As Predicted, Sony Classics Gets Smashed

I wouldn't brag were it not Monday morning and it's the only thing keeping me from walking in front of a bus, so: The final piece of Movieline's Sundance 2012 Bidding-War puzzle has fallen into place, with director James Ponsoldt's boozehound relationship drama Smashed going to the estimable Sony Pictures Classics. Five-for-five! High five? Smashed is the last of the year's projected Sundance darlings to officially find a distribution deal, with The Surrogate, Bachelorette, Arbitrage and Red Lights all spoken for in the month-plus since the festival came and went. Moreover, its showcase for Mary Elizabeth Winstead as a young teacher battling the vicissitudes of alcoholism may yet prove to fall in line with SPC's recent underdog awards tradition - the one that found Melissa Leo (Frozen River) and Jacki Weaver (Animal Kingdom) coming out of late-summer platform releases to compete with the mainstream favorites at the Oscars. (A press release sent to Movieline HQ did not specify a release date.) "The role [...] asks Winstead to run the full gamut, from game good-time girl and stimulating teacher to shell-shocked morning-after casualty and adamant survivor," wrote Hollywood Reporter critic Todd McCarthy from Park City. "Shes terrific at it all, far surpassing the promise she indicated in Death Proof and Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World." Probably not coincidentally, recently crowned Oscar-winner Octavia Spencer and Breaking Bad Emmy-winner Aaron Paul co-star. Everybody in the awards pool, etc. Or not, just throwing that out there. Either way, congrats to Team Smashed! Morning hours notwithstanding, surely this calls for a drink? Whatever, I'm having one anyway. Follow S.T. VanAirsdale on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.

'Silent House' Exclusive Clip: What Problems Lurk Upstairs?

The initial factor youll notice about "Quiet House" is its striking visual aesthetic. While using quick development of camera technology throughout the final decade, pretty photography is a lot more common nowadays in modern horror movies. But "Quiet House" features a distinctive gimmick to part ways it in the peers: the intimate outlook throughout Elizabeth Olsens character, whose side we rarely leave throughout the quantity of the film. In this particular exclusive clip, its evening time in the home and Olsen and her father are settling looking for the evening, moving lamps because the lights seem to become out. As she learns a noise coming initially from from upstairs, she notifies her father, "I believed I heard something on the internet for.Inch He disputes it, clearly, because thats what fathers in horror movies do, but proposes to go upstairs and have a look. Because they handles the staircase, there's a small rumbling without anyone's understanding as Olsen watches her fathers light disappear in to the darkness. The abilities continue being fuzzy, though having less sunlight youre really within the whim from you and whatever Olsen is searching at. (It may be nice whenever we all looked so sharp and well-defined under light light, but alas, thats not really true.) Horror movies tend to be more frightening after they occur at night time, it is a fact. Furthermore, it doesn't hurt by utilizing her budding star energy and acting chops, Olsen is certainly an instantly strong protagonist to carry the film. It's not each day the truth is a considerably-acclaimed actress to experience a straight horror movie, but knowing from what weve seen up to now, "Quiet House" needs to be a enjoyable role in the extended career. Reveal everything you consider the "Quiet House" clips inside the comments and also on Twitter!

Jordana Spiro Will get Charge In Foxs Josh Berman/Take advantage of Wright Drama Pilot

Former My Boys star Jordana Spiro takes a dramatic turn because the lead in Fox’s untitled Josh Berman/Take advantage of Wright pilot. Also cast within the project, directed by Michael Dinner, is Jamie Lee Kirchner.The medical drama, compiled by Wright, focuses on Sophistication Delvin (Spiro), certainly one of Chicago’s top youthful cardiothoracic surgeons who, in order to save her gambling-with debt brother, needs to moonlight like a “mob physician.” Kirchner, repped by Gersh and Blue Stone Entertainment, will have a surgical resident dealing with Sophistication whose father may be the Chairman from the hospital Board. The pilot, professional created by Berman, Wright and Dinner, reunites Spiro with The new sony TV, that also created the cult fave The best spinner's comedy series My Boys. The actress, repped by ICM and Principal Entertainment, continues to be testing the drama waters recently with recurring roles on Harry’s Law and Dexter.

