Hardy's first WB project lives to ride

HardyUnder his new first-look cope with Warner Bros., Tom Sturdy is aboard to star in and convey an outlaw biker feature. The "Dark Dark night Increases" star is joining up with Art Linson and John Linson of Linson Entertainment to create via his recently minted Executive Options banner, which Variety first reported Wednesday. Story, composed by "Vacancy" scripter Mark L. Cruz and according to an authentic idea from John Linson, focuses on a wounded Vietnam veteran who returns the place to find Bay Area in the height of unrest of 1969. Among contrasting cultures from the Haight-Ashbury district, he emerges being the best choice of California's most violent outlaw biker club. Sarah Schechter is managing for that studio. Sturdy came aboard at the end of 2010 to portray the villain Bane within the studio's "The Dark Dark night Increases." The British actor's recent roles include "What This Means Is War," "Mess Tailor Soldier Spy" and "Warrior." The Linsons, Sturdy and Cruz are symbolized by CAA. Sturdy can also be symbolized by Lindy King at U . s . Agents U.K. and attorney Jason Sloane. Cruz is handled by Anonymous Content. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Human Centipede 3 Is Going ahead

First cast introduced for Final SequenceTom Six always threatened a trilogy, and also the maverick director has been demonstrated just like his word. Human Centipede: Final Sequence is moving its method to the studio floor, and it has just introduced its first cast people in Centipede veterans Dieter Laser (mad surgeon Dr Frederick Heiter) and Laurence R. Harvey (sandpaper sadsack Martin). Six themself will even play a supporting role.Just in case you skipped all of the drama last summer time, Final Sequence has been manufactured possible in no small part through the focus on Full Sequence. Some sources - most famously the filmmakers - continue to be declaring it was banned through the BBFC. Less than the situation: it had been refused a certifcate, which is not quite exactly the same factor. But regardless of the depth, the upshot was media interest and immediate prestige beyond the hopes for any executive planning a marketing campaign. Pretty good for any franchise whose centrail coneit is stitching people together ass-to-mouth. Full Sequence was finally granted an 18 certificate in October, after 32 cuts were agreed.Six, speaking to Empire at Giant Screen, known as the hooplah "crazy", stated that everybody didn't have the film's black humour, and stated he was disappointed in the reaction in the country that gave the planet Monty Python. But he was pleased to play as much as the debate, telling us that, as he got around into it, Final Sequence would "upset many peopleInch and "make Full Sequence seem like a Disney film".Younger crowd organized his arrange for the trilogy, to whit: "Ultimately the 3 films could be really mounted on one another, such as the centipede: one large film of 4 . 5 hrs. That's transpire. Each film is quite different from the prior one. 2 is completely dissimilar to 1, and three is going to be completely different from both others. I am not suggesting how. You need to discover. Wide? I will not say!" We are likely to embark on a limb and claim that Final Sequence will not maintain space. But we'll claim that Laser and Harvey will most likely be playing versions of themselves, instead of their figures in the previous films, which Final Sequence may have some kind of meta relationship using its forerunners, in the same manner that Full Sequence involved a personality who had been obesessed using the first film. You shouldn't be suprised if Six arrives onscreen playing a personality known as "Tom Six"...Shooting begins in May for any release in 2013. Producer Ilona Six promises "100% political incorrectness". We'll help you stay published. We all know you like it.

Bruce Willis Set To Star In Five Against A Bullet for Columbia Pictures And Mimran Schur

