'Mad Max' Could Easily Get New Trilogy, Two Game Titles

In Hollywood, trilogies would be the new follow up. Therefore it shojuld not be a surprise that George Burns, creator from the original "Mad Max" series, includes a new trilogy within the works best for the franchise. The very first film within the new series, "Mad Max: Fury Road," has lengthy had Tom Sturdy and Charlize Theron attached since it's leads, but that flick is simply the first in three films Burns has written. Within an interview using the Financial Occasions, Burns accepted the trilogy would be a natural advancement of the writing process. "We began with ['Fury Road'], but then we began to perform a second story along with a third. Weve written the script for that second and almost finished the 3rd. We never meant to, these were area of the search for the figures," he stated. Obviously, first "Fury Road" really needs to be produced. The flick continues to be infamously postponed, first last summer time, again in March and on the other hand lately due to unpredicted climate conditions around australia. So, most probably, as lengthy as "Fury Road" finally goes while watching camera and constitutes a profit, we may see Miller's entire new vision. Additionally towards the film, Burns also stated that the "Mad Max" videogame is incorporated in the works. Apparently Burns and Warner Bros are joining up to possess a studio in Sweden develop the overall game. "Using the government authorities support we are able to immediately move forward with two games, Miller's partner Doug Mitchell stated within the interview. "Warner Bros is waiting, prepared to do 'Fury Road' the incentive will bring it back within a NY minute. It isn't immediately apparent however the potential within the game titles sector is huge.Inch Are you able to fall behind a brand new "Mad Max" trilogy and gaming(s)? Inform us within the comments section below or on Twitter!

Never Too Late

A Green Prods. production with the support of the Israel Film Fund. Produced by Ido Fluk, Gal Greenspan, Roi Kurland. Directed, written by Ido Fluk.With: Nony Geffen, Ami Weinberg, Pira Kantor, Keren Berger, Eyal Rozales, Shifra Milstein.The first Israeli feature produced with crowd-sourced funding, minimalist indie "Never Too Late" is a good-looking, formally rigorous road movie that becomes increasingly involving as it motors along. As the protagonist drives his late father's battered Volvo through varied landscapes rarely seen in Israeli cinema, he must come to terms with considerable emotional baggage as well as the contents of his father's old suitcase, still in the car's trunk. Cerebral, controlled pic marks helmer-writer Ido Fluk as a talent to watch and reps quality content for fests that nurture challenging fare. After his army service, 30-year-old Herzl (Nony Geffen) spent eight years traveling throughout South America, avoiding the expectations of his stern father (Ami Weinberg). His refusal to return home for his father's funeral now haunts him, but it's never too late to make amends, or is it? Ever restless and lacking ambitions or prospects, Herzl accepts solitary work hanging advertising posters for a dating service with the slogan "Never Too Late" in cities throughout the country. As he goes about his daily routine, his memories of his father become so intense that they take on physical shape, which Fluk visualizes by having the older man ride and converse with his son. On his travels, which take him to north to Safed and south to Eilat, Herzl also makes contact with an old army buddy, now a married father; a sexy former girlfriend (Keren Berger); and a philosophical stranger (Eyal Rozales), whom he saves from drowning. But the contents of the suitcase dictate the last and most poignant stop. Fluk doles out narrative information sparingly, and sometimes not at all. Although some viewers may feel frustrated, those attentive to the pic's mood and detail will find it truly moving. Sharply produced on a micro-budget, the pic sports a mesmerizing score and attractive widescreen lensing from the same digital camera that Danny Boyle used to shoot "Slumdog Millionaire" (a loan from an Israeli-American businessman who read about the production's fund drive and wanted to help). Fluk, who studied at NYU, already has a second feature lined up with Christine Vachon's Killer Films that is in the casting stage.Camera (color, widescreen, DV), Itay Marom; editor, Assaf Lapid; music, Asher Goldschmidt; production designer, Yiftach Shapira; sound, Gadi Raz. Reviewed on DVD, Chicago, Nov. 26, 2011. (In Haifa Film Festival -- competing.) Running time: 96 MIN. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Freedom fuels Arab oasis

