'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.