'John Carter' Brings 'Friday Night Lights' To Space

Forget Texas, Tim Riggins Barsoom forever! Yes, I know that's not Riggs hopping around all over "John Carter." But watching the sci-fi movie at a screening earlier this week, I couldn't help but imagine how amazing it would be if Taylor Kitsch wasn't playing a space-bound Civil War veteran, but his fan-favorite "Friday Night Lights" character instead. As with most other "FNL" fans, I'm missing the days of Dillon football so badly, that I'd pay money to see any and all of these Texans embark on their own interstellar adventures, Riggins especially. Mars needs moms? Eff that. Mars needs #33! Anyway, this notion of "'Friday Night Lights' in space" stirred something very, very weird in the minds of Hollywood Crush editor Amy Wilkinson, Movies Blog assistant editor Kevin P. Sullivan and myself: what if the "FNL" cast left Dillon forever and headed out to the endless lights of space? Our answers lie beyond the break. Tyra Collette of Venus With Dillons former fullback ruling Mars, it only stands to reason that his female counterpart, bad-girl-gone-good Tyra Collette, preside over Venus. Named for the Roman goddess of beauty, the second planet would be a fitting home for the gorgeous, coltish blonde. There, we imagine shed have unlimited access to algebra tutors and be able to peruse her dreams of politics. You know, like Mrs. T, only bigger. -Amy Wilkinson Epyck and Santiago of Pluto Remember when you knew Pluto as a planet? You thought it was important, that it wasn't going anywhere anytime soon and that it actually mattered but then, in an instant, it was gone, no longer considered a planet. Well, the same thing happened to two supporting characters on "FNL." We met and even learned to like Santiago, a wayward teen, and Epyck, a different wayward teen, but just when it seemed like they meant something to the story: gone. They disappeared, essentially without a trace. Our only explanation for their absence would have to be spontaneous travel to Pluto, since no one would ever think to look there. -Kevin P. Sullivan Buddy Garrity of the Moon One of these days, we're going to be doing more than just walking on the moon. Our descendants will live there, likely in survival mode-only space stations, but perhaps in massive corporate-driven environment as envisioned in "WALL-E." If the latter happens, there's no one in Dillon better equipped to turn the Moon into a moneymaker than big Buddy senior. Bring Junior along to help out, rescue Santiago from Pluto. Heck, even Jason Street could have another shake with the shift in gravity. Just leave the strippers in Dillon, Bud best to keep this professional. -Josh Wigler The Landry Clarke Murder Plot of the Sun Just to be clear, wed never suggest sending Crucivictorious lead singer to the fiery star (his ginger complexion would necessitate one heck of a scientific breakthrough in SPF technology). But what we would like to dispatch is Lance's Landry's ludicrous story arc in which he bludgeons Tara's would-be rapist to death. (Clearly, we're not the only ones.) At 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit, the suns balmy surface should be enough to obliterate that clunker of a premise. Just barely. -AW Coach Eric and Tami Taylor of Earth Some people are just too precious to humankind to let them go off traveling around the universe. We must keep the Taylors close by, so we can look to them for guidance at all stages of life. Without them, who would answer life's toughest questions? "Can I marry your daughter?" Absolutely not. "Who needs to 'come on'?" Y'all do. The wisdom of the Taylors is simply so essential to the maintenance of human decency that their departure would mean the end of days. They are the ideal we should all aspire to when it comes to parenting, companionship and consuming large amounts of white wine. -KPS Joe and JD McCoy of Uranus Heh. But seriously, f--- those guys. -JW BONUS: For an additional take on "Tim Riggins in Space," please see this gem from my good friend and occasional MTV Movies mustache blogger Jim Gibbons. Tell us which "FNL" character you'd send to space in the comments and on Twitter!

ARC Entertainment sets date for 'Glory'

ARC Entertainment has set a June 1 release within the U.S. for historic actioner "For Greater Glory." The film based to the 20's Cristero War in Mexico and created by Pablo Jose Barroso. Andy Garcia and Avoi Longoria star together with Peter O'Toole, Oscar Isaac, Ruben Rotor blades, Bruce Greenwood, Nestor Carbonell, Bruce McGill, Santiago Cabrera and Catalina Sandino Moreno. Pic's directed by Dean Wright, who's on visual effects on "Titanic," "The The almighty from the Rings" guru trilogy and "Stories of Narnia." Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

NBC's 'Voice,' 'Smash' grow Monday

NBC's Broadway drama 'Smash' drew 7.9 million viewers Monday, up 17% from last week.Taking advantage of softer than usual competition , including repeats on CBS , NBC's new Monday tandem of ''The Voice'' and ''Smash'' grew nicely week to week to lead the net to an easy ratings victory.As ''The Voice'' entered the Battles Rounds, it shot up to a 6.1 rating/16 share in adults 18-49 and 16.7 million viewers overall from 8 to 10 p.m., according to Nielsen; it grew by 13% over last week's auditions round (which was opposed by the strong Daytona 500 NASCAR race on Fox) for the show's best numbers since its Monday premiere four weeks ago. And at 10, ''Smash'' (2.7/7 in 18-49, 7.9 million viewers overall), up against repeat dramas on ABC and CBS for the first time, grew 17% week to week for a three-week high and led the 10 o'clock hour across the board.Excluding nights with major sports, NBC has now won four straight Mondays in adults 18-49 after not prevailing on the night with regular series in four years.Elsewhere, ABC's ''The Bachelor'' (2.5/6 in 18-49, 8.1 million viewers overall) was in line with last week, placing second to NBC from 8 to 10 p.m. but down nearly 20% from the same night a year ago; the show wraps its season next week. And at 10, a repeat ''Castle'' did a 1.4/4 in 18-49 and 6.7 million viewers overall.Fox drama ''Alcatraz'' continues to put up sluggish numbers (1.8/5 in 18-49, 5.7 million viewers overall), this time with a two-hour episode. In 18-49, it lagged the 8-10 p.m. average of repeat CBS comedies ''How I Met Your Mother'' (2.0/6 in 18-49, 6.2 million viewers overall), ''2 Broke Girls'' (2.1/5 in 18-49, 7.0 million viewers overall), ''Two and a Half Men'' (2.1/5 in 18-49, 8.0 million viewers overall) and ''Mike and Molly'' (1.8/4 in 18-49, 7.0 million viewers overall). Closing things out for CBS was a repeat ''Hawaii Five-0'' (1.5/4 in 18-49, 6.5 million viewers overall).Preliminary 18-49 averages for the night: NBC, 4.9/13; ABC, 2.1/6; CBS and Fox, 1.8/5; Univision, 1.3/3; CW, 0.4/1.In total viewers: NBC, 13.7 million; ABC, 7.6 million; CBS, 6.9 million; Fox, 5.7 million; Univision, 3.3 million; CW, 1.2 million. Contact Rick Kissell at rick.kissell@variety.com

