Redbox to Team With Verizon on Internet-Streaming Business

CBS has nabbed a police procedural from the Queen. The network has made a script deal for an untitled cop show from Queen Latifah. The project, about a street savvy Philadelphia woman who realizes her calling as a homicide detective after a defining moment, hails from Flavor Unit Entertainment and CBS Studios. Charles Murray (V, Castle, Criminal Minds) will pen and executive produce the drama, withLatifah (Single Ladies, Let's Stay Together) set to executive produce through her production banner Flavor Unit Entertainment.Flavor Unit's Shakim Compere and Shelby Stone along with production company Rocklin/Faust's Nicole Rocklin, Blye Faust and Renata Adamidov are attached as executive producers. If it ultimately makes it to air, the project will join other Latifah-produced entries, including VH1's Single Ladies and BET's Let's Stay Together. Latifah is also prepping a daytime talk show with Sony Pictures Television. Murray, who is writing and directing indie drama Things Never Said, is repped by UTA, Industry Entertainment and Morris-Yorn; Latifah is repped by WME and Eisenberg, Tanchum & Levy. Email: Lacey.Rose@THR.com; Twitter: @LaceyVRose PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery 20 Best and Worst Music to Movie Crossovers Related Topics Queen Latifah CBS TV Development

Christopher Plummer Begins Anew With 'Beginners'

