Jake Gyllenhaal Backs Out Of Motor City

EXCLUSIVE: It looked good there for a day but Jake Gyllenhaal’s deal to star in the Albert Hughes-directed Motor City has veered off the road. Talks fell apart, over scheduling, I hear. The actor wanted to push the dates and financier Dark Castle did not. They are putting together lists for another actor to star in the film in the role of an ex-military man who is framed and sees his life and gal taken away by the bad guy. Gary Oldman and Amber Heard are already set in the Chad St. John-scripted film.

Kim Fox, Megan Ellison pair for sales arm

Kimberly Fox, prexy of worldwide sales at Inferno Entertainment, is departing to produce a new foreign sales company with Megan Ellison of Annapurna Pictures, Variety is familiar with.Particulars continue to be uniting, but Ellison continues to be quickly raising her profile in Hollywood as Annapurna keeps growing. The development clients are behind three of 2012's greatest-profile releases, including Paul Thomas Anderson's religious drama "The Actual,Inch Andrew Dominik's Kaira Pitt-starrer "Killing Them Softly" and John Hillcoat's bootlegging pic "Wettest County," which stars Shia LaBeouf, Tom Sturdy and Jessica Chastain.Fox formerly offered as mind of worldwide sales at Bill Block's financing-creating outfit QED, where she handled "The Hunting Party," "The Lucky Ones" and "Wise People", in addition to outdoors projects for example "The Lady around the blockInch and "Powder Blue." Contact Rachel Abrams at Rachel.Abrams@variety.com

'Friday Evening Lights' Star Joins Shonda Rhimes' ABC Period Drama Pilot

Matt Lauria is returning over time.The previous "Friday Evening Lights" star has became a member of ABC's Shonda Rhimes period drama pilot "Gilded Lilys," "The Hollywood Reporter" has confirmed.The drama involves the outlet from the first luxury hotel in NY City in 1895 and informs tales of affection, treachery and disdain between your classes set against a backdrop of vicious family rivalries, scandalous secrets and conflict and co-interacting from the classes."Gilded Lilys" involves the Lily family, that has ruled over NY's elite for many years but a current family scandal has compromised their fortunes both financially and socially.As first reported by TV Line, Lauria will have Charlie, the dashing self-aware nephew of wealthy uniform Andrew Carnegie. He joins a cast which includes Matt Lengthy, Blythe Danner, Maury Sterling, Brigid Brannagh, John F. O'Byrne, Sarah Bolger and Madeline Zima."Gossip Girl" scribe K.J. Steinberg is penning the project, with Rhimes and her Shondaland partner Betsy Ales professional creating for ABC Galleries.Lauria performed the loyal and adorable Luke Cafferty within the final two seasons of NBC/DirecTV's "Friday Evening Lights" and co-starred on last year's short-resided Shawn Ryan drama "The Chicago Code."He's the 3rd former "Friday Evening Lights" co-star to land an airplane pilot this year, joining Michael B. Jordan (NBC's "County"), Aimee Teegarden (CW's "The ChoiceInch) and Jurnee Smollett (NBC's "Bad Women"). For "FNL" fans, let us hope Zach Gilford expires next. The Hollywood Reporter

Julia Stiles To Star In NBC Drama Pilot Evening time Sun

EXCLUSIVE: Julia Stiles is positioned since the lead in NBCs drama pilotMidnight Sun. The thriller, based on an Israeli format, follows the mysterious disappearance of Evening time Sun, a business living around the cult-like commune in Alaska. It concentrates on Leah Kafka (Stiles), a girl FBI cult specialist leading the analysis that discloses a larger conspiracy. Also cast inside the pilot, put together by Lisa Zwirling, are Connor O’Farrell (The Off-shoreline) as Dugan’s Police Chief Garth Harring, Emma Bell (The Walking Dead) as his daughter Rory, and Daniella Pineda since the receptionist within the police station. This marks the initial series regular gig for Stiles, whose feature credits are the blockbuster Bourne franchise. She formerly did a season-extended guest arc on Showtime’s Dexter, which acquired her an Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. Stiles, who had multiple pilot offers, is to apply ICM, Untitled and attorney David Weber. O’Farrell is to apply SDB Partners Bell with ICM and Brillstein Entertainment Pineda with Innovative and manager Kirsten Ames.

Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch, Ben Promote Circle Peter Bergs Lone Survivor Emmett/Furla Financing For Universal

EXCLUSIVE: Emmett/Furla Films is originating aboard to invest in Lone Survivor, and director Peter Berg is within talks with Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch and Ben Promote to experience three from the four lead Navy Closes. Universal Pictures, which developed the film, will distribute. An adaptation from the book by Marcus Luttrell, Lone Survivor informs the harrowing story of methods Luttrell and the Navy SEAL team people fought against to remain alive after being ambushed in Afghanistan in 2005 by Taliban forces throughout a covert mission within the Hindu Kush mountain region, in which the team visited kill a terrorist leader. Wahlberg will have Luttrell in Berg’s followup to Battleship, which stars Kitsch. Berg and Universal first started developing the project at Universal once the filmmaker signed on for Battleship. At that time, movies with sand inside them and war weren’t working, however the opening-weekend grosses of Act Of Valor indicate that audiences are once more hungry for heroic war tales, especially individuals including Navy Closes. Kathryn Bigelow and The new sony Pictures are becoming going ahead having a drama turning round the Navy SEAL Team 6′s search and killing of 9/11 terror attack mastermind Osama bin Laden. Lone Survivor is really a different film, but it's likely to get going ahead this fall. Berg and Film 44 partner Sarah Aubrey, Akiva Goldsman, Craig Spikings is going to be producers in addition to Randall Emmett and George Furla. Wahlberg will probably be involved with a creating capacity also. Berg, who covered the center East terrain formerly using the taut drama The Dominion, has make the focus on that one. He authored the Lone Survivorscript after embedding having a SEAL team for any month in Iraq, an event that actually gave him an opportunity to observe how they get the job done. Berg desired to result in the film immediately, but 2 yrs ago the studio made him a good deal: direct Battleship after which follow with Lone Survivor. The timing hasn’t hurt, whatsoever. Bin Ladens dying has removed the way in which with this, a film that'll be an unapologetically loyal film that honors and pays homage for an incredible number of badass men that do this,” Berg explained last May. “The film is going to be a little like Black Hawk Lower, however it will concentrate on the quartet, that is less men than that film. The mission looked like the murder mission that got bin Laden, but things got complicated once they went into three kids as well as an old guy, Berg explained. Underneath the rules of engagement, they might have wiped out them, however they made the decision to allow them go and place their chances, despite the fact that they understood these folks may likely talk. Soon after, the mission needed to be aborted once the Closes found themselves under fire from about 250 Al-Qaeda soldiers. Once the dust removed and following a save helicopter was inflated with a rocket-powered grenade, 15 SEAL people were wiped out, and also the lone survivor was Luttrell. An enormous land assault was completed, but at that time Marcus was introduced to shelter by an Afghan tribe that fought against from the Taliban until Luttrell might be saved, Berg stated. The teams leader, Mike Murphy, was posthumously granted the Congressional Medal of Recognition. This puts Emmett/Furla Films principals into another major feature. They're preparing 2 Guns with Denzel Washington and Wahlberg for Universal the Sylvester Stallone-Arnold Schwarzenegger-starrer The Tomb for Lionsgate/Summit the romantic comedy Rule #1, with Reese Witherspoon the experienceOrthriller Empire Condition starring Dwayne Manley and Lucky Strike, that is in discussions to star Vince Vaughn and become directed by Tony Scott, with EFF creating with Scott Free Productions. EFF just wrapped the thriller Damaged City with Wahlberg, Russell Crowe and Catherine Zeta-Johnson, which Fox will release in The month of january the Stephen Frears-directed comedy Lay The Favourite with Bruce Willis, Rebecca Hall, Zeta-Johnson and Vaughn, that the Weinstein Company acquired after its Sundance premiere the thriller Frozen Ground with John Cusack, Nicolas Cage and Vanessa Hudgens the drama Fire With Fire with Josh Duhamel, Willis and Rosario Dawson the experience-thriller Self employed with Robert P Niro, Forest Whitaker and Curtis 50 Cent Jackson and also the David Ayer-directed mystery crime thriller Finish Of Watch, which lately obtained a $two million advance and $20 million P&Dedication from Open Road.