Ratings Pit Of Debt: Voice & Smash Rise

After taking a hit from facing Daytona 500 the other day, NBC’s The Voice (6.1/16) came back back having its first fight round, which was up 13% from the other day for your show’s best result since the publish-Super Bowl Monday episode. At 10 PM, Smash (2.7/7) was up a sizable 17% to reverse its initial ratings downtrend. After 2 days of double-digit drops carrying out a premiere, Smash held steady last Monday before heading up last evening — it’s good news for NBC’s new regime, which put nearly all its eggs inside the Smash basket this season. NBC’s selection, which won the evening in 18-49 (4.9/13) and total audiences (13.7 million), was aided by CBS, which broadcast reruns. (ABC’s 10 PM drama Castle also will be a repeat.) Fox’s Alcatraz broadcast two back-to-back episodes (1.9/5, 1.8/4). The initial was up a tenth because the second was flat while using series’ latest hourlong original on friday. ABC’s broadcast a couple-hour The Bachelor: The Women Tell All special (2.5/6), which was lower a tenth from the other day minimizing 19% from last spring’s special when the Bachelor did not face The Voice. The CW also broadcast repeats.

Saudis open screen door

The Right Path to Mecca screening within the Jeddah Hilton marked one of the primary public unspoolings from the film in Saudi Arabia in thirty years. On Sunday evening, some would the impossible happened. A component film, funded and produced by both Saudi and worldwide interests, opened up in the public devote the dominion of Saudi Arabia with full approval in the government physiques.Director Bruce Neibaur's Imax movie "Journey to Mecca" had its local premiere within the Jeddah Hilton round the opening evening in the Jeddah Economic Forum, held the first time beneath the patronage of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud.It is simply the 2nd time a film remains proven in public areas in Jeddah since the city's five cinemas were closed under Islamic law in 1982."Journey to Mecca" follows 14th century explorer Ibn Battuta while he makes his way from his native Morocco mole to Makkah (Mecca) for your Hajj pilgrimage.The film, released last season, has unspooled in NY, Washington D.C., London, Paris, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi and Shanghai, nevertheless the Jeddah preem seems the most crucial, occurring in the region where public exams are banned.Dignitaries in the kingdom and abroad attended the large event, which was inaugurated by one of the film's key bankers, Abdulrahman Al-Zamil, chairman of Saudi Arabia's industrial conglom the Zamil Group."Premiering the film in Jeddah is vital for the film's designers and producers, since it shows there's a business for such magnificent films," mentioned Al-Zamil inside an interview with Variety Arabia. "Within the reaction we percieve tonight, we could realize that everyone else thinks that such films help spread peace and wealth."Everyone else composed of males and ladies site visitors, separated having a screen, who seen the film inside the hotel's primary ballroom. Prominent figures for instance Sheikh Saleh Kamel, chairman in the Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and Dr. Lama Al-Sulaiman, vice chairwoman in the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce, aided organize and provide the big event.Chance in Makkah Province while using permission of HRH Khalid al-Faisal, governor of Makkah, "Journey to Mecca" was professional produced by Mike Eberts, whose credits as professional producer include "Dances With Baby baby wolves" and Peter Weir's "The Means By Which Back."Project was produced becoming an Imax film by producers Taran Davies and Dominic Cunningham-Reid and funded by producers from eight nations, like the Al-Zamil family in Saudi Arabia.The film was presented with the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, an institution introduced by HRH Prince Turki al-Faisal, former Saudi Ambassador for the U.K. and U.S. It absolutely was shot within the Grand Mosque, using three Imax cameras.The ultimate movie proven in Jeddah was helmer Ayman Makram's comedy "Menahi," produced by Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, in 2008. It carried out for just about any week inside a 1,200-chair conference hall, where males sitting on the ground floor with women separate inside the balcony.Given its subject "Journey" seems a appropriate selection in the country recognized for the strict control of content, an insurance plan that the film's backers were knowledgeable.Despite the fact that the general stop on films remains, Saudi Arabians are uncovered to movies extensively since the country is stuffed with satellite dishes people watch them constantly inside the privacy that goes for them houses.Nevertheless the public screening signifies a massive step that might be significant for film fans in Saudi Arabia. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Alphonso McAuley Breaks In and Breaks Out

Funny man Alphonso McAuley never considered being an actor until he discovered improvisation in a high school drama class. His teacher said, "Say anything off the top of your head and make it into a scene for the class." He tried it and made his entire class laugh hysterically. From there on, he was hooked. Now the actor is making audiences laugh on two television comedies. He plays quirky prankster tech geek Cassius "Cash" Sparks on Fox's "Breaking In," and Tatyana Ali's brother Latrell in "Love That Girl" on TV One. McAuley talks to Back Stage about simultaneous shoots, taking risks, and happy premonitions. Back Stage: You booked "Love That Girl" and "Breaking In" in the same year. How did that happen and how did the timing work out with shooting? Alphonso McAuley: At the end of 2009, I was going hard with stand up comedy, and I took this class to enhance my writing. A guest speaker, Stacey Evans, came in, and after she saw me perform, she told me I was hilarious and was interested in having me audition for this television show she and her brother [Bentley Kyle Evans] were putting together. Months later, I went in to audition, and it was "Love That Girl." We shot a pilot and four episodes in like five days. It was insane. Months later, I still hadn't heard if the show had gotten picked up, so my agent had me back out to audition. I booked "Breaking In," and after we shot that pilot, "Love That Girl" called and said we got 26 episodes. At the same time, "Breaking In" called and said they were going to extend my contract. They both happened simultaneouslywithin a day or so. I didn't know how it was going to work out. But since Fox didn't know whether they were going to pick up "Breaking In," they let me go shoot 13 episodes of "Love That Girl." By the time we finished, "Breaking In" was ready for us to shoot seven episodes. The uncertainty with "Breaking In" actually worked out in my favor. It's crazy how simultaneous that it all was. Back Stage: How did you get your SAG card? McAuley: I got Taft-Hartleyed through a Verizon commercial. In the audition, I did my lines as if I were James Earl Jones, because at the time he was [doing the voice over] for Verizon. The casting people loved itthey were just in stitches laughing. I was very committed to it. I got a callback and I did my lines like James Earl Jones again and they loved it so much they paid the extra fee to Taft Hartley me into the union. Back Stage: Wow, that was a huge risk you took! McAuley: I know! But that's been my thing throughout my career-taking risks. People ask me "What's your secret?" I am willing to take risks and commit to them. Do or die. And I audition like I don't really need it. Producers can tell if an actor is desperate to get a role. When you go in and you're like, "I'm going to give you the best performance whether I book this or not," that's what they like. Back Stage: What's been your favorite role? McAuley: Bucky in [the film] "Fat Albert." In Hollywood, there's not many roles for African-Americans, so every young black dude wanted to be a part of "Fat Albert" when they heard it was happening. But here's what's crazyI had a feeling I was going to be part of that film.Back Stage: Before your audition? Like a premonition? McAuley: Yeah, not in a cocky way. I just knew. People always told me I looked like Bucky from the "Fat Albert" cartoon. In high school, my friend had a vintage "Fat Albert" tee shirt that I borrowed so I could draw a picture of the character on my notebook. I just always had a thing for that character. So when I got the audition, I thought it would be for Bucky but it was for Dumb Donald, the kid who wears the beanie over his face. I booked it, but then the project got shelved. I guess Forrest Whittaker, who was directing it, and Bill Cosby had creative differences. Then the film came back with Joel Zwick directing. Joel called me in and said, "You're really funny and your facial expressions are awesome. There's no way I can have you play Dumb Donald. The world needs to see your face. I want you to play the role of Bucky." It was so exhilarating and very surreal.

