CW orders three drama aircraft pilots

CW has added three more drama aircraft pilots to the 2012-13 slate, together with a sudser from "One Tree Hill" creator Mark Schwahn and J.J. Abrams. The orders bring CW's roster to eight, the biggest quantity of aircraft pilots within the net's six-year history. "Shelter" is placed one of the staffers and visitors in a Colonial summer time resort. Schwahn composed the pilot and can professional produce with Abrams and Bad Robot's Bryan Burk for Warner Bros. TV and Abrams' Bad Robot Prods. banner. "The ChoiceInch originates from Warner Bros. TV and scribes Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain, who're professional producers of CW's frosh drama "The Key Circle" as well as professional produce "Selection." High-concept vehicle set 300 years later on involves an undesirable lady who's selected by lottery to compete being the following full of the war-torn nation. It's according to an approaching number of books by Kiera Cass. "Joey Dakota" is dependant on an Israeli TV format where a docu filmmaker travels in time for you to the the nineteen nineties where she falls deeply in love with the rock-star subject of her pic, after which needs to learn how to prevent his dying when she returns to the current. Bert Royal ("Easy A") composed the variation for CBS TV Galleries and professional produces with Mark Harmon, Eric Tannenbaum, Kim Tannenbaum and Martha Haight. Contact Cynthia Littleton at cynthia.littleton@variety.com

Broadway fends off chill

Nick Jonas, center, assumed the lead role in "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" last week. Broadway's overall cume may have taken a fall last week, but things weren't so bad for the individual shows on the boards. Although total Rialto receipts fell by about $2 million, a lot of that can be accounted for by the absence of two shows that closed during the prior frame, "Follies" and "The Mountaintop." The only really big slide of the week was taken by "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" (deflating nearly 50% to $682,879), but even that had been expected, since last week was the first to see topliner Nick Jonas step into the role that Darren Criss ("Glee") played for three B.O.-busting weeks. Whereas the brevity of Criss' stint prodded fans to buy now, Jonas' six-month run doesn't offer the same urgency, especially at the end of what is traditionally a tough month for the Rialto. In general, most of the shows on the Main Stem had a relatively steady week. Most productions, in fact, upticked, and the other declines weren't terribly dramatic. "The Book of Mormon" ($1,445,407) for instance, rose a bit to break yet another house record at the Eugene O'Neill Theater. Show managed to climb to the second rung on the Top 10 -- an indicator that while demand at other, older hits may sag a bit this month, last season's "Mormon" continues to ride its wave of must-see hype. Coming in right behind "Wicked" ($1,503,461), "Mormon" outpaced both "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark" ($1,417,922) and "The Lion King" ($1,382,353). One of the biggest bumps was seen at "Porgy and Bess" ($921,404), continuing to look strong despite wintertime sales challenges and reviews that were all over the map. In fact, the majority of shows on the Rialto posted gains, although most were fairly modest. The heftiest rise of the sesh was at "Chinglish" ($366,258), climbing more than $100,000 thanks to last-minute biz prior to its Jan. 29 closing. Also exiting last week were "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever" ($614,214) and "Relatively Speaking" ($338,355). With three shows off the table, Broadway's overall cume may well slide downward again this week. Still, with an attendance of 205,816 at 26 shows, last week was a lot more active on the Rialto than the same frame in 2011, which brought in about 150,000 theatergoers to a smallish slate of 19 productions. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com

Hiddleston Joins Only Fanatics Left Alive

For director Jim JarmuschYou are Jim Jarmusch. You've been busy assembling the cast for that planned stab within the vampire genre, Only Fanatics Left Alive. You've scooped up Tilda Swinton, John Hurt and Mia Wasikowska for your horror drama, but you've missed around the overbooked Michael Fassbender. What now ?? No, you don't go to a screening of Shame and throw fruit within the screen, you hire Mister Thomas of Hiddleston.Yes, the present Empire web chat customer, Loki themselves, has walked straight into one of the lead roles for your film, which Jarmusch has known to love a "crypto-vampire love story." "I've been imagining this film for any very long time,Inch Jarmusch told Screen Daily as he was trying to find financing in Cannes. "I am unable to wait to i can say that it using these amazing collaborators." Almost no is well known in regards to the plot beyond the fact it concerns two vampires of the underworld from the underworld (most most likely Hiddleston and Swinton) who had been for one another for 100s of years.Although waiting for the investment to obtain together has meant Fassbender increased being unavailable, Jarmusch is becoming setting his sights around the shoot inside the NRW region of western Germany later this year.Hiddleston, meanwhile, will probably be back as Loki in little-known indie pic The Avengers on April 27.

