Searchlight `Rule #1`: Get Reese Sony `Black`
Transcription
Searchlight `Rule #1`: Get Reese Sony `Black`
thre103009 10/29/09 7:35 PM Page 1 Friday, October 30, 2009 a Nielsen Business Media publication an edition of New ‘Max’ adds Hardy, not Gibson Searchlight ‘Rule #1’: Get Reese By Borys Kit OS ANGELES — Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy are in negotiations to star in “Fury Road,” this century’s installment of the “Mad Max” movie series from writer-director George Miller, who is producing with Doug Mitchell. Despite his long attachment to the Theron fourth movie, Mel Gibson will not reprise his iconic role of Max Rockatansky, the hardened ex-cop toiling in a dystopic future beset by gas Hardy shortages and marauding gangs. That job goes to Hardy, the continued on page 4 By Jay A. Fernandez L TV times two for busy Heald BASEBALL PHOTO: JIM MCISAAC/GETTY IMAGES By Nellie Andreeva OS ANGELES — Hot young feature comedy writer Josh Heald, who has two films opening next year, is dabbling in television. The scribe is teaming with Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun and Peter Chernin and Katherine Pope for half-hour projects at NBC and Fox, respectively. continued on page 5 L OS ANGELES — Terrel Seltzer has sold her original screenplay “Rule #1” to Fox Searchlight, with Reese Witherspoon attached to star and produce. Brad Epstein (“About a Boy”) is producing the project, about a Witherspoon New York woman who befriends a Puerto Rican girl with attention deficit disorder. Seltzer, repped by Paradigm and Manage-Ment, Seltzer wrote the Fox comedy “How I Got Into Colcontinued on page 4 L LEADOFF HOME RUN Wednesday’s World Series opener was the most-watched and highest-rated Game 1 in five years, easily winning the night for Fox. The Phillies-Yankees matchup was seen by 19.5 million viewers. >3 Sony ‘Black’-jacked Studio ramps up third installment of ‘MIB’ nenfeld — who helmed the first two “MIB” films — is attached, though there is not yet a formal deal or offer. OS ANGELES — Sony The studio could begin filming is moving forward as early as spring. on “Men in Black 3,” The X-factor, however, the third pic in its remains Will Smith. The sci-comedy franchise. A-lister, who starred with “Tropic Thunder” writer Etan Tommy Lee Jones Cohen is penin the first two ning the SHADY installments, script, and CHARACTERS: has not comBarry Tommy Lee Jones and Soncontinued on Will Smith page 5 By Steven Zeitchik and Borys Kit L It’s hammer time for Hopkins in ‘Thor’ By Borys Kit OS ANGELES — Anthony Hopkins is in negotiations to play the Norse god Odin in “Thor,” Marvel Studios’ adaptation of its comic book hero. The film is being directed by Kenneth Branagh. The movie’s story centers on continued on page 5 L thre103009 10/29/09 7:35 PM Page 2 INSIDE TRACK ‘Airplane’ lands at Discovery Channel By James Hibberd L OS ANGELES — Discovery Channel has picked up a series about an airplane repo man and is renewing the adventure-doc series “Swords” Discovery’s series “Swords: Life on the Line” returns for more action in Season 2. for a second season. “Airplane Repo” comes from “Dirty Jobs” executive producer Craig Piligian. In each episode, repossessor Nick Popovich and his team travel around the world to acquire jets and helicopters from delinquent owners. Each episode shows the planning process as the team figures out the best approach for snatching the plane, then follows them as they execute the plan. “There’s a lot of action, it has an element of danger and a lot of suspense, and there’s always a ticking clock,” Piligian said. “The show goes all over the world — Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Finland — anywhere there’s a plane, whether an airline that goes bankrupt or some rich guy who hasn’t made his payments.” continued on page 5 TNT’s ‘Rizzoli’pilot sets a police lineup For exclusive news, blogs and special reports, go to THR.com/extra By Nellie Andreeva y’Tis the season The latest economic data Thursday suggested that the U.S. recession is over, news that comes just ahead of key quarterly earnings reports for big media and entertainment companies that begin today with Sony and kick into high gear next week with Viacom, Time Warner, News Corp. and CBS. Comedy boots up sketch show for Gay Robot guy By James Hibberd LOS ANGELES — Comedy Central regular Nick Swardson has received his own sketchcomedy series. The weekly half-hour show will begin production next month and premiere next year. “We love Nick at Comedy Central, and, even more importantly, our audience loves Nick,” Comedy Central programming president Lauren Corrao said.