DMG spends large in China theaters

"Priest" "The Founding of the Republic" Mintz L.A.- and Beijing-based DMG Entertainment has revealed a $230 million theater chain investment with Korean hedge fund Volton for that flourishing China market which will dovetail using its new $300 million fund to create co-production tentpoles to China. China may be the last frontier for Hollywood, an untrained market that's fiendishly hard to access with no sharp understanding from the local market and it is rules, along with an inside track towards the government forces-that-be. "The best problem, anything you call this area you package it in, is the fact that studio films are earning lots of money within China and aren't able to collect. Access and relevancy would be the two key issues," DMG topper Serta Mintz told Variety. DMG is really a partnership setup 18 years back by Mintz, chairman and finance expert Peter Xiao and former national gymnastics champion Wu Bing. Mintz confirmed that DMG had setup the fund, news which was leaked, to his irritation. It'll involve co-productions, that do not belong to China's quota rules on imported films. However, co-prods need a significant Chinese input to qualify under rules. "The film fund is $300,000, and also the theater investment is $230 million ... they aren't small amounts," he stated. The theater investment was slightly different, but ultimately is some another investment since it is bricks and mortar." The Korean marketplace is saturated, and traders happen to be searching at China for any very long time, eager to go into. Underneath the the deal, DMG will refit movie theaters in departmental stores, all multiplexes of eight screens or even more. "It comes down to content and distribution for us ... the fund's got lots of interest in the galleries, and we are for the reason that process. Should you add value and provide solutions, it isn't nearly writing a cheque and wishing for top this isn't what this really is about," Mintz stated. DMG has strong connections with government authorities and also the condition film colossus, the China Film Group. Future plans include posting "Priest," while this past year DMG handled to obtain "Resident Evil: Afterlife" past China's tough censors, an indication of precisely how good its connections are, as horror movies are often banned. It lately wrapped principal photography on its co-production "Looper," starring Frederick Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt and China's Xu Qing. The shingle has additionally created Chinese B.O. those who win, including top-generating domestic production "The Founding of the Republic" last year and "Go Lala Go!" and it has also distributed numerous Hollywood blockbusters in China, like the "Twilight" franchise. Recent days have experienced numerous tie-inches as Hollywood galleries try to obtain a bit of China. In addition to DMG's $300 million fund, Relativity Media setup a Chinese production and distribution partnership and Legendary Entertainment, through its Legendary East unit, introduced plans for any $220.5 million purchase of a filmmaking venture targeted at creating photos for that Chinese market. China keeps building increasingly more theaters, and cinema chain operators estimate that in 5 years, China may have 60,000 screens. The strong increase in Chinese B.O. this past year to $1.5 billion was driven through the surge in the amount of movie theaters, most of them located within the glittering departmental stores popping up in first-tier metropolitan areas like Beijing and Shanghai but additionally in second- and third-tier metropolitan areas. This past year China added 313 cinemas and 1,533 new screens for any total of approximately 6,200 screens. Your building of movie theaters has combined with boom in retail center construction in China to increase the risk for construction close to three new 450-chair theaters every single day -- an astonishing figure considering that three-quarters of Chinese metropolitan areas still do not have decent theaters. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Mega Buzz: Grey's Baby Blues, Danson's CSI Gig and Fringe's Peter Problem

