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)

The Way The Hunger Games Introduced an internet Windfall towards the World's Tiniest Island Community

The following month brings the launch from the Hunger Games, probably the most-anticipated releases from the 2012 calendar and also the first installment of the hopeful franchise according to Suzanne Collins's best-selling youthful-adult adventure trilogy. In selling their film, studio executives at Lionsgate have ramped up various marketing to immerse fans within the experience - and, by doing this, make minimal-populated jursdiction in the world an economic beneficiary. The Hunger Games series features teenaged heroine Katniss Everdeen and concerns a The United States remade right into a dystopian dictatorship, re-named Panem and ruled through the regulating body known as The Capitol. As Lionsgate has broadened its marketing campaign, several affiliated websites has popped up in order to make Panem just as real as you possibly can, a lot of individuals bearing obscure websites (e.g. world wide web.Capitol.pn) to imply the websites originate within the nation portrayed within the film. This excellent designation isn't a studio fabrication, however. The .pn modifier may be the domain offered up through the very real government from the Pitcairn Islands, an accumulation of four land public composed of 18 square miles in the center of the southern Gulf Of Mexico. This British territory rests on the 1000 miles west of Easter time Island and merely as china of Tahiti. Just how did Pitcairn, with barely 50 plus citizens and intermittent electrical services, end up being the Internet home of the major Hollywood franchise? It is a happy coincidence," Bill Haigh, governmental registrar for that islands domain offices, explained within an e-mail correspondence. Lionsgate have discovered .pn helpful for them, and contains been useful for getting help to the area.Inch Because the movie studio investigated creating an online business for that film's imaginary nation, a practical domain had been in position. The Pitcairn government offers up these domain names mainly for companies to determine and/or safeguard their brand, and Haigh described the proceeds go a lengthy way toward the islands' infrastructural upkeep. "The purchase of domains is advantageous towards the 50 approximately occupants of Pitcairn Island," he stated, "because revenue thus collected can be used to create modern telecommunications for this very remote just right the world via satellite. This really is quite an costly process. And it isn't just for telecommunications but generally for supply shipping, children's education, health care etc." As a result The Hunger Games has turned into a boon with this small territory, one which lacks a cinema and receives but two cable channels - CNN and Turner Classic Movies. While Haigh rejected to divulge the amount of Websites bought through the studio (Lionsgate reps didn't react to demands for comment), he did direct me for an online registry to question the supply and possession of numerous choices. Together with old Capitol.pn, and CapitolCouture.pn, you will find sign ups for Panem's various districts (District1.pn, through District13.pn), and each one of the primary figures their very own addresses (e.g. PresidentSnow.pn). Ultimately you can't really deduce exactly the number of Hunger Games figures, phrases and permutations thereof have secured b .pn claim. After browsing the registry for some time, however, it appears safe to visualize that Lionsgate might have greatly more addresses collected than you will find Pitcairn citizens. And in line with the fee of $100 NZ (appx. $75 US) per registered address, Hunger earns revenues well in to the 1000's of dollars - a tidy supplement towards the islands' steady tourism business. As geographically remote because the Pitcairn Islands are, this Hunger Games dalliance doesn't alllow for their sole participation with Hollywood. The majority of the surnames located on the island are shared by figures in the oft-modified novel Mutiny around the Bounty it and diverse films derive from historic occasions that happened on and around Pitcairn. Because of this luxury cruise ships really are a common sight in Bounty Bay, where site visitors will discover the outpost isle's own capitol. However, because a windfall as Hunger Games may prove for that islands, it's doubtful Everdeen can look in the near future in the region phone books. Read Movieline's full Hunger Games coverage here. Kaira Slager has discussed movies and entertainment for Film Threat, Mediaite, and it is a writer at CHUD.com. His less informative impressions on entertainment are available on Twitter.

Anthony LaPaglia To Star In ABC Drama Pilot Americana

Anthony LaPaglia, who had 3 aircraft aircraft pilots at 3 systems competing for his services, has closed a deal to topline the ABC drama pilot Americana, a cleaning cleaning soap of a famous fashion industry clan. It concentrates on legendary designer Robert Soulter (LaPaglia), the patriarch from the sprawling family who just welcomed a completely new member, a young designer whose shocking arrival turns your family as well as the legendary label completely. Michael Seitzman written the script, with Phillip Noyce, who helmed the pilot for ABC’s Revenge a year ago, pointing. Seitzman, Mark Gordon and Nicholas Pepper executive produce for ABC Art galleries as well as the Mark Gordon Co. This marks the return to television as well as the first TV role for LaPaglia since his starring turn on typically the most popular CBS crime drama Without Any Trace, which acquired him a Golden Globe Award. The Aussie actor, repped by CAA and Industry Entertainment, is presently filming Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained.

