Massive 'Expendables' Piracy Lawsuit Dropped But Will Be Refiled Soon (Exclusive)

Millenium Films"The Expendables" Nu Imagehasvoluntarily dismissed its case against the last remaining defendants in a high-profile lawsuit that targeted23,322 alleged pirates ofThe Expendables, the 2010 film starringSylvester Stallone. As a result, one of the biggest copyright infringement lawsuits in Hollywood history is history, but before anybody who downloaded The Expendables on BitTorrent feels any relief at the development, we've learned that Nu Image plans to re-file copyright infringement allegations across the nation against thousands of the film's alleged pirates. Nu Image's move to voluntarily dismiss the lawsuit comes in the aftermath of an August decision by a federal judge in Washington, who had used his discretion to force the plaintiff to drop all anonymous defendants who weren't reasonably believed to be residing in his jurisdiction. Instead of dropping most of the defendants, the company's lawyers at the U.S. Copyright Group dropped all of them, leading to speculation that the avalanche of lawsuits against BitTorrent users in the United States may have reached a turning point. Not so fast. According to Nu Image's attorney, Thomas Dunlap, the plaintiff has merely decided to modify its strategy by taking a "swarm approach" to litigation. Now, Nu Image plans to group these joinder suits according to various file swarms -- file-sharing-speak for the peers and seeders who collectively share a torrent. In other words, instead of one lawsuit against 20,000+ individuals, the film company might pursue ten cases around the nation targeting 2,000 defendants apiece. Dunlap says that the new cases will be filed with a closer eye towards matching defendants to a more proper jurisdiction. Perhaps just as importantly, by going this route, the plaintiff will spread the purview of these lawsuits to a greater number of judges around the nation. As the history of mass-joinder litigation suggests, some judges express high tolerance for overseeing heavy discovery requests while some judges demonstrate little patience for these cases. If the order last month by a federal judge to trim the mass lawsuit had any possibility of humblingNu Image into a more modest legal campaign against pirates, that doesn't seem to be the case. Nu Image also plans to file lawsuits against alleged pirates of its films Conan the Barbarian, Drive Angry, and The Mechanic. The move to sue Conan downloaders may raise some eyebrows as the film has barely been in theaters for a week yet already is a hit on file-sharing websites. The film also looks to be a box office bomb, costing an estimated $90 million to make, yet only grossing $10 million in its opening weekend. It's possible Nu Image blames some of this on pirates. Also of note is the fact that that the underlying rights on Conan are now subject to a just-filed lawsuit by Stan Lee Media. If Nu Image decides to go ahead with plans to sue pirates of the film, it could indicate some confidence that SLM won't prevail. Regardless, Dunlap says that the track record of success in mass litigation is enough to continue forward on these types of lawsuits. The attorney points out that the firm has indeed followed up on past mass actions on films including The Hurt Locker and Far Cry to bring lawsuits targeting named individuals. Of the some 50 piracy cases against named defendants that have been filed by the U.S. Copyright Group and its affiliate partners throughout the nation, half have settled and nearly ten have resulted in default judgments. Dunlap says that the typical default award has been $30,000 plus attorney's fees. E-mail: eriqgardner@yahoo.com Twitter: @eriqgardner The Expendables

Estella Warren Pleads No Contest To Drunk driving

FIRST Released: August 19, 2011 6:58 PM EDT La, Calif. -- A judge has purchased actress Estella Warren for everyone four several weeks inside a residential rehab facility after she joined a no contest plea inside a drunken driving situation on Friday. La city lawyers spokesperson Frank Mateljan states Warren seemed to be sentenced for everyone 5 years of informal probation. The Earth from the Apes actress have been facing four misdemeanor charges after her arrest captured for crashes into three parked cars and tussling with police. The 32-year-old was formerly charged of drunken driving in 2007. Mateljan states Warren a hearing is going to be held on March. 7 to find out if Warren be forced to pay any restitution. She starred opposite Mark Wahlberg in Tim Burtons 2001 version of Planet from the Apes and it has also labored like a fashion model. Copyright 2011 by Connected Press. All privileges reserved.These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

It is the Earth Not the Moon (E na terra nao e na lua)

