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