Wrath In The Leaders can get an action-packed first trailer

Warner Bros have released the initial trailer for Wrath In The Leaders, to ensure that as guaranteed, the knowledge looks bigger plus much more explosion-packed than previously.The completely new film sees Mike Worthington's Perseus beginning on another mission, this time around around in order to save his father Zeus (Liam Neeson) within the clutches in the dastardly Hades (Take advantage of Fiennes).Naturally, a clip focuses on the various tests and adversaries that appear in route, with assorted mythical beasties queuing around possess a chunk from Perseus's demigodly backside.Take a look within the new trailer below... Now, while Mike Worthington's new mullet makes him look worryingly like Danny McBride, and taking advantage of Marilyn Manson's cover of Sweet Dreams is a touch incongruous, this still appears to be if it'll be reasonable step-up in the initial, while using titular Leaders searching as though they may be an impact better second break...Ideally a lot more care and might have gone to the 3d this time around around around, which will ensure we're not really uncovered to another bout of pressboard cut-outs flailing around a bemused-searching Worthington. We'll uncover certainly when the film opens here on 30 March 2012.Can't delay until then? Well here's the initial official poster to help you out. You lucky people...

Scarlett Johansson Hates ScarJo Nickname

As fans from the Internet might know, actress Scarlett Johansson -- who will get glammed lower on her performance in 'We Purchased a Zoo' -- is frequently known to through the simpler to type/tweet/understand nickname, ScarJo. About this: "Oh, it's awful," Johansson told USA Today when requested about her popular nickname. "It is a idleness. People can't really the whole title? It is simply bizarre [...] so Cate Blanchett isn't, like, 'CaBla'? Can you explain that? Why must i find yourself in trouble with [ScarJo]?" Since it sounds good? A minimum of much better than CaBla? Just spitballing. [USA Today via Huffington Publish] Scarlett Johansson in Pictures See All Moviefone Art galleries » Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

ACT inaugural honor to A Noise Within founders

The American Conservatory Theater will present its inaugural Contributions to the Field Award to Geoff Elliott and Julia Rodriguez-Elliott, the founders and artistic directors of Pasadena's classical repertory, A Noise Within. The Contributions to the Field Award honors those who have contributed significant legit leadership locally and nationally beyond their role as actors. In addition, ACT will present the Edward Hastings Career Achievement Award to Annette Bening and the Rising Star Award to Elizabeth Banks. The legit conservatory will also honor benefactors Frannie and Mort Fleishhacker and the William Randolph Hearst Foundation. ACT's Conservatory Awards luncheon takes place Jan. 24 at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco. "Our love of language, dedication to training future artists, and commitment to education was shaped during our years at ACT. We are exceptionally grateful to be recognized for the quality of A Noise Within's work and the strength of our mission," Rodriguez-Elliott said. Founded two decades ago with $3,000 from the couple's personal account, A Noise Within is the only full-time classical repertory company in Southern California. The company recently moved into a 33,000 sq.-ft. theater in East Pasadena. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Julia Roberts and Luc Besson drama acquired by Universal

Universal has closed an offer for that distribution privileges towards the approaching Luc Besson picture, with Angelina Jolie's title set to become around the marquee.The Leon guy, more often credited like a producer nowadays, is likely to sire a mix between his acclaimed works The Professional and also the Fifth Element, along with the studio nipping in the lion's share of worldwide privileges, the untitled project now looks all set.Inside a move which will prompt many to request, "what is the reason for even seeing it now?", Universal has revealingly divulged that it'll be considered a "dramatic thriller with action".Waifish Tourist star Jolie, whose partner also works within the film industry, is busy haranguing anybody who'll listen about her very own directorial debut, Bosnian war drama Within The Land Of Bloodstream And Honey, however it seems that her collaboration with M. Besson will precede every other turns before camera.Ridley Scott's Gertrude Bell biopic and Sony's Nefertiti epic are some of the other projects presently attempting to catch her eye.Within The Land Of Bloodstream And Honey come in US movie theaters on 23 December, but you will find no particulars of the United kingdom release by yet.