A Goncalo Tocha, Barca13 production. (Worldwide sales: Barca13, Lisbon.) Created by Goncalo Tocha. Directed, compiled by Goncalo Tocha.Narrators: Goncalo Tocha, Didio Pestana. With: Ines Inez. (Portuguese, French dialogue)A poetic travelogue about the remote mid-Atlantic island of Corvo within the Azores, "It is the Earth Not the Moon" is really a natural follow-as much as Goncalo Tocha's previous docu, "Balaou," though here he's centered on outer instead of inner exploration. Shot in 2007, 2008 and 2011, the film initially sets to chronicle every inhabitant and tree about the small island (roughly 4 miles by 2.5 miles), but Tocha rapidly establishes a narrower focus look around the character from the place. Unpretentious and try to engaging notwithstanding its three-hour running time, "Earth" will discover global appreciation among fest aficionados. You will find only 440 occupants within the one town, and something plane three occasions per week. When a whaling outpost, the area remains a remote place, going through the typical lack of traditions for example weaving and sheepherding, though Tocha cleverly structures the docu around knitter Ines Inez making them a fisherman's beret. Clearly the helmer and the composer/soundman, Didio Pestana, transformed any potential to deal with outsiders and also got to understand everybody on Corvo the outcomes, split into 14 sections, form an attractive meditation on community, isolation and time's passing. Pictures are pleasingly unpolished.Camera (color, DV), Tocha editors, Rui Ribeiro, Tocha, Catherine Villeret music, Didio Pestana art director, Rui Guilherme Lopes, Rui Ribeiro. Examined at Locarno Film Festival (Cinema from the Present), August. 11, 2011. Running time: 183 MIN. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Actors and Stage Fright

Duncan Stewart, director of casting at National Artists Management Company, talks about opening every submission and what he wants to see in a headshot.; casting; Duncan Stewart; headshot; new york city; open submissions; Duncan Steward, director of casting, talks about what he wants from an actor in a general meeting, mainly truth, likability, and lack of ego.; advice; casting; Duncan Stewart; new york city; tips; Duncan Stewart, director of casting, talks about what he expects from an audition and common mistakes actors make.; advice; auditions; casting; Duncan Stewart; new york city; Alaine Alldaffer breaks down the real role of a casting direcor.; Alaine Alldaffer; casting; casting director; Grey Gardens; play; stage; theater; Casting director Alaine Alldaffer talks about casting "Saved" and all the misconceptions about being an actor in New York City.; Alaine Alldaffer; casting director; NYC theatre; play; saved; NY casting director Bernie Telsey describes what actors need to know before walking into an audition. (Part 1 of 2) ; Bernie Telsey; casting director; We spoke with casting director Mark Teschner about working on soap operas. (Part 1 of 3) ; General Hospital; Mark Teschner; soap opera; NY casting director Bernie Telsey describes how to give your best audition. (Part 2 of 2) ; Bernie Telsey; casting director; We spoke with casting director Mark Teschner about working on soap operas. Need only beautiful people apply? (Part 2 of 3) ; General Hospital; Mark Teshner; soap opera; We spoke with casting director Mark Teschner about auditioning for soap operas. (Part 3 of 3) ; General Hospital; Mark Teschner; soap opera; Videos for the Back Stage News & Features section.

'Apes' stays strong at weekend B.O.

'Rise of the Planet of the Apes''The Help'Domestic box office took a few unexpected turns this weekend (i.e. DreamWorks' standout crowdpleaser "The Help," with $25.5 million), while the B.O.'s reigning champ "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" not surprisingly held on to the top spot, grossing a solid $27.5 million in its second frame domestically."The Help," which Disney launched on Wednesday, became the biggest success story this weekend, earning $35.4 million in five days .The Disney-distribbed film got off to a strong midweek start (almost $10 million) before Friday, but most notably, the pic managed to cross demo lines by appealing to auds outside its targeted core. It's very rare for a commercial film like "The Help" to play to all segments (typically that's achieved only by animated films).Also bowing this weekend, Warner Bros.' "Final Destination 5," from New Line, bowed with $18.4 million, considerably lower than pre-weekend expectations, which had the pic pegged at around $25 million.Fox's tween-targeted "Glee: The 3D Concert Move" hugely underperformed with an estimated $5.7 million through Sunday, while Sony's "30 Minutes or Less" came in at $13 million -- somewhat in line with revised projections on Friday, but lower than pre-weekend expectations in the $15 million-$17 million range. Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com

Sarandon Joins The Organization You Retain

Along with Richard JenkinsHaving just hired newer and more effective talent for his latest pointing/starring effort The Organization You Retain, Robert Redford has become improving the ranks from the cast with a few experienced hands, as Susan Sarandon, Richard Jenkins and Julie Christie have decided to star within the film. Modified from Neil Gordon's novel through the Limey's Lem Dobbs, Company will discover a guy who had been when a person in militant organisation Weather Subterranean (Redford) having to go away from home when his real identity is uncovered by an ambitious youthful reporter (Shia LaBeouf). Considering the fact that Redford continues to be avoiding the FBI for 3 decades, imaginable he isn't best pleased. Sarandon and Christie are onto play other former Weather Subterranean types who emerged when Redford is uncovered. Jenkins, meanwhile, is a college professor that has links towards the radicals. Nick Nolte and, as pointed out above, Brit Marling, will also be within the cast. Redford will begin shooting (and running) the following month.

