Harlan Ellison Drops His Suit Against 'In Time'

This type of difference a few several days -- together with a so-so box-office showing -- make. Sci-fi author Harlan Ellison has dropped his suit seeking credit for 'In Time.' Grounds isn't given, although he made the decision getting seen the film, which stars Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried. The film acquired just $35 million inside the U.S. and totalled up a less-than-impressive 38 percent positive critics' rating on Rotten Tomato vegetables. The author mentioned the 20th century Fox film required it's origin from his prize-winning 1965 work, 'Repent, Harlequin! Mentioned the Ticktockman,' that have the identical advanced "time is money" theme. Ellison's previous law suits include one against 'The Terminator,' they mentioned required it's origin from two cases of 'The Outer Limits' he'd composed. He was eventually given a screen credit, although that didn't sit well with 'Terminator' director James Cameron. [via THR] [Photo: last century Fox] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Murdoch Moves: James To Stay At BSkyB Helm? Lachlan Declines Bribery Participation

BSkyB traders is to election Tuesday on if you should keep James Murdoch within the helm – despite the fact that reviews of elevated opposition have made an appearance, forthcoming nexus s he’ll maintain his publish as chairman. Elsewhere, James’ brother Lachlan Murdoch has declined claims he was present throughout crucial moments from the 1998 lunch where a News Corp-related bribery offers are purported to possess happened. On Thursday, British Work Party Megapixel Tom Watson tweeted a heads-up that US-based BSkyB traders Christian Brothers and sisters Investment Services, The California Condition Teachers Retirement System as well as the Florida Condition Board of Administration had indicated they'd election against keeping James Murdoch as chairman. Legal and General may also be mentioned striving to kibosh his tenure, though its position is believed being connected using the question of Murdoch’s independence from News Corp rather than anything associated with the phone hacking scandal at News Worldwide. The BSkyB board has mentioned it'll back Murdoch as well as the Financial Occasions ensures that the huge majority in the top 15 traders will support him. In line with the Telegraph, a election against Murdoch of under 20% might be “survivable” plus it’s expected that nearly 10-20% in the election will probably be for his ouster within the annual general meeting on Tuesday. Meanwhile, reduced Oz, a classic senator has spurred an analysis by alleging that Lachlan Murdoch was contained in a lunch table 13 in the past each time a News Corp executive offered the politician “a special relationship” in exchange for his election against a little of digital TV legislation. The earliest Murdoch boy has referred to as claim “a fabrication.”

Box Office Report: 'Twilight: Breaking Dawn' and 'Muppets' Rule Thanksgiving

Summit Entertainment's The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn--Part 1 topped the Thanksgiving eve box office with $12.5 million, while Disney's new family film The Muppets came in No. 2 with $6.6 million million.our editor recommendsBox Office Preview: 'The Muppets' Likely to Win Thanksgiving Family FeudFamily Feud: November's Biggest Box Office Battles, Weekend-by-Weekend New Movie Reviews: 'Hugo,' 'The Muppets,' 'My Week With Marilyn' Hitting TheatersMartin Scorsese Talks 'Hugo,' Recurring Nightmares and How His 12-Year-Old Rules the RoostRelated Topics•Twilight Wednesday's grosses suggest that Breaking Dawn -- with a domestic gross of $171.5 million -- will land in the high $50 million range for the five-day holiday stretch. In a victory for Disney, The Muppets has a strong shot at hitting $40 million for the five days. Starring Jason Segel and Amy Adams opposite the iconic puppets, the family film cost a modest $45 million to produce and is designed to introduce a new generation to the brand. PHOTOS: 'The Muppets' Red Carpet Arrivals Warner Bros. holdover Happy Feet Two bested Sony and Aardman's new family film Arthur Christmas, grossing $2.9 million, compared to $2.4 million for Arthur. Sony believes that Arthur, costing $85 million to produce, will have especially strong legs, even if it starts slow. Happy Feet Two should hit $20 million for the five days; Arthur is hoping for the same. Muppets earned a stellar A CinemaScore, while Arthur earned an A-. PHOTOS: 'Twilight: Breaking Dawn' Black Carpet Arrivals Martin Scorsese's critically acclaimed new 3D film Hugo came in No. 8 on Wednesday after opening on 1,277 theaters, only a third of the location count of Muppets and Arthur Christmas. Projections show the film grossing $12.5 million for the five days, in line with expectations. Paramount, which is distributing Hugo, believes the film will play older than traditional family films, as well as to more sophisticated audiences. By opening on a smaller number of screens, Paramount is looking to build word-of-mouth heading into the heart of awards season. Hugo, Muppets and Arthur Christmas have all received great reviews. Alexander Payne's The Descendants, starring George Clooney, expanded nicely, grossing $985,000 on Wednesday as it moved into a total of 390 theaters across the country. The film came in No. 10, and its domestic cume is now $2.5 million. Michelle Williams specialty film My Week with Marilyn opened Wednesday in 123 theaters, grossing $155,000 for a location average of $1,256. The Weinstein Co. is distributing the film. PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery Red Carpet's Top 10: Twilight: Breaking Dawn Premiere Related Topics Box Office Happy Feet 2 The Muppets