CULVER CITY, Calif., March 1, 2012 Bruce Willis will star in Five Against A Bullet, the knowledge thriller being created by producers Lorenzo DiBonaventura, Jordan Schur, and David Mimran for Columbia Pictures, it absolutely was introduced today by Hannah Minghella, leader of production for Columbia Pictures. Alex Litvak is writing the script which concentrates on a Mexican politician who, after his father is destroyed having a drug cartel, utilizes 5 top security officials from around the world to guard him using a contentious election. Departing comments round the announcement, Minghella mentioned, We have been searching toward this project since acquiring the rights a year ago from Mimran Schur and believe Bruce Willis is the greatest actor to steer this cast. We anticipate moving Five Against A Bullet into production quickly.” Mike Dickerman and Lauren Abrahams are controlling the job for that studio. Erik Howsam, who first introduced the project into Columbia Pictures, will oversee regarding DiBonaventura Pictures Bruce Willis has proven incredible versatility with roles such diverse films as Pulp Fiction, Nobodys Fool, 12 Apes, In Country, The Sixth Sense, and also the signature role as Detective John McClane inside the Die Hard series. Willis was last noticed in the Golden Globe nominated feature film Red-colored-colored opposite Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman and John Malkovich which he'll next be viewed in Wes Andersons Moonrise Kingdom and Rian Johnsons sci-fi thriller Looper additionally for this summer time season G.I. Joe: Retaliation & Expendables 2. Willis will rapidly begin production around the Good Day To Die Hard (the fifth installment inside the popular Die Hard franchise). Lorenzo Di Bonaventura labored at Warner Bros. Pictures from 1989 to 2003, rising using the ranks in the legendary studio to steer their production division and oversee their film slate. While leader of production, he was associated with over 130 movies, including Falling Lower, A Period Of Time to Kill, the Matrix series, Three Nobleman, Oceans Eleven, the initial three Harry Potter movies, and Training Day. Since developing his production company in 2003, the business has produced 14 pictures, like the box-office hits Transformers, Transformers: Revenge in the Fallen, Transformers: Dark in the Moon, GI Joe: The Increase of Cobra, Salt, and Red-colored-colored. His latest film is Guy around the Ledge. Mimran Schur Pictures was co-founded by Jordan Schur and David Mimran noisy . 2009. The business’s first project was Stone, a mental thriller directed by John Curran and starring Robert P Niro, Edward Norton and Milla Jovovich. They likewise have produced Henry’s Crime, directed by Malcolm Venville and starring Keanu Reeves, Vera Farmiga and James Caan, and Warrior, starring Tom Sturdy, Joel Edgerton, Jennifer Morrison and Nick Nolte, who received an Oscar nomination for his portrayal from the alcoholic former champion.

News Corp.'s Carey stands behind newspapers

News Corp.'s prexy-chief operating officer Chase Carey said he knows all too well that investors would break out the bubbly if the conglom cut loose its newspapers but insisted they are still profitable -- albeit with profits in sharp decline -- and that the focus is on "driving the business forward." The division has been doubly socked as the U.K. hacking scandal overlaid a slump in print advertising that's pummeled newspapers everywhere. Wall Streeters have been agitating for News Corp. to spin them off into a separate company; such a move, they say, could dramatically boost the conglom's stock. At a Deutsche Bank media conference in Palm Beach, Fla., Carey said he's had "an array of discussions" with investors on spinning out publishing and that he respects "the reasons and arguments, and the board and management will take those seriously." The ongoing hacking scandal cost News Corp. $87 million last quarter. U.K. publishing revenue fell from closing News of the World over the summer. The Sun tabloid, a target of several rounds of arrests this month, just launched a Sunday section, which Carey expects to improve profitability. News Corp. owns an Australian newspaper group, which is struggling, and the Wall Street Journal and NY Post in the U.S. Carey said News Corp. will continue as a shareholder in BSkyB after a failed attempt to buy it last year. Public opinion in Britain would make a new bid unlikely, and News Corp. is too keen on the business to unload it. "There isn't a short-term answer. We like that business a lot. We'll be a shareholder as we've been for now. Down the road will see what comes," he said. On the domestic front, he was upbeat on a "solid" advertising market. But he called "American Idol" a "glass half full" as ratings for the juggernaut's latest season have disappointed although it still brings in tons of cash. "We can and should provide some fresh energy and haven't been able to do that," Carey said. He expressed frustration with National Geographic Channel. "Look at Discovery. That's your target, and we're not even close We haven't cracked the nut at getting the right programming in there." But he gave streaming service Hulu a major nod. "A lot of people would chop off their arm to have that kind of place in a digital world," he said. Hulu is owned by News Corp., Disney, Comcast and Providence Equity. The partners had tried to sell it but pulled it off the block last summer. Asked about speculation that Providence wants to sell its stake, Carey said, "Providence has been a good partner, and they will do what they choose to do." Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