British Film Institute produces film fund publish

LONDON -- The British Film Institute features expects to appoint only one executive to use its production and distribution funds, getting a combined annual budget of 21 million ($33 million). This follows the resignation of Tanya Seghatchian as mind in the BFI's film fund in September, as well as the departure of Peter Buckingham as mind of distribution and exhibition in November. These two jobs will probably be transformed having a lately-created role titled director of film fund, verifying to BFI leader Amanda Nevill. This marks a move toward an even more integrated policy of development, production and distribution investment, while using expected recommendations in the U.K. government's Film Policy Review being introduced within the month of the month of january. With different BFI statement, the completely new director of film fund can lead to leading the current production and distribution teams, being careful of filmmaking talent from within the U.K., championing creative excellence and encouraging a boldness of approach. The BFI needed in the U.K. Film Council last April since the public body responsible for buying and selling lottery gold gold coin into British film production and distribution. Both Seghatchian and Buckingham moved across within the UKFC for the BFI, but made a decision to go away once the transition was complete. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

'Love Actually' Hate from the 'Love Actually' Superfan

Launched on November. 14, 2003, it has not taken 'Love Actually' very lengthy whatsoever to become staple of Christmastime movie-watching. "I am so happy only at that funny concept that it is a kind of Christmas holiday movie," author/director Richard Curtis told Moviefone throughout a current interview for that new movie, 'War Equine.' "I had been searching back inside my old notes around the film, also it was just once i had thought of all of the tales ... I literally found an email saying, 'What about basically set the film at Christmas?'" And knowning that simple twist of fate, a vacation classic was created. Not too 'Love Actually' is not a totally problematic and hilariously populist movie. It's! But that is a part of its tremendous charm. Just request 'Love Actually' hater-lover Bobby Finger at TheHairpin. "It is a glossy, large-budget film with borderline-detestable exams of affection and romance that contains possibly three genuine moments that appear to become of the world, but 'Love Actually' is a terrible Christmas movie which has strong-armed its distance to the hearts of millions (including my very own) despite being absolutely terrible," creates Finger, before clearly installing why this is correct within the funniest possible way. Example, concerning the subplot including the British Pm (Hugh Grant) and something of his subordinates (Martine McCutcheon): "Unbelievable airport terminal security. So someone runs past security and jumps around the Pm and does not get shot? Sure." Browse the relaxation from the hilarity at TheHairpin.com. Return to Moviefone later for additional from Richard Curtis on 'War Horse' and 'Love Actually' [via TheHairpin] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Your New Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame Inductees' 5 Best (and Weirdest) Film Moments

The Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame announced its 2012 batch of new inductees, which includes The Beastie Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Laura Nyro, Donovan, and first-time qualifiers Guns ‘N Roses. That’s a varied group, but they all have one thing in common: fantastic, often bizarre appearances in motion pictures. Join us as we revisit the cinematic work of these five acts, as well as identify the key ’80s actress with strong personal ties to three of the aforementioned inductees. I’ll buy you a Snickers if you can name her offhand. The Red Hot Chili Peppers in The Chase The Chase is a definitive Bad Movie We Love, and not just because Charlie Sheen and Kristy Swanson are the brattiest kidnapper-kidnappee duo since the O. Henry short story “The Ransom of Red Chief.” There are also extremely silly cameos from RHCP legends Anthony Kiedis and Flea, who play van-loving burnouts. If you’re looking to buy your mother a kitschy bargain-bin movie this Christmas, consider The Chase - because when it comes to RHCP, what-they’ve-got-you’ve-got-to-give-it-to-your-mama, of course. Rewatching Kiedis’s performance, perhaps his stoner angst is attributable to his breakup with girlfriend and actress Ione Skye? Guns N’ Roses in The Dead Pool Guns N’ Roses had plenty to do in 1988 following the release of their mega-blockbuster album Appetite for Destruction in ‘87, but they squeezed in time to appear in the most forgettable (and last) Dirty Harry movie, The Dead Pool. As Clint Eastwood and Liam Neeson exchange clenched expressions, the boys of Guns ‘N Roses playfully shoot off weaponry on a boat. Nice acting face, Izzy! Beastie Boys’s Ad-Rock in Lost Angels The Beastie Boys are just damn lovable. Not only are they some of the most consistently brilliant musicians of the past three decades, but they’re pretty unpretentious and fun for a group that wants to save Tibet. Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz, the group’s guitarist, even embarked on a small acting career beginning with the 1989 low-budget film Lost Angels, starring as Tim ‘Chino’ Doolan, a troubled LA youth who makes a connection with a psychiatrist (Donald Sutherland!) in a private psychiatric hospital. Here, Ad-Rock enjoys some bathroom stall sex with a cute new friend. Rewatching Ad-Rock’s performance, it’s clear we’re seeing some of the sexual passion he’d soon experience with his future wife, actress Ione Skye. Laura Nyro in Monterey Pop The inimitable, still-underrated Laura Nyro influenced many confessional singer/songwriters in pop music, and that includes everyone from Tori Amos and Sinead O’Connor to Elton John, Elvis Costello, and Alice Cooper. Kanye West even sampled her song “Save the Country” on “The Glory” from Graduation. Though rumors have circulated that a 19-year-old Nyro bombed at the hugely transformational Monterey Pop Festival of 1967 (where Jimi Hendrix twanged a tripped-out “Wild Thing” and set his guitar on fire), footage from the official Monterey Pop documentary proves she was stellar. Enjoy a few bars of “Wedding Bell Blues” (one of the big hits she wrote for The Fifth Dimension) and the haunting “Poverty Train.” Donovan in The Pied Piper If becoming the first major rock star to be busted for marijuana possession isn’t legacy enough, Donovan’s list of hit singles (including “Mellow Yellow,” “Sunshine Superman,” and “Hurdy Gurdy Man”) cements his legend. His calming, but subversive voice is unforgettable, and it’s perfect for his role in the strange ‘72 feature The Pied Piper, where he played the titular Hamelin resident. I wonder if he was inspired to take part in The Pied Piper because of the birth of his daughter, actress Ione Skye. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducts Beastie Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Guns N’ Roses in 2012 class [Washington Post]

Oscar De La Hoya: Alec Baldwin Airline Snafu Blown Out Of Proportion

First Published: December 7, 2011 3:44 PM EST Credit: WireImage Caption Alec Baldwin / inset: Oscar De La HoyaLOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Fellow first class passenger Oscar De La Hoya, who witnessed Alec Baldwins airline Words With Friends snafu on Tuesday, said the whole situation was exaggerated. Following the incident, where Alec was told by a flight attendant to turn off his iPad while playing the popular online game and then eventually placed on another flight, American Airlines released a statement. This passenger declined to turn off his cell phone when asked to do so at the appropriate time. The passenger ultimately stood up (with the seat belt light still on for departure) and took his phone into the planes lavatory. He slammed the lavatory door so hard, the cockpit crew heard it and became alarmed, even with the cockpit door closed and locked, the airline said in a statement posted on their Facebook account. They immediately contacted the cabin crew to check on the situation. The passenger was extremely rude to the crew, calling them inappropriate names and using offensive language. Given the facts above, the passenger was removed from the flight and denied boarding. The boxing great, however, had a different take on the situation. There wasnt no slamming of doors or nothing like that. I mean, it was, I think, blown out of proportion, Oscar told Access Hollywood on Wednesday. I dont know him very well but he seemed like a good guy. He wanted to play his words game! I mean, thats all he wanted to do! Alecs rep, Matthew Hiltzik, took to Twitter to discuss the situation, Tweeting, hey @AMERICAN_AA: How come ok 4 other 1st class passengers 2 tweet while @alecbaldwin asked to leave while using his device? #hypocrisy 1st clss passngers can tweet, but @alecbaldwin asked to leave? Following the incident, Alec deactivated his account, but not before sending out one last Tweet of a photo with a caption that read, Let Alec play. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Which Book Does Steven Spielberg Admit He 'Softened' in Movie Form?