Unanswered Prayers

After his football career, Ben Beck returned to his Virginia small town and joined the family building firm. His family happiness with wife Lorrie and adolescent son Jessie is suddenly tested by the return of Ben's first high-school love, Ava Andersson, who visits from Chicago, after a failed marriage, to bury her ma. Ava seduces Ben into reliving their courtship, which she traumatically broke off without a goodbye. Jesse reacts furiously, even backseats his own football scholarship bid, rather pa's projected ambition, in favor of a writing summer course .

It's Official: NBC Names Len Fogge As New Head Of Marketing, Adam Stotsky Exits

RELATED: Showtime Names New Marketing Co-Heads As Len Fogge Nears Move To NBC Three hours after Showtime announced earlier this afternoon its replacement for longtime marketing chief Len Fogge, NBC officially has announced Fogge's move to NBC as new head of marketing. He will replace Adam Stotsky who is leaving the company. Here is NBC's release: UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. August 4, 2011 -- Len Fogge, former EVP, Creative, Marketing, Research, & Digital Media for Showtime Networks, has been named President, Marketing for NBC Entertainment by Robert Greenblatt, Chairman, NBC Entertainment. Fogge will be responsible for leading all strategy, branding, creative, paid media, digital/social media and partnership marketing initiatives for NBC's Primetime, Daytime, and Late Night dayparts. I enjoyed a close working relationship with Len during my seven years at Showtime and I dont believe anyone deserves more credit than him for building the subscription base to record levels or re-branding the company as one of the leading forces in cable television, said Greenblatt. Combining this with his extensive experience in network television, film, and theater as one of the key architects of marketing powerhouse Grey Entertainment, makes him the ideal person to help us re-build the NBC network and take it into the future. I couldnt be happier to work again with my friend and creative partner. "I am so excited to be re-uniting with Bob," Fogge said. "He is a visionary leader and the best programming executive in the business -- his unique understanding of what audiences want to watch transformed Showtime into one of the most successful networks in the industry. I am deeply honored to be joining the new NBC team, and to being part of turning around the network and restoring the NBC brand to greatness." Adam Stotsky will be leaving his chief marketing post after an appropriate transition. I wanted to take this opportunity to say how grateful I am to Adam who has worked tirelessly since I joined the company to insure that NBC didnt miss a beat, said Greenblatt. The marketing group has delivered in many impressive ways including the launch of "The Voice," the Upfront presentations in May, our incredibly successful summer launches, and the fall season campaigns which are all underway now. I appreciate Adam's commitment to this company and his contributions to NBC for the last three years have been substantial. At Showtime, Fogge oversaw Creative, Marketing, Research & Digital Media, supervising all of the companys creative as well as its in-house agency, Red Group. In addition, he supervised Consumer and Trade Advertising, Online and Direct Marketing, and Media and Consumer Promotions. He also oversaw Showtime Networks' Digital Media, Research, Affiliate Communication and Program Planning and Scheduling areas. He joined the company in 1996, and under his leadership, Showtime Networks created innovative, award-winning, multi-million dollar integrated marketing, advertising and promotional campaigns for the networks critically acclaimed hit series Dexter, Weeds, The Big C, The Tudors, Californication, Nurse Jackie, Shameless, and The Borgias, to name a few. Fogge honed his skills in entertainment marketing during his time at Grey Entertainment, where he rose through the ranks, eventually being appointed its President. He was instrumental in building Grey into the largest entertainment advertising agency in the United States.

Spuren eines Verbrechens

Fisher, an ex-cop, returns to his old beat somewhere in northern Europe following a 13-year hiatus in Cairo. His former mentor and role model, author of the treatise known as "The Component of Crime", asks him to resolve a number of killings including lottery ticket retailers. Led through the ideas help with within the book, Fischer retraces the steps of the suspect, Harry Gray, as recorded inside a three-year-old police surveillance report.