“We’ve seen it in his movies, his stand-up … and in the work he’s done develSwardson oping Gay Robot. We can’t wait to expand his creative voice into a sketch series.” The series will include shorts, man-on-the-street segments and animation inspired by Swardson’s online character, Gay Robot. “I’m very excited to be working with Comedy Central,” Swardson said.“They are great people who understand me creatively. They also are very good-looking.” Executive producers include Swardson, Tom Gianas, Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison Prods. and Sony Pictures TV. ∂ LOS ANGELES — Sasha Alexander has been tapped to star opposite Angie Harmon in TNT’s pilot “Rizzoli.” Bruce McGill, Jordan Bridges and Lee Thompson Young are set to co-star in the drama based on Tess Gerritsen’s popular Jane Rizzoli mystery novels. Written by Janet Tamaro,“Rizzoli” revolves around the crime-solving team of Boston police Alexander detective Rizzoli (Harmon) and medical examiner Maura Isles (Alexander). McGill will play gruff but lovable Detective Vince Korsak, Jane’s for- Bridges mer partner who is hurt that she takes likable but green Barry Frost (Young) as her new partner. Bridges will play Franke Rizzoli Jr., Jane’s younger McGill brother, a Boston patrol officer who hopes to make detective. “NCIS” alumna Alexander appeared on TNT’s “Dark Blue.” McGill is repped by Stone Manners.Bridges is repped by Fortitude. Young has recurred on ABC’s “FlashForward.” ∂ CUT DOWN The BBC plans to slash more than 100 of its senior-management positions during the next 1 3 ⁄2 years. The U.K. broadcasting giant said 18% of the 640plus senior and executive director posts will go, and anyone hired in can expect a smaller salary than those offered in the commercial sector. 10.30.09 PEAK AT ‘SEEKER’ Disney-ABC Domestic Television has partnered with iTunes to promote the Season 2 premiere of its syndicated series “Legend of the Seeker.” Starting today, 1 million moviegoers will be presented with one of three collectible 3D “Seeker” cards when they purchase a ticket son 2 premiere episode for free on the iTunes Store before its Nov. 7 debut. at one of 1,300 participating movie theaters nationwide through Nov. 6. Those who receive the card will be able to download “Seeker’s” Sea- ON THE RISE Telemundo has upped Adriana Ibanez to executive vp programming. She will continue to lead programming strategy, scheduling and film acquisitions. OH, MILEY Miley Cyrus has been voted the worst celebrity influence of the year by the same people who made her a star, tweens and teens. Cyrus took 42% of votes in the poll for AOL’s JSYK.com (Just So You Know) Web site, pushing Britney Spears and rapper Kanye West into second and third places, respectively. THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER 2 STOCK MARKEY PHOTO: MARIO TAMA/GETTY IMAGES CLIPS thre103009 10/29/09 7:35 PM Page 3 CLIPS DOBBS SEEKS SHOOTER Police in New Jersey are trying to determine who fired a bullet that struck CNN commentator Lou Dobbs’ home in Wantage, N.J., as his wife stood nearby. State police Sgt. Stephen Jones said Dobbs’ wife and driver were outside the home Oct. 5 when they heard the gunshot. On Dobbs’ radio show, he connected the gunshot to his advocacy for a crackdown on illegal immigration and to his opponents’ rhetoric. SUNDAY, BIG SUNDAY YouTube’s live webcast of a U2 concert Sunday in Pasadena was watched by nearly 10 million people, the video site’s largest streaming event to 1 date. The full 2 ⁄2-hour concert is available on YouTube; the rebroadcast video has been watched by more than 1.1 million viewers. COOKIE FOR HIM Former Mattel executive Jim McGowan has joined Canadian animation producer Cookie Jar Entertainment as senior vp