Schwentke will get HBO's 'Lobotomist'

Robert Schwentke continues to be drawn on to direct the Cinemax drama pilot "The Lobotomist," with Daniel Thomsen aboard to create the script. Schwentke, who helmed "Time Traveler's Wife," will even professional produce with Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Killoran of Appian Way, Kaira Fischer and Laeta Kalogridis of Mythology Entertainment, and Mike Medavoy. Thomsen will co-professional produce and Aaron Criswell is placed like a co-producer. Inspired through the meteoric go up and down of Dr. Walter Freeman, "The Lobotomist" informs the storyline of 1 man's mission to alter the planet via a new, experimental nuclear physics. However, if this maverick physician would like to visit any measures to attain his goals, his existence careens unmanageable -- in the levels of worldwide recognition towards the tabloids, using the good reputation for mental healthcare, transformed in the wake. Pilot, which might eventually are a series, is dependant on it "The Lobotomist" by author Jack El-Hai. The project came into being when DiCaprio, "Shutter Island" professional producer and author Kalogridis, and producer Fischer were focusing on the Martin Scorsese film and gravitated toward El-Hai's book while researching a brief history of lobotomy. Mythology optioned it and, along with DiCaprio and the production shingle, Appian Way, required it to Cinemax. Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com

Handled Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Forced Off Twitter by Nfl Franchise (Report)

La will rapidly follow in NY's actions, disbanding its primary encampment of Occupy protesters.our editor recommendsOccupy Wall Street to create Benefit AlbumFox News Anchor Calls Pepper Spray 'A Food Product' After Occupy Altercation (Video)Occupy Wall Street: News Organizations Complain About Police Treatment PHOTOS: The Scene at Occupy La Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa gave a press conference Friday mid-day, telling the Occupy L.A. protesters that they need to leave their City Hall camping with the finish of Sunday. "The movement has awakened the country's conscience, it's given voice to people who weren't heard," Villaraigosa mentioned, adoring their motivations, but he was adament arrived to enable them to customize the venue for protest. PHOTOS: 'Occupy Wall Street' Artists On Scene of Protests Roughly 485 tents are presently setup outdoors City Hall, something the mayor developed a reason behind watching wasn't sustainable. "You're ready to close the park and repair the reasons,In . he ongoing, "to make sure that we could restore public utilisation of the park." Occupy L.A. leaders released a disagreement Thursday they'd reject orders to go away, as well as the AP reviews this official order from Villaraigosa has yet to prompt the state response. PHOTOS: The Scene at Occupy Wall Street "I'm proud that this can be a peaceful non-violent protest," Villaraigosa mentioned. "It's peaceful because we've made a decision to accomplish things inside a different means by La. We've not looked each other lower across barricades and barbed wire." The city's official deadline for Occupy L.A. to abandon City Hall is 12:01 a.m. on Monday. Watch Villaraigosa's press conference below: PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery 'Occupy Wall Street Hollywood': Artists On Scene of Protests PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery The Scene at Occupy La Related Subjects Antonio Villaraigosa Occupy

Moreno, Ramirez link for 'Lost Wolves'

HUELVA, The nation -- Colombia's Carlos Moreno, director of Sundance Fest players "Dog Eat Dog" and "Anything You Dead Ones," is installed on direct "Lost Baby baby wolves." Diego Ramirez, Moreno's longtime producer, will produce via 64A Films, his Bogota and Cali-based shingle. Moreno works off a script presently being put together by actor-artist Harold P Vasten, co-star of both "Dog" and "Dead Ones." RCN Cine, the film division of broadcaster RCN, will co-finance, taking Colombian broadcast rights on "Baby baby wolves" incorporated inside a 3-pic agreement which consumes "180 Seconds" and "La Caceria." A romantic thriller with touches of black comedy and echoes from the Western -- a typical genre mix for just about any Moreno movie -- "Baby baby wolves" triggers two hit-males -- a vet together with a teenager -- sent for just about any job, that are suffering an awful vehicle accident, are cared for by local villagers and uncover human values -- solidarity, empathy, even love -- alien on their behalf. However there is a target -- a person rights lawyer -- to kill. P Vasten may have Ulysses, the older hit-guy. "The first time a Carlos Moreno film can have soul mates interests," Ramirez told Variety. "The film explores just what the older hit-guy may have become as well as the youthful can nevertheless be, once they hadn't become hired assassins." Set near to the ocean, the village could have a "saucier, if trendy, paradisiacal look in comparison to locations of 'Dead Ones.' You need to push the expansion values, the cinematography a good deal,In . Ramirez added. "'Wolves' is occur Santa Marta, a web-based paradise. The vivid-colored landscape is really a very important part of the film. With Carlos Moreno, there's nothing coincidence," mentioned Maja Zimmermann, now 64A's professional producer of worldwide projects, who presented "Baby baby wolves" at Huelva. She'll repetition 64A Films abroad and supply 64A services on worldwide productions in Colombia, while still creating her projects. Moreno may also be attached to the Dynamo-produced "Que viva la musica!" and "Aguas negras," setup at France's Full House. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

