Leconte raises the baton for 'Music!'

French helmer Patrice Leconte is once again venturing into animation with "Music!" a 15 million ($19.9 million) English-language musical feature. The family toon turns on the adventures of Nina, an intrepid teen who finds herself propelled into an uncanny alternate world in which a mysterious force has eradicated music. Passionate about dancing and singing, Nina sets out to rescue music and builds a resistance network made up of madcap characters and fellow rebels. Leconte was at Cartoon Movie, a European co-production forum, to present "The Suicide Shop," his first animated feature, which is adapted from Jean Teule's best-selling graphic novel. For "Music!," Leconte is reteaming with his "Shop" partners -- producer Gilles Podesta at Paris-based Diabolo Films, artistic directors Florian Thouret and Regis Vidal, who is also co-helming, and scribe Jerome Tonnerre. "We often wonder how we would survive without material things like electricity but I found it fascinating to ponder on how different life would be if we were deprived of music; something that is so impalpable and yet so essential," said Leconte. Vidal said the toon's graphic style will be similar to "Shop" but more colorful. "As music will play a central part, we're looking to sign a deal with a major record company to gain access to a strong music library," said Podesta. Co-produced by Thomas Langmann's La Petite Reine and ARP Selection, "Shop" is repped by Wild Bunch. Podesta told Variety that a major U.S. distributor is eyeing the toon, which is due for release in December 2015. Leconte is one of France's best known live-action directors. His career spans four decades with credits including cult pics "Ridicule" and "The Hairdresser's Husband." The three-day Cartoon Movie ends Friday. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Kiefer Sutherland keen to start shooting 24 movie this spring

Kiefer Sutherland is 'cautiously optimistic' that shooting for your feature adaptation of 24 will begin this spring, according to reviews.The actor makes a well known fact that he's keen to get the ball moving forward production, and in line with the Huffington Publish, Kiefer's next hurdle is always to help link a director for the proceedings:"We've possess a script that people are extremely searching toward, and that we are trying to find company company directors at this time around,Inch he referred to."We're trying to accomplish this as quickly as you can therefore we are ready to shoot in May because of there as being a tiny window between once i finish Touch then when I'd launch again," Sutherland added. "It is therefore a juggling act at this time around, however i am still cautiously positive."Obtaining a director shouldn't be considered an issue for America's best counter terrorist operative, surely? The impressive US Television show saw Sutherland play Jack Bauer, a rogue military operative, for eight seasons prior to the show finally engrossed in 2010.Fans in the show make a well known fact the film adaptation is extremely popular, which is still scheduled for just about any 2013 release, with Mary Lynn Rajskub really the only other reported cast-member (as Bauer's # 1, Chloe).Can it be just us, or does it appear such as the 24 movie could use be something from the rushed job? In case your director must be situated just before the shoot starts over a few month's time, the eventual auteur won't cash if this involves preparation time...

Kristen Bell Will Probably Be Among Some Women

She's also on for Disney's FrozenNow that she's finished aiding in order to save whales in Large Miracle, noted sloth aficionado Kristen Bell is searching to remain a vintage romantic score and acquire animated again, as she's signed onto both adaptation of Neil LaBute's Some Ladies and Disney's 'toon Frozen.Let's tackle the live-action gig first, shall we? Some Women finds Adam Brody just like a bloke near engaged and becoming married. Feeling the requirement to make amends having a couple of from the women he's injured over time, he visits several ex-female buddies around the type of heartbreak reunion tour.Bell will co-star as Bobbi, a girl that Brody left years formerly without any word, departing her hurt with little adoration for him. We predict there can be fireworks after they meet again. Jennifer Getzinger is aboard to direct the variation, which LaBute has handled themselves.Also on Bell's agenda can be a role in Disney's undertake the Snow Full story. Surf's Up director (and Disney veteran) Chris Buck is becoming accountable for the extended-gestating project, which changes Hendes Christian Anderson's mythic about Kay, whose ideas are warped when his heart and eyes are pierced by shards from the troll mirror. He becomes enamoured in the chilled Snow Full, but his childhood friend, neighbour and sweetheart Gerda still thinks they can be saved and sets on the pursuit to locate him.The Hollywood Reporter's story has Bell since the lead voice, but doesn't specify whether she'll be acting (and singing) since the Full or Gerda. And given how Twisted moved things around while using Rapunzel story, there's not sure yet on when the story might even feature everyone within the original tale. It's presently striving inside a late 2013 release date.Along with her approaching film work, including Movie 43 and Outrun, Bell remains trading her time one of the leads on Showtime comedy drama House Of Lies.