Rankings Corporate Jungle: NBCs Awake Off And Away To Slow Start But Tend To It Did Better?

NBC’s ambitious new drama series Awake opened up last evening having a 1.9/5 in grown ups 18-49 and 6.two million audiences. Whilst not a large number by any stretch, especially against all-repeat competition around the broadcast systems, I seem like the series starring Jason Isaacs did what it really could using what it had been worked — an intricate, original concept that's difficult to advertise (such as the fairytale figures from Not So Long Ago for instance) along with a place inside a declining NBC Thursday selection that is damaged because the graveyard of two flops already this year, Prime Suspect and also the Firm. For which it’s worth, Awake‘s premiere did much better than the openers of these two series (a tenth up from Prime Suspect‘s debut, 36% up in the Firm’s) however they faced more powerful competition. Awake‘s premiere seemed to be most likely influenced through the woeful condition on most of NBC’s schedule (except Monday). It’s difficult to promote a show when very couple of individuals are watching. For example, the greatest-ranked NBC program on Wednesday, the evening before Awake‘s premiere, handled single.6 in 18-49. Last evening, Awake was the 2nd-greatest NBC series behind Work (2.5/7, lower a tenth from a week ago). Awake really built onto its lead-in, Up Through The Night, which drenched merely a 1.6/4, also lower a tenth. Earlier within the evening, 30 Rock (1.4/4) was lower a tenth, while Parks & Entertainment (1.7/5) was flat despite mostly rerun competition alternatively systems. Underscoring NBC’s deep rankings troubles this year, Awake published a season high for that network within the 10 PM slot. It had been the 3rd greatest-ranked drama series debut on NBC this year behind Smash, with a huge lead-in in the Voice, and Grimm, the only real new NBC series this year that qualifies like a (modest) breakout, making the board without any large promotion or lead-in. Fox’s The American Idol Show (5.3/15, 18.3 million) was the only real series to make use of the lesser competition last evening as ABC and CBS switched to repeats publish-Feb sweep. The episode, which determined the show’s 13 runners up, came Idol‘s greatest Thursday amounts this year, up 18% in 18-49 and 17% as a whole audiences from last Thursday. It's understandable that Fox won the evening in most key measures.

Nikki Finke: Live-Snarking The Oscars Welcome To Harveywood!