George Lopez To Star In And Produce Comedy Series For Debmar-Mercury

George Lopez is returning to the family sitcom genre. I’ve learned that Lopez, star, co-creator and executive producer of multi-camera sitcom George Lopez, which ran on ABC for six seasons and 120 episodes, has closed a deal in principal with Lionsgate TV subsidiary Debmar-Mercury to co-create and star in a new multi-camera comedy about a Latino family. Lopez will executive produce the series with his manager, 3 Arts’ Michael Rotenberg. Upon finalizing the deal, Lopez and Debmar-Mercury, who both declined comment, are expected to begin a search for a showrunner. The project will be developed and produced under Debmar-Mercury’s 10-90 model, in which the company sells sitcoms to cable networks with an initial 10-episode straight-to-series order, which, if meeting a ratings target, triggers a multi-season order as big as 90 episodes. The goal is for Debmar-Mercury to quickly amass enough episodes for the sitcom’s launch in broadcast syndication, area where Lopez has been successful. While never a major hit in its original run on ABC, George Lopez has enjoyed a strong afterlife in syndication. A decade after its ABC premiere, the show continues to do well in primetime on cable, Nick at Nite and a Spanish-language version on MTV’s Tr3s, and in the afternoon in broadcast syndication. The George Lopez sitcom follows in the footsteps of Debmar-Mercury’s previous successes under its model, all minority family sitcoms: Tyler Perry’s House Of Payne and Meet The Browns and Ice Cube’s Are We There Yet?. All three went beyond the initial 10-episode orders on TBS, with the first already above the syndication threshold. Debmar-Mercury’s first non-ethnic sitcom, the upcoming Charlie Sheen comedy series Anger Management for FX, is written/executive produced by Bruce Helford, who co-created and ran George Lopez. Just like Sheen does on Anger Management, CAA-repped Lopez is expected to have ownership in his show. He most recently hosted a late-night talk show on TBS.

David Morrissey On For Your Walking Dead

He's The Governor...While Using Walking Dead more running than stumbling inside the ratings round the telly box both across water-feature and here, it's lately been restored for just about any third season. Now US funnel AMC features that David Morrissey will join the cast.We'll provide a possible *Spoiler Warning* for anyone which has yet to determine the comics the series is founded on, though given how a series includes a inclination to deviate if this involves plot and characters' fates, it might be nothing beats that.Morrissey may have The Governor, the cruel leader from the community referred to as Woodbury that Ron Grimes (Andrew Lincoln subsequently subsequently) and co stumble across. Due to the comic's bleak outlook, you won't be blown away to know the Guv calculates to become spectacularly nasty piece of content, and finally eventually ends up doing a little of very nasty products to the heroes. So nasty, really, there is available a suspicion he'll be developed lower just a little for TV.The Walking Dead, which features Jon Bernthal, Sarah Wayne Callies, Laurie Holden Jeffrey DeMunn, Steven Yuen and Norman Reedus, airs Sunday nights in the usa as well as the following Friday inside the Uk. The Next season will begin shooting this spring in Atlanta.

