Disney, Rudin pic 'The Pet' adopts Hess

HessRudinDisney and producer Scott Rudin are getting an old pet project back up and running, tapping "Napoleon Dynamite" director Jared Hess to helm the long-gestating sci-fi family comedy "The Pet."Rudin, who moved his production shingle from Disney last year over to Sony, is producing the live-action pic alongside Craig Perry and Sheila Hanahan Taylor. Based on an original idea from Matt Lieberman ("Short Circuit"), "The Pet" centers on a man who's abducted by aliens, taken to their planet and turned into a family pet.Rudin originally boarded "The Pet" years ago at Disney when he had a first-look deal at Miramax. But the project became relatively dormant when he left the Mouse House -- in large part because Disney sold Miramax and refocused on family-friendly films, leaving Rudin's adult-skewing projects without a natural home."The Pet," however, fits the Disney mold."The Simpsons" helmer David Silverman had been attached to the family comedy, and despite a recent rewrite from scribe Tim Dowling ("This Means War"), "The Pet" is now in the hands of Hess, who will oversee all aspects of creative development going forward.The UTA-repped Hess' recent credits include the Jack Black starrer "Nacho Libre" and 2009's "Gentlemen Broncos." He and wife Jerusha Hess are also exec producing Fox's "Napoleon Dynamite" toon, based on the 2004 indie hit comedy.Rudin just wrapped another busy awards season, having produced "Moneyball" and "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo." Contact Stuart Oldham at stuart.oldham@variety.com

VIDEO: White-colored Collar Goes Inside Yankee Stadium for Tim DeKay's Directorial Debut

The pitch-dark timeline is finished: Community will return on Thursday, March 15, NBC introduced Tuesday.Furthermore, the network introduced premiere dates for midseason shows Bent, Close Buddies Forever and Betty White's Business Rockers.In the schedule since December, Community will re-inherit its 8/7c slot from 30 Rock, which will switch to eight:30/7:30c, adopted ... Discover More > Other Links From TVGuide.com Law & Order: Special Sufferers UnitAmanda PeetDavid WaltonThe OfficeJessica St. Clair30 RockParks and RecreationCommunityLennon ParhamAre You There, Chelsea?BentUp All NightBFFWhitneyRock Center With John WilliamsBetty White's Business Rockers

Weinsteins, Michael Moore settle 'Fahrenheit' suit

Michael Moore and Harvey and Bob Weinstein have settled their suit over earnings for that 2004 documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11." The agreement remain under systems, although Moore initially searched for a lot more than $2.7 million in damages. Based on funds notice filed February. 8 in La Superior Court, lawyers will request the official settlement request by May 17. While lawyers for parties rejected to comment on the go, audit claims like the Moore suit usually don't reach trial. Moore's Westside Prods. initially prosecuted the siblings in March, alleging their "classic Hollywood accounting methods" scammed the director from earnings for his 2004 documentary. Suit named Weinstein shingle the Fellowship Adventure Group like a defendant, in addition to Harvey Weinstein and Bob Weinstein individually. Duo setup the organization after Disney declined to produce "Fahrenheit" in 2004 with the Miramax banner, that the siblings headed at that time. Moore stated that Disney didn't desire to be associated with the pic, which accused the Rose bush administration of mishandling the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks for political reasons. "Bob and Harvey Weinstein's Fellowship Adventure Group and Michael Moore have amicably settled the suit including a cpa dispute on 'Fahrenheit 9/11,' plus they anticipate the possibilities of cooperating on future projects," Weinstein Co. stated inside a statement. Contact Rachel Abrams at Rachel.Abrams@variety.com

