farrell. "He's quite the hero with swagger."The chaos ongoing in to the evening because the after-party hit full swing on Universal's Lot 28, including a full scale merry-go-round and faux French courtesans. Contact Erin Maxwell at erin.maxwell@variety.com

Percenteries help stars surf social wave

Talent agencies are creating ties with a brand new generation of start-ups specializing in controlling celebrities' footprint across social networking.CAA, UTA and WME have struck different kinds of these alliances due to the growing importance and complexity of image maintenance around the growing quantity of platforms, from Twitter to Facebook, where clients participate in a 2-way conversation with an incredible number of fans every day.InchBig agencies like ours sit in an exceedingly unique position," states Brent Weinstein, mind of digital media at UTA. "We have seen the requirements and interests of artists similarly, and alternatively we have seen and therefore are associated with a higher amount of interesting technology and services. We take what we should know of the latter and marry it towards the former."For UTA, that came to signing startup company Fantapper like a client in June. CAA went a measure further and incubated a business of their own known as WhoSay, where the agency still keeps a minority stake. WME also offers a stake within the Audience, which has not even formally released yet.All these companies goes concerning the business of handling the cyber-presence of celebs in different ways. But in the easiest level, all of them provide the agencies a try-to selection for clients whose reps know all to well that no actor or music performer are able to afford not have an oar within the huge ocean that's the web, even as it were.CAA first contacted Steve Ellis, Boss of WhoSay, a couple of years back about enhancing the agency develop an answer for his or her clients. "These were frustrated because others had to have their customers and driving business from their store,Inch he states.Now WhoSay has funding from CAA, Amazon . com and venture-capital businesses that keep the organization maintenance a lot more than 700 celebs, including Jennifer Lopez, Katie Couric and Tom Hanks. WhoSay does from supplying an automatic copyright on every image or video which comes from the clients to some mobile application that alerts their particular publicists when a lot like a tweet will get distributed.While such firms as WhoSay make their choices open to CAA-repped talent, more clients originate from outdoors the company. No agency-affiliated firms are limited to exclusive plans.Additionally to managing social networking for such stars as Nick Cannon, Peter Facinelli and Ashlee Simpson, Fantapper comes with an innovative feature able to changing stars' Internet photos right into a hub for related content they are able to control."It comes down to creating direct associations using the stars," states Ryan Steelberg, Boss of Fantapper. "If that may be caused by getting associations with UTA and management groups directly, you have to be everywhere."Digital 25The PGA and Variety recognition leaders who've advanced digital entertainment and storytelling John Rubey of AEG Network Live Sangam Pant and Umesh Shukla of Auryn Zach Galifianakis of "Between Two Ferns" Michael Fleischman and N Roy of Bluefin Labs Meyer Shwarzstein of Brainstorm Media Seth Eco-friendly of "ControlTV" Jon Kirchner of DTS Dick Glover of Funny or Die Asi Burak of Games for Change Nolan Gallagher of Gravitas Endeavors Zooey Deschanel, Molly McAleer and Sophia Rossi of Hello Giggles Mike Chambers of "Beginning" Leigh Blake and Alicia Secrets of Have a Child Alive Charles Adler, Perry Chen and Yancey Strickler of Kickstarter Felicia Day's Knights in combat of excellent Productions Troy Carter and Rhianna of LadyGaga.com Lisa Roth of Majesco Entertainment Susan Margolin and Steve Savage of recent Video Sharon Calahan of Pixar Animation Galleries Peter Vesterbacka of Rovio/Angry Wild birds John Calkins of The new sony Pictures Home Theatre Ken Ralston of The new sony Pictures Imageworks Nicole Skogg of SpyderLynk Thierry Coup, Nick Largman, Dale Mason and Mark Woodbury of Universal Creative Joe Letteri of Weta DigitalRELATED LINKS: The TV's turn to have an extreme transformation Contact Andrew Wallenstein at andrew.wallenstein@variety.com

Hollywood Flashback: American Cinematheque Honoree Robert Downey Jr. Makes His Mark in 'Less Than Zero'