Hip Pads, Prosthetic Chins, Dips in Sub-Zero Lakes: The Making of 'My Week With Marilyn'

The year 2008 was frought with turmoil for Michelle Williams. Heath Ledger, her estranged husband, died of an accidental overdose in January, leaving her a grief-stricken single mother. Although fresh from an Oscar for Brokeback Mountain, her career was in limbo -- her passion project, Blue Valentine, had yet to materialize, and she considered leaving acting altogether.our editor recommendsMy Week With Marilyn: Film ReviewMichelle Williams' 'My Week With Marilyn' Moves to Thanksgiving WeekendMichelle Williams: Fashion Through the YearsThe Actress RoundtableMichelle Williams to Rock British Designer Todd Lynn Hot Off the RunwayMichelle Williams Channels Marilyn Monroe on and off ScreenMichelle Williams Red Carpet Evolution: From 'Dawson's Creek' to the Oscars (Photos)Michelle Williams to Receive Hollywood Actress Award at 15th Annual Hollywood Film Awards (Exclusive)Marilyn Monroe Mania Fed By 'Picturing Marilyn' Exhibit Featuring Unseen PhotosMarilyn Monroe Confidante and Costumer Angela Alexander DiesTHR's Actress Roundtable: Six A-Listers Sound Off on Bad Reviews, Nudity and Playing Hitler PHOTOS: The Lost Marilyn Monroe Photos "I wasn't sure if acting was the right place for me," she says. "Or if I was any good or liked what I was doing anymore." It was also around that time that Williams first read Adrian Hodges' script for a Marilyn Monroe project, for which she'd been wooed by director Simon Curtis. She was drawn to the story, which offered a snapshot of a week of the actress' life during the 1950s, but worried that she wasn't ready for the commitment. "I finished the last page, put it next to my bed and had already committed in my own mind to making this movie," says Williams. "But then the terror set in." Curtis, a veteran British TV and stage director who had been working on his first feature-directing assignment for more than five years, flew to NY and met with Williams in her Brooklyn home. "He came bearing gifts: books, postcards and little temptations, little enticements, to playing Marilyn," she recalls. PHOTOS: The Making of 'My Week With Marilyn' Although she had a firm offer for the lead, Williams told Curtis she wanted to audition to make certain she was right for the part. She was unsure if she could do justice to such an iconic character -- especially one who'd meant so much to her while growing up in Montana; she'd had a poster of Monroe on her bedroom wall that she stared at each night. She also worried about the feasibility of transforming her look. "There were certain unbridgeable gaps," she says ."I couldn't re-arrange my face and body to look like hers." While she spent the next six months laboring over research, Curtis and his team stayed hopeful. "We kept going back to her," says producer David Parfitt. "She'd say no. Then we'd go away for a bit and decide she's got to do it. We'd have another go. Then her agent and manager got behind it. She was very hard to persuade." VIDEO: Michelle Williams Brings a 'Heat Wave' to 'My Week With Marilyn' During this time, Derek Cianfrance's 10-year oddysey to make Blue Valentine finally materialized, and Williams filmed her grueling role -- an Oscar nomination would result -- as an unhappy wife opposite Ryan Gosling. She says the shoot acted as a kind of therapy. "It brought me back to life and reminded me, brought me back to myself," she says. At about the same time, Harvey Weinstein, whose company had acquired Valentine, fell in love with Williams' talent. "Harvey said, 'I want to be more involved with this girl,' " says Parfitt. "So we said, 'Well, we have this other film.' And he said, 'I want it.' " The idea for a movie about what happened in 1956 when Monroe, America's biggest movie star, flew to London to make the movie The Prince and the