Oscar Winners List 2012 Backstage At The Academy Awards OSCARS: Who Wore What On The Red Carpet OSCARS: Wins By Studio OSCARS: Wins By Film Sacha Baron Cohen Punks Ryan Seacrest: The Dictator Spills Kim Jong Ils Ashes All Over Red Carpet Host! (Ryan Unamused) I’mlive-snarking the 84th Annual Academy Awards for the outstanding film achievements of 2011 starting at 5:30 PM PT tonight. Comments will openwhen the show starts inside the Kodak Theatre.Come for the cynicism. Stay for the subversion. Add your comment. WARNING: Not for the easily offended or ridiculously naive. This 84th Academy Awards show is supposed to be televised to more than 225 countries worldwide. So I’mtippingall you foreigners to something that Americans already know: The Oscars suck every year! And this year the Oscars are gonna suck worse than ever! Because we all know who’s going to win the marquee categories without a single envelope being ripped open. So welcome to THE MOST BORING OSCARS EVER! No one in Hollywood wanted to attend the Oscars this year. For the first time ever, instead of execs fighting for tickets, studio heads had to beg their spouses to accompany them. Why? Because the moguls and their lackeys couldn’t tolerate the prospect at sitting through the interminable telecast only to watch Harvey Weinstein gloat because he’ll win Best Picture et alfor the second straight year. Everybody agrees that The Artist is a fun pic buthardly Best Picture Oscar worthy. And yet almost everybody voted for it anyway. I can’t even blame Harvey’s usual Oscar tactics(payingAcademy members to fill out their ballots, redoing voters’ kitchens and bathrooms…).Hollywood only has itself to blame for Harveywood and bringing Harv back from the brink of extinction. So when he turns into a monster again, just remember that I said, “TOLDJA!” The anti-Artist protest began as early as the Red Carpet tonight. It was summed upby Kaui Hart Hemmings, author of the book TheDecendants on which the pic of the same name is based. Shetweeted: The Artist people were in line in front of me, and now Ismell like cigarettes and entitlement.”Bitter much? Morgan Freeman welcomes everyone to the 84th Academy Awards. Billy Crystal stars in a silent black and white movie. Like DUH! Billy Crystal as Coma Woman! Full-on kiss with George Clooney. ABC just lost every Red State viewer and probably won the GOP presidential race for Rick Santorum. Seriously, Academy, you clearly don’t want families to watch, do you? Nice touch that shtick with Billy Crystal as Sammy Davis Jr. (I forgot he did that impression.) But Crystal’splastic surgeryis so off-putting. His face looks like it was ironed — and I swear I can still see the scorch smarks. Since only 3 people saw most of the Best Picture Oscar contenders, of course Crystal’s movie reel had to include one popular pic — Mission: Impossible 4. My guess is Tom Cruise paid for the product placement of himself. (Not even M:I4‘s ads showed the actor!) It’s Billy’s 9th time hosting the Oscars, and he’s already bombing with his jokes. “We’re here at the beautiful Chapter 11 theatre” — reference to the fact that the Kodak Theatre is bankrupt. Two home viewers got that. Best line: “Enjoy yourselves. Because nothing can take the sting out the world’s problems than watching millionaires present each other with golden statues.” You won’t hear a truer statement all night. Oh god, Billy’s mincing (i.e. singing and dancing) onstage. Make it stop! He’s 63 (some say he’s really 65) and could break a hip. Did you notice why you can’t understand the lyrics to the songs he’s singing? Because of all the Botox, he can’t move his mouth. Billy Crystal tweeted before the show, “Opening number changed. War Horse broke his leg, had to put him down.”Funnier line than anything onstage now. Presenter Tom Hanks loves to pretend he’s The Mayor Of Hollywood. Onstage with that beard, he looks like the boat captainon a box of frozen fishsticks. (Isn’t he in a movie about a skipper vs the Somali pirates?) Cinematography Hugo(Paramount) – Robert Richardson Art Direction Hugo (Paramount) – Production Design: Dante Ferretti, Set Decoration: Francesca Lo Schiavo So about an hour before the Oscars began, show producer Brian Grazer phoned me. I think he was worried what I would say about him during my live-snarking. I assured himthat Iwouldn’t make him the scapegoat for the inevitably bad show. Instead, I told him that I’ll keep reminding you readers thatit would have been far worse under Brett Ratner! Grazer told me that theshow’s theme tonight is to celebrate watching movies in theaters “as we rapidly ascend into VOD”. (That’s video-on-demand forcivilians.) “Too many peopleare seeingmovies alone or at home with 2-3 people. We want to celebratethe collective community experience which is my indelible memory of movies, magnified by seeing it with hundreds of people. Otherwise, it doesnt have the same emotional impact,” Grazer told me. Exactly what about this show illusrates that? Who wants to be in the middle of a J-Lo-Cameron Diaz sandwich? Too bad it’s wasted on the zillion men watching the Oscars. All gay, they’d rather fix both actresses’ awful hair. Costume Design The Artist (The Weinstein Company) – Mark Bridges First mention of Harvey Weinstein so far — many more to follow. Ad nauseum. Makeup The Iron Lady (The Weinstein Company) – Mark Coulier and J. Roy Helland Uh-oh, the men didn’t mention Harvey. They’ll never work again for The Weinstein Co. But no worries: everyone else in Hollywood willreward them! These filmed vignettes were directed by Moneyball‘s Bennett Miller. With all her money, Barbra Streisand couldn’t afford shampoo? Hey, Adam Sandler won the most Razzies today for the worst movies of 2011 with 11 nominations for that abomination Jack & Kill. I mean, Jack & Jill. Just remember, I’m not nasty. My fingerswhich do the typing are the meanies. Blame them, not me. Sandra Bullock is great no matter what lame material she’s given. (From my peanut gallery: “Did Sandy Bullock get that outfit from the old Star Trek wardrobe? She looks like an alien ambassador.”) Foreign Language Film A Separation (Sony Pictures Classics) A Dreamlab Films Production, Iran First movie from Iran to win the Foreign Language Oscar. This guy went through hell and back. A shoo-in because of that. Reminds us that good movies can have great cultural impact. As long as Hollywood isn’t making them. Christian Bale is even hunkier as he ages. Go ahead and make my day and scream at me, Christian. Let me be your whipping gal. Actress in a Supporting Role Octavia Spencer in The Help (Touchstone) Foregone conclusion and well-deserved. Spencer reveals genuine emotion which is rare for this show. “Thank you, Academy, for putting me with the hottest guy in the room… Thank you Steven Spielberg for changing my life. Thank you Stacey Snider for changing my life,” she says as tears stream down her face. She also thanked The Help‘s writer/director Tate Taylor who changed agencies last week (from WME to CAA). I heard from a good sourcethat he told CAA he doesn’t care what he does next “as long as it’s not a movieabout pussies in pain” Focus group on The Wizard Of Oz? Genius concept,poor writing. But I Love the Second City/SCTV reunion. Of course, no one under the age of 55 has even heard of it… Way notto attract a younger audience, Acad. Justin Bieber was in the opening film? I missed him. I must have thought he was one of the Disney dwarves… Film Editing The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Sony Pictures Releasing) Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall This pair won last year for The Social Network. Obviously, the Academy gives Oscars to people who survive working with that pain-in-the-ass David Fincher. Sound Editing Hugo (Paramount) – Philip Stockton and Eugene Gearty Sound Mixing Hugo (Paramount) – Tom Fleischman and John Midgley Surprising that Hugo is winning so many technical awards. On the other hand, with a cost of $200+M, it probably employed every member of every craft guild in Hollywood and beyond, and they all voted for it. The Graham King Films/Paramount 3D pic has only madedomestic$69.3M and foreign $46.4M for a worldwide total box office of $115.8M. In other words, it’ll never earn out. Was that Miss Piggy or Penelope Ann Miller? They both looked like pork sausage stuffed into their dresses. And Kermit looked as green as everymovie executive during the last half of 2011 when the box office was slumping badly and their bonuses werevanishing. Why the Cirque Du Soleil segment? Was this some sweetheart deal between the Academy andthe Kodak Theatre which houses the Cirque show the rest of the year?What a stretch to make this have anything to do with the movie biz. It would have been more entertaining towatch the writer’s room. If I see one more close-up of George Clooney, I’m gonna hurl. My god, Billy Crystal’s forehead is as big asHarvey’s ego. Crystal’s writers must have gotten their starts with Henny Youngman.It’s from the Bad Borscht Belt school of humor. I remember that nanosecond when Robert Downey Jr used to be funny. Gwyneth Paltrow, unfortunately, never was and still isn’t. Documentary (Feature) Undefeated (The Weinstein Company) A Spitfire Pictures Production, TJ Martin, Dan Lindsay and Richard Middlemas The delay button caught that winner’s swear word. Disney chief Bob Iger can put his heart back in his chest now that he won’t have to payany gazillion-dollar FCC fine. Another Harvey win. He’sgetting Oscars for movies hardly