Fox Searchlight & Red Flag Buy Duplass Brothers The Do-Deca-Pentathlon: SXSW

The two companies will split rights for The Do-Deca-Pentathlon, with Red Flag handling theatrical distribution while Fox Searchlight takes all other ancillary markets. Produced by Stephanie Langhoff, the film written and directed by Jay and Mark Duplasswill have its world premiere at the 2012 SXSW Film Festival on Sunday.Pentathlon, whichwill open theatrically in June, centers on two grown brothers who rekindle their uber-competitive childhood sporting event during a weekend family reunion in order to finally determine the ultimate winner.Steve Zissis, Mark Kelly, and Jennifer Lafleur star.Josh Braun of Submarine negotiated the deal on behalf of the filmmakers with Paul Federbush for Red Flag, and EVP Worldwide Acquisitions Tony Safford on behalf of Fox Searchlight Pictures.

Disney to finally release 'John Carter'

Disney's sci-fi tentpole cost $250 million, by having an additional $100 million in worldwide marketing.'John Carter' star Taylor Kitsch, above, on set with director Andrew Stanton.Pixars John Lasseter, actress Lynn Collins, director-author Andrew Stanton and producer Jim Morris reach the John Carter premiere.Couple of figures in Hollywood happen to be as polarizing as John Carter recently.Tarzan creator Edgar Grain Burroughs' fantasy figure, introduced in 1912, includes a loyal following -- the books by which he seems have affected from "The Exorcist" to "Dune," "Superman" and "Avatar" -- however the character's first bigscreen outing, set to bow a few days ago, has shouldered bad buzz since Disney greenlit the pricey production 2 yrs ago.Getting worked with gossips of cost overruns on the tentpole without any major stars, marketing stumbles (together with a questionable title change and DayGlo materials) and 100-year-old source material unknown to many moviegoers, Disney along with a team of Pixar veterinarians are generally going to launch a brand new franchise or discount the following unsuccessful labor of affection, like "Watchmen."The parallels to Warner Bros.' dark super hero tale are difficult to disregard.Each projects, having a small but vocal fanbase, derive from books that, whilst not posting powerhouses, have affected popular culture (Alan Moore's "Watchmen," introduced in 1986, brought to the present crop of edgy comicbook photos, while references to John Carter's Mars exploits are located throughout other sci-fi and fantasy fare). The resulting films were dangerous bets taken by galleries that desired to remain faithful towards the source material after decades of development.In "John Carter's" situation, "Looney Tunes" director Bob Clampett wished to direct an animated feature in 1931, while Ray Harryhausen wanted to make a stop-motion pic within the nineteen fifties. Throughout the eighties, Disney had the privileges with John McTiernan once mounted on direct Tom Cruise as Carter. The 11-book series then gone to live in Vital, where Robert Rodriguez, Kerry Conran ("Sky Captain and the field of Tomorrow") and Jon Favreau were each mounted on helm prior to the project returned towards the Mouse House.Andrew Stanton ("Finding Nemo," "Wall-E") could not turn lower "Carter" as his live-action debut: "After pushing (Disney) to really make it for such a long time, I could not refuse once they offered it in my experience.InchThe resulting film, in regards to a Civil War soldier who finds themself in the center of a fight against Mars, is really a film "we selfishly desired to see," Stanton stated, mentioning to themself and fellow producers, including Pixar's gm and former leader of Lucas Digital (ILM and Skywalker Seem) Jim Morris, in addition to supporters like Pixar and Disney animation chief John Lasseter."We desired to re-create and capture the sensation we'd as kids whenever we first browse the books," Morris stated.Disney bows the film on a lot more than 3,500 screens a few days ago. It's pushing the film difficult on a worldwide scale, starting day-and-date in virtually every major market (except China and japan) amassing 51 areas.Locally, early monitoring isn't encouraging: Monday polls possess the PG-13 film opening to some $25 million-$$ 30 million weekend. But estimations this early always skew conservative, and alternative box office prognosticators indicate a significantly more powerful bow.Experts were quick to scrutinize every factor of the pic throughout its arduous journey to theaters. That's incorporated your budget, which Disney quotes around $250 million, by having an additional $100 million to promote the film worldwide. (Though industryites have whispered the film cost a lot more, producers tell Variety that individuals gossips are "absurd" -- everybody attached to the film demands it arrived promptly as well as on budget).Negativity encircled last May's title vary from "John Carter of Mars" to merely "John Carter," which adopted the flop of Robert Zemeckis' "Mars Needs Moms." Experts contended the new title states little concerning the film, however the studio worried the Mars element would switch off female auds, as the title of Burroughs' book, "A Princess of Mars," might have stored males away.Stanton confesses "John Carter" has demonstrated hard for Disney to promote -- which Stanton can be used to after "Finding Nemo" and "Wall-E.""You cannot control individuals first impressions around you would like,Inch Stanton stated. He's no stranger to pre-release responses, either, saying, "There is negative press before 'Finding Nemo.' There is negative press before 'Toy Story.'"But that has not stored the helmer and Disney's marketing team (which includes former promo chief MT Carney) from trying. The studio missed Comic-Disadvantage to advertise "Carter" to Disney fans at D23 in August, having a extended presentation that recommended Burroughs' influence over more familiar popular culture qualities.The most recent blitz has incorporated an excellent Bowl ad, extended online clips and advertisements throughout the March Madness tournament. Stanton also offers hit Twitter in the last several days to reply to questions and spoke finally month's TED conference. Stars Taylor Kitsch ("Friday Evening Lights") and Lynn Collins ("X-Males Roots: Wolverine") are actually around the talkshow circuit.Wally Disney Galleries chairman Wealthy Ross continues to be puzzled through the negative reaction. "I have didn't have something healthy get treated just like a corpse," he stated in the film's lavish premiere recently. "Usually, it's the other way round," having a studio needing to make something bad look great.However even when "Carter" ends up D.O.A. in the box office, Ross will not cash to get rid of: He and Disney production leader Sean Bailey inherited "Carter" in the studio's previous regime, brought by Dick Prepare. An undesirable showing would bruise Pixar's veterinarians, considering that it's their rare foray into live action, but a success would spawn the type of new mix-platform franchise Disney craves.Studio is not loading up store shelves with "Carter" merchandise this time around around, as merchants are ready to ascertain if the film catches on. This type of move is not unusual, specifically for risk-averse toymakers.Still, Stanton already is focusing on a follow-up script with "Carter" co-scribe Michael Chabon, to ensure that Disney can proceed with a follow up according to Burroughs' second novel, "The Gods of Mars."Everything is dependent on whether "Carter" works much better than "Watchmen," which gained $185 million worldwide, obviously. Early comments are positive, out of the box social networking chatter. Disney lifts its review embargo Wednesday, a play to help keep favorable reviews fresh in ticket buyers' minds.Within the final days prior to the launch, the film's campaign has amped up its concentrate on action sequences as well as other figures to eventize the development. And also to get auds as looking forward to John Carter's adventures as Stanton was like a kid reading through the books."If your kid in 1976 can also enjoy reading through the books which were released in 1912," Stanton stated, "I believe someone this year can also enjoy it for the similar reasons." Contact Marc Graser at marc.graser@variety.com