Showgirl with Lawrence Olivier, the U.K.'s greatest actor, began around 2003 after Curtis read two books by the late Colin Clark: The Prince, the Showgirl and Me and My Week With Marilyn. During the next six years, Curtis joined forces with Parfitt to get development funds from the BBC and the U.K. Film Council, then waited 18 months while Parfitt negotiated the rights with Clark's estate and six months more for Hodges' script. PHOTOS: Behind the Scenes of THR's Actress Roundtable 2011 Finally, in early 2010, Williams committed, and after $10 million in funding from Weinstein, it was a go. "For me, the most crucial discovery -- the flash -- was that the widely accepted image of Marilyn Monroe was a character that Norma Jeane played," says Williams. "Unless you study her and understand her a bit better than the commonly accepted view, one could miss who she was underneath that. Marilyn was a part she played." Bringing Monroe's complicated duality to life was Williams' biggest goal. For Curtis, capturing the authenticity of time and place was crucial. This process began with shooting at London's Pinewood Studios on the very stages where Olivier had directed and starred with Monroe. Curtis added additional locations at Parkside House, where Olivier had stayed; at Clark's home; at the Eaton school, which Clark attended; and, thanks to an unprecedented deal, to shoot even in front of Windsor Castle for a few hours early one Saturday. But there was another element, adds Curtis. "It came from a line in the Clark diaries that was, 'This is a fairy tale, but nevertheless, it's true.' It's a true story that I wanted to be magical as well," he says. Making magic on a $10 million budget isn't easy -- nor, as Weinstein told Parfitt, is gathering "the best British and international cast." So Curtis, Parfitt and Weinstein tapped friends and industry connections to fill in the blanks. Curtis persuaded Judi Dench to play Dame Sybil Thorndike, whom she had known. Parfitt used a trip to L.A. on behalf of BAFTA to meet with Kenneth Branagh, his former business partner, and recruited him to play Olivier. Weinstein then brought in Emma Watson for the role of the young costume designer, Lucy. Williams, meanwhile, continued her intense research into Monroe. In May 2010, she flew to London for meetings with makeup artist Jenny Shircore. "We spent half a day just standing in front of a mirror," says Williams. "We weren't trying to reconfigure my face. We were trying to add, you know, the curve of the lip, an eyeliner. It began a long process." VIDEO: 'My Week With Marilyn': Michelle Williams Takes on Monroe It was key early on that Williams, much shorter and lighter, not look exactly like Monroe; rather, she wanted to channel her essence. Williams gained a little weight to approximate Monroe's signature curves, but it just made her face puffy, so instead Williams and Shircore used padding to fill out her hips and rear end. Like Williams, costumer Jill Taylor did intense research, finding photos from the making of the movie in an archive. "Michelle is a much smaller lady," says Taylor, "so I really had to work on getting the proportions right." They had to find clothes for three Marilyns: the glamorous, sexy actress; the character of Elsie that Monroe plays in the movie within the movie; and the real-life Monroe, who wore simple, tailored clothes, often in earth tones. Taylor's biggest challenge was that she could only afford to make one reproduction of a white gown Monroe had worn in the movie, which Williams had to wear for a quarter of the eight-week shoot. "I was nearly wetting myself every day for 12 days straight," recalls Taylor. "If something happened to it, there was no other dress." Related Topics SAG Awards Michelle Williams Marilyn Monroe SAG Awards 2012 Awards Season Preview My Week With Marilyn 1 2 next last

