Whitney Houston's Will Revealed -- Who Was Simply Overlooked?

Holden Snyder has came back, baby! Well, no less than for just two episodes. Former Since the World Turns star Jon Hensley will CBS's The Bold as well as the Beautiful where he'll play a health care provider mixed up in Hope-Liam-Steffy triangular. Hensley's character doesn't have a very title yet but a repetition for B&B notifies TV Guide Magazine the doc may come can provide relief when... Discover More > Other Links From TVGuide.com Jon HensleyThe Bold as well as the Beautiful

Emma Watson to star in Sofia Coppola's The Jewellery Ring

Sofia Coppola's new film The Jewellery Ring has acquired Emma Watson one of the leads within the ensemble. The film will focus on the true story of countless fame-crazed teens who begin burgling the homes of stars in La. What starts out as youthful fun spins uncontrollable and unveils a sobering take a look at modern culture.Too pointing, Coppola has furthermore written the script. Coppola established fact for delivering women solid leading roles: think Scarlett Johansson in Lost In Translation or Kirsten Dunst inside the Virgin Suicides. She's also proven skilful at bursting the celebrity bubble in Somewhere.Coppola mentioned in the casting process, "I'm searching toward the youthful cast we're assembling and i'm searching toward shooting on location within La.InchThere isn't sure around the release date by yet, so more expensive anything till next season.

Mann in talks for 'Beautiful Creatures'

Hot off his starring submit Warner Bros.' hit comedy "Project X," Thomas Mann is within discussions to become listed on the studio's adaptation of "Beautiful Animals," the very first novel in Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl's popular series that's being created by Alcon Entertainment. Richard LaGravenese is writing and pointing the supernatural love story, which stars Jack O'Connell and Alice Englert as two star-entered teens who uncover dark secrets regarding their families, their background and their town. Viola Davis, Emma Thompson and Emmy Rossum co-star, using the latter thesp playing a witch who's Englert's cousin and enemy. Mann is within foretells play Link, O'Connell's closest friend who's keen on both music and miracle, which Rossum's character uses to obtain Connect to obey her instructions. Alcon cake toppers Broderick Manley and Andrew Kosove are creating with Erwin Stoff, and production around the Southern pic begins the following month in New Orleans. Created by Todd Phillips and Joel Silver, "Project X" stars Mann being an average teen whose epic house party will get unmanageable. R-ranked laffer made $20.8 million its opening weekend. Mann will quickly be observed in a set of Vital photos -- Josh Schwartz's "Fun Size" and also the Jeremy Renner vehicle "Hansel and Gretel: Witch Predators." Thesp also co-stars alongside Claire Danes and James Marsden in Max Mayer's approaching indie "As Awesome like me.Inch Mann is repped by Innovative Artists, KLWG Entertainment and attorney Adam Kaller. Contact Shaun Sneider at shaun.sneider@variety.com

Cinedigm, New Video pact for 'Invisible War'

Cinedigm and New Video have jointly acquired North American distribution rights to docu "The Invisible War," with plans to release the film theatrically this summer, followed by a digital and homevid rollout. "Invisible War," from helmer Kirby Dick ("This Film Is Not Yet Rated"), centers on the ramifications of the large number of rapes in the U.S. military. Pic won the U.S. Documentary Audience Award at this year's Sundance Film Festival. "We are honored that our first New Video/Cinedigm acquisition is 'The Invisible War,'" said Chris McGurk, chairman-CEO of Cinedigm. "The film is incredibly powerful and deserves -- in fact, demands -- to be seen by as many people as possible." New Video co-prexy Susan Margolin added: "Kirby is a fearless and intrepid filmmaker, and 'The Invisible War' is sure to ignite a national firestorm." Cinedigm and New Video joined forces earlier this year as joint partnership aimed at acquiring and distributing product. Cinedigm handles theatrical efforts; New Video focuses on homevid and digital platforms, including VOD. Deal was negotiated by Orly Ravid of the Film Collaborative and distribution adviser Jonathan Dana on behalf of the filmmakers. Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com

