Rhys Ifans lands role in timber-epic 'Serena'

IfansRhys Ifans, who plays the villainous Lizard in "The Astounding Spider-Guy," is at discussions to participate Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence in Susanne Bier's adaptation of Ron Rash's novel "Serena," which has also added Lawrence's "Hunger Games" co-star Toby Manley.2929 Entertainment is creating the pic, that is co-funded by European small-major Studiocanal.Story originates inside the hills of 20's New You are able to, with Cooper playing a timber baron and Lawrence playing his wife Serena, who battles the us government to be able to save their lands and engineers the murder of her husband's illegitimate boy.Ifans is at predicts play Galloway, a vicious Appalachian guide who becomes Serena's muscle after she saves his existence. Manley is positioned to see Sheriff McDowell, who doggedly chases Cooper's character.2929's Todd Wagner and Ben Cosgrove are coming up with with Nick Wechsler and Chockstone Pictures principals Steve and Paula Mae Schwartz. Production round the $25 million-$Thirty Dollars million pic is skedded to start March 26 in Prague's Barrandov Studio and also on Czech locations.Ifans, who's coming off strong reviews for his submit Roland Emmerich's "Anonymous," will next be viewed in Nicholas Stoller's Universal comedy "5-Year Engagement."Manley is coming initially from off a banner year through which he co-starred in "Mess Tailor Soldier Spy," "My Week With Marilyn," "Captain America" and "The Adventures of Tintin." He'll soon be viewed both in "The Hunger Games" and "Snow White-colored as well as the Huntsman."UTA reps both Ifans and Manley, who's also repped by Artist Rights Group and lawyers Carlos Goodman and Greg Slewett. Ifans may also be repped by Brillstein Entertainment Partners and Independent Talent Group. Contact Rob Sneider at rob.sneider@variety.com

Compact disk Marc Hirschfeld Assumes Supervisory Role at Gaumont Intl. TV

Compact disk Marc Hirschfeld Assumes Supervisory Role at Gaumont Intl. TV By Pete Keeley March 5, 2012 Marc Hirschfeld Casting director Marc Hirschfeld will need by having an advisory role at production company Gaumont Worldwide Television, controlling series casting. The completely new company established in September becoming an American subsidiary of French production giant Gaumont received two series orders this spring.The initial, "Hannibal," was acquired by NBC for 13 episodes. The series brings erudite killer Hannibal Lecter and also the enemy/mentee, FBI profiler Will Graham, for the small screen. Each episode will uncover Graham seeking Lecter's advice and guidance in hunting for a completely new unsavory character. Shooting is scheduled to start within this summer time, but no casting director is attached. Another series, "Hemlock Grove," received an order from Netflix, adding for their growing roster of original programming. Using the novel by John McGreevy, that is released on March 27, the series is occur the and surrounding suburbs in Pennsylvania where a youthful girl is situated very wiped out, departing a good amount of suspects. Shooting can get under strategies by Pittsburgh in June. Denise Chamian will handle casting.Hirschfeld, who also provides an consultant gig with Starz, is constantly on the cast projects individually with co-casting director Blyth Nailling. Their office handles casting for the next four presently airing shows: ABC comedy "Last Guy Standing," NBC's "Are You Currently Presently There, Chelsea?," TV Land's "Happily Divorced," and MTV's "I Merely Want My Pants Back." They are also casting CBS comedy pilot "Friend Me," that's scheduled to shoot later. Compact disk Marc Hirschfeld Assumes Supervisory Role at Gaumont Intl. TV By Pete Keeley March 5, 2012 Marc Hirschfeld Casting director Marc Hirschfeld will need by having an advisory role at production company Gaumont Worldwide Television, controlling series casting. The completely new company established in September becoming an American subsidiary of French production giant Gaumont received two series orders this spring.The initial, "Hannibal," was acquired by NBC for 13 episodes. The series brings erudite killer Hannibal Lecter and also the enemy/mentee, FBI profiler Will Graham, for the small screen. Each episode will uncover Graham seeking Lecter's advice and guidance in hunting for a completely new unsavory character. Shooting is scheduled to start within this summer time, but no casting director is attached. Another series, "Hemlock Grove," received an order from Netflix, adding for their growing roster of original programming. Using the novel by John McGreevy, that is released on March 27, the series is occur the and surrounding suburbs in Pennsylvania where a youthful girl is situated very wiped out, departing a good amount of suspects. Shooting could possibly get under strategies by Pittsburgh in June. Denise Chamian will handle casting.Hirschfeld, who also provides an consultant gig with Starz, is constantly on the cast projects individually with co-casting director Blyth Nailling. Their office handles casting for the next four presently airing shows: ABC comedy "Last Guy Standing," NBC's "Are You Currently Presently There, Chelsea?," TV Land's "Happily Divorced," and MTV's "The Most Effective My Pants Back." They are also casting CBS comedy pilot "Friend Me," that's scheduled to shoot later.

