State Street, 26 Films set comedy

State Street Pictures and 26 Films have teamed to option the life rights of Molly Knight and Anna Katherine Clemmons to develop as a romantic comedy. In October 2009, the two NY residents, fed up with the Gotham dating scene, packed their bags and went on a 24-state dating road trip, including stops in Nashville, Aspen, and Los Angeles, determined to find Mr. Right -- or at the very least, explore dating prospects beyond the Big Apple. George Tillman, Bob Teitel ("Barbershop") and Mike Flavin will produce for State Street Pictures, while Nathalie Marciano ("The Wedding Date") and Elena Brooks will produce for 26 Films. State Street recently produced CBS Films' "Faster" and Fox Searchlight's "Notorious," both directed by Tillman. Company is in post-production on Barry Battles' Southern-set comedy "The Baytown Disco." 26 Films is currently developing Baltasar Kormakur's Viking epic "Vikingr" with Working Title, as well as Meg Ryan's directorial debut, "Little Black Train." Contact Jeff Sneider at jeff.sneider@variety.com

TV Ratings: CBS Repeats Top Sleepy Monday, Dr. Seuss Bests 'Terra Nova'

LONDON - A third of the independent shareholders in BSkyB failed to support James Murdoch's re-election as chairman at the pay TV giant's AGM Tuesday.our editor recommendsAnother Investor Refuses to Support James Murdoch's Re-Election at BSkyBJames Murdoch Steps Back From Senior U.K. Newspaper PositionsJames Murdoch Should Resign From BSkyB Chairman Post, Big Investor SaysRelated Topics•Rupert Murdoch Almost a quarter (23.9 percent) of non-News Corp.-controlled BSkyB shareholders voted against James Murdoch's re-election as non-executive chairman of BSkyB and a further 9.8 percent actively withheld their support Tuesday. PHOTOS: News of the World's Top 10 Scandals The size of the protest vote was more than 10 times the vote against James Murdoch's re-election tally at the same time last year. But the News Corp. deputy COO has nonetheless been has re-electedchairman - buoyed in part by News Corp.'s37 percent voting stake which supported him. Preliminary figures announced James Murdoch received an 81.24 percent share of the votes cast - with 18.76 percent voting against. Murdoch side-stepped a number of shareholder questions on his suitability to remain chairman at the meeting in Westminster in the wake of the ongoing phone-scandal, referring all questions about the board's continued support for him to Nicholas Ferguson, the satcaster's senior non-executive director. PHOTOS: Hollywood's Memorable Mea Culpas Ferguson was asked by Chris BryantMP whether Murdoch was a suitable chairman of BSkyB, given his stewardship of News International - which Bryant said had been found to be responsible for "massive systemic criminality," which had "corrupted the police" and which "managed a complex cover-up process." Ferguson replied that the board would "continue to review" the developments from emerging from the multiple ongoing investigations into the events that unravelled at the News of the World. But he gave the chairman a ringing endorsement. "We have worked with James for eight years as a board and have found him highly competent and he has always acted with the highest integrity. As for honesty ... We believe he is telling the truth. If you don't, that is your opinion." Related Topics International BSkyB James Murdoch Phone Hacking Scandal

Carey Mulligan on 'Shame' Casting: Offered Role Because 'I Was Obtaining a Tattoo'

Carey Mulligan has proven herself being an actress. Additionally to her Oscar nomination for that 2009 film, 'An Education,' she's made an appearance in a number of significantly acclaimed movies, including 'Drive' and 'Never Allow Me To Go.' However, if this found who audition for that role of Sissy within the approaching drama, 'Shame,' she required a couple of drastic measures to be able to get cast by director Steve McQueen. After talking with McQueen about her feelings toward the role, and just how it in comparison towards the character of Nina she performed within the stage production, 'The Seagull,' Mulligan went one step further. I told [Steve] that I'd been considering getting this seagull tattoo on my small wrist like a indication, due to there being this brilliant factor Nina does: She's were built with a child with this particular author and she's lost the infant and she's resided in abject poverty she's fraught but she's got this clearness, and she or he states, 'I know since it isn't about fame or glory or everything I did previously dream of. It's a chance to endure, to deal with your mix and the belief. I actually do have belief, so when I consider my vocation, I am not scared of existence.' ... After I told him about this little passage, he got excited and was like, ­'Yeeeah!' and I am like, 'I'll obtain a tattoo!' and he's like, 'Great!' I acquired a phone call a few hrs later he was offering me the task and i believe it had been only because I told him I had been obtaining a tattoo. [Laughs] I acquired the tattoo the next morning. The lesson here: Don't underestimate the drastic measures some stars goes to obtain a role they need. Mulligan also spoke to NY Magazine concerning the time her and 'Drive' director Nicolas Winding Refn almost got arrested. While driving Refn towards the set, the actress was stopped -- after consuming a lot of Red-colored Bull the very first time ever. Based on Mulligan, she told the officer "I am not drunk I simply had 17 Red-colored Bulls!" Fortunately, the cop allow them to go. Read the whole Carey Mulligan interview over on NY's website. 'Shame' opens this Frida. [via NY Magazine] [Photo: AXELLE/BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

