Genesis Rodriguez to 'Stand'

Genesis Rodriguez has joined the cast of Lionsgate's "The Last Stand," starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. Kim Jee-woon is helming the pic, for which lensing has begun. Jaimie Alexander, Forest Whitaker and Harry Dean Stanton also star. Schwarzenegger will play the sheriff of a sleepy little town who runs up against an escaped drug cartel leader heading for the Mexican border. Rodriguez will play an FBI agent who's partnered with another played by Eduardo Noriega. Andrew Knauer penned the original script, and Jeffrey Nachmanoff and, more recently, George Nolfi have done rewrites. While relatively new to the scene, Rodriguez is ready for a big year in 2012 with roles in Summit's "Man on a Ledge," Lionsgate's "What to Expect When You Are Expecting" and "Casa de mi Padre," starring Will Ferrell. She is repped by ICM and De Paz Management. Contact Justin Kroll at justin.kroll@variety.com

Spencer: 'Help' raises vet's profile, cultural issues

Octavia SpencerMontgomery, Ala. native Octavia Spencer knows she gets laughs in "The Help," but doesn't see the tempestous, Jim Crow-era maid Minny as being comedically self-aware."Her life is so difficult. She's not easily amused," says Spencer, who has earned raves for her spirited, rich portrayal of Minny in the adaptation of Kathryn Stockett's bestselling novel about life for house servants in the 1960s. "I never played it as if I'm trying to be funny, never saw her with a sense of humor. She said exactly what she felt, and because of the context, it comes out funny."Before "The Help," Spencer's bailiwick since moving to Los Angeles 15 years ago was nailing one-scene moments in films and a handful of TV series. Tackling a feature-length role like Minny was a change that she clearly cherished."I had to build it, and it was really hard," she says. "But it was a good lesson to learn."Less enjoyable was waiting to know if she'd be given the opportunity to play Minny, even though the character was inspired partly by Spencer, who met Stockett eight years ago through her good friend, "The Help" director Tate Taylor.Taylor wanted her, but she figured DreamWorks might have other casting ideas, specifically an African-American actress who was more well-known to auds."I thought it would go through Mo'Nique, Jennifer Hudson and Queen Latifah before it ever got to me," Spencer recalls. "I'm grateful (DreamWorks CEO) Stacey Snider took such a huge chance."Spencer originally thought she'd become a producer, and developing her own projects is still not far from her mind."I've been writing concepts and treatments," she says. "By nature I'm a detective. I like figuring things out, and I know that's what producers do."For now, though, she enjoys dispelling friends back in Alabama about what they assume to be the incessant glamour of Hollywood life. It's not all limos, caviar and gowns."I tell them, 'Honey, there's nothing glamorous about squeezing into two pair of Spanx.'"Lucky break: "I got a tiny part in 'A Time to Kill,' and then I came out to L.A. and Sandra Bullock put me in her short 'Making Sandwiches.' Because of that, one thing led to another."Favorite film: "If 'The Color Purple' is on, I will be late for anything."Career I'd like to emulate: "Pour in Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson, Alison Janney and Melissa McCarthy, shake it up and make a Molotov cocktail."10 ACTORS TO WATCH 2011:Benedict Cumberbatch | Jean Dujardin | Luke Evans | Josh Hutcherson | Felicity Jones | Taylor Kitsch | Brit Marling | Elizabeth Olsen | Octavia Spencer | Shailene Woodley Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