Jurnee Smollett & Erik Jensen Among Latest Pilot Signings

Jurnee Smollett has landed a lead on NBC’s drama pilot Bad Girls. Adapted from the long-running U.K. series, the project, from John Wells Prods. and Warner Bros. TV, follows the ins and outs of a group of unlikely women in a federal prison: a scandalous female warden, her new protg and a host of inmates — some mothers, some friends — who struggle with loyalties to people on the inside and outside. Smollett will play Gwen, a famous rap star who lives the high life on the local club scene until she gets busted by the DEA and finds herself tossed into a women’s prison without bail. Smollett, repped by ICM and Storefront, next stars in Tyler Perrys The Marriage Counselor. Erik Jensen (Black Knight) has joined NBC’s drama pilot The Frontier, which revolves around a group that heads West from Missouri across the uncharted country in the 1840s. On the Sony TV-produced show, Jensen will play one of the travelers, a deeply religious doctor. Australian actress Clare Bowen has been cast as in ABCs musically-driven drama pilot Nashville written by Callie Khouri and directed by RJ Cutler. The ABC Studios-produced pilot is centered around the Nashville music scene and its rising and fading stars, including Scarlett (Bowen), a fresh-faced new arrival in town. Bowen is with Gersh, ROAR and Sue Barnett in Australia. Madison Davenport has been cast in the NBC comedy pilot Save Me starring Anne Heche. On the Sony-produced project, Davenport, repped byCESD and KLWGN, will play Heche’s precocious teenage daughter.

Benjamin Master close to deal for HBO's Ali telepic

Master Cinemax is close to casting "Abraham Lincoln subsequently subsequently: Vampire Hunter" actor Benjamin Master within the approaching Muhammad Ali telepic in regards to the boxing legend's fight while using Top Court.Story for "Muhammad Ali's Finest Fight" is Ali's fight while using Top Court over his Muslim values just like a careful objector through the Vietnam War. Ali was billed having a Houston court in 1967 and spent three years exiled within the ring as his situation visited at the pinnacle Court. Film, being directed by Stephen Frears, will utilize actual footage of Ali rather than cast an actress to see him.Several important particulars have to be worked out just before the youthful thesp signs on. Once the deal all fits in place, he'd play Kevin Kennedy, a high Court clerk who championed the issue and written the briefs that ultimately brought to approving Ali's status just like a careful objector.Master increased being designed for "Ali" after Legendary Pictures attracted the plug on Alex Proyas' "Paradise Lost," which was slated to star Master and Bradley Cooper.The other day Christopher Plummer signed onto play Top Court judge John Marshall Harlan. Frank Langella appeared to become added and may play Chief Justice Warren Hamburger.Shawn Slovo written the script. Frank Doelger, Tracey Scoffield and Jonathan Cameron are likely to professional produce. Scott Ferguson is creating.Master is repped by WME and Inspire Entertainment. Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com