Second Men In Black 3 Trailer Online

A better look at the sci-fi threequelWe've only had a quick teaser trailer to date, but here at last is a full trailer for Men InBlack 3, giving you a better look at what we can expect on May 25 from Will Smith, TommyLee Jones and the gang.As you can see here, the plot involves the time-travel murder of Agent K (Jones), wiping him from existence by killing him 40 years in the past (when he's JoshBrolin rather than Tommy Lee Jones). Agent J (Smith) goes back in time to try to put things right - but we're guessing it won't be easy. Emma Thompson, Alice Eve, Bill Hader, MichaelStulhbarg and Jemaine Clement are all along for the ride, with Barry Sonnenfeld once again directing.So what do you think?Will you be queuing up for Men InBlack 3 come May 25?[[Poll641]]

Israel fest fetes three in L.A.

The Israel Film Festival will honor David Nevins, Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa for the Showtime skein "Homeland" at its opening-night gala at the Paramount lot on March 15. The three will be recognized alongside previously announced honoree Jonah Hill. "Homeland" is based on the Israeli program "Hatufim" ("Prisoners of War"). Gordon and Gansa exec produce the adaptation, while Nevins greenlit the project as Showtime's prexy of entertainment. Showrunner Gansa's credits include "24" and "Dawson's Creek." Gordon also serves as showrunner and exec producer of NBC's "Awake." Hill will receive the IFF Achievement in Television Award. Thesp received an Oscar nom for his turn in "Moneyball" and stars in Sony's "21 Jump Street." Limor Livnat, Israel's culture minister, will be the opening night's guest of honor, marking her first appearance at the IFF. Produced by the IsraFest Foundation with support from the Consulate General of Israel in L.A., the fest will screen 30 films March 15-29. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Universal To Unveil New Animated Logo design In Front Of The Lorax

La, CA, March 1, 2012 Included in Universal Pictures yearlong Centennial celebration, the studio will disclose an up-to-date animated logo design in recognition of their 100th anniversary, it had been introduced today. The brand new animated logo design can make its debut with Universal and Illumination Entertainments three dimensional-CG feature Dr. Seuss The Lorax, that is being launched in theaters countrywide on March 2, and it'll be utilized on all film releases moving forward. The brand new logo design honors the authenticity of the trademark and pays homage towards the galleries wealthy film history, cultural impact and global vision (A static version of the logo design is featured towards the top of this release). This is actually the seventh version of the animated logo design produced for that motion-picture studio since its beginning. Our Centennial year is the best chance to produce a new logo design that reflects our future while praising our past, stated Ron Meyer, Universal Galleries Leader and COO. Universals new logo design remembers the galleries remarkable legacy in creating lasting movie reminiscences and hooking up audiences around the world. For that new animated logo design design, Universal partnered using the Academy Award-winning visual effects artists at Nz-based Weta Digital to capture Universals vision for any contemporary logo design that remained in keeping with the companys legacy identity of the global vision. The visual dynamic from the new logo design was inspired by satellite imagery that highlighted a view around the globe on the obvious evening from space. Instead of concentrating on the continents and physical limitations that separate people, the brand new view is outlined with small points of vibrant lights that pop over the globesymbolizing the 1000's of towns introduced together by their shared passion for film. In conjunction with the animated logo design, award-winning film composer Bryan Tyler (Fast and Furious franchise) provided a brand new arrangement of Jerry Goldsmiths classic score, that has supported the logo design since 1997. The legendary theme of Goldsmiths original composition remains, however the orchestration continues to be bolstered having a choir, new string parts and drum pedal rotation utilizing world percussion instruments. We desired to make use of the classic tune that everyone knows and produce it in to the twenty-first century, yet still be very sincere of the items Jerry Goldsmith did initially, stated Tyler. I needed that it is a celebration of all of the great movies Universal has been doing within the yearsconnecting yesteryear to the current. Additionally towards the new logo design, other key Universal Centennial initiatives include: a significant film restoration commitment, home theatre choices, amusement park festivities along with a special anniversary gala featuring most of the filmmakers and artists who formed the galleries history. Additionally, the studio will spotlight the 100th anniversary throughout various worldwide film festivals along with other featured occasions, sections and activities. At the middle of all online initiatives lies a wealthy, robust Website devoted to any or all things associated with the yearlong celebration of Universals 100th anniversary. To learn more, check out http://Universal100th.com.