Weinstein denounces Le Pen

Harvey Weinstein has denounced French politician Jean-Marie Le Pen following the militant right-winger assaulted an interracial friendship fundamentally from the Weinstein Co. film "The Intouchables." "Le Pen designed a repulsive statement representing a bigoted world view," Weinstein stated, mentioning to some recent TV appearance through the pol. The founding father of the xenophobic National Front party stated, "It might be a tragedy if France would find itself within the same situation" because the wealthy crippled Frenchman within the film who bonds together with his poor youthful immigrant caretaker. Le Pen condemned an image of France like a "handicapped person stuck inside a motorized wheel chair awaiting the assistanceInch of immigrants. Weinstein noted that Le Pen's daughter Marine Le Pen is running for leader with strong popular support. "That's frightening in my experience,Inch he stated, "and i believe you need to speak up and speak out." "The Intouchables" has shattered records in France and will also be out Stateside May 25. It premieres tonight in Gotham at Rendez-Vous with French Cinema's Opening Evening at Alice Tully Hall. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

ITV Casting American Lead For New U.K. Drama Series Mr. Selfridge

The UK’s ITV has announced a new 10-part drama series in a move that looks to build on the mega-success of its Downton Abbey. Mr. Selfridge will trace the life of the flamboyant and visionary American entrepreneur, Harry Gordon Selfridge, who created the famed London department store Selfridges. Contrary to Downton, which is made by NBCUniversals Carnival Films, Mr. Selfridge will be an in-house ITV Studios production. Created by writer Andrew Davies (Brideshead Revisted, Bridget Jones Diary), Mr. Selfridge is set in London in 1909 at a time when wealthy women were enjoying a new sense of freedom. ‘Mile a Minute Harry’ wanted to indulge, empower and celebrate these women; making shopping as thrilling as sex, according to ITV. Based on the book Shopping, Seduction And Mr Selfridge by Lindy Woodhead, the series will shine a light on hidden moments of the history of women through fashion, cosmetics, technology and domestic affairs. Production starts in April in London with the series to air in 2013. Chrissy Skinns is producer with Kate Lewis executive producing. Jon Jones will direct. ITV is currently out to cast an American actor in the lead role. In related news, ITV announced preliminary 2011 results with external revenues up 4% to 2.14 billion and non-advertising revenues up 11% to 922 million. The group puts the increases down to growth from its UK and international studios businesses. ITV CEO Adam Crozier, who inherited 612 million worth of debt when he took over in 2010, noted: Were now almost two years into our five-year Transformation Plan and our continued growth in revenue and profit – at a time when the advertising market is broadly flat – demonstrates that were performing in line with our strategic priorities. The increase in non-advertising revenues of 93m, driven by our studios and online businesses, is clear evidence of progress in rebalancing the Company and our ability to grow new revenue streams.

Roush Review: Bearing Witness towards the Amish Life-style

Ok, large hugs for you if you are still hanging inside with Smash. Following a stellar pilot, a powerful second episode along with a strangely uneven visit to a Area karaoke bar a week ago, NBC's splashy rankings-deterrent returned to being fabulous using the kick-from rehearsals for Marilyn: The Musical last evening. A lot of music, a not-hateful guest place from one of these there Jonas Siblings, an indication concerning the falling-out between former buds Tom and Derek...really, the only real factor missing would be a good Eileen martini-toss and also the violent, sudden and fatal run-among a runaway taxi and awful Ellis that people continue to be praying for. Find Out More > Other Links From TVGuide.com Katharine McPheeNick JonasSmash

Tribeca nabs 'Collaborator'

'Collaborator'Tribeca Film has acquired U.S. privileges to Martin Donovan's "Collaborator," the comedy-drama that bowed this past year in the Karlovy Vary Film Festival. Written and directed by thesp Donovan in the directorial debut, pic focuses on a playwright who's held hostage in the childhood home by his old neighbor. Donovan leads a cast which includes David Morse and Olivia Williams. Julien Favre, Ted Hope, Luca Matrundola and Pascal Vaguelsy created the film. Tribeca's Nick Savva inked the distribution cope with Hope with Charlotte now Mickie of Entertainment One, the organization which will handle some U.S. homevid distribution privileges. Tribeca, the Gotham-based distributor loosely associated with the Tribeca Film Festival, plans a summer time release on multiple platforms, with specifics still to become set. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com