Internet VOD challenges pay TV

The recording-on-demand marketplace for compensated rental fees is presently ruled by pay TV services, however the Internet-on-demand marketplace is growing in strength, based on the NPD Group. Pay TV VOD services hit $1.3 billion in revenue for 2011, based on the researching the market company, as the iVOD market arrived at $204 million. The report discovered that 4 million less pay TV customers compensated additional costs to look at movies in August 2011 versus. last year. Including the expertise of iTunes, Amazon . com, Vudu yet others, iVOD arrived at 7 million customers in comparison to 40 million for pay TV VOD. Internet VOD also poses a potential challenge for pay TV's non-movie services. "IVOD customers reduced their time spent watching television shows, news and sports via pay TV companies by 12% between August 2010 and August 2011," stated Russ Crupnick, senior veep of industry analysis for that NPD Group. "Pay TV operators now mustn't only defend their movie VOD revenues but additionally counter a growing threat to fundamental programming." Based on NPD, customers see iVOD as offering a much better value and movie title selection than pay TV. All findings derive from NPD's VideoWatch monitoring service, which doesn't consider free or compensated viewings of Television shows, subscription services for example Netflix streaming reely movies incorporated in pay TV monthly subscriptions. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Tribeca takes 'Giant Technical Man'

FischerTribeca Film has snapped up U.S. rights to romantic comedy "The Giant Technical Man."Pic, which is produced by and toplines Jenna Fischer, is skedded for a spring release across multiple platforms, including theatrical and VOD.Chris Messina ("Vicky Cristina Barcelona"), Topher Grace ("Too Big to Fail"), Malin Akerman ("Watchman," "Rock of Ages"), Rich Sommer ("Mad Men"), Lucy Punch ("Dinner for Schmucks") and Bob Odenkirk ("Breaking Bad") all also star in the pic.Story, written and helmed by Lee Kirk, follows the romance between a thirtysomething woman who lives with her overbearing sister and a street performer who finds out his talent as a "living statue" won't pay the bills. The two forge a relationship that helps the other to discover their true self.Fischer produced alongside Molly Hassell, Michael Nardelli under his Taggart Productions banner and Brent Stiefel. Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com

Partnership puts Energy into pic plan

Management company Energy Entertainment has launched Energy Independent, by getting a watch toward developing, financing and creating two to four features every year. Energy Independent can be a partnership between Energy owner Brooklyn Weaver and SkyRock Venture, a financing and distribution company. Skyrock was founded by Paul Rock and Sameera Eligeti, who lead a consortium of high internet worth traders. Venture takes a "quality" over quantity" approach, with clients becoming creating partners. To begin with is "Picture Book," a supernatural thriller put together by Ben Magid ("13") with Alexis Wajsbrot & Damien Mace ("Red-colored-colored Balloon") installed on direct. Weaver is creating, with Rock and Eligeti professional creating alongside Magid. "Picture Book" concentrates on the mysterious occurrences inside the mansion from the famous children's author. The story is comparable to 2001's "Others,Inch getting a supernatural twist. Energy Independent may also be settling several filmmaker deals, with two apt to be consummated over the following four weeks. Deal was brokered with the Paradigm Movie Finance Group. Energy is creating found-footage project "13," which Universal bought pre-emptively lately and hang up tabs on U-based Strike Entertainment. WME as well as teamed last month's spec acquisition of scribe Kaira Ingelsby's actioner "Tell You The Evening" to Warner Bros. in the pre-emptive deal. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Al Pacino Is Wretched Me 2's Large Bad

Changing Javier BardemThere was much rending of clothes and wailing of tears if this was says Javier Bardem wouldn't be dealing with the role from the villain within the Wretched Me follow up, known as, inside a task of staggering originality, Wretched Me 2. However Steve Carell's Gru may have a rival boasting the voice of Al Pacino.Bardem have been in discussions to experience a completely new threat known as El Macho, who has a child known as Machito. There is no word on whether Pacino will directly dominate that role, but because of the production schedule on these movies, we doubt there'd considerably opportunity for change in the event that actually was exactly what the new large bad is about. Especially because the follow up arrives out the coming year.As well as in the Minion-infected world of Wretched Me, obviously, the word "villain" is really a changeable one, as Gru themself began out like a megalomaniacal evildoer whose heart was won over by three adorable orphans. We are confident he'll return with a degree of wrongdoing this time around around.Even though there's been no confirmation on other casting at this time, we'd expect the kind of Russell Logo and Julie Andrews to come back.Wretched Me 2 is presently set to reach on June 28, 2013.