From the ball game

Stacy Keibler, George Clooney, Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux unwind in the Evening Before party. Minka Kelly and Rosario Dawson Viola Davis and Julius Tennon with Tom Hanks Ryan and Britta Kavanaugh meet Can Be and Timothy Olyphant. Paula Patton, Kate Hudson and Fergie Michael Douglas and Ken SchererBryan Cranston and Ben Stiller Saturday's tenth annual Evening Before party adopted two traditions: wall-to-wall showbiz heavyhitters inside a high-energy mood, as well as an evening of impressive fund-raising. The fete in the Beverly Hillsides Hotel elevated $5.5 million for that Movie & Television Fund, contributing to a lot more than $50 million elevated in the past nine occasions.MPTF's Ken Scherer saluted Jeffrey Katzenberg for those that he's done, including his idea for that event about ten years ago. "It is Jeffrey's vision with this type of party," stated Scherer.Following the first event in 2003, Katzenberg stated, "I believe we hit a house run."And also the home runs ongoing Saturday by having an all-star team attending. Steven Spielberg and Stacey Snider brought within the Reliance group including Anil Ambani. J.J. Abrams talked with George Lucas, while Meryl Streep huddled with Ron Meyer. Elton John literally knocked into Taye Diggs.Wendi Deng got her apple iphone -- including a Hello Cat situation -- to consider an image of George Clooney, Stacy Keibler and Li Bingbing, but Katzenberg gallantly required the apple iphone and clicked the photo so Deng could join the audience.One of many representing the professional branch were Jim Gianopulos, Ryan Kavanaugh, Leslie Moonves, Take advantage of Moore, Shaun Robinov, Wealthy Ross, Tom Rothman, Shaun Small, Howard Stringer and Harvey Weinstein.Also interacting were Chris Columbus, Christopher Dodd, Mike Gores, Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall, Laurie MacDonald and Walter Parkes, and Ron Nicita and Paula Wagner. The thesp region was large and incorporated Leonardo DiCaprio, Gary Oldman, Octavia Spencer, Emma Stone and Max von Sydow.MPTF's Bob Beitcher said, "All of the galleries, the heavens, film, television, independent producers, studio professionals are here. It is the one event where they are able to come, they are fully aware there is no paparazzi, they are totally protected, they are able to speak with one another pretty freely."Searching to another ten years, Beitcher stated, "You never know? But we must keep reinventing ourselves." Indeed, the MPTF lately introduced the aim of raising $350 million for that fund.Out of the box now tradition, Evening Before partygoers had themselves captured pics of using the Target dog, although Chris Rock introduced, "I am a Walmart guy." Contact Shalini Dore at shali.dore@variety.com

New John Carter featurette online

Disney has launched a brand new opening featurette for approaching sci-fi blockbuster John Carter, by which cast and crew discuss the film alongside various clips of shiny new footage.The brand new clips show the grand scale where the storyline is performed out, with Taylor Kitsch's Mars-stranded hero jumping his way in one conflict to another. However, regardless of the grand action moments, Kitsch can also be keen to indicate that, "as large because this is, it's a classic character-driven story."Have a look in the new featurette below... Everybody appears at pains to indicate how influential the initial John Carter story was, as though to express, "don't believe simply because you have often seen The Exorcist, you don't have to make use of this."Nevertheless, it most likely does not help the film looks staggeringly like Episode I when it comes to its general aesthetic. Let us just hope the dialogue, action, casting... well, virtually everything is preferable to the re-launched prequel.John Carter opens within the United kingdom on 9 March 2012.

Oscars could be a Kodak-free moment

By the time the Kodak Theatre comes to life for the Oscars, it may no longer be the Kodak Theatre. Naming rights for the home of the Academy Awards could be up for grabs before the Academy Awards take place as sponsor Eastman Kodak, in the throes of bankruptcy, has petitioned the court to have its name removed as early as Feb. 15, when a hearing is set on the matter. That would leave just 11 days before the live broadcast of the 84th Academy Awards. Kodak, which has held the rights since the Hollywood & Highland-based theater opened in 2001, would save a rumored $4 million a year if the court lets it out of the contract. How quickly that request could be implemented -- and whether the theater could secure another sponsor in time for the Oscars -- isn't yet clear. A lawyer from KattenMuchinRosenman, which represents lease-holder CIM, declined to comment. The Academy has no say in the matter -- that is, until CIM arranges an alternative, whereupon AMPAS has veto power. "That is between CIM and whomever they get. That is not an Academy decision," Academy president Tom Sherak said at Wednesday's ballot-mailing ceremony in Beverly Hills, adding: "The Academy has a (contractual) right to make sure the name fits." Winning the rights could be a relative steal, considering the $700 million Farmers Insurance paid last year for putting its name on the new downtown football stadium. Besides the global TV exposure of the Oscars, the theatre is located in a complex with abundant foot traffic. Kodak's proposed withdrawal comes at a time when CIM has seen its most prestigious client exercising its right to shop for another venue, too; AMPAS has reportedly been talking with the Nokia Theatre as an alternative, though Sherak said talks with CIM were still ongoing. "The thinking was, if we have this right, let's exercise it and then let's go back and talk to them," Sherak explained. "We don't necessarily want to leave Hollywood." Contact Christy Grosz at christy.grosz@variety.com