Weekend Box Office February. 17-19, 2012

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Kudos campaigning goes down to the wire

Berenice Bejo in "The Artist" Allison Janney and Emma Stone in "The Help" 'Hugo'George Clooney in "The Descendants" 'Moneyball'It's easy to assume that "The Artist" has this awards season wrapped up, given the number of critics awards and guild honors that the film has collected since November, not to mention its sweep of the BAFTAs last weekend. Most pundits have concluded with a dramatic yawn that a best-picture Oscar is all but certain for the black-and-white silent movie.Yet for a season that supposedly ended as soon as the nominations were announced, there's still an awful lot of campaigning going on ahead of Tuesday's 5 p.m. ballots deadline -- and not just for the film that would seem to need it the least.While campaigner extraordinaire Harvey Weinstein has his foot firmly planted on the gas for "The Artist," he's keeping apace with formidable competition from "The Help," "Hugo," "Moneyball," among others. All of the films that are still working hard on the trail are doing so because fortunes can turn quickly, even this late in the game.The most recent example was last year, when "The Social Network" collected dozens of awards before "The King's Speech" ultimately won best picture.In 2010, the box office might of "Avatar" wasn't enough to beat out "The Hurt Locker," even though many said at the time that voters would take the opportunity to reward a film that was good for the industry's coffers. And many Oscar watchers were shocked when in 2005 "Crash" bested "Brokeback Mountain," which had previously won the PGA, DGA, Spirits, Globes, BAFTA and Critics Choice awards.Complicating matters is some voters' tendency to return ballots just before the deadline. A campaigner who's also an Academy member said that most voters try to see every nominated film and make informed choices, which makes this last week of campaigning crucial. "Voters like to spread their vote around when they like more than one movie," the campaigner explained."It's anyone's year" is how another kudos consultant described this Oscar season.That's why even though common wisdom dictates that across-the-board major guild awards for "The Artist" would seem to give the Weinstein Co. reason to relax, nothing is certain until the ballots are in the hands of PwC's accountants."Artist" star Jean Dujardin, who has been highly visible since October, hasn't shown any signs of slowing down since he won the Screen Actors Guild trophy in January, most recently making a "Saturday Night Live" cameo and still getting to London in time for the BAFTAs the next day. And director Michel Hazanvicius, producer Thomas Langmann and composer Ludovic Bource appear to have spent more time in Los Angeles than Paris over the last four months.The perceived frontrunner, which has a cast and crew of relative unknowns, has to contend with George Clooney and Brad Pitt making themselves readily available on the campaign trail. Two films apiece give the best actor nominees -- each considered due for wins -- plenty of talking points.Another awards consultant put it a little more bluntly: "Films that have benefited in nominations are the ones that can get out the big guns. There was so much of George and Brad that it changed people's opinions on the films."That's not even taking into consideration the amount of press Martin Scorsese has done for "Hugo." Academy voting precedent holds that the film that leads in noms is most likely to win best picture, yet the campaign for "Hugo" is still going strong.The not-so-incidental plus that sets "The Artist" apart is having Weinstein steering the campaign. While Pitt and Clooney shake hands and sit for interviews, Weinstein is making sure his "Artist" crew is doing everything from making a spoof with Funny or Die to receiving the first "Made in America" award from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for being the only best-picture nominee shot in L.A. Clever positioning makes up for what the pic lacks in star power.With the deadline to submit ballots just days away, it's clear that no one is taking anything for granted in this year's Oscar contest. Contact Christy Grosz at christy.grosz@variety.com