This story first appeared in the Oct. 21 issue of The Hollywood Reporter. When Less Than Zero opened in November 1987, The Hollywood Reporter called it a "lame adaptation" of Bret Easton Ellis' novel with a "bogus designer plot on top of it" and said "box-office prospects look dismal." It would make a meager $12.4 million domestically but was the breakout film for Robert Downey Jr., then 22. PHOTOS: 'The Avengers': New Photos From Marvel's Superhero Film Before making what has become a cult film of '80s teenage decadence, he'd done Saturday Night Live for a season and a handful of movies, including The Pick-up Artist with Molly Ringwald. THR gushed that his cocaine-addicted Julian was "easily the best performance" in Zero, worthy of a supporting actor Oscar nomination "notwithstanding the fact that Academy voters are not the most nimble in lining up for youth movies." (Downey wasn't nominated but later got a lead actor nom for 1992's Chaplin.) PHOTOS: Hollywood's 10 Highest-Grossing Actors He said of his performance in a 1997 interview, "That's probably the first time I created a character from scratch. And it was really emotional." Producer Jon Avnet said recently that he knew Downey was perfect for Zero when he did a screen test with Kiefer Sutherland and Uma Thurman (they didn't end up in the film, but Brad Pitt did -- as a $38-a-day uncredited extra). "There's such a vulnerability to his performance," says Avnet. "You can see it in his eyes. And the more he tries to hide it, the more it's there." Downey will be feted by American Cinematheque Friday. Up next for the actor: Warner Bros.' Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, due Dec. 16. Related Topics American Cinematheque Robert Downey Jr. Saturday Night Live

Sundance Selects Acquires North American Rights to 'The Loneliest Planet'

Sundance Selects has acquired North American rights toThe Loneliest Planet, written and directed byJulia Loktev. Gael Garcia Bernal, Hani Furstenberg and Bidzina Gujabidze star in the story of acouple backpacking in the Caucasus mountains that finds the threat of violence intruding on their journey.Jay Van Hoy, Lars Knudsen, Marie Therese Guirgis and Helge Albers produced the project. "It's a great honor to be able to continue to work with Julia Loktev with The Loneliest Planet," said Sundance Selects president Jonathan Sehring. "She's made a phenomenal film that further establishes her as one of the most exciting talents working in world cinema today." Sundance Selects execs Arianna Bocco and Jeff Deutchman negotiated the deal with Cinetic Media's Dana O'Keefe on behalf of the filmmakers. A sister division to IFC Films and IFC Midnight,Sundance Selects recently released the films Certified Copy, Buck, Tabloid and Cave of Forgotten Dreams. Forthcoming releases include the 3DPina, Into the Abyss, The Kid With a Bike and Poliss. IFC Films previously released Loktev's debut,Day Night Day Night.

Exex get turn at N.Y. Comic Disadvantage

A follower poses as Spiderman within the 2009 NY Comic Disadvantage the 2010 event starts Thursday. You can mock the fans that flock to Comic-Cons nationwide. Nevertheless it calculates professionals within the firms that focus on the Comic-Disadvantage crowd are merely as socially awkward.When NY Comic Disadvantage starts Thursday, another gathering will occur inside the same halls in the Javits Center in the professionals that produce the movies, Tv shows, videogames, comicbooks, toys and mobile programs being over-blown within the show.Online e-e-newsletter GeekChicDaily, Chris Hardwick's Nerdist Industries, worldwide TV market MipTV and ReedPop will host White-colored Space just like a summit for professionals inside the popular culture biz to fulfill and discuss techniques to collaborate on future projects and discover much more about everyone else they're trying to entertain."Popular culture and genre remains so prevalent there is however still difficult to find techniques to activate among facets of the,Inch GeekChicDaily founder and Boss Peter Levin told Variety. "We felt like putting together senior level experts who may not mix one another peoples paths inside the greatest media market, with NY Comic Disadvantage just like a backdrop, is a compelling offer. It's a Comic-Disadvantage for your industry."For example, White-colored Space's planners want comicbook entrepreneurs to consider growing their game game titles by connecting track of mobile application designers or game entrepreneurs, or have toy producers discuss coping with content designers formerly inside the development process."You will discover an array of techniques from the exploitation of characteristics that aren't happening," Levin mentioned.For any very long time, Levin happen to be advised through the introduction of occasions like Hillcrest Comic-Disadvantage, which now tops 126,000 participants each year, as well as the buzz and mind lines created with the fanfest. But he's also seen how brands have overspent to improve within the noise and acquire their marketing messages heard.The identical industries "also provide become too fraternal and incestuous," Levin mentioned. "The concept that digital comics posting remains seen as promotion of retail sales of graphic books and comicbooks now has wrinkles thinking."NY Comic Disadvantage, running Thursday through Sunday, is predicted to draw around 100,000 participants.ReedPOP can be a division of Reed Shows, operated by Reed Elsevier (which has Variety), while MipTV is possessed by Reed Midem, also part of Reed Shows. Contact Marc Graser at marc.graser@variety.com

Watch Charlize Theron Try to Ruin a Marriage in Sweats in the Young Adult Trailer