Seidelman assembles team for basketball laffer

Brooke Shields, Daryl Hannah, Melanie Griffith, Wanda Sykes and Camryn Manheim have signed to star in Susan Seidelman's basketball comedy "The Menopause Flashes." Shooting starts Feb. 13 in New Orleans. The film continues to be produced by Nina Henderson Moore, Kaira Hennig and Seidelman with Laurie Lacob professional creating. The film is individually funded by equity finance traders, a variety of it from as well as within the Plastic Valley. Lightning Entertainment is handling foreign sales and may introduce the film to customers within the European Film Market in Berlin. "The Menopause Flashes," composed by Hennig, concentrates on an unlikely basketball team of unappreciated middle-aged Texas women, all former secondary school champs, who challenge the current arrogant secondary school girls' condition champs to enhance money for breast cancers prevention. Sparks fly since the women visit comic extremes to prove themselves on / off legal court, be considered a national media sensation, and acquire a brand new lease on existence. "I used to be attracted with this script because of its comedy approach in addressing the negative stereotypes of aging," Seidelman mentioned. "Now you have women from the certain age were referred to on-screen in vibrant ways, and i'm convinced there is a large audience available who'll readily recognize this effective story." 5 stars will attend a basketball camping together in New Orleans right before filming. Former WNBA leader Donna Orender will lead the camping and performance the sports consultant for your film. Seidelman's pointing credits include "Anxiously Seeking Susan," "She Demon" "Boynton Beach Club" as well as the pilot for your TV series "Sex as well as the City." Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Dimitra Arliss dies at 79

Dimitra Arliss, who carried out a hired killer alongside Robert Redford and Paul Newman inside the caper comedy "The Sting," has died in La. She was 79.Jaime Larkin, an agent for your Film and television Fund Hospital, states Arliss died Jan. 26 within the Woodland Slopes facility of complications in the stroke.The Ohio native began her acting career within the Goodman Theatre in Chicago. On Broadway, Arliss starred opposite Stacy Keach in "Indians" with Kevin Kline and John Malkovich in "Arms as well as the Guy."After turning up just like a "hit lady" inside the 1973 hit "The Sting," she was noticed in "Xanadu," starring Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly, too as with Clint Eastwood's "Opera."Her numerous television credits include "Dallas," ''Quincy M.E.," and "Wealthy Guy, Poor Guy."Arliss is managed to get having a sister. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Came Carey Calls Off Four-Year Engagement

Came Carey and Nicole Jaracz There will not be wedding alarms for Came Carey and longtime fiancée Nicole Jaracz. The pair have cancelled their engagement after a lot more than 4 years, People reviews. Take a look at photos of Came Carey "He and Nicole have a lot of love and affection for each other," Carey's repetition told playboy inside a statement. "He it's still very associated with their son's existence." The Cost is appropriate host sprang the question to Jaracz, a chef, in October 2007. She's a six-year-old boy, Connor, from the previous relationship.

ABC orders 'Beauty as well as the Beast' pilot

Steinberg Permit the fight in the "Monsters" begin.ABC introduced Tuesday an order for just about any pilot using the "Beauty as well as the Animal" legend--7 days following a CW did same, although getting another undertake the story.From ABC Art galleries, ABC's "Animal" can be a fantastical reimagining in the classic mythic occur a mythical, dangerous world by which a stylish and difficult Princess discovers an unlikely mention of the a mysterious animal.The project originates from Jon Steinberg ("Jericho"), who'll executive produce with Mojo Film's Gary Fleder and Mary Jesse Basile.The CW's "Animal," from CBS TV Art galleries, is loosely using the CBS drama within the late eighties. It's known to love a contemporary-day romancer "getting a procedural twist." Jennifer Levin ("Without any Trace") and Sherri Cooper ("Brothers and sisters and Brothers and sisters") composed the pilot and professional produce with Paul Witt, C. Anthony Thomas, Ron Koslow and Bill Haber. Contact Andrew Wallenstein at andrew.wallenstein@variety.com