'On the Edge'A new generation of filmmakers emerge with photos like Narjiss Nejjar's 'The Rif Lover.'In the wake from the Arab Spring, the spotlight is embracing Arab films. The other agents is in a position to shine: It stands the main thing on democratic reforms and it has among the region's most powerful national film support systems."We are seeing something quite new in Moroccan cinema," states Faical Laraichi, mind of pubcaster SNRT, that has performed a vital role in taking care of local talent. "Until a couple of years back the dominant style was social realism, however we are seeing tremendous diversity, including avant-garde styles, comedies, action-adventure, many new company directors and new genres.""Industries for example Bollywood center around formula photos," states Noureddine Sail, mind from the Moroccan Cinema Center. "In The other agents, you will find there's very eclectic, creative approach."Sail cites the six films playing Marrakech, including film noir, baroque excess, Italian-style comedy and neo-realism.Riding this energy wave, Moroccan films have elevated their presence at Cannes, Toronto and Abu Dhabi in the last 12 several weeks.In France They-The other agents axis can also be building as Paris-based co-producers and purchasers agents funnel funds and production expertise to Moroccan films and cherry-pick youthful helmers."It is really an exciting period for Moroccan cinema," states director Leila Kilani. "You are able to have the feeling of expectation at large festivals. There is a new generation of Moroccan filmmakers coming to the scene."Kilani's debut feature, "Around the Edge," four women from Tangiers who peel shrimps during the day and turn methods by evening, is an ideal example. Kilani created her 1.two million ($1.64 million) pic through her Moroccan shingle, Socco Chico, with France's Aurora Films. Fortissimo handles worldwide sales. Following a pic's Cannes world premiere, and after kudos from San Sebastian, Abu Dhabi and Taormina, Kilani describes her Moroccan premiere at Marrakech because the "most enjoyable but most frightening" of her tests up to now.The other agents boasts an growing quantity of effective local producers. Producer-director Nabil Ayouch has among the most powerful track records, including a remarkable number of 42 TV movies, created for SNRT. He's filming the $4.8 million "The Heavens of Sidi Moumen," concerning the teenage suicide bombers active in the 2003 Casablanca bombing, co-created by Pierre-Ange Le Pogam's Stone Angel.Approaching youthful producers include Lamia Chraibi, named among Variety Arabia's Five Arab Producers to look at at October's Abu Dhabi Festival.Chraibi's recent credits include Marrakech's opener, Narjiss Nejjar's "The Rif Lover," in regards to a 20-year-old lady jailed to be a drug baron's lover Mohamed Achour's cool comedy about filmmaking, "The Film" and Hicham Lasri's moody B&W sophomore pic, "The Finish," set from the birth of the liberal era under King Mohammed Mire. Latter is offered by Insomnia World Sales.Among Morocco's primary challenges is insufficient screens. They've cut in half since 2004, leading to total national admissions to decrease from 6.8 million to two.5 million within this period. At the moment 63% from the country's box office is produced by only two multiplexes -- in Casablanca and Marrakech -- both possessed by Megarama.In France They chain has inked handles the CCM to construct five multiplexes within the next 2 yrs -- a ten-screener in Rabat, 12-screener in Agadir, 10- and eight-screeners in Tangiers along with a five-screener in Fez.Within 5 years, all Moroccan screens is going to be digital ticketing systems is going to be computerized and centralized by The month of january.U.S. movies have a 52% share of the market, carrying out particularly well within the multiplexes. Moroccan films also command a loyal following, with around a 20% share each year.Typically the most popular local game titles in the last 12 several weeks -- both likely to generate over 100,000 admissions by December -- happen to be Mohamed Karrat's musical comedy "Nhar tzad tfa dow" ("After I Was Created There Is a Energy Cut"), starring local love Rachid El Ouali, and Abdelhai Laraki's romantic tale "Love within the Medina" starring youthful heartthrob Omar Lotfi.But there's been no local blockbuster this year.Helmer Noureddine Lakhmari, who directed the hit "Casanegra" last year, with 240,000 admissions, is wishing to create a similarly strong reaction together with his approaching "Zero" a good antihero seeking redemption, he hopes to possess ready in The month of january."We want a celebration film every three several weeks," states Lakhmari. "I've great hope for future years. Culture stands in the centre of alternation in The other agents."Filmmakers welcome the reforms passed in The other agents this year, but helmers for example Lakhmari and Ayouch nevertheless express worry about the end result from the November. 25 parliamentary elections, by which they fear conservative forces may gain leverage."It's like standing on a train," Ayouch states. "We do not know where it'll stop or ultimately where it is going.InchYouthful helmer Adil el Fadili ("A Brief Existence") is nevertheless upbeat. "It's past too far for extremism. We have sampled freedom and there is no returning," he states.Sail confirms, "I find it hard to take seriously a nation that does not possess a vibrant national film industry, since it shows it features a trouble with freedom of expression, which ultimately means it features a trouble with freedom itself."FEST TRAVELER: MARRAKECH FILM FESTIVALSalute to Mexican cinema Freedom fuels Arab oasis Homegrown tales energy Moroccan tube Arab Spring signals return of foreign films Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Interview using the Vampire Author Anne Grain Sounds Off on Twilight's Sparkly Vampires of the underworld

