Gaumont ups TV activity

While the box office success of "Intouchables" helped Gaumont become Gaul's top local film distributor last year, the 117-year-old French mini-major is also making waves in TV production, returning to the medium after a decade-long absence, with seasoned partners and an ambitious first slate.Sidonie Dumas, Gaumont's chair since 2004, and CEO Christophe Riandee have re-launched a TV division in Paris after having opened a Los Angeles-based smallscreen arm last year.Gaumont has stepped into the U.S. independent TV landscape with robust allies such as CAA and a staff of well-respected TV execs, notably Katie O'Connell, former exec VP of drama programming for NBC Entertainment, who heads the Los Angeles division, Gaumont Intl. Television (GIT); and Erik Pack, a former exec at British indie Power, who helps secure European presales and scouts co-production opportunities out of Gaumont's London office."This complementary TV activity allows us to build bridges between France and the U.S.," Dumas says. It also helps Gaumont take advantage of its catalog (Gaul's second biggest library) in developing smallscreen series.And the cross-pollination allows the company to attract film directors with whom it already has a relationship to work on TV projects.French-Tunisian helmer Mabrouk El Mechri, whose French-lingo films have all been produced by Gaumont since his directorial debut, "Virgil," in 2005, is writing "Superpower," a fantasy comedy skein developed by Gaumont Television's Paris office for paybox Canal Plus.El Mechri most recently helmed Summit Entertainment's "The Cold Light of Day," set for a U.S. release in April.Gaumont Television's managing director Omar Brahimi says the company also is developing an English-language series with a Canadian co-producer for a French broadcaster; and is collaborating with GIT to find a high-profile showrunner.GIT already has received a warm welcome from the international marketplace, attracting showrunners Bryan Fuller("Pushing Daisies") to write and exec produce "Hannibal," an hourlong drama based on the character Hannibal Lecter; and Michael Hurst ("The Tudors") to serve in the same capacity on six-hour miniseries "Madame Tussaud."Gaumont Intl. Television is looking to characters, themes and concepts that are relevant in the U.S. and internationally, O'Connell says.Dumas says GIT will be looking to produce one or two series per year, offering talent a backend on profits. It aims to limit risk by prefinancing most of a project's budget through broadcasters, without necessarily producing a pilot.GIT has already pre-sold "Hannibal" to NBC, and O'Connell says her team is having conversations with international partners."Madame Tussaud" is still in early development stage, and HBO Canada has already come onboard as a partner. GIT will present the project and material at MIP TV.Meanwhile, within the French film industry, Gaumont made a giant leap forward in 2011: The company's French market share skyrocketed 209%, accounting for almost 10% of local ticket sales and grossing 133.5 million ($177 million). "Intouchables" alone has taken 119.2 million in France. In Germany, with $32.8 million, the film ranks as the highest-grossing French film ever."The success of 'Intouchables' in France and abroad is very important for us," Dumas says, "because it encourages us to grow and continue taking risks on many other original movies that can catch fire domestically and then expand to other territories."Although Gaumont's firstlook deal with U.S. producer Nick Wechsler, its partner on Massy Tadjedin's "Last Night," is no longer in place, Dumas says she's still looking for original English-lingo material in film as well.Gaumont recently greenlit two English-language films from popular French directors: Anne Fontaine's untitled drama romance toplining Naomi Watts and Robin Wright, and Jean Pierre Jeunet's 3D pic "T.S. Spivet." It's also partnering with Wild Bunch to co-produce "Only God Forgives," Nicolas Winding Refn's highly anticipated follow-up to "Drive.""Today's market is very flexible," Dumas says. "There's room for independent companies like ours to play a role in backing internationally driven films that European distributors are looking for." Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

New Avengers image online

The Avengers hype-machine is constantly work itself into overdrive, having a completely new picture from the Hulk showing up online today.Well, we're saying new, because it really appears to be if it absolutely was acquired in the film's recent Super Bowl trailer. Still, it's the best look we've had of Bruce Banner's alter-ego up to now, and then we believe it is worth talking about together with you.He certainly looks imposing, doesn't he? It has been mentioned that inside the trailer, Hulk looks basically just a little taller than his Avengers team-mates. Hopefully, this means Joss Whedon has made a decision to include the detail that Hulk evolves bigger the greater annoyed he'll get.Seeing the Hulk turn super-sized because he really can get mad would be the icing by having an already awesome-searching cake. Many of the marketing material seems being building Hulk because the Avengers' difference-maker ("There is available a Hulk"), so be prepared to determine him steal the show come the movie's climax.The Avengers opens inside the Uk on 27 April 2012. Just just in case you can not tell, we're kind of searching toward it...

