Trevor Donovan searching for 'Spring'

Donovan"90210" thesp Trevor Donovan is positioned to star in Hallmark Channel's approaching telepic "Traditions of Spring" alongside Julie Mond and Shelley Extended.Donovan may have a worldwide-famous new bands singer getting a broken status and writer's block who falls for just about any youthful drama school teacher (Mond) while touring through her small town.Thesp, who's most broadly noted for taking pleasure in recently outed character Teddy Montgomery round the CW's "90210," also starred on NBC's "Occasions in our Method Of LifeInch and came out alongside Bruce Willis in Jonathan Mostow's "Surrogates." He recently wrapped a supporting role in Oliver Stone's crime drama "Savages," which Universal releases This summer time 6.Donovan is repped by APA and manager Michael Yanni. Contact Rob Sneider at rob.sneider@variety.com

Exclusive: Cheers' John Ratzenberger Joins Drop Dead Diva

Justified remains restored for just about any 13-episode fourth season, Foreign exchange introduced Tuesday. "Justified is among television's best series which season has increased that excellence," Nick Grad, FX's programming mind, mentioned in the statement. "[Creator] Graham Yost and also the writing team still deliver compelling material and highly attracted figures brought to existence with the brilliance of Timothy Olyphant and our terrific ensemble cast. Their tasks are validated by universal acclaim, honours, and ratings that have grown every year. We anticipate much more seasons later on.Inch Discover More > Other Links From TVGuide.com Timothy OlyphantElmore LeonardGraham YostJustified

Discovery acquires stake in Televista

Reinforcing a content deal inked captured and ongoing U.S. media's quest for overseas gold coin, Discovery Systems Intl. has acquired a 20% stake in French TV group Televista, the organization stated Tuesday. Discovery will give you use of its programming library and be a proper partner to Televista, that is while starting a brand new femme DTT funnel known as Via. Via's other traders include French funds Aplus Finance, Altice and Audacia, the businesses stated inside a statement. Discovery will get access to local French programming created by Via that it may funnel through its large and growing worldwide funnel selection. Discovery's push in to the female lifestyle brand includes Real-time network and, Stateside, a partnership with The famous host oprah Winfrey on OWN. "Discovery brings both expertise and content we have to accelerate our development particularly in free DTT channels where Discovery has already been contained in Italia, The country and Germany," stated Televista Boss Gaspard p Chavagnac. "France is an extremely important marketplace for us, and that we are happy to have the ability to get this to investment," stated Dee Forbes, prexy and controlling director, Discovery Systems The European Union. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Lionsgate, Youku Seal Online Distribution Pact For 200 Titles In China

The deal follows Lionsgate’s move into the Chinese VOD market last month via a pact with YOU On Demand. This new agreement gives leading Chinese internet TV platform Youku access to 200 Lionsgate titles for its Youku Movies Channel on an ad-supported basis. The deal was arranged through Celestial Tiger Entertainment, the Asian media company formed last December by Celestial Pictures, Saban Capital and Lionsgate. Youku also has deals in place to license content from Disney, Paramount, DreamWorks, Warner Bros and 20th Century Fox. Studios are increasingly moving into the Chinese VOD arena with Warner Bros and Disney also in business there with YOU On Demand. BEIJING, Mar. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ — Youku Inc. (NYSE: YOKU), China’s leading internet television company, recently signed a licensing agreement with Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), a leading diversified global entertainment company. The deal was arranged through Celestial Tiger Entertainment, the exclusive sales agent for Lionsgate in Greater China and Southeast Asia. The agreement grants Youku the right to make 200 Lionsgate titles, including Hotel Rwanda, Monster’s Ball, and Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, available to users on an ad-supported basis via Youku’s Movies Channel. Youku’s Movies Channel (http://movie.youku.com) is a curated front-end to Youku’s free and premium film content, and offers content owners a range of options for making their work available to viewers. In addition to choosing to set a price for their content, content owners can opt to allow their content to become freely available after a set period. Eleven of the 18 films with Chinese box office revenues of more than RMB 100 million in 2011 are currently available on Youku’s Movies Channel. “We’re delighted to be able to offer Lionsgate films to our users on an advertising-supported basis,” said Zhu Huilong, Vice president of Movie Operations and Corporate Development. “This agreement is a chance for Youku to deepen our industry-leading portfolio of international titles, and to broaden our partnerships with studios as we lead the way in offering legally licensed content online in China through a range of free and paid models.” Rights holders also have the option of making their titles available through Youku Premium (http://yuanxian.youku.com/), which offers paid on-demand and subscription-based access to ad-free, high-resolution premium content, including major new releases and favorite classics from Chinese and international studios. Youku Premium debuted in beta in October 2010 and has processed more than 1 million orders since then, with an average of 60,000 paid views for each of the top ten titles on the platform. Youku has signed deals to license content from a number of major international studios including Disney, Paramount, Dreamworks, Warner Bros, and 20th Century Fox.

