Hollywood Reporter

Universal settles complaints over fake news

Associated Press — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:00:00 EST

Universal Pictures has agreed to pay $20,000 to the Alaska Press Club to settle complaints about fake news archives used to promote the movie "The Fourth Kind," the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported.

Goldwyn picks up 'Harry Brown'

By Steven Zeitchik — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:57:00 EST

Samuel Goldwyn is picking up all U.S. rights to the Michael Caine thriller "Harry Brown," marking one more buy of a Toronto premiere several months after the festival.

Disney restructuring continues

By Borys Kit — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:50:00 EST

Disney president and CEO Robert Iger is continuing to shake up the company's executive ranks by switching the job descriptions of two key execs.

Martin Scorsese to receive DeMille award

Associated Press — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:14:00 EST

Director Martin Scorsese is receiving the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement at the Golden Globes.

Marvel Studios appoints new co-president

By Georg Szalai — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:11:00 EST

Marvel Studios has promoted Louis D'Esposito to the role of co-president at the unit of Marvel Entertainment.

Harvey Keitel cast in 'Little Fockers'

By Jay A. Fernandez — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST

Harvey Keitel has joined the cast of Universal and Tribeca Prods.' "Meet the Fockers" sequel, "Little Fockers."

Writer tapped for 'Hansel and Gretel'

By Jay A. Fernandez and Borys Kit — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST

Writer Dante Harper has been hired to sprinkle a few more bread crumbs on the script for "Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters."

Marti Noxon to pen 'Fright Night' redo

By Jay A. Fernandez and Borys Kit — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST

"Mad Men" writer-producer Marti Noxon has been hired to pen DreamWorks Studios' revamp of the 1985 horror comedy "Fright Night."

'Cracks' slips through to IFC

By Jay A. Fernandez — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:42:00 EST

IFC Films has acquired North American distribution rights to "Cracks," the feature directorial debut of Jordan Scott.

Murdoch No. 7 on Forbes world power list

By Paul Bond — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:00:00 EST

Rupert Murdoch is more powerful than the pope. In its inaugural list of the world's most powerful people, Forbes has the News Corp. chief at No. 7.

'G.I. Joe' tops video charts

By Thomas K. Arnold — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:24:00 EST

"G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" stormed into the No. 1 position on the national video sales charts with a whopping first-week North American sales tally of 3.8 million discs.

Scott Foundas joins Lincoln Center arm

By Borys Kit — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:18:00 EST

Film critic Scott Foundas is joining the Film Society of Lincoln Center as associate program director.

DGA to honor Robert Iger, Barry Meyer

Staff report — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:55:00 EST

The DGA will honor Disney president and CEO Robert Iger and Warner Bros. chairman and CEO Barry Meyer with the Honorary Life Member Award at the Guild's 62nd annual awards Jan. 30.

Chapek promoted in Disney shake-up

By Carl DiOrio — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:13:00 EST

Rich Ross has opted against naming one executive to succeed ousted Disney film president Mark Zoradi, but the new studio chairman gave a big attaboy and promotion to home entertainment topper Bob Chapek in regime changes unveiled Wednesday.

Oscar hopefuls up the ani

By Borys Kit — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:11:00 EST

An increase in the number of films submitted for Oscar consideration means the category will likely widen to five nominees.

MPAA ratings: Nov. 11, 2009

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:00:00 EST

MPAA ratings: Nov. 11, 2009

Exhibitors steaming over 'Meatballs'

By Carl DiOrio — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST

Exhibitors are hot over Sony's decision to release "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" digitally on Dec. 8, less than three months after its theatrical opening.

USHE gets interactive with Blu-ray titles

By Carl DiOrio — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:08:00 EST

Universal Studios Home Entertainment on Tuesday announced several first-time features heightening user interactivity on upcoming Blu-ray Disc titles.

Warren Beatty up for Art Directors honor

By Jay A. Fernandez — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:05:00 EST

The Art Directors Guild will honor Warren Beatty with its Outstanding Contribution to Cinematic Imagery Award at the 14th annual ADG Awards set for Feb. 13 at the Beverly Hilton.

'Children,' 'Precious' bookend Bahamas fest

By Jay A. Fernandez — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST

The Bahamas International Film Festival announced Tuesday that the indie dramas "Children of God" and "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' By Sapphire" will open and close its sixth annual festival, which runs Dec. 10-17 on Paradise Island and Nassau.

Andrew Chang upped at DWA

By Jay A. Fernandez — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:56:00 EST

DreamWorks Animation has promoted Andrew Chang to general counsel.

Entertainment industry exec, attorney dies

Staff report — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:51:00 EST

David Larson Mayer Jr., an entertainment industry executive and attorney for 30 years, died Oct. 27 in Santa Barbara. He was 58.

'Secret of Kells' set for Oscar-qualifying run

By Gregg Kilday — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:01:00 EST

GKIDS, which distributes indie films for family and art house audiences, has acquired U.S. distribution rights to the animated film "The Secret of Kells," from Irish director Tomm Moore.

Morgan Freeman takes career nod

By Gregg Kilday — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:39:00 EST

Morgan Freeman will be feted with the 21st annual Palm Springs International Film Festival's Career Achievement Award for Acting at the fest's Awards Gala at the Palm Springs Convention Center on Jan. 5.

Sony to remake 'Fathers and Guns'

By Borys Kit — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:47:00 EST

Sony Pictures has picked up the remake rights to the French-Canadian hit "Fathers and Guns" for an adaptation to be developed and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall.

'True Blood' earns People's Choice noms

Associated Press — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:35:00 EST

"Twilight" and "True Blood" were among the top nominees announced Tuesday for the People's Choice Awards. Fans cast more than 18 million votes online to select the nominee slate and will also choose the winners in 35 categories.

IFC takes Medem's 'Room in Rome' for U.S.

By Pamela Rolfe — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:48:00 EST

U.S. distributor IFC has picked up theatrical rights for the U.S. to Julio Medem's upcoming sexy drama "Room in Rome" at the American Film Market, production house Morena Films announced Tuesday.

Lionsgate plans aggressive 'Precious' rollout

By Etan Vlessing — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:48:00 EST

Lionsgate plans an aggressive expansion to as many as 1,200 theaters for Lee Daniels' "Precious" over Thanksgiving after the inner city-woe drama cranked out a buzz-worthy $1.9 million on 18 screens on its opening weekend.

Halle Berry tapped for Lansing nod

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

Halle Berry will receive the Sherry Lansing Leadership Award at The Hollywood Reporter's 18th annual Women in Entertainment breakfast presented by Lifetime.

Animated films could impact Oscars

By Steven Zeitchik — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST

AWARDS WATCH: With 10 best picture nomination slots and a slew of potential contenders, animated films like "Up" could shake up this year's Oscar race.