'Lorax' draws $70.7 million opening

'The Lorax''Project X'Backed by an aggressive marketing and promotional campaign, Universal's "The Lorax" scored a boffo $70.7 million domestic opening and set a slew of Stateside records, including the best-ever debut for a nonsequel toon.Stalwart family holdover "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island," meanwhile, reclaimed the overseas weekend title, tallying an estimated $14.7 million for an international cume of $184.5 million.Only a few markets in the Middle East saw "The Lorax" open this weekend; U has timed a major overseas push for the toon to coincide with Easter and school holidays over the next few months.Playing second fiddle to "Lorax," Warner Bros.' R-rated counterprogrammer "Project X" managed a hearty $20.8 million domestic bow. "X," which cost $12 million to produce, was projected by most pre-weekend tracking services to land somewhere in the mid-to-high teens.The combined B.O. might of "Lorax" and "Project X" lifted domestic box office up more than 23% over this time last year, making for the ninth week in a row in which box office was higher than in the same frame last year; year-to-date B.O. is outpacing 2011 by approximately 19%, with admissions up even further by 21%.The specialty biz saw mixed results from new and expanding titles, however.Focus Features' "Being Flynn" opened to a disappointing per-screen average of $11,386 from four locations in NY and L.A.Meanwhile, the Weinstein Co.'s "The Artist," with a cume of $37 million, did well in its first post-Oscars frame with an additional 790 playdates, improving by 34% for an estimated weekend gross of $3.9 million."The Academy recognition is opening doors for the film in smaller markets," said Weinstein distribution chief Erik Lomis.TWC's other Oscar-winning title, "The Iron Lady," at $27 million domestically, was up 29% with 11 fewer locations vs. last weekend.Partnering on 'Lorax'In the run-up to its nationwide release, U signed more than 70 global partnerships on the $70 million enviro-themed "Lorax," totaling upwards of $60 million in media value. Promotional partners included the EPA, Hewlett Packard, Whole Foods Market, Seventh Generation and Mazda."Audiences were aware of this movie ever since the marketing campaign first popped up last year," said U prexy of domestic distribution Nikki Rocco. "Still, I never thought it would open to $70 million-plus."The pic's boffo perf should be attributed to the studio's distribution strategy as well.Instead of a summer bow (like with "Despicable Me"), U opted for a first-quarter release, given such past family successes as "Ice Age: The Meltdown," which debuted to $68 million during this month in 2006, and 2010's "Alice in Wonderland," the all-time March leader with a bow of $116 million."We took a hard look at every weekend in the calendar year," Rocco said, "and there have been some huge successes around this time."In addition to its toon benchmark, "Lorax" now stands as the highest Stateside debut for a Dr. Seuss adaptation, besting 2000's "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" at $55.1 million, as well as the biggest opening for Chris Meledandri's Illumination Entertainment. The company's previous two titles, "Despicable Me" and "Hop," debuted at $56.4 million and $37.5 million, respectively."Lorax" scored 52% of its opening from 3D, including 8% in Imax. That's at the high end of recent 3D animated fare: "Happy Feet Two" earned 48% from 3D, "Puss in Boots" 50%.B.O.'s X-factorWhile "The Lorax" skewed heavily toward families, parents and females, there was also a substantial contingent of non-parents or parents with older kids. "Lorax" received an A CinemaScore rating. "Project X," meanwhile, averaged a B, but men under 25 gave the pic an A.Despite its predominately male turnout, "Project X," from producer Todd Phillips and first-time director Nima Nourizadeh, earned a strong 42% female contingency. Pic's age breakdown, however, was weighted more heavily toward under-25 moviegoers at 67%.Warner distribution exec Jeff Goldstein praised the filmmakers, saying, "Todd mentored this young director, and they both did a great job. This is the movie to party by."The weekend's top holdover, Relativity Media's "Act of Valor," dropped 44% in its second frame for an estimated weekend take of $13.7 million. Similarly male-targeted "Safe House" followed in ranking with a projected $7.2 million, down just 34%. "Valor" has cumed $45.2 million domestically, while "Safe House" crossed the $100 million mark in four weeks.Lionsgate's "Good Deeds" saw the steepest drop among the weekend's top 10 players, down 55%. Tyler Perry's latest estimated $7 million through Sunday, bringing its Stateside cume to a tepid $25.7 million."Journey 2," meanwhile, held remarkably well, down 48%, given "Lorax's" entrance into the family market. The Warner-New Line sequel took an estimated $6.9 million, pushing cume to $85.6 million domestically. "Journey 2" has become one of the more notable box office successes of 2012, with a global cume just north of $270 million -- already more than 10% higher than its predecessor's lifetime cume worldwide. Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com