Super Bowl Commercials: X Factor Winner Demands Respect! Plus: Howard Stern, Clint Eastwood

Melanie Amaro There were plenty of stars in Indianapolis at Super Bowl XLVI (Gisele Bundchen, Steven Tyler and halftime performer Madonna, just to name a few). But some of the biggest star power was in the commercials. Howard Stern hosed down hopefuls in anticipation of his America's Got Talent gig. Elton John held court with The X Factor winner Melanie Amaro for her long-hyped Pepsi ad. Clint Eastwood inspired the country to get ready for their second half on behalf of Chrysler. And The Avengers, one of several summer blockbusters featured during the big game, showed they know how to kick butt. What commercials were your favorites? Watch some of the early highlights and weigh in below! Super Bowl halftime show: Did Madonna get all your luvin'? Chrysler: The X Factor: The Avengers: Audi: Coca-Cola: M&Ms (featuring Vanessa Williams' voice): Budweiser: Doritos: Battleship: The Voice: NBC's "Brotherhood of Man": Howard Stern on America's Got Talent:

Lit agent Chocolate Monteiro dies

Film and television literary agent Chocolate Monteiro, co-founding father from the Monteiro Rose Dravis Agency, died of congestive heart failure on Saturday, Jan. 28, in Woodland Slopes, Calif. She was 69.Monteiro will be a mentor to several authors and artists. Among people represented with the Monteiro Rose Dravis Agency, which she produced later with Fredda Rose, are Robert Ludlum, Suzanne Collins ("The Hunger Games"), John Selznick ("The Invention of Hugo Cabret," the building blocks for Martin Scorsese's "Hugo"), Kate DiCamillo ("The Storyplot of Despereaux"), additionally to a lot of noted TV and film authors.Candace Whittenberg was produced in Little Rock, Ark., but soon moved along with her family to Tigard, Ore. Her first job was working at her family's record store, where she met Elvis and Bill Haley, among others, simply because they stopped by to market their latest hits.After producing levels in psychology and sociology within the U. of Or, she married Ray Tusken. The happy couple eventually gone after La, where he attacked a music career while she got employment inside the chart department at Billboard magazine, where she soon had her pop music column. As Chocolate Tusken, she increased being host in 1977 of Westwood An individual's across the nation syndicated "Star Trak" radio series, ending up in the type of Michael Jackson, Elton John and Paul McCartney. She switched lower an opportunity to host a TV version in the series.Following a couple divorced, she married Columbia Records' V . p . of promotion Stan Monteiro. In NY, she began her agency career becoming an assistant within the Henry Morrison Literary Agency its roster incorporated Ludlum. Carrying out a year in NY, the Monteiros returned to L.A., where she increased being an assistant to lit agent Sylvia Hirsch within the Lou Weitzman Agency and quickly elevated to full literary agent. When the agency was acquired with the Sy Fischer Co., Monteiro met her future business partner and nearest friend, agent Fredda Rose. Rose, formerly ABC's West Coast director of economic matters, centered on primetime TV authors, producers and company company directors, while Monteiro dedicated to authors and producers of animated Tv shows. Be employed in this largely overlooked arena brought to substantial billings for your agency. Later, Monteiro and Rose left Sy Fischer to produce their particular company, the Monteiro Rose Agency, just a little 75 clients together. For an additional 2 decades, the pair represented a couple of from the finest names in TV and film writing and creating. They were later grew to become part of by Jason Dravis, the agency's current leader. Stan Monteiro died in 2001. She's managed to get by third husband Ces Kelly, whom she married in 2005 a niece and three grandchildren. A memorial is planned for early March. Donations may be made to Pet Orphans of La, 7720 Gloria Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91406. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