digital content and distribution. He most recently operated his own consultancy to negotiate licensing and distribution agreements and identify acquisitions for Entertainment Rights, Fox, Starz Media INSIDE TRACK ‘Dad’ gets clearance for Season 6 By Nellie Andreeva LOS ANGELES — “American Dad” has been renewed for a sixth season. Facing a deadline on options for the Fox animated show’s writers, the network Thursday went ahead with an order for another season. Because of long production cycles for animated series, renewals are needed ahead of time to prevent interruptions. Producing studio 20th Century Fox TV already has “Dad” co-creators/executive producers and showrunners Mike Barker and Matt Weitzman locked in for another season as part of their overall deal with the studio. Co-creator/ executive producer/star Seth MacFarlane also is on board under his expansive pact with the studio. The renewal means that all three series from MacFarlane — “Dad,” “Family Guy” and “The Cleveland Show” — have pickups through next season. “Dad,” which centers on security-obsessed CIA agent and devoted family man Stan Smith (voiced by MacFarlane), airs at 9:30 p.m. Sundays. Wendy Schaal, Rachael MacFarlane and Dee Bradley Baker round out the voice cast of the series, which is executive produced by Seth MacFarlane, Barker, Weitzman, Rick Wiener and Kenny Schwartz. ∂ and other clients. TELECINCO TUMBLE Aggressive cost-cutting measures helped Spanish broadcaster Telecinco on Thursday post a €62.2 million ($92.3 million) profit for the year’s first nine months, still a 73% drop compared with the same period a year ago. TELEVISION High school of ‘Fish’ For openers,Series Dis Channel’s first toon in 3 years bubbles up By Nellie Andreeva daily lives as they deal with friendships, dating and sports as well as such atypical teen issues as giant lobster attacks and field trips to the hamster cages. “The ‘Fish Hooks’ team has created one of the most original, inventive animated series on tel- By James Hibberd OS ANGELES — Disney Channel has greenlighted “Fish Hooks,” its first animated series in three years. The cable channel has ordered 21 episodes of the high school comedy, which mixes 2D digital animation and photo collage. “Fish” revolves around party guy Milo (voiced by Kyle Massey); his neurotic brother, Oscar (Justin Roiland); and an overly dramatic “Fish Hooks” will be a mix of 2D animation and photo collage. goldfish, Bea evision, bringing an ingenious (Chelsea Staub). They attend twist to the classic archetypes of Freshwater High, a school subhigh school life,” said Gary merged in a giant fish tank at the Marsh, president entertainment center of a local pet store. The series chronicles their continued on page 4 L Stonestreet detours to ICM By Nellie Andreeva LOS ANGELES — “Modern Family’s” Eric Stonestreet, one of the breakout stars of the fall broadcast season, has signed with ICM. On ABC’s freshman comedy, Stonestreet plays Cameron, the flamboyant half of a gay couple who navigate being new parents while interacting with their dysfunctional, atypical family. 10.30.09 hits it deep for Fox “Family” launched as the best-reviewed and highest-rated new comedy series this fall and has been picked up for a full season. Stonestreet Stonestreet, who recurred on CBS’ “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” is managed by Thruline Entertainment. ∂ LOS ANGELES — Wednesday’s World Series opener was the most-watched and highest-rated Game 1 in five years, easily winning the night for Fox. The New York YankeesPhiladelphia Phillies matchup was seen by 19.5 million viewers and drew a 6.3 rating in the adults 18-49 demographic. That’s a 34% larger audience and 31% higher rating than last year and the largest Game 1 numbers since Cardinals-Red Sox in 2004. The promising start should help solidify Fox’s ranking as the toprated network for the season, a position the broadcaster hopes to maintain until “American Idol” returns in January. Closest competitor ABC seemed to flourish with male-skewing sports taking over Fox — or perhaps credit should go to its repeat of “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” (6.3 million viewers, 2.0 rating in adults 18-49), which boosted the starter slot normally occupied by struggling freshman comedy “Hank.” Either way, ABC’s entire lineup climbed this week.