Benedict Cumberbatch On 'Star Trek 2': It's 'Great Fun'

You can realise why the cast of "The Exorcist 2" is thrilled to own Benedict Cumberbatch join their movies. The "Sherlock" star constitutes a splash towards the Hollywood scene this year in movies like "Mess Tailor Soldier Spy" and "War Equine," and also the presence certainly aided improve both films. "Star WarsInch star Chris Pine recently told MTV News he loves the "intensity" Cumberbatch provides the "The Exorcist 2" set, something he felt the Brit learned at acting school. When MTV News taken track of Cumberbatch at Elton John's publish-Oscars party, it made an appearance only fair to request him about his classic training. "Well, it's very sweet to condition,Inch Cumberbatch responded. "I truly did yearly at drama school, so I'm not too trained I'm not too classical, however i am flattered." And people aren't really the only compliments his costars had about him. Not remarkably, Cumberbatch had only kind products to state back about his cast. "In my opinion they are brilliant on that relate, which is an authentic privilege being on that set," he mentioned. "There's a patter together with a kind of knowledge of who they really are playing as well as the other primary figures, that we am learning a great deal from. It's just good fun. It's good to make use of Chris. He's very professional. Same goes with Zach [Quinto], who I've been your lot with I like him, he's a great, brilliant guy." Exactly why all people juicy set photos are actually leaked recently is really because Cumberbatch's villainous role -- whatever that could be -- is finally kicking into high gear. Despite the fact that the man also called An Online Detective wouldn't give any knowledge of why he was fighting with Quinto and Saldana, he'd discuss simply how much fun he's making set. "My part of the film is really sorta kicking in now. It's good fun, great, thrilling,In . he mentioned. "But things i am saying is it's a great factor later on into a thing that everybody's familiar with and knows each other perfectly. It is therefore [in] an unusual way a simple step to obtain current with, because everybody is actually welcoming and can meet up with one another." Are you currently presently excited to find out Cumberbatch in "The Exorcist 2"? Reveal inside the comments section below or on Twitter!

Edgar Wright to direct The Actor-kaira Pitt inside the Evening Stalker

Disney has employed Take advantage of In The Dead director Edgar Wright to helm a remake in the Evening Stalker, a 1972 television horror, and Johnny Depp's in position to star. It appears Depp and also the creating partner Christi Dembrowski have observed their hearts set on acquiring the remake created for some time. The 1972 show, composed by I am Legend novelist Richard Matheson, saw a Las vegas reporter investigate a string of killings he suspected were committed having a vampire.After cult hits Take advantage of In The Dead and Scott Pilgrim Versus. The Earth, Wright has converted into a looked for-after talent, along with his title already installed on Marvel's Ant-Guy, additionally final entry inside the Cornetto trilogy...With no script written so far, and Depp presently filming The Lone Ranger, we expect The Evening Stalker to start shooting early next season.

