'Tommy' Director Ken Russell Dead At 84

Questionable British director Ken Russell - most broadly known for your 1975 film Tommy died on Sunday at 84. Russells finest commercial success was his trippy adaptation in the Whos rock opera, starring Roger Daltrey since the title character. The film also featured Eric Clapton, Jack Nicholson, Tina Turner and Elton John. But theres much more to Russells extended and fascinating career than Tommy. Listed below are five particulars worth watching. 1. Russell trained just like a ballet dancer before used in film. 2. Inside the sixties he gained numerous documentaries about classical music composers for your BBC. 3. His 1971 film The Devils was heavily censored and banned outright in several places for pairing religious imagery with sex and violence. 4. He directed a young Hugh Grant inside the 1988 horror flick The Lair in the White-colored Earthworm. 5. In 2007, Russell came out inside the fifth season of Celebrity Government. He left the house of your accord after fighting along with his (now deceased) housemate, Jade Goody. Leave your opinions for Russell inside the comments section and also on Twitter!

Conan O'Brien to Play Himself in Lisa Kudrow's 'Web Therapy' (Exclusive Video)

Talk show host Conan O'Brien becomes the first celebrity to play himself on the improvisational comedy series Web Therapy, which stars Lisa Kudrow, when he seeks help from therapist Fiona Wallace in the first of a three-episode arc premiering Dec. 14 on LStudio.com. our editor recommendsLisa Kudrow's 'Web Therapy' Bows Online in Canada'Web Therapy' EP and Star Dan Bucatinsky on How They Keep Viewers Rooting for FionaLisa Kudrow's 'Web Therapy' Sold in SyndicationShowtime picks up Kudrow's 'Web Therapy' The fourth season of Web Therapy kicked off last week with a story that stars Rosie O'Donnell as an editor at a book publisher handling Fiona's tell-all memoir. In that episode, Minnie Driver plays a B-movie actress who acquires rights to the book for a TV movie. [Watch the episode below.] The fourth season of Web Therapy is the longest yet, with 16 episodes in total. Last season there were 15 episodes. VIDEO: The Best Late Night Talk Show Viral Videos Other stars who will appear in the new season include Lily Tomlin (as the therapist's mother), Natasha Bedingfield and Dan Bucatinsky, an actor who is also Kudrow's producing partner. Kudrow and Bucatinsky created the series along with writer-director Don Roos for Is or Isn't Entertainment. Kudrow won a 2011 Webby award for best individual performance, and the show won best comedy longform series. The first season of 10 episodes aired on Showtime from July through October, marking a rare case where a series that went from the web to TV. On Showtime, it attracted an average of 359,000 viewers (from multiple runs) each week. VIDEO: 'Web Therapy' EP Dan Bucatinsky Previews Courteney Cox and Lisa Kudrow's Reunion Showtime is in negotiations to air more episodes of Web Therapy, but no deal is yet in place. In the fourth season, Fiona is building her online business and trying not to be distracted by her husband's political campaign. O'Donnell appears in the first four episodes in regards to her book, which is ghostwritten by her assistant (played by Bucatinsky). In his three episodes, O'Brien seeks help with his "anger issues," according to the producers. There have been stars on Web Therapy before, but they always played characters. O'Brien is the first to be himself. VIDEO: Conan O'Brien Returns to His Old 'Late Night' Studio in NY L Studios provides a broadband channel for original work from the worlds of art, culture, design, science, entertainment, architecture and more. It is owned by Lexus, the auto company. Content on the channel is produced and distributed by Diane Charles and Ron Qurashi of Intelligent Life Productions in collaboration with Team One Advertising for Lexus. Lisa Kudrow Conan O'Brien Rosie O'Donnell

Kenyan net turns up the drama

With a plot pulled from the headlines and a cast drawn from across the continent, a Kenyan skein is looking to push local dramatic series in a bold new direction. "Mali," which airs three times a week on private web NTV, is the first Kenyan drama to break from the traditional weekly format. The show's producers say it's an attempt to wean local audiences off the wildly popular Latin American telenovelas. "We are so in love with (the telenovelas), but we also have our own beautiful stories to tell," says Alison Ngibuini, the series' creator. The idea to shift to a soap-style, thrice-weekly format was prompted by the growing demand from viewers for local content. According to Sharleen Samat, program manager of NTV, which is co-producing the series, Kenyan broadcasters in the past few years have seen remarkable growth in such programming. The show is Kenya's most ambitious production to date, with NTV and Ngibuini inking a two-year, 326-episode deal. "Mali" launches amid signs of new life for Kenya's TV biz, with the nation preparing to move to digital in the next few years, while close to 40 broadcasting licenses have already been issued. With legislation on the table requiring Kenyan webs to air at least 40% local content, cash-strapped producers are hoping the flood of new channels will lead to fresh investment in local productions. n Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Clooney Can get Top Honors At Palm Springs Film Fest

