'The Town' scribe drawn on for 'Top Gun 2'

Vital has drawn on Peter Craig ("The CityInch) to create "Top Gun 2," which is created by Jerry Bruckheimer Films and David Ellison's Skydance Prods. "X-Males: Top ClassInch scribes Ashley Burns and Zack Stentz were hired to create the aerial follow up in October, however the duo never put pen to paper, showing that Craig is going to be beginning on your own. Plot particulars are nil, though Tony Scott and Tom Cruise are anticipated to engage in the follow up, which Vital is seriously interested in continuing to move forward with. Since writing WB's "The City,Inch which made $154 million worldwide, Craig has modified in france they Canadian hit "Fathers and Guns" for Columbia Pictures. Scribe also rewrote Ted Tally's adaptation of Doug Stanton's novel "Equine Soldiers," which Bruckheimer is creating. Craig is repped by CAA and Management 360. Contact Shaun Sneider at shaun.sneider@variety.com

Cinemax Builds up Documentary Series Witness From Michael Mann And David Frankham

Filmmaker Michael Mann, already operating a business with Cinemax round the drama series Luck, may also be behind a completely new limited documentary series bought with the premium cable network. Witness, which will have a new generation of youthful combat photography fanatics into conflict zones in Mexico, South usa, Uganda and Libya, can be a collaboration between Mann and documentary director David Frankham. David Frankham which i share an recognition of combat photography that captures the universal — and frequently the indescribable — in a single frame during the time of chaos and danger, Mann mentioned. The initial episode of Witness was shot in Juarez, Mexico. The next three are presently being created.

Bounce TV lands N.Y. clearance

KingYoungStartup digital multicast channel Bounce TV is getting a big distribution boost through a carriage agreement with Fox-owned WWOR-TV NY.The African American-targeted channel bowed Monday as a multicast channel on WWOR. Bounce TV said it is due to launch soon on Fox's KCOP Los Angeles and possibly other stations, but a Fox TV Stations rep would not confirm any deals beyond Gotham.Carriage in the nation's largest TV market will help Bounce TV pull in higher advertising rates and help it lure nationally oriented blurbs. Channel, which bowed in September, is now cleared on stations covering more than 50% of U.S. TV households and 72% of African-American households.Bounce TV aims to draw the 25-54 demographic with a mix of acquired movies and series as well as sports and inspirational specials. It was designed as a syndication-style offering for broadcast TV stations to carry on the digital subchannels that broadcasters have available after making the transition to digital telecasting.Atlanta-based Bounce TV is independently owned by African-American investors, a group that includes Martin Luther King III and former United Nations ambassador Andrew Young. Contact Cynthia Littleton at cynthia.littleton@variety.com

Chris Brown Charged with Snatching Woman's Mobile Phone

Mira Sorvino is within final discussions to star CBS' drama pilot, Trooper, Deadline reviews. The entire pilot report: CBS has Greg Berlanti, Louis C.K. and Bridesmaids stars Created by Jerry Bruckheimer, the project follows a smart mother who turns into a NY condition trooper. Heroes scribe Aron Eli Coleite will write and executive-produce. If Trooper is acquired, it might be Sorvino's first... Find Out More > Other Links From TVGuide.com HouseMighty AphroditeRomy And Michele's Senior High School ReunionMira SorvinoJerry BruckheimerHeroes

Sony nabs rights to Silva thriller

Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions has pre-bought all media rights to the Sebastian Silva's untitled thriller starring Michael Cera, Juno Temple, Emily Browning and Catalina Sandino Moreno, which was formerly known as "Magic Magic."Pic is written and directed by Silva, whose film "The Maid" won the Grand Jury prize at Sundance and was nominated for Best Foreign Film at the Golden Globes.Psychological thriller follows a young American woman (Temple) vacationing with her friends in a remote part of Chile, who begins to mentally unravel and enters into a world of disturbing landscapes and crushing terror.The film is produced by Frida Torresblanco ("Pan's Labyrinth") of Braven Films, which is also fully financing the film. Killer Films' Christine Vachon is also producing with Mike White and David Bernad of Rip Cord Prods. Pic is skedded to start production in early 2012.Deal was made by SPWA's exec VP of business affairs Michael Helfand and acquisitions director Lejo Pet, along with Brian O'Shea and Laura Ivey of The Exchange, as well as UTA's Rich Klubeck, Bec Smith and Jacqui Schock. The Exchange is selling all international territories of the film along with Marina Fuentes of 6 Sales.SPWA now has rights to the pic in the U.S. and Canada, as well as international territories including Latin America, Scandinavia, South Africa and Eastern Europe. Contact Jeff Sneider at jeff.sneider@variety.com