Patrick Dempsey, Ted Danson, Joshua Jackson Every week, editors Adam Bryant and Natalie Abrams satisfy your need for TV scoop. Please send all questionsto mega_scoop@tvguide.com. Got any scoop on Meredith and Derek on Grey's Anatomy? - Amanda NATALIE: Losing Zola will have serious ramifications on their marriage. "The partnership they've created after all these years is in jeopardy," executive producer Shonda Rhimes tells us. "When you lose a child, that could be possibly more devastating than almost anything else. The two of them are deeply in love with Zola and want that to work. They're also going to be trying to salvage and sustain their marriage." I really liked Ted Danson on CSI. When will learn more about his character's background? - Randy ADAM: Every episode is a discovery! In the next episode, we'll learn that he was once a member of a family band! Plus: We've already seen him get into the mindset of the victims by playing dead, but he also has an interesting way to put himself in a suspect's shoes, which will get complicated when three people confess to the same quadruple homicide. Is there no hope for Peter and Olivia on Fringe? - Anne NATALIE: Peter will continue to attempt to break through into Olivia and Walter's universe. Sadly, since Walter doesn't remember Peter, he'll desperately try to prevent this from happening, Plus: There's a special surprise return this week that will further the idea that, over here or over there, we're not in Kansas anymore. Are JJ and Will still together on Criminal Minds? - Lisa ADAM: You all want to know what she meant by "It's a long story," right? The good news: She and her baby-daddy are still together. The better news: We will see Will - and Henry! - in this season's seventh episode. "We see a little more into what JJ has been up to since she was gone, how that's affected her personal life, especially now that she's back [in the BAU] in the field with crazy hours," A.J. Cook tells us. "And [Henry's] getting older, so it's harder." What's coming up for the Originals on Vampire Diaries? - Thomas NATALIE: Very soon we'll meet Esther, the mother of the Original family, via 1,000-plus-year-old flashbacks. She's as strong and as fierce as Klaus, but she's more into protecting her family than packing them away in coffins. Lynette and Tom will definitely be back together before Desperate Housewives' series finale, right? - Jessica ADAM: Well, Felicity Huffman isn't optimistic. "I would like to see them get back together," Huffman confesses. "But as we've been shooting... I'm starting to feel like, maybe they're not going to get back together again. I'm really sad." Get in line behind Jessica, Felicity. I really like Revenge, but will that be all Emily Thorne does? Just getting revenge? -Jennifer NATALIE: Not always, says executive producer Mike Kelley. "All the questions that are posed in the pilot will be answered by the 13th episode, which is actually that engagement party," he says. "The concept for the show is to do this in installments, so the first installment takes 13 episodes and then the back half of the season will be the trial of the murderer." Translation: Expect a lot more revenge before the healing can begin. I've heard Jeff and Annie will get closer on this season of Community. True? - Hannah ADAM: If the premiere's opening number is to be believed, then yes. Executive producer Dan Harmon says the first part of Season 3 will revisit the romantic tension between the two characters, but mostly as a setup for an even bigger choice Jeff will have to make. "It's all about getting all the gears lined up so that we can kind of rotate the whole show. There's going to be a whole Britta emergence. She's going to become a force to be contended with in Jeff's life." Please tell me everything that's happened over the last two seasons of Supernatural is not just in Sam's head, as Lucifer indicated in the premiere. - Marsha NATALIE: Relax! "We're not like Lost," executive producer Bob Singer promises. "Or the end of the Sopranos," Sera Gamble quickly adds. It's safe to assume that the walls are actually coming down, driving Sam to go crazy, rather than the alternative, which would, well, piss everyone off. "Our intention is not to raise that to mess with people's heads," Gamble says. "It becomes pretty clear what [Lucifer's comment is] about in Episode 2, which is primarily concerned with answering questions about what's going on with Cas and getting really deep into what's going on with Sam." Whew, putting my pitchfork and cauldron of boiling oil away now. I really loved Person of Interest, but when are we going to get Finch's backstory? - Seth ADAM: Soon! Episode 2 delves into Finch's past, as well as the origins of his mysterious machine. And the reveals will most likely change much of what you thought you knew about the character. "I thought originally that this is a reclusive character," Michael Emerson says. "But he is a far bolder and more active character." That's probably because Reese will keep Finch on his toes. "Reese has challenged Finch's wall of impenetrability so that Finch now has to be a little more guarded," Emerson says. "He has to scramble a little harder to stay a step ahead of Reese." So was that a season or series finale of Weeds? - Jason NATALIE: Though Showtime has yet to renew the series, we hear that this isn't the last we've seen of the Botwin clan. So what does that mean for Nancy? Did Guillermo finally exact revenge after all these years of abuse? Possibly! We ran into Guillermo Diaz on the Scandal set, and he revealed that Guillermo actually appeared in the penultimate episode. He also mentioned that the cast, including him, are expecting to be back for another season. (Time to re-watch that episode again, stat!) Breaking Bad is getting so intense! What could possibly come next? - Chris ADAM: Remember that small dose of poison Jesse's been carrying around? It will finally be used, but not on its original target. And before the episode is over, Walt will once again find himself with a gun pressed against his head. Adam's Mega Rave: I don't want to see any less of Oliver Platt on The Big C next season, but I can't help but applaud the producers' brave choice to (maybe?) kill his character in the finale. It's a gut-punching reminder that crappy stuff still happens to you, even if you already have cancer. Natalie's Mini Rant: I had high hopes for 2 Broke Girls, but this week's episode was horsesh--, both literally and figuratively. (Additional reporting by Joyce Eng and Kate Stanhope) Crave scoop on your favorite TV shows?E-mail Adam and Natalie at mega_scoop@tvguide.comor drop us a line atTwitter.com/TVGuide