First Launched: November 18, 2011 11:00 AM EST Credit: Getty Premium La, Calif. -- Caption George Clooney is smiles within the 2011 Film Independent Screening Series: The Descendants at Bing Theatre At LACMA in La on November 16, 2011George Clooney is adding another award to his collection. The Palm Springs Worldwide Film Festival can have the 50-year-old actor having its Chairmans Award within the month of the month of january. Festival chairman Harold Matzner mentioned Friday that Clooney can be a consummate actor, director, producer and film author (which has) proven that no discipline within the film marketplace is beyond his achieve. He mentioned Clooney continues to be honored for his performance inside the Descendants, in theaters Friday, too for writing, creating, pointing and starring inside the Ides of March, which opened up up lately. Past visitors in the Chairmans Award include Film Clip, Dustin Hoffman and Nicole Kidman. Clooney has furthermore won an Academy Award and a pair of Golden Globes. Copyright 2011 with the Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Rising Star: New Women Mike M. Manley

First Launched: November 15, 2011 12:17 PM EST Credit: Getty Images La, Calif. -- Caption Rising Star: Mike M. JohnsonAs televisions latest leading guy growing, New Women Mike M. Manley a great deal of products just one factor he certainly is not, is 14 years old. They just finally needed it well IMDB, Mike told Access Hollywood within a relaxation from filming his FOX hit comedy quantity of the erroneous birth year 1997 formerly around the movie website to begin dating ? which motivated concern in the slew of youthful women on Twitter. I merely believe it is so funny these 16-year-old ladies who watch New Girl they, so to speak, thought that strange guy while using beard was like, 14, he ongoing, getting fun. My whole career might be a much more interesting essentially was 14 and looked and socialized the means by that we act. Even without needing to function as the teenage strange guy while using beard, AccessHollywood.coms latest Rising Star has received greater than an amazing increase to his charming use role as Nick, New Women heartbroken underdog as well as the love interest-on-the-way of Zooey Deschanels Jess. But getting there's very hard task for your youngest child of basically one mother, who given and outfitted her brood by running what Mike referred to as, kind of junk shops throughout Chicago, and making stained glass home home windows for clients. By getting a painter for just about any mother, a teenage Mike fell hard the humanities too, however the love went in the different direction the improvisational comedy stage inside a famous Chicago club. Second City accustomed to carry out a free improv show late throughout the evening, then when I used to be noisy . secondary school, thats when [Chris] Farley was there and Tina Fey was there, and then we familiar with be capable of go watching these best, he appreciated fondly. I understood thats a few things i wanted, I merely didnt be aware of road to get it done, he added in the early dream. I usually aspired to do and act, it really made an appearance like [as large from the dream as], It may be really fun to go to the moon eventually. Undecided about his route, Mike headed West, well, further Area, for the College of Iowa. Throughout his couple of years just like a Hawkeye, just 230-odd miles from Chicago, Mike began his route to the moon after penning a primate-inspired theater work. I written a play of a guy who works inside a gorilla house, and also the main work would be to take care of the old celebrity gorilla. When that gorilla dies, his existence kind of falls apart and also the wife and pals are really weirded out because hes this devastated having a gorilla dying, Mike referred to. I written this play once i was at Iowa due to the fact it assisted me laugh, which i sent it to NYU which i experienced Tisch for dramatic writing. Ongoing his craft of writing in NY City, the very first 20-something hit happens too, undertaking while using Upright People Brigade (with Casey Wilson of Happy Being), a celebration that eventually aided lead him finally to Hollywood. While using undertaking bug an entire-blown virus, Mike quickly hit happens at LAs Second City, with Eric Edelstein, for self-composed sketch comedy, That Is My Friend, as well as the internet came calling too while he grew to become an associate from the type of Michael Cera in Derek Waters Drunk History (see Mike duel Michael Cera HERE:, and Derek & Simon, an online series featuring Large Bang Theorys Simon Helberg. Next, entrance doors started to start, landing the gifted funnyman roles on shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm, Tim Roths Mislead Me and movies like Russell Brands Lead Him To The Greek, as well as the Ashton Kutcher vehicle, Nsa, put together by New Girl creator Liz Meriwether. Shes so excellent and he or she works so desperately then when somebody cares much towards the top, it really makes everybodys job a great deal simpler, Mike mentioned of Liz, the woman who's now his full-time boss. Which ease proceeds, as New Girl was acquired for just about any full series run by FOX. Random people will walk by and Ill get yourself a point and theyll say, Hey guy, New Girl, and Ill go, Yeah. And theyll go, Nice! he jeered, recounting to get into how his existence is starting to change. It feels as if Im high-fiving a stranger. With elevated roles inside the just-released A Very Harold & Kumar 3-D Christmas as well as the 2012-due 21 Jump Street reboot, the right path is simply enhancing, something Mike mentioned is fun too for his wife, artist Erin Payne. Once we met, In my opinion I'd 400 dollars to my title together with a disgusting moustache I used to be trying to develop. The like her, its just really fun, he mentioned. In my opinion shes been experiencing the ride. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Walking Deads Jon Bernthal Joins Summits Snitch