WGAW & AFTRA Respond To AMC & OLTL Not Ongoing Online: Dont Blame Us

One Existence To Reside And All Sorts Of The Kids Wont Continue Online The WGAW and AFTRA just released claims in reaction to Prospect Park’s decision today to not proceed using its intends to still produce canceled ABC soaps One Existence To Reside and all sorts of The Kids for online distribution. In the statement, Prospect Park mentioned that “while we simplified in on the financial infrastructure, the contractual demands from the guilds, which regulate our industry, combined using the programs natural economic challenges ultimately brought for this final decision.” The WGA, which signifies cleaning soap authors, and AFTRA, which signifies stars, each released an argument declaring their discussions with Prospect Park weren't the main reason within the 2 soaps’ demise. Listed here are the claims: We were disappointed to understand that Prospect Parks financing fell through. Just before the finish of a week ago, i was near to a good deal for that authors. “AFTRA was deeply disappointed to see the professionals at Prospect Park have made the decision to suspend their efforts to create the lengthy-running and popular daytime serials, One Existence to reside and all sorts of The Kids, via online distribution. Despite initial progress within our discussions with Prospect Park toward solving a reasonable agreement to pay for the entertainers showing up on these programs, i was perplexed and disappointed that within the last month Prospect Park hasn't taken care of immediately our repeated queries to resume individuals discussions. We currently conclude in the press reviews that Prospect Park faced other challenges unrelated to the discussions, which avoided continuation of individuals discussions. We remain hopeful that the chance to bring back these two popular series will emerge later on, and remain prepared to resume discussions should that chance arise.”

'Artist,' 'Tomboy,' 'War' chase Louis-Delluc

PARIS -- Michel Hazanavicius' "The Artist," Celine Sciamma's "Tomboy" and Valerie Donzelli's "Promise of War" are some of the nine photos set to compete for that Louis-Delluc award. Headed by Cannes Film Festival's prexy Gilles Jacob, the jury comprises about 20 experts and film journos. Out of the box frequently the situation, the selection features many films that bowed at Cannes within the Official Selection, particularly "The Artist," Aki Kaurismaki's "Le Havre," Bertrand Bonello's "House of Tolerance," Pierre Schoeller's "The Minister," Bruno Dumont's "Outdoors Satan" and Alain Cavalier's "Pater." "War" performed in Directors' Week. However, Maiwenn's "Polisse," which nabbed Cannes' jury prize, remarkably did not allow it to be to the list. Teddy Lussi-Modeste's "Jimmy Riviere" and "17 Women," helmed by Muriel Coulin and Delphine Coulin, will vie for that first film jerk, together with three other photos. The award was produced in 1937 in homage to film journalist Louis Delluc. Those who win is going to be introduced in a ceremony in Paris on 12 ,. 16. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

NBC Buys Jim Henson Cos Hybrid Human-Puppet Family Comedy

Around the eve from the new Muppets movie opening on Wednesday, the Jim Henson Co. provides another hybrid human-puppet project, this time around on primetime TV. NBC has closed a script deal for that New Nabors, a comedy in regards to a human family and also the consequences they encounter living across the street from a household of puppets. NBC, obviously, had success within the human-puppet family sitcom arena with Alf within the late eighties. Feature author John Hoffman (Fox 2000′s Afterlife) and 30 Rock executive producer John Riggi will write the script for that New Nabors, that they developed with Lisa Henson and also the Jim Henson Co. (I hear the spelling from the show’s title is definitely an homage to actor-singer Jim Nabors.) Lisa Henson, Hoffman and Riggi are executive creating, with longtime Henson producer Alex Rockwell also attached. CAA-repped Hoffman and UTA-repped Riggi are handled by Anonymous. Puppets happen to be from the major broadcast systems for some time, with Fox’s underrated single-camera comedy Greg The Bunny as the newest example.