The Walking Dead Bosses Answer Burning Questions

The Walking Dead, Andrew Lincoln subsequently subsequently Shooting up a barn full of zombies might be minimal in the survivors' worries when the Walking Dead returns Sunday at 9/8c on AMC. Since Shane has already established a stand against Ron (Andrew Lincoln subsequently subsequently), the crowd will begin to crack beneath the pressure of choosing sides. Plus: New risks arise once the group realizes they're only a few of the individuals who've managed to get the zombiepocalypse. TVGuide.com sitting lower with executive producers Robert Kirkman and Glen Mazzara to get the scoop round the partner of Season 2: Walking Dead's Kirkman describes what's ahead after shocking midseason finale How a audience be divided carrying out a barn massacre? Glen Mazzara: The group's divided between Ron, that's been ready hope that they're prone to find Sophia, and Shane (Jon Bernthal), who felt it might be an error and feels that he's a far greater leader than Ron. That competition will divide the crowd. It causes plenty of tension in the first scene. An element of the one factor to consider is always that Shane did not realize that Sophia reaches there, so he's also dealing with that loss, that's interesting because we're able to pull another side from Shane and discover that he's really puzzled by what went lower, by what this signifies the fact they know that he's done a thing that has damaged the crowd, in an unusual way was appropriate for that audience. Will the crowd start taking sides between Ron and Shane? Robert Kirkman: Well that's already happened to some degree. I'm speaking about, we'd individuals have the guns and visit the barn with Shane. It was not just Shane that was transporting this out factor. In addition to, Shane and Ron are actually at odds to some degree up so far already. However Shane feels oddly vindicated by finding Sophia and showing that Ron was wrong and he or she wasn't available, which he shouldn't are actually doing that. So that's just prone to fuel that fire engaging in these next handful of episodes. Will the fact Lori's baby might be Shane's start to eat away at Ron? Kirkman: It's evidence of his strength just like a character that they'll bottle that up and take proper care of it the means by which he's handled it regarding the crowd. He's if you take your data and basically dealing with it and taking advantage of the problems that customize the others rather than the problems affecting him. Mazzara: Ron thinks that baby is his. Shane thinks that baby is his. Both males will be ready to visit amazing method to win that argument. Walking Dead's Sarah Wayne Callies: Lori's afraid Ron and Shane might kill each other Hershel (Scott Wilson) already stated thirstily to acquire off his farm. Since he's lost nearly all his family once more, exactly what are we prone to see for him? Mazzara: Everything Hershel thinks remains removed away which he's getting through a massive loss: not only losing his family, but the possible lack of hope. He realizes, in one sense, he's been a fool, that he's been possessing false hope. He hits a small point then must make options about how precisely does he return. How can he survive regarding his kids, regarding individuals on his farm? While he struggles to produce his sometime ago, that'll also put him in opposition with Shane. Kirkman: While he's suffering this insufficient hope and looking to handle his problems, it leads us in to a new threat plus it causes the crowd to encounter something that's apt to be very dangerous. There's apt to be a fantastic take into account this new 1 / 2 of year. If Hershel does pressure the crowd to go away, will Glen (Steven Yeun) decide to stay and be with Maggie (Lauren Cohan)? Mazzara: That's cautious be created. What continues to Glen and Maggie? What's interesting is the occasions round the farm affect that relationship. That narrative is very, very vital that you us. It absolutely was merely a fun, desperate romp between two lonely people, and after Sophia's dying, they're thrown together in the greater way, but furthermore being torn apart by occasions. The Walking Dead Boss: Shane's living on given time -- but hasn't worn-out his welcome yet If Glen and Maggie will be the couple who hopped into the sack, are you able to say Daryl (Norman Reedus) and Carol (Melissa McBride) will be the slow burn? Mazzara: Darryl and Carol have a very, very worthwhile relationship the audience can be very surprised to look for the way it evolves inside the back half of the year. Nobody can anticipate what will happen. I realize there are many expectation on certain fronts, but what continues in the particular scene can be very, very surprising that will completely appear sensible according to the 2 figures. It's a good scene. You understand the scene I'm talking about? Kirkman: By the way. I realize precisely what you're talking about...Exactly where Glen and Maggie certainly are a beacon of hope in this particular dark world - joining together, finding love, apparently being happy despite all odds - Carol and Darryl really are a couple of in our most damaged figures inside the show. They have certainly were living via a couple of from the worst stuff, and to enable them to find each other will most likely be considered a somewhat intriguing, notable and nuanced relationship, but whether it'll be romantic remains to look. AMC develops Walking Dead's Season 3, announces return dates for Mad Males, The Killing Will what is the news that Shane destroyed Otis (Pruitt Taylor Vince) end up escaping .? Kirkman: Well it's already come to particular extent. Dale knows, it is therefore certainly hanging available. Whether everyone else will uncover will need to stay unknown for a while. The area from the Walking Dead isn't the world, which is a thing that you will have to recognize. Within the finish throughout your day if we are watching this show and go, "Oh my gosh God, everybody's prone to uncover that Shane destroyed this individual.In . I'm speaking about that's horrible, but that's our world. The earth in this particular show is definitely an very different place where people coping different problems. Within the finish throughout your day, whether it's a huge deal and may possibly not. Mazzara: Right and what's important over the following part of the several weeks would be the occasions that are happening throughout people episodes. We're less considering searching back at old business. There are many new action, activity and drama that's happening throughout all six of these episodes. We hit the ground hard. There is available an unexpected twist within the finish in the first episode back, through the finish of people six episodes it feels as if a massive apocalypse. Exactlty what can you reveal in regards to the new risks the crowd will face? Mazzara: Let's say this: Throughout these new episodes, the farm isn't any safer. The outside world is crashes in. Our figures are actually fooled like Hershel was fooled into thinking their safety, into believing that the tragedy around them will not affect them. That is not true, then when Shane breaks open the barn, that bubble is broken. The Walking Dead returns Sunday at 9/8c on AMC.