Jon Bernthal, whose Shane character on AMCs The Walking Dead is on one twisted journey inside the shows second season, will join Dwayne Manley and Susan Sarandon in Snitch, the Ric Roman Waugh-directed action drama for Summit Entertainment that begins filming the following month in Louisiana. Manley plays a construction company owner who becomes a DEA snitch to reduce his boy’s prison sentence. Bernthal plays an ex-disadvantage laborer for your construction company who's forced by his boss to help connect him to have an undercover drug dealer. Bernthal, who was simply part of the cast of HBOs The Off-shoreline as well as the Roman Polanski-directed The Ghost Author, is repped by WME as well as the Burstein Company. The movies being co-funded by Exclusive Media, Participant Media and Imagenation Abu Dhabi.

War in the Dead

Somewhat Film Co., Rialto Intl., Lithuanian Film Art galleries and Media One Entertainment production. (Worldwide sales: Accelerator, Studio City.) Produced by Barr Potter, Ramunas Skikas. Executive producers, Alessandro Fracassi, Robbie Little. Co-producer, Marko Makilaakso, Joel Soisson. Directed by Marko Makilaakso. Script, Makilaakso, Barr B. Potter, in the story by Makilaakso.With: Andrew Tiernan, Mikko Leppilampi, Samuel Vauramo, Juoko Ahola, Jouko Ahola, Mark Wingett, Andreas Wilson, Antti Reini, Magdalena Gorska. (British dialogue)Finally premiering greater than four years after principal photography wrapped, "War in the Dead" turned up with time to see Toronto's During The Night fest alongside "Exit Humanity," another movie placing zombie action in the war time historic context. The slicker plus much more pricey of those two, Finn helmer Marko Makilaakso's British-language, Lithuania-shot bigscreen debut is muscular if your little one-dimensional, with little human interest or scariness to flavor what's basically one extended military shootout. Taken just like a straightforward actioner, it's pointing if unmemorable, with solid prospects for homevid sales in lots of areas. Theatrical exposure will probably be spotty. Prologue unveils Nazi "anti-dying" medical experiments completed on taken Russian soldiers early throughout World war ii. couple of years later, in 1941, allied Finn and American forces are saved to a pastime to get a rival bunker round the Finnish-Soviet border. First they are decimated having a Russian ambush (just before the U.S.S.R. switched in the tenuous Axis association to committed Allied allegiance) then youngsters are further reduced with a anxiety attack within the undead, flesh-hungry people with people experiments. With the half-hour point, only Yank officer Stone (Andrew Tiernan), Finn Laasko (Mikko Leppilampi) and Russian grunt Kolya (Samuel Vauramo) still fight the nonstop onslaught. Much machine gunning evolves, in order to and inside the abandoned secret Nazi project's undercover HQ. Protags' trigger-happy offensive against plenty of uniformed zombies (no matter the undead's superior speed, strength and resilience) helps to make the pic feel a great deal a lot more like a "Rambo" movie than as being a horror meller. It certainly doesn't cash if this involves atmosphere, dread or "boo!" moments, no matter the polished if undistinctive pictures and score. The testosterone-laden proceedings don't supply the competent thesps much chance to develop character, as well as the script (co-put together by Makilaakso with veteran producer Barr Potter) leaves the essential premise undeveloped beyond a thing that to keep numerous busy but interchangeable action sequences simply put, more plot may have aided. Fadeout signifies a need to setup "War in the Dead" as first inside an ongoing horror-combat action series a la "Underworld." Packaging-wise no less than, the conclusion product shows no manifestation of many production worries the pic allegedly experienced, including late changes of cast and funding.Camera (color), Hannu-Pekka Vitikainen editor, Michael J. Duthie music, Neal Acree, Joel Goldsmith production designer, Algis Garbaciauskas art company company directors, Darius Bastys, Kari Kankaanpaa, Audrius Dumikas set decorator, Daila Pranckenaite costume designer, Daiga Rybakoviene visual effects supervisor, Chad Goei assistant director, Boris Taskov casting, Donatas Simukauskas, Laura Munsterhelm. Examined on DVD, San Francisco Bay Area, November. 11, 2011. (In Toronto During The Night Film Festival.) Running time: 86 MIN. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Netflix, Lionsgate TV Closing Deal For Jenji Kohans Orange Might Be The Brand New Black Comedy