Steven Spielberg is likely a man of few regrets, but even the Oscar-winning director is appearing dubious about one of his major works. In a new interview, Spielberg admits he “softened” the sensuality of one of his film’s source material to preserve a PG-13 rating. And maybe the film suffered for it. Care to guess which opus he’s talking about? In a talk with EW, Spielberg opines about exploring — or rather, not exploring — the relationship between Shug Avery (Margaret Avery) and Celie (Whoopi Goldberg) in his adaptation of Alice Walker’s The Color Purple. The film drew 11 Oscar nominations at the time (and famously won none), but Spielberg claims he caught flak for skimping on the intimacy between the characters. “There were certain things in the [lesbian] relationship between Shug Avery and Celie that were very finely detailed in Alice’s book, that I didn’t feel we could get a [PG-13] rating… And I was shy about it. In that sense, perhaps I was the wrong director to acquit some of the more sexually honest encounters between Shug and Celie, because I did soften those. I basically took something that was extremely erotic and very intentional, and I reduced it to a simple kiss. I got a lot of criticism for that.” But does he actually regret making the relationship less sexual? Big no. Asked if he’d do it differently now, Spielberg says, “I wouldn’t, no. That kiss is consistent with the tonality, from beginning to end, of The Color Purple that I adapted.” I want Spielberg to compensate for this slight with a naughty scene in Lincoln. Maybe Mary Todd gives roadhead to Abe in the stagecoach where he wrote the Gettysburg address. “A score for the fourscore!” says Peter Travers. Steven Spielberg Says He Softened Lesbian Sex in The Color Purple [The Advocate]

Starship Military Remake Planned

Would you like to learn more?Someplace, hidden deep in the middle of Hollywood, a pulsing brain bug is gradually planning to remake every move ever created. Well, the look is fitting a minimum of, since someone has become likely to tackle a brand new version of Starship Military. First splattering across our screens in 1997, Starship Military remains probably the most fun records within the Paul Verhoeven bloodstream, breasts 'n' tanks era which created the kind of Fundamental Instinct, RoboCop and Showgirls (we did not the tanks counseled me on the watch's screen, now did we?) For those its OTT action, Military handled to become a satire of Robert Heinlein-style sci-fi, although having a subtlety bypass, since Verhoeven's Hollywood output wouldn't understand what subtlety meant even when it had Word During The Day toilet tissue. The film finds mankind incompatible with giant, marauding bugs, who enjoy swarming human armies and starting giant plasma poops into space. Unfamiliar for that calibre of their acting performances, it had been nonetheless an opportunity for Neil Patrick Harris to obtain some operate in time before his large comeback.The primary brain behind the revival is prolific producer Neal Moritz, the guy behind the short & The Furious films and many 1000 other game titles. It isn't really shocking that he'd use Starship Military, since he's already shepherding one Verhoeven remake towards the screen with Total Recall.Now he's hired Thor/X-Males: Top Class contributing factors Ashley Edward Burns and Zack Stentz to possess a crack in a new script. Question whether they can match original author Erectile dysfunction Neumeier's cheeky wit?[[Poll559]]