'X Factor' to make use of two hosts for brand new season

CowellWhile the question of who definitely are in the judges' table for that second season of "The X Factor" remains a mysterious, a couple of things are certain: Both individuals new idol judges is going to be ladies and hosting responsibilities on the program will handled by a couple. So stated Simon Cowell throughout a business call Wednesday to advertise the approaching auditions for that Fox musical competition series. In searching to exchange lately fired idol judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger, Cowell wouldn't deny that Britney Warrior spears and Jesse Jackson happen to be make the mix, but and so do many more. "We'll talk with numerous people within the next couple of days," he stated. "There's lots of speculation. You will find more people who've joined the fray this season. We desired to see who'd e mail us before we contact people. This is a great place to become.Inch When requested about if the late Whitney Houston may have been an applicant to become a judge, current judge L.A. Reid stated: "We'd have thought about it however it never quite found that. We never really had conferences about this.Inch Cowell also addressed his preseason boasting on "The X Factor" rankings. Because of its debut season, the show averaged 12.7 million audiences along with a 4.4 rating within the 18-49 demo in the Wednesday telecasts, and 12.six million along with a 4.2 for Thursdays. While individuals amounts were healthy, these were far below what Cowell had expected. "I was coming off an enormous year with 20 million within the U.K. and that i must have keep my mouth shut," he stated. However, he wasn't backing lower in the anticipation for that coming fall season and also the show's second go-around. "For each show I have been in, it develops through the years. I absolutely expect the 2nd season to complete much better than the very first.Inch For who'll replace Steve Johnson as host, Cowell stated the task is becoming too large for just one person which a guy and lady will share the emcee duties for that year. "What we should learned is the fact that as you have a lot information to provide, it's nearly impossible for just one person. It's more enjoyable method of doing it with a couple. It is a different chemistry. I have always wanted a boy along with a girl which will certainly happen." Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com

New Girl Casts Jeanne Tripplehorn As Ex of Jess' New Guy

Paradise or New Haven? Where's Quinn Fabray (Dianna Agron) headed? That's gotta function as burning question round the mind of Gleeks everywhere following Tuesday's winter finale. Within the finish in the episode, she was hit having a vehicle while rushing to Rachel and Finn's wedding. (Which describes why you don't text and drive, kids!) Whatrrrs your opinion could happen to... Discover More > Proceed and take poll with this particular article at TVGuide.com > Other Links From TVGuide.com GleeDianna Agron

First poster arrives for Frankenweenie

Frankenweenie, the brand new stop-motion animation from Tim Burton, has gotten an initial official poster and it is just as charmingly medieval once we had wished.The poster shows a tombstone bearing the moniker "Sparky", but wait one minute... is not that Sparky your dog peeking from behind it?Well yes it's, since the film will inform the storyline of the pet pooch cut back in the dead with a scientifically minded son. Naturally, he's less than just like as he left, but nonetheless, a minimum of he's back! Kind of...We love to the grimly humorous tone displayed here, in the mix made from bones towards the little doggy face created to the tombstone. If the can recapture the miracle and malice of Burton-produced classic The Nightmare Before Christmas, we're able to maintain for any real treat.Boasting voice work from the kind of Winona Ryder and Catherine O'Hara, Frankenweenie opens within the United kingdom on 5 October 2012. Don't tell the RSPCA.

Box Office: Safe House Edges Out The Vow During Holiday Weekend

Peter Jacobson Less than two weeks after Fox announced that this would be the final season of House, Peter Jacobson has already signed on to recur on Showtime's Ray Donovan pilot, Deadline reports. House pulls the plug after eight seasons Ray Donovan stars Liev Schreiber as Los Angeles' best professional troubleshooter who can make anyone anyone's problems disappear, except those of his own family. Jacobson, who portrayed Dr. Chris Taub on House, will play Lee Drexler, a foul-mouthed cohort who relies on Ray whenever his high-profile clients get into a jam. As previously announced, Paula Malcomson, Jon Voight and Elliott Gould will also star. The project comes from Southland creator Ann Biderman, who will executive-produce along with Mark Gordon (Grey's Anatomy, Criminal Minds) and Bryan Zuriff.

Tuner version of 'The Bodyguard' set to bow

Louise Headley will have the Whitney Houston role inside a stage tuner version from the 1992 Kevin Costner movie "The Bodyguard," opening at London's Adelphi theater within the fall. Houston's recent dying might seem like the spur towards the production however the tuner has developed in the works best for a while. Created by David Ian ("Grease," "The Seem of Music") and Michael Harrison, it had been initially skedded to spread out this spring in the Aldwych Theater with Alexandra Burke, champion of TV's "The X Factor" within the Houston role. Thea Sharrock ("Equus") will direct the show, that will possess a book by Alex Dinelaris ("Zanna, Don't") and extra tunes from Houston's back catalog. The show marks the U.K. stage debut for Grammy champion Headley, who also won the very best Actress Tony on her perf in Disney's "Aida." Further casting has not yet been introduced. Although dates haven't yet been confirmed, the development follows the strictly limited engagement from the change in the Chichester Festival Theater's SRO production "Sweeney Todd." Contact David Benedict at benedictdavid@mac.com