Australian Academy lauds 'Artist'

"The Artist" required top picture, actor and pointing honors in the first Australian Academy of Cinema and tv Arts Intl. Honours Friday evening. Michel Hazanavicius was named best director in the inaugural ceremony, while "The Artist's" Jean Dujardin and "The Iron Lady's" Meryl Streep arrived the acting nods. Voters were tied on script honors, so honours visited both "Ides of March" and "Margin Call." AACTA prexy Geoffrey Hurry introduced the those who win in five groups in an intimate West Hollywood ceremony at Soho House. "As our industry turns into a truly global entity, it's fitting the new Australian Academy recognizes the industry's best, fitness center abroad," Hurry stated. Even though Australian Film Institute continues to be around for over a half-century, the academy was produced last summer time like a professional offshoot and patterned following the branch structure from the Academy of movement Picture Arts and Sciences. "We are wishing it's the start of an excellent tradition," stated AACTA Boss Damian Trewhella. Trewhella stated AACTA has between 1,500 and a pair of,000 people and it is searching to develop further. The audience can also be searching ahead to some second developmental phase, including opening a workplace in La to advertise Australian productions within the U.S. The AACTA Intl. Honours are made to recognition film excellence no matter geography, as based on a jury of Australian entertainment professionals. Contact Christy Grosz at christy.grosz@variety.com

Weinsteins gamble on 'Lay the Favorite'

'Lay the Favorite'The Weinstein Co. is at active predicts acquire Stephen Frears' gambling dramedy "Lay the favored,In . though sources caution the initial offer didn't pan out, no deal has closed and you'll find issues yet to function on."Lay the favouriteInch stars Rebecca Hall, Bruce Willis, Vince Vaughn and Joshua Jackson. CAA is repping domestic rights regarding the filmmakers. D.V. DeVincentis written the script, based on Jesse Raymer's memoir. Scribe also produced with Anthony Bregman and Paul Trijbits, additionally to Randall Emmett and George Furla. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

The Walking Dead's Jon Bernthal in Talks to Join New Frank Darabont Pilot

Jon Bernthal, The Walking Dead Spoiler alert? We may need to get ready to mourn the death of Shane on The Walking Dead... Jon Bernthal is reportedly in early talks to join Walking Dead executive producer Frank Darabont's new TNT series pilot L.A. Noir, according to Variety. The show would chronicle the dangerous underbelly of Los Angeles in the '40s and '50s; namely, the battle between gangster Mickey Cohen and L.A. police Chief William Parker. Bernthal would portray L.A. cop Joe Teague. Former Walking Dead producer Frank Darabont develops new TNT drama Should Bernthal sign on, he would reunite with Darabont, who developed and executive-produced the first season of The Walking Dead before being ousted in July. It also could mean that Bernthal's Walking Dead character, Shane, is likely not long for this world, though he's outlived his comic book counterpart, who was killed off in Issue #6. Could Bernthal be the mystery castmember who wanted out of his contract after Darabont left?

TV Guide Network Sits Down With Phil Donahue and Dr. Oz for Hollywood Icons and Innovators

Dr. Oz Pioneers in the talk-show landscape Phil Donahue and Dr. Oz are the final subjects of TV Guide Network's Hollywood Icons and Innovators series. Donahue, whose eponymous talk show ran from 1970 to 1996, holds the record for the longest continuously running syndicated talk show. He received nine Emmy awards in his broadcasting career. Oz, whose television career began as an expert on The Oprah Winfrey Show, has led the charge - sometimes controversially - in health infotainment. In the conclusion of the network's four-part series, Dr. Oz sits down with Donahue as the two share memorable interviews, mistakes and moments. Hollywood Icons and Innovators airs Sunday at 9/8c on TV Guide Network. Watch a clip below:

Rep: Gene Hackman Fine, On His Way Home Following Accident

First Published: January 13, 2012 6:11 PM EST Credit: Getty Images LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Caption Gene Hackman attends the Next House ESPN The Magazine party in Jacksonville, Fla., on February 4, 2005 Gene Hackman is all right after being hit by a car while riding a motorcycle in Key West, Fla., his rep tells Access Hollywood. He is fine, he is on his way home, a rep for Hackman told Access on Friday, adding that the actor suffered only bumps and bruises. On Friday afternoon, TMZ reported that the Academy Award-winning star, 81, had been airlifted to a Florida trauma hospital with serious injuries to his head and body following the collision. The accident reportedly took place at approximately 3 PM local time, according to the website. No other details on the accident were immediately available. Hackman last appeared on the big screen in the 2004 comedy Welcome to Mooseport. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Cheers & Jeers: Madeleine Stowe's Sweet Revenge

Madeleine Stowe Cheers to Madeleine Stowe for freezing time.Want more Cheers & Jeers? Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine.The scariest part of the actress' performance as the perfectly named Victoria Grayson - the high-society target of Emily VanCamp's titular plot on ABC's new hit Revenge - is how she looks exactly the same as she did two decades ago when she starred opposite Kevin Costner in a movie of the same name. (The same can't be said for Bryan Brown, who was almost unrecognizable in his recent grizzled guest turn on The Good Wife - 25 years after making a film with the same title - but his charm remains undiminished.)Stowe's career comeback comes complete with nomination for best actress in a TV drama at Sunday's Golden Globes. Revenge is her highest-profile role of the last decade, which she's spent on her ranch in Texas. Guess this proves living well truly is the best revenge.What do you think of Madeleine Stowe on Revenge?Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

MTV Movie Brawl 2012 Bracket Open For Voting!