U.K. animator Mark Hall dies

Mark Hall, who produced much-loved British children's animations including "Danger Mouse" and "Jamie and the Miracle Torch," died late Thursday evening or early Friday morning in Manchester following a short illness. He was 75.Hall labored carefully together with his college friend John Cosgrove. The 2 met at Manchester's Regional College of Art within the nineteen fifties and labored as graphic artists for that television funnel Granada TV within the sixties. They created their very own animation company, Cosgrove Hall Prods., in 1976 and continued to produce a number of magical, frequently surreal cartoons.Their finest known creation was "Danger Mouse" -- whose lead character, a cartoon secret agent mouse, first made an appearance on tv within the eighties together with his partner hamster Penfold. The show attracted 19 million audiences at its peak.Additionally they produced "Jamie and the Miracle Torch" cartoons in regards to a boy whose torch takes him to fantasy lands after bed time. Additionally they created an animated version of Kenneth Grahame's book "Wind within the Willows," about riverside creatures including Rat, Mole and Toad of Toad Hall.Hall and Cosgrove upon the market in 2000 but had lately cool their animation company underneath the title Cosgrove Hall Fitzpatrick Entertainment coupled with planned to create new animation.Hall's boy Simon continues his father's work. He's also made it by his wife, Margaret Routledge, whom he married in 1961, along with a daughter, Rachel. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

APA Signs Veteran Comedy Author Erection dysfunction Yeager

Veteran comedy author-producer Erection dysfunction Yeager has signed with APA. He was at ICM. Yeager created, executive produced and went the CBS comedy series Gary Unmarried. More youthful crowd co-created the ABC Family comedy series Ruby & The Rockits and labored such sitcoms since the WB’s Reba, CBS’ Still Standing, ABC’s Dharma & Greg, Sophistication Under Fire and Roseanne and NBC’s Out of the blue Susan. Yeager also written the Fox Atomic comedy feature The Comebacks.