The Lorax To Start At 269 IMAX Venues March 2

La, CA Feb. 28 2012 IMAX Corporation (New you are able to stock market:IMAX TSX:IMX) and Universal Pictures today introduced the 3 dimensional-CG feature Dr. Seuss The Lorax will probably be released inside the immersive IMAX 3d format on Friday, Scar. 2. The film is directed by Chris Renaud (Wretched Me) featuring the voices of Danny DeVito, Erection dysfunction Helms, Zac Efron, Taylor Quick, Make the most of Riggle, Jenny Slate and Betty White-colored. Dr. Seuss The Lorax will open in 269 IMAX digital movie theaters in your area, synchronised while using films U . s . States wide release. The animated adventure may even open in seven IMAX digital movie theaters worldwide, that has a lot more runs debuting next days. Additional playdates will probably be added as pending bookings are confirmed.

Michael Douglas Stars In FBI Campaign Against Securities Fraud

He’s not an insider trader, but he plays one in the movies — and that’s what counted for the FBI’s newcampaign warning investors about securities fraud. The agency enlisted Michael Douglas for a PSA that harkens back to his role as swindler Gordon Gekko in theWall Street films.”The movie was fiction, but the problem is real,” Douglas says. Not quite an Oscar-worthy performance,but it gets the job done:

Spirit Awards: Weinstein Company Near-Sweep: The Artist, Michelle Williams, Jean Dujardin, Michel Hazanavicius, Guillaume Schiffman