EXCLUSIVE: I have discovered that after extended discussions, Netflix is finalizing a deal with Lionsgate TV for just about any 13-episode straight-to-series order to Orange Might Be The Brand New Black, a comedy from Weeds creator Jenji Kohan. This marks the second original series for Netflix, which taken gave a 26-episode straight-to-series pickup to MRC’s David Fincher/Kevin Spacey drama House Of Cards. Kohan’s project falls under her wealthy overall deal with Lionsgate TV. Co-created and executive produced by Kohan and House co-executive producer Liz Friedman, it is founded on Piper Kermans memoir Orange Might Be The Brand New Black: My Year In the Womens Prison and involves women jail time. It tales nonprofit communications executive Kermans year-extended stint a minimum of security correctional facility in Danbury, Conn., stemming in the conviction on her behalf part in the drug smuggling and funds-washing plan she got twisted up in 10 years earlier just like a fresh college graduate. Netflix was already in operation with Lionsgate TV. In April, the streaming/DVD-by-mail giant signed a distinctive distribution deal with Lionsgate to stream as much as seven seasons in the art galleries acclaimed AMC drama Mad Males. The pact paved the means by which for other distribution-type handles Netflix, like the CW’s recent agreement that could fetch the network around $1 billion. Netflixs stock has already established a beating lately if you do problems, like the companys questionable decision to enhance the price of the combined streaming and DV- rental service by 60%, together with a disappointing 3Q earnings report.

The X Factor's Drew Defends Her Dress: I Expected Some Not to Like It

Drew Ryniewicz It takes something pretty special to draw a negative word from Paula Abdul, but Drew Ryniewicz's Wednesday night performance dress did just that. Abdul praised the 14-year-old X Factor contestant's rendition of Coldplay's "Fix You" before, in a rare moment, slamming her ensemble - a Punky Brewster-style mash-up of an evening gown that Ryniewicz wore with black feather earrings and rainbow hair. "That outfit took the seriousness away. Don't take fashion advice from Simon anymore," Abdul told her. Read our recap of Wednesday's episode of The X Factor But the singer says she has no regrets about the bold fashion statement she designed herself: "My song was so emotional and slow, and I wanted my dress to be fun," she told TVGuide.com after the show. "I expected some not to like it." Ryniewicz said she designed the dress to represent every aspect of her style. "It's a little bit of edginess with girlyness. The paint splatters are total teenager. I wanted this performance to say, I'm still a teenager, I'm not trying to be any older than I am." And, for the record, she says her mentor approved of her look. "Simon liked my dress. I was actually worried about that," Ryniewicz said. "Right before the show, he said, 'I like your dress, I want you to keep the dress,' and afterward he came up to me and said, 'I like the outfit, don't listen to Paula.'" Meanwhile, girl group LaKoda Rayne has stopped defending the prom dress debacle from last week. "I don't think we're ever going to go back to that individual colors, solid dress thing. We got some bad feedback about it and I think we've learned our lesson," Hayley Orrantia said. The singers backed it up by photo-shopping themselves on to the Teletubbies for their Twitter followers. "We weren't aware we were representing Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers ... all Saturday morning cartoons," the group's Paige Elizabeth said:

New Snow White & The Huntsman Art

Stop. Banner time...At this year's Comic-Con, we were treated to one of the more unusual panels for a big film courtesy of director Rupert Sanders and the stars of Snow White And The Huntsman. Unusual because the film hadn't actually started shooting at that point, and Sanders only had a proof-of-concept reel and some portraits of his actors, including Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth and Charlize Theron, to show off. Now everyone else can get more of an idea about the movie's imagery and tone as a new banner has arrived, courtesy of Collider.As we noted back in July, this Snow White is looking decidedly more like a Lord Of The Rings-style adventure, cross-spliced with just a touch of Alice In Wonderland.And from the looks of this new image, that's definitely the angle Sanders has gone for, with a much more proactive Snow (seen here with a blade at her side) seemingly blinded by a mysterious light shining in the woods. Hemsworth's Huntsman has little of Thor's look about him, opting for a grungy Aragorn-esque outfit and a steely gaze. Oh, and weird tree creature things that look like they hang out and play cards with the freaky forest of Evil Dead. Finally, we have Theron's evil Queen, all dark war scenes and flying ravens.{Snow White And The Huntsman banner}Not yet pictured: the re-imagined dwarfs being played the likes of Ian McShane, Nick Frost and Bob Hoskins, though that's probably because they'll be digitally tinkered with before we see anything of them. Sam Claflin's prince also doesn't get a look in. He's likely just off-camera looking royal.Snow White And The Huntsman will be out on June 1, 2012.

Hollywood Docket: Errol Morris Prosecuted Fox News Forms TV Academy Re-Ups General Counsel

GettyErrol Morris. Two new legal cases enhance the question of whether filmmakers put people inside a false light and violated the privileges for their title and likeness. Might more within our roundup of entertainment law news....our editor recommendsU.S. Documentary Filmmaker Errol Morris to provide BAFTA Film LectureMorrissey Takes 'Racism' Fight to U.K. Court An Or guy is suing Lionsgate within the Next 72 Hours, starring Russell Crowe, while he states he was portrayed four occasions for many seconds in multiple screen shots like a "criminal fugitive." The complaintant, Bilal Ahmed, states the film has broken his status, which buddies and affiliates immediately recognized him. He's no more comfortable putting on his hair on your face as portrayed within the movie for fear it might impair future gainful employment. He's suing makers from the film, which made $51 million, in excess of $a million. Joyce McKinney is suing documentary filmmaker Errol Morris for wrongly representing her within the film Tabloid as "crazy, a sex offender, an S&M prostitute, and/or perhaps a rapist." McKinney was active in the seventies with what's now referred to as "Mormon sex in chains situation" or even the "The situation from the Manacled Mother," the storyline of the missionary allegedly kidnapped by McKinney, the first kind Miss Wyoming. McKinney cooperated with Morris throughout the building of the film, giving a job interview. However, she states she thought Morris to become creating a Showtime series about paparazzi and was rather "unknowingly fooled" into speaking in regards to a "lengthy dead tabloid hoax." She's suing for unspecified damages. The Tv Academy has re-upped its outdoors general counsel Dixon Dern, that has offered for the reason that capacity in excess of 3 decades. A Texas condition court has refused Time Warner Cable's motion to possess a dispute with Viacom over CMT (New Bands Television) settled in NY, in which the two companies are fighting over streamed content on iPad applications. TWC states that CMT violated a joint venture partner agreement by leaving new bands, and Viacom thinks that TWC has breached anything by failing in the obligations to distribute the funnel and disturbing marketers. A Texas judge has recognized Viacom's arguments this dispute is unconnected using the debate over iPad streaming. Fox News has settled a suit with a NY digital photographer who prosecuted the network for airing a copyrighted work without permission. A photograph ofAssata Shakur was shownwithout plaintiffDelphine Fawundu Buford'sconsentduring The O'Reilly Factor. Fox News stated fair use, however the dispute continues to be under your own accord ignored following the parties found an undisclosed agreement. The NY Occasions and also the Huffington Publish are fighting on the blog title. The Gray Lady filed a trademark violation suit against America online, proprietors of HuffPo, for naming a raising a child blog,Parentlode, which allegedly apes the NYT's Motherlode. The writer from the HuffPo blog formerly was charge author from the NYT one. Morrissey will quickly attend a U.K. High Court going after a defamation claim against NME for representing him like a racist. A judge has determined the singer is creating a "seriousInch claim, and over the past weekend, Morrissey launched a extended statement explaining what went down at length.

