'Shame' Red Band Trailer: Michael Fassbender Brings Sex to the Subway (Video)

Jojo Whilden/ Lionsgate Lionsgate has been sued by a consulting firm that alleges it is owed money for services provided to help its slate of films garner Academy Award nominations. The work is said to have resulted in an Oscar nod for Nicole Kidman in the best actress category for Rabbit Hole, and the firm says it is entitled to $61,500 plus interest.our editor recommendsNicole Kidman, Director Philip Noyce Set for 'My Wild Life' (AFM 2011) PHOTOS: 2011 Oscars Red Carpet The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court earlier this month by CBB Consulting, which says it was contracted in August 2010 to provide logistical services in advance of awards season. Per the agreement, CBB was to get $12,000 per month from August until the Academy Awards telecast in late February. The agreement provided a right to terminate with five days written notice. On November 1 2010, Lionsgate allegedly informed CBB of its intention to terminate. According to the complaint, the explanation given was "financial reasons." (At the time, the studio was battling investor Carl Icahn for control of the company.) PHOTOS: 2011 Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon However, CBB says that no written notice was given and that the reasons cited weren't permissible in the opt-out provision, which stated that the parties were allowed to cancel in the event of "any change in business form, management or organization or any other occurrences materially frustrates this intent." CBB now claims it is owed $42,000 for unpaid services. In addition, the firm claims $12,000 more damages as a promised fee for handing over an updated draft of an Academy members mailing list. Finally, CBB says it's due $7,500 as a promised bonus for Kidman's nomination. According to the agreement, CBB was to get $5,000 for an Oscar nomination (which Kidman got) and $2,500 for any Guild nomination (Kidman got a Screen Actors Guild nod as well). PHOTOS: Top 10 SAG Awards Red Carpet Looks We've reached out to Lionsgate for comment and will update with a response. E-mail: eriqgardner@yahoo.com Twitter: @eriqgardner PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery 2011 Oscars Red Carpet Nicole Kidman Oscars Rabbit Hole

Reviews: Jennifer Lopez Stays Thanksgiving With Casper Smart

First Launched: November 25, 2011 12:39 PM EST Credit: Getty Premium La, Calif. -- Caption Jennifer Lopez, in lacy couture, watches the 2010 American Music Honours held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in La on November 20, 2011Jennifer Lopez apparently stood a happy Thanksgiving, trading it in Hawaii with backup dancer Casper Smart, according to Radar On the web and Us Weekly. The singer, who split from husband Marc Anthony within this summer time, reaches The area of the island of kauai, Hawaii, on Thursday with Casper, 24, and her twins, Max and Emme, 3. An origin told Us Weekly the little children loved the ballroom ballroom dancers company. Casper was great while using kids. He was twirling them around and doing movies with Emme and he or she made an appearance very at ease with him, the foundation mentioned. Jennifer got an chance to unwind and relax while Casper needed over and carried out. In related Jennifer news, on Friday, FOX released a preliminary have a look at Season 11 of yank Idol, which she returns to for just about any second season within the month of the month of january. Follow The Link to check out the sneak look! Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

ABC Developing Family Sitcom Based On Academy Prez Tom Sheraks Experience

EXCLUSIVE Up-to-date: ABC network has bought a comedy pitch inspired with a chapter inherited information on Academy of motion Picture Arts and Sciences leader Tom Sherak who's in operation while using network inside the broadcasting in the Academy Honours. The comedy, We’ll Be Out By Christmas, is created and executive produced by High Fidelity scribe Steve Pink and Rob Morris. It is founded on real-existence encounters of Sherak and also the producer wife Madeleine when their daughter moved into residence along with her three kids while her husband although getting his Master of economic administration. Madeleine Sherak (Personally, I Can't Stand Valentine’s Day) will executive produce the hybrid comedy through her My Bench Prods., along with Tom’s boy, producer William Sherak, and Jason Shuman through their Blue Star Entertainment. The Sheraks initially offered the idea just like a feature to Vital this past year with assorted authors, Kristen Buckley and John Regan. Following a project was devote turnaround, Madeleine and William Sherak made a decision the storyline in the family ordeal might be appropriate just like a family sitcom and, with Pink and Morris aboard, pitched the project to ABC. UTA-repped Pink recently directed this year's movie Health spa Time Machine and produced Dark day and night. Morris is to apply WME and Art/Work Entertainment. My Bench and Blue Star were repped inside the deal by attorney Scott Whitehead.