Angelina Jolie Set to Play Gertrude Bell, Middle East Pioneer

Angelina Jolie's directorial debut, 'In the Land of Blood and Honey,' may be coming out this December, but that doesn't mean she's quitting acting. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the 36-year-old movie star is attached to play the lead role in the Ridley Scott-produced biopic 'Gertrude Bell.' Bell, who passed away in 1926, is considered a Middle East pioneer after helping establish the framework for the countries of Jordan and Iraq. THR also points out that "Bell worked for British Intelligence and was a key asset to the English's dismantling of the Ottoman Empire and founding of Iraq." Scott, who's currently finishing work on 'Prometheus,' is considering directing the project. This wouldn't be the first time Jolie has portrayed a real person in a movie. In 2007, she played Mariane Pearl, the widow of Daniel Pearl, a journalist kidnapped and killed by the Al-Qaeda. You can read more about 'Gertrude Bell' over on THR. 'In the Land of Blood and Honey' will hit theaters December 23. [via THR] [Photo: AP] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

'Indiana Jones' Documentary 'Raiding The Lost Ark' Puts First 17 Minutes Online

You will discover some classic geek movies that individuals cannot have an sufficient quantity of. "To the long run.In . "Jurassic Park." The first "Alien.Inch And, clearly, the "Indiana Manley" films. When Jamie Benning introduced he or she is coping with Steven Spielberg's classic "Radiers in the Lost Ark" for his latest filmumentary -- a documentary set in the backdrop in the actual movie it's speaking about -- i had been absolutely thrilled. Benning has posted the initial 17 minutes of "Raiding The Lost Ark" to Vimeo (via Wired) to supply fans a concept of what's available. He's spliced numerous interviews formerly completed with Spielberg, George Lucas, Alfred Molina and the majority of the production staff together with the footage within the movie use a type of walking commentary in the flick. Furthermore, he's added some behind-the-moments shots like Spielberg searching for the very best mountain for your film's opening shot and Tom Selleck who audition for negligence Indiana Manley straight into adding color. For those who have seen the "AlienInch filmumentaries released taken, then you understand Benning's style already. But what's nice with the fact that he's coping with the "Indiana Manley" franchise now's that Spielberg has not released a commentary track for your films, and this type of functions just like a alternative because void. There still isn't a unique edition Blu-Ray relieve the "Indiana Manley" series, but Benning used the 2008 trendy DVD release to produce this filmumentary in HD. Maybe Lucasfilm may use numerous Benning's be employed in a forthcoming Blu-Ray or unique DVD release, or it could encourage Spielberg to record a commentary track for your films. Benning intentions of finishing his project by 2012. Are you currently presently impressed with Benning's filmumentary? Inform us inside the comments section below or on Twitter!

Turners Phil Kent Keynote To Open NATPE

Turner Broadcasting System chairman and CEO Phil Kent has been tapped to give the keynote address on the first day of NATPE|Content First, the annual global content market for buyers and sellers that is set to run January 23-25 in Miami. The former CAA TV packaging agent oversees CNN/U.S., CNN International, CNN.com and HLN; TBS, TNT, Turner Classic Movies and truTV; Cartoon Network, and Adult Swim; and Turner Sports. “Because of all the content that Turner creates and distributes here and around the world, Phil is in a unique position from which to view the present and the future,” said NATPE president and CEO Rick Feldman, who made the announcement today. “He can speak to the creative and business challenges and can also speak to the vast global, multiplatform opportunities which are dramatically changing our business. Below is a possible primer for Kent’s keynote: He and Warner Bros International Television president Jeffrey Schlesinger tackled the topic of the future of television during a panel at the just-wrapped Monaco Media Forum in Monte Carlo:

Immortals Slays The United States Box Office

Zeus and co capture first placeTarsem Singh and Relativity Media's hopes were clarified a few days ago as Gods 'n' players epic Immortals mastered the united states box office with an above average $32 million launch. Adam Sandler's latest comedy Jack And Jill needed to get by with starting off in second place and $26 million.The 2 large new arrivals shoved Puss In Boots lower to 3rd, although the adventurous moggie only ended up 22% for $25.5 million, ample to stand above Tower Heist in 4th with $13.two million. And Clint Eastwood's latest drama, J. Edgar, could only rustle up a fifth-place launch, consuming $11.4 million.A Really Harold & Kumar three dimensional Christmas dropped to sixth place from third with $5.9 million, during There was a time seventh with $4.a million. Paranormal Activity 3 fell to eighth and $3.six million, with Footloose at ninth with $2.7 million. And rounding the top ten was Real Steel, which required $two million a few days ago.To fight the forces of chart-powered evil, mind on to Box Office Mojo.