REVIEW: Amanda Seyfried Makes One Crazy-Looking -- But Sympathetic -- Blythe Doll in Gone

In the vigilante fantasy Gone, Amanda Seyfried plays Jill, a young Portland woman who cant shake the memory of her abduction a year ago. She managed to slip through the guys clutches hed been holding her at the bottom of a deep pit in a sprawling local park but the local cops, after finding no evidence of said hole (its a very big park), decided she made the whole thing up. Then one night Jills sister (Emily Wickersham) goes missing in a similar fashion: When Jill goes to the cops for help, they eye her warily, all except newbie detective Wes Bentley, who purrs at her creepily, in a red-herring sort of way. The thing about Seyfried is that she does look a little OK, a lot -- like a crazy waif, capable of making up any old thing and getting you to believe it by blinking those saucer-sized Blythe-doll eyes. She does a lot of that here, and shes part of what makes Gone reasonably effective: Seyfried can look fragile, feral or a combination of both. Her skin is so translucent that she looks something like a pond creature, delicate and mysterious but also capable of staying underwater for a long, long time without breathing in other words, she can surely take care of herself. Which is why you never worry too much about her character in Gone you know shell come out on top, but its fun to doubt her here and there along the way. The picture is very simply constructed, using a minimum of tricks as it works its way toward its inevitable conclusion. (The director is Brazilian filmmaker Heitor Dhalia; the script is by Allison Burnett.) Essentially, Jill spends a day following a sequence of clues: She finds a possibly significant hardware-store receipt and treks to the establishment to quiz its super-friendly owner. (You know, the kind of guy wholl sell you duct tape, a shovel, a flashlight and a mini-saw, chuck it all in a paper sack and say, You have a great day now!) En route to her prey, she queries a slacker kid about a mysterious fellow whos been living in a local divey hotel. The kid warns her that the man in question is kind of shady: My girlfriend says he has rapey-eyes. Whatever those are and its all too easy to imagine you wouldnt want to meet them in a dark alley, or at the bottom of a deep hole. As vigilante thrillers go, Gone is actually kind of subtle perhaps too subtle. The movie repeatedly tosses the Can we believe her or cant we? coin to the point where we dont even have to guess. But ultimately, the plot doesnt really hinge on who the would-be killer is, or even on the question of whether or not we can believe Jill. The more resonant question is, What happens when authority figures think they dont have to take a pretty, sweet-looking girl seriously? The creepiest thing in Gone isnt the inevitable showdown between Jill and her prey; its the way the cops stalk her (shes toting an illegal firearm, which, theyve decided, makes her Public Enemy #1), talk about her behind her back as if she were just some random loony (she did spend time in a mental hospital), and use the people she trusts to help reel her in. The aura of slow-burning paranoia is the best thing about the picture, though its not enough to fully sustain it. In the end, Gone really does have to be about Jills being smart enough to outwit her possibly imaginary nemesis thats what the audience comes to see, after all. Seyfried, a mini-Valkyrie with flaxen hair, can take care of herself all right. Still, those moments where you think she just might be an attention-seeking hysterical cutie-pie are exactly what gives the movies ending its satisfying click. Seyfried has spent too much time lately in vehicles that arent worthy of her, Red Riding Hood being the most egregious example. Gone at least takes her seriously except when, to delicious effect, it doesnt. Follow Stephanie Zacharek on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.