anyoneknew he was distributing, like this one. I remember that year or two when Chris Rock used to be funny. Animated Feature Film Rango (Paramount) – Gore Verbinski Another shoo-in. Johnny Depp deserves this as much as Verbinski since this film represents a different way of making these toons and Johnny acted out every movement of his toon character.That said, it was another Graham King/Paramount budget buster. It eked out a box office opening and may never earn out. (That grinding sound you hear is Brad Grey and Rob Moore sharpeningknives to cut me down to size tomorrow for picking on Paramount…) Somewhere along the way, Billy Crystal made a political joke dissing theGOP presidential candidates. Those few remainingRed State viewers turned off their TV sets, muttering epithets about how the Hollywood liberals didn’t dare poke fun atPresident Obama. Nice going, Acad: you lost 50% of America. I hear there was a Nipplegate controversyon the Red Carpet. (“Did anyone mention Jennifer Lopez’ nipple hanging out?” asks one of my peanut gallery gals watching the Oscars with 13 gay guys.) So that backstage bit by Melissa McCarthy with Billy Crystal was just embarrassing. Then again, I thought Bridesmaids was going to flop at the box office so what do I know. I’m not even smarter than the bigwigs who are running Universal into the ground right now. (“Is Emma Stone high? Or just channelling James Franco?,” my peanut gallery asks.) Shemadeeven Ben Stiller unfunny tonight. Visual Effects Hugo (Paramount) – Rob Legato, Joss Williams, Ben Grossman and Alex Henning New Oscar strategy: employ everyone in filmmaking artistry and you’ll winmultiple Academy Awardswhen they vote for you. Actor in a Supporting Role Christopher Plummer in Beginners (Focus Features) At age 82, the oldest actor ever to win an Oscar. “You’re only 2 years older than me, my darling. Where have you been all my life,” Plummer said to his Oscar. Manager Lou Pitt gets a shout-out.Nice guy who really deserves it. (From my peanut gallery: “There should be a spacial shout-out to whoever invented bronzer.”) When did Nick Nolte turn intoJolly St Nick? Isn’t Tom Sherakthe single worst Academy president, and the most uncharismatic (“Mr. Excitement,” as Crystal swiped)? Meanwhile, he thanks Brian Grazer and Billy Crystal. What he should have said was, “Thank you, Brian and Billy, for saving the Academy’s sorry asses and coming to the rescue when Dawn Hudson’s and my lousy idea to hire Brett Ratner and Eddie Murphy blew up in our faces.” Music (Original Score) The Artist (The Weinstein Company) – Ludovic Bource Tired of the frogs and their French accents yet?Another Oscar for Harvey Weinstein. Will Ferrell demonstrates yet again why he can’t get arrested in films anymore. Is Zach Galifianakis far behind? (I’ve now officiallylagging the live broadcast because I had to check the Internet for the spelling of Zach’s last name… I have to do it every time I mention Jim Gianopulos, too.) Music (Original Song) Man or Muppet from The Muppets (Walt Disney) Music and Lyric by Bret McKenzie Fox’s Tom Rothman just lost what was a 50-50 chance at an Oscar. (He had the Rio song.) Note to that studio’s execs: Don’t come into work Monday morning. You know what a day at the beach Tom is even when he’s not feeling robbed by Hollywood… Save yourselves. It’s astonishing how lame Billy Crystal’s mid-show jokes have been. Especially when you consider how many comedians work in and around Hollywood. Hell, I think the show couldjust go down to LA’s Mission District and pick up some homeless and do better. Or wander into any Starbucks in West Hollywood and get more laughs. Angelina Jolie is channelling her innervixen tonight. Love it! That pose she’s struck is saying: “Jennifer Aniston, just give up already. You can’t possibly have won that Stephen Huvane-orchestrated Sexiest Woman Of the Decade poll with me around.” Writing (Adapted Screenplay) The Descendants (Fox Searchlight) Screenplay by Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon & Jim Rash Writing (Original Screenplay) Midnight in Paris (Sony Pictures Classics) Written by Woody Allen If the Academy didn’t devalue comedy so much, this movie should win the Best Picture Oscar. But it won’t. And while I’m at it, the Academy has its head up its ass for not nominating the final Harry Potter movie. Think about it: there were 8 movies in this franchise and not a rotten one among the bunch. How rare is that for Hollywood? I do believe that if all those acting roles had been filled with American thesps instead of British, and more production and post jobs done in this country rather than across the Atlantic, then more Academy members would have voted for the pic out of sheer self-interest. Anyway, Harry Potter waseffing robbed. Short Film (Live Action) The Shore An All Ashore Production, Terry George and Oorlagh George Documentary (Short Subject) Saving Face A Milkhaus/Jungefilm Production, Daniel Junge and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy A movie portraying heroicplastic surgery? Of course Hollywood voted it an Oscar. Short Film (Animated) The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore A Moonbot Studios LA Production, William Joyce and Brandon Oldenburg I’d like to be in the middle of a sandwich with these two self-described ‘swamp rats from Lousiana”.Toons of fun… Is the show over yet? It’s dragged on almost 2 1/2-hours. Kill me now. Hmm, I heard Steven Spielberg wasn’t going to attend the Oscars this year because he was snubbed for Best Director. But there he is at the Kodak. Michael Douglas looks great. Sorry, but I don’t make fun of cancer. Directing The Artist (The Weinstein Company) – Michel Hazanavicius Any Hollywood hopes for an upset in these final marquee categories just went out the window. Another win for Harvey, who didn’t get a thank-you from the director. Um, seriously? Meryl Streep gets a longer introduction than anyone or anything tonight? Yes, she’s a national treasure. But she or her career isn’t dead or dying. That was a eulogy, not an intro. Barf to Oprah Winfrey, the most insufferable hypocrite in Hollywood — and that’s saying a LOT. OK, In Memoriam coming up. Don’t forget tolet me know how many movie R.I.P.s the incompetent Academy forgot to mention this year. (UPDATE: First omission:Andrew Laszlo, noted cinematographer. Next,Erland Josephson, who was Ingmar Bergmans everyman.) I just heard from someone that the telecast’s sound was screwed up for the East Coast feed. Aren’t you jealous? Don’t you wish you weren’t hearing this snorefest, either? This excruciatingly boring Oscars show is why no heterosexual man should ever be hired to produce it. Don’t know about you, but may I please have these hours of my life back? Those actor/filmmaker vignettes are becoming so annoying after the 58th one that I keep wanting to hit the ‘mute’ button to make them shut the fuck up. What kind of facelift was it that made Billy Crystal lose his neck? Ten minutes spent just to blow smoke up the ass of every Best Actor nominee? Like the Oscars aren’t fawning enough? And to have these cringe-worthy speeches read by Natalie Portman as Queen Amidala?(At least Jar Jar Binks would have been comic relief…) Actor in a Leading Role JeanDujardin in The Artist (The Weinstein Company) “I love your country,” Dujardin deadpans.He sounds exactly like Pepe Le Pew (“My leetle cabbage…”). He kinda channelled Howard Dean at the end of his speech there. (“And we’re taking this campaign to NY, and Pennsylvania… Yee-haw!”) Another Oscar for Weinstein. Another winner who didn’t thank him. At the Golden Globes everyone was comparing him to God.Nowthey’re not even mentioning him. What’d you do to them, Harv? Not again: this timeembarrassing tributes to each Lead Actress contender. Even Colin Firth looks pained by the kudos he’s reading. The Academy could have shaved30 minutes off the telecast without this nonsense. No wonder America hates Hollywood. Actress in a Leading Role MerylStreep in The Iron Lady (The Weinstein Company) Viola Davis was robbed. ROBBED! I couldn’t agree more with what Meryl said: “When they called my name had this feeling I could hear half of America going, ‘Oh no. Oh, come on. Why her? Again?’” Then Streep added, “But… Whatever.” Chalk up another win for Harvey. (Did Meryl thank him? I’m pretty sure not…) That’s 7 so far if my arithmetic is correct.Will there be an 8th? Tom Cruise is given the honor of handing out the Best Picture Oscar. Well, he did save his career with M:I4. Best Picture The Artist (The Weinstein Company) A La Petite Reine/Studio 37/La Classe Amricaine/JD Prod/France3 Cinma/Jouror Productions/uFilm Production, Thomas Langmann, Producer So the French schooled Hollywood by going back to the future with a black-and-white silent movie. The Weinstein Co took home 8 Oscars total. This last time Harvey wasn’t thanked, either. Thank god for small favors. UPDATE: I’m now toldLangmann did thank Harvey. “Its actually the first person he thanked,” someone named Frenchie tells me. “But the lousy sound might have swallowed that.” Hollywood thinks Weinstein instructed the winners not to kudo him out of fear that the film community will hate him more thanit already does. (“It’s Harvey’s world, and we must live in it,” movie mogul Tom Rothman was overhead saying from his seat inside the Kodak. How trafically true.) Goodbye, and I leave you with one last thought: What would Brett Ratner have done better/worse producing the Oscars show? At least there would have been porn.