The MTV Movie Brawl 2012 is formally on! Following the initial play-in and wild card models, 16 films happen to be selected to compete in a number of mind-to-mind single elimination matches within our March Madness-style bracket. Ultimately, only one of these simple movies could be crowned the can't-miss movie of the season, and also the option is entirely your decision. After first-round voting closed on Sunday mid-day, the MTV Movies selection team locked itself inside a room with many different food, a restricted quantity of oxygen, and something all-important goal: seed this bracket. To that particular finish, we considered numerous criteria to choose each film's ranking. We noted first-round voting totals, overall buzz, potential box-office performance along with a slew of other benchmarks. The options were tough. Some arguments were heated. But ultimately we walked away having a 16-team bracket we are proud to provide up for that inaugural MTV Movie Brawl. But hey, differ around? Show us we first got it wrong by voting for the favorite can't-miss flick of the season. In the end, You're in charge! Simply click the bracket above and begin BRAWLING!!! Watch our MTV Movie Brawl 2012 analysis!

Trio team for Nelson Mandela biopic small

South Africas From Africa is developing a Nelson Mandela small. K. MandelaA miniseries using the information on Nelson Mandela is within the works from South Africa's From Africa Entertainment, the U.K.'s Left Bank Pictures and Canada's Blue Ice Films.Producers round the small include From Africa principal Kweku Mandela, a great boy in the famous African leader. Scribe Nigel Williams, whose credits are the Helen Mirren small-series "Elizabeth I," is penning the scripts for your project, imagined just like a six-part series. The functional title is "Madiba," the tribal clan title by which Nelson Mandela is often recognized to within the native country.Other producers round the project are Lance Samuels, Kweku Mandela's partner inside the From Africa banner Blue Ice's Steven Silver and Neil Tabatznik and Left Bank principals Andy Harries and Marigo Kehoe.Producers have optioned a few Nelson Mandela's books as source material: "Conversations with Myself" and "Nelson Mandela by Themselves." Kweku Mandela mentioned the aim is always to tell the story of individuals and occasions that introduced his grandfather to get a historic role in falling apartheid and having South Africa's first black leader. Although there's been numerous Mandela-related docu and narrative photos lately, Kweku Mandela desires to craft a portrait of his grandfather just like a person, beyond his political and human rights achievements."I felt once we would do this, it had been vital to put the focus on the guy," Mandela mentioned. "This is why inside the research with this particular, it is crucial that people get as close to his ideas as you possibly can. Individuals who aided guide him and shape him while you be strong figures."Right now, the three partners are financing the development of the project. They've received interest from South African TV shops. This program is always to secure a director and key cast people before they're going to U.S. and U.K. customers. Williams remains concentrating on the scripts since mid-November. He's also done projects formerly with Harries and Kehoe.Nelson Mandela together with other family people provides you with input and feedback round the scripts. When told about plans for your project, Kweku mentioned the 93-year-old icon asked for: "Simply how much am i held getting paid out?"Kweku Mandela, who's 26, sees the little as a way of creating sure that youthful decades know the good status for apartheid.The greater youthful Mandela increased being someone with Samuels in From Africa Entertainment this past year. The banner became a member of with Left Bank and Blue Ice round the 2010 feature "The Bang Bang Club," turning around photojournos recording the ultimate occasions from the apartheid regime.Kweku Mandela produced a love for film and tv throughout his early years, which have been largely place in Massachusetts and Connecticut. He attended film school in Sydney, and he returned to Nigeria and began used in entry-level production jobs.Among other film and tv projects, From Africa is concentrating on a docu about Nelson Mandela's relationship along with his grandchildren, tentatively titled "Mandela's Children." Contact Cynthia Littleton at cynthia.littleton@variety.com

'Spider-Man' swings to nearly $3 mil

Sure, Broadway tuner "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark" has endured more than its fair share of media ridicule -- but sometimes it still manages a superheroic feat. Take week 31 (Dec. 26, 2011-Jan. 1, 2012), when the show came cliffhanger-close to hitting the $3 million mark in sales from the single frame between Christmas and New Year's.Topping $2 million was once a rare feat along the Main Stem.But the high-demand holiday sesh that annually rings in as the year's most profitable included four shows at more than $2 million each: besides "Spider-Man" were "Wicked" ($2,712,535), "The Lion King" ($2,444,132) and the closing "Hugh Jackman, Back on Broadway" ($2,056,957). Each played nine perfs rather than the usual eight, common among shows looking to capitalize on the timeframe's tourist-boosted biz.Overall, the week left Broadway with broken house records as several shows pulled in venue-best numbers; every production posted an increase vs. the previous week. An astonishing 18 shows logged sales of more than $1 million each, helped by the year-end tradition of higher ticket prices. The cume hit $37,657,455 for the 34 shows on the boards, up from the $35 million logged last year at this time. Attendance hit 321,152, down slightly from the 330,000 posted a year ago. The 25 musicals grossed $32,940,313 for 86.5% of the Broadway total, with attendance of 246,720 and an average paid admission of $122.52.The nine plays grossed $4,717,142 for 13.5% of the Broadway total, with attendance of 58,151 and an average paid admission of $81.12. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com