'The Muppets' Stage a Comeback

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. (AP) Jason Segel is balancing a bowling pin atop his noggin.The jolly actor-film author is perched round the stage from the makeshift Muppet Theater that has been erected within the mammoth Universal Art galleries soundstage. He's nervously grimacing because the furry blue daredevil Gonzo the fantastic winds his arm up when planning to make a bowling ball toward Segel for just about any stunt the pair are filming for "The Muppets."Segel, who co-written the film with "Negelecting Sarah Marshall" director Nicholas Stoller, is balancing not just a bowling pin on his mind nowadays: The Wally Disney Co., which acquired The Muppets franchise within the Jim Henson Co. in 2004, has entrusted him while using first large-screen adventure starring the felt-covered performance troupe in 12 years."In my opinion eventually, The Muppets changed a little,Inch mentioned Segal within a relaxation from filming taken. "Our goal using this movie is always to reintroduce The Muppets to kids with techniques that's like the movies within the late '70s and early eighties. The fantastic factor about people movies and what Pixar does now's they don't pander or condescend to children."Segel, a hardcore Muppet fan most broadly noted for his R-rated roles such movies as "Knocked Up" and "I Like You, Guy," petitioned Disney brass to resurrect The Muppets with Stoller with techniques which will attract both nostalgic grownups who had been elevated watching "The Muppet Show" and youngsters more familiar with computer-created 3-D animation than large-eyed puppets.Inside the film, out Wednesday, Segel and may Be play just a little-town couple named Gary and Mary who along with Gary's puppet brother Walter (referred to by Peter Linz) attempt to reunite The Muppets. It seems the felt ones have found themselves irrelevant inside an entertainment landscape centered by such over-the-top imaginary game shows as "Punch Teacher."The musical's story mirrors The Muppets' own reality. They haven't starred in the film together since the 2005 made-for-TV movie "The Muppets' Wizard of Oz" and possess been absent from theaters since 1999's "The Muppets in Space.""It's funny the wealth from the film might undue the story itself," mentioned director James Bobin. "That's what really came me for the story. I used to be struck because when honest it absolutely was with real artistic license referred to how people The Muppets at this time around around. One of the great emotional drives inside a story will get this rock band back together again.InchThe completely new movie finds The Muppets off doing their particular factor: Fozzie Bear is languishing in the tribute band referred to as Moopets, Miss Piggy is sashaying around Paris just like a fashion editor, Animal is coping with his anger management issues at rehab, Dr. Teeth as well as the Electric Mayhem are undertaking inside the NY subway and Scooter is working at Google.The filmmakers, nearly all who've never labored with puppets, as well as The Muppets, carefully labored with while using puppeteers who had been representing these figures for any very long time. A specific winding up inside them introduced Segel and Stoller to axe any self-referential jokes and puns in regards to the Muppets being puppets. "I question how that felt," for example, will be a goner."Many of us are partners relating to this movie," mentioned producer Todd Lieberman. "We was elevated round the Muppets, however, these males are actually living it for two-and-a-half decades. They do know these figures a lot better than anybody possibly could because they've been carrying it out for two-and-a-half decades. They do know the figures, and so they be familiar with style. They get seem advice and much more to accomplish for your brand."Adams, who went the award show gauntlet taken on her behalf role in "The Fighter," think it is harder to alter between fancy gowns throughout the evening and Mary's conservative ensembles throughout your day throughout production than coping with puppets. She mentioned acting opposite puppets like Walter wasn't any longer difficult than working opposite stars like Mark Wahlberg."Whenever you think that the puppet that you're coping with is certainly a real character, it is actually much like coping with another human actor," mentioned Adams. "The puppeteers are prodigies at disappearing. I am unsure how they take action, nonetheless they take action. I see Peter and Walter as two completely separate animals. Peter is Peter, and Walter is Walter."The immersive set design aided, too. For your new Muppet Theater that's made to appear like it's abandon prior to the Muppets give a transformation, production designer Steve Saklad and also the team incorporated the towering theater set built-in 1924 for "Phantom in the Opera," that's still waiting in the soundstage round the Universal Art galleries backlot."I had been initially prone to shoot the various in the Muppet Theater moments that face everyone else in the historic downtown La theater, nevertheless it could have been restricting for your director to split up everything up," mentioned Saklad. "It worked out to find the best because we now have got this huge, luscious theater covered in the 1000 jackets of fresh fresh paint."Saklad mentioned the completely new Muppet Theater set was devote storage after production on "The Muppets," just just just in case it's required for any follow-up, and he's wanting that nobody offers inside the "Phantom in the Opera" walls. However, the options from the Muppets just like a re-vitalized franchise featuring Segel is really a the actor-film author can't seem to fathom."Which will be easily amazing," mentioned Segel sheepishly. "It is not something I'm even thinking about at this time around. I'm still dedicated to this movie. My large goal only decided to be to re-establish The Muppets where they belonged. Next, other things is gravy. I merely preferred to start to see the Muppets again the means by that we appreciated them." The Hollywood Reporter

