Illusion Unlimited, Njuta nab 'Bunny Game'

Germany's Illusion Unlimited and Scandinavia's Njuta have both acquired distribution rights to Adam Rehmeiers horror pic "The Bunny Game." Pic, that's being checked out AFM by U.K. genre sales outfit Jinga Films, notifies the story from the drug addicted hooker who's held captive inside the desert having a deranged trucker. It stars Rodleen Getsic and Rob Renfro. Lately, the British Board of Film Classification (much like MPAA) rejected to classify "The Bunny Game," preventing its U.K. distrib Trinity Entertainment from delivering the pic inside the territory. Mark Sandell, co-director of Trinity, who acquired the film in Cannes taken mentioned that even though film was "challenging and confrontational" Rehmeier had "a really original filmic eye." "We did think the BBFC might request cuts but an outright stop offers the film a twisted prestige that, to tell the truth, it doesn't warrant," he mentioned. Jinga Films formerly looked uber-questionable "A Serbian Film" for the market. Outfit hopes to seal a U.S. deal for "The Bunny Game" in Santa Monica now. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

WWE 3Q Dips As Film Unit Dents Earnings

Shares of WWE were up greater than 2% this mid-day, even though company mentioned revenues and profits were reduced 3Q — plus it needed a $5.1M writedown on its films Completely, The Chaperone, and Knucklehead. The business reported internet gain of $10.6M, lower 26.1% versus a year ago, onrevenues of $108.5M, lower 9.5%. Earnings of 14 cents a share missed the 15 cents that experts expected, nevertheless the revenues exceeded their $106.7M target. WWE states that it's problems were mostly centered at two models: Revenues fell 51.3% to $3.7M at its WWE Art galleries due to the indegent performance of the films, and dropped 7.5% to $19.8M within the Consumer Products unit which fought with lower certification revenues from toys. Nevertheless the core Live and Public Entertainment operation held on, with revenues up 5.8% to $78.1M — partly due to elevated PPV sales for WrestleMania. “We believe the sluggish economy and our ongoing talent transition were important elements that affected the final results within our others,” Boss Vince McMahon mentioned. “Based on our good status for developing talent and creating pleased with broad appeal, we are confident we could address our creative challenges.” More youthful crowd vowed to “monitor and refine” the film business “to improve future performance.”

AFM: Woodsy Allen Doc Foreign Privileges

Submarine Entertainment and HanWay Films are marketing Robert B. Weide’s Woodsy Allen: A Documentary to worldwide purchasers in the American Film Market now in Santa Monica. Various United States privileges have previously offered. It'll air in 2 parts November 20-21 on PBS’ American Masters. The documentary features clips of Allen’s movies including his most in a commercial sense effective Night time in Paris. Emmy-winning and Oscar nominated Weide examines Allen’s existence and inventive process, from his childhood and early career to the current. Weide had extensive use of observe Allen’s writing habits, casting, pointing, editing and relationship together with his stars. Interviews of stars too numerous to list out cover his whole career from Louise Lasser, Tony Roberts, Dianne Wiest, Diane Keaton completely to Antonio Banderas, Penelope Cruz, Scarlett Johansson, Naomi W and Owen Wilson. Writing collaborators Marshall Brickman, Mickey Rose and Doug McGrath weigh in together with cinematographers Gordon Willis and Vilmos Zsigmond together with creating partner Letty Aronson, producers Robert Greenhut and Stephen Tenenbaum and longtime managers Jack Rollins and Charles H. Joffe plus Martin Scorsese among many more.

Tyler Perry's Upcoming Alex Cross Movie Erupts Into Legal Fight (Exclusive)

The film reboot of author James Patterson's iconic Alex Cross character won't hit theaters until sometime next year, but the movie has already prompted a nasty legal fight.our editor recommendsTyler Perry to Play Alex Cross in Rob Cohen-Directed Film'Breaking Bad' Actor Giancarlo Esposito Joins 'I, Alex Cross' (Exclusive) Producers of I, Alex Cross, in which Tyler Perry stars as the character made famous by Morgan Freeman in Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider (both adapted from Patterson novels), on Wednesday sued another set of producers who allegedly are not involved in the project but are demanding credit and to be paid. PHOTOS: Hollywood's Top Earners Bill Block's QED International, as well as entities JBP Business and SueJack, filed suit against Jan Korbelin, Marina Grasic and their Visitor Pictures claiming that Visitor was initially approached in 2008 to produce the crime drama but negotiations for a deal broke down and the parties went their separate ways. Now that the film is shot and set for release next year by Summit Entertainment, the lawsuit claims Visitor has resurfaced and is claiming "that they reached a binding agreement with plaintiffs relating to their involvement in the film, and that they are entitled to compensation and screen credit set for in the draft [deal]." STORY: Tyler Perry Tops List of Highest Paid Men in Entertainment The plaintiffs claim Visitor has been threatening litigation. We've reached out to the defendants for comment and will update if we get a response. The suit asks the Los Angeles Superior Court to deny Visitor credit or compensation for I, Alex Cross (the complaint says the film title is simply Cross) but seeks no money. VIDEO: Tyler Perry Swings Into Action Mode in 'I, Alex Cross' The complaint, filed by Gregory Korn and Gregory Gabriel of Santa Monica's Kinsella Weitzman firm, seeks a declaratory judgment that Visitor and its principals have no involvement in the film. Email: Matthew.Belloni@thr.com Twitter: @THRMattBelloni Tyler Perry Summit Entertainment