After Navy SEAL Pic Act Of Valor, Bandito Brothers Rev High Speed Racing Pic

EXCLUSIVE: Bandito Brothers, the production partnership that produced and financed the upcoming Navy SEAL action drama Act of Valor, will target underground racing for their next big film. Scott Waugh, who co-directedAct of Valor, will helm High Speed, a gritty, stylized car chase film that is being written by Greg Russo. Like Act of Valor, the film will be generated by The Bandito Brothers and produced by Bandito partners Waugh, Max Leitman and Jay Pollak. The story centers around the best high-speed police pursuit drivers in the country, assembled as a unit to stop and elusive, high-end underground racing circuit hellbent on running deadly point-to-point races through major American Cities. Bandito Brothers is shaping up to be an intriguing operation. Like the Kurt Johnstad-scripted Act of Valor–an action adventure featuring real active duty Navy SEALs taking on terrorism–High Speed will be financed and entirely self-generated through Bandito Brothers. That is a full service content creation studio whose eight partners hatch, produce and finance immersive content ranging from features to documentaries and commercials and programming for TV and digital. Waugh directed Act of Valor with fellow Bandito Brother Mouse McCoy. They raised the $12 million budget and flew under the radar until they were ready to take the finished film to the marketplace. Relativity Media won a bidding battle and paid $13 million for distribution. If the picture becomes a hit, Bandito Brothers and their investors stand to make a fortune, as they own 50%. They intend to continue self-generating their films, helped by the 50,000 square foot facility they own in Culver City that includes post production, VFX and sound stages. It isn’t clear yet if High Speed will be shopped for distribution before its production start, but the script should be ready by Cannes and they will likely shoot a demo reel to raise financing. Waugh is certainly adept at action as he is a former stuntman. Production on High Speed likely won’t start until 2013, because Waugh and McCoy have a summer start date on Black Sands, a film financed by QED that will star Arnold Schwarzenegger. ICM reps both the Bandito Brothers and Russo, who is rewriting Heatseekers for Paramount and Platinum Dunes, and whose action spec Autobahn fka I-95 has Mark Steven Johnson attached to direct. His spec Down has Marcel Langenegger directing for Relativity Media, which releases Act Of Valor on February 24. Besides being populated by Navy SEALs in the starring roles, Act of Valor is getting an incredible amount of cooperation from the elite force. How many film premieres feature a phalanx of SEALs parachuting in front of the theater on Sunset Blvd? (video below).

Keck's Exclusives: Will Modern Family Meet Mickey?

Modern Family Following their trips to Hawaii and a dude ranch, Modern Family's next family outing will take the whole Pritchett/Dunphy/Delgado/Tucker gang to the happiest place on Earth. Disneyland, part of the ABC/Disney family, is being eyed as a shooting location for an episode to air during May sweeps. My spies also tell me the Dunphys may run in to a familiar face at the park... someone not seen in several months. Hint: Think dim-witted and musically inclined. Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Gillian Anderson set for BBC's 'Fall'

BRUSSELS -- Gillian Anderson is to play a police detective pursuing a serial killer across Northern Ireland in BBC miniseries "The Fall."The five-episode skein is due to begin shooting in Belfast at the end of March. It should air on BBC2 later this year or in early 2013.The BBC confirmed Anderson would play the lead role. It plans to announce full casting on Monday."The Fall" is written by Alan Cubitt and produced by Gub Neal of Artists Studio. Both have form in the "Prime Suspect" franchise as well as other Brit crime drama.Series will be directed by Jakob Verbruggen, a young Flemish helmer who has made a name for himself locally with TV crime series "Code 37," also featuring a strong female cop.The spin-off movie, which he also directed, was one of the top domestic earners in 2011.Anderson has been a regular in BBC costume dramas, most recently playing a gothic Miss Haversham in "Great Expectations." Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

John Hawkes to star in 'Jackie Brown' prequel

HawkesBeyFresh off his critically acclaimed turn in Sundance's audience award winner "The Surrogate," John Hawkes has committed to star opposite Yasiin Bey in the Elmore Leonard adaptation "Switch," from writer-director Dan Schechter ("Supporting Characters").The crime drama will serve as a prequel to Quentin Tarantino's "Jackie Brown," with Hawkes and Bey playing younger versions of Robert De Niro and Samuel L. Jackson's respective characters Louis Gara and Ordell Robbie, who appear in Leonard's novel "Rum Punch."Set 15 years before the events in "Jackie Brown," story follows career criminals Ordell and Louis as they team up to kidnap Mickey Dawson, the wife of a corrupt Detroit real estate developer. When the husband refuses to pay the ransom for his wife's return, the ex-cons are forced to reconceive their plan, and the angry housewife uses the duo to get her revenge.The Gotham Group's Ellen Goldsmith-Vein and Lee Stollman will produce with Michael Siegel ("Be Cool") and Leonard, while Jim Garavente will exec produce. Production is skedded to start in May.Schechter rolled the dice in adapting Leonard's novel on spec, without any permissions cleared in advance. He sent his finished screenplay to Siegel, Leonard's longtime rep, to share with the author. After reading the script, Leonard and Siegel granted the young filmmaker rights to make the movie, and came on board as producers. Hawkes' perf as disabled poet Mark O'Brien in "Surrogate" prompted Fox Searchlight to purchase the Ben Lewin-directed pic for $6 million at Sundance. After earning an Oscar nom for his turn as a Southern criminal in "Winter's Bone," Hawkes has appeared in "Contagion" and "Martha Marcy May Marlene," for which he's nominated for a Spirit Award. Thesp recently wrapped production on Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln."Bey, who recently had a recurring role on Showtime's "Dexter," previously starred in "The Italian Job" and "Something the Lord Made," which credited him as Mos Def.Gotham's other producing credits include Paramount's "The Spiderwick Chronicles" and Lionsgate's "Abduction," while Siegel serves as an exec producer on DreamWorks Animation's upcoming pic "Rise of the Guardians."Hawkes is repped by Innovative Artists, Thruline Entertainment and attorney Todd Rubenstein, while Brookside Artist Management reps Bey. Schechter is repped by WME and The Gotham Group. Contact Jeff Sneider at jeff.sneider@variety.com