The Bourne Legacy will get an initial trailer

An initial teaser trailer continues to be launched online for that Bourne Legacy, and mighty exciting it's too, as Jeremy Renner sets about kicking arse and taking names.The footage does not give much away when it comes to plot, asides from showing Renner's character Kenneth Kitson carrying out to "the programme" and achieving "Aaron Mix".Erectile dysfunction Norton is available to grill Renner regarding his viability, although Bourne regular Albert Finney drops directly into welcome his new recruit. And many tantalising of? The proclamation that, "Jason Bourne only agreed to be the end from the iceberg."Have a look in the new trailer, below...<a href='http://entertainment.united kingdom.msn.com/exclusives/video.aspx?videoid=148c1d4e-3820-4a02-959d-943dac12bac6&src=v5:embed::' _fcksavedurl='http://entertainment.united kingdom.msn.com/exclusives/video.aspx?videoid=148c1d4e-3820-4a02-959d-943dac12bac6&src=v5:embed::' target='_new' title='The Bourne Legacy Trailer'>Video: The Bourne Legacy Trailer</a> Yep, it works out Jeremy Renner is certainly badass enough being Matt Damon's successor! Because the trailer helpfully highlights, "he's Treadstone with no inconsistency."So that as in the event that wasn't enough, a brand new poster has additionally been launched, boasting the rather appealing tagline, "there is never only oneInch. Colour us formally excited for that film's United kingdom opening on 17 August 2012.

Emma W reups with Fox through 2015

20th Century Fox production prexy Emma W has reupped her contract while using studio through 2015. Watt was upped for the prexy publish last season. She's overseen numerous high-profile photos including "Rise in the Planet in the Apes," "We Bought a Zoo" and "Date Evening" from helmer Shawn Levy. W is credited with aiding to create the prolific Levy to the Fox fold, getting overseen the initial installment of his "Evening within the Museum" series. Ever since then, Levy makes greater than $1 billion dollars for your studio. Levy's 21 Laps banner is becoming based at Fox. W first grew to become part of Fox in 1998 just like a creative professional. She began her career at Def Pictures prior to being a director of development for Oliver Stone. Contact Rachel Abrams at Rachel.Abrams@variety.com

'Awakening' stirs up Friday B.O.

'Underworld Awakening'Sony's occult actioner "Underworld Awakening" needed the domestic B.O. yesterday about $9.4 million.The franchise fourth is keeping pace with studio estimations that have it producing inside the mid-$20 million range to win the weekend. Pic is the first ones to feature 3d and the first ones to star Kate Beckinsale since 2006's "Underworld: Evolution," that the new the new sony is wanting can provide the film better business in holdover frames than its forerunners."Awakening" is outpacing all previous "Underworld" obligations except "Evolution," which made $10.2 million on opening evening.Fox's "Red-colored-colored Tails" made $6 000 0000 Friday to place second. Beginning the weekend, Fox shipped a conservative estimate inside the high single amounts for your frame, while other B.O. experts expect "Red-colored-colored Tails" to land inside the mid-teens and yesterday's gross seems to assist that.Universal holdover "Contraband" acquired $3.7 yesterday, putting it really before Warner Bros.' "Very Noisy and very Close," which opened up up wide within the fifth frame to earn $3.2 million yesterday. Photos have cumed $37.6 000 0000 and $3.9 million, correspondingly.Finally, Relativity opener "Haywire" bowed to $2.9 million yesterday. The Steven Soderbergh pic is predicted to fall inside the high single amounts this frame. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Pair nab rights to V.C. Andrews library