Twilight, True Bloodstream Team Edward isn't pleased with vampire full Anne Grain. The Job Interview using the Vampire author triggered a furor on Facebook after leaving comments the undead in her own books would "have a pity party for vampires of the underworld that sparkle under the sun.Inch Browse the relaxation of present day news "I had been just joking," Grain informs The Daily Animal. "People request me things i consider that, and that i finally pretended that Lestat and Louis were real and gave their opinion on which they considered the vampires of the underworld in Twilight. Regrettably, I believe a number of Stephenie Meyer visitors required it the wrong manner, found my Facebook page, and were quite uncomfortable. However I think they are very... youthful. It had been a significant ruckus! "I can tell why the children like them," Grain states from the Twilight books and flicks. "What I only say immediately is that they go ahead and take formula of women's romance which was utilized by Jane Eyre, plus they place it inside a new context. You will find the youthful girl, Bella she falls deeply in love with this mysterious figure, and he's menacing much like Mr. Rochester is at Jane Eyre, but he's protective. I believe this is an long lasting formula." On her formula in creating vampires of the underworld, though, Grain wanted a far more "realistic" take. "I went together with things i inherited from Hollywood-that vampires of the underworld melt away under the sun.... I figured when they responded hysterically to garlic clove or crucifixes, which was less interesting his or her being nihilistic and atheistic, and never getting a 'magical' reaction to something but getting definite restrictions and rules." Take a look at photos of True Bloodstream The brand new genre of vampires of the underworld, Grain notes, tend to be not the same as her Interview using the Vampire protagonists. "Things I see happening, with authors like [True Blood's] Charlaine Harris and Stephenie Meyer, may be the domestication from the vampire. I had been interested in a effective, " Old World " figure which had lots of understanding, experience, and was encircled by lots of glamour and mystery... Charlaine Harris does different things by imagining how it is like if vampires of the underworld are legal and you've got them residing in your Southern town, and i believe she will get a significant quantity of energy from that. She's very witty-there's lots of satire there-as well as on the Cinemax showTrue Bloodstream, you will find a romance with Vampire Bill." Using the supernatural increasing, Grain will tackle werewolves though her new novel, The Wolf Grit, with a much different undertake werewolf mythology from twilighting. "I favor to choose the thought of the guy-wolf that continued to be a guy, but grew to become very effective and powerful,Inch she states. "He does not are a four-footed animal that lives inside a pack." Grain is not in opposition to True Blood's werewolf Alcide (Joe Manganiello), though that might be because "the character's hot," she states. Which vampires of the underworld would you prefer, those in Twilight, True Bloodstream or Interview using the Vampire?

Hollywood Managers Back New Appeal Challenging Talent Agencies Act (Exclusive)