Watch the outlet scene from Contagion online now

The germ-averse among you need to really close this article now, as we have got the outlet scene of Steven Soderbergh's Contagion that you should view below.The scene, which opens in Hong Kong on Day 2 (you will need to watch towards the finish from the movie to discover about Day 1), sees Gwyneth Paltrow's travelling businesswoman munching from the bowl of suspicious searching peanuts and showing the very first signs and symptoms of the rather nasty cough.After that, we have seen herpes distributing to London, Minnesota and a number of other locations around the world.If you are the kind of commuter to arch a scathing eyebrow at any fellow people who a lot as sniffle, this clip will probably incite a something of the stress in your soul.But, if you have your anti-microbial hands-gel prepared, get watching the clip now:[brightcove]1485297038001[/brightcove]In the event that clip has you feverish to look at the entire film, Contagion is available for sale on Blu-ray and DVD today.Read our Contagion review.

'Lorax' expected to stand tall at B.O.

Universal's Dr. Seuss toon, 'The Lorax,' should gross about $40 million, though some pundits put it north of $50 million.Warner Bros.' R-rated house party pic 'Project X' is hoping to lure young adults.X marks the spot this weekend with a pair of lively counterprogramming newbies, "The Lorax" and "Project X," likely to keep 2012's perfect year-over-year winning streak going at the domestic box office.Universal's toon hitmaker Illumination Entertainment looks to have a third B.O. contender in "The Lorax" on Friday -- what would be the 108th birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel himself. Studio's adaptation of the 1971 book is expected to see an opening of about $40 million, though some pundits put it north of $50 million.Since tracking services first weighed in three weeks ago, the $70 million "Lorax" has been steadily building buzz, especially among families. Pic screens at 3,728 locations, including 269 in Imax.Meanwhile, Warner Bros.'s R-rated house party pic "Project X" kickstarted its rollout Thursday at approximately 1,000 midnight runs.At the high end of expectations, "Project X" could break the $20 million mark, though high teens seem more likely for the $12 million film with no movie stars. The R-rated "X," from Green Hat Films and Silver Pictures, is tracking best with men 17-25.The projected B.O. might of "Lorax" and "Project X," along with the market's top holdovers including "Act of Valor" and "Safe House," should be enough to extend 2012 Stateside B.O.'s year-over-year streak to nine weeks. This time last year, Paramount's "Rango" debuted at $38 million, followed by a $21 million opening for U's "The Adjustment Bureau."In an expected post-Oscars push, the Weinstein Co. adds nearly 800 additional locations to "The Artist" for a total 1,756. The best picture winner enters its 15th frame with a Stateside cume of $32.9 million.Also at the specialty B.O., Focus Features debuts Robert De Niro-Paul Dano starrer "Being Flynn" at four U.S. engagements."Lorax," produced by Illumination founder Chris Meledandri, has generated strong pre-release reactions from auds across the board -- and not just with families. U inked more than 70 global partnerships on the environmentally themed film including with the EPA, Hewlett Packard, Seventh Generation and Mazda. The studio also targeted Hispanic auds through various promotional campaigns, as well as an aggressive TV blitz on Univision.Dr. Seuss adaptations have made popular family fodder over the past decade: In 2000, U scored with "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," grossing $341 million worldwide. Three years later, Universal adapted a live version of "The Cat in the Hat" ($136 million globally), followed in 2008 by Fox's toon "Horton Hears a Who," which cumed nearly $300 million worldwide."Horton" stands as the highest-grossing Seuss adaptation internationally, with $143.4 million. That pic performed best mainly throughout Europe and in some Latin American territories, notably, Mexico and Brazil. "Lorax" launches March 8 in Russia before expanding to additional overseas markets over the next few months, timed for Easter and school holidays.Illumination's track record includes past family hits "Hop" and "Despicable Me." Last year, "Hop" bowed four weeks prior to Easter, opening to $37.5 million, while 2010 summer title "Despicable Me" tallied $56 million in its opening frame.For "Project X," Warners said it expects word of mouth to pop online, based on the film's twentysomething target aud. Pic, from first-time director Nima Nourizadeh, bows day-and-date this weekend in Australia and the U.K.Among the weekend's repeat players, Relativity Media's Navy SEALs actioner "Act of Valor" should hold best. Pic has been tops in midweek rankings, with a cume just shy of $30 million as of Wednesday. Meanwhile, U's "Safe House" recently crossed the $100 million domestic mark. Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com