This morning, we revisited Charlize Theron as the Evil Queen in Snow White and the Huntsman and this afternoon, we get to see the Academy Award-winning actress as a suburban ice princess who returns to her hometown in sweats to lie to Hampton Inn employees, blatantly flirt with her married high school sweetheart and drink around the clock. Click through to see the first trailer for Jason Reitman and Diablo Cody’s next joint venture, Young Adult. All I’ve ever wanted to see onscreen is a sneering, sweatsuit-wearing, Diet Coke-swilling heroine with complete disregard for societal concerns and Charlize Theron appears to be just that in Young Adult. The comedy drama follows Theron’s character, a teen lit author, as she returns home to hook her married high school crush (Patrick Wilson looking a lot like Chris Pratt). Only instead, she forges an unlikely bond with a former classmate (Patton Oswalt) in dimly lit alleyways. Unfortunately for everyone, Young Adult won’t hit theaters until December 9. VERDICT: Honestly, this trailer had me at the Hampton Inn establishing shot. Someone start the countdown… [via ComingSoon.net]

Exclusive Start Looking: Dive In to the Magical Realm of Not so long ago

Lana Parrilla Prepare to go in a parallel world of favorite anecdotes in ABC's Not so long ago. Executive-created by Lost's Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis, the approaching series informs the storyline from the Evil Full (Lana Parrilla) casting a spell upon classic fairy-tale figures who reside in Storybrooke, Maine, and do not know their very own true details.Fall TV: Obtain the lowdown about this season's must-see new showsConfused? Parrilla displays the particulars from the series, that also stars Jennifer Morrison and Ginnifer Goodwin, within this exclusive first-look video. Additionally, it provides you with a sneak look into precisely how evil the Evil Full is.Not so long ago premieres Sunday, March. 23 at 8/7c on ABC. "You need to watch it, because if you do not, I am likely to cast a spell you,Inch Parrilla jokes.

Curtis 50 Cent Jackson Searching For The Pursuit

La, CA October 4, 2011 It absolutely was introduced today that Emmett / Furla Films and Cheetah Vision Films are joining as much as produce the experience thriller The Pursuit, which will star Curtis 50 Cent Jackson. The announcement is created today by Randall Emmett, who co-runs Cheetah Vision with Jackson which is became a member of with George Furla in Emmett / Furla Films. Director Jessy Terrero (Soul Plane Gun) has signed a 3 picture pointing deal with the producers, which will begin with him pointing The Pursuit. Principle photography is slated to begin February 15th 2012 in Louisiana. The film will probably be compiled by Lionsgate through Cheetah Visions existing 10 picture output deal with the important thing independent studio. Inside The Pursuit a cop and criminal inadvertently synergy to locate an steered obvious of bank crook as they all have their very own personal vendetta in the guy. Meanwhile, a determined US Marshall tracks the males to prevent them from killing the convict and rather make sure that he's brought to justice the proper way. The script is put together by Matt Manley (Into the Blue, Torque, the arrival Afterburn). Producers are Randall Emmett, George Furla and Curtis 50 Cent Jackson. Additional casting bulletins will probably be created within the approaching days. With nine films in production this year alone, Emmett / Furla Films, the La based film production and lender, has quickly emerged one of the industrys most prolific production companies using a chance to develop, package, finance and produce a comprehensive number of films for wide theatrical release. Emmett / Furla is presently in pre-production on Broken City starring Mark Wahlberg and Russell Crowe and Frozen Ground starring John Cusak, Nicolas Cage and Vanessa Hudgens. Both films will begin shooting this fall. The business offers several major films presently in publish production like the Stephen Frears directed comedy Lay the widely used starring Bruce Willis, Catherine Zeta Manley, Rebecca Hall and Vince Vaughn the drama Fire with Fire starring Josh Duhamel, Bruce Willis and Rosario Dawson the knowledge / thriller Self-employed starring Robert DeNiro, Forest Whitaker and Curtis 50 Cent Jackson as well as the mystery crime thriller Finish of Watch starring Mike Gyllanhall and Anna Kendrick. Emmett / Furla Films recently introduced a completely new $250 million film fund with Picture Entertainment to purchase a completely new slate of high-finish, star-driven commercial movies.

Leonard Nimoy Retires from Star Trek Conventions

After decades on the circuit, retiring sci-fi icon Leonard Nimoy put in his last Star Trek convention appearance, waved his last Vulcan finger sign, and uttered the line “Live long and prosper” to a con crowd for the final time last weekend in Rosemont, Illinois. If you’ve been to Comic-Con or any of Creation Entertainment’s Trek-specific gatherings, you know how much the erstwhile Spock will be missed; if not, here’s a scene from an incisive documentary about the scene that pretty much sums it up. Kidding! It’s the opening of Galaxy Quest, which nevertheless seemed to approximate the real life experience of working a convention as a former member of a beloved genre series. In contrast, the 80-year-old Nimoy always seemed more into and enriched by the fan interaction experience than Alan Rickman’s Alexander Dane. By Grabthar’s Hammer, Nimoy shall be missed, but kudos to a well-earned retirement. (He has been, and always shall be, our Spock.) Spock attends his last ‘Star Trek’ convention [AP]

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