TJ ScottRick Siegel's suit of former client Rosa Blasi (pictured) is headed back to the California Supreme Court. Should Hollywood talent managers remain in danger of losing their hard-earned commissions if they are found to have improperly "procured" employment for clients?our editor recommendsHow a Nasty Legal Fight Over 'Deep Throat,' 'Debbie Does Dallas' Was SettledJudge to Set Trial Date in Golden Globes Legal Fight That issue, long one of the most sensitive in the entertainment representation community, is coming to the foreground again in the form of a new appeal by legal crusader Rick Siegel that is finding broad if not overwhelming support within the talent management community. Siegel, as you might recall, is the manager (now former manager--he left the business) whose case against actress Rosa Blasi (Lifetime's Strong Medicine) challenged the Talent Agencies Act, the California law that says only licensed talent agents can "procure" work in the entertainment business. Other representatives, including managers, may only advise clients on their general careers, and if they are caught procuring jobs, their contracts with clients can be voided and commissions disgourged. It's a fairly draconican law, especially since Hollywood has evolved into a business where the expected duties of managers and agents often overlap. Both regularly provide specific career advice and, yes, some help their clients get specific jobs. The TAA is thus sometimes used by talent who simply wish to escape paying commissions to a manager that is no longer wanted. We've seen cases where an actor fires his manager, the manager sues to obtain commissions, and the actor claims a violation of the TAA to void the management contract. Still, the law is clear and is widely known in Hollywood representation circles. In 2008, Siegel's case against Blasi went up to the California Supreme Court, where the court refused to throw out the law or its tough remedies for infractions. He then sued his lawyers at LA's Fox & Spillane firm for malpractice for failing, in his view, to argue some key points during the appeal. Having lost an arbitration against the lawyers, he's now appealing to the state's high court a refusal by the lower court to vacatate the arbitration--and, in the process, he's raising the TAA issues anew. What's interesting now is how a number of prominent management companies have joined the fight, submitting letters to the court or otherwise backing the appeal. The biggest managers in Hollywood -- companies like Anonymous Content, Brillstein, Mosaic and Management 360 -- seem to be absent from the list, but there are a few companies included with considerable clout, such as Luber Roklin, Generate and Thruline, as well as the Talent Managers Association and the National Conference of Personal Managers. (A full list below). "California's Labor Commissioner and courts have erroneously applied the TAA to personal managers in an unfair and disproportionate fashion," says Clinton Ford Billups Jr., president of NCOPM, a trade association of personal managers. "It has resulted in forfeitures of fairly earned contractual fees legitimately earned in commercial commerce." Siegel wants the court to review whether a 1982 revision of the law should be interpreted to take out the tough disgourgement penalties for violations. And he's raising many of the same issues he did before, challenging whether the TAA even applies to managers. Siegel is representing himself. Here's the full list of managers backing the appeal: National Conference of Personal Managers Talent Managers Association 323 Talent Management Group 3G Management AAArtists International abc Management Access L.A. Talent Management Affirmative Entertainment American Talent Management Arc Talent Management Artist International Artist Management Artists-Independent Artistic Enteavors Marilyn Atlas Management Authentic Talent & Literary Management Bayonne Entertainment David Belenzon Management Boo Management & Consulting Barry Bookin Management bROOK fOREST eNTERTAINMENT Robin Brooks Talent Management Brucks Entertainment The Burstein Company CFB Productions CMC Scott Carlson Entertainment Cohen Entertainment Cohen/Thomas Management Cold War Management Contemporary Talent Partners The Coppage Company Corner of the Sky Entertainment The Coronel Group The Covington Group Jim Crabbe DAS Communications DCA Productions Marv Dauer Management Delaney Management DiSante Frank & Company Divine Management Dream Talent Management Dugan & Story Entertainment Elkins Entertainment Envision Entertainment Essential Talent Evans Management Evolution Management Exclusive Talent Management Flashpoint Entertainment Flutie Entertainment Michael Forman Management Forster Entertainment Generate Golan & Blumberg Grade A Entertainment Graduated Productions Grand View Management Joan Green Management Green Key Management Hassman-Fitzgerald Entertainment Joanne Horowitz Management In Momentum Management International Artists PR & Talent Management Inphenate Insight Management and Production JC Management JudyO Productions Justice & Ponder Kass & Sokes Kerner Management Company Kings Highway Entertainment Laffmobb Lapides/Lear Entertainment Holly Lebed Personal Management Lemack & Company Lesher Entertainment Levine Management Levity Entertainment Group Life Management Lighthouse Entertainment Luber Roklin Entertainment Magnet Management (2) The Marshak/Zachary Co. (2) Midwest Talent Management Billy Miller Management Niad Management Eileen O'Farrell Personal Management Open All Nite Entertainment Opus Entertainment Parallel Entertainment Cathy Parker Management Pivot Point Entertainment The Pitt Group Margrit Polak Management Pop Art Entertainment Precision Entertainment Joe Priesnitz Artist Management The Priluck Company Prodigy Talent Group Qualstar Enterprises Quinn Management Rain Management Group Reach For the Stars Red Baron Management Lara Rosenstock Management Jeff Ross Entertainment Heidi Rotbart Management Rothman Patino Andres Entertainment Rugolo Entertainment Sager Entertainment Sages Entertainment Group San Francisco Sound Sanders Armstrong Caserta Management Tom Sawyer Entertainment Schumacher Entertainment Meghan Schumacher Management Seven Summits Pictures and Management Sharyn Talent Management Shelter Entertainment Bill Silva Management Silver Mine Entertainment Simmons and Scott Entertainment Jan Maxwell Smith Talent Manager Susan Smith Mangement Sneak Preview Entertainment Spring Management Stein Entertainment Group Steinberg Talent Management Group The Sterling/Winters Company Studio Talent Group Symmetry Entertainment Third Hill Entertainment Thruline Entertainment Tornado Pictures LLC Trilogy Talent Management True Talent Management Ultimate Talent Group Brad Waisbren Enterprises (2) Wax Entertainment Whitesmith Entertainment Whitaker Entertainment Wendy Winks Yes Dear Entertainment Zero Gravity Entertainment

IFC Midnight takes 'Corridor'

IFC Midnight has picked up U.S. rights to "The Corridor," the Canuck sci-fi/horror outing from debut helmer Evan Kelly. Penned by Josh MacDonald, pic stars Stephen Chambers, James Gilbert and David Patrick Flemming in a story about a mentally unstable man whose reunion with friends is thrown into upheaval by a strange energy phenomenon discovered in the nearby woods. Craig Cameron and Mike Masters produced the film, which received funding from Telefilm Canada and Nova Scotia Film. Movie was shot in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Pic won a couple of kudos at the Fantasia film festival earlier this year and also picked up trophies at fests in Rhode Island and Oklahoma. Jeff Deutchman of Sundance Selects/IFC Films inked the U.S. distribution deal with XYZ Films' Nate Bolotin. Genre label IFC Midnight is a sister division of IFC Films and Sundance Selects. "Corridor" joins an upcoming IFC Midnight slate of multiple-platform releases for pics including "The Incident" and "Penumbra." Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com