The immortalization of Mickey

Mickey Rourke in 'The Immortals'Tarsem Singh was talking to his friend David Fincher about casting his new film "Immortals." "I need a real bad-ass guy," the helmer said, to play the bloodthirsty, power-mad King Hyperion.Singh recalls, "I was reading off names. The first was Mickey Rourke. And Fincher said, 'Don't read another name. That guy, if you can get him, you can't get a worse guy. Rourke is the bad guy you want.' And that was it. I wanted a guy that was larger-than-life. And Mickey's got it in spades."Then Singh met with Rourke. "He is this really bad boy, but in his hands he has the smallest dog that you've ever seen. He's almost saying, 'I want to be really macho, but I want to wear a pink thong.' You just know that this guy is sure of everything. I just said, 'Fuck me, he is it.' "The larger-than-life Rourke closed the deal, and now roars into Relativity Media's 3-D, visual effects loaded epic as a despot who conducts a murderous rampage to conquer the world.Rourke, himself, has already conquered the equally tumultuous world of Hollywood. Or maybe that's reconquered."Look, I had a career and I threw it away," Rourke has said. "I wasn't accountable for anything, and I didn't take responsibility. I was unprofessional. There were things I blamed on the system or other people but it was Mickey Rourke who screwed everything up, not Hollywood or any director or producer."The actor, who ditched his career in 1991 for a 4 1/2-year stint as a boxer and then resurfaced spectacularly in 2007 with "The Wrestler," will plant his prizefighting paws in cement at Grauman's Chinese Theater on, appropriately enough, Halloween Day."He's solidified his comeback," confirms "Immortals" exec producer Tucker Tooley. "He'll have projects that are well received and projects that are not well-received. But he's such a great actor that he's going to be around for a long time."Rourke was what "Immortals" producers Mark Canton and Gianni Nunnari needed. "We wanted what Jack Nicholson brought to the Joker, and what Tony Hopkins brought to Hannibal Lecter," says Canton. "And Mickey was the only place where we knew how to get it."Gianni adds, "It's the way he breathes. The way he moves his face. He brings another dimension to a character. He is a mythological bad king, but he's also very modern in his desires of conquering. He is a King Hyperion slash Mickey Rourke."Rourke may be out of the fight game, but producers contend that their star still likes a good verbal toe-to-toe."Mickey is in the ring with everyone," Canton says with a laugh. "He's very tough guy. And he's very clear about his own opinions. He doesn't back down. He's tried to kill Gianni and me on several occasions. I'm certain that his life experiences have contributed to his role. I always volunteer the other of us to go see Mickey first."Singh points out, "Mickey's character needs to put everyone on edge. And Mickey does not suffer fools. He knows who he thinks is a jerk and who is not. You don't know how far he is going to push anything. You give a guy like that a spear and the simplest line, and everybody's on edge because you have no idea where he's going."The helmer goes on to recall one of many memorable instances on set: "Hyperion's minions wear masks when they speak to him. So one of the actors asked me, 'Can I take off my mask for this scene?' I said, 'Well, 'I haven't told Mickey that. Go ahead. But I don't know what he's going to do.' So the guy took off his mask behind Mickey."The director kept the cameras rolling because he didn't know what was going to happen, and he knew it was only going to happen once."Mickey's eating walnuts," Singh continues. "He turns around and sees this minion without his mask and moves closer to him. Mickey's wearing this helmet with sharp things coming out of it. I was hoping that he wouldn't head-butt the actor because he'd probably kill him with that helmet. The guy got really uncomfortable. And then got really terrified. Mickey moved in even closer. And then Mickey just gave him a walnut and said, 'Go make yourself useful somewhere else.' The guy was so relieved to get the fuck out of there. The King just gave him a fucking walnut. That scene really worked. It's almost like working with an animal or a child. Mickey is from a different planet." Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Billy Burke: Breaking Beginning Was Initially Ranked R

First Released: October 28, 2011 3:28 PM EDT Credit: Summit Entertainment Caption Billy Burke and Taylor Lautner within the Twilight Saga: Breaking Beginning - Part 1LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Twilight for grown ups only? Based on series star Billy Burke, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Beginning Part 1 was previously too racy for minors. It had been so strange, it didnt even seem like i was carrying out a Twilight film. I had been like, Bella! What's happening? Wow! What's happening here?! the 21-year-old actress told the United kingdom edition of Glamour in the December problem, when requested concerning the movies sex moments. It had been very surreal. We [initially] got ranked R. They re-work, she described from the movie, that also stars boyfriend Taylor Lautner and Rachelle Lefervre. For filming the films pivotal wedding scene between Bella and Edward, the actress told the mag it was key affair. I needed to be shrouded in secrecy the whole 2 days of filming, she stated. It had been crazy I had been on full lockdown, as though I had been putting on huge amount of money price of diamonds. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Beginning Part 1 hits theaters on November 18, 2011. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Variety Film Technology Summit loudspeakers set