The Muppets

Amy Adams and Jason Segel try to get the Muppets to reunite for a telethon that will raise money to save their old home in The Muppets. A Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures release of a Walt Disney Pictures presentation. Produced by David Hoberman, Todd Lieberman. Executive producers, Jason Segel, Nicholas Stoller, John G. Scotti, Martin G. Baker. Directed by James Bobin. Screenplay, Jason Segel, Nicholas Stoller, based on Disney's Muppet properties and characters.Gary - Jason Segel Mary - Amy Adams Tex Richman - Chris Cooper Executive - Rashida JonesEffortlessly blending wised-up, self-reflexive humor with old-fashioned let's-put-on-a-show pizzazz, "The Muppets" is an unexpected treat. Bright and perky, cheeky but never mean-spirited, the seventh Muppet-based theatrical feature finds Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and friends emerging from semi-retirement to reclaim the spotlight, just as Disney is banking (but not coasting) on the popularity of Jim Henson's puppet creations to win back an adoring moviegoing public. Charming musical elements, a cluster of celebrity cameos and a thoroughgoing sense of creative resurgence engendered by Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller's smart script should ensure that happy outcome; hecklers will be few. Joining this year's "Winnie the Pooh" as an example of a beloved Disney-owned property renewing itself without sullying tradition, "The Muppets" is also the rare sequel conceived as a lovingly crafted tribute from one generation of comedic talent to another. After featuring a line of Henson puppets in their 2008 laffer "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," Stoller and Segel pitched the concept of a fresh Muppet movie (the first in the 12 years since the flop of "Muppets From Space"), and Disney brought aboard British scribe-helmer James Bobin ("Flight of the Conchords," "Da Ali G Show") to direct from the duo's screenplay. Whatever one might have expected or feared from a group of funnymen known for their associations with Judd Apatow and Sacha Baron Cohen, the creative team has somehow produced not only a vintage piece of Muppetry, but one of the better screen musicals in recent memory. That much is clear from the sunny opening number, "Life's a Happy Song," a soft-shoe setpiece giddily headlined by Midwestern small-towner Gary (Segel) and his puppet pal, Walter, who has nursed a lifelong obsession with the Muppets. Gary and Walter have been like brothers since childdhood, as seen in a growing-up montage that ends with the comical sight of the pint-sized puppet sharing a bedroom with the 6'4" Segel. When Gary and Mary (Amy Adams), his extremely patient g.f. of 10 years, head to Los Angeles for a week's vacation, Walter tags along, eager for the chance to visit Hollywood's historic Muppet Studios. But the Muppets have long since disbanded, the studio lot has fallen into disrepair, and as Walter conveniently learns, the aptly named Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) is scheming to seize the property and drill for oil. Commenting on every cliche along the way, Gary, Mary and Walter drop in on Kermit, then Fozzie Bear, then Gonzo and Animal and so on, setting plans in motion for a Muppets reunion telethon that will raise the dough needed to save their old home. The lone holdout is the ever-diva-like Miss Piggy, now a Paris fashion-mag editrix still nursing hurt feelings over Kermit's perpetual lack of romantic initiative. Similarly, Mary increasingly resents that the Muppets are monopolizing her time with Gary, while Walter experiences stage fright at the prospect of performing with his idols for the first time. From the cheery visual design (Rahel Afiley's matching Gary-Walter costumes merit special mention) to the upbeat score and songs, which include three fresh tunes by music supervisor Bret McKenzie (of "Conchords" fame), every aspect of the production radiates a sheen of clean-scrubbed optimism. Yet the marvel of "The Muppets" is how often it manages to express the most predictably earnest, wide-eyed sentiments, only to turn around and give them an irreverent poke, without seeming in any way insincere. If the we-know-we're-in-a-movie winking goes a bit overboard, the pic fosters considerable goodwill by having much of it delivered by Segel and Adams. (When a seemingly dead-end plot twist causes Mary to squeal, "This is going to be a really short movie," it helps to have an actress as wholesome yet self-aware as Adams selling the line.) With their features and bodies possessed of a positively Muppet-like elasticity, the thesps couldn't be more in tune with the silly sensibility at play here, or more game for song-and-dance duty. Still, the strangest musical perf comes courtesy of Cooper, busting out a rap so surreally unmotivated that the bouncy-ball subtitles seem designed to facilitate viewer comprehension rather than to get anyone to actually sing along. Roster of supporting thesps includes Rashida Jones, Emily Blunt, Sarah Silverman and Zach Galifianakis, while James Carville, Whoopi Goldberg, Selena Gomez, Neil Patrick Harris and, most hilariously, an unbilled Jack Black all pop up briefly as themselves. But the human players never overpower the work of multitasking Muppeteers Steve Whitmire, Eric Jacobson, Dave Goelz, Bill Barretta, David Rudman, Matt Vogel and Peter Linz, whose endearing performances deserve no small credit for this enjoyable throwback. Preceding the film in theaters is Pixar's latest "Toy Story" short, "Small Fry," which slyly sends up the fast-food industry with an amusing examination of toy abandonment issues.Camera (Deluxe color), Don Burgess; editor, James Thomas; music, Christophe Beck; music supervisor, Bret McKenzie; production designer, Steve Saklad; art director, Andrew Cahn; set designer, Patrick Sullivan; set decorator, Tracey Doyle; costume designer, Rahel Afiley; sound (Dolby Digital/Datasat), Steve Cantamessa, Kevin O'Connell, Beau Borders; supervising sound editors, Sean McCormack, Kami Asgar; stunt coordinator, Allan Graf; visual effects supervisor, Janet Muswell Hamilton; visual effects, Look Effects, Centro Digital Pictures; choreographer, Michael Rooney; associate producer, Bill Barretta; assistant director, Josh King; second unit director, Graf; second unit camera, Michael Burgess; casting, Marcia Ross, Gail Goldberg. Reviewed at Disney Studios, Burbank, Nov. 15, 2011. MPAA Rating: PG. Running time: 98 MIN.Muppet performers: Steve Whitmire, Eric Jacobson, Dave Goelz, Bill Barretta, David Rudman, Matt Vogel, Peter Linz. With: Alan Arkin, Zach Galifianakis, Ken Jeong, Sarah Silverman, Emily Blunt, James Carville, Leslie Feist, Whoopi Goldberg, Selena Gomez, Dave Grohl, Neil Patrick Harris, Judd Hirsch, John Krasinski, Rico Rodriguez, Mickey Rooney, Jack Black. (English, Mandarin, Spanish dialogue) Contact Justin Chang at justin.chang@variety.com

OWN orders more 'America,' 'Sweetie'