BREAKING… Refresh for latest… SANTA MONICA The Artist won 4 awards and The Weinstein Company swept 5 at today’s 2012 Film Independent Spirit Awards.Hosted bySeth Rogen, the 27th annual awards ceremony took placeduring aluncheon in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica.The Spirit Awards celebrate artist-driven filmmaking and recognizes the best achievements of todays independent filmmakers. This year the weather was cooperating: sunny and warm as the looky-loos lined up on the sand to snapa picture andgrab a handshake from their favorite stars arriving in afleet of black limos and cars. Seth Rogen opened the show by continuing the Spirit Awards’ long tradition ofprovocative standup,saying: “I have no fucking clue why were in a tent right now. There are previously existing structures where we could have done [the awards].You know you are at a class awars showif they have porto-potty.”… He notes how he’s “hosted a few Seders” before this. I dont know what the opposite of selling out is, but I want that to happen.” He tells the audience, “Im committed to watching all your movies. I made it through the first 5 minutes of every single one of them. Some start out slow, pretty fuckin slow. [He draws that out so its funnier.) ... Rogen lampoons Spirits for giving awards for Tallest Horse, Prettiest Pig"... He calls Spirits "the only awards show that is completely inconsequential. Nothing will come of this, absolutely nothing. It wont help you get paid any more. If anything, it proves youll work for nothing." Of all the four seasons there's no season like awards season. Without awards season we wouldn't know what a horriblle bigot Brett Ratner is." ... "At the Grammys you can beat your girlfriend and they'll ask you to perform. Twice."... Rogen took the piss out of George Clooney and also made fun of The Artist: "Didn't we learn anything from Roberto Bernini?" ... "Michael Fassbender's dick almost got the role of the knob in Albert Nobbs." Rogen went on to compliment his dick... "Great year, I just learned there was another Olsen. The best one. Where were they keeping her?" During the Spirit Awards show, Patricia Clarkson led a toast to the memory of independent film executive Bingham Ray who passed away at the most recent Sundance Film Festival: In January, we lost Bingham Ray. He was an independent film. He was gutsy, ingenious, a little out of focus, heartbreaking, unforgettable, and way too many curse words for PG-13. Please join me in a toast for this man that we loved very much. To Bingham. Thank you, Bingham. Wish you were here. Cheers, thank you. 2012 Film Independent Spirit Award Winners BEST FEATURE The Artist - Producer: Thomas Langmann Langmann onstagetalked about how hard it is getting film financing, thengave special thanks to Cannes Film Festival chief Thierry Fremauxand The Weinstein Co's Harvey Weinstein. Backstage, Langmann was at first asked a question in French, drawing howls of protest from the English-speaking press. But the accommodating producer joked, I dont speak French,then immediately translated the question:It's about Harvey Weinstein, what is most important about him. [It is] his weight, he said, to laughter. I mean, hes big. And this is the end of our American career. He went on to praise Weinsteins tenacity in getting the movie made.”He came. He flew. We were totally unknown, and he went to see a movie that was silent and black and white.Our stars were not known here. He thought there was something that made it worth flying to come to see the movie. And he did, and here we are today. I have nothing bad to say. He called having this movie recognizeda tribute to Hollywood cinema,a dream come true. When director Michel Hazanavicius arrivedbackstage to join Langmann and actors James Cromwell and Penelope Ann Miller, Langmann deferred to the director. This is Mr. Magic, he said. SaidHazanavicius, There is no recipe to build magic, and credited luck and hiring talented people.He joked about the demands of constantly appearing atawards showsthis season. Its not the worst job you can find.People say you are nice guy, you are talented, you have a very charming French accent.And we have the police come to escort us from the airport. That was great! The director said he’s feeling a little stage fright for tomorrows Oscars. I can’t say Im super cool.But today -this is important too. This means a lot because it is a small movie, its not expensive, we did it with small money, and its black and white and silent.” But, with another apparent wink to Weinstein,”Small money, but his money,” the director added. BEST DIRECTOR Michel Hazanavicius – The Artist The Artist filmmakers just landedfrom the French Casar Awards and drovehere with a police escort (your tax dollars at work), according to Hazanavicius in his acceptance speech: “We just arrived from France five minutes ago. We came from the airport with a police escort so it was like a theme from Drive. As for independent film, you’re never really independent because you always need somebody.” BEST SCREENPLAY Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash – The Descendants BEST FIRST FEATURE (given to the director and producer) Margin Call – Director: J.C. Chandor; Producers: Robert Ogden Barnum, Michael Benaroya, Neal Dodson, Joe Jenckes, Corey Moosa, Zachary Quinto Chandor said backstage: “There was a tremendous concern inbringing this property to the screen and in shopping this around we could notfind the money to do