Actress Meryl Streep Donates $10,000 to RI School

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) Meryl Streep has donated $10,000 to a charter school in the struggling Rhode Island city of Central Falls after a plug from fellow actress and hometown favorite Viola Davis.Angelo Garcia, founder and director of the Segue Institute for Learning, says the check from Streep's Silver Mountain Foundation for the Arts arrived Monday. A note said it was on behalf of actress Davis, who grew up in Central Falls.Both Davis and Streep were nominated for the best actress Oscar this year, with Streep winning the award on Sunday night.The Segue Institute has more than 200 students in grades six through eight.Garcia, who grew up with Davis, says the school is trying to raise money to buy the building it's in or find a new location.Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. By Erika Niedowski February 28, 2012 Viola Davis and Meryl Streep at the 84th Annual Oscars PHOTO CREDIT Getty Images PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) Meryl Streep has donated $10,000 to a charter school in the struggling Rhode Island city of Central Falls after a plug from fellow actress and hometown favorite Viola Davis.Angelo Garcia, founder and director of the Segue Institute for Learning, says the check from Streep's Silver Mountain Foundation for the Arts arrived Monday. A note said it was on behalf of actress Davis, who grew up in Central Falls.Both Davis and Streep were nominated for the best actress Oscar this year, with Streep winning the award on Sunday night.The Segue Institute has more than 200 students in grades six through eight.Garcia, who grew up with Davis, says the school is trying to raise money to buy the building it's in or find a new location.Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

'Star Trek' Leaks Are 'A Bummer,' Zoe Saldana States

The other day, we released about several photos within the number of "The Exorcist 2" showing Benedict Cumberbatch and Zachary Quinto stored in some form of struggle. Cumberbatch may well be a villain or else Quinto is almost certainly still Spock, unless of course obviously the authors Are going really strange from it. It absolutely was hard to tell what happening, really. But whoever leaked the photos hasnt greatly endeared themselves to director J.J. Abrams, who apparently wasnt too happy according to Zoe Saldana. Once we taken track of Uhura within the Independent Spirit Honours, she revealed the climate on set following a accidental reveal. "J.J. was very upset," she mentioned. "I have to condition that. It won't stop people from intruding, but they are, and that is that kind of bummer because it only affects them by stealing away the surprise." Making a appropriate volume of sense -- why ruin an unpredicted several days in advance when you're still prone to pay money for your ticket, and when you possess an roughly .01% chance of affecting on any particulars in the film via organized Internet protest or blowback? But perform understand fan culture, as well as the pressing need to be happy with any iota of understanding. Taking my way through stride, Saldana switched light once we asked for her in what Cumberbatch provides the film. "Another tasty male actor in 'Star Trek' that's what he's adding, and i'm experiencing it," she mentioned. What can you consider the "The Exorcist 2" photo leaks? Reveal inside the comments section or hit us on Twitter!