Justice

January Jones and Nicolas Cage in 'Justice.' A Momentum Pictures (in U.K.) release of an Endgame Entertainment Co. presentation in association with Aura Film Partnership and Fierce Entertainment of an Endgame Entertainment, Material Pictures and Ram Bergman production. (International sales: FilmNation, Los Angeles.) Produced by James D. Stern, Ram Bergman, Tobey Maguire. Executive producers, Douglas E. Hansen, Jenno Topping, Julie Goldstein, Christopher Petzel. Co-producers, Dave Pomier, Lucas Smith. Directed by Roger Donaldson. Screenplay, Robert Tannen, Yuri Zeltser, from a story by Tannen, Todd Hickey.Will Gerard - Nicolas Cage Laura Gerard - January Jones Simon - Guy Pearce Jimmy - Harold Perrineau Trudy - Jennifer Carpenter Lt. Durgan - Xander Berkeley Alan Marsh - Jason Davis Scar - IronE Singleton Cancer - Wayne Pere Det. Green - Marcus Lyle Brown Sideburns - Dikran Tulaine Det. Rudeski - Joe ChrestNearly two years after cameras rolled in New Orleans on "The Hungry Rabbit Jumps," the Nicolas Cage-starring vigilante thriller, now retitled "Justice," has started to hit theaters in Europe and Hong Kong. It has not been worth the wait: This unconvincing, workmanlike genre piece reps a considerable dip in quality for director Roger Donaldson after his 2008 heist pic "The Bank Job." With no release date yet for the U.S., where its title is "Seeking Justice," ancillary reps the pic's best chance for modest recoupment. Positioned in Blighty as counterprogramming to "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn -- Part 1," the pic earned just 183,000 ($293,000) from 244 cinemas in its first two days, indicating a swift exit from theaters. In the recent "The Next Three Days," audiences rooted for Russell Crowe's English teacher to acquire an unlikely skill set and bust his wife out of prison. "Justice" attempts a similar trick, casting Cage as nice-guy English teacher Will Gerard, comfortably decked out in corduroy trousers and spectacles. When his musician wife, Laura (January Jones), is brutally raped, Will feels his own powerlessness. Enter shaven-headed, sharp-suited Simon (Guy Pearce), who offers street justice for the crime in exchange for a future favor of vaguely modest proportions. The rapist is then summarily executed. Simon is as good as his word when he later asks Will to perform some routine surveillance on a man he claims is a pedophile. But the stakes rise when he demands that Will murder the suspect in question. In a contrived passage, Will finds himself implicated in the death of a local newspaper reporter, held for police interrogation and then freed by a rogue cop when he reveals his knowledge of the vigilante network's code phrase, "The hungry rabbit jumps." Of course, it turns out he was better off in custody. Despite a two-part climax, starting with a monster truck rally at the New Orleans Superdome, then relocating to the abandoned New Orleans Center shopping mall, "Justice" lacks the consistent thrills that might encourage the audience to indulge its numerous implausibilities. In another questionable choice of roles, Cage is unpersuasive as an inner-city schoolteacher, a part that gives him little leeway to explore the loopier shades that were showcased so entertainingly in "Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans" and "Kick-Ass." As Will's friend and colleague, gifted thesp Harold Perrineau isn't given much to work with, and Pearce (drafted close to the shoot start date) doesn't make sense of the shadowy Simon character, whose motivation remains obscure, partly because the p.o.v. remains almost exclusively with the protag. One particularly troubling aspect of the film is its ambivalent perspective on vigilante action, disapproving more of its corrupt execution than its essence. Lenser David Tattersall uses compact digital cameras to capture a real flavor of post-Katrina New Orleans, but any such verisimilitude seems wasted on the screenplay credited to Robert Tannen and Yuri Zeltser (working from a story by Tannen and cinematographer Todd Hickey), though given the extended period of post-production, what resemblance the finished film bears to their original conception is anyone's guess. Inclusion of scenes at the city's newspaper, police department and an urban high school suggests an ambition to offer texture and flavor along the lines of "The Wire," clearly an optimistic goal.Camera (color, wide-screen, HD), David Tattersall; editor, Jay Cassidy; music, J. Peter Robinson; music supervisor, John Houlihan; production designer, Dennis Washington; art director, Kelly Curley; set decorator, Alice Baker; costume designer, Caroline Eselin Schaffer; sound (Dolby Digital), Pawel Wdowczak; supervising sound editor, Trevor Jolly; re-recording mixer, Leslie Shatz; special effects coordinator, David K. Nami; visual effects supervisors, Dick Edwards, Christopher Bremble; visual effects, Invisible Effects, Modern Videofilm, Base-FX; stunt coordinator, Andy Cheng; assistant director, Jonathan McGarry; second unit director, Cheng; second unit camera, John Peters; casting, Mary Vernieu, Venus Kanani. Reviewed at Courthouse Doubletree Hotel, London, Nov. 2, 2011. Running time: 105 MIN. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Regis Philbin Signs Off Live After 28 Years