Trying to find some positive rankings tales since its birth nearly last year, OWN is making strides with "Our America With Lisa Ling" and "Thanks for visiting Sweetie Pie's." Cabler has purchased eight more segs of "Our America" and 10 for "Sweetie Pie's." The extra episodes for shows will air early in the year. For that current season, docuseries "Our America," that is OWN's most-viewed program and airs at 10 p.m. Sunday, is calculating 405,000 total audiences and it is up 47% in comparison towards the Discovery Health programming from last year. Reality skein "Sweetie Pie's" examines a St. Louis family managing a soul food restaurant. Show is calculating 388,000 and it is OWN's top show within the 25-54 demo. Series airs 9 p.m. Saturday Ling, David Shadrack Cruz and Greg Henry professional produce "Our America." Professional producers for "Sweetie Pie's" are Craig Piligian, Jenn Duncan, Tim Brietbach, Shaun Keane, and Steve Luebbert. It has been tough sledding at OWN, therefore the news around the additional episodes comes in a crucial time. Discovery-possessed cabler has lost a lot more than $55 million this season and recent new shows "Rosie" and "Oprah's Lifeclass" have carried out decently. Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com

Hugh Grant's Family 'Hounded' After He Spoke Out About Phone-Hacking

LONDON - Mom of Hugh Grant'sbaby daughter was hounded and threatened through the press since the actor has spoken on phone-hacking, the Leveson Inquiry heard Wednesday.our editor recommendsHugh Grant Turns Into A FatherHugh Grant Joins 'Cloud Atlas' Cast Alongside Jim Broadbent, Jim Sturgess and Ben WhishawHugh Grant Obtain Alleged Phone-Hacking Police Analysis PapersHow Hugh Grant Assisted Expose News Corp.'s Phone-Hacking Scandal The wide-varying Judicial Inquiry into British press standards and invasion - released within the wake from the News around the globe phone-hacking scandal - heard the harassment was direct retribution for Grant's decision to talk out against phone-hacking inside a public campaign. The claim is made by David SherborneQC, the lawyer representing a lot of phone-hacking sufferers in the Inquiry. His clients include Grant, the household of killed schoolgirl Milly Dowler, the mother and father of killed toddler Madeline McCannand motorsports boss Max Mosley. Sherborne told the inquiry he had needed to make an application for an injunction to safeguard the lady, who had sustained "an offer of appalling harassment" and it has "received risks due to the truth that the daddy of her child has spoken out from the press." The harassment incorporated abusive calls Sherborne stated, though he didn't claim that they can know who the calls were from. "..Although Mr Grant was showing up on Question Time, talking about the closure from the News around the globe, Rupert Murdoch and press standards generally, she received a barrage of phone calls ... when she finally clarified she was threatened within the most menacing terms, terms that ought to reverberate for this Inquiry: 'Tell Hugh Grant he or she must shut the fuck up.'" Setting out an additional litany of situations of press harassment from the whole selection of British newspapers - not only this news around the globe - Sherborne told the inquiry he thought press behavior was partially accountable for the suicide attempt of singer Charlotte now Chapel's mother. The singer's mother required an overdose after lurid particulars of her husband's affair were uncovered. And that he stated that his client Max Mosley - whose sexual tryst was uncovered through the News around the globe- thought that his boy's suicide was simply due to the result of exposure on his family. Earlier, the Inquiry been told by Protector editor Alan Rusbridger that News Corporation's energy and influence have been a pressure of violence in British existence. "Did people, both inwardly and outwardly, feel anxiety when News Worldwide? Was its influence across many facets of British political and cultural existence way too dominant? How did News Corp leverage its commercial, political, newspaper and (as now that we know) outsourced criminal muscle?" he requested. The Leveson Inquiry has heard opening claims from various participants in the first week of proceedings and can listen to Hugh Grant, JK Rowling,Max Mosley, Charlotte now Churchand Steve Cooganfrom in a few days. Another phase from the Inquiry will focus on criminal facts in the News around the globe, hearing evidence from, amongst others, Rebekah Brooks and James Murdoch. Earlier the inquiry been told by Neil Garnham QC, representing the Metropolitan Police, it "couldn't be assumed" that 28 names based in the notebook computers of investigator Glenn Mulcairewere individuals of News around the globe staff. "A number of them most likely are. For a lot of others it's impossible, a minimum of so far, to express when they were or otherwise.Inch News Worldwide's lawyer Rhodri DaviesQC had told the Inquiry on Tuesday the number was disputed. Related Subjects Worldwide Hugh Grant Phone Hacking Scandal

Pipeline full for Mr. 'Deeds'