Julie White Joins NBC Comedy Go On Among Latest Pilot Castings

EXCLUSIVE: After fielding several offers, Julie White (Transformers) has become the first actor cast in NBC’s comedy pilot Go On, written by Friends alum Scott Silveri, who is exec producing with Karey Burke and the pilot’s director Todd Holland. The single-camera project centers on an irreverent yet charming sportscaster who tries to move on from loss and finds solace among the members of his mandatory group therapy sessions. Tony-winner White will play Anne, a feisty and recently widowed woman stuck in the anger stage of grief. The actress, repped by Paradigm and Himber Entertainment, recently completed filming Steven Speilberg’s feature about Abraham Lincoln. Former Greek star Scott Michael Foster has been cast in ABC’s drama pilot Zero Hour. The ABC Studios project centers on a man who, after spending 20 years as the editor of a skeptics magazine, becomes involved in one the most compelling conspiracies in human history. Foster’s casting stems from his talent holding deal with ABC. He will play a member of the Modern Skeptic magazine staff. Writer-comedian Ed Weeks has landed a lead in Mindy Kaling’s Fox single-camera comedy pilot, in which she stars as a young Bridget Jones-type On/Gyn balancing personal and professional life, surrounded by quirky co-workers in a small office. Weeks will play a hot doctor who is a complete flirt and a ladies man. Izabela Vidovic has been cast as Nick (John Stamos) and Katie’s (Gillian Vigman) 10-year daughter in Fox’s comedy pilot Little Brother.

Warner Bros. Somehow Planning Another I Am Legend for Will Smith

At one point following the critical and commercial success of his 2007 post-apocalyptic blockbuster I Am Legend, director Francis Lawrence entertained the notion of coming back with star Will Smith for prequel, but eventually that possibility trailed off and Lawrence casted doubt onto his involvement with the potential project. But today Warner Bros. announced a deal with Akiva Goldsman and Overbrook Entertainment, who have tapped screenwriter Arash Amel to write a follow-up to the $584M hit. Whether or not it'll be a prequel or some sort of direct sequel is unknown, though it's reportedly being created for Smith. Let's speculate away: Just how WB can possibly pull off another installment? What makes the project a curious -- and, frankly, conspicuous -- one is the way in which Lawrence wrapped up I Am Legend, based on Richard Matheson's 1954 sci-fi novel. [Spoiler alert] Following a global pandemic that wiped out 90% of the world's population, scientist Robert Neville (Smith) had only just discovered a cure when, at the film's conclusion, he faced an onslaught of mutated vampire-people solo and seemingly met his own demise. Of course WB wants their star and his famously potent box office draw to headline another I Am Legend movie. A prequel would explain Smith's presence most easily, but Deadline suggests that won't be the case. So how might they bring Smith back otherwise? Retcon the last scene in the first film, using the alternate ending in which Neville makes grudging peace with the vampire thingies? Maybe the survivors colony has cloning capabilities? Hell, why not bring in a long-lost twin brother for Neville who became a brilliant virologist as well - I Am Also Legend? Whatever it turns out to be, at least it has a shot at being "one of the greatest movies ever made," amirite? Warner Bros Plans More I Am Legend With Will Smith [Deadline]

The Artist Rules The 2012 BAFTAs!