it.There was trepidation about it.” Chandor noted that Quinto helped get his friends to take roles.”Castingwas always a big moving puzzle.But one by one, it came together.” Quinto said backstage: “The thing that actors respond to is material.When I read the script, it was unequivocally clear that I wanted to get behindthis project.J.C.’s affability, his ability to articulate his point of viewput actors at ease and disarmed them.I think all the credit goes back to J.C.Everyone signed on because of him and his screenplay. I just had to twist somearms.” Quinto said he’sproducing Chandor’s follow-up which is goinginto pre-productionsoon. BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY Will Reiser – 50/50 Reiser onstage said he “had to give credit where credit is due — to cancer”. (At 24, Reiser was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Six years later, he got a clean bill of health andwrote afilm comedy based on his cancer experiences.) The best part of winning, Reiser said backstage, was being part of a “prestigious list of names, writers who have been major influences. To be listed amongst those names is really special. I had no idea how much the movie would connect with people, because it was so personal to me and the guys, Seth and Evan.” He was affected by “how it has really touched people and connected with people, especially people who have been affected by cancer who can really relate to it.”He added that winning an Indie award was especially gratifying because in commercial film there “is less and less room for films like these.” And if you thought cancer was funny, Reiser says his next project is a comedy about Alzheimer’s disease based on a vacation he took with his grandmother who was in the early stages of the disease. He and grandma mistakenly ended up at a Jamaican couples resort. “And I lost her,” Reiser said. JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD Given to the writer,directo, and producer of the best feature made for under $500,000 Pariah Writer/Director: Dee Rees; Producer: Nekisa Cooper Rees said onstage: “Anytime we can have two whiskies before noon is alright…” “Pariah is a film about identity,” said director and writer Dee Rees backstage. “It’s a universal concept that everyone can relate to.I only referenced one other film in making this, and it was Paris Is Burning. The filmmakers of that movie thrust you in, exploring their world. We trusted the audience and didn’t want to overexplain.This award is meaningful to me because Cassavetes is one of my favorite directors.” Producer Nekisa Cooper said backstage:”You make a film for a half a million dollars and you’re always a winner.It took a village to make this film –IFP, Sundance Institute, Spike Lee. Our D.P. built lights to try to figure out ways to make shots better.We shot in 18 days, and we had a creative and technical crew. Our production designer transformed a 4-story brownstone into 10 different locations.”Cooper gave this advise towannabe filmmakers: “Find a good producer. Someone who’ll support a good vision around your film.” Presented by Anne Heche who reminded the audience, “There’s no such thing as a small film. Just a cheap film.” BEST FEMALE LEAD Michelle Williams – My Week With Marilyn Williams said onstage: “I came here to the Spirits for the first time 10 years ago and I wore my own clothesback then, they were not very good, and cut my ownhair,not so good.But I still remember the feeling that in this room, unlike others, that was OK. Because this was a room full of misfits, outlaws, loners, dreamers, mumblers, dropouts, just like me. Thank you for supporting me and welcoming me and making me feel at home in this room and this community. All the way back then, and now, when the only thing that I own that I am wearing is my dignity.” Backstage, Williams said that her friends think, “She’s the Susan Lucci of the Indie Spirit Awards” after not winning for nominated roles in Brokeback Mountain, Land Of Plenty, Wendy And Lucy, and Blue Valentine. About each film, she said, “I’m lucky to work with better and better people.” (She did share an ensemble award for 2008′s Synecdoche, NY.) Aboutportraying Marilyn Monroe, “Sometimes I can’t believe I did this role. I had to remove the fact that shewas an icon and put that out of my mind. I tried to think of her as an ordinary girl, which is how she wanted to be remembered. There wasn’t one pathway to her. The only way for me into her was time, so much time, and letting Marilyn dictate and letting the information about her take shape, rather than me controlling it. The most challenging thing in prepping a role like this is going through whatevermoments you’re facing at the time.” Does Williams feel sexier after playing the bombshell? “No, not really,” Williams deadpanned. BEST MALE LEAD Jean Dujardin – The Artist Dujardin was not here to accept, apparently because the plane carrying The Artist‘s talent and filmmakers coming into Los Angeles from the Cesar Awards in Paris hasn’t yet landed. Penelope Ann Miller accepted for Dujardin. Dujardin’s brother Marc Dujardin was supposed to accept for him but couldn’t be found. (“Perhaps he’s out having a cigarette” the person who came to accept said…) BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE Shailene Woodley – The Descendants Woodley said onstage: “To Fox Searchlight, Alexander Payne, and everyone in this film. They taught me to be a better human bein. I know that sounds so cheesy, but