“The Middle” (6.5 million, 2.2) rose 10%,“Modern Family” (9.3 million, 3.7) climbed 9% to rank as the night’s highest-rated entertainment program, and “Cougar Town” (7.5 million, 3.2) was up 3%.“Eastwick” (5 million, 1.8) rose 13%. CBS and NBC tied for third. On the CW,“America’s Next Top Model” (3.5 million, 1.6) hit a season high. ∂ THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER 3 thre103009 10/29/09 7:35 PM Page 4 FROM THE FRONT ‘Boy’bow closes London By Stuart Kemp ONDON — The world premiere of Sam Taylor-Wood’s “Nowhere Boy” brought the curtain down Thursday evening on this year’s Times BFI London Film Festival after two weeks of red-carpet arrivals, filmmaker chats, industry events and a newlook stand-alone awards ceremony. Aaron Johnson, David Morrissey, Anne-Marie Duff and Kristin Scott Thomas attended the evening shindig alongside Taylor-Wood. Festival organizers reported an uptick in audience attendance, with 124,000 filmgoers sending turnstiles spinning this year, compared with 115,000 last year. Organizers said the event played 193 features, up two from 191 last year, with the same number of world premieres this year as last: 15. The event, which began Oct. 14 with Wes Anderson’s “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” also put on 515 screenings, an increase from 398 last year, and hosted 553 filmmakers. The past 15 days have seen flashbulbs popping for faces familiar on both sides of the Atlantic, including Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman, George Clooney, Julianne Moore, Amanda Seyfried, Viggo Mortensen, Carey Mulligan, Dominic Cooper, Emma Thompson, Clive Owen, Ben Whishaw, Colin Firth and Matthew Goode. L Theron is female lead in ‘Fury’ continued from page 1 U.K.-born actor who stole scenes as Handsome Bob in Guy Ritchie’s “RocknRolla.” That role has been a launch pad for Hardy, who booked a gig in Christopher Nolan’s “Inception” in its wake. He also starred in “Bronson.” Theron is playing the female lead. While story details are under wraps, “Fury” will be take place a short while after the story detailed in 1985’s “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome,” which keeps Mad Max relatively young. A summer shoot in Australia is planned. The movie will be an Australian production that Warner Bros. will distribute. “Fury” has been in the works for more than a decade. When the project finally began ramping up in the spring and summer, Miller began testing actors who could step into Gibson’s former the shoes. Courtenay Valenti is overseeing for the studio. Theron, repped by WME and One Talent Management, appears next in this fall’s “The Road.” Hardy is repped by CAA. ∂ Innovative twist for a sudden star By Jay A. Fernandez LOS ANGELES — The effects of “Paranormal Activity” continue to ripple outward. Micah Sloat, who plays the video-savvy male half of the movie’s tormented couple, has signed with Innovative Artists for representation. His co-star, Katie Featherston, recently signed with APA. Sloat also is managed by Elevate Entertainment. Moving into Halloween weekend,“Paranormal” has collected a Sloat demonic $66.6 million at the domestic boxoffice before its international rollout. Media attention for the previously unknown actors has been nonstop. “It’s been intense,” Sloat said. “It’s incredible seeing how the whole machine works.” Sloat, whose first name is pronounced “MEE-ka,” is from Westport, Conn., and graduated from Skidmore College. He moved to Los Angeles in 2005 and was studying acting and attending Musicians Institute in Hollywood (he plays rock and blues guitar) when audition advertisements for “Paranormal” grabbed him in spring 2006. “The casting notice for this film was really exceptional; it was really unique,” Sloat said. The notice asked for unknowns with no headshots who could improvise and work all night without knowing what was going to happen. “It was the kind of thing no SAG franchise agent would put their client up for,” he added with a laugh. Well, they might now. As the horror film has bulldozed the boxoffice, Sloat and Featherston have appeared on NBC’s “Today,” done hours of radio interviews and filmed a sketch for NBC’s “The Jay Leno Show.” “It’s hard to get my mind around what’s going on,” Sloat said.