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Taylor Lautner Attends U.K. 'Abduction' Premiere With His Ex

If you ever wondered what a teen sensation does after his big action star film debut tanks, then check out the photos of Taylor Lautner at the U.K. premiere for 'Abduction.' After reportedly breaking up with girlfriend and fellow co-star Lily Collins last week, Lautner showed up at the event with her on his arm. Unfortunately for Lautner, his teenage 'Bourne' flick ended up in fourth place at the U.S. box office over the weekend, questioning the potential star power of the 'Twilight' actor (which our own Christopher Rosen analyzed on Monday). Perhaps he's hoping to stoke some much needed publicity by inviting his ex to get photographed in front of the paparazzi? Taylor Lautner and Lily Collins at the 'Abduction' Premiere See All Moviefone Galleries »

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50-Year-Old George Clooney Still Loves His Juvenile Pranks

Even turning 50 and making serious Oscar-type movies, hasn't slowed down George Clooney's famous on-set pranking. 'Ides of March' co-star Ryan Gosling revealed that the seemingly highbrow actor loves to indulge in lowbrow gags: "He will come up to you and tell you something very serious, and then you walk away and you realize your pants are wet. He's had like an Evian spray bottle. He's been spraying your crotch the whole time." Judging by how friendly these guys were at TIFF, we doubt Gosling minded too much. But has anyone ever found a way to get back at Clooney? In a new 'Parade' cover story, Clooney admits his 'Ocean's Eleven' co-stars have managed some praking of their own: "My friends are rough on me, too," he says to the magazine. "Brad Pitt's brutal, and Matt Damon. My friends used to change my outgoing phone message all the time. This was the old days, when you had a phone machine. They would change the message to something horrible and there was nothing I could do to change it back. That was always brilliant." Among Clooney's classic pranks: Slapping a "Small Penis On Board" bumper sticker on Pitt's car, filling a passed-out producers pants with M&Ms and surprising his friends by leaving photos of his penis (with sunglasses on) in their cameras. Phone hackers take note. Or has Clooney wisely refrained from sending old-school X-rated photos via those newfangled cell phones? [via Parade, The Huffington Post] Photo: Getty Images

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'Prometheus' Will Blow Your Mind, Says Patrick Wilson

We still don't know much about Ridley Scott's new "Alien"-themed film, "Prometheus." Only that it's not a prequel, has an A-list cast, that the production has people feeling "nervous," and that a nondescript photo was released. Thanks to a recent chat with cast member Patrick Wilson, on a break from filming his new TV drama "A Gifted Man," however, MTV News has learned that the Damon Lindelof and John Spaihts-penned screenplay really IS that bloody good, and that we're going to be plenty satisfied with what we see on the big screen come June 2012. "It was an absolute thrill," Wilson said of his time on Scott's set. "I was blown away by [the script] and I dont use that sort of phrase a lot, but I was blown away by it, so excited that I wanted to read it again. I just kept re-reading it, even though I knew what was coming. And put it this way, Ive never done this, I've never finished the shooting on a movie, and then on the ride home read the script again. I had no reason to read it, it was not work-oriented, I just really loved it, its so cool." We know from prior casting announcements that Wilson's role isn't the starring one, but he promised that his character carries his own weight. "There is an importance to my character, certainly size [of the role] was not the issue," he said. "It's an exciting, thrilling script, so to be a part of it on any level, I said Yes, just tell me where you want me to be, I will be there. It was great. It was nice to come in just as they were finishing shooting, just to play a little bit." The "Watchmen" star also all but guaranteed that we'll get our money's worth when the film opens next summer. "As you can imagine, [the film] is very wonderfully exiting, and yet so complicated and layered, which to me is what science fiction is all about, when it operates on many, many levels." What kind of character is Wilson playing? Tell us in the comments or on Twitter!