Why YouTube Was Requested Yet Another Question in Viacom Appeal (Analysis)

The second Circuit Court of Appeals is presently weighing whether a federal judge wrongfully ignored Viacom's large copyright violation suit against YouTube. Recently, the parties contended their particular sides, but following the hearing came to the conclusion, the 3-judge panel had yet another question for YouTube.our editor recommendsDisney, YouTube to Partner on Original Video SeriesViacom, Google Prepare For Battle in Appeals Court Over YouTube Copyright Issues Will YouTube's Hollywood Experiment Repay?Information Corp's IGN, Shine Group Partner for YouTube Gaming Funnel START (Exclusive Q&A) The appeals court desires to know whether and just how the "warning sign understanding provision would apply" under YouTube's interpretation of copyright law. What's the warning sign understanding provision? Digital Millennium Copyright Act talks about conditions by which service companies have "safe harbor" from copyright liability. Virtually everybody concurs when an Web service provider like YouTube will get a takedown notice and responds expeditiously to get rid of infringing material, it's safe. But in which the parties disagree is within interpretation the sentence within the statute that discusses liability for ISPs when no takedown notices are sent, where an Web service provider doesn't have "actual understanding" of infringing material, however it can always be "conscious of details or conditions that infringing activity is obvious.Inch This is whats called the warning sign understanding provision. The question the second Circuit keeps asking in lots of forms: What obligations do ISPs genuinely have? Now, the idol judges have pointedly pressed YouTube for any direct response to the problem of copyright violation awareness beyond a takedown notice. It's a somewhat tricky question for YouTube because its lawyers have virtually stated it's nearly entirely the copyright holder's responsibility to see an Web service provider about infringing material. We are saying "nearly entirely" rather than "completely" because YouTube's lawyers can't pretend the warning sign understanding provision wasn't ever written. In hisresponseto the second Circuit, YouTube's lawyer Andrew Schapiro doesn't hypothesize a predicament in which the warning sign understanding provision is definitely triggered, but he's certainly comfortable speaking about if this isn't triggered: Anytime an Web service provider sees something which's under an apparent and particular violation Anytime an Web service provider sees somethingthat requires analysis This situation Does that leave any room for that warning sign understanding provision to become truly significant? You never know, but as Schapiro highlights, other courts (Veoh, MP3Tunes, etc.) now utilize this narrow interpretation. Viacom will are able to create a rebuttal and provide its logic behind why Congress were built with a obvious purpose when writing up this area of the DMCA. E-mail: eriqgardner@yahoo.com Twitter: @eriqgardner Viacom YouTube

'Skyfall' Recruits 'Harry Potter' Actor, Ralph Fiennes Talks Bond

It didn't take long after last week's big press conference announcing the title and start of production of "Skyfall," the new James Bond film starring Daniel Craig, for even more news to start trickling in. Yesterday, the official Twitter feed for the superspy (@007) released the first official picture from the set: a non-earth-shattering snap of a clapperboard. Now, the production adds two more actresses to the already star-studded cast. Helen McCrory, perhaps better known as the villainous mother Narcissa Malfoy from the "Harry Potter" films, and Ola Repace, a Swedish actress, have joined the cast that includes Craig, Dame Judi Dench, Javier Bardem and Naomie Harris. It had been rumored for a few weeks that McCrory had been cast in the upcoming Sam Mendes-directed Bond film, but not until yesterday's Twitter announcement was she confirmed. One actor who was not present at the first press conference was Ralph Fiennes, who's character is one of several that we know the least about. Fiennes spoke with Matt Singer over at IFC about his upcoming directorial debut in "Coriolanus" and shared some small details about his mysterious role in "Skyfall." A self-professed Bond fan, Fiennes said that if you are anything like him, you won't be disappointed with "Skyfall." "If you're a Bond fan then you'll be happy," he said. "I can tell you that John Logan has written a fantastic screenplay and Sam Mendes is a class act. They're doing something quite special I think. I think they're going to be great for Bond." He also commented that the film would be filled with action, contradicting reports that Mendes planned to remove much of the usual Bond shenanigans. The Academy Award-nominated actor remained mum on just who his character is. When Singer asked if Fiennes would see any of the action himself, he got quiet. "I can't answer that question," Fiennes said. "I don't get laid, that's for sure." What do you think of the new cast members for "Skyfall," and what do you make of Fiennes secrecy? Let us know in the comments below and on Twitter!

