Elle Fanning in talks for 'Maleficent'

Elle Fanning is at early predicts star in Disney's "Maleficent," opposite Jennifer Aniston. Fanning, most recently noticed in Fox's "We Bought a Zoo" and Paramount's "Super 8," would play sleeping beauty Princess Aurora. Visual f/x supervisor Robert Stromberg could make his directorial debut round the pic, with various script by Linda Woolverton ("Alice's adventures in wonderland"). "Maleficent" requires the eco-friendly-skinned wicked witch noticed in Disney's 1959 toon "Sleeping Beauty." Casting was reported by TwitchFilm. Contact Marc Graser at marc.graser@variety.com

New trailer for Piranha 3DD

Piranha 3DD has released a completely new trailer for just about any second round of flesh-munching mayhem, and becoming seen it, we're glad the film will probably be gettting a cinema release inside the Uk, despite mentioned claims on the other hand taken.Regardless of the possible lack of a couple of from the first film's key players, it seems much like trashily fun of course, with David Hasselhoff particularly stealing every scene he crops up in."People are dying... take action,In . shrieks one afraid swimmer. "To start with, I'm not a real lifeguard," responds the Hoff. "Next, that is what natural selection's about.InchHave a glance within the new trailer, below... Add in Christopher Lloyd's mad investigator routine, Ving Rhames with shotguns for legs and Gary Busey biting your brain off a piranha, along with a slice of Friday evening fodder that seems very stupid, but very fun. The subtly tweaked plot looks more engaging than your average follow-up. Piranhas inside the pipes? Neat.There's presently no release date stored in, but Piranha 3DD is going to be getting a Uk cinema release.

Ridley Scott Signs Up for Japan in a Day Doc, To Benefit Tsunami Survivors

This is lovely: Ridley Scott is executive producing the "self-portrait" doc Japan in a Day, in the crowd-sourced collected footage vein of Kevin MacDonald's Life in a Day, to draw attention to and benefit the survivors of Japan's devastating 2011 tsunami and nuclear disaster. Fuji will donate 200 cameras to the project, which will cull from submissions uploaded to Youtube on March 11 with all profits reportedly going back to the victims. Now that's how you show support, Hollywood. [Deadline]

The Very Best 20 Tweets from the Academy awards

Gwyneth Paltrow Throughout Sunday's Oscars, we frequently found ourselves more amused in what everyone was tweeting concerning the show, compared to reveal. There is a great deal to discuss, you realize? Angelina's leg! The overzealous quantity of montages! Adam Sandler's sweatsuit! So we have put together a listing in our favorite tweets from the evening. Share your faves within the comments below.1. @LisaLampanelli: "Sandy Bullock -- her cheekbones have experienced more injections the Walgreens Flu clinic. "2. @RyanSeacrest: "My mother always explained to bring along two jackets for red-colored carpets, always wondered why. Now we all know.Inch3. @GwynethPaltrow: "Dude. Seriously. I really like my existence. say.ly/eOO1utJ"4. @KellyOxford (blogger): "Putting the Twilight clip into that montage was probably the most effective joke from the evening. "5. @MrJoshCharles: "Personally i think exactly the same about JLo's nipple. RT @TVGuide: A remarkable Cirque du Soleil perf. Not totally highly relevant to the #Academy awards, but we'll go.Inch6. @Jezebel_Tracie: (Tracie Egan Morrissey, Jezebel): "Your dog in the Artist and Julia Roberts are gonna visit some parties, revealed, and lift their legs."7. @SteveMartinToGo: "I swear, basically don't win an Oscar this season, it will likely be like all other year."8. @PiersMorgan: "'Wow, I did not expect this!' states the three,456th Hugo champion from the evening. #Academy awards"9. @DannyZuker (executive producer, Modern Family): " 'These have to function as the worst Academy awards ever, am I right?!' - James Franco"10. @WhitneyCummings: "Did Cameron and j.lo fall on baby oil"11. @AntDerosa (Anthony DeRosa, CNN): "Emma Stone's stylist moonlights like a gift wrapper."12. @AlecBaldwin: "I'm formally announcing that i'm re-making THE ARTIST with seem."13. @NormMacdonald: "I understand George Clooney is known for his practical jokes but he went just a little far using the Descendants."14. @CapriceCrane (film writer): "George Clooney and Kaira Pitt both lost. They'll cry themselves to rest atop their hot women & piles of cash.Inch15. @RealJeffreyRoss: "If the ceremony continues considerably longer they've got to chop to Christopher Plummer throughout the in memorium. "16. @JennyJohnsonHi5 (TV producer): "'Angelina Jolie is preferable to you.' -Julia Roberts #Academy awards"17. @RichardDreyfuss: "The Descendants is an excellent film that asks us to think that somebody would ever cheat on George Clooney with Matthew Lillard."18. @Mbyhoff (Mike Byhoff, Yahoo!): "Adam Sandler nominated for 12 razzies discusses the earnestness of film while putting on sweatpants."19. @MichaelIanBlack: "The Academy awards have been receiving such a long time, a couple of more and more people most likely died. (Somebody check up on Mickey Rooney.)"20. @KateWalsh: "...dear Hollywood stars, stop f---ing your faces, it's searching [like] the the bar scene in The Exorcist."