Seven awards for the silent filmThe French are coming!Michel Hazanavicius' The Artist ruled the 2012 BritishAcademyFilmAwards with seven prizes, including the big ones for Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay. Ladies and gentlemen, c'est incroyable.The French silent film also won Best Original Music, Best Cinematography and Best Costume Design in an impressive haul. While the BAFTAs are not traditionally a perfect predictor of the Oscars, what with Brit home-field advantage and a slightly different set of priorities, this will add to the film's momentum going into that final push. Trailing behind that achievement were four films with two awards each:Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Iron Lady, Hugo and Senna. The Descendants and Moneyball, not to mentionGeorge Clooney and Brad Pitt, went home empty-handed, as did the likes of War Horse and Shame.Tinker Tailor, on home turf, took Outstanding British Film and Best Adapted Screenplay, with screenwriter Peter Straughan wryly thanking The Artist for not being nominated in that category before delivering an emotional tribute to his late wife and co-screenwriter Bridget O'Connor.Best Actress went to MerylStreep for her turn in The Iron Lady, which also picked up a well-deserved Best Make-Up &Hair - because getting that helmet hair in place is no mean feat. Streep lost a shoe on the way onstage, prompting a Cinderella moment when presenter Colin Firth ran to retrieve it and replaced it for her.Elsewhere, Hugo beat Harry Potter to Best Production Design and also took Best Sound - but Potter got Best Visual Effects as some sort of compensation. Senna, meanwhile, took home Best Documentary and Best Editing. Our full BAFTAnight blog Photos of all the winners Photos from the red carpetThe full list of winners is below.BEST FILMThe ArtistTheDescendantsDriveThe HelpTinker Tailor Soldier SpyOUTSTANDING BRITISH FILMMy Week WithMarilynSennaShameTinker Tailor Soldier SpyWe Need To Talk About KevinOUTSTANDING DEBUT BY A BRITISH WRITER, DIRECTOR OR PRODUCERAttack The Block - Joe Cornish (Director/Writer)Black Pond - Will Sharpe (Director/Writer), Tom Kingsley (Director), Sarah Brocklehurst (Producer)Coriolanus - Ralph Fiennes (Director) Submarine - Richard Ayoade (Director/Writer) Tyrannosaur - Paddy Considine (Director), Diarmid Scrimshaw (Producer)FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE IncendiesPinaPoticheA SeparationThe Skin I Live InDOCUMENTARYGeorge Harrison:Living In The Material WorldProject NimSennaANIMATED FILMThe Adventures Of Tintin:The Secret Of The UnicornArthur ChristmasRangoDIRECTORMichel Hazanavicius - The ArtistNicolas Winding Refn - DriveMartin Scorsese - HugoTomas Alfredson - Tinker Tailor Soldier SpyLynne Ramsay - We Need To Talk About KevinORIGINAL SCREENPLAYMichel Hazanavicius - The ArtistAnnie Mumolo, Kristen Wiig - BridesmaidsJohn Michael McDonagh - The GuardAbi Morgan - The Iron LadyWoody Allen - Midnight In ParisADAPTED SCREENPLAYAlexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash - The DescendantsTate Taylor - The HelpGeorge Clooney, Grant Heslov, Beau Willimon - TheIdes Of MarchSteven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin - MoneyballBridget O'Connor, Peter Straughan - Tinker Tailor Soldier SpyLEADING ACTORBrad Pitt - MoneyballGary Oldman - Tinker Tailor Soldier SpyGeorge Clooney - The DescendantsJean Dujardin - The ArtistMichael Fassbender - ShameLEADING ACTRESSBerenice Bejo - The ArtistMeryl Streep - The Iron LadyMichelle Williams - My Week with MarilynTilda Swinton - We Need to Talk About KevinViola Davis - The HelpSUPPORTING ACTORChristopher Plummer - BeginnersJim Broadbent - The Iron LadyJonah Hill - MoneyballKenneth Branagh - My Week with MarilynPhilip Seymour Hoffman - The Ides of MarchSUPPORTING ACTRESSCarey Mulligan - DriveJessica Chastain - The HelpJudi Dench - My Week with MarilynMelissa McCarthy - Bridesmaids Octavia Spencer - The HelpORIGINAL MUSIC The Artist - Ludovic BourceThe Girl WithThe Dragon Tattoo - Trent Reznor, Atticus RossHugo - Howard ShoreTinker Tailor Soldier Spy - Alberto IglesiasWar Horse - John WilliamsCINEMATOGRAPHYThe Artist - Guillaume SchiffmanThe Girl WithThe Dragon Tattoo - Jeff CronenwethHugo - Robert RichardsonTinker Tailor Soldier Spy - Hoyte van HoytemaWar Horse - Janusz KaminskiEDITING The Artist - Anne-Sophie Bion, Michel HazanaviciusDrive - Mat NewmanHugo - Thelma SchoonmakerSenna - Gregers Sall, Chris KingTinker Tailor Soldier Spy - Dino JonsaterPRODUCTION DESIGNThe Artist - Laurence Bennett, Robert GouldHarry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2 - Stuart Craig, Stephenie McMillanHugo - Dante Ferretti, Francesca Lo SchiavoTinker Tailor Soldier Spy - Maria Djurkovic, Tatiana MacDonaldWar Horse - Rick Carter, Lee SandalesCOSTUME DESIGNThe Artist - Mark BridgesHugo - Sandy PowellJane Eyre - Michael O'ConnorMy Week WithMarilyn - Jill TaylorTinker Tailor Soldier Spy - Jacqueline DurranMAKE UP & HAIRThe Artist - Julie Hewett, Cydney CornellHarry Potter AndThe Deathly Hallows Part 2 - Amanda Knight, Lisa TomblinHugo - Morag Ross, Jan ArchibaldThe Iron Lady - Marese Langan, Mark Coulier, J. Roy HellandMy Week With Marilyn - Jenny ShircoreSOUNDThe Artist - Nadine Muse, Gérard Lamps, Michael KrikorianHarry Potter And The Deathly Hallows - Part 2 - James Mather, Stuart Wilson, Stuart Hilliker, Mike Dowson, Adam ScrivenerHugo - Philip Stockton, Eugene Gearty, Tom Fleischman, John MidgleyTinker Tailor Soldier Spy - John Casali, Howard Bargroff, Doug Cooper, Stephen Griffiths, Andy ShelleyWar Horse - Stuart Wilson, Gary Rydstrom, Andy Nelson, Tom Johnson, Richard HymnsSPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTSThe Adventures Of Tintin:The Secret OfThe Unicorn - Joe LetteriHarry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2 - Tim Burke, John Richardson, Greg Butler, David VickeryHugo - Rob Legato, Ben Grossman, Joss WilliamsRise Of The Planet Of The Apes - Joe Letteri, Dan Lemmon, R. Christopher WhiteWar Horse - Ben Morris, Neil CorbouldSHORT ANIMATION AbuelasBobby YeahA Morning StrollSHORT FILMChalkMwansa The GreatOnly Sound RemainsPitch Black HeistTwo And TwoTHE ORANGE WEDNESDAYS RISING STAR AWARD (voted for by the public) Adam DeaconChris HemsworthChris O'DowdEddie RedmayneTom Hiddleston{BAFTA 2012 Winners Gallery}

Russo, Sosenko are 'Too Cool'

Rocky Russo and Jeremy Sosenko are actually attracted onto pen the bigscreen adaptation of graphic novel "Too Awesome being Forgotten" from indies Red-colored-colored Crown Prods. and Likely Story. Pic might be the first one to leave Likely Story's first-look deal with Top Shelf Comix, whose graphic novel output includes "The League of Amazing Gentlemen" and "Blankets." Alex Robinson's "Too Awesome" concentrates on a man whose hypnosis session apparently transports him to his 15-year-old body in 1985. Adaptors Russo and Sosenko may also be among the authors of approaching sketch-comedy pic "Movie 43." Red-colored-colored Crown Prods.' Daniela Taplin Lundberg and Daniel Crown produce with Anthony Bregman of Likely Story. Stefanie Azpiazu and Riva Marker are onboard as professional producers. No helmer has yet been attached to the project. Likely Story recently bowed the Weinstein Co. pickup "Lay the favouriteInch within the Sundance Film Festival, where Red-colored-colored Crowd Prods. preemed "Goat's." Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com