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M-Appeal nabs Lacuesta's 'Double Steps'

SAN SEBASTIAN -- In one of the first deals to go down on a Competition title at the San Sebastian Film Festival, Berlin's M-Appeal has inked world sales outside Spain and Switzerland to "The Double Steps. Steps" is directed by Catalan Isaki Lacuesta, who helmed San Sebastian Competition entry "The Damned," which merited a Fipresci Prize in 2009. M-Appeal has also taken world rights to "The Clay Diaries," Lacuesta's documentary on Spanish artist Miquel Barcelo's African paintings. Deal was sealed Thursday morning between "Steps'" lead-producer Luisa Matienzo, at Barcelona's Tusitala, and M-Appeal head of acquisitions Anne Wiedlack. Written by Lacuesta and Isa Campo, the Mali-set, genre-shifting "Steps" mixes road movie and Western tropes with docu-portions and reflections on story-telling. Kicking off with a group of artists searching for a bunker painted by last century French artist-come-hermit Francois Augieras, it cuts to a boy who sets out for Mali's City of Saints where he becomes a bandit. Pic also includes cutaways of Spanish artist Miquel Barcelo as he paints. Steps" is co-produced by Switzerland's Bord Cadre Films. Avalon Distribution will release it in Spain. We wanted a film which was as chameleonic as Augieras himself," Lacuesta said. M-Appeal is energetic and passionate -- just the right company for such as singular film as 'The Double Steps,'" Matienzo said at San Sebastian. We're very excited to work with Isaki Lacuesta, who is part of a new wave of Spanish cinema with a very unique film language and narration," Wiedlack told Variety. On top of that, she added, "the artist Miquel Barcelo is taking part in the films, so we have two of the most interesting and upcoming of artists from Spain who, together, created two wonderful films!" Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

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Disney XD Renews Kickin It For Season 2

Disney XD has restored its top-rated original series Kickin’ It for just about any second season. Since its June 2011 premiere, the fighting styles-designed sitcom comprises concerning the network’s top three live-action telecasts in kids 6-14, kids 6-11 and tweens 9-14. Furthermore, the This summer time 25 episode ranked as Disney XD’s No. 1 live-action telecast ever inside the boys demos. Production on Season 2 will start in December for just about any 2012 premiere. Kickin’ It, which follows a crew of adorable misfits likely to beat the probabilities within the Bobby Wasabi Fighting Styles Academy, is created and executive produced by sitcom veteran Jim O’Doherty.

Hop-o'-My-Thumb ((Le petit poucet))

A Flach Film production, in colaboration with Arte France. (Worldwide sales: Pyramide Intl., Paris.) Produced by Jean-Francois Lepetit, Sylvette Frydman. Directed by Marina p Van. Script, Bertrand Santini, p Van.With: Ilian Calabert, Rachel Arditi, Adrien p Van, Denis Lavant, Valerie Dashwood, Thomas Momplot, Orfeo Campanella, Lilian Dugois."Harsh" might be the term that best describes French helmer Marina p Van's undertake "Hop-o'-My-Thumb," Charles Perrault's dark mythic of a diminutive boy deserted by his parents who comprises for his stature with elevated intelligence. Produced with the team behind Catherine Breillat's Perrault adaptations "Bluebeard" and "Sleeping Beauty," this telepic features a similarly tight budget and generic period look (mainly invoked by costumes) while again fusing a femme helmer's sensibilities -- here including flesh, violence and personality transfer -- by getting a time-old morality tale. Too grisly for children, "Thumb" should hop with a choose handful of fests. Story's been shot before in Gaul, including just like a 2001 kid pic by Olivier Dahan ("La Vie en rose"). P Van ("Throughout My Skin") brings an earthy matter-of-factness for the brutal tale in the titular boy (Ilian Calabert, okay), who, along with his four older brothers and sisters -- lower from Perrault's six -- must face a person-eating ogre (Denis Lavant, hamming up) after their muck-poor and (unconvincingly) desperate folks (Rachel Arditi, Adrien p Van) have abandoned them inside the forest. Gliding HD lensing is crisp, effects low-key, as well as the score's deeper undercurrents perfect.Camera (color, HD), Vincent Mathias editor, Mike Fromentin music, Alexei Aigui production designer, Francois-Renaud Labarthe costume designer, Marielle Robaut. Examined at Venice Film Festival (Horizons), Sept. 3, 2011. Running time: 83 MIN. Contact Boyd van Hoeij at news@variety.com

Toronto 2011: ATO Pictures Takes United States Privileges to 'The Oranges'

Among a flurry of last second deal-making in the Toronto Worldwide Film Festival, NY-based ATO Pictures acquired United States privileges to Julian Farino's The Oranges and it is planning for a platform release in 2012.Related Subjects•Toronto Worldwide Fil... Compiled by Ian Helfer and Jay Reiss, the film, which in fact had its world release in Toronto, stars Hugh Laurie and Catherine Keener like a couple whose comfortable existence is upset when their prodigal daughter, performed by Leighton Meester, returns home for Thanksgiving. The cast includes Oliver Platt, Allison Janney, Alia Shawkat and Adam Brody. The film was created by Olympus Pictures' Leslie Urdang and Dean Vanech and Likely Story's Anthony Bregman. "We like this film! Julian has been doing a good job pointing an aspiration cast in our opinion will probably be among the greatest crowd pleasers of 2012," ATO co-founders Johnathan Dorfman and Temple Fennell stated. Sarah Lash, ATO's mind of purchases discussed the offer with CAA, who brokered it with respect to Olympus, Likely Story and Reiss. Related Subjects Toronto Worldwide Film Festival Worldwide