Csar Honours Set To Celebrate Large Year For French Movies

‘The Artist’, ‘Poliss’ Lead Cesar Nominations Tonight, french film industry converges at Paris Thtre du Chtelet to celebrate the thing that was a banner year for French film. Along with Oscar darling The Artist, french will fte yearly in which the local box office hit a thrilling-time high (about $1.7 billion), with 67.5% in the population buying a cinema ticket. The Two finest grossers of 2011 were home-grown photos: Gaumonts Untouchable directed by Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano (now third round the all-time gross list behind Titanic and Thank You For Going to The Stays and acquired with the Weintseins for your U.S. along with remake rights), and Paths Nothing To Declare, starring and directed by Dany Boon, who was simply also behind 2008s Stays. Nothing To Declare can be a straight comedy and for that reason does not have nominations tonight — the Acadmie des Arts et Techniques du Cinma does not typically like rewarding broad fare or films that rock el born area office. Untouchable, however, is loaded with lots of nods including Best Picture, Director(s) and acting mentions due to its two leads. The specific Csar ceremony, a sometime stilted affair, acquired proper care of to improving — theyve recently learned the miracles of dimming the lights inside the theater — now portends a lot better than most. Meanwhile, Cannes Film Festival general delegate and artistic director Thierry Frmaux must be feeling excellent right now since the majority of the films moving through honours season started their careers round the Croisette in May. Besides Cannes competition pic and Oscar favorite The Artist have 10 nominations today, director Mawenns Poliss, with 13 mentions most likely probably the most-nominated, appeared to be with this year's Cannes roster as was House Of Tolerance (eight nods), whilst not Certain Regard title LExercise P LEtat has 11 nominations. Six-time nominee Commitment Of War will be a Experts Week selection. Kate Winslet will probably be available to just accept an honorary Csar from Roman Polanski just before the state party starts round the Champs Elyses. Regardless of way they fare today, however, the presently finest-profile names won't be sticking around too extended following a ceremony: Artist director Michel Hazanavicius and stars Jean Dujardin and Brnice Bejo, with the relaxation in the team, are believed as high-tailing it to LA in order achieve Saturdays Independent Spirit Honours and Sundays Oscars. Ill be verifying round the major individuals who win later today.

Woodsy Allen Adapting Bullets Over Broadway... hitting Broadway in 2013

Woodsy Allen, whose Night time in Paris is competing only at that Sunday's Oscars, is going to be getting his Oscar-nominated 1994 comedy Bullets Over Broadway towards the Great Whitened Means by 2013, reviews the NY Occasions. The variation has lengthy been rumored to stay in the whole shebang Allen themself is writing it, with tunes culled from existing 20's-era music. Signal obligatory Dianne Wiest quotes! [NYT]

Hollywoods 2012 Oscar Party Roundup

Monday, February 20 8:00 PM:Vanity Fair and Juicy Couture: Celebrating 20 Years of Vanities Siren Studios, 6063 W. Sunset Blvd. Tuesday, February 21 6:30 PM: Red Carpet – Harvey Weinstein Celebrating Sir Charles Chaplin 7:30 PM Dinner,Chateau Marmont,8221 Sunset Blvd. 7:00 PM: Vanity Fair and Montblanc Tribute to Grace Kelly Party Hotel Bel-Air, 701 Stone Canyon Rd Wednesday, February 22 8:30 PM Global Green USAs9th Annual Pre-Oscar Party Avalon, 1735 N. Vine St 7:00 PM Oxfam America presented by Vanity Fair and Ermenegildo Zenga Chateau Marmont,8221 Sunset Blvd. Thursday, February 23 6:30 PM: Oscar Wilde:U.S.-Ireland Aliancehonoring the Irish in Film Party Bad Robot Studio, 1221 Olympic Blvd 7:00PM: Eva Longoria Foundation & Vanity Fair Party Beso in Hollywood, 6350 Hollywood Blvd. 8:00 PM: Paramount Pictures Nominees Party SoHo House Private Room, 9200 Sunset Blvd 8:00 PM: Hollywood Dominos 5th Annual Pre-Oscar Gala Sunset Tower Hotel, 8358 Sunset Blvd TBD: Alfre Woodward Oscar Dinner honoring Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer TBD Friday, February 24 4:00 PM: The British Film Commissions Reception Celebrating the British Oscar Nominees Barbara Hays Residence 5:00 PM:Fifth Annual Women in Film Pre-Oscar Cocktail Party Cecconis West Hollywood, 8764 Melrose Ave 6:00 PM: Warner Bros Pre-Oscar Party Soho House,9200 W Sunset Blvd 7:00 PM: Martin Scorsese & The Film Foundations Cocktails and Hors d Oeuvres The Lawn at Hotel Bel-Air,701 Stone Canyon Rd 7:30 PM:UTA Oscar Party Home of Jim Berkus 7:30 PM: WME Oscar Party Home of Ari Emanuel 9:00 PM: CAA Oscar Party Home of Bryan Lourd Saturday, February 25 11:30 AM: Montblancpresents Princess Grace of Monaco Jewelery & Watch Collection Bel Air Hotel, 701 Stone Canyon Rd 11:30 AM Reception/12:00 PM Luncheon/1:30 PM Film Independent Spirit Awards 2030 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica 6:30 PM: ABCs 2012 Pre-Oscar Reception and Dinner SLS Hotel, 465 S La Cienega Blvd. 7:30 PM: Charles Finch and Chanel Pre-Oscar Dinner Madeo, 8897 Beverly Blvd 8:00 PM: Motion Picture & Television Fund ‘Night Before’ Party Beverly Hills Hotel, 9641 Sunset Blvd 9:00 PM: The Weinstein Company Pre-Academy Awards Party Soho House, 9200 Sunset Blvd Sunday, February 26 4:00 PM: Cocktails-Dinner, Elton John Aids Foundation Oscar Viewing and After Party Pacific Design Center, 8687 Melrose Ave 4:30 PM: In Style Viewing party Boa Steakhouse, 9200 W Sunset Blvd TBD: The Envelope Please- Oscars Viewing Party TBA 4:00 PM: Red Carpet-Dinner: ‘Night of 100 Stars’ Oscar Party Beverly Hills Hotel, 9876 Wilshire Blvd 4:00 PM: Annual Children Uniting Nations Awards Viewing Dinner & Celebration Private Beverly Hills Estate 5 PM: Vanity Fair Oscar Viewing and After Party Sunset Tower, 8730 West Sunset Blvd 5:00 PM: 84th Annual Academy Awards 8:00 PM: Governors Ball Hollywood Kodak Theater, 6801 Hollywood Boulevard 7:00 PM: Oscar Viewing Party – Paley Center for New Media TBD 10:00 PM: Madonnas Party to celebrate the Academy Awards TBD 11:00 PM: Patrick Whitesell Oscar After-Party Home of Patrick Whitesell 11:30 PM: Relativity After Party Residence