Christopher Plummer Begins Anew With 'Beginners' By Melinda Loewenstein December 8, 2011 Christopher Plummer in "Beginners" Within the film "Beginners," Christopher Plummer provides a subtle and honest performance as Hal, opposite Ewan McGregor as Hal's boy Oliver. After his wife of 45 years dies from cancer, the 75-year-old Hal begins his existence over by being released as gay, simply to be identified with cancer themself a couple of years later, departing Oliver to begin again making feeling of everything. It is a career-high turn by Plummer, possibly still most beloved as Captain Von Trapp in "The Seem of Music" and who gained his first Oscar nomination for 2009's "The Final Station."Author-director Michael Mills was set on getting Plummer play Hal. Mills known as the actor as well as sent him a lettersomething Plummer states is rare nowadays. "It is a nice, old-fashioned touch," he calls it, adding he was drawn to the entire feel from the story. Mills "worked by using it with your charm, also it am touching, and it wasn't sentimental within the bad feeling of the term,Inch he states. "It wasn't mawkish. It had been a difficult, honest, and happy movie."But Hal is dependant on Mills' father, which had Plummer concerned. When he and Mills met, however, the director assured him he wanted Plummer to experience the smoothness how a actor saw fit and wasn't concerned about him doing an imitation. "He am simple and easy , not picky and never possessive about his writing from the role," Plummer states. Mills' pointing style permitted him to become free and relaxed in the portrayal, he adds, and that he immediately attached to Hal: "Everything fell into position so easily, and also the writing am kind of fluid and natural."Plummer's interpretation is realistic, not over-the-top or flamboyant, emotional although not melodramatic. A lot of his performance is unspoken, that they thinks creates a powerful film. "Movies are great once the author knows what not write and allows silence take over," he describes. "Movies ought to have very little dialogue as you possibly can.InchStereo and Beyond Plummer started his professional acting career in the late teens and "never looked back," he states. In early stages, he labored in radio in Montreal and NY. In those days, the nineteen forties, radio was the medium from the moment, and there is an array of radio programs created in Montreal. He is constantly on the make use of the abilities he developed there, he states, for his operate in narration and animated films, such as the recent Pixar film "Up." He states he loves doing voice work: "It brings me to the past of radio."Plummer got his learning theater, then in movies. "I had been playing all of the classical parts. I still do. Which means you require a versatile instrument to achieve that,Inch he states, observing he values formal vocal training. Throughout his career, he's ongoing to operate in theater and film, "that we think is really a terrific method of carrying out things, since you never become bored,Inch he states. "So you keep your technique as well as your understanding of the craft flowing by going to the theater." Although he does not prefer one medium towards the other, "I do not think anything can replace an active audience's reaction. This is exactly why I return to it. Simply to replenish the pleasure of hearing laughter and responses from real live folks the audience."Inside a career that spans decades, Plummer has already established the chance to play 100s of roles, but he states the majority of the great ones have experienced the theater. "This is where the truly amazing writing is," he reasons. "The theater is where where an actress has the opportunity to do all of the great roles which have been written for hundreds of years. And that's not just challenging, but it is fascinating and daunting and ambitious."Plummer states, "I play the role of as different as you possibly can in each and every role I play." This is often observed in the variations between a couple of his most recent figures: Hal, who discovers he's dying right after beginning his existence like a gay guy, and also the Swedish magnate who's the only real "nice guy" in David Fincher's approaching film "The Lady Using the Dragon Tattoo."The Seem of Who audition Although Plummer has rarely auditioned in the career, he recalls one audition, for that original Broadway manufacture of "Camelot," starring Richard Burton and Julie Andrews. Ernest "Fritz" Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner, the show's composers, requested Plummer to audition for that role of Lancelot. The actor thought it might be fabulous to operate around the musical because Moss Hart was pointing, but he was concerned the vocal demands needed an experienced singer. But Lerner and Loewe convinced him in the future and sing for them. So he labored difficult on his voice and eager "Till There Is You" from "The Background Music Guy," then sang it while Loewe performed the piano. After finishing the song, Plummer states, "I understood I wasn't will make it, since the role, Lancelot, was almost operatic. And So I switched to Fritz independently and that i stated, 'Fritz, where can you really place my voice?' And that he stated, 'No levels, no lows, somewhere in the centre.A Which maybe it was.InchThat audition is simply one illustration of Plummer's readiness to accept challenges. He thinks all acting is really a challengebut one that may be mastered. "That is what is exciting and that is the mystery of acting," he states. "You welcome these new challenges every single day.Inch With experience, "it is a little simpler to satisfy individuals challenges because you have developed a confidence along with a technique, so that's just a part of the overall game, along with a very valuable and exciting part."Outtakes His advice to stars: "Try to stay sober. Before the curtain call. As well as for God's sake, have some fun. Don't suffer for the art. Simply have fun."Regardless of the numerous credits to his title, you will find roles he'd still enjoy playing, including Shakespeare's Falstaff a treadmill of Chekhov's figures. May be the great-grand son of Mister John Abbott, the 3rd pm of CanadaFor his role in "Beginners," Plummer was named best supporting actor through the National Board of Review and gained a Spirit Award nomination for the best supporting actor. The film also won best ensemble in the Gotham Independent Film Honours. Christopher Plummer Begins Anew With 'Beginners' By Melinda Loewenstein December 8, 2011 Christopher Plummer in "Beginners" Within the film "Beginners," Christopher Plummer provides a subtle and honest performance as Hal, opposite Ewan McGregor as Hal's boy Oliver. After his wife of 45 years dies from cancer, the 75-year-old Hal begins his existence over by being released as gay, simply to be identified with cancer themself a couple of years later, departing Oliver to begin again making feeling of everything. It is a career-high turn by Plummer, possibly still most beloved as Captain Von Trapp in "The Seem of Music" and who gained his first Oscar nomination for 2009's "The Final Station."Author-director Michael Mills was set on getting Plummer play Hal. Mills known as the actor as well as sent him a lettersomething Plummer states is rare nowadays. "It is a nice, old-fashioned touch," he calls it, adding he was drawn to the entire feel from the story. Mills "worked by using it with your charm, also it am touching, and it wasn't sentimental within the bad feeling of the term,Inch he states. "It wasn't mawkish. It had been a difficult, honest, and happy movie."But Hal is dependant on Mills' father, which had Plummer concerned. When he and Mills met, however, the director assured him he wanted Plummer to experience the smoothness how a actor saw fit and wasn't concerned about him doing an imitation. "He am simple and easy , not picky and never possessive about his writing from the role," Plummer states. Mills' pointing style permitted him to become free and relaxed in the portrayal, he adds, and that he immediately attached to Hal: "Everything fell into position so easily, and also the writing am kind of fluid and natural."Plummer's interpretation is realistic, not over-the-top or flamboyant, emotional although not melodramatic. A lot of his performance is unspoken, that they thinks creates a powerful film. "Movies are wonderful once the author knows what not write and allows silence dominate,Inch he describes. "Movies ought to have very little dialogue as you possibly can.InchStereo and Beyond Plummer started his professional acting career in the late teens and "never looked back," he states. In early stages, he labored in radio in Montreal and NY. In those days, the nineteen forties, radio was the medium from the moment, and there is an array of radio programs created in Montreal. He is constantly on the make use of the abilities he developed there, he states, for his operate in narration and animated films, such as the recent Pixar film "Up." He states he loves doing voice work: "It brings me to the past of radio."Plummer got his learning theater, then in movies. "I had been playing all of the classical parts. I still do. Which means you require a versatile instrument to achieve that,Inch he states, observing he values formal vocal training. Throughout his career, he's ongoing to operate in theater and film, "that we think is really a terrific method of carrying out things, since you never become bored,Inch he states. "So you keep the technique as well as your understanding of the craft flowing by returning towards the theater." Although he does not prefer one medium towards the other, "I do not think anything can replace an active audience's reaction. This is exactly why I return to it. Simply to replenish the pleasure of hearing laughter and responses from real live folks the crowd.InchInside a career that spans decades, Plummer has already established the chance to experience 100s of roles, but he states the majority of the great ones will be in the theater. "This is where the truly amazing writing is," he reasons. "The theater is where where an actress has the opportunity to do all of the great roles which have been written for hundreds of years. Which isn't just challenging, but it is fascinating and daunting and ambitious."Plummer states, "I play the role of as different as you possibly can in each and every role I play." This is often observed in the variations between a couple of his newest figures: Hal, who discovers he's dying right after beginning his existence like a gay guy, and also the Swedish magnate who's the only real "nice guy" in David Fincher's approaching film "The Lady Using the Dragon Tattoo."The Seem of Who audition Although Plummer has rarely auditioned in the career, he recalls one audition, for that original Broadway manufacture of "Camelot," starring Richard Burton and Julie Andrews. Ernest "Fritz" Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner, the show's composers, requested Plummer to audition for that role of Lancelot. The actor thought it might be fabulous to operate around the musical because Moss Hart was pointing, but he was concerned the vocal demands needed an experienced singer. But Lerner and Loewe convinced him in the future and sing on their behalf. So he labored difficult on his voice and eager "Till There Is You" from "The Background Music Guy," then sang it while Loewe performed the piano. After finishing the song, Plummer states, "I understood I wasn't will make it, since the role, Lancelot, was almost operatic. And So I switched to Fritz independently and that i stated, 'Fritz, where can you really place my voice?' And that he stated, 'No levels, no lows, somewhere in the centre.A Which maybe it was.InchThat audition is simply one illustration of Plummer's readiness to simply accept challenges. He thinks all acting is really a challengebut one that will be mastered. "That is what is exciting and that is the mystery of acting," he states. "You welcome these new challenges every single day.Inch With experience, "it is a little simpler to satisfy individuals challenges because you have developed a confidence along with a technique, so that's just a part of the overall game, along with a very valuable and exciting part."Outtakes His advice to stars: "Try to stay sober. Before the curtain call. As well as for God's sake, have some fun. Don't suffer for the art. Simply have fun."Regardless of the numerous credits to his title, you will find roles he'd still enjoy playing, including Shakespeare's Falstaff a treadmill of Chekhov's figures. May be the great-grand son of Mister John Abbott, the 3rd pm of CanadaFor his role in "Beginners," Plummer was named best supporting actor through the National Board of Review and gained a Spirit Award nomination for the best supporting actor. The film also won best ensemble in the Gotham Independent Film Honours.