Adele Sweeps the Grammy Awards

Adele Adele was perfect at Sunday's Grammy Awards, winning all six of her awards, including Album of the Year.Check out all the Grammys fashion hits and missesAdele's total ties Beyonce for the most wins by a female artist in one night. Besides the top honor for her sophomore album 21, she also won Best Pop Vocal Album for 21, Best Pop Vocal Performance for "Someone Like You," while her crossover smash "Rolling in the Deep" snared three statuettes: Record of the Year, Song of Year (a songwriter's award) and Best Short Form Video.Foo Fighters was a close second with five awards, including Best Rock Album for Wasting Light and Best Rock Performance for "Rock." The rockers only lost Album of the Year.Kanye West, who did not attend the show and led the field with seven nominations, followed with four wins in the rap categories, bringing his career total to 18. Skrillex took home three trophies, including Best Dance/Electronica Album for Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites and Best Dance Recording for the title track.Best New Artist went to Bon Iver, who also won Best Alternative Album.Check out all the Grammys red carpet fashionOther winners include Cee Lo and Taylor Swift, who each won two, Lady Antebellum for Best Country Album (Own the Night) and Chris Brown, who earned his first Grammy for Best R&B Album for F.A.M.E.Check out the winners below:Album of the Year: 21, AdeleRecord of the Year: "Rolling in the Deep," Adele; Paul Epworth, producer; Tom Elmhirst & Mark Rankin, engineers/mixersSong of the Year: "Rolling in the Deep," Adele Adkins & Paul Epworth, songwriters (Adele, performer)Best New Artist: Bon IverBest R&B Album: F.A.M.E., Chris BrownBest Country Album: Own the Night, Lady AntebellumBest Pop Solo Performance: "Someone Like You," AdeleBest Rap Performance: "Otis," Jay-Z and Kanye West feat. Otis ReddingBest Rock Performance: "Walk," Foo Fighters