'Daily Show' Comedienne to Recur on '30 Rock' (Exclusive)

Comedienne Kristen Schaalwill add30 Rockto her already hectic agenda. TheDaily Showcontributor and formerFlight from the Conchordsstar has reserved a multiepisode arc on NBC's30 Rock,The Hollywood Reporterhas learned solely.Particulars on Schaal's role are now being stored under systems. Schaal, who also voices Louise on Fox's animatedBob's Hamburgers, joinsJames Marsden, who's also slated to gueston Tina Fey'sEmmy-nominated series set tokick offits sixth season at 8 p.m. on Jan. 12. Additionally toBurgers, Schaal has voiced figures onThe SimpsonsandAmerican Father, and guest starred onModern Family.She arrived on the scene withSexy Book of Sexy Sexin 2010 andserves because the moderator inThe Muppetsfeature film, which opens countrywide in a few days. Schaal is repped by UTA and Avalon Management. Related Subjects NBC 30 Rock The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

ABC Charging $1.6-$1.7 Million For Oscar Ad Spots

The 2012 Academy awards broadcast has been offered to marketers for slightly under its 2011 counterpart.our editor recommendsHave The Academy awards Attended the Dogs?!Billy Very Replaces Eddie Murphy for Academy awards: What Hollywood is SayingRicky Gervais Purports to Host Academy awards Following Eddie Murphy, Brett Ratner ExitsEddie Murphy's 6 Greatest Problems Before Bailing around the Academy awards ABC, that is airing the 84th annual honours show telecast February. 26, is seeking between $1.6 and $1.7 million for every 30-second place of advertising to air throughout the Oscars, Advertising Age reviews. PHOTOS: Oscar Hosts Over time These figures are slightly underneath the 2011 broadcast, which netted nearer to $1.7 million per ad, but nonetheless greater than the newest low of $1.3 million last year (triggered through the show's constantly decreased rankings and also the country's recession). PHOTOS: Oscar Show Moments This past year's broadly-belittled show, located by James Franco and Hathaway As Catwoman, might be partially the reason for the decrease, that also saw a nine percent drop in rankings from 2010's telecast. 37.9 million audiences viewed The King's Speech collect Best Picture this year during 2010, 41.7 million were updated directly into begin to see the Hurt Lockerwin the very best recognition. VIDEOS: The Greatest Unsuccessful Jokes in the Oscars The approaching show has seen its share of drama, with producer Brett Ratner and host Eddie Murphy walking lower using their responsibilities a week ago (amongst debate surrounding Ratner's utilization of a homophobic slur), four several weeks prior to the show is placed to air. John Grazer and veteran host Billy Very have since been named his or her substitutes. Related Subjects ABC Billy Very Brett Ratner John Grazer Eddie Murphy Academy awards Academy awards 2011

Katy Perry Announces Free Concert at Staples Center

On an appearance of The Ellen DeGeneres Show set to air Friday, Katy Perry announced that she has added a second show at Los Angeles' Staples Center, but the show will be free.our editor recommendsKaty Perry's 'Teenage Dream': Capitol to Release Sixth Single From the AlbumMTV Video Music Awards Winner Katy Perry: Firework Is a Movement (Video) Set to take place on Nov. 23, one day after her sold-out show at the same venue, the free show was to give thanks to the fans for their support throughout the year. Dubbed Katy Perry Gives Thanks, the show wraps up Perry's 122-date California Dreams trek. "I am giving thanks to all of my fans," said Perry on the show. "This is my big announcement on Ellen that no one has heard about or knows about. I played 121 shows up in to the 23rd date, and I want to finish it off by renting out Staples myself and giving a free concert to anyone in the world that wants to come to the California Dreams Tour as my last show." The singer, who has been married to British actor-comedian Russell Brand since October 2010, also discussed the possibility of starting a family. "Yeah, I would love to have children," she said. "I think that's one of the reasons you get married. Especially to the person that you marry. You think, that person is going to be a good partner, a good parent. But, I'm not sure it's yet. We'll see, ya know." Perry appeared on Ellen to debut the music video for "The One That Got Away," directed by Floria Sigimondi. Thus far this year, Perry has been nominated for four Grammy Awards, had five No. 1 singles and took home an MTV VMA for video of the year. She is nominated for three American Music Awards and has seven Peoples Choice noms. Billboard contributed to this report. Related Topics Katy Perry