'Chico' merges style with music

Published: Thu., 12 ,. 8, 2011, 4:00am PTBy 'Chico and Rita'With its ambitious sweep and epic story of affection, passion, and heartbreak occur the jazz mobile phone industry's of Cuba, NY, Paris and Vegas across several decades, "the large challenge was choosing the best method to tell the storyline, in addition to nailing the film's style and all sorts of the particulars," states co-producer Michael Rose. "The spanish language designer Javier Mariscal, who directed with Oscar-winning director Fernando Trueba ("Belle Epoque") and Tono Errando, includes a very distinct style, therefore we labored hard at converting (his style) into animation. We'd a really complex script, wonderful these dance sequences and club moments, and that we stayed testing different animation techniques."Ultimately, they made the decision to visit "the costly route," using classic hands-attracted 2D animation. "You will find cheaper methods for making animated films, however, you simply do not get the standard of look and character acting all of us wanted, and CG wasn't right for the topic matter," Rose states.After that it required they a lot more than six several weeks to obtain the right artists who could "discover the poetry" in individual cels. "All of the design and development and original artwork ended at Mariscal Estudio in Barcelona," he states, "and more from the animation was captive-raised to various galleries all over the world -- however it was all controlled from Barcelona."The film, having a budget of $13 million, required seven years from beginning to end to accomplish, with physical production taking a lot more than 2 1/24 months. "We have already talked about other ideas, utilizing the same techniques," Rose states. EYE Around The Academy awards: ANIMATION Animated photos boost property valuesWhether focusing on a shoestring hands-attracted project or pushing the limits laptop or computer-produced technology, the 2011 choices transformed major challenges in getting their animated visions to screen. Here's how:'Arthur Christmas' 'Chico and Rita' 'Gnomeo and Juliet' 'Rango' 'Wrinkles' 'Rio' Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

ITV Studios America Pacts With M3 Creative For Series Development

EXCLUSIVE: ITV Studios America has signed a first-look development deal with M3 Creative, Andy Meyers’ creative agency that is branching out into series production. The pact covers rights on original non-scripted projects from M3, which specializes in branded content, marketing and advertising across all platforms and has clients that include Disney, NBCUniversal and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences. ITV Studios America acquires, develops and produces reality and scripted fare for the U.S. market; its slate includes Prime Suspect, Hell’s Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares, First 48 and Steven Seagal: Lawman.