three dimensional redos spinning B.O. history

'Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace'Hollywood's three dimensional redos are re-writing box office history.Through the finish of Friday, Fox's "The Exorcist: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace," having a lifetime gross of $456 million by Wednesday, will end up the greatest-grossing PG-ranked film ever, surpassing the initial "The Exorcist" at $460 million (not comprising inflation)."Episode I" bowed last week the very first time in three dimensional, collecting a much better-than-expected $22.5 million. Pic's three dimensional version makes its way into the weekend with $25.two million.InchThe Lion King," meanwhile, nabbed the G-ranked crown from "Toy Story 3" this past year. Here's how that three dimensional shake-up shakes out:Disney released its three dimensional "Lion King" to some boffo Stateside tally of $94 million. Put into the film's large-format (including Imax) re-release in 2002, which totaled $15.7 million, "The Lion King" has cumed a great U.S. total of $423 million. "Toy Story 3" ended with $415 million.Records aside, these three dimensional redos have grown to be a tidy method for galleries to enhance their main point here. Disney bowed recently "Beauty and also the Animal" in three dimensional, using the pic approaching $50 million for any theatrical lifetime domestic cume of $217 million. A Button presently has within the pipeline three more conversions slated with this year and then, including "Finding Nemo," "Monsters, Corporation." and "The Small Mermaid."Up next is James Cameron's three dimensional management of "Titanic," which Vital is delivering on April 4. It will have to make $160 milllion Stateside to reclaim its all-time box office crown from "Avatar" -- which appears possible, because of the craze it produced if this was initially launched in 1997. Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com

Oscar 2012 Snubs & Surprises!

First Launched: The month of the month of january 24, 2012 11:37 AM EST Credit: Fox Searchlight Caption Ryan Gosling in Crazy Stupid Love / Michael Fassbender in ShameLOS ANGELES, Calif. -- The 84th Annual Academy Award nominations were introduced Tuesday morning having a couple of surprising nominees but not every the 2011 favorite silver screen performances and movies were honored getting a nomination. Martin Scorseses Hugo surprising introduced the nominations with 11, edging out quiet film The Artist for a lot of nods, which acquired a likewise impressive 10 nominations. Demian Bichir, who'd be superior recognized for his role on Showtimes Weeds where he carried out the dad Mary-Louise Parkers baby, is facing Hollywood heavyweights like Kaira Pitt and George Clooney inside the Best Actor race for his be employed in A Far Greater Existence. Another surprise was the romance the Academy gave Very Noisy & Incredibly Close Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullocks publish 9/11 drama, which has polarized audiences and experts. The film acquired a Best Picture nomination together with a Best Supporting Actor jerk for max von Sydow. Bridesmaids star Melissa McCarthy will be a nice surprise nomination inside the Best Supporting Actress category on her behalf amusing performance inside the breakout comedy. Co-star Kristen Wiig and author Annie Mumolo also acquired a nomination for top Original Script for raucous box office hit. Then there is a heavens whose phones did not ring with very good news today. Despite his effective performance and jerk of approval from George Clooney within the Golden Globes Michael Fassbender was ignore for his role in Shame. Ryan Gosling who went into award season with major buzz for 3 films Drive, The Ides of March, and Crazy Stupid Love appeared to become snubbed. Other acting snubs incorporated Leonardo DiCaprio for J. Edgar, Albert Brooks for Drive, Tilda Swinton in We Must Discuss Kevin, Charlize Theron for Youthful Adult, and youthful star Shailene Woodley, who many thought would earn a nomination on her behalf behave as George Clooneys daughter inside the Descendants. The snubs ongoing with Steven Spielberg who not successful to earn a Best Director nomination, even though War Equine was honored getting a jerk for top Picture. The Hollywood veteran did earn a jerk for creating War Equine. An unpredicted snub showed up the most effective Animated Feature category for your Adventures of Tintin, which needed home the Golden Globe inside the same category, but not successful to acquire any Oscar love. There won't be any musical catfights on Oscar evening between Elton John and Madonna (or Eltons partner David Furnish), who've been shut in the Best Song category. To have an entire report on the 2011 nominees, Follow The Link! Uncover who'll collect Oscar gold on February 26, with host Billy Very, survive ABC at 7 PM ET/4 PM PT. -By Jesse Spero Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Irish actor David Kelly dies at 82