Pilot Season: Scott Foley to Star Opposite Becki Newton in Fox's The Goodwin Games

Dianna Agron, Glee Our top moments each week: 13. Lamest Return: Chad Michael Murray makes his much-anticipated go back to One Tree Hill when Lucas involves town to get his niece and nephew for a holiday in draw attention away from them using their father Nathan's abduction and... well, there you have it. Furthermore all Murray's moments occur within the airport terminal, but would Lucas Scott really arrived at Tree Hill after 2 yrs away and never see his other buddies? We are glad Murray returned for that show's final season, but our imagination of methods Lucas, Peyton and Sawyer are was a lot more exciting than reality. 12. Most Crazy Reveal: After making it through their river plunge on Castle, Beckett and Castle re-team together with his former muse, CIA agent Sophia (guest star Jennifer Beals), to determine that the mole within the CIA has planned to get rid of the daughter of the Chinese kingmaker - a dying that will trigger World War III (yeah, go by using it). Because they reach the building to prevent the murder, Sophia and her cohort push the 2 into a clear room, where she discloses herself to become the mole along with a sleeper KGB agent. "It was never my country," Sophia states in laughable Russian right before her No. 2 - whom she presented because the mole - predictably shoots her dead. The entire plot is totally absurd, however the one positive thing to leave it? Right before she's wiped out, Sophia hints that Castle's mysterious father might have been within the CIA. 11. Parents Just Do Not Understand Award: Around The Bachelor, Ben visits the ladies' hometowns. As he comes to Tennessee to satisfy Kacie's conservative parents, she immediately alerts Ben, a wine maker, that her father does not drink, but that does not stop him from getting a wine bottle like a gift anyway. (Method to listen!) The contrasting of cultures continues when Kacie's father causes it to be obvious to Ben he will not agree to an offer which Kacie's mother could be disappointed when the two resided together before marriage. "Don't hurry into anything. I'd rather not see anybody harmed,Inch he informs Ben. "If Kacie isn't the one, I'd hope that that might be conveyed to her soon to avoid her from getting hurt any longer." Works out Kacie isn't the one, so Ben transmits her home - although not before she yells some profanities in the limo. Question if her parents would agree to that? 10. Most Apparent Prejudice: Included in Top Chef's Fire & Ice challenge, Sarah constitutes a frozen mousse that's designed to melt right into a sauce, however it ends up too icy and almost inedible. She's an overall total goner, right? Not a chance! Tom Colicchio, who's championed Sarah all season, excuses the problem as "not her fault" and she or he books a location within the final two. Um, whether it is not her fault it grew to become ice-hard, then whose could it be? And just how would you overlook an element that unsuccessful for everyone its purpose? Hell has frozen over. 9. Funniest Situation of Nerves: Right before he meets the idol judges to understand his fate on The American Idol Show - he managed to get in to the Top 24, incidentally - a noticeably shaken Heejan Han takes certainly one of Ryan Seacrest's questions the wrong manner. Once the host asks, "What exactly are you sweating?" - as with "What exactly are you concerned about?Inch - Heejan does not miss a beat and solutions, "Mostly water," before Seacrest informs him what he really meant. What else, besides water, is Heejan sweating exactly? Will we even need to know? 8. Creepiest Ex Factor: Orson returns to assist Bree put her existence together again on Desperate Average women, but it's gradually says her ex-husband isn't the whitened dark night he seems to become. When Bree inquires about Orson's newly found confidence, he states it originated from finding out how to drive again after his paralyzing accident. Orson will be proven in flashbacks stalking Bree from driving - including when she and also the women hidden Alejandro's body. The worst part? We learn that Orson is the one that sent Bree individuals disturbing I Understand That Which You Did Last Summer time notes. We believe we loved Orson better like a kleptomaniac, and that we did not like him like a kleptomaniac. 