'Family Storms'Dan Angel ("Door-to-doorInch) in the Hatchery has bought rights for the V.C. Andrews library and teamed with Jane Startz ("Ella Enchanted") to develop and convey movies, TV series and telepics based on Andrews' works.Angel and Startz introduced the partnership Friday. You'll find presently 70 Andrews books, launched in 1979 with "Flowers inside the Attic," with worldwide sales more than 106 million copies in 95 nations in 26 languages in tales mixing facets of Medieval horror and family secrets. Andrew Neiderman, who's composed 44 books under their very own title, remains the freelance worker of Andrews' books since her dying in 1986.The newest addition is "Family Storms" which is follow-up "Cloudburst," released inside the fall. Paranormal love story "To The Darkness" will probably be launched in March and "The Forbidden Sister will probably be launched inside the fall 2012, then it's follow-up "Roxy's Story.""V.C. Andrews can be a significant cultural icon and contains been throughout the final 3 decades,In . Startz mentioned. "Her collected works certainly are a banking center of genres -- romance, medieval, paranormal -- with highly original and sometimes outr tales that have enormous multigenerational and multicultural appeal." Angel's credits include "The Haunting Hour," "Serta Versus." and "Gifted Hands." Startz produced "The Indian inside the Cupboard," "The Mighty" and "Tuck Everlasting."Simon & Schuster Uk, extended-term entrepreneurs of V.C. Andrews, mentioned in the statement, "We are delighted that Virginia Andrews will uncover a brand new audience through this exciting collaboration while using Hatchery and Jane Startz Prods., by using this global brand to elevated levels."In 2007, the Hatchery and Jaffe/Braunstein introduced expects to produce a miniseries for Lifetime using the Andrews' "The Landry" nevertheless the project didn't meet up. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

CBS wants more 'Men'

Nina Tassler at TCACBS Entertainment prexy Nina Tassler mentioned Wednesday the network is at "early conversations" with Ashton Kutcher revisit "two and a half Males" next season.Tassler wouldn't enter into much detail but she told scribes throughout CBS' part of the TCA press tour in Pasadena that "everybody likes what they're doing" round the relaunched "Males." Due to the show's success inside the fall, it's not surprise that CBS and Warner Bros. TV are starting to own talks about refreshing the show for just about any tenth season. Kutcher signed single-season pact because he was employed last spring inside the wake of Charlie Sheen's spectacular meltdown that introduced to his firing. Furthermore to another deal with Kutcher, CBS and WBTV have to work through a completely new deal for your series, which means sorting new distribution deals for your show with broadcast Tv producers, where the initial "Males" deals were designated at nine seasons. (The show's cable syndie deal with Foreign exchange covers 10 seasons.)In their remarks for the scribe tribe, Tassler spoken up CBS' strong fall performance having its new and returning shows. But she was quick to like the creatives behind the shows. She made special mention of the Michael Patrick King, co-creator and showrunner of frosh comedy hit "2 Broke Women" ("He's merely a jewel") and J.J. Abrams and Jonah Nolan, the duo behind frosh drama "Person of great interestInch ("We hit the lottery").More later on . . . Contact Cynthia Littleton at cynthia.littleton@variety.com

It's a Girl For The Mentalist's Eric Winter and Roselyn Sanchez

Eric Winter and Roselyn Sanchez The Mentalist's Eric Winter and wife Roselyn Sanchez welcomed a baby girl Wednesday, People reports. Check out photos of Eric Winter Sebella Rose Winter was born at 4 a.m. on Jan. 4, weighing 6 pounds, 14 ounces. "Welcome to the world beautiful Sebella Rose Winter! Mami and Daddy adore you! This joy is overwhelming," the new parents tweeted early Wednesday. "Thanks for all of the well wishes!" Winter, 35, and Sanchez, 38, have been married since 2008. Sanchez, also an actor, last guest-starred in an episode of Rizzoli & Isles.