James Mangold Compares The Wolverine to Chinatown and The Outlaw Josey Wales

James Mangold was just as apprehensive as the rest of you when the idea of a Wolverine movie fell into his lap — so much so that he spoke with predecessor Darren Aronofsky, who was originally set to direct, before taking on the project. So what enticed him to take the helm on the Hugh Jackman-starring X-Men spin-off, anyways? And how exactly will it evoke such American classics as Chinatown and Clint Eastwood’s The Outlaw Josey Wales? From The Playlist: “I think part of the reason I’m doing this picture has been because it isn’t to me a conventional superhero movie. It isn’t an origin story, so I’m freed from that burden, and it also isn’t a save-the-world movie, which most of them are. It’s actually a character piece; I actually think it has more in common with The Outlaw Josey Wales and Chinatown, what we’re doing, than the conventional, ‘Will Wolverine and his compatriots save the world from this thermonuclear device’ question.” And further: “…The fact that half of the characters in this movie speak Japanese, this is like a foreign-language superhero movie that’s as much a drama and a detective story and a film noir, with high-octane action as it is anything like a conventional tentpole film.” So, Mangold’s Wolverine is an unconventional foreign language superhero detective noir-actioner character piece, set in Japan, with shades of Chinatown and The Outlaw Josey Wales. Gotcha. Another way to look at it: Wolverine will finally reunite the star and director of Kate & Leopold! Rejoice or lament as you will. James Mangold Calls ‘The Wolverine’ A Dark Character Piece Like Eastwood’s ‘