'Twilight's' Elizabeth Reaser Returns to the level in Vogel's 'Drive'

Elizabeth Reaser has already established plenty of fun showing up within the "Twilight" franchise. Three films within the series happen to be launched, with yet another within the hopper. Getting recognized in the pub as Esme, the Cullen family's loving matriarch, is unquestionably a visit. "It's wild to participate something so large," Reaser confesses. "But in the finish of the day, finding yourself in a large vampire movie can't sustain work. Has it brought to more or better options? I'm not sure. It can be the main reason I acquired to experience this part."The role under consideration is Li'l Bit, the narrator-protagonist of Paula Vogel's Pulitzer Prizewinning "The Way I Learned they are driving,Inch presently playing at Off-Broadway's Second Stage Theatre. She views the medicare part a career pinnacle. This is a nice tribute from a nominee for a completely independent Spirit Award (for "Sweet Land") as well as an Emmy (for "Grey's Anatomy"). "Drive" recounts the complex and changing relationship from a girl (Reaser) and her uncle through marriage, Peck (Norbert Leo Butz). At first glance Peck is really a child molester and Li'l Bit a victim. "This can be a sexy, romantic love story," states Reaser. "I had been shocked with that. There's abuse for the reason that relationship, there is however also love. I do not have anybody for connecting within school, and my loved ones is alien. I recieve something from my relationship with Uncle Peck. The most crucial thingthe keyis that i can fall deeply in love with Norbert. This can be a great American play. I really like the fabric and the thought of dealing with Norbert. It is all about him, and he's amazing."The emotional exploration needed is intense, heady, intimate, and "something I never reach do inside a movie," states Reaser, adding she plays Li'l Bit at various age range and talks straight to the crowd, also is "very challenging."Dry Patches GaloreA Bloomfield, Mich., native, Reaser always had her sights set on the stage career. Indeed, she continued to Juilliard to earn her undergraduate degree in drama. "It had been terrifying," she recalls. "It had been brutal, and that i cried every single day. There have been faves, and individuals who were not. But ultimately it had been an excellent experience. I had been living an aspiration. I resided in NY and labored with special people coupled with instructors who supported me."When she left school Reaser had solid training but soon recognized there is a lot more to discover acting that may only include experience both on- and offstage. Additionally, Reaser was totally not really prepared for a few of the more superficial aspects of the marketplace. "I needed to learn to do my hair and set on sexy clothes. This is a whole other game. I personally don't like that stuff, and it is not my forte. That whole career factor is tricky. Many people visit parties, and delay pills work on their behalf. But that is not me. Personally i think doing great work assists me best. And So I keep concentrating on the job, my character, and also the moments I am in. That is what I hold onto."Reaser's career trajectory continues to be gradual, with lots of dry patches. Her first film, an indie, "The Believer," starred a then-unknown Ryan Gosling. Yet his talent was apparent, and watching him offered being an acting lesson, she recalls. "He am present. He wasn't married to the concept of the smoothness. He is at as soon as. Having faith in where you stand is easily the most interesting factor, and it is enough. It's not necessary to envision some bullshit concept of exactly what the story is all about. I am always re-learning that, particularly when I am inside a play."Television demonstrated to become a learning curve too. When Reaser moved onto TV she was struck through the higher level of naturalistic acting a few of the entertainers had mastered. It had been additionally a style that she felt greatly in your own home. Indeed, she thought it was much less challenging than carrying out within the theater, in which the actor needs to maintain plausibility while being audible towards the last row.Television has additionally be a hub