By Connected PRESS Irish character actor David Kelly, who carried out Grand dad Joe in "Charlie as well as the Chocolate Factory" and motorcycled naked in "Waking Ned Devine," died Sunday, Feb. 12 in Dublin. He was 82 and the reason behind dying wasn't introduced. Throughout work that spanned half a century, the actor labored onstage, film, Radio and television. Kelly was most broadly known in Ireland for his 1980 depiction of condemned tenement occupant Rashers Tierney inside the historic miniseries "Strumpet City" too for his large body at work just like a Dublin stage actor inside the 19 fifties and sixties. British and Irish TV audiences also could recognize his face and bony frame from short, usually comedy triggers myriad soaps and sitcoms, most memorably just like a work-dodging Irish builder opposite John Cleese in the 1975 episode of "Fawlty Towers." More youthful crowd carried out a dim-witted, one-armed dishwasher inside the late seventies British sitcom "Robin's Nest." Irish comedian Niall Tobin, who labored alongside Kelly inside the the 19 nineties village comedy-drama series "Ballykissangel," mentioned Kelly "could make you laugh constantly. Even when he's in the deep hangover, he'd lead you to laugh." Kelly was usually banned to bit parts in film, and two of the most prominent roles came late around. In 1998's "Waking Ned Devine" he referred to an Irish villager who must impersonate the late Devine to collect a massive lottery win -- and finds themselves sailing lower a muddy road, naked apart from his motorcycle helmet, socks and shoes, to keep the secret intact. In 2005 he carried out Charlie Bucket's grandfatherly escort in Tim Burton's adaptation in the fantasy arena of Willy Wonka. That year more youthful crowd received a very long time achievement award within the Irish Film & Television Academy. His final role reaches 2007's fantasy film "Stardust." He's managed to get by his wife, actress Laurie Morton, in addition to their two children. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

New poster for Seeking A Pal For Your Finish Around The World

A preliminary poster has first demonstrated for awesome apocalypse comedy Seeking A Pal For Your Finish Around The World, with Steve Carell and Keira Knightley seeking solace in friendship just like a massive asteroid looms large.The film casts Knightley and Carell as some loners who form a connection throughout humanity's last days. Simply because they finish up growing closer, things look somewhat better on their own account, otherwise for your species generally!The story begins with Carell's wife drained on him in the stress. Obtaining a letter from his high-school sweetheart saying she need to get together with him at zero-hour, he sets on the journey to rejoin her. However, his neighbour (Knightley) eventually eventually ends up coming along for your ride, which reduces matters somewhat...The completely new poster covers the charm in the film's oddball premise perfectly, with Carell searching buttoned lower and awkward opposite Knightley's vibrant-eyed girlishness. And there's a lovely dog, which always helps.The film might be the directorial debut from Nick And Norah's Infinite Playlist author Lorene Scafaria, in addition to stars the type of Adam Brody, Patton Oswalt and Melanie Lynskey.Such as your romances cutesy, though the pending prospect of imminent dying thrown straight into spice some misunderstanding? Than the might be the selection for you. Seeking A Pal For Your Finish Around The World is released in the usa on 22 June 2012, getting a Uk release date not been confirmed.