7. Best Lady Macbeth Impression: Around The Walking Dead, Lori decides that possibly the easiest method to cope with Shane (who's become erratic and harmful, even while professing his passion to Lori) would be to take him out permanently. Signal a romantic scene between Lori and husband Ron, where she informs him how scared she's of loose-cannon Shane. The icing around the cake: Lori states Shane thinks Ron is not fit to guide the audience any longer. To gain access to from another Shakespeare play: Doth the woman protest an excessive amount of? In the seething look on Rick's face, he does not appear to consider so. 6. Knowing When you should Move Ahead Award: Ted will get the eco-friendly light from Barney to pursue Robin (again) how I Met Your Mother, so he goodies her to some date/trip lower memory lane (blue French horn!). But simply if this appears like déjà vu, Robin isn't feeling it and attempts to assuage the discomfort by telling Ted of the "if we are single at 40" back-up plan. "I can not do this any longer," he states. "As lengthy because the door is a touch bit open, I've these feelings that I'll you need to be holding out to ascertain if I get a windfall. I believe you are aware how you are feeling about me now." Crestfallen, Ted informs Marshall he recognizes that he and Robin are best as buddies, delivering Marshall to inform Robin something they know his closest friend can't: "You gotta re-locate." So... are we able to satisfy the mother now? (Bonus moment: Have you catch Conan O'Brien lumbering around MacLaren's?) 5. Most Heartbreaking Delivery: She required her into her home. She gave her food. She assisted her study. But several weeks of Julia's wishing, wanting, praying and effort convincing Zoe to allow her and Joel adopt Zoe's unborn baby on Being a parent break apart when Julia would go to a healthcare facility to get her new boy - only to discover Zoe within the nursery cradling the infant in her own arms. No test is exchanged between your two, however when Zoe sees Julia, she begins crying and supports the baby closer, which is immediately obvious with whom the infant is certainly going home. Maybe Zoe is simply saying goodbye? Sigh. Just pass the tissue already. 4. The Blind Side Award: We have seen a footrace, an ill-timed pee break along with a lost passport throughout Amazing Race Pit Stops, but none of them will top the absurdity around the Season 20 premiere. Using the final place within the Top Ten at risk, siblings Misa and Maiya rally from last place and appearance enroute to safety in the Pit Stop behind your building. However they strangely miss seeing Phil Keoghan - as well as the Pit Stop greeter and also the whole camera crew and production team - who're noticeably standing 80 yards for their right. Because they hysterically search the causes, buddies Joey "Fitness" and Danny sign in. The women chalk up their blunder to tunnel vision and, later, not to understanding what to search for. Uh, what about people? 3. Best Sexy Time Shenanigans: In order to enhance her sex existence with husband Lamar Odom, Khloe Kardashian decides to obtain a sex swing around the Season 2 premiere of Khloe & Lamar. Rather than bringing in the professionals, she installs the contraption herself, but sadly it's not created to last. Right as they are going to have it on, your swing breaks, shedding them onto the mattress. "I suppose I did not do the installation right," Khloe laughs. "I could not even rock!" Lamar laments. Our greatest question: Why were they letting cameras film them making love? Oh, wait. Let alone. 2. Best Twist: After many years of watching Will Gardner scrimp around the Good Wife, most fans assumed he'd narrowly steered clear of conviction once more as he wasn't indicted for judicial bribery. Wrong! Rather, Will's 15-year-old, $45,000 loan from the client resurfaces and, instead of face possibly losing his law license forever, he selects a six-month suspension from as being a lawyer or going near his firm. Knowing in the baseball softball bat in the hands because he walks out of the door, apparently he will apply certain of this time for you to focus on his swing? 1. Worst Twist: Rachel and Finn choose to got married on Glee, but Rachel demands on supporting their civil ceremony to hold back on her very belated maid-matron of honour Quinn. 5 minutes before City Hall's closing time, Rachel urgently texts Quinn to obtain there now. While driving, Quinn texts that she's on her behalf way just like an enormous truck is going to plow into her vehicle - and also the scene fades to black. (Don't text and drive, kids!) And ideas thought the pink hair could be her low point this year. What were your top moments?