it’s true!” Backstage, the young actress who also stars in ABC Family’s The Secret Life Of The American Teenager, said she was shocked to win today over Oscar favorite Octavia Spencer — apparently not realizing that Spencer wasn’t nominated for a Spirit Award because The Help was ineligible. “She is such a nice woman, I definitely didn’t expect it,” Woodley said.”Im so grateful. I dont know if surprise is the right word. I think gratitude says it all.The role transformed me as a human being. I was surrounded by gentle kind grateful souls. Being on the film and experiencing it at 18 was kind of a catalyst for me as I was coming into my own.”As for herSecret Life colleagues, “Everyone is super stoked for me, it’s a beautiful supportive family.” She has no more movies in store and plans to continue to concentrate on the TV show, she said. BEST SUPPORTING MALE Christopher Plummer – Beginners Plummer said onstage: It’s taken me the longest time to realize the Spirit AwArds has nothing to do with booze. Pity really… I raise my glass to the dear Michael Mills who’s given me an extraordinary gift. Also to Ewan McGregor, that scene-stealing swine… Taking the microphone backstage, Plummer joked to a reporter motioning to him “What is it, do you want me to come sit down besides you?!” Despite all the notoriety this season for his role of Hal Fields in The Beginners, Plummer mentioned his role of Captain Von Trapp from The Sound of Music – something he rarely talks about.”My old persona seems to chase me around every year. Every generation of child has to go through Sound of Music. However, this film Beginners hasn’t been seen by a tremendous amount of people.By winning, I hope it helps this amazing film be seen again. I know it’s on DVD, but hopefully they’ll reissue it.” As far as what’s next, Plummer is going to do an HBOproject. “I’m going to croak any minute, so I have to keep going.” On how Plummer prepared for his Beginners role of an older man who comes out of the closet later in life, Plummer joked, “The whole crew was gay!…Actually, the director wrote a role with so much affection. I took the role because it was so human.”He had plenty of praise for his canine co-star in Beginners. “I think our Cosmo was much more human than Uggie from The Artist. That Uggie is just a trickster.” Later onstage, Goran Visnjic, who played Christopher Plummer’s young lover in Beginners, said: “I never thought I would get to work with the amazing Christopher Plummer, much less make out with him.” BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY Guillaume Schiffman – The Artist Schiffman was on that plane carrying The Artist‘s talent and filmmakers coming into Los Angeles from the Cesar Awards in Paris and which hasn’t yet landed. Penelope Ann Miller accepted for him. BEST DOCUMENTARY(given to the director and producer) The Interrupters – Director/Producer: Steve James Producer: Alex Kotlowitz James already received a special distinction trophy for 1994′s Hoop Dreams. He said backstage: “This award means a lot for a film like this because it’s about urban violence in Chicago, and for this film to culminate with an award it means a lot.” The Interrupters tells the story of three community activists inChicago and the violencethat impacted the city. “Wherever you live, there are people trying to deal with this issue. The film was inspired by an article my producer Alex Kotlowitz wrote in The NY Times magazine,” explained James. “As far as being a filmmaker in Chicago, it’s a great place to be. When I went to Sundance, I was always asked if I was from Los Angeles or NY. Chicago is a great filmmaking and documentary community and all the filmmakers are close knit. We pull for each other. It’s the quintessential American city where you can tell every story.” James said he and Koslowitz plan to work together again, with an eye on feature collaborations. BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM (given to the director) A Separation(Iran) – Director: Asghar Farhadi Onstage in Farsi, Farhadi said: “These must be independent awards because I’ve never received an award in a tent by the beach…” PIAGET PRODUCERSAWARD (honors emerging producers who,despite highly limited resources demonstrate the creativity, tenacity, andvision required to produce quality, independent films.Includes $25,000 unrestricted grant.) Sophia Lin – Take Shelter SOMEONE TO WATCHAWARD (recognizestalented filmmakerof singular visionwho hasnot yet received appropriate recognition.Includes$25,000 unrestricted grant) Mark Jackson – Without TRUER THAN FICTIONAWARD(presented to an emergingdirector of non-fiction features who has not yet received significantrecognition.Includes$25,000 unrestricted grant.) Heather Courtney – Where Soldiers Come From ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD(given to one films director, casting director, and its ensemble cast) Margin Call Director: J.C. Chandor; Casting Director: Tiffany Little Canfield,Bernard Telsey; Ensemble Cast: Penn Badgley, Simon Baker, PaulBettany, Jeremy Irons, Mary McDonnell, Demi Moore, Zachary Quinto, KevinSpacey, Stanley Tucci Zachary Quinto accepted the award and said onstage. “As an actor in this film, I have great memories. As a producer, every day was abig fucking nightmare. Like having two Oscar winners and their schedules.I will take these lessons less happily with me but with a lot of newknowledge.” (Deadline contributors: Brian Brooks, Anthony D’Alessandro, Diane Haithman)