Tyler Perry (with Cicely Tyson on the set of 2006 film 'Madea's Family Reunion') plans to release a new Madea film in 2012 but not before his next onscreen appearance.Tyler Perry's fans have long watched the multihyphenate pull a dress over his 6-foot-5 frame and perform as Madea, the grandmother with her fair share of opinions.But in the coming months, Perry's fans will have a chance to see him as a leading man.First, Perry will star as the romantic lead in his own film, "Good Deeds," slated for release Feb. 24. Perry wrote the film and intended to cast someone else to star."I was trying to find someone else to play the role, but all of the actors I wanted were doing other movies, so I decided I had to do it myself," he says. " 'Good Deeds' is a total departure for me: It's about a guy trying to find his way through life. It's the closest to me that people have ever seen."Perry spent August and September in Cleveland and Detroit, shooting "I, Alex Cross," adapted from the bestselling novels by James Patterson. Perry will be playing the title role, which Morgan Freeman originally made famous in the films "Kiss the Girls" and "Along Came a Spider." No release date has been set yet.Most actors talk about their long days spent on set, but starring in a film was nothing to Perry."It was like a vacation, actually," he says. "I had so much down time on set that I ended up writing two movies."Those movies are in the early stages, but Perry says another Madea movie will be coming out next year, although he's not sure when and he hasn't titled it yet.On television, Perry has two series, "House of Payne" and "Meet the Browns," on TBS and in broadcast syndication.A third one -- "For Better or Worse," based on the hit movie "Why Did I Get Married?" -- is on the way with its 10-episode test to air on TBS this month.Perry also has long said he would like to start his own network, much like his friend and mentor, Oprah Winfrey, has done with OWN. Lionsgate, which serves as Perry's distribution partner, backs the idea.In August, Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer mentioned in an earnings call that such a network, possibly to be called Tyler TV, was in the early works. Perry confirms that but also says an actual launch is a ways off yet."I'm moving very carefully towards a network," says Perry. "I'm doing that deliberately because I want to make sure it's the right fit. There are millions of people who have supported me over the years who are longing for it."Tyler Perry's 'House of Payne' 200th Episode:'Payne' yields pleasure for Perry, TBS | Perry's bet on himself pays off handsomely | Charity no rarity | Pipeline full for Mr. 'Deeds' | Areu is right-hand man inside Perry's empire | 'Payne' cast reflects on top memories Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

24's Carlos Bernard Joins TNT's Dallas

Carlos Bernard Carlos Bernard is going to TNT's new Dallas reboot, Vulture reviews. The 24 alum, who's presently showing up on CSI: Miami, has became a member of the cast within the recurring role of the Venezuelan businessman attempting to make an offer with J.R. (Ray Hagman). He'll first appear at the start of the growing season, which lately entered production. VIDEO: Watch a sneak look of TNT's Dallas reboot Set to premiere next summer time, the series stars originals Hagman, Patrick Duffy and Linda Grey, in addition to Jesse Metcalfe and Josh Henderson because the new generation rivals Christopher, boy of Bobby, and John Ross, boy of J.R., correspondingly. Jordana Brewster, Julie Gonzalo (Veronica Mars) and Brenda Strong (Desperate Average women) also star.

'Woody Allen' doc sells DVD, digital rights

Submarine makes multiple sales for Robert B. Weide's ''Woody Allen: A Documentary'' around DVD and digital rights to New Video, Canadian rights to Films We Like To and worldwide airline travel rights to Jaguar Distribution. American Masters and PBS TV will air the film by 50 percent parts on November. 20 and 21. Submarine and HanWay Films made the announcement Wednesday on day one in the American Film Market, where HanWay is selling the film to worldwide customers. Weide's project covers Allen's existence and artistic process, from his childhood and early career through to ''Midnight in Paris'' getting a compendium of clips from his 42 movies. Weide shot footage within the London number of his film ''You Will See a Tall Dark Stranger,'' Allen's home, the Cannes Film Festival and also the childhood haunts inside the Midwood part of Brooklyn. Interviews include stars who've came out inside the films including Antonio Banderas, Josh Brolin, Penelope Cruz, John Cusack, Ray David, Mariel Hemingway, Scarlett Johansson, Julie Kavner, Diane Keaton, Martin Landau, Louise Lasser, Sean Penn, Tony Roberts, Chris Rock, Miro Sorvino, Naomi W, Dianne Wiest, and Owen Wilson Pic originates from Whyaduck, Rat Entertainment, Mike's Movies and Insurgent Media Production in colaboration with American Masters. Weide produced and directed professional producers include Michael Peyser, Brett Ratner, Fisher Stevens, Andrew Karsch and Erik Gordon and Susan Lacy for American Masters. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com