Gerard Butler Leaves Rehab

Scottish actor Darius Campbell has been cast in ABC's reimagining of Beauty and the Beast, TVLine.com reports. Campbell, primarily known for his theater work, will play Shiro, a bodyguard who forms an unexpected bond with Grace, a princess. Read More > Other Links From TVGuide.com Linda HamiltonGary FlederJonathan SteinbergChristopher Egan

Spartacus, Episode 4: Items That Made Us Go "Ew!"

Spartacus: Vengeance Spartacus: Vengeance lulled us in to a false sense of security in regards to the violence it has been showing to date this season. Ignore. All the bloodshed that has come before remains positively civilized -- dare we're saying, boring -- in contrast for the heinousness that went reduced the Roman house party. However, we get together with Spartacus and also the crew, that are on the go carrying out a semi-effective Naevia save mission. Despite the fact that former gladiators kill greater than their great deal of pursuing Romans, the rebels are eventually selected off one at a time until all that's left certainly are a fierce Mira, frightened Naevia, formidable Spartacus and seriously hurt Nasir. They have to jettison the Syrian, but Spartacus is "no slave omittedInch and follows Naevia's advice to cauterize his wound with fire. Just if the seems that new Romans have taken up on their behalf, it calculates being another digital digital rebel faction introduced by Agron. Huzzah! From Wager on Thrones to Spartacus: TV's unsexiest sex moments Meanwhile, prisoner Oenomaus greets his new cell mates that have been obtained from Spartacus' raid: Crixus, Rhaskos and... uh-oh, we don't know this third guy. When the were the area of The Exorcist, he'd have a very red-colored-colored shirt on. Because this is the area of Spartacus, he's hardly anything else on apart from a loin cloth. Inside a party Gaius and Ilithyia hold for Varrenius, he's offered the chance to eliminate the slaves as party entertainment. At first he demurs, proclaiming that their deaths might be better offered if this involves where all Capua can savor the spectacle, however he allows anyone to be destroyed becoming an appetizer to appease Seppius, whose cousin Sextus happen to be wiped out by Spartacus' males. The indegent, unrecognizable fourth slave is chosen, which is tortured and bloodied with the evening. With the finish in the evening, we learn that Ilithyia is speaking to acquire Varrenius as her new husband (if father will annul her marriage to Gaius), Lucretia helps her plan, which Seppius and dear sister Seppia might be a little closer than siblings and siblings needs to be. Onto people "Ew!" moments: The Blood stream - It is not a Sparty party unless of course obviously someone can get humiliated, naked, destroyed... or even the 3. The nameless slave that individuals stated above is systematically sliced and diced as if he were a particularly prime little bit of protein on top Chef... a little of protein that was still alive and human, that's. First, Seppius get rid of the slave's tongue (Ouch!), then Cossutius sliced off a choice cutlet (breast). We could escape a lot of the other torture until Ilithiya procedures in for just about any quailing Seppia and progressively, nonchalantly runs the guy through while using sword. We'd hate doing next party trick. The relaxation from the spectacular violence inside the episode -- Mira stabbing a Roman frequently, multiple geysers of blood stream, a severed arm flying using the air -- are not in comparison to Roman house party fun. The Physiques - Gauis and Ilithyia's party also presented a feast of flesh, slave flesh clearly, for your site visitors and audiences in your house. There's the writhing, sex-filled tableau in the middle of the house, a guys servers inside their full-frontal nude glory. And despite the fact that they ongoing to become outfitted, Varrenius feeling up Ilithiya's crotch while speaking about her possibly divorcing her husband will be a rather stomach-turning moment. Less arousing was Lucinda's mechanical mounting in the aging Albinius within the finish in the episode. Oh, which we suppose we ought to mention Seppius kissing his sister Seppia here and hinting at losing themselves in one another peoples comforting embrace. The Bites - How do Albinius munch away around the cookie (or whatever that snack was) as you are watching the slave's p-tongueing? Bad taste, that. Which moments unsettled you?