Drafthouse Films ink multiplatform deal with Image

Danish comedy Clown is among several photos that Drafthouse Films has acquired to distribute within the U . s . States. Year-old Drafthouse Films has pacted with Image Entertainment inside an exclusive distribution deal for home video, digital, television and VOD. Deal marks one more development of Texas-based Alamo Drafthouse's intend to become lifestyle brand. The Alamo Drafhouse chain of theaters -- which rely on individual to individual and serving alcohol in the laidback setting -- has 10 locations which is searching to develop into La and NY soon. Drafthouse Films has acquired U . s . States rights to Michael Roskam's crime drama "Bullhead," Belgium's official candidate for your Oscar language film, and Mikkel Nogaard's Danish comedy "Clown." Drafthouse acquired U . s . States rights to "Comin at Ya! 3dInch in September carrying out a premiere in the restored film at Fantastic Fest. Drafthouse Films has hired James Emanuel Shapiro, former professional director of sales planning and purchases for Anchor Bay, since the company's new chief operating officer.

Adult-skewing game titles keep distribs happy

'Torrente 4: Lethal Crisis'Although this year's box office has dropped slightly in The country, falling .8% to $658.5 million through March. 16, indie B.O. share of the market elevated from 25% to 29% versus. 2010.That growth was mainly brought by mass audience distribs Aurum, DeAPlaneta and TriPictures, that have seen some success shrugging off U.S. studio domination."Spain's independents have embarked into bigger-budget buys," states Yolanda del Val, purchases mind at DeAPlaneta, which distributed "The King's Speech," the film that tops current 2011 indie charts with $13 million.Total box office is brought by Warner-distributed blockbuster "Torrente 4: Lethal Crisis." The 4th a part of Spaniard Santiago Segura's cop saga nabbed $27.8 million, along with a spectacular 4.2% share of the market. "Torrente 4" bested worldwide franchises for example "Pirates from the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" ($25.9 million), "Harry Potter and also the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" ($22.7 million) and "Rise from the Planet from the Apes" ($20.a million).But this season, Hollywood's domination continues to be partly eroded by arthouse/crossover distributor Alta Films.Benefiting from its stable relationship rich in-profile auteurs dealing with The spanish language companies, Alta obtained standout performances with Woodsy Allen's "Night time in Paris" ($11.4 million) and Spaniard Iciar Bollain's "The Rain" ($4.8 million).Abnormally fine September-October weather dinged up full-year B.O. anticipation. "I am upbeat about November to December try not to believe that we'll achieve 2010 figures," states Pau Brunet with BoxOffice.Hit recently by deficiencies in TV sales and illegal Internet movie downloads, local marketers will find some reason to smile because of burgeoning online services, including Netflix, that is because of bow in The country early the coming year.InchVOD continues to be an nascent market but marketers happen to be seeing that you have a future," states Juan Carlos Tous, Boss of Filmin, Spain's primary online portal for indie movies.VOD returns to have an indie film are growing monthly only represent around 10% of home theatre revenues, Tous adds."VOD revenues continue to be minor," states Jose Escola chairman of Barcelona-based distrib Emon.However, new VOD offers for example Wuaki.tv and Canal Plus Yomvi have clinched handles local marketers while Netflix has apparently approached almost all of them."The The spanish language market must adapt distribution home windows and prices. This is where Netflix is going to be a big help,Inch Tous states.Quantity of screens: 2,863Number of three dimensional screens: 690Top indie distribs and B.O. through March. 16: Aurum ($38.9 million) DeAPlaneta ($23.8 million) TriPictures ($23.a million)Top exhibition chains for indie films: Cines Renoir, Golem Cines, Yelmo CinesTypical minimum guarantee compensated: 4% of film budgetTop 5 indie films: "The King's Speech" ($13 million) "Night time in Paris" ($11.4 million) "Insidious" ($7.8 million) "Unlimited" ($5.six million)"Saw three dimensional" ($4.9 million)Approaching indie pick-ups: "Starbuck" (Vertigo Films) "The Inbetweeners" (Aurum Producciones) "Skylab" (Alta Films) "Monsieur Lazhar" (A Contracorriente Films) "Taken" (Golem Distribucion) Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Are Icon U.K.'s big plans crashing?