Kathryn Bigelows Look For Bin Laden Pic Hit With Protests In India, Can get Working Title Zero Dark Thirty: Reviews

People in the right wing Vishwa Hindu Parishad group stormed the audience of Kathryn Bigelow’s look for Osama Bin Laden film inside the Indian capital of scotland- Chandigarh today, protesting the portrayal of Muslim culture in India, according to reviews. Bigelows crew happen to be shooting there for 4 days despite the fact that director is understood not will be in set through the unrest. Bin Laden was destroyed having a Navy Seal team in Abbottabad,Pakistan a year ago, but unable to shoot there, the The brand new the new sony Pictures and Annapurna Pictures film is quite using Chandigarh just like a stand-looking for Lahore – as well as the Hindu radicals come from the filmmakers representing their sworn enemy Pakistan on Indian soil. (Since 1947, Muslim Pakistan and mainly Hindu India have fought against against 3 wars and turn careful about one another.) Vijay Bhardwaj, a pacesetter in the VHP told Reuters, We will not permit them to put Pakistani flags here and we'll not permit them to goal for that film.” Area of the crew told AFP that talks happen to be held while using Hindu protestors to defuse the issue. “Nothing remains shut lower. We are still filming and may keep doing so,” the person mentioned. The incident in India isn’t the initial controversythe film has faced. The Federal Government has mentioned it's considering charges created by Repetition. Peter King that Bigelow and film author Mark Boal were conscious of inside particulars concerning the Bin Laden mission, plus an original release date which will have fallen just before the 2010 presidential elections was ultimately gone to live in December, thus steering apparent. Meanwhile, media reviews within the set the extended-untitled picture is using the functional moniker Zero Dark Thirty that's military-speak for just about any very early beginning time. The film stars Jason Clarke, Joel Edgerton, Chris Pratt, Kyle Chandler, Harold Perrineau, Jessica Chastain, Mark Strong and Edgar Ramirez.