SAG Top Moments: The Scorsese-est Drinking Game

Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph and Melissa McCarthy Our roundup of the most memorable moments of the SAG awards: 1. Scorsese-est Drinking Game: In showing a highlight from their nominated film Bridesmaids, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph and Melissa McCarthy talk about devising a drinking game while making the movie. "You have to take a drink every time, and I mean every time, you hear the word Scorsese," says Rudolph. McCarthy adds: "You'd be surprised how often that comes up in casual conversation because people just like to throw that thing around." After describing the film, Wiig says: "Do you think thatScorsese saw our movie?" Then they proceed to throw the name around willy-nilly, with Rudolph mixing in "prosecco." 2. Scorsese-est Drinking Game, Part II: Steve Buscemi begins his acceptance speech as Best TV Actor for Boardwalk Empire by thanking his executive producer - Martin Scorsese. "You can take a drink," he says. He also apologizes for - obligatory spoiler alert for the DVR happy - killing off Michael Pitt's character: "To all the Michael Pitt fans out there, I know, I'm sorry. Stop yelling at me on the street." (Part III of the drinking game comes when Buscemi speaks for the show's winning ensemble.) See all the SAG Awards red carpet arrivals 3. Youngest Bleep!-ing Standup: The Modern Family cast allows its child stars to take to the mic for their Best Ensemble in a Comedy Series win. And while Rico Rodriguez and Ariel Winter deliver gracious thank yous, Nolan Gould is all (scripted) cheekiness, ranting about child actors being treated like animals. Screen mom Julie Bowen attempts to censor him when he's about to curse but he manages to make his way back to the podium to wrap it up: "Thank you to the unions for making sure we're properly fed... and put into our pens each night by sundown!" 4. Best Shout-Out to the Have-Nots: In accepting the Supporting Film Actress award to go along with her Golden Globe for The Help, a tearful Octavia Spencer nixes agent-thanking (whew!) and instead acknowledges the black women of the Jim Crow South. "I have to say it was really a privilege to give voice to so many women who made it possible for me to stand here tonight," she says, adding: "By honoring me, you honor them." After offering a shout-out for the legendary civil rights activist Medger Evers, she concludes: "I'm going to dedicate this to the downtrodden, the underserved, the underprivileged, the overtaxed, whether emotionally, physically or financially." 5. Squealiest Sixpeat: Alec Baldwin wins his sixth straight statuette for his work on 30 Rock and squeals repeatedly, "Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God, oh my God, oh my God ..." OK, then it's time to act like he's not so jaded - so he lauds Tina Fey's writing, which he says, is what wins him the award. Check out all the SAG Awards fashion hits and misses 6. Spunkiest Tribute: Dick Van Dyke begins the loving tribute to his sitcom co-star Mary Tyler Moore's Lifetime Achievement award by tracing her long career in comedy, concluding "She really did make it after all." In her acceptance speech, Moore recounts how she had to think of an alternate name while registering for the Screen Actors Guild because they already had six Mary Moore's on record. So, inspired by her father George Tyler Moore, she registered her own full name. "I wrote it down on the form... SAG was happy, my father was happy, and tonight... I too am happy after all. Thank you." 7. Wisest Acting Advice: Tina Fey offers up Kathie Lee Gifford's sage words to the actor seeking success: "If drag queens love you, you'll have the longest career in the world. They know phony, and they know real." 8. Most Shocked Winner (No, Really!): Betty White is surprised to win her second consecutive SAG as Supporting TV Actress for Hot in Cleveland - and suggests the presenters might not be literate. "I don't think they can read. I think they made a terrible mistake." Again she stroked the buff statuette as she did last year. This time, though, she didn't linger as long over his body. 9. The Next Best Thing to Betty White: And you know what the world's oldest profession is... Christopher Plummer, who wins his first SAG for his supporting performance in Beginners, cracks: "I just can't tell you what fun I've had being a member of the world's second-oldest profession." What were your favorite moments? Tune in Monday at 8/7c for Screen Actors Guild Fashion Wrap on TV Guide Network.

Native filmmakers draw funding

Eleven aspiring filmmakers of indigenous heritage each received a $10,000 grant and two years' mentoring from an established Hollywood producer in the first such round of awards by the Indigenous Film Circle, which opened the screenwriting program last year to native cultures across the globe. Org came to Park City to announce the scholarship winners -- including the attending Guatemalan poet Rosa Chavez (of Maya K'iche' origin) -- at a luncheon ceremony hosted by Bird Runningwater, director of the Sundance Native American and Indigenous Program. The Indigenous Film Circle has high hopes that two or three commercially viable projects will emerge from the program's first round of grants, and is already seeking funds for the second round of $10,000 grants in two years. "That kind of money can go a long way in a place like Bolivia," said Donald Ranvaud, an org fellow and producer. Ranvaud is advising on Chavez's ""The Spirit of the Stones," as well as Alvaro Sarmiento Pagan's "Now." Funded largely by Scandinavian governments, the IFCircle and its mentors will spend the next two years reviewing and advising on the 11 proejcts to ensure they develop into screen-ready scripts. Other winners include: Philipp Abryutin (Chukchi/Russian Federation) "Sunrise Diary"; Tvli Jacob and Valarie Blue Bird Jernigan (Choctaw/USA) "Trickster"; Darlene Johnson (Dunghutti/Australia) "Baru"; Sara Magrethe Oskal (Smi/Norway) - "Let's Get Married"; Edgar Noe Sajcabun Mux (Maya/Guatemala) "The Time in the Mountains"; Silja Somby (Sami/Norway) "Keeper of the Drum"; Elle-Maija Tailfeathers (Sami and Blackfoot/Norway and Canada) "Untitled"; John Erling Utsi (Sami/Sweden) "Mr. No-one"; and Orgun Wagua (Kuna/Panama) "The Return of the Herons." Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

Witherspoon, Reynolds land 'Big Eyes'