Oscar Producer Gilbert Cates Dies at 77

Oscar Producer Gilbert Cates Dies at 77 By Dany Margolies November 1, 2011 Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images Gilbert Cates, an worldwide recognized leader in television, film, and theater, has died. He was 77.Cates was the creating director in the Geffen Playhouse in La. He will be a professor at UCLA, becoming dean in the School of Theater, Film and tv (they founded) from 1990 through 1998. He produced 14 Academy awards shows, the ultimate in 2008, garnering 84 Emmy nominations and 17 Emmy Honours inside the years. He offered two terms as leader from the organization company directors Guild of America. His film pointing credits include "I Never Sang for My DadInch (they produced) and "Summer season Wishes, Winter Dreams," each film producing two Oscar nominations due to its stars. His credits for acting, pointing, and creating in theater, film, and tv number inside the many 100s.This Past Year, Back Stage presented Cates getting a Garland Award for lifetime achievement. So far he remains only person so recognized by Back Stage. The youthful Cates happen to be a fencer at DeWitt Clinton Secondary School within the Bronx, N.Y. "Once I arrived at Syracuse College," he told Back Stage in the 2009 interview concerning the the Garland Honours, "the initial week I used to be there, the drama department had introduced they were doing 'Richard III,' and so they searched for out a fencer who might help choreograph your dream scene between Richard and Richmond. I obtained round the fencing team the initial week I used to be there, because I used to be okay within the sport, after which it this call found search for a choreographer, which i came back [home] Thanksgiving and told my astonished father I wasn't only apt to be your physician however was apt to be a director, which assisted us a large hit inherited for just about any while. Which may be the way i started. However , I majored in theater at Syracuse. I did not need to do other activities but direct within the theater."Cates later acquired a masters degree after writing his dissertation round the European circus of 1964. He began being a web page and tour guide at various systems. But Cates loved to credit Back Stage along with his professional start: "The initial job I gotwhich was since the assistant stage manager from the show referred to as 'Shinbone Alley,' with Eartha Kitt and Eddie Bracken, that carried out within the Ambassador Theatre, I thinkI uncover the notice of the job with the spine Stage."Over time, Cates searched for out bravery within the stars, particularly in theater. He mentioned, "Great acting can be a combination not only of expert knowledge and talent but furthermore a great of risk-taking, of jumping off inside the deep finish in the pool, being unsure of quite whether you'll be able to frolic in the water or else. I am unable to imagine anybody playing King Lear, no matter how gifted you are, who's not frightened thinking to achieve that role, how large it, the dimension from this, how big it. And that means you need courage being an actormore courage being an actress, frankly, than other activities within the theater aside from like a author."Teaching ongoing to become Cates' pleasure and mandate over time. "I like [students] since they bring a sense of energy and a sense of discovery and openness you do not find with individuals who've been carrying it out for 10 or 20 or thirty years,In . he mentioned. "I aim to cause them to become handle the basic principles. If something is not working, more often than not it is not utilized by among 3 reasons: Either it's the exposition, which means you do not be worried about it or it's the conflict, meaning there's no conflict to keep you connected or there's no resolution, there's no ending in it. It need not be because order, but whatever you consider, whatever you understand in narrative formwhether it's film, theater, television, ballet, you title itother in comparison to talent or even the execution from this, you will need that exposition. That are individuals? How come we like them regarding the subject? You will need the conflict, you have to realize it, and you will need a resolution. 90-nine percent of your time, when something doesn't work, for the reason that it's missing among people three things."Cates will be a gracious presence at Geffen Playhouse opening nights, while he cordially welcomed old pals and met completely new ones. He appeared to become a good friend to Back Stage site visitors, adding essays and also the video presence to supply perspective and advice to all or any stars. His devotion to making theater in the film-and-television town was summed up best when he told Back Stage, "It's our responsibility to encourage theater people where we liveto increase the risk for wine where it's drunk." Oscar Producer Gilbert Cates Dies at 77 By Dany Margolies November 1, 2011 PHOTO CREDIT Neilson Barnard/Getty Images Gilbert Cates, an worldwide recognized leader in television, film, and theater, has died. He was 77.Cates was the creating director in the Geffen Playhouse in La. He will be a professor at UCLA, becoming dean in the School of Theater, Film and tv (they founded) from 1990 through 1998. He produced 14 Academy awards shows, the ultimate in 2008, garnering 84 Emmy nominations and 17 Emmy Honours over time. He offered two terms as leader from the organization company directors Guild of America. His film pointing credits include "I Never Sang for My DadInch (they produced) and "Summer season Wishes, Winter Dreams," each film producing two Oscar nominations due to its stars. His credits for acting, pointing, and creating in theater, film, and tv number inside the many 100s.This Past Year, Back Stage presented Cates getting a Garland Award for lifetime achievement. So far he remains only person so recognized by Back Stage. The youthful Cates happen to be a fencer at DeWitt Clinton Secondary School inside the Bronx, N.Y. "Once I arrived at Syracuse College," he told Back Stage in the 2009 interview concerning the the Garland Honours, "the initial week I used to be there, the drama department had introduced they were doing 'Richard III,' and so they searched for out a fencer who might help choreograph your dream scene between Richard and Richmond. I obtained round the fencing team the initial week I used to be there, because I used to be okay within the sport, after which it this call found search for a choreographer, which i came back [home] Thanksgiving and told my astonished father I wasn't only apt to be your physician however would be described as a director, which assisted us a large hit inherited for a while. Which may be the way i started. However , I majored in theater at Syracuse. I did not need to do other activities but direct inside the theater."Cates later acquired a masters degree after writing his dissertation round the European circus of 1964. He began being a web page and tour guide at various systems. But Cates loved to credit Back Stage along with his professional start: "The initial job I gotwhich was since the assistant stage manager from the show referred to as 'Shinbone Alley,' with Eartha Kitt and Eddie Bracken, that carried out within the Ambassador Theatre, I thinkI uncover the notice of the job with the spine Stage."Over time, Cates searched for out bravery within the stars, particularly in theater. He mentioned, "Great acting can be a combination not only of expert knowledge and talent but furthermore a great of risk-taking, of jumping off inside the deep finish in the pool, unsure quite whether you'll be able to frolic in the water or else. I am unable to imagine anybody playing King Lear, no matter how gifted you are, who's not frightened thinking to achieve that role, how large it, the dimension from this, how big it. And that means you need courage being an actormore courage being an actress, frankly, than other activities inside the theater aside from like a author."Teaching ongoing to become Cates' pleasure and mandate over time. "I like [students] since they bring a sense of energy and a sense of discovery and openness you do not find with individuals who've been carrying it out for 10 or 20 or thirty years,In . he mentioned. "I aim to cause them to become handle the basic principles. If something is not working, more often than not it is not utilized by among 3 reasons: Either it's the exposition, which means you do not be worried about it or it's the conflict, meaning there's no conflict to keep you connected or there's no resolution, there's no ending in it. It need not be because order, but whatever you consider, whatever you understand in narrative formwhether it's film, theater, television, ballet, you title itother in comparison to talent or perhaps the execution from this, you will need that exposition. That are individuals? How come we like them regarding the subject? You will need the conflict, you have to realize it, and you will need a resolution. 90-nine percent of occasions, when something doesn't work, for the reason that it's missing among people three things."Cates will be a gracious presence at Geffen Playhouse opening nights, while he cordially welcomed old pals and met completely new ones. He appeared to become a great friend to Back Stage site visitors, adding essays and also the video presence to supply perspective and advice to all or any stars. His devotion to making theater in the film-and-television town was summed up best when he told Back Stage, "It's our responsibility to encourage theater people where we liveto increase the risk for wine where it's drunk."