NBC orders J.J. Abrams pilot

NBC has bought drama pilot "Revolution" from Warner Bros. TV and Bad Robot Prods. Eric Kripke ("Supernatural") is writing and executive creating the knowledge-adventure series along with J.J. Abrams and Bryan Burk, that are running a business while using Peacock the first time since the short-were living drama "Undercovers" couple of years ago. "Revolution" follows several figures fighting to live and reunite with family people in the world where all kinds of energy have strangely stopped to exist. The hour will be a put pilot getting a hefty penalty attached once the Peacock didn't order it. "Revolution" marks Bad Robot's second pilot pickup for your 2012-13 season following "Shelter" with "One Tree Hill" executive producer Mark Schwahn within the CW. Bad Robot is now offering two series on Fox's schedule, "Fringe" as well as the new "Alcatraz." Contact Andrew Wallenstein at andrew.wallenstein@variety.com

N.Y. TV Fest adds development partners

The NY Television Festival, heading into its eight year, Friday introduced nine development partners because of its 2012 edition this fall including IFC, MTV and VH1. IFC, which acquired approaching series "Bunk" from the 2010 fest, has became a member of MTV and VH1 as award sponsor for that Pilot Competition and it is seeking comedy distribution because of its third annual As they are award. MTV is searching for animated and live-action comedies and VH1 for unscripted formats because of its VH1 Creative Lab "Theory of Creativeness" Award which includes a development deal. The growing festival is striving being the Sundance of television -- determining independent creative talent and fostering connections with systems, galleries and types. It unspools March. 22-27 at Tribeca Movie theaters and also the 92YTribeca in lower Manhattan. Sundance Funnel, SevenOne Intl., Bio Funnel, Logo design, Hasbro Galleries and Funnel 4 have signed onto take pitches and guarantee an improvement deal each for just one producer. Hasbro may be the first partner within the children's entertainment category. Funnel 4 may be the first worldwide network partner. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Ascot Elite grabs 'Marilyn'

BERLIN -- German-Swiss distrib Ascot Elite has acquired all German-speaking territory rights to Simon Curtis' "My Week With Marilyn." The group's Munich-based distrib arm Ascot Elite Filmverleih will release The Weinstein Co. title, which won Oscar noms for Michelle Williams' starring role as Lana Turner and Kenneth Branagh's perf as Laurence Olivier, in April. Ascot Elite's release slate in Germany includes David Wnendt's considerably acclaimed neo-Nazi drama "Kriegerin" (Combat Women) Rob Nichols' Cannes award-champion "Take Shelter," starring Michael Shannon ("Guy of Steel"), which hits local screens in March, and Ken Scott's Canadian box-office hit "Starbuck," which opens this summer season. Ascot Elite recently acquired a slew of high-profile game game titles for Swiss release, including Ron Howard's F1 drama "Hurry" Derek Cianfrance's "The Region Beyond the Pines," starring Ryan Gosling and Bradley Cooper and Allen Hughes' "Broken City." The distrib also nabbed Swiss rights to Louis Leterrier's "At This Point You See Me," Steve McQueen's "Twelve Years a Slave," as well as the Wachowski brothers and sisters and Tom Tykwer's "Cloud Atlas." Ascot Elite Europe family member its most effective years this season, achieving a 13.6% business within the u . s . states. Contact Erection dysfunction Meza at staff@variety.com

AMC Theaters, Codeblack in exclusive deal

Jakes AMC Theaters and Codeblack Entertainment have formed a multiyear partnership to exclusively release films at select AMC locations. T.D. Jakes' thriller "Woman Thou Art Loosed!: On The 7th Day" will be the first film under the pact when it's released April 13 at part of the AMC Independent program. "On the 7th Day" stars Blair Underwood, Sharon Leal, Pam Grier and Nicole Beharie, and the film is the second in Jakes' "Woman Thou Art Loosed!" franchise. Pic, shot on location in New Orleans, centers on a married couple, portrayed by Underwood and Leal, whose young daughter is kidnapped, possibly by a serial killer who murders his victims "on the seventh day."Feature's produced by Codeblack Entertainment and exec produced by T.D. Jakes for T.D.J Enterprises. Neema Barnette is directing from Cory Tynan's script.Under the partnership films, films can expand into other theaters following their exclusive run in the AMC locations. The companies didn't disclose how long AMC's exclusivity window will last."The partnership with Codeblack will bring needed exposure to films like 'Woman Thou Art Loosed!: On The 7th Day' that reach a key demographic among our guests," said Nikkole Denson-Randolph, AMC veepee of specialty and alternative content. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