Raising Hope Exclusive First Look: See Which Jackass Star Is Stopping By!

Our top moments of the week: 14. Most Shocking Reveal, Runner-Up: As if it wasn't gross enough that Jess came thisclose to using her super-sized box of condoms to have a one-night stand with Schmidt on New Girl, the camera cuts to the other side of Schmidt's door to show that he's already getting busy... with Cece! The next morning, an embarrassed Jess calls Cece to confess her close call with Schmidt, just as Schmidt rolls over and snuggles Cece's neck. Please, ladies, no catfights. It will just make it all that much more pathetic. 13. Most Cliched: Ivy gets a callback for... Read More > Other Links From TVGuide.com Desperate HousewivesThe Daily Show With Jon StewartRicky GervaisCriminal MindsHow I Met Your MotherCastleGleeAmber RileyCougar TownParenthoodPatti StangerSmashRevengeNew GirlJon StewartWhitney HoustonGossip GirlJustifiedThe Walking Dead

Exclusive: Hugh Grant Talks Cloud Atlas

In an adventure with cannibalsHugh Grant, Britain's newest investigative reporter and all-round national treasure, gets back to his day job with a couple of peachy roles in coming months. If you've seen the trailer for Aardman's Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists you'll know all about his knockabout Pirate Captain in the stop-motion caper. But you not know as much about his role in the genre kaleidoscope that is Cloud Atlas.For the new issue Empire sat down with Grant to chat about his film career to date, Leveson and the lure of Hollywood blockbusters in his post-Four Weddings heyday. And a cracking interview he proved to be.He shared some fascinating insights into his role in Tom Tykwer and Lana and Andy Wachowski's Russian doll of a movie. Or should that be roles? "I have six cameo parts in this strange, ambitious film," Grant explained. "I do a lot of killing and raping. I wear an awful lot of prosthetic make up, too. You probably won't know that I am in the film! But it was a laugh. I thought before I read it that I'd turn it down, which I normally do, but I was interested in meeting the Wachowskis because I have always admired them enormously. And they are so charming and fascinating."Describing those six characters as "incredibly evil", Grant explained that the Wachowski siblings' decision to cast him against type led to serious soul-searching: "I slightly called my own bluff. In one of the parts I am a cannibal, about 2000 years in the future, and I thought, 'I can do that. It's easy.' And then I am suddenly standing in a cannibal skirt on a mountaintop in Germany and they are saying, 'You know, hungry! We must have that flesh-eating, like a leopard who is so hungry...' and I am thinking, 'I can't do that! Just give me a witty line!'"Cloud Atlas recently wrapped and the three co-directors are dealing with the unenviable task of knitting all this narrative complexity together in the editing suite. "It will be fascinating to see how it turns out," marvelled Grant, who describes it as the biggest independent film of his career. "I have seen little bits of cut footage and it is just astonishing. I probably had 20 shooting days, and each of them is shooting their own part of the film with their own crews. It's remarkable."There's genuine anticipation building around this one - even more now we know that Hugh Grant will be channelling his inner leopard - and a trailer shouldn't be too far away. Expect Cloud Atlas itself on the big screen later this year.

'Harry Potter' and The Oscars: Why The Boy Wizard Got Snubbed

This morning, Harry Potter fans everywhere had to come to terms with some pretty big disappointment. Hopes that "Deathly Hallows Part 2" might earn Oscars glory crashed and burned today with the nominations announcement. It wasn't just the fans that prayed for a big night on Oscar night. Warner Bros. made a big push for award consideration with their ubiquitous "Consider" ad campaign. Many held out hope for a Best Picture nomination and perhaps recognition, at long last, for Alan Rickman and Severus Snape. Alas, "Deathly Hallows - Part 2" did not make the cut, despite a relatively long list of nine Best Picture nominees, one less than the maximum. But were the awards dreams just fan delusions that got out of hand? When a movie makes more than one billion dollars world-wide, you should pay attention. When a movie earns some of the most unanimous praise of the year from critics, you should pay attention. Despite both of these enormous factors, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2" scored only three nominations, all in technical categories. The snub reveals the supreme stubbornness of the Academy, and two highly superficial and trivial factors led to Harry's disappointing morning. First, for Academy voters, the "Harry Potter" films fall into two of Oscar's least favorite genres: the children's film and fantasy. There are notable exceptions for each, however. Just this year, "Hugo," a "children's film" earned the most nominations of any movie, but without its auteur director behind the camera, we would have seen a very different outcome. And despite its fantasy setting, "The Lord of the Rings" earned Best Picture nominations for each installment, but their dark and epic tone from the get-go made them more Oscar-friendly. Secondly, "Deathly Hallows - Part 2" was the eighth film in a series and the second half of one complete story. Superficial things like numbers after a title can make the difference and spell disappointment for even the most qualified film. If you strip away the context and focus on the actual merits of the film, you'd have a hard time arguing that a movie like "Avatar," one with a comparable scale and box office haul, deserved the recognition that "Deathly Hallows" didn't get. The Academy's oversight would have been more understandable had the nominee pool been stronger this year. Aside from "The Tree of Life," this year's Best Picture contenders make up the safest and most Oscar-friendly field of nominees in recent memory. A nomination for "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2" would have defied Academy stereotypes and shook up a race that is destined to leave many viewers snoring. Did you think "Harry Potter" deserved more Oscar attention? Let us know in the comments below and on Twitter!