Francisco leaves his heart with his profession

Don FranciscoAriasBorn in Chile to German-Jewish refugees, Mario Kreutzberger studied clothing design in NY -- and it was there that he discovered the wonders of television.In the end, the siren call of the latter won over but for 30 years, his stage persona Don Francisco hosted "Sabado Gigante" in a new bespoke suit every week, and he has an equally impressive shoe collection."I finally started wearing a new suit three, four times," he says, "as I just didn't have the time to go to the tailor that often."Those who have watched "Sabado" for any of the past 50 years might have trouble reconciling their image of Francisco with Kreutzberger's offscreen persona."The lively, outgoing Don Francisco that viewers have come to know has very little in common with Mario Kreutzberger, who is rather introverted, extremely serious in his work off camera, and constantly concerned with keeping the show at the highest level," says "Sabado Gigante" executive producer Cuco Arias. "No one can even begin to imagine the number of hours that Mario's creative side devotes to Don Francisco."Now 71 years old, Kreutzberger hopes to keep going for as long as possible, although he's slowed down his pace a bit. He no longer travels as much as he used to for the program's travel segment, through which he has visited 172 countries.Although Kreutzberger has interviewed presidents as well as presidential candidates for the past 12 years, his favorite interviewees are the children he chats with in another segment."He's an inspiration to the Latino community," says multihyphenate comic Rick Najera. "Part circus ringleader and part business mogul: He has the respect of his peers and the love of his audience.""He's the only host who could make me sing along to a soap jingle," Najera adds, referring to Don Francisco's penchant for getting his audience to sing jingles he composes about various show sponsors.In his autobio-graphy "Life, Camera, Action!" Kreutzberger imagines he's turned 100 and is asked what hasn't changed in all these years. "It's the audience and the applause. Both have remained the purest form of satisfaction for any performer. I still feel that way."'Sabado Gigante' at 50A history of Giant Steps | Francisco leaves his heart with his profession | 'Sabado' night fever Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Universal To Unveil New Animated Logo Ahead Of The Lorax

Los Angeles, CA, March 1, 2012 As part of Universal Pictures yearlong Centennial celebration, the studio will reveal an updated animated logo in honor of its 100th anniversary, it was announced today. The new animated logo will make its debut with Universal and Illumination Entertainments 3D-CG feature Dr. Seuss The Lorax, which is being released in theaters nationwide on March 2, and it will be used on all film releases going forward. The new logo honors the authenticity of the brand and pays homage to the studios rich film history, cultural impact and global vision (A static version of this logo is featured at the top of this release). This is the seventh incarnation of an animated logo created for the motion-picture studio since its inception. Our Centennial year is the perfect opportunity to create a new logo that reflects our future while honoring our past, said Ron Meyer, Universal Studios President and COO. Universals new logo celebrates the studios extraordinary legacy in creating lasting movie memories and connecting viewers across the globe. For the new animated logo design, Universal teamed up with the Academy Award-winning visual effects artists at New Zealand-based Weta Digital to capture Universals vision for a contemporary logo that stayed true to the companys legacy identity of a global vision. The visual dynamic of the new logo was inspired by satellite imagery that illustrated a view of the world on a clear night from space. Rather than focusing on the continents and physical boundaries that separate people, the new view is highlighted with tiny points of bright lights that pop across the globesymbolizing the thousands of communities brought together by their shared love of film. In combination with the animated logo, award-winning film composer Bryan Tyler (Fast and Furious franchise) provided a new arrangement of Jerry Goldsmiths classic score, which has accompanied the logo since 1997. The iconic theme of Goldsmiths original composition remains, but the orchestration has been bolstered with a choir, new string parts and drum cadence utilizing world percussion instruments. We wanted to utilize the classic melody that we all know and bring it into the 21st century, while still being very respectful of what Jerry Goldsmith did originally, said Tyler. I wanted it to be a celebration of all the great movies Universal has done over the yearsconnecting the past to the present. In addition to the new logo, other key Universal Centennial initiatives include: a major film restoration commitment, home entertainment offerings, theme park celebrations and a special anniversary gala featuring many of the filmmakers and artists who shaped the studios history. In addition, the studio will spotlight the 100th anniversary throughout various worldwide film festivals and other featured events, panels and activities. At the center of all online initiatives lies a rich, robust Website dedicated to all things related to the yearlong celebration of Universals 100th anniversary. For more information, please visit http://Universal100th.com.