Thesps fall into line for 'Django Unchained'

Quentin Tarantino is adding four more veteran thesps towards the cast of his epic spaghetti Western "Django Unchained," as James Remar ("Dexter") Tom Wopat ("The Dukes of Hazzard"), James Russo ("Miss Bala") and Presidio Pictures founder Todd Allen have became a member of the star-studded ensemble.Remar and Russo will have slave buying and selling siblings Ace and Dicky Speck, who purchase Django (Jamie Foxx) in the Greenville Slave Auction. Remar's "48 Several hours." co-star Allen will have plantation movie director Dollar Bill, while Wopat continues to be cast as Marshall Gill Tatum.Most widely known nowadays for playing Michael C. Hall's father on Showtime's "Dexter," Remar is really a longtime favorite of director Walter Hill, who cast him in classic films for example "48 Several hours." and "The Players," in addition to Westerns "Wild Bill" and "The Lengthy Riders." Thesp continues to be keeping a hollywood in studio films, with recent roles as military generals in Matthew Vaughn's super hero pic "X-Males: Top ClassInch and David Gordon Green's stoner comedy "Pineapple Express."Most widely known for playing Luke Duke around the lengthy-running CBS series "The Dukes of Hazzard," Wopat lately made an appearance in "Jonah Hex" and merely wrapped a recurring role as Margo Martindale's husband on CBS' "A Gifted Guy."Russo has co-starred alongside The Actor-brad Pitt in "Public Opponents," "Donnie Brasco" and "The Ninth Gate." Thesp also made an appearance within the Western "Open Range" and "The Mail carrier," each of which were directed by Kevin Costner, who dropped from "Django" and was changed by Kurt Russell.While Allen has not labored with Tarantino before, the 2 return almost two-and-a-half decades for an acting class both of them attended. Allen formerly starred opposite Robert Duvall both in "The Apostle" and AMC's "Damaged Trail," that also featured Russo. Thesp presently can serve as prexy of Austin-based film and television production company Presidio Pictures, that is developing the inspiring football pic "12 Mighty Orphans."Remar is repped by Gersh and Lighthouse Entertainment, while Innovative Artists reps Wopat. Allen is repped by Linda McAlister Talent and Variety. Contact Shaun Sneider at shaun.sneider@variety.com

New Movie Reviews: 'Tower Heist,' 'A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas,' 'The Son of No One' Hitting Theaters

The first weekend of November sees two big comedies opening along with a bittersweet rock dramedy and a gritty cop drama.our editor recommendsEddie Murphy Says Brian Grazer Saved 'Tower Heist' (Video)Ben Stiller Reveals 'Zoolander' Sequel Secrets; Future of the Fockers and What He Thinks of 'Tower Heist' Co-Star Eddie Murphy as Oscar HostEddie Murphy in 'Tower Heist': What the Critics Are Saying Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy in 'Tower Heist' Trailer (Video)'Charlotte Rampling: The Look' Puts the Actress' Style in the SpotlightSUNDANCE: Al Pacino-Katie Holmes The Son of No One Bombs, Prompts Walkouts 'Tower Heist' Director Brett Ratner Apologizes for Epilepsy Joke in Movie's Trailer (Video) Universal leads the way withBrett Ratner's comic caper flickTower Heist.LiketheOcean's series, Heist comes with an all-star cast, includingBen Stilleras the straight man, Eddie Murphyas therude, confrontational wiseass and Alan Alda as the Bernie Madoff-like swindler. PHOTOS: 'Ben Stiller Show' Alumni: Where Are They Now? The other big comedy premiering this weekend is the third installment in theHarold & Kumar series, A Very Harold & Kumar 3DChristmas,from Warner Bros./New Line Cinema. Also opening this week is Killing Bono, aBritish dramedy about a pair of brothers who attended school with U2but could never replicate their success as musicians. On the serious side,Dito Montiel's Sundance movieSon of No One,from NuImage/Millennium Films,agritty cop drama about hidden secrets set in post-9/11 NY starringAl Pacinoand Katie Holmes, opens in select theaters. PHOTOS: '80s Action Stars: Where Are They Now? Here's what The Hollywood Reporter's critics have to say about those films -- and others opening this weekend -- and see how they are expected to perform at the box office: Tower Heist Brett Ratner's comic caper about coworkers who turn the tables on a Bernie Madoff type is a smoothly engineered crowd pleaser.Click here to read Todd McCarthy's review. THR COVER STORY: Ben Stiller Reveals What He Thinks of 'Tower Heist' Co-Star Eddie Murphy Hosting the Oscars A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas It's Harold & Kumar vs. Christmas and, yes, Christmas wins out.Click here to read Kirk Honeycutt's review. Charlotte Rampling: The Look An engaging doc reveals plenty of sweet Charlotte along with a little hush-hush.Click here to read Jordan Mintzer's review. VIDEO: 'A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas' Red Band Trailer: The Second Coming of Neil Patrick Harris The Son of No One Atmospheric and intriguing, this cop movie revolving around a buried secret and occurring in two time frames stars Al Pacino and Katie Holmes.Click here to read John DeFore's review. Killing Bono Adapted from rock critic Neil McCormick's autobiography, Nick Hamm's British comedy stars Ben Barnes, Robert Sheehan and Krysten Ritter.Click here to read Jordan Mintzer's review. VIDEO: Al Pacino, Channing Tatum Sport Badges, Mustaches in 'Son of No One' Trailer Young Goethe in Love German director Philipp Stölzl's film falls gently between the stools of high-brow camp and genuine seduction by its many period charms, fine actors and lovely landscapes.Click here to read John DeFore's review. Related Topics Brett Ratner Channing Tatum Eddie Murphy Katie Holmes Al Pacino Ben Stiller The Son of No One Tower Heist A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas Charlotte Rampling: The Look Killing Bono Young Goethe in Love