“I’m just kind of rolling with it. To go from basically being lucky if I get an audition to doing all the stuff that I’m doing now, and being able to get in the room and meeting casting directors and all the people in town. “I really have no words for what’s been going on,” he added. “Hopefully, once I digest everything, I’ll reflect and get some perspective. But right now, I just feel like I’m in ‘The Twilight Zone’ or something.” Sloat is keeping his options open and riding the surprise success of “Paranormal” with as much optimism as possible. “I don’t have any preconceptions about what kind of projects I want to do next or who I want to be in the industry,” he said.“I really feel like I can do anything and be anything at this point. What I keep hearing from all the industry people that I’m hanging out with is, ‘What’s going on now does not happen.’ And I’m like: ‘Really? It’s happening to me!’“ ∂ Witherspoon plays by Searchlight ‘Rule’ Disney Channel reels in ‘Fish’series continued from page 1 lege” and co-wrote the George Clooney-Michelle Pfeiffer romantic comedy “One Fine Day.” Witherspoon, repped by CAA and Management 360, most recently starred in “Four Christmases” and lent her voice to DreamWorks Animation’s “Monsters vs. Aliens,” which has grossed $374 million worldwide. 10.30.09 She will next appear in the untitled James L. Brooks feature hitting theaters in December 2010. Through her Type A Films, Witherspoon has produced “Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde,” “Penelope” and “Four Christmases.” She is also developing “Around the World in 80 Dates” and “Bell Witch” at Universal. ∂ continued from page 3 at Disney Channels Worldwide. “Where else but in the world of a high school fish tank would you find characters named Piranica, Clamantha or Jocktopus?” “Fish,” produced by Disney TV Animation for Disney Channels Worldwide, is slated to bow in fall 2010. It will mark the channel’s first series debut since the 2007 premiere of “Phineas and Ferb.” It was created and is co-executive produced by children’s book illustrator Noah Z. Jones, developed for television by Alex Hirsch and Bill Reiss and executive produced by Adam Burton. Carl Greenblatt and Reiss direct. ∂ THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER 4 thre103009 10/29/09 7:35 PM Page 5 FROM THE FRONT Franchise back in ‘Black’ continued from page 1 mitted to the film. But the buzz in development circles in recent days has been that he is interested in returning. Smith does not have a go movie lined up. Jones’ involvement is uncertain. Sony announced in April that it would bring back the tale of covert, pseudonymous agents who stalk the planet fighting disguised aliens, zapping creatures and memories as they go. “MIB” is one of the most successful comedy franchises of all time. The two pics — which came out in 1997 and 2002, respectively — combined to earn nearly $1.1 billion worldwide. The $250 million domestic haul of the first film reps the second-highest total of Smith’s career, behind “I Am Legend.” The addition of Cohen, who is said to be deep into his draft, signifies the studio’s intent to continue the franchise’s top-tier status. The CAA-repped writer is a hot commodity, penning the sequel to “Madagascar” and the Will Ferrell-toplined Sherlock Holmes project at Sony in addition to “Thunder.” Ed Solomon wrote the script for Cohen the first “Men in Black,” and Robert Gordon and Barry Fanaro penned the second film. The WMErepped Sonnenfeld has been concentrating heavily on Sonnenfeld TV of late, inking a deal with ABC and ABC studios, and exec producing dark comedy “Pushing Daisies.” His most recent feature was 2006’s “RV.” ∂ Hopkins is Thor’s father figure continued from page 1 Thor, the god of thunder, a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. As punishment, he is cast down to Earth and forced to live Hopkins among humans. Once here, Thor learns what it takes to be a hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends forces of Asgard to invade. Odin is Thor’s father and ruler of Asgard. Chris Hemsworth is playing Thor; the cast includes Tom Hiddleston and Natalie Portman, among others. Thor will be Hopkins’ first gig since signing with UTA a month ago. He next appears in “The Wolfman,” and he also appears in Woody Allen’s “You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger.” Hopkins also is repped by attorney Mitch Smelkinson. ∂ Discovery: one pickup,one green light continued from page 2 “Swords: Life on the Line” is from “Deadliest Catch” producer Thom Beers and BermanBraun and has averaged 1.4 million viewers per episode and consistently ranked No. 1 among men 25-54 during its eight-week run. The series follows New England long-line fisherman and has provided a strong companion series to the crab-fishing hit franchise “Deadliest Catch.” 10.30.09 “It’s perilous work and very dramatic, and Original always does a great job,” Discovery president and GM John Ford said. “The show captures the grit, guts and humor it takes for these men and women to conquer the high seas and high stakes of sword fishing.” “Airplane Repo” will debut in the first quarter; “Swords” will return later next year. ∂ Film-music event scores big laughs By Kevin Cassidy LOS ANGELES — The mood was light and the laughs plentiful as more than 500 attendees gathered Thursday at the Beverly Hilton to discuss the intersection of music and media on Day 1 of the eighth edition of The Hollywood Reporter-Billboard Film and TV Music Conference. Composers, publishers, executives and music supervisors participated in a range of panels including a lively conversation with Alexandre Desplat and Chris Weitz, the composer and director, respectively, behind “New Moon,” the second installment in the “Twilight” series. The BMI-sponsored panel examined Desplat’s and Weitz’s working methods, often generating laughs thanks to the obvious rapport between the two — including a moment when Weitz lamented not knowing what a major chord is, while Desplat shook his head in mock disbelief. Moderator Ringer Ross, vp film-TV at BMI, said that given the challenges facing the music industry, the film-music community needs the THR-Billboard conference now more than ever before. “The music business relies on film and TV more these days because traditional forums have trailed off,” she said. “The conference provides an opportunity to understand how the industry really works.” Later, an ASCAP-sponsored conversation with Sacha Baron Cohen and his composer brother Erran generated uproarious laughter on several occasions, including a recollection of Sacha’s character Bruno recording a song for charity with the likes of Bono, Elton John, Sting and Snoop Dogg. “Getting Bono is the key,” S. Baron Cohen Sacha Baron Cohen said. “Once you get him, everything else falls into place.” The day ended with a Weitz meet-and-greet with music supervisors and the workshop “Learn the Biz,” where attendees discussed issues facing the industry with composers, executives and music programmers. Today’s conference agenda includes a discussion on how Fox’s hit series “Glee” uses licensed music and a keynote panel with Mary J. Blige about her contribution to the soundtrack of Lionsgate’s “Precious.” Heald turns his pen on TV comedies continued from page 1 NBC’s “Sausagefest” is a multicamera comedy starring “Saturday Night Live” alum Norm Macdonald. Produced by Universal Media Studios and BermanBraun, it revolves around two twentysomething best friends who have their lives complicated by their clingy dads, one a thrice-divorced misogynist (Macdonald) and the other a gentle widower. Fox’s “Sequestered,” from 20th Century Fox TV and studio-based Chernin Entertainment, which is run by Pope, is a multicamera comedy about a sequestered jury on a seemingly never-ending trial. On the feature side, Paradigmrepped Heald penned MGM’s “Hot Tub Time Machine,” starring John Cusack, which is set to open March 19, and Screen Gems’ “Max’s Mardi Heald Gras,” starring Josh Gad and Bret Harrison, eyed for a summer release. ∂ THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER 5