Warners greenlights 'Lego' feature

Warner Bros. is building up its "Lego" movie, greenlighting the animated-live action hybrid for a release in 2014. Studio' has tapped Oz vfx-toon house Animal Logic for animation, which is expected to comprise 80% of "Lego." And the film has been approved for an incentive from the Australian government and one from the state of New South Wales. Officials from the New South Wales state are expected to unveil details of the "Lego" movie at a Sydney news conference next week, coinciding with the start of production. Warner Bros. has not yet set a specific release date beyond aiming the film for 2014. Greenlight comes a week before Warner's opening of "Happy Feet 2," from helmer George Miller and Animal Logic -- five years after the original "Happy Feet" grossed $384 million worldwide and won the Oscar for animated feature as Animal Logic's first CG feature. "Lego" has been in development at Warner Bros. since 2008, when the studio began working with the toymaker on a family comedy based on the popular building blocks with Dan Lin and Roy Lee producing and the writing team of Dan and Kevin Hageman tapped to pen the script. In 2010, Warners brought on the "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" team of Phil Lord and Christopher Miller to write and direct. Lord and Miller have working on post-production on Sony's feature version of "21 Jump Street," due out in March. Warners recently brought on Chris McKay, director of Adult Swim's stop-motion animation/comedy "Robot Chicken," to serve as co-director on "Lego" under Lord and Miller. Plot details for "Lego" -- an action-adventure set in the Lego world -- remain under wraps. Casting for the live-action characters is set to begin in January. Producers have made several trips to Denmark to work with Lego execs on the concept. Jill Wilfert, VP of licensing and entertainment at Lego, is exec producing, with Lin Pictures' Seanne Winslow co-producing. Warner set up a co-development fund in 2007 with Animal Logic, which produced and provided animation for last year's "Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole." Lego and WB have partnered for several years producing Batman toys and videogames and will launch a new set of playthings around next summer's "The Dark Knight Rises" through the Lego Batman collection. The "Lego Batman: The Videogame," published by WB Bros. Interactive Entertainment, has sold more than 12 million units since 2008. During Comic-Con in July, the studio announced an expanded relationship with Lego, granting the toymaker access to DC Entertainment's complete library of comicbook characters and stories to launch DC Universe "Super Heroes" as figures and playsets in January with 13 characters, including Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and villains the Joker, Bane, Harley Quinn and Lex Luthor. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

Billy Crystal Tweets He's 'Doing the Oscars'

Billy Crystal has tweeted that he will host the 84th Academy Awards telecast.He wrote Thursday, "Am doing the Oscars so the young woman in the pharmacy will stop asking my name when I pick up my prescriptions. Looking forward to the show."The Academy has confirmed and made it official by re-tweeting Crystal's tweet.The gig willmark the actor-comedian's ninth turn as master of ceremonies. He previously hosted in 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2000, and 2004.Crystal will replace Eddie Murphy, who stepped down from the high-profile gig Wednesday in the wake of Brett Ratner's decision to step down on Tuesday. Brian Grazer, who joined the telecast Wednesay, and Don Mischer will produce.Ratner exited as producer of the telecast after making a series of ill-judged remarks in recent days, including saying "rehearsal is for fags" and discussing his sex life with Howard Stern.Crystal reportedly turned down an offer to host the awards in 2006.He next appears in "The Muppets," coming out later this month.James Franco and Anne Hathaway hosted the ceremony in 2011. The Hollywood Reporter

Matt Lanter takes 'Chance'

Lanter Matt Lanter has arrived charge role within the indie "An Opportunity of Rain," which Cindy Gustafson will helm from her very own script.Story follows a youthful guy who, while attempting to bring water to some destitute village in Africa throughout a terrible drought, encounters their own problems, challenges and struggles.Martin Cities is placed to create with shooting under means by Michigan.Lanter, repped by WME and Emerald Talent Group, is better noted for his role on CW's "90210" and is visible next in "Liars All." Contact Justin Kroll at justin.kroll@variety.com