Dork Blass on Mark Worthington

Published: Comes to an end., February. 3, 2012, 4:00am PTBy Blass'American Horror Story'Dave Blass on Mark Worthington, production designer, "American Horror Story"The development style of FX's "American Horror Story" hits the perfect notes within the right to produce the foreboding setting for any story that moves from macabre to nasty inside the first fifteen minutes.Picturing a stylish but typically creepy mansion was the task for Mark Worthington and the gifted crew. The archetype from the haunted home is as old as cinema, with as numerous conventions as you will find good examples. But Worthington inhales new existence in to the time-honored genre.Layers of Victorian-era forest and stained glass home windows give ominous hints from the architecture of evil, whilst making the house appear inviting because of its opportunistic new citizens. The heat of the home may be the downfall from the figures, while you won't assist but cringe every time they enter an area so inviting, but where disaster dangles in each and every room as an invisible fog.You will find a lot of shadows, a lot of corners, a lot of dark places where things can lurk. The home informs a haunting backstory with visceral layer upon layer. Coffered roofs loom overhead, walls of cabinets wait to spring open by themselves, and huge shadow-filled attics are poised for any demonic story to experience out.Great production design informs a tale with no word of dialogue -- the atmosphere conveys the storyplot towards the viewer. Within this show each room holds a secret waiting to become told, and suspense is expressed through architecture within an ominous way.There's an immediate eerie sensation whenever a door opens to some lengthy stairwell right into a dark basement, or perhaps a figure stands within an elongated hallway having a door in the finish. It is a fear that is a part of our collective subconscious and something that Worthington uses with deft skill to fresh paint the walls of "American Horror Story."Within an era of reimagining classics, it's refreshing to determine a painter embrace yesteryear instead of attempt to reinvent it.Dork Blass' credits include "Justified" and "Cold Situation"ADG Honours 2012Tightening the definitionDesigners on designProduction designers and art company directors discuss the ADG-nominated work of the peersJohn Muto on Dante Ferretti Greg Grande on Jefferson Sage Norm Newberry on Stuart Craig John Sabato on Patti Podesta Ken Averill on Christopher Glass John Shaffner on Steve Bass Dork Blass on Mark Worthington John Iacovelli on James Yarnell Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

ABC Family orders comedy, reality series

ABC Family members have placed series orders for comedy "Baby Dad" and reality skein "Beverly Hillsides Baby sitters," while reviving Shailene Woodley starrer "The Key Existence from the American Teen" for any fifth season.The cabler also cast Tori Spelling and Tia Mowry in original movie "The Mistle-Tones," that will air in December.Chelsea Kane, Tahj Mowry and Derek Theler will topline "Baby Dad," which ABC Family stated was its greatest-testing comedy pilot ever. Serta Berendsen ("The Nine Lives of Chloe King") is professional creating the multicam sitcom, in regards to a youthful guy whom suddenly turns into a father to some little girl left on his doorstep by an ex-girlfriend. "Beverly Hillsides Baby sitters" follows several baby sitters employed by families in Beverly Hillsides and will also be created starting in spring by Evolution Media ("The Actual Average women of Beverly Hillsides"). Coincidentally, ABC now greenlit a drama pilot from "Desperate Average women" creator Marc Cherry known as "Devious Service personnel," four ambitious household employees in Beverly Hillsides.Production on "Baby Dad" and "Beverly Hillsides Baby sitters" will start early in the year, with summer time premieres specific. Orders for brand new ABC Family series are usually 10-12 episodes. "Secret Existence," whose fifth season can make it the very first ABC Family original series to operate past 100 episodes, stars Woodley, who grew to become more broadly noted for her role in Oscar nominee "The Descendants."Maggie Molina ("Single Ladies") is professional creating "The Mistle-Tones," with Paul Hoen ("Camping Rock 2: The Ultimate Jam") pointing a script by Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas ("My Super Psycho Sweet 16"). Contact Jon Weisman at jon.weisman@variety.com