'Expendables 2' Poster: Stallone, Schwarzenegger And Willis Team Up

The first poster for "The Expendables 2" looks like the result of a Photoshop contest called, "Make a one-sheet for the most ridiculous action movie of all time." Posed with the challenge of fitting all of Hollywood's past and future action movie kings into a single image, the "Expendables 2" poster, which debuted over at JoBlo, opts for the efficient "just stack 'em all on top of each other" method, with Stallone, Schwarzenegger, Willis, Statham, Norris, Van Damme, Lundgren, and Crews all making the cut. And that's not even the entire cast. The action all-star game has been filming in Bulgaria for the past few months and making headlines along the way. A few weeks ago, tragedy struck when a stuntman was killed on set and another was injured. Just this past week, the government fined the production for damage to an endangered bat habitat. "The Expendables 2" opens in theaters August 17, 2012. What do you think of the "Expendables 2" poster? Let us know in the comments below and on Twitter!

Ice Cube Planning Another Friday

And Chris Tucker may be backIt's been almost 10 years because the last instalment, but Ice Cube and New Line are apparently keen to bring back the slacker Friday franchise.The very first Friday would be a stoner comedy launched in 1995. It's nominal plot involved Chris Tucker's want to get $200 to local drug dealer Large Earthworm (Faizon Love) and Cube's face-served by bully Deebo (Small Lister), nevertheless its easygoing pace permitted for lots of hanging out on verandas, speaking nonsense and smoking.5 years later, Next Friday would be a larger tale of Cube remaining together with his cousin Day-Day (Mike Epps) and becoming involved in certain shenanigans from the trio of haplessly inept Latino gangstas nearby (it was in the height of Cube's rather public spat with Cypress Hill, context fans). The Cube/Epps double-act ongoing into Friday After Next, which saw them as mall cops. There is additionally a short-resided animated series, although no movie series cast provided the voices.The very first film was directed by F Gary Grey, the 2nd by Steve Carr, and also the third by Marcus Raboy, however the presently untitled 4th could see Cube themself walking behind your camera, in addition to starring and writing as he's always done. The larger news however, would be that the new film could see the return of Tucker's Smokey, who has not been seen because the original. Deebo's inside it too.Deadline and TMZ both explain that Tucker sitting the other Friday sequels for religious and anti-drugs reasons (younger crowd states he wouldn't now do Jackie Brown), however the "serious talks" which are apparently going ahead claim that Tucker's bookings may be addressed and covered within the next script. There is surely comedy potential inside a Smokey who no more smokes: it's Friday, he ain't got no job, and that he ain't got shit to complete... but he can't get high either...We'll roll with more news whenever we get it.

Occupy Wall Street Protesters Informed of Police Descent By Unlikely Celebrity

Questlove Questlove, drummer of the house band on Late Evening with Jimmy Fallon, informed Occupy Wall Street protesters in the impending police eviction via Twitter."Omg, drivin lower south st near #ows. Somethin bout to go to lower years of age, swear I counted 1000 riot gear cops bout to tug sneak attack #carefulyall," he tweeted at 11:30 Monday evening.See the relaxation of current day newsThe drummer - also in the Grammy-winning band, The Roots - can be a Twitter celebrity within the own right, with 1.76 million fans. His ominous tweet was retweeted greater than 100 occasions, drawing the eye of protestors, lots of whom doubted his message.Jimmy Fallon spoofs Bieber paternity suit with '(It Is not My) Baby'At 12:39 a.m. he reiterated, "ok once again. South St in New you are able to city. blocks from #OWS. saw a GANG (like no less than 500+ specific up) browsing line gettin ready for somethin."Since it switched out, police moved in on Zuccotti Park approximately one hour and 20 minutes after his initial tweet was sent.

'Immortals' rules at weekend B.O.