WitherspoonReynoldsReese Witherspoon and Ryan Reynolds are attached to star in the indie "Big Eyes," a biopic of Margaret and Walter Keane that will be written and directed by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski. Tim Burton is producing through his Tim Burton Prods. banner, while Lynette Howell and Jamie Patricof will produce through their new shingle Electric City Entertainment. Production is skedded to start this spring.Based on a true story, pic concerns the Keanes' pop-eyed paintings, which became a worldwide sensation in the 1960s. However, their lives were fraught with controversy; While Margaret was the true talent who toiled in obscurity, Walter stole all the credit and enjoyed fame."We are ecstatic to have this dream cast for our dream project," the helmers said in a joint statement. "Walter is a larger-than-life antihero -- charming, funny, dangerous, and a little crazy. Ryan will knock it out of the park. As for Reese, she will be perfect as Margaret -- soulful, decent, transforming from vulnerability to learning to fight for herself."Karaszewski and Alexander previously collaborated with Burton on the Oscar-winning Johnny Depp-starrer "Ed Wood." Their other credits include "The People Vs. Larry Flynt" and the Andy Kaufman pic "Man on the Moon."Reynolds next stars opposite Denzel Washington in the action-thriller "Safe House," which Universal opens Feb. 10.Witherspoon next stars alongside Chris Pine and Tom Hardy in McG's action-comedy "This Means War," which Fox opens Feb. 14. Alexander and Karaszewski are repped by UTA, while WME reps Burton. CAA reps Reynolds and Witherspoon, who is also repped by Management 360. Contact Jeff Sneider at jeff.sneider@variety.com

Desperate Housewives: Can Lynette and Tom Get It Together By Series' End?

Felicity Huffman and Doug Savant Will one of Wisteria Lane's most beloved couples be able to reconcile before time runs out? For seven seasons of Desperate Housewives, Lynette (Felicity Huffman) and Tom Scavo (Doug Savant) were one of the show's few stable relationships. While Gaby and Carlos, and Susan and Mike were busy breaking up and getting back together, and Bree had her hands full bedding half the block, the Scavos always seemed to have it together. But after separating at the beginning of the season, things aren't looking good. "We're worried," Huffman tells TVGuide.com. "We just keep getting farther and farther apart." How will Desperate Housewives end? Marc Cherry teases a special cameo That gap is only going to widen on this Sunday's episode, airing at 9/8c on ABC, when Lynette starts dating again. Tom already has a girlfriend, Jane (Andrea Parker), but that doesn't mean he's going to take the news well. "While I was away from the set, James [Denton] took a picture of Felicity in bed with another actor and sent it to me and I said, 'That's it. I want a divorce,'" Savant says with a laugh. "I don't anticipate Tom reacting any better than I already did, which is poorly." Savant is hardly the only one having a tough time accepting the couple's break-up this season. "I used to get very good reactions on the street. People liked Tom and thought he was funny. And now I hear 'You're stupid,'" Savant says. ("Do they really say you're stupid?" Huffman asks. "Was it me?" At least they still do the old married couple banter off-screen.) Watch full episodes of Desperate Housewives Huffman anticipates more tough feedback now that Lynette is playing the field again, and she empathizes with fans. "People are shocked. People don't like it. I read a lot of stuff about people hating Jane, but I've been dating so I'm sure stuff is going to come out about that," Huffman says. "People are attached, as are we, to the marriage and they want them to get back together." Considering the many hardships their marriage has endured over the years -- the discovery of a long-lost love child, cancer, miscarriage, money troubles, the grocery store shoot-out, the tornado and the plane crash -- how much will it take to keep them apart for good? "They're meant to be together. They have a deep and abiding love," Huffman says. "Like a lot of marriages, they've let the bad stuff overtake the good stuff." A happy ending for Lynette and Tom is the only way Savant sees fit to say goodbye to Desperate Housewives. "I so closely relate this entire experience to our personal friendship and working relationship because she's my wife on the show. She's the reason I exist on the show," Savant says. "I can't imagine the show coming to an end and us not being together."