Regis Philbin In the end, it wasn't just Regis and Kelly, or Regis and Kathie Lee ... it felt more like Regis and everybody. After some 16,000 hours in front of a television camera, Regis Philbin signed off Live! with Regis and Kelly Friday morning.Ending a 28-year run, the "Farewell Special" began oddly with a black-and-white camera following him on his final walk to the studio. It had a little of a Dead Man Walking feel to it. But once he got to the stage, he walked out to a star-studded audience of family and friends. Among them: Diane Sawyer, Donald Trump, Tony Danza and Kathie Lee Gifford (with whom he co-hosted Live! for 15 years), as well as Philbin's wife, Joy, and his daughters.Check photos of Regis Philbin through the yearsA hilarious montage focused on how many people have imitated him over the years, notably Dana Carvey, who captured Philbin's fulminating crescendo so well: "Anyway, are you ready for this? ... it's OUT. OF. CONTROL."Then NY Mayor Michael Bloomberg came out and proposed several possible new jobs for Philbin, including driving a cab, playing for the Yankees, strumming a guitar as the next Naked Cowboy in Times Square, or running to become the next mayor. After kibitzing, Bloomberg presented Philbin with the key to the city.The final program also featured reminiscences from his family, and a fun highlight of the marching band from his alma mater - Notre Dame - spelling out his name in tribute.A tearful Kelly Ripa, not wanting to forget anything, wrote down some of what she wanted to say, invoking the "43 steps" they always walked from her dressing room to the stage before each show.And in a riff on the most famous song from the Broadway musical Rent, the show's cast sang "955,600 Minutes" - the amount of time he's spent on television.Regis Philbin reflects on his career, fame and "the Tweeter"On the eve of his departure, the bon mots for his bon voyage also were uttered in prime time and late night with Regis Philbin: The Morning Maestro, a special edition of 20/20 anchored and reported by Katie Couric, and an appearance on Late Show With David Letterman.David Letterman, who dropped by his morning show earlier in the week, told Philbin - who first came to national prominence as Joey Bishop's sidekick in late 1960s on Bishop's late-night ABC talk show - that he ranked in a pantheon of broadcasters that may only include Jack Paar, Johnny Carson and Oprah Winfrey.In his enduring career, the 80-year-old, Bronx-born broadcaster achieved prime-time success in 1999 when he began hosting the hit game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. And just earlier this year, he and Ripa won the Daytime Emmy award for Outstanding Talk Show Host.Eight possible contenders to replace Regis Philbin on Live!Starting Monday, Ripa will have a parade of interim co-hosts (starting with Jerry Seinfeld). Philbin said earlier this week he'll probably be watching the first show without him in his hotel room in Miami, where he'll be on a book tour for his memoir How I Got This Way.Friday morning's show ended with Walt Disney Co. President Robert Iger thanking Philbin and unveiling a plaque dedicated to him at the entrance to ABC's NY headquarters - and Philbin's final words.And he was a pro to the very end. He kept it together - he didn't break down, talking about how the show was the "last chance I had in this business, to make it here in NY, and I came back a little bit late in my life to make it all work. I guess it was fate that it would happen this way, and it did."As for the show's long success, he said people tell him they watch it "because it makes them feel better. And it can't get better than that."He said he'll never be able to top that.