Tom Rothman Goes Indie While Juggling Die Hard Start And That We Purchased A Zoo Sneak

It wasn’t lost on many within the crowd of independent film marketers and agents only at that week’s Gotham Honours the whole evening appeared filled with contradictions. Indie film is really a lower and dirty, low quality affair, but the big event occured within the cavernous confines of Cipriani at 55 Wall Street, where participants dined on filet mignon and champagne, just nearby in the Occupy Wall Street crowd. Nobody personified this dichotomy a lot more than Fox Shot Entertainment co-chairman Tom Rothman, the only real executive given a tribute award. Rothman’s roots have been in the indie game, despite the fact that lucrative stays the majority of his time nowadays because the hands-on manager of large ticket films just like a Good Day To Die Hard and preparing the following payments of Rise from the Apes and X-Males: Top Class and also the Wolverine. Rothman stated he continues to have a soft place for that indies, and that he was touched by Ang Lee’s recollection of Rothman pleading him to not “fry the little one” in Ice Storm, after which being encouraging when Lee made it happen anyway, electrocuting Elijah Wood’s character inside a gamble that exercised. Rothman stated he felt like he’d emerge around the winning side on another gamble, coming Cameron Crowe’s We Purchased A Zoo from coast to coast. “I can’t recall any movie snuck such as this per month in early stages a national wide basis, prior to the advertising hit,” Rothman stated. He’s now certain that the person to person can give the film an advantage throughout a brutal holiday period. “It’s a totally not-cynical film, something that's great for this time around, given everything’s happening,” Rothman stated. “It would be a dangerous move, but we'd many sellouts, also it’s a indication you shouldn't underestimate the energy of emotion.” Around the large budget film front, Rothman explained they have pressed the beginning date from the John Moore-directed A Great Day To Die Hard before the a week ago of April, to support star Bruce Willis. They’re shooting in Budapest and Moscow but Rothman was certain they'll have the film ready for release Valentine’s Day, 2013. The series has always eschewed depending on visual effects, therefore the extra prep time is going to be useful, stated Rothman. He added that no decision has been created yet on who’ll play John McClane Junior., plus they still haven’t done the tests which will determine who will get the task. For the Gotham Honours, it always feels as though an unpolished event also it’s haunted because the crowd never stops speaking at their tables, and those who win never stop speaking in the podium. This season’s hosts, Oliver Platt and Edie Falco, weren’t given much to utilize and demonstrated to become a bland joining. The Spirit Honours tend to be better matched, with shot comic bits and musical performances and a sense of subversiveness. One factor that Gotham Award coordinators might consider: beg Tilda Swinton to host. She required happens to provide an award, making from the cuff findings which were amusing. She’s an all natural.

Will.i.am Joins 'The Voice' U.K. as Coach

NY - Wally Disney Boss Robert Iger has spent $millions of to buy Apple stock in the symbolic expression of confidence inside the technology company's outlook, Reuters reported.our editor recommendsWalt Disney Stretches Robert Iger's Contract Through June 2016Steve Jobs' Sister Recalls the Apple Co-Founder's Final Words Iger bought 2,670 Apple shares now within an average price of $375 each, with different controlling filing. What is the news uses Apple recently added the Disney boss towards the board of company company directors and named Arthur Levinson chairman carrying out a dying of company founder Jobs. Jobs will be a Disney board member as well as the entertainment company's greatest investor following Disney's acquisition of Pixar in 2006. Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com Twitter: @georgszalai Related Subjects Bob Iger Jobs Apple

WATCH: Avatar Meets Attack of the Clones in the New John Carter Trailer

Edgar Rice Burroughs created the planet-hopping hero John Carter of Mars way back in 1912 in his serialized novels about a Southern gent transported to an alien world. So why does the new trailer for John Carter, directed by Pixar vet Andrew Stanton, feel so familiar? Shades of Avatar and Attack of the Clones distract from what should be nonstop ooh-ing and aah-ing over giant CG creature effects and Taylor Kitsch in a loincloth. Then again, Taylor Kitsch in a loincloth… thank you for that, Mr. Stanton. Or is it more of a loincloth-skort? Anyway, watch the trailer premiere courtesy of IGN: More John Carter Videos I dig the awesome factor of John Carter’s Mars-enhanced super skills; I could do without Kitsch’s gravelly grumbling. But seriously, how am I supposed to ignore the Queen Amidala vibe coming off of Lynn Collins? Or the “You are ugly, but you are beautiful” grudging interspecies acceptance of an outsider human stepping in to save a lanky, tribal alien race? Do filmmakers even realize when they’re making films that are just like other films? Sigh. Verdict: It’s Attack of the Avatar Clone Wars, fine. What else am I going to see on March 9?