'Game of Thrones' returns on April 1

Cinemax has set April 1 since the date for your 10-episode second-season premiere of ''Game of Thrones.''Fantasy drama will be a huge ratings champion for your pay cabler within the debut a year ago, additionally to some massive profit center for your internet since Cinemax produces the series too. Furthermore to become domestic hit, ''Thrones'' came numerous audiences around the globe.Other premiere dates introduced with the cabler are the Lena Dunham comedy series ''Girls'' to debut April 15, Julia Louis-Dreyfus laffer ''Veep'' soon after on Apirl 22 and a pair of-hour telepic ''Game Change,'' with Erection dysfunction Harris as Sen. John McCain and Julianne Moore as Gov. Sarah Palin, will debut March 10. Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com

Prometheus pictures reveal Alien link?

Ever since Prometheus was first announced, there has been some confusion as to just how connected it is to Ridley Scott's earlier journey into space, Alien.According to Scott himself, "Alien was indeed the jumping off point for this project," and the director would go on to explain that, "the keen fan will recognise strands of Alien's DNA."However, those hints appeared to be contradicted by writer Damon Lindelof, who was keen to stress the originality of the film as a standalone piece. "I don't think that any of us would have been doing our jobs right, if this movie couldn't stand on its own," said Lindelof. "The idea of connecting it in, in an incredibly profound way, would denude its originality a little bit."So what elements will overlap? Well from the looks of a pair of new images leaked from the Prometheus set, the Space Jockey will feature prominently, as the pictured mask appears to be a dead-ringer for the mysterious figure seen aboard Alien's derelict ship.It's not an exact replica, but it's enough to convince us the Alien links are more significant than we had originally thought. All will become clear when the film finally arrives in UK cinemas on 1 June 2012.

Utility player orchestrates 'Miracle'

'The Finest Miracle'McKenzieFor yesteryear 2 decades, accomplished orchestrator Mark McKenzie remains a busy schedule-to guy behind-the-moments for such top film composers as Jerry Goldsmith, Hendes Zimmer and Danny Elfman. Nevertheless the guy who's orchestrated such hits as "Spider-Guy," "Ice Age: The Meltdown" and "The Exorcist: Enemy," together with a gifted composer within the own right, is finally obtaining the limelight due to an obscure indie Mexican 3d animated spiritual film titled "The Best Miracle," which recently won him the indie/documentary/online video score award within the Hollywood Music On Tv Honours."The whole factor can be a miracle," states McKenzie in the belief-based family film directed by Bruce Morris and produced by Mexico City-based Pablo Barosso and Claudia Nemer, "simply because they did not have money, and were also throwing out an early on score once i met them. And so they thought I'd can be found in and save these with a somewhat cheap synthesizer score."Rather, McKenzie was adament the film, allotted just $millions of, deserved an entire symphonic score -- an expensive proposition. "And amazingly, they referred to as back and described to go to with this,Inch he recalls.Doing the work wasn't super easy. "To start with, they didn't really possess a copy in the film in British without any music in the prior composer," he reviews. "Therefore I literally was writing music without any dialogue, after which it I'd change it up slightly, therefore i could hear an sufficient quantity of the dialogue to produce sense of everything, but without hearing the music activity beneath it.InchMcKenzie spent six days writing the completely new score and doing their very own orchestration, after which it experienced another minor miracle because he carried out the incomplete material to Morris and Barosso on three separate visits to his L.A. studio. "Without fail, they loved everything I carried out them, and that i have did not have which happen before," he reviews.To record the score, McKenzie used an 80-piece orchestra, the acclaimed London boys' choir Libera together with a women's choir. "After which it I written a 15-minute suite using the score, which opened up last August in Madrid, incorporated in World Youth Day, before Pope Benedict XVI," he adds. "Aspects of the film's been amazing."Eye round the Oscars: Song & Score Are acad rules from synch? 'Muppety' while not too 'Flighty' Pinch hitter Elizabethan notes culled from big chunks of rock Utility player orchestrates 'Miracle' Powell animated by quartet of pix Animal, mineral add 'Apes' score Gregson-Williams relishes the chase Byrne scores large 'Albert Nobbs' O'Connor in tune with 'Albert Nobbs' Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com