Gervais, HFPA informally talk Globes

Ough Gervais and also the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. have hidden the hatchet -- the question now becomes, did they sink it deep enough to create him to the Golden Globes? Though some HFPA people condemned Gervais to take shots at notables within the Beverly Hilton audience in The month of january, the 2 sides have started speaking informally in regards to a third straight stint as host from the telecast on NBC. While Gervais stated late recently that there is no truth to reviews he had been requested back, the rumor mill started churning again Thursday, once the NY Publish reported the comedian was spotted dining in Paris with HFPA leader Aida Takla O'Reilly and NBC's mind of special offers Doug Vaughan. Gervais later tweeted a hyperlink towards the story, saying: "Ooooooh! The plot thickens ..." Though sources stress that no offer has been manufactured, people near to the HFPA the org undoubtedly thinks Gervais will return for that Jan. 15 kudocast, which exercising particulars is really a mere formality. Reps for NBC and also the HFPA rejected comment. Gervais' schtick was tame enough this year, but after this year's show, then-HFPA leader Philip Berk stated the comedian's withering humor "entered the road.Inch Others belittled the comedian for barbs for example calling Bruce Willis "Ashton Kutcher's father" and presenting Robert Downey Junior. as "also known for his stays in the Betty Ford Clinic and also the L.A. City Jail.Inch This is not the very first time this season Gervais' title originates up for that Globes. In Feb, he tweeted that he'd been offered the task, although the HFPA firmly refused it at that time: "Nice try, Ough," Berk stated inside a statement. Then in September, Gervais stated he was considering getting their own no-holds-barred webcast to operate throughout the show. Josh Dickey and Andrew Wallenstein led for this report. Contact Christy Grosz at christy.grosz@variety.com

Weinstein Co. To Re-Release Sarahs Type In Honours Push

The Weinstein Co stated today it's rereleasing its war drama Sarah’s Key on 300 screens on Friday, giving the summer time title a push into honours season. The film stars Kristin Scott Thomas being an American journalist residing in modern-day Paris whose research to have an article concerning the jail time of Jews throughout France’s well known Vel’ d’Hiv Roundup in 1942 eventually ends up turning her very own world thoroughly. Gilles Paquet-Brenner directed the film and co-authored the script with Serge Joncour in line with the novel by Tatiana p Rosnay. Sarah’s Key made $7 million in the domestic box office after its This summer 22 release worldwide, it’s made $20.5 million up to now. “We know there’s a level bigger audience for that movie, which’s why we’re re-delivering it now, inside a wider pattern, and before honours consideration,” Weinstein Co distribution boss Erik Loomis stated. The organization already has its own hands full throughout honours season, with a minimum of its My Week With Marilyn (release date: November 23), The Artist (November 23) and Meryl Streep-starrer The Iron Lady (December 16) angling for attention.