'Immortals'Relativity Media's "Immortals" shipped a far greater-than-expected thought debut perf at $32 million from three,112 domestic locations, which lands the film around the greater rung toward profitability, though you will discover still additional circumstances at play.B.O. experts had predicted the vfx-driven 3d epic to produce around $25 million through Sunday, which Relativity mentioned is a solid start to recuperating its $75 million investment after tax savings. The studio has reduced that risk further by about two-thirds, due to foreign pre-sales. But simply like just about any film where exhibs participate roughly half from the eventual domestic B.O., put in roughly $35 million P&A spend, Relativity will be based mainly on a squishy ancillary target in the difference for "Immortals."Released worldwide via local distribs, "Immortals" acquired north of $36 million from 35 overseas areas, including China, Germany, Italia, Japan, Russia as well as the U.K. (Pre-sales to foreign distribs prevents Relativity from collecting anything else within the overseas B.O., for how a film works.)The arrival Stateside holiday play period should help, but numerous new records (in addition to holdovers) will vie for aud attention.Also bowing a couple of days ago, Sony's PG-rated Adam Sandler pic "Jack and Jill" first demonstrated within an thought $26 million, narrowly beating Vital-DreamWorks Animation's stalwart toon holdover "Puss in Boots," which fell just 23% within the third frame for just about any forecasted weekend take of $25.5 million. "Puss" may find yourself edging out "Jack and Jill" with Monday's actuals.Clint Eastwood's latest directorial effort "J. Edgar" aligned squarely with pre-weekend predictions, grossing in 72 hrs an thought $11.5 million. Warner Bros. launched the film limited on Wednesday before growing wide a couple of days later pic's five-day cume showed up at $11.6 000 0000.Inside a classical platform release, Magnolia bowed Lars von Trier's Cannes champion "Melancholia" at 19 engagements, scoring $270,000 for your weekend, getting an excellent per-screen average of $14,210. Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com

Outsider takes U.S., Canada on 'Finisterrae'

Outsider Pictures has acquired all U.S. and Canadian rights to Sergio Caballero's comedy drama "Finisterrae," provided by Buenos Aires' FilmSharks Intl. A L.A.-based telemarketer and distributor, delivering films inside the U.S., Canada and Latin America, Outsider aims to produce moviegoers most likely probably the most original tales from around the globe, according to its mission statement. Winning a Tiger Award for debut feature within the 2010 Rotterdam Festival, pic triggers two Russian ghosts, who walk the St. James Approach to Finisterrae, a cape in northwest The nation, to ensure that they are able to rejoin the land in the living. Pic is peppered with surreal moments which seem to spoof highbrow artfilms. "Finisterrae" is produced by Luis Minarro's Barcelona-based Eddie Saeta, co-producer of Cannes Palme d'Or champion "Uncle Boonmee," and one of the driving forces behind left-of-area filmmaking in Europe. In the separate deal closed within the Rome Festival's Business Street, Inmovision has acquired Brazilian rights to Argentinean Marcos Carnevale's "Widows." Argentina's finest late-summer season local hit, grossing $1.9 million for BVI in the August. 18 bow, "Widow" toplines a few the country's best-regarded as as stars, Graciela Borges ("The Hands") and Valeria Bertuccelli ("A Boyfriend For My SpouseInch) inside the story in the widow from the guy who grudgingly takes proper care of his mistress, now pregnant along with his child. Produced by Fernando Sokolowicz and Disney co-possessed Patagonik, "Widows" has sparked distributor fascination with the U.S., Japan, France and also the country, mentioned FilmSharks' Guido Rud. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Oscar Producer Gil Cates Dies at 77

Gil Cates Gil Cates, a director and producer who produced a record 14 Academy Awards telecasts in 18 years, has died. He was 77.Cates' body was found Monday on the campus of UCLA, where he was the founding dean of the School of Theater, Film and Television. The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office is investigating the cause of death.See celebs who died this year"Our entire TFT community is overwhelmingly saddened by the loss of our beloved mentor, colleagueand friend," Teri Schwartz, dean of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, said in a statement."Gil was our colleague, our friend and a former governor of the academy," said Tom Sherak, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. "He was a consummate professional who gave the academy and the world some of the most memorable moments in Oscar history. His passing is a tremendous loss to the entertainment industry, and our thoughts go out to his family."Cates was credited for revamping the Oscar telecasts, tapping comedians such as Billy Crystal, Steve Martin, Whoopi Goldberg, Chris Rock and David Letterman to host. He won an Emmy for producing the 63rd Academy Awards and last produced the 80th annual ceremony in 2008.Get the rest of today's newsA NY City native, Cates' career spans film, television and theater. He directed a number of films, including I Never Sang for My Father and the George Burns comedy Oh, God! Book II. His was Emmy-nominated for his TV movies Consenting Adult about homosexuality and Do You Know the Muffin Man? about child molestation.Cates, whose niece is Phoebe Cates, also founded the Geffen Playhouse and served as Directors Guild of America president from 1983 to 1987.