Colin Quinn Tweets That Will Ferrell Had a Bad Drug Problem

· I can’t quite tell whether he’s being facetious or aggressively bitter, but Colin Quinn tweeted today that Will Ferrell used to have a bad drug problem. Is he clowning? You tell me. Also in Buzz Break: Roger Moore bashes Quantum of Solace, Eddie Redmayne gets a fantastic new job, and Anderson Cooper uses his journalism powers to put the Kardashians in perspective. [ONTD] · My Week With Marilyn’s Eddie Redmayne, who might just be Cate Blanchett, is set to costar in Universal’s Les Miserables as Marius. Hugh Jackman will play Jean Valjean, Russell Crowe will play Inspector Javert, and Anne Hathaway is your new Fantine. [Deadline] · And the winner of the “Who Can Tear Down Kim Kardashian’s Marriage Best?” contest is… Anderson Cooper. [HuffPost] · Roger Moore called Quantum of Solace a “long, disjointed commercial.” Someone has a license to kvetch! [Cinema Blend] · Oscar producer Gil Cates died at 77. I hope his image will be broadcast six or seven times in the next “In Memoriam” reel. [Deadline]

Report: Veteran Oscar Producer Gilbert Cates Found Dead at UCLA

Yikes: TMZ is reporting that veteran Oscar producer Gilbert Cates has died. The awardscast guru, 77, was said be discovered in a parking lot at UCLA, where Cates was a professor. No other details are available at the moment, but like I said: Yikes. Cates was a 40-year Hollywood veteran, directing numerous TV movies and eventually becoming a 14-time producer of the Academy Awards — the most prolific in the event’s history. (He also was the the presiding producing director at the Geffen Playhouse.) His last show was 2008, hosted by Jon Stewart. Here’s Cates talking about that event, as well as his work at UCLA. Developing… and RIP. [via TMZ]