Stage helmer Theodore Mann dies

Theodore Mann, a Tony Award-winning director and producer who championed Eugene O'Neill and would be a driving pressure behind Circle within the Square Theatre and it is school, died Friday in NY of complications from pneumonia. He was 87."His contributions to Broadway and Off Broadway are immeasurable in the productions he produced and also the talent he nurtured," stated Charlotte now St. Martin, the executive director from the Broadway League. "He'll be skipped by many people within our community."A co-founding father of Circle within the Square Theatre in 1951, Mann headed in 1956 the acclaimed revival of O'Neill's "The Iceman Cometh" and also the U.S. premiere of O'Neill's "Lengthy Day's Journey Into Evening." Individuals productions brought to some re-evaluation of O'Neill, now acknowledged as America's finest playwright.Mann created or directed a lot more than 175 plays at Circle, which in 1972 moved from Greenwich Village to the current home on Broadway. In 1963, he founded Circle within the Square Theater School, a course for training youthful stars. The school's alumni include Philip Seymour Hoffman, Kevin Sausage, Rhianna, Benicio Del Toro, Idina Menzel, Felicity Huffman and Molly Shannon.Mann received the 1957 Tony Award for the best play for "Lengthy Day's Journey Into Evening," a 1976 Special Tony Award acknowledging 25 continuous many years of quality productions at Circle within the Square, in addition to 12 additional Tony nominations.Along with Paul Libin, Mann presented new and classic works at his theater, including plays by Mike Shepard, Thornton Wilder, Horton Foote, Yazmin Reza, Truman Capote, Arthur Burns, Athol Fugard and Terrence McNally.Some noted Circle productions include "Uncle Vanya," with George C. Scott "The Woman In the Ocean," by which Vanessa Redgrave made her Broadway debut "Salome and Hughie," with Al Pacino "The Iceman Cometh," starring James Earl Johnson and directed by Mann "Candida," with Joanne Woodward and "Dying of the Salesperson," as well as Scott.The Circle has more lately been the place to find the Broadway premiere of Mike Shepard's "True West," the revival of "The Rocky Horror Show," "Sweeney Todd," "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," Alan Ayckbourn's "The Norman Conquests," "Lombardi" and also the current revival of "Godspell."Mann also directed operas, including Benjamin Britten's "Turn from the Screw" for that NY City Opera, "La Boheme" for that Juilliard School and "The Evening from the Iguana" for Moscow's Maly Theater.Mann's wife, leading lyric coloratura soprano Patricia Brooks, died in 1993. He's made it by two sons and five grandchildren. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

New Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Clip

Judi Dench & Bill Nighy versus phoneIt's out tomorrow, however when you continue to be identifying if you should start to see the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, this is a fresh clip that gives you an idea what you're looking for. And OK, yes, it'll occur in the hotel, and that means you maybe stood a clue already.This bit sees Judi Dench's Evelyn, recently widowed and away and off to Jaipur to check a new challenge, wrestling while using phone in their room and taking advantage of the assistance of Bill Nighy's Douglas to do the repair. It's fair to convey that he's no technological whizz.The film also stars Maggie Cruz, Celia Imrie, Tom Wilkinson and Dev Patel(discover much more about him in this particular month's problem), which is directed by Shakespeare InLove's John Madden. The Most Effective Exotic Marigold Hotel is going here on February 24 or, since the kids think of it as, tomorrow.