Nelsan Ellis Shocked By Death Of Beloved Character In True Blood Season Finale

By Jolie LashLOS ANGELES, Calif. -- On Sunday, in a bloody and emotional episode, True Blood wrapped up Season 4 in a very dramatic fashion that included saying goodbye to several Bon Temps faces including Lafayette Reynolds true love, Jesus Velasquez. While he never expected his character, Lafayette, to live happily ever after with Jesus, Nelsan Ellis told Access Hollywood he was still thrown by the twist that took the nurse and brujo, played by Kevin Alejandro, out of the land of the living. I wasnt surprised, because I heard [creator] Alan [Ball] say a couple of times that, you know, happy times in relationships dont last, but I was shocked that they killed him and I was shocked that they had me kill him, Nelsan told Access Hollywood. I was like, Why would you? And then I found out Kevin requested [it]. He was like, I want Nelsan to kill me. And I was like, Why did you request that, dude? Having shot the scene months ago one that saw Lafayette, possessed by the witch Marnie, stab a tied-up Jesus to take his brujo powers Nelsan said he understood why Kevin wanted his character to go out at Lafayettes hands. I kind of see why he requested that. It was just he and [I] that started and he and I that sort of went out in bloody flames, the actor told Access. Filming those final moments between the two men was painful, according to Nelsan, who praised Kevin and what the former Southland star brought to the small screen. It was painful because weve become good friends. Thats my dude. Hes one of the best people that Ive come to know and his wife I just love his family and his energy, Nelsan said. Im not gonna have that any more, so it was painful and we have such a good rapport, the best rapport Ive ever had with another actor. While Jesus life was brutally ended on Sundays episode, Nelsan said he expects that Lafayettes newfound medium abilities will create future opportunities for the two to connect. He definitely will be coming back. Next season, as Lafayette learns how to use his power, then we certainly will see Jesus, Nelsan said. True Blood wont return until June 2012 on HBO, and fans have already been clamoring for the return of another character Denis OHares Russell Edgington. Nelsan too, is supportive of the idea, which was hinted at with the exposed concrete and silver chains Alcide Herveaux (Joe Manganiello) discovered in Sundays season finale. I would love Denis OHare to come back, Nelsan said. And he should could come back to be my boyfriend. The king of Louisiana and the new medium of Bon Temps? I think that would be a good combination, certainly a powerful combination, he added. Filming the next season is still months away and Nelsan is currently at work on Gods Behaving Badly, a film about Greek Gods living in modern day New York City, who encounter trouble after being discovered by a human couple, played by Alicia Silverstone and Ebon Moss-Bachrach. I am shooting it as we speak, Nelsan, who plays Dionysus in the film, told Access Hollywood. Its fun. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Malkovich in final talks for 'Bodies'

MalkovichJohn Malkovich is within final discussions to become listed on the cast of Summit Entertainment's zombie pic "Warm Physiques."Jonathan Levine ("50/50") is writing and pointing the film, that will star Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer and Take advantage of Corddry.In line with the book by Isaac Marion, story follows an existentially tormented zombie named "R" who starts an unlikely friendship using the girlfriend of 1 of his sufferers. It begins a series reaction which will transform him, his fellow zombies, and perhaps the entire undead world.Malkovich will have General Grigio, who's enthusiastic about the destruction from the zombie threat.Bruna Papandrea is creating through her Make Movies banner together with David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman via their Mandeville Films banner. Laurie Webb and Cori Shepherd Stern are professional creating.Erik Feig, Summit's Leader of Production, Gillian Bohrer, Summit's Vice president of Production and Jeyun Choi, Summit's Creative Executive, will oversee the work for the studio.Role will mark another villainous turn for Malkovich, that has designed a career from playing the theif with infamous roles in "Disadvantage Air" and "Within the Type of Fire."Malkovich was most lately observed in Paramount's "Transformers: Dark from the Moon."He's repped by WME. Contact Justin Kroll at justin.kroll@variety.com

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