Sheriff: 'Credible' info stirs Natalie Wood probe

Natalie Wood drowned after investing several hrs consuming on Catalina Island inside a yacht with husband Robert Wagner, above, and Christopher Walken.La County Sheriff's researchers revealed couple of particulars Friday in regards to what evidence motivated these to reopen the analysis in to the 1981 dying of Natalie Wood, but stated it was "credible enough" to visit again the situation.Almost 3 decades following the star of "West Side Story" and "Digital rebel With no Cause" drowned from the coast of Catalina Island, the sheriff's office introduced it was probing new leads within the situation, that was ruled accidental in those days by their very own researchers along with the La County Cororner at that time, Thomas Noguchi."We now have several sources which have come forward with a lot more resources,Inch stated Lt. John Corina, a Sheriff's detective, stated. "It was credible enough to visit again the situation."Although Corina rejected to enter specifics, attention Friday centered on Dennis Davern, who captained Wood and husband Robert Wagner's yacht, the Beauty, around the evening she disappeared. Davern made an appearance on NBC's "Today" on Friday and stated he did "lie on the report in the past,Inch apparently throughout the initial analysis in to the situation.He was vague concerning the particulars, but Davern co-written a 2009 book, "Goodbye Natalie, Goodbye Beauty," by which he detailed his account and known as for that analysis to become reopened. The mystery within the conditions of her dying would be the subject of the "48 Hrs" story to become proven on Saturday, a segment made together with Vanity Fair.In another interview, Davern told CNN that whenever he looked for Wood around the yacht, Wagner dissuaded him from trying to find her within the water and instructed individuals aboard regarding things to tell government bodies. Davern stated he known as the Coast Guard after four hrs, but told CNN it had been a "mistake" to possess anxiously waited such a long time.Wood and Wagner spent Thanksgiving weekend aboard the Beauty almost 30 years ago together with actor Christopher Walken, who had been shooting the film "Brainstorm" opposite Wood at that time. Around the evening of November. 29, the 4 came back from the restaurant at Two Provides hiding for, where they'd been consuming, as well as an argument ensued between Wagner and Walken. At some point, Wood left, apparently to retire for that evening, but Wagner stated in the 2008 autobiography that after he came back for their room she vanished.Her body is discovered the following morning.Through his spokesperson Alan Nierob, Wagner launched an argument by which he stated, "Although nobody within the Wagner family members have been told by the L.A. County Sheriff's Department relating to this matter, they fully offer the efforts from the L.A. County Sheriff's Department and trust they'll evaluate whether any new information relevant towards the dying of Natalie Wood Wagner applies, which it develops from a credible source or sources apart from individuals simply attempting to make money from the 30-year anniversary of her tragic dying."Corina, worrying that they're in early stages from the analysis, stated Wagner isn't a suspect within the situation.He added that although researchers haven't spoken towards the Wagner family, they'll contact them "eventually." Corina stated the recent media attention within the situation has brought to "people coming forward and wanting to speak to us.""At this time her dying is definitely an accidental drowning," Corina stated. "Until we discover something which states it is not, it's still an accidental drowning." Contact Ted Manley at ted.manley@variety.com

Hacken named New Regency production prexy

Fox 2000 professional Vice president Carla Hacken will require over as production prexy for Arnon Milchan's New Regency. Hacken have been using the banner since 1997 and oversaw projects including "The Demon Wears Prada," "Walk the roadInch and "Disloyal." In her own new publish, Hacken will oversee development and production for Regency's film slate. Contact Rachel Abrams at Rachel.Abrams@variety.com

Cinemax And BBC Developing Wolf Hall Small With Mess Tailor Soldier Spy Author

EXCLUSIVE: Inside their latest collaboration, Cinemax and BBC are coming up with a miniseries adaptation in the award-winning historic novel Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel. Mess Tailor Soldier Spy co-author Peter Straughan could make his TV debut writing some-part miniseries, that's being eyed for Cinemax and BBC2. It's being produced by Uk indie Company Pictures (Shameless) and U.S.’ Playground Entertainment, the business of former Cinemax Films leader Colin Callender. Mantel’s 2009 novel Wolf Hall, which won the man Booker Prize, the UKs finest literary award, is occur Medieval England. It is a fictionalized biography chronicling the increase to energy of Thomas Cromwell within the court docket of King Henry VIII. Cromwell, one of the most effective advocates in the British Reformation, aided come with an annulment for Henry VIII’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon so they can marry his mistress Anne Boleyn. Cromwell eventually fell from favor while using king and was carried out. Round the showtime series The Tudors, also set through the reign of Henry VIII, Cromwell was carried out by James Frain. Furthermore to co-scripting this year’s Oscar contender Mess Taylor Solider Spy, an adaptation of John Le Carres novel, Peter Straughan’s feature writing credits are the Debt as well as the Males Who Stare At Goat's.