'Holmes' takes top spot overseas

Overseas box office kicked off the new year with a new weekend champ: Warner Bros.' "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" grossed a stellar $44.9 million over the Jan. 6-8 sesh, with Fox's "Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked" placing second, with $31 million. Both unseated Paramount's three-week international B.O. leader, "Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol," which collected $29.5 million.Overall, "Mission" has cumed $289.9 million overseas, with "Sherlock" at $180.6 million and "Chipwrecked" $129.8 million.The weekend tally for "Game" was boosted by No. 1 openings in Australia and Spain, contributing $6.7 million and $4.7 million, respectively, with both bows better than the local launches for Warner's first "Sherlock" in 2009.In Oz, "Game of Shadows" finished roughly 80% higher than the weekend take of Fox's "Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked," which collected $3.7 million in its second frame there. At the Spanish B.O., "The Iron Lady," distribbed locally by Wanda Films, launched with a strong $1.7 million -- a strong start for Margaret Thatcher biopic, according to local bookers."We think it's a pic about a lady, not a politician," says Wanda distribution manager Miguel Morales. "We've marketed it that way."Live action/toon hybrid "Chipwrecked" bowed at No. 1 in Brazil, with $6.7 million, and Italy, where the pic ranked second with $4.9 million. Like "Sherlock," "Chipwrecked" did better in both debut territories than its predecessors.Globally, "Chipwrecked" has cumed $241.4 million through Jan. 8; "Ghost Protocol" $459.5 million and "Game" $337.6 million. Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com

Microsoft makes its final CES keynote speech

When Microsoft announced plans to stop giving the keynote speech at the Consumer Electronics Show, the company implied the reason was because it didn't have a lot to say. And it certainly backed that up Monday night.At times entertaining, at times baffling and at times a bit dry, Microsoft's final appearance at CES was more notable because of the finality attached to it than what was said on stage.CEO Steve Ballmer abandoned his typical master of ceremonies approach for a more casual interview format with American Idol host Ryan Seacrest steering the conversation, though never deviating too far from the script.Rather than offering brand new looks into the future, the company instead mostly recapped recent announcements, such as the release of Windows Phone 7 and the inclusion of Bing voice search on the Xbox 360. The keynote also a rather in-depth look at the user interface for Windows 8, which will be out in 2012.There were a few minor new announcements, such as a pair of new Windows Phones - including the HTC Titan 2, which will boast a 16 MB camera - and the introduction of Sesame Street TV on the Xbox 360, which will offer free interactive episodes of the popular children's program as the console looks to increase its appeal to families.Microsoft will not host a booth or deliver a keynote at next year's show and the company has implied that its absence could be a lengthy one, but Consumer Electronics Association CEO Gary Shapiro tried to downplay those impressions, saying onstage "I would be shocked if a Microsoft leader does not return to the keynote stage in the next few years."He also offered thanks to the company for serving as the show's kickoff for the past 14 years."Microsoft took a risk on us early and we both benefited," said Shapiro. "But as much as our human inclination is to protect the status quo, we realize that change is the only constant, so we agreed to pause. I offer gratitude and goodwill towards Microsoft."Ballmer was appreciative of the kind words, but offered no sign that the company was planning a return after its absence next year."Thanks for a great partnership," he told Shapiro. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Kaye Stevens dies at 79

Singer and actress Kaye Stevens, who carried out using the Rat Pack and would be a frequent guest on Johnny Carson's "The Tonight Show," died Wednesday in the Towns Hospital north of Orlando, Fla., carrying out a fight with cancer of the breast and thrombus. She was 79.Stevens carried out with Rat Pack people including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Junior. and Joey Bishop. She also sang solo at venues like Caesars Structure in Vegas and also the Plaza Hotel's Persian Room in NY City.Throughout the Vietnam War era, Stevens carried out for American soldiers within the combat zone with Bob Hope's USO tour.Stevens was created Catherine Louise Stephens in Pittsburgh. Her family eventually gone to live in Cleveland, in which a teenage Stevens got her start like a drummer and singer. She later married now deceased bandleader and trumpet player Tommy Amato, and also the couple carried out through the eastern U.S.Throughout a gig in Nj, Stevens is discovered by Erectile dysfunction McMahon, Carson's longtime partner, which brought to new reservations. Her large break came when she was playing a lounge in the Riviera Hotel in Vegas: Darlene Reynolds grew to become ill and was not able to do within the primary room Stevens completed and was an immediate hit.Stevens launched a minimum of six album, most on Liberty Records. The 1962 novelty album "(Not Too) Great Tunes (That Have Been Excluded from) Great Movies (For Apparent Reasons)" includes tracks for example "Splendor within the Grass (or, Lawn Parties Could Be Fun)," "Frankenstein (in 3/4 Time)" and "Judgment at Nuremberg (or, A Hun and the Honeybun)."Besides singing, Stevens also behaved in film and tv. She made an appearance in six movies, generating a Golden Globe nomination in 1964 for "The Brand New Interns." She would be a regular celebrity player on gameshows for example "Match Game," "Hollywood Squares," "Celebrity Contest," and "Password" and made an appearance like a regular on "Times of Our Way Of LifeInch from 1974-79. She most lately made an appearance onscreen within the 1992 telepic "Miss America: Behind the Crowns."Throughout yesteryear 2 decades, Stevens carried out only Christian and loyal music. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com