TV deals increase before NATPE

Electus has already established worldwide rights to Spike TV's "Switch Males." Before NATPE opens its entrance doors, deals are increasingly being made. Once they want you, they require you: "Katie" is taken away for 93% of the united states, in line with the latest figures from Disney-ABC Domestic TV distribution. Disney-ABC Domestic topper Janice Marinelli mentioned she wanted the show would satisfy the growing demand throughout your day sked left through the famous host the famous host oprah Winfrey. "You typically felt just like you were vanishing (from 'Oprah') having a couple of information that you just was without,Inch Marinelli mentioned. "'Katie' will most likely be live five days each week, if there's something happening within the u . s . states or in news reports, we'll be capable of discuss it." The hourlong yakker is taken away in 95 in the best gamers areas and may likely use cleanup a few deals while at NATPE now. The show, produced by former NBCUniversal prexy-Boss Rob Zucker, is skedded for just about any September premiere. In other pre-NATPE news, FremantleMedia Companies and Mattel are joining track of Cartoon Network South Usa on "Max Steel," a CGI cartoon using the Mattel toy line and produced by animation studio Nerd Corps Entertainment. Comedy/adventure toon follows a superpowered teen became a member of getting a self-aware alien machine. It's been the subject of eight telepics together with an earlier CGI series produced at this time-defunct Netter Digital. Most recently, "Twilight" thesp Rachelle Lefervre made the decision to star inside the character's bigscreen debut for Vital, though he apparently handled to maneuver about this year. The toys, while largely unknown inside the U.S., are popular abroad -- specifically in Brazilian -Making the show a likely candidate for your lately worldwide NATPE, with a large Latin American presence becasue it is in Miami. Fremantle brings the show for the confab this year the sale with Cartoon Network South Usa offers the 26 "Max Steel" half-several hours distribution in Mexico, South usa, Argentina and Chile. Electus has acquired worldwide distrib rights for 3 Spike TV series just before the tv industry confab: "Switch Males," "American Digger" and "Vehicle Lot Cowboy," all unscripted skeins airing round the guy-centric cabler. Electus also produces newcomer skein "Cowboy." "Switch Males" remains airing round the internet since October of a year ago "Digger" and "Cowboy" are situated for March and April, correspondingly. The world options repetition exactly the types of pitches that NATPE's go to Miami is personalized to facilitate. With several American cablers basing their worldwide offices in Miami, cablers are actually going to the conference since a year ago searching for deals that expand into areas in Brazilian, Guatemala and Mexico. Contact Mike Thielman at mike.thielman@variety.com