Jason Clarke Lands Kathryn Bigelows Bin Laden Film Elite Cast Circling Other Roles

EXCLUSIVE: Jason Clarke might be the very first actor searching for the Kathryn Bigelow-directed drama concerning the quest for Osama Bin Laden for that new the new sony Pictures and Megan Ellison’s Annapurna Pictures. A high-notch quantity of stars continues to be courted for your ensemble. I’m told that Clarke–who stars inside the Ellison-produced The Wettest County on earth which is playing the service station owner George Wilson inside the Baz Luhrmann-directed The Fantastic Gatsby–will play a terrorist hunter operating in the U.S. efforts to look Bin Laden. Also being spoken about for roles are Tom Sturdy (who also stars in Wettest County), Jennifer Ehle (Contagion), Guy Pearce (who starred in Bigelow’s The Hurt Locker), Idris Elba, Rooney Mara (approaching Girl while using Dragon Tattoo) and Nina Arianda (Evening amount of time in Paris). This program is always to start production early next season, so availability is an problem for any couple of from the stars. Mark Boal written the script which is creating with Ellison and Greg Shapiro.

WMG shakes up int'l management ranks

Warner Group is streamlining its worldwide management structure, with several top professionals coping with new global responsibilities. While using restructuring, Warner Music Europe Boss John Reid is ankling the business. In the memo to staffers acquired by Daily Variety, WMG chairman-Boss of recorded music Lyor Cohen mentioned the professional changes are increasingly being made to "create a flatter organization with clearer verifying lines to make a closer outcomes of management and artists and clients." Cohen may have direct oversight of methods within the U . s . States, France, Germany as well as the U.K. Warner Music Latin America prexy Inigo Zabala will oversee activities in the united states and Latin America. Warner Music Asia Off-shoreline prexy Lachie Rutherford is constantly on the mind that region. Warner Bros. Records executive v . p . Stu Bergen will oversee methods inside the relaxation around the world. Three stateside professionals have become global bumps. WEA prexy-Boss Mike Jbara can lead to global distribution Rhino Entertainment prexy-Boss Kevin Gore will mind worldwide catalog management and synch rights and WMG senior v . p . of worldwide artist services David Marcus will handle worldwide 360-degree deals. They'll account to Roger Gold, senior v . p ., office in the chairman and Boss of recorded music. Consequently in the restructuring, Warner Music Worldwide senior vps Eric Daugan and Isabel Garvey and CFO Mike Saunter will exit the business. Reid's exit finishes an 11-year run at WMG, where he most recently went their European affiliate entrepreneurs. He was formerly prexy of Island Def Jam Records US, where he labored carefully with Cohen. Reid mentioned in the memo to staff, "Now, approaching the next stage inside the company's evolution, our global management structure will probably be transformed. That has spurred me to consider what my new role needs to be. "Searching back on our accomplishments, I've made a decision that - rather than possess a new role within the organization Time ended up being to start my next adventure. Because the decision was difficult, I depart while using ease of knowning that our great work guarantees a great future." Cohen mentioned of Reid, "Most recently, John carried out an important role inside our amazing transformation in Europe, adding another achievement to his very extended report on contributions to WMG. Getting labored with him since our days at Def Jam, I am forever grateful for John's friendship and leadership." Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

an hour Takes note of Andy Rooney

CBS’ an hour tonight broadcast a remembrance of Andy Rooney, who died on Friday, by veteran an hour correspondent Morley Safer who questioned Rooney only last month once the 92-year-old made his final appearance around the venerable newsmagazine. Safer stated that Rooney died after “a brief illness” and known as him “America’s favorite grouch in chief” who “had the special gift of speaking for everyman.” This is actually the entire segment:

RZA joins 'Django Unchained' cast

RZAQuentin Tarantino is reaching to some familiar face for just about any part in "Django Unchained," tapping his "Kill Bill" composer RZA for just about any supporting role inside the Weinstein Company's spaghetti Western. RZA may have Thaddeus, a violent slave concentrating on a Mississippi plantation. In addition, "Frozen River" star Misty Upham remains cast just like a purchasing and selling publish-bar owner named Minnie. RZA acquired both "Kill Bill: Volume 1" and "Kill Bill: Volume 2" for Tarantino, who's showing RZA's directorial debut "The Man While using Iron Fists," which RZA co-written with Tarantino's "Inglourious Basterds" star Eli Roth. RZA stars inside the Universal pic alongside Russell Crowe, additionally to Tarantino alums Pam Grier and Lucy Liu. Best known to as p facto leader in the Wu-Tang Clan, RZA has spent the ultimate a long time building his feature resume and studying top-tier company company directors, with looks in Ridley Scott's "American Gangster," Judd Apatow's "Funny People," Todd Phillips' "DeadlineInch and Paul Haggis' "The Next 72 Hrs.Inch Thesp, who recently wrapped production on Paramount's "G.I. Joe 2," will rapidly be viewed in "A Very Harold and Kumar 3d Christmas." RZA may even join David Duchovny round the approaching season of Showtime's "Californication." RZA is repped by ICM and attorney Joe Carlone, while Upham's deal was brokered by Blaine Johnston and Kevin McGinley of Rogues Gallery Management. Contact Rob Sneider at rob.sneider@variety.com