Hollywood hard-wired for hype and hoopla

You will find many strange tribal traditions at this time around of the year. One annual tradition may be the article through the annoyed media member who wags a finger at honours campaigns, shocked, shocked at the concept people are attempting to buy an award. I recieve it. Some find campaigning distasteful -- researchers do not take out advertisements within the Colonial Journal of drugs, advocating "for the consideration in most groups" for that Nobel Prize. However, showbiz ain't medicine. Am I in support of campaigning? Obviously! Am I being impartial? Absolutely not! Some of Variety's earnings originates from these campaigns.Only one can play the role of objective. Marketing is a component of Hollywood's DNA. Fox did not launch "Avatar" silently, saying, "Gee, I really hope people realize the film is opening now.Inch They marketed the hell from it, and also got results. Selling is a component of each and every film, TV series, album, vidgame or online project. It is the Hollywood way and it is the American way. Try not to take my word for this. This is actually the description in one of my personal favorite authors on the entire process of choosing Oscars: "Technically, they're chosen, but really they aren't made the decision through whatever artistic and critical knowledge Hollywood could happen to possess. They're ballyhooed, pressed, screamed, screamed, as well as in every way propagandized in to the awareness from the voters so continuously, within the days prior to the final balloting, that everything except the golden aura from the box office is forgotten."That essay, known as "Oscar Evening in Hollywood," was compiled by Raymond Chandler in 1950 for that British film magazine Sight and Seem. Yes, 61 years back campaigning and all sorts of the lamenting about crassness are as old as Oscar itself. Campaigns have two goals: to goad voters into visiting a film in order to help remind them why they loved it. AMPAS people do not have time for you to see every movie, and campaigns essentially say, "Make certain the thing is this film before you decide to election." Special tests, trade advertisements and screeners have been in existence for age range. So has got the meet-and-greet-the-challengers technique, however it has tremendously elevated previously couple of years. It will likely be interesting to ascertain if campaigns change within the next couple of years, because 2 yrs ago, Mo'nique and Christoph Waltz underlined the truth that you will find no rules.Mo'nique was working, and her absence around the kudos circuit grew to become a place of pride: I am not going to try and woo voters, allow them to election on merit. And she or he won!Waltz was around, but he did not give anyone-to-one interviews. And that he won!In comparison, the "Hurt Locker" team that year, and also the "King's Speech" team this past year, were fittings around the honours circuit. Plus they won! Campaign strategists watch one another and imitate success, and also the non-appearance of those those who win defied the usual understanding. Did the hands-trembling really make a difference? I do not believe Tom Hooper won because he's intelligent and pleasant (though he's both). In my opinion people chosen for him since they loved his work. About ten years ago, campaigners got an identical mixed message: "The Pianist's" Adrien Brody was everywhere, and that he won. Director Roman Polanski was nowhere to appear, and that he won. Why bother campaigning? Strategists wish to show they are spending so much time with respect to their customers. Clients see rivals spending so much time and think, "Uh-oh, I better do this too." And, most importantly, nobody really wants to take risks. The PricewaterhouseCoopers individuals are resolutely mother about past Oscar results. But Ernst & Youthful partner Andy Purchase last August confirmed towards the L.A. Occasions that in a number of major Emmy groups previously ten years that "it has been one ballot" that determined the those who win.The lesson out of your civics class was true: Each election matters.So challengers, strategists, professionals and agents use every technique possible looking for that elusive single election which makes the main difference.Am I penning this column to drum up advertisements? No, honours budgets were set a very long time ago, which is not likely to change that. Will I want to protect the Academy along with other honours groups? No, they are doing fine without me. However I bristle in the "you can purchase an award" articles because I resent the idea of "individuals Hollywood heathens are in it again!" Every single day I'm amazed at the venality and stupidity of some showbiz people. And each day I'm impressed with a few folks' intelligence, sensitivity and kindness. Quite simply, show folk are human, not sub-human.But things i really resent is people accepting the usual understanding. Should you say something frequently enough, individuals will accept it as being fact, and also the usual cliches -- "it is simply a recognition contest" and "he simply bought his award" -- happen to be repeated so frequently, lots of people accept is as true. As well as for lazy media people, it is a more sexy story than: "Honours voters election using their conscience!"I believe most voters are sincere. I do not think that, within the good reputation for honours, anybody ever stated, "I did not like this film, however i love the advertisements and also the party was great, so I am likely to election for this." Try not to request me, request Raymond Chandler.For the reason that 1950 essay, he involves a fascinating conclusion: "All of this is nice democracy of the sort. We elect Congressmen and Presidents in exactly the same, so why wouldn't you stars, cameramen, authors, and all sorts of the relaxation of those who've related to the building of pictures? As we permit noise, bally-hoo, and bad theater to influence us in picking a those who are to operate the nation, why must we resist exactly the same techniques in picking a meritorious achievement within the film business?"Oddly enough, in virtually every political election, commentators will lament a dark tone from the campaigning or even the amounts spent, but couple of really wonder if it's appropriate to campaign. So allow me to find out if I have got this straight: It's OK to campaign for that presidency from the U.S., but Oscar should be held to some greater standard?So, my very much beloved entertainment-journalist co-workers: Bear in mind you will probably have heard something lots of occasions, but that does not mean it's correct. And, incidentally, I am told that individuals do campaign for Nobel Awards, frequently a lot more shamelessly compared to film biz. That's reassuring, I suppose. Contact Timothy M. Grey at tim.grey@variety.com