Mantra for Oscar figures: Know thyself

'War Horse'Numerous figures fight identity crises in films nominated for 2011 Oscars, including throroughbred Joey in War Equine and Glenn Close as Albert Nobbs.Honours function as a time capsule, shining an easy on films that reflect the and concerns from the moment. The challengers for that 84th Oscars have a recurring lament one of the figures: "I'm not sure who I'm anymore.Inch That isn't a brand new question, however it appeared more pervasive than ever before this year -- that is understandable, because the economy and technology are spinning old rules every single day. Many obituaries of Jobs this year cited his 2005 Stanford commencement address as he stated, "Your time and effort is restricted so don't waste it living another person's existence." That concept appears to have been receiving your brain of numerous filmmakers. In "Albert Nobbs," Jesse McTeer informs Glenn Close, "Albert, it's not necessary to be not what you are.Inch But poor old Albert does not know precisely who he-she's to begin with. Even though Albert is residing in a self-made prison, thoroughbred Joey in "War Equine" has their own horsey identity crisis because he submits to humans' anticipation of him: plow equine, fight stallion, jumper or war equine. The protagonists in "Bridesmaids" and "Night time in Paris" are attempting in vain to satisfy others' anticipation. In "Rango," a chameleon survives by inventing a brand new persona. The Earl of Oxford and William Shakespeare both make believe you be somebody they are not in "Anonymous." In past Oscar films, Scarlett O'Hara, Don Corleone, Forrest Gump and Anton Chigurh faced challenges, but never appeared paralyzed by self-doubts. However in 2011, people had only uncertainty. Terrorism and disasters reminded everybody that the kind heart and good planning aren't any match for cruel fate. The current recession demonstrated that durability in a clients are no guarantee of employment, which bank financial loans offer no assurance that you'll own your house.So when the planet is not that which you were brought to think, it's natural to question whether you're really the individual you'd imagined. Even Margaret Thatcher in "Iron Lady," the personification of the stick-to-your-guns confidence, watches footage of herself on television and muses, "I do not recognize myself." A troubled George Clooney in "The Descendants" informs his comatose wife, "I am prepared to change." In "Youthful Adult," Charlize Theron confesses, "I have to change, Sandra." He is doing, she does not. His film got nominated, hers did not.Inside a variation from the theme, many figures labored tough to make certain nobody got too near to them or discovered their real selves: Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara) in "The Lady Using the Dragon Tattoo," Ben Kingsley in "Hugo," the majority of the MI6 agents in "Mess Tailor Soldier Spy," Ewan McGregor in "Beginners," Ryan Gosling in "Drive," and a minimum of two decades of folks in "The Tree of Existence."All of them appeared to become embodying the "Contagion" tagline: "Don't speak with anybody. Don't touch anybody," although the no-touch rules were as emotional because they were physical. (That's also the case with the leads in 2 notable 2011 films which were Oscar no-shows now: "J. Edgar" and "Shame.") Of all of the year's figures, Christopher Plummer in "Beginners" appears most more comfortable with the main turnabout in the existence, telling his boy, "I loved your mother however I wish to explore this side." Contact Timothy M. Grey at tim.grey@variety.com

U.K.'s Channel 5 buys 'Once Upon a Time'

LONDON -- U.K. terrestrial web Channel 5 has bought ABC Studios' fantasy skein "Once Upon a Time." Show, which Disney said had now been licensed to more than 190 territories, will bow in Blighty this spring. "Once Upon a Time" is scripted by "Lost" and "Tron: Legacy" writers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz. The series bowed on ABC in the U.S. last October and combines classic fairytales with contemporary settings. Cast includes Ginnifer Goodwin as Snow White/Mary Margaret and Robert Carlyle as Rumpelstiltskin/Mr Gold. Channel 5 has remained a big buyer of U.S. fare since the takeover by Richard Desmond's Northern and Shell company in the summer of 2010. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Headey heads to U's 'Vigilandia'

Headey"Bet on Thrones" star Lena Headey as arrived the feminine lead in Universal's "Vigilandia," starring Ethan Hawke. James DeMonaco will direct from the script he composed. Plot particulars from the sci-fi thriller are now being stored under systems. Jason Blum, Michael Bay, Kaira Larger and Andrew Form will produce through Blumhouse and Platinum Dunes together with Why Don't You Prods. Sebastien Lemercier professional produces. Universal lately came on producer from the pic, the very first film under its first-look cope with Blumhouse. While Platinum Dunes continues to be noted for making films in a cost, the pic reps its first foray into suprisingly low-allocated fare. Sources the budget could be much like those of FilmDistrict's "Insidious" or even the approaching "Sinister." Besides "Bet on Thrones," whose second season bows on April 1, Headey may also be seen next in "Dredd," starring Karl Urban. She's repped by CAA and TMT Entertainment Group. Hawke is repped by CAA. Contact Justin Kroll at justin.kroll@variety.com

Thesp trio 'Hell'-bound

RigglePosehnNanjiani Take advantage of Riggle, John Posehn and Kumail Nanjiani have became a member of the cast from the stop-motion animation laffer "Hell & Back" starring T.J. Burns and Nick Swardson.Tom Gianas and Ross Shuman will helm.Story involves two close friends who must save their buddy when he's accidentally pulled to hell. Riggle will have a 20-years old who's beginning to develop up, much towards the chagrin of his buddies Augie and Remy. Posehn will portray a maturing heavy-metal fan stuck within the 1980s and Nanjiani will have Sal the Demon, an worker of hell.Corey Campodonico, Eric Blyler and Alex Bulkley are creating through their ShadowMachine banner.Riggle is visible next in Universal's "Dr. Seuss' The Lorax" and Sony's "21 Jump Street." Posehn is visible next in Universal's "5-Year Engagement." Riggle is repped by CAA, Principato-Youthful Entertainment and attorney Warren Dern. Posehn is repped by Generate. Nanjiani is repped by ICM and Variety. Contact Justin Kroll at justin.kroll@variety.com

'Cabin inside the Woods' to start SXSW

South by Southwest has selected Lionsgate's "The Cabin inside the Forest" becasue it is opening evening film on March 9, marking the earth premiere for Joss Whedon's horror vehicle.Furthermore to premiering the film, Whedon will be a part of a panel within the SXSW Conference on March 10."Cabin the Forest," due to be released on Friday the thirteenth of April, is produced and co-put together by Whedon and marks the feature pointing debut of "Cloverfield" and "Lost" scribe Came Goddard in the tale of 5 teens beginning around the weekend of debauchery within an abandoned cabin inside the forest. The film stars Kristen Connolly, Fran Kranz, Anna Hutchison, Chris Hemsworth, Jesse Williams, Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford.SXSW, which runs in March 9-17 in Austin, also introduced Lena Dunham's return to the fest along with her Cinemax series "Women," which will premiere the very first three episodes freely the first time. Dunham, professional producer Judd Apatow together with others in the production team may even appear March 13 within the SXSW Film Conference to talk about "Women."Additional tests introduced Thursday include Kevin Macdonald's Bob Marley documentary "Marley" "Small Houses," a black comedy from music video director Jonas Akerlund the wrold premiere of Neil Berkeley's doc "Beauty is Embarrassing" about artist Wayne White-colored 1919 quiet film "The Oyster Princess" with original live score by Bee versus. Moth and "Citadel," the mental horror debut from author/director Ciaran Foy.The whole festival selection, now within the 19th year, will probably be introduced noisy . February. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com