'Wettest' release pressed back

The Weinstein Co. has moved John Hillcoat's gangster drama "Wettest County" back four several days from April 20 to August. 31.TWC introduced the move Thursday. The April 20 date remains filled with Disney's "Chimpanzee," TWC's "Frightening Movie 5," Warner's "The Lucky One," FilmDictrict's "Lockout," Focus' "Seeking a pal within the Finish round the globeInch and Relativity's "House within the Finish of in the Street."August. 31 will dsicover openings of CBS Films' "7500" and Lionsgate's "The Possession.""Wettest" stars Shia LaBeouf, Tom Sturdy, Gary Oldman and Jessica Chastain. The film, using the novel by Matt Bondurant and modified by Nick Cave, concentrates on brother bootleggers (LaBeouf and durable) taking regulations to their personal hands through the Depression.Lucy Fisher and Douglas Wick are coming up with alongside Michael Benaroya under his Benaroya Pictures banner and Megan Ellison via her Annapurna banner. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Ambassador returns to fundraise for Obama

Nicole Avant, the music activity executive who Leader Obama attracted on as ambassador for the Bahamas, has returned to La and may help boost his reelection fund-raising efforts, beginning by getting a celebration at her home on Jan. 31 featuring First Lady Michelle Obama, sources told Variety.Avant, who was simply one of the co-chairs of Obama's La finance team in 2008, was instrumental in growing Obama's base of contributor on the market and elsewhere in La, mainly in the music business using among prominent African-Us citizens. She and her co-chair, Charlie Rivkin, Boss of WildBrain, were each given ambassadorships following a inauguration. Rivkin is presently ambassador to France.Leader Obama trekked to La three occasions this season to enhance money for his reelection and Michelle Obama came once, despite the fact that their Hollywood-centric occasions offered out, it's not as basic to enhance money since it is at 2008, as some contributor have expressed disappointment, frustration or fatigue.Avant, who's married to Netflix's Ted Sarandos, will host the initial Lady at their Beverly Slopes home. Michelle Obama will attend another fund-raising event the very next day at home of attorney Michael Lawson and also the wife, Mattie, an internal designer, who also elevated money for Obama in 2008.V . P . Ernest Biden is predicted to slate a vacation to La some time over the following month, and plans will be in the entire shebang for the next visit by Leader Obama.Avant's primary cause of resigning wound up being to become closer to her family, as she'd been commuting from the Bahamas and La. She does not possess a situation round the campaign staff, and may convey a lot of informal role. Obama's La finance chairs for 2012 as John Emerson in the Capitol Group and Ken Solomon, Boss in the Tennis Funnel.Avant's departure as ambassador was introduced in the finish of October, as well as the embassy mentioned they preferred to "return to private existence and devote more hours to her family."The tenure of typical ambassadors is not greater than an entire presidential term. Even though they might be plum projects, for a number of appointees what this means is a pay cut, as salary tops out at about $150,000.The Obama event was reported with the Hollywood Reporter's Tina Daunt.Show biz is predicted being attracted on substantially through 2012 with the Obama campaign, using the aspiration that enthusiasm will get a lift each time a GOP nominee is selected and will be offering a apparent choice. In line with the NY Publish, Spike Lee will raise money for Obama on Jan. 19, with tickets at $38,500 per person. Lee remains critical of Obama at points, but is a type of supporters and contributor who've nevertheless handled to obtain apparent that they may still back him this year. Contact Ted Manley at ted.manley@variety.com

Sword master Bob Anderson dies aged 89

Bob Anderson, the sword-master who worked on Star Wars, The Lord Of The Rings and The Princess Bride, has died aged 89.He passed away on 1 January, according to a statement by The British Academy of Fencing (via BBC News).Brit Anderson was an Olympic fencer before he moved into the movies. He began his film career working on stunts, before becoming better known under the undeniably awesome job title of Sword Master.Among the highlights on his filmography are Barry Lyndon, Highlander, The Princess Bride, The Lord Of The Rings trilogy and The Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl.Anderson donned the iconic black helmet to play Darth Vader in the lightsaber duels of The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi.Peter Jackson led the tributes via his Facebook page: "I was thrilled when Bob Anderson agreed to come on board The Lord Of The Rings as our sword-master."In fact, it took a while for it to sink in that I was going to get to work with the same man who had helped create some of cinema's greatest fight sequences - from Star Wars to The Princess Bride. Bob was a brilliant swordsman and a gifted teacher; I will remember him as a wonderfully patient man, possessed of a terrific sense of humour."Anderson is survived by his wife and three children.