Two years after Len Blavatnik's Access Industries bought Icon's U.K. distribution and foreign sales operations, with big plans to expand Icon around the world, all signs seem to indicate that Access's excitement with the film biz is cooling. The grand plans for Icon's global expansion have long been abandoned, while a strategic alliance announced a year ago with the Weinstein Co. has come to nothing. Now Blighty's film biz is abuzz with reports that Access is shopping Icon's U.K. library to potential buyers, following the distrib's recent weak performance. The possible sale of that library, which includes titles such as "Drive," "A Single Man" and "Precious," would leave Icon to simply focus on the foreign sales business. However, the company is also struggling to attract new projects for its international arm, with Access providing only limited support. Perhaps it's that the U.S.-based industrial group has bigger fish to fry. The company acquired Warner Music in May for $3.3 billion, and is now the favorite to snap up EMI's recorded music arm, which has been put on the block by Citigroup. Icon is a small concern by comparison, and Access seems unwilling to invest more cash or management time in growing the business. Access and Icon refuse to comment. But one insider confirms Access is open to offers for its U.K. distribution arm: "It's like one of those things you have that doesn't make a huge difference to you, and you want to sell but only if the price is right." Icon's U.K. arm looks set for its worst year at the box office since 2006. With a gross of 7.4 million ($11.8 million) so far, the company will be lucky to make half of its 2010 and 2009 box office takings, which sat at $26.3 million and $26.8 million, respectively. While Icon U.K.'s 2010 slate was peppered with some moderately successful releases, including "Edge of Darkness" ($5.9 million) and "A Single Man" ($5.1 million) there were a slew of misses as well, including Gurinder Chadha's "It's a Wonderful Afterlife" ($1.5 million) and "The Box," ($1.9 million). So far in 2011, only two pics have passed the 1 million ($1.5 million) mark: "Drive" ($4.1 million and counting) and "West Is West" ($4.3 million). Some rival distribs even say they were approached by Access as long as six months ago to assess the value of the U.K. library. Two years ago, under the direction of former PolyGram and UIP topper Stewart Till, the intention was to set up Icon as an international distribution network that could rival the likes of other major indies in the European market and further afield. The backing of Blavatnik, a Russian-American billionaire, coupled with Till's expertise signaled what seemed to be a big future for the company. Till kicked the tires of several distribs in Italy, Spain, France and Germany, but could not find suitable acquisitions at a realistic price. At the same time, a series of U.K. theatrical failings cooled the enthusiasm of Access for further expansion in the distribution business. A year ago, Access told Till to retreat back to Blighty and focus on fixing the U.K. operations and building up the foreign sales arm. However, this was not what Till, an advocate of the multiterritory distribution philosophy, wanted. So he moved from CEO to a part-time role as chairman, while Hugo Grumbar and Ian Dawson became joint managing directors, with Grumbar handling international sales and Dawson the U.K. operation. In January, Icon laid off 15% of its staff. In an effort to cut costs, certain pivotal roles were merged including head of home entertainment and head of marketing. Rumors were rife that Grumbar and Dawson were given a year to show results or the company would be shut down. Since then, Icon's international sales operation has handled pics such as "Coriolanus," which was sold to TWC in Berlin, Sundance hit "Project Nim" and the yet-to-be released Mel Gibson pic "How I Spent My Summer Vacation." Last year, before the American Film Market, Icon announced it was launching a new film financing alliance with the Weinstein Co. One year later, however, and the relationship has borne no fruit. Indeed, for the past year, Icon seems to have spent more time pulling out of deals than consummating them. Last week, Icon went into arbitration with River Road Entertainment, the producers of Terrence Malick's "The Tree of Life," after cancelling a plan in April to distribute the pic in Blighty. The U.K. distribution company's most significant acquisition this year has been the low-budget horror pic "You're Next," which Icon pre-bought for a low-six figure sum from HanWay Films at Cannes. The horror-thriller was one of the buzz titles at Toronto this year, selling to more than 30 territories; Lionsgate snapped up U.S. rights in a low seven-figure deal. But Icon's U.K. release will follow the U.S. release, which isn't skedded until next year. "It's a crowded landscape here in the U.K.," says one source. "And Access don't seem to be giving Icon the backing and support they need to make themselves a formidable player. Perhaps it's a question of experience and infrastructure, but rumors are rife and people are hesitant to give them films because of that." Excerpted from the Oct. 31-Nov. 6 edition of weekly Variety. For the full version, go to Variety.com Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com