U.K. blocks Pinewood expansion plan

LONDON -- A mere nine days after U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron visited Blighty's Pinewood Shepperton Studios, the government has rejected the studio's proposed expansion plans dubbed Project Pinewood.The 200 million ($309 million) proposal, which was initially unveiled in 2007, planned to double the size of Pinewood Studios, and envisaged creating more than 1,400 homes, offices and permanent film sets replicating destinations such as NY's Tribeca neighborhood and Montmartre in Paris. In a statement, Pinewood said it was "disappointed by today's decision by the secretary of state for communities and local government," and added that the company would "take time to review the decision in detail."Shares in Pinewood-Shepperton have fallen 7.5 pence (11.6 cents) to 265 pence (409.8 cents) -- some 6% -- since the planning application was rejected. The proposal has met its fair share of opposition from residents near the studio, and the South Buckinghamshire District Council, which rejected the plans initially. In July, Brit real estate, transport and infrastructure investment company Peel Holdings completed a takeover of the Brit studios, upping its ownership to 71.1% of its stock. Pinewood Shepperton, which has housed the lensing of pics such as Martin Scorsese's "Hugo," the "Harry Potter" franchise and upcoming Ridley Scott pic "Prometheus," said it would "continue to implement its master planning consents at Pinewood and Shepperton studios and pursue its international strategy of developing studios overseas." Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com

Lindsay Lohan and Megan Fox compete for Elizabeth Taylor biopic

Lindsay Lohan and Megan Fox are in talks to play Elizabeth Taylor according to Larry Thompson, executive producer of Lifetime movie Liz & Dick."I've been talking to Lindsay Lohan directly, and with her reps, and have been in conversations with other actresses, including Megan Fox," Thompson said."It's a very serious selection," Thompson continued. "It's like casting for Hollywood royalty."Whilst we definitely agree that Liz Taylor is Hollywood royalty, we're not entirely sure we'd place Lindsay Lohan or Megan Fox into that particular category.Still, the actresses have a lot in common - they're both 25, they've both courted more than their fair share of controversy, and, perhaps most importantly in this context, they both bear more than a passing resemblance to Liz.We'll find out which actress has won the race to play one of Britain's finest actresses very soon, as the movie starts shooting in the spring.To see Taylor in action, check out this trailer for the classic Father Of The Bride:[brightcove]970155846001[/brightcove]

David Letterman Near Deal to stay on Late Surface 2014

The Late Show with David Letterman David Letterman was passed to achieve success Johnny Carson as host in the Tonight Show, but is becoming poised to dethrone Carson since the longest-running late-evening star in TV history. Letterman, 64, is approaching a deal with CBS which will keep him behind the desk in the Late Surface 2014, in line with the NY Occasions. 2014 will mark his 32nd year in the finish of evening (11 years on NBC's Late Evening then so what can be 21 years on CBS). Carson was round the air in the finish of evening for thirty years. As Dork catches Jay, will be the late evening wars over? CBS remains approved by Letterman's production company, Worldwide Pants, to produce new handles the show's staff, producers and authors, in line with the newspaper. Despite the fact that this signifies a deal with Letterman is "very close," just like a source notifies the Occasions, not able to CBS' other late-evening host, Craig Ferguson, is uncertain. He may not continue since the host in the Late Late Show. Despite the fact that it had been believed that Letterman would retire within the finish of his current two-year deal, which expires in August, he's now vulnerable to stick to TV. Ferguson features a clause within the contract he'll succeed Letterman whenever he chooses to step lower. However, Ferguson may leave CBS if he is not offered a sizable salary or possibly a larger production arrange for his show, in line with the Occasions. Are you currently presently happy David Letterman is remaining in the finish of evening?

Tom Hardy talks playing Al Capone

Tom Hardy has spoken to the Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye about his upcoming role as Al Capone in Cicero.Hardy will play the infamous gangster after he has finished shooting Mad Max: Fury Road.He told Bamigboye: "I've been working with Warner Bros, watching their gangster films - the ones with James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart and Edward G. Robinson," naming The Petrified Forest, The Public Enemy and Little Caesar as examples."It's interesting to get them, and a bit of Capone, into the bloodstream... The idea isn't to remake those films but to get a flavour of them as we explore Capone's career as a racketeer."On the status of the movie (which is set to be directed by Harry Potter's David Yates), Hardy added: "The idea at the moment is of doing a trilogy of films, but nothing is set. Everyone is just talking and exploring."Tom Hardy will next be seen in This Means War, before appearing as Bane in The Dark Knight Rises (you may have heard us mention that one before).