Vital Sues For Having Fellini's 'La Dolce Vita' (Exclusive)

Getty Images Vital Pictures will court to prove it has the copyright to Frederico Fellini's classic film, La Dolce Vita. Since the film's release in 1960, possession round the film has changed hands several occasions, leading to a more sophisticated chain-of-title dispute that Vital wants to offer relaxation permanently.our editor recommendsDoes anybody own Fellini's 'La Dolce Vita'?Restored 'La Dolce Vita' Returning to Italy's Silver Screen On Thursday, Vital filed a complaint in California federal court against Worldwide Media Films, which states function as valid copyright who is the owner of the Fellini classic. A year ago,Los angeles Dolce Vitacelebrated its 50th anniversary, and both companies needed advantagewith theatrical re-releases andspecial edition Digital video disks and Blu-Sun sun rays. Vital received cease-and-desist letters, leading the studio yesterday to file for to have an intriguing situation thatfigures to stretch across oceans and time. Despite the fact that this suit is completely new, it's not the first time the copyright toLa Dolce Vitahas experienced question. In 2007, Worldwide Media Films suedLucas Entertainment, that have released a porn version entitled Michael Lucas'La Dolce Vita. Before that dispute arrived at the cruel problem of whether there's substantial similarity in orgy moments, the question came into being whether Worldwide Media really held the best chain of title. The film's possession remains polygamous over time, understandably, and therefore, many copyright experts and document researchers were trotted through the parties to look for the 50-year good status for that film's guards. Worldwide Media elevated a theory of transfer that goes something such as this:the first producers in the film designated the rights in 1962 to Cinemat, S.A., which moved rights in 1980 to Hor A.G., which moved rights one year afterwards to Oriental Films, which moved rights in 1998 to Cinestampa, which moved rights in 2001 to Worldwide Media. Yearly later, Worldwide Media filed a registration while using US Copyright Office around the restoration copy in the Fellini film. Lucas Entertainment disputed the authenticity of numerous people contracts and offered another narrative that goes something such as this: The first producers in the film designated distribution rights within the united states . States in 1961 to Astor Pictures, which moved rights in 1966 to Ardisco Financial Corp., which later offered rights to Republic Entertainment, which was the predecessor-in-interest to Melange Pictures, which filed a restoration copyright in 1996. For more than ten years, Vital has controlled Melange's film library. Basically, an authentic mind-scratcher, plus it's no surprise that in March 2010, when considering this case, NY federal judgeJohn Koeltl put his hands up in near resignation, saying thatInternational Media had not successful within the burden showing the best chain of title. Judge Koelt wouldn't say who possessed the film. Does anybody? "Really, it is possible for your Fellini film to remain in everyone domain," he written inside an opinion. No matter the ruling, Vital states that Worldwide Media is constantly claim round the film and contains sent cease-and-desist letters, not just in Vital but furthermore for the Vital's theatrical partners who had been licensed showing the film. Vital still thinks it's valid custody of the children from the children inside the film which is now seeking a commitment of its possession title. Represented by David Halberstadter at Katten Muchin Rosenman, Vital may also be seeking damages for Worldwide Media's alleged copyright breach. To complicate things much more, it's feasible for a coming U.S. Top Court ruling will make this complete dispute moot. On October 5, our prime court heard arguments in Golan v. Holder, which examines whether numerous last century pieces of art were wrongfully taken off the general public domain when the U.S. government introduced an worldwide treaty that harmonized many intellectual property laws and regulations and rules all over the world. By signing these treaties, foreign authors received the opportunity to revive copyright on many works. The complaintant is alleging that a number of these works taken off the general public domain were a breach in the freedom of expression rights in the American public. It's feasible for the very best Court could restore many copyrighted actively works to everyone domain, including, yes, Frederico Fellini's La Dolce Vita. E-mail: eriqgardner@yahoo.com Twitter: @eriqgardner Vital Pictures