of top-notch writing. Reaser has little question the small screen provides more possibilities for ladies than does film. She also suggests the same could be stated for that stage, that has the additional virtue of supplying roles for mature female stars.Searching back at her body of labor, she states "Sweet Land" was a creative high point. There might be others, but Reaser eliminates viewing a few of her shot work, particularly if the moments are psychologically heavy. "If I am freaked out or crying, I'd rather not view it again," she notes. The role that introduced her the biggest audience is, obviously, Esme within the "Twilight" movies, though Reaser's summary of the project was inauspicious. "It had been just an audition," she recalls. "I figured the thought of a household of vampires of the underworld who're vegetarians really was awesome. However I had not browse the book, and that i had no clue that it might be a large deal. I didn't obtain a callback. I simply got the task.Inch Reaser thinks her insufficient concern with the entire project might have assisted, though she wasn't stress-free. She was pumped up at the possibilities of dealing with director Catherine Hardwicke, whose work she respected. "I am i got the phone call for that role because another actress became pregnant,Inch Reaser adds decently. "I most likely got lots of roles this way. I keep awaiting someone to conceive.InchReaser doesn't anticipate a period when she won't be who audition. The great parts are couple of, and also the competition on their behalf is fierce. "Who audition is definitely an art on its own, and it is tricky. I've found them difficult and thus depressing. I prepare and set my effort into them. 90-nine percent of times you are told no, also it does not matter what you are.InchRight now situations are running smoothly, and her ideas are centered on "The Way I Learned they are driving,Inch using its unpredicted and perhaps politically incorrect elements. Whatever charges could be equalized against Uncle Peck, he's assisted the youthful lady gain confidence and it has unintentionally given her the various tools "to reject him and survive," Reaser states. "This play fires up something I understood nothing about.""The Way I Learned they are drivingInch will have through March 11 at Second Stage Theatre, 305 W. 43rd St., New york city. (212) 246-4422 or world wide web.2st.com. Outtakes Made an appearance on such Television shows as "The Great Wife, "The Ex List," "Saved," and "Law & Order: Criminal Intent"Featured within the films "Youthful Adult," "The skill of Barely Making It,Inch "From the Current," and "The Household Stone," among othersPerformed in regional theaters, including Williamstown Theatre Festival, La Jolla Playhouse, and Tigard Center Stage

Disney inks exclusive pact with RTL

BERLIN -- Disney has inked a wide-ranging, multi-year free-TV output deal with RTL Deutschland, Germany's leading commercial broadcasting group. The exclusive licensing agreement, which marks an end to Disney's previous free-TV pact with rival ProSiebenSat.1, includes the German free-TV premieres of 2012 theatrical releases from Disney, Pixar and Marvel as well as live-action features from DreamWorks. In addition, the deal includes U.S. series from ABC Studios, Disney Channel Original Movies and classic titles from the Mouse House's vast library. Among the Disney highlights that will be premiering on RTL are "John Carter," which hits local theaters in March, "Brave," "The Avengers" and the local romantic comedy "Frisch Gepresst," as well as ABC's hit fairytale series "Once Upon a Time." Joerg Graf, RTL's head of programming acquisitions, said the deal "especially strengthens the broadcaster's feature film division." Robert Langer, Disney's GSA country manager, called RTL "a perfect TV partner for our highly attractive series and film highlights in Germany," adding that the pact brought together "two leading brands." The companies did not disclose the financial details of the agreement. RTL, which has enjoyed top ratings with such series as "CSI: Miami," "House," "Royal Pains" and "White Collar," also has current deals with Warner Bros., NBC Universal and Studiocanal. Contact Ed Meza at staff@variety.com