LevyEmmerich"Real Steel" producer-director Shawn Levy and Roland Emmerich, whose "Anonymous" premieres Friday, happen to be set as keynote loudspeakers at Variety's Film Technology Summit on November. 7 at Hollywood and Highland. Additionally, Variety's Way forward for Film Summit, to become held November. 8, will feature keynote speaker Ryan Kavanaugh in addition to Alcon Entertainment co-CEOs Broderick Manley and Andrew Kosove."From top professionals at major galleries to producers of independent films, this summit enables everybody in the market to obtain a sneak look at what's coming,Inch John Gott, writer of Variety, stated for the future of Film event.The November. 7 Film Technology summit, presented by The new sony and co-created by Digital Media Wire, will explore how production and exhibition are changing within the digital age, with loudspeakers exploring 4K projection, greater frame rates and three dimensional. Panelists include executives from The new sony ImageWorks, Cinedigm, Warner Bros., AMC Theaters, Vital and ILM. A Masters of Technology panel features the f/x-savvy helmers Raja Gosnell, Chris Burns and Steven Quale. The November. 8 Way forward for Film Summit, created with Digital Media Wire, will dive into such subjects as film financing, crowdsourcing, digital film distribution across multiple platforms, and internet marketing. The Condition from the Film Industry panel features the Weinstein Co.'s David Glasser, Endgame's Jim Stern and Morgan Creek's Ron Nicita.For additional info on either event, visit lafilmconference.com. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

Dream House director wanted his name removed from film

Director Jim Sheridan petitioned the Directors Guild of America this summer to have his name removed from the film Dream House.Morgan Creek Productions - the major financial backer behind the project - was unhappy with the amount of improvisation that deviated from David Loucka's script.The company recut the film following poor test screenings.Sheridan dropped his original bid to have his name removed when Morgan Creek agreed to fund reshoots.However, without the right to the final cut in his contract, it was a version cut by Morgan Creek that was released into cinemas and the director refused to do publicity for the film.Sheridan has since reinstated his petition to have his name taken off the film.Dream House, which stars Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz, opens 25 November 2011 in the UK.

Mega Buzz: Who's the Boss on House, Damon-Elena on Journals and New Girl's Party

Olivia Wilde, Nina Dobrev, Zooey Deschanel Every week, editors Adam Bryant and Natalie Abrams fit your requirement of TV scoop. Please send all questionsto mega_scoop@tvguide.com.Since Cuddy is completed, who'll most likely function as the completely new dean of medication on House? - MelissaADAM: Like I'd inform you! I've been sworn to secrecy, but return here after Monday's episode for just about any Q&A while using actor in mind. Meanwhile, Let me tell you certainly it won't be 13, who's only slated to appear in one episode this fall. "She may be again later around. Things are determined by to produce,In . creator David Shoreline notifies us. "But it is a goodbye."Will Elena ever admit for the chemistry she and Damon share round the Vampire Journals? - Laura NATALIE: She may not, but her pals will certainly catch onto their budding passions. Really, executive producer Julie Plec states the big "elephant inside the roomInch hasn't gone undetected and very soon enough, "her pals and family people is going to be like, 'What's happening there?'"I am deeply deeply in love with New Girl. Got any scoop on approaching episodes? - AlexisADAM: Jess (Zooey Deschanel) will toss the wedding special birthday ever! (Notice we didn't say "best.") Among the calamities that will befall the festivities: the odd presence from the chartered bus, the even odder presence of Jess' vice principal... getting over the top and perhaps the oddest of oddities: a catfight between Nick's date together with a stripper who's much less toned. Plus: You will notice snacks! Adorable!I like Benjamin Bratt on Private Practice now, and frequently will this new gig prevent him from returning to Modern Family? - Rachel NATALIE: Not really a chance. Bratt, who plays Manny's father and Gloria's ex, will probably be back! Inside an approaching episode, his reappearance will ignite Jay's competitive streak, states executive producer Christopher Lloyd. "Jay is surprised to know how possessive he's become of Manny, and he's almost jealous of Javier and also the affect on Manny," according to him. "He always examined Manny just like a cost he paid out to acquire Gloria, however he's finding themselves the specific father to him and trying to shape his existence."Now when was the completely new captain prone to ease on Beckett on Castle? - CarrieADAM: I wouldn't expect to ensure that it's soon. Nor would Cent Manley Jerald, who demands her character isn't being inflammed, but rather teaching Beckett the best way to stick out inside the male-centered NYPD. "In my opinion you are able to really put that in to a number of tough love," she notifies us. "You have to a lot better than the most effective because you're a lady. In my opinion she sees some herself in Beckett. So sherrrd like Beckett to make it happen with the book to make sure that Beckett isn't the cause of her own demise."What else are you aware me about Jamie Lee Curtis' guest perfect NCIS? - JeffADAM: Sadly, I am in a position to only explain how her two-episode arc just like a single mom utilized by the DoD's Office in the Inspector General, initially slated to air in November, remains punted to February. "We did slightly juggling of the couple of from the storytelling," executive producer Gary Glasberg notifies us. But he promises it'll be worth the wait. "We are searching toward seeing the chemistry that [Curtis and Mark Harmon's Gibbs] have together, with the perspective connected with a kind of relationship that could occur, but merely if this involves the enjoyment that might be had," according to him. "You've two stars that absolutely learn how to play off each other but that it'll be pretty special."Will N and Quinn really last this season on Dexter? - Mitchell NATALIE: There's a extended road ahead on the account, but this week's episode will definitely mark an amount inside their relationship. "They've created plenty of sense together," Jennifer Contractor notifies us. "I don't think she's hesitant to commit. With Quinn, she has the capacity to proceed with him as extended as it won't be occur a container that may not hold them. She's still altering and he or she sees that.In . When are we able to discover much more about the completely new detectives on SVU? - WillyADAM: Since we now have finally met Danny Pino's character, look for the spotlight to exhibit back onto Kelli Giddish's Amanda Rollins each time a serial rapist (T.R. Dark evening) she once supervised in Georgia (on Chase?) begins attacking again in NY. But her understanding in the predator's past isn't nearly as vital as the actual fact she's exactly his type. Blonde bait, anybody?The Walking Dead has came back soon. Got any scoop? - Sarah NATALIE: Immediately after the show's March. 16 premiere (9/8c on AMC), we'll go to a flashback for the very start of series, also called your entire day Ron got shot. Furthermore to get a glimpse at the end of Lori and Rick's marital problems, we'll also witness the initial spark of attraction between Lori and Shane.How extended will Percy be in jail on Nikita? - Mike NATALIE: Percy was already concentrating on his escape plan, but he's going for a extended disadvantage, by progressively acquiring menial luxury items - his favorite suit, a great breakfast - that will eventually comparable to a sizable pay day. So monitor his next request.Anything you can inform me in regards to the Closer? - ThomasADAM: Remember Phillip Stroh, the rapist/killer/attorney carried out by Billy Burke that Brenda has not had the chance to convict? He'll mix paths with Brenda again when he defends among her latest suspects. That same episode will introduce a completely new recurring Deputy D.A. who'll clobber anyone who can get in their way - including Brenda. I furthermore hear the level of smoothness might be moving onto join the cast in the Closer spin-off Major Crimes.Huge Happy Being fan here. What's approaching? ­- Derek NATALIE: Get ready for some serious jealousy issues when Max's secondary school girlfriend moves to Chicago. While Cent is out of the blue feeling overlooked, Dork decides he desires to break the bro code and date her. Meanwhile, Jane and Kaira have problems that goes for them after they placed their "work partners" on the disastrous double date.Natalie's Mega Rave: The women have stolen the spotlight round the Large Bang Theory -which we love it! Between Amy's awkward, yet endearing friendship with Leonard - and her offhanded sexual comments toward Cent - to Bernadette's perfect impersonation of Mrs. Wolowitz now, we almost did not recall the show involved several nerdy males.Adam's Small Rant: I really preferred to love American Horror Story, but it's just horrifying. And i'm not speaking about how precisely frightening it's.(Additional verifying by Robyn Ross and Kate Stanhope)Crave scoop inside your favorite Tv shows?In the-mail Adam and Natalie at mega_scoop@tvguide.comor drop us a line atTwitter.com/TVGuide

New Zealand sets 'Orator' for Oscar

It's a story of firsts for New Zealand, as tyro helmer Tusi Tamasese's pic "The Orator" has become New Zealand's first-ever foreign-language Oscar entry. Backed by the New Zealand Film Commission and the Samoan Government, the pic bowed at Venice where it received a special mention and Commission topper Graeme Mason says he hopes it is the first of many entries for the Pacific region which has been underrepresented in the past.Pic tells the story of a small-statured Samoan named Saili who must fight for his land and his pride and is filmed on and around the islands of Upolu in Samoa."It's fantastic lyrical exploration of bravery and love," says Mason who also chaired the selection committee. "But on top of that it is also an extraordinary portrait of a place and a way of life and I think that is something which resonates with the foreign-language voters." Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

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