July 13, 2012
Disney unveils ‘Lone Ranger’ trailer at Comic-Con
By Sandy Cohen, Entertainment Writer
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Johnny Depp made a splash at Comic-Con, and he wasn’t even there.
About 6,000 fans at the San Diego Convention Center Thursday got the first look at “The Lone Ranger,” which stars Depp as Tonto.
Disney unveiled the brief clip at the conclusion of its panel presentation that included glimpses of Tim Burton’s “Frankenweenie,” Sam Raimi’s “Oz: The Great and Powerful” and the video-game romp “Wreck-It Ralph,” which features the voices of Sarah Silverman and John C. Reilly.
“The Lone Ranger” is directed by Gore Verbinski, who worked with Depp on the first three “Pirates of the Caribbean” films and the animated “Rango.” It is set for release next summer.
AMPAS Interns Set For ILM, Rhythm+HuesBEVERLY HILLS, Calif.–The Science and Technology Council of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has selected two students to participate in summer internships at Industrial Light & Magic and Rhythm+Hues Studios. The Academy-sponsored program is designed to provide real-world experience to students interested in careers in motion picture graphics, technology and research.
The 2012 Science and Technology Council summer interns and their internship hosts are: Ningyu Mao, Carnegie Mellon University — Rhythm & Hues Studios; and Yujie Shu, Clemson University — Industrial Light & Magic
Now in its sixth year, the program provides a 10- to 12-week hands-on summer experience that helps students gain a deeper understanding of advanced motion picture technologies. During the course of the program, the students will also attend several Academy-related events, including meet-and-greets with industry experts.
Established in 2003 by the Academy’s Board of Governors, the Science and Technology Council provides a forum for the exchange of information, promotes cooperation among diverse technological interests within the industry, sponsors publications, fosters educational activities and preserves the history of science and technology of motion pictures.
Nancy Dubuc, Mark Burnett Slated As Keynote Speakers For MIPCOM 2012
PARIS–Nancy Dubuc, president and general manager, HISTORY and Lifetime Networks, and Mark Burnett, president, One Three Media, will deliver Media Mastermind keynote addresses at MIPCOM 2012, organized by Reed MIDEM in October 8-11.
Dubuc has been at the helm of HISTORY since 2007 and Lifetime since 2010. HISTORY’s hit series include Pawn Stars, Ax Men, American Pickers, Swamp People, Cajun Pawn Stars, American Restoration, Top Gear, and the Emmy Award-winning special, Gettysburg. In May 2012, HISTORY aired its first scripted mini-series, Hatfields & McCoys, on which Nancy Dubuc served as an executive producer. The broadcast shattered records and ranks as the top 3 entertainment television telecasts of all time in ad-supported cable history among total viewers. HISTORY announced its first scripted series, Vikings, for 2013.
At Lifetime, Dubuc launched several new hit series and movies, including the cultural phenomenon, Dance Moms; Lifetime’s most-watched series launch since 2009, The Client List, starring and executive produced by Jennifer Love Hewitt; and basic cable’s most watched original movie premiere in two years, Drew Peterson: Untouchable, starring Rob Lowe.
Four-time Emmy Award winner Burnett has produced over 2,200 hours of television programming which regularly airs in over 70 countries worldwide. Current network series produced by Burnett and One Three Media, his joint venture with media conglomerate Hearst Corporation, include Survivor (CBS), The Voice (NBC), The Celebrity Apprentice (NBC), Shark Tank (ABC), Stars Earn Stripes (NBC) and The Job (CBS).
Burnett also has a strong presence in award show franchises, having produced The MTV Movie Awards since 2007 and The People’s Choice Awards, The Video Game Awards (Spike) and also produced The 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards, in 2011.
In addition to producing network and cable television series, One Three Media, is focusing on media content, producing events around that content, and spinning off television shows and other programming based on Hearst brands. One Three Media has also entered the scripted series business with the hiring of longtime HBO executive Anne Thomopoulos, whose credits include Rome (HBO), Generation Kill (HBO) and Camelot (Starz).
Burnett is currently producing a 10 hour docu-drama series on The Bible with his wife, actress and producer Roma Downey, which will air on HISTORY in spring 2013, with One Three distributing the series for first-run international television. One Three and Burnett are also joining forces with Oscar-winning director James Cameron to co-create Discovery’s up-coming new series Robogeddon.
Samsung’s Stephen Woo to Deliver Keynote Address at the 2013 International CESArlington, VA–The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)– announced today that Dr. Stephen Woo, president of Samsung Electronics’ Device Solutions, will deliver a keynote address at the 2013 International CES®, which will be held January 8-11 in Las Vegas.
Dr. Woo’s keynote address is scheduled to open day two of the 2013 CES at 9 a.m. Wednesday, January 9, in The Venetian’s Palazzo Ballroom. Dr. Woo will present his insight on the role of components in enabling consumer product innovations.
At Samsung Electronics since 2003, Dr. Woo was appointed general manager of the System LSI Business in 2008. Dr. Woo currently oversees all activities surrounding the System LSI Business, including logic solutions that provide next-generation features in consumer and mobile products. Under his leadership, revenue has nearly tripled to more than $10 billion in 2011, making it one of the fastest-growing businesses in Samsung Electronics. Samsung’s System LSI Business has maintained its lead in global market share for several major products, including mobile application processors for smartphones, complementary metal oxide silicon-based camera image sensors, flat-panel display driver ICs (integrated circuits) and smart card ICs for SIM (subscriber identity module) cards.
Samsung’s technology innovation has helped make the Republic of Korea one of the leading countries in support of the digital technology industry. Korea has the second largest international presence at the International CES.
The 2013 CES will feature 3,000 global technology companies unveiling the latest consumer technology products and services across 15 major categories including the latest in audio, automotive electronics, connected home technologies, digital imaging/photography, electronic gaming, entertainment/content and more.
‘Hunger Games’ finales set for 2014, 2015 releaseLOS ANGELES (AP) — The final book in “The Hunger Games” trilogy is coming to the big-screen in two parts starting in 2014.
Lionsgate Films announced Tuesday that “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1” will be released Nov. 21, 2014, and “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2” will follow on Nov. 20, 2015.
The filmmakers are following the lead of two other teen-based literary franchises, “Harry Potter” and “Twilight,” whose final books were broken into two parts for film.
“Mockingjay, Part 1” will come out a year after the Nov. 22, 2012, release of “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” the second film based on Suzanne Collins’ novels about televised death matches in a future North American society.
Starring Jennifer Lawrence, “The Hunger Games” debuted last March and has taken in $404 million domestically and $678 million worldwide.
Cranston to direct a final ‘Breaking Bad’ episodeBy Lauri Neff
NEW YORK (AP) — Bryan Cranston will sit in the director’s chair one last time for his AMC drama “Breaking Bad.”
In an interview Tuesday, Cranston said he will direct the ninth episode of the show’s fifth and final season, which begins July 15 and will air split over two summers. That break in filming gives the actor time to put on his directing hat before the second half airs in 2013.
“As an actor on the show it’s really, really difficult — if you’re in it a lot obviously — to be able to prep so I take opportunities before we’re actually in production shooting,” he says.
Cranston, who won three back-to-back Emmys for “Breaking Bad,” also directed the first episodes of seasons one and three of the dark series about chemistry teacher Walter White, who turns to cooking meth to help support his family after he’s diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. The actor also directed an episode of ABC’s “Modern Family” and seven of his former Fox comedy “Malcolm in the Middle.”
Cranston says in season five viewers will see an increasingly remorseless Walter White complete his journey from a hapless high school teacher to a full-fledged drug lord. “He’s feeling very basic things: control, power, dominance. Those things and those ugly factors have come to the surface.”
Co-star Aaron Paul plays Jesse Pinkman, a former student and meth dealer White teamed up with to help start his drug operation. Paul says Jesse is not happy with the changes in his partner: “There’s something else that is driving Mr. White now. It’s not just making money. It’s something else.”
Cranston said he would be willing to star in a “Breaking Bad” movie if there is one — but at this point they don’t know if their characters will be around to make a film, because only creator Vince Gillian and his writing team know how the series ends.
U.S. chides NKorea over unauthorized Disney display
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. is urging North Korea to respect intellectual property rights after an unauthorized stage performance of Disney characters at a concert for the reclusive country’s new young leader.
But State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell said Tuesday that since Washington does not have diplomatic relations with Pyongyang it could not raise the issue as it would in other countries.
He broadly urged North Korea to meet its international obligations.
North Korean state TV this week showed performers dressed as Minnie Mouse, Tigger and other characters dancing against a backdrop of footage from Disney movies, an unusual departure for the isolated nation. New leader Kim Jong Un has sought to project an image of youth and modernity.
The Walt Disney Co. says it did not authorize the performance.
Comcast sells A&E stake to Disney, Hearst for $3B
NEW YORK (AP) — Comcast’s NBCUniversal is selling its stake in A&E Television Networks to Disney and Hearst for $3.03 billion in cash.
Comcast Corp., which owns 15.8 percent of A&E, said it will sell its stake to Walt Disney Co. and Hearst Co., its partners in the A&E joint venture.
The company said in May that it had exercised an option requiring Disney and Hearst to buy back a significant portion of their ownership in A&E.
A&E channels include the History Channel, Lifetime, Biography as well as its namesake network.
Comcast, a cable company based in Philadelphia, has a controlling interest in NBCUniversal and plans to acquire the remaining 49 percent stake held by General Electric Co.
Peter O’Toole retires with ‘dry-eyed farewell’
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Peter O’Toole is retiring from show business, saying he no longer has the heart for it and that it’s time to “chuck in the sponge.”
O’Toole, who turns 80 on Aug. 2, said in a statement Tuesday that his career on stage and screen fulfilled him emotionally and financially and put him in the company of fine people.
But the eight-time Oscar nominee says the time is right to quit and that he’s bidding the actor’s life a dry-eyed farewell.
O’Toole shot to screen stardom 50 years ago in the title role of “Lawrence of Arabia,” which brought him his first Oscar nomination. Among actors, he holds the record for Oscar futility, never winning on any of his eight nominations.
He received an honorary Oscar in 2003, though.
Keith Massey appointed Chair of the Guild of Television CameramenLONDON–Keith Massey has been elected chair of the Guild of Television Cameramen (GTC), an independent non-profit-making international organization that cares about TV camerawork and the people who make it their craft. The GTC has over 1,000 members, in the UK, Europe, Australia, Russia, Singapore, South Africa and the US. The majority work in aspects of television ranging from production through documentary and drama, news and current affairs, sports and light entertainment, to corporate video.”
Recipient of a prestigious Royal Television Society Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010, Massey is a highly experienced and well-respected cameraman based in Yorkshire. He has accepted the GTC post for a two-year tenure, succeeding Graeme McAlpine. Massey was elected at a meeting of the GTC Council in Pinewood Studios earlier this month, at which two co-vice chairs, Dudley Darby and James Fulcher, were also appointed.
Massey’s career as a director of photography and lighting cameraman dates back to the 1960s. “I started with a hand-wound clockwork 16 mm silent-film camera. My first television piece was of Kelabit natives in Borneo, used on ‘What The Papers Say’ by Granada TV in Manchester. I later contributed regularly to the BBC in Manchester for its nightly regional programme ‘Look North’. Offered a staff job on the ‘Daily Mail’ as a photographer or a two-days-per-week contract with the BBC, I chose television. Since 1970 I have worked on a freelance basis in news, documentary and drama, receiving RTS awards in all these fields. I still work occasionally with BBC News correspondents from London or the Northern Bureau, and also now film in high definition video for other programmes, so fully appreciate the pressures professional cameramen are going through.”
‘Social Network’ team to produce ‘Fifty Shades’LOS ANGELES (AP) – The producers of “The Social Network” are producing the film adaption of the best-selling erotic trilogy “Fifty Shades of Grey.”
Universal Pictures and Focus Features said in a joint statement Monday that Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti will reteam for the adaptation of the best-selling novels by E. L. James.
The multimillion-selling books tell the story of an unworldly college student engaging in an unusual romantic relationship with a wealthy young businessman. They have been called “mommy porn” for their sexual content and large female following.
Afternoon expansion for ABC’s morning franchise
NEW YORK (AP) — ABC has brought its morning news franchise to the afternoon, but it might want to hold on to its alarm clock.
The debut edition of “Good Afternoon America” on Monday ended abruptly in mid-anecdote from singer Liza Minnelli, who was being interviewed after performing “New York, New York” in the show’s Times Square studio. Host Lara Spencer interrupted her to wave goodbye.
ABC’s “Good Morning America” has watched its competitors at NBC’s “Today” stretch its show to four hours in recent years so it is trying out its own expansion. The hourlong “Good Afternoon America” is airing for nine weeks as a summer replacement series.
Before Minnelli, the pop culture-oriented show was helped by a breaking news story: the divorce settlement between Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes.
Nolan says no to ‘Justice League’ superhero filmBy David Germain, Movie Writer
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — Now that Christopher Nolan is done with his epic Batman trilogy, the filmmaker has quashed speculation that he might be involved in a “Justice League” movie featuring the Dark Knight.
Writer-director Nolan said his take on Batman wraps up with “The Dark Knight Rises,” his third and final film centered on the DC Comics superhero. In an interview over the weekend to promote the finale, Nolan said he has no “Justice League” plans.
“No, none at all,” Nolan said. “We’re finished with all we’re doing with Batman. This is the end of our take on this character.”
Fans have conjectured that Nolan might return to Batman by producing a big-screen take on “Justice League,” DC Comics’ “Avengers”-style ensemble whose key superheroes include the Dark Knight, Superman, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern.
Nolan guesses that the “Justice League” rumors started because of his involvement as a producer on next summer’s Superman relaunch, “Man of Steel.”
He also said he not intend to get involved with any future solo Batman films when distributor Warner Bros., which owns DC Comics, decides the time is right to launch a new take on the masked vigilante.
“Batman will outlive us all, and our interpretation was ours. Obviously, we consider it definitive and kind of finished. The great thing about Batman is he lives on for future generations to reinterpret, and obviously, Warners will have to decide in the future what they’re going to do with him,” Nolan said. “We’ve had our say on the character. …
“I’ve got no plans to do anything more, and certainly, no involvement with any ‘Justice League’ project.”
After Disney’s success with “The Avengers,” the big-screen round-up of Marvel Comics superheroes that has pulled in $1.45 billion worldwide, speculation has grown that Warner Bros. would get its own ensemble flick on the drawing board.
Nolan resurrected the Dark Knight with 2005’s “Batman Begins” and shattered box-office records with 2008’s “The Dark Knight,” which won a posthumous Academy Award for Heath Ledger as the Joker.
“The Dark Knight Rises” begins eight years after the action of “The Dark Knight,” with Batman vanished from the scene and vilified as an enemy of Gotham City, whose tough anti-crime laws have cleaned up the streets. A limping, emotionally shattered recluse, Bale’s Wayne is forced back into action as Bane lays deadly siege to the city.