Glee's Promising Path to Graduation Begins

Glee On Tuesday's episode of Glee, Mr. Schue's whitened board lesson during the day was WWMJD, or "A sum Michael Jackson do?" Despite the fact that there's a good amount of attention paid out for the King of Pop - the gang sang surprisingly than 9 amounts, which seems as being a record -- the episode's real theme involved what's approaching next for Glee's graduation class. The G-word is really a frightening one for the majority of the show's fans since series boss Ryan Murphy first revealed - then retracted - the notion that McKinley High seniors might not be a part of next season. (Ever since then, Jum Michele, Cory Monteith and Chris Colfer have mentioned they're certainly returning inside the fall.) And happily, we have got more than a glimpse in what that future might appear like for a few of the show choir kids. The episode, put together by Murphy themselves, left us astounded by the right path all the kids normally takes: The Glee cast notifies us how they sense about sleazy Sebastian Rachel gave Finn an answer, and that we are actually totally awesome from it. Around we love to Finchel, Finn's sudden marriage proposal within the finish in the last episode was at the same time understandable (he's lost!) and virtually the worst idea ever (well, what time when Glee thought locks are needed them win sectionals). Rachel's a star! She must visit NY and follow her dreams without such emotional baggage! But Tuesday's episode aided us understand a few things : why Finn recommended (he's Confident with them moving to NY together) and why Rachel wouldn't be crazy to just accept (he's the romance of her existence, shown again and again through song, this time around around a moving duet of "I Merely Can't Stop Loving You.") In addition, there's still plenty of credible suspense ahead: the way in which Rachel tell Finn she did achieve the NYADA finals? What is going to Burt and Carol say? Or Rachel's fathers? Or New Directions? Will Rachel say yes? Glee's Cory Monteith discusses Finchel's future Quinn finally can get her signal. When's the ultimate time Dianna Agron stood a bonafide solo? (Nobody would remember it absolutely was Fleetwood Mac's "I'd rather not Know" in, watch for this, Season 2. Also, that was technically a duet.) Fortunately, her sweet and reflective performance of "Don't Know Goodbye," through which she arrived at dance with Puck, Finn and Mike, made awaiting (almost) useful. More to the stage, it absolutely was a good beginning from the finish for Quinn, whose departure is searching progressively more imminent since she's been proven to Yale. (New Haven, CT is 667 miles from Lima, OH just just in case anybody is wondering). Quinn's had her great deal of emotional complete complete breakdowns (in addition to crazy cleaning cleaning soap opera plotlines - she was once ugly and unpopular, she appeared to become once an ambitious baby snatcher), but her advice for Rachel and her thanks for the glee club will be a nice jerk to her McKinley past. If this describes her sign-off, it absolutely was worth keeping. Have a look at photos from Glee New Directions can survive without any seniors. A Completely New Directions without Rachel, Finn and Kurt (Chris Colfer)? Don't worry, Gleeks. A stand-out episode for McKinley's resident rapper Artie (Kevin McHale) (sorry, Mr. Schue) shown that New Directions will probably be left in very capable hands next season (again, apologies, Mr. Schue). Whether it was his capacity to seize control when Kurt completely wussed out or his killer performances (it almost seems unfair he can't dance much more about the series after revealing his moves in "Scream"), Artie proven that there are existence after three in the McKinley Class of 2012 proceed within the hallways. When they could just be more alert to Rory... Whoever else consider tonight's episode? Can you understand Rachel's decision? Are you currently presently sad Dianna Agron may not return next season? (It is really an educated guess!) Isn't it time Brittany was allowed to convey funny things again? Who should step-up inside the choir room with Rachel, Finn, Quinn and Kurt firmly round the graduation track? (Seriously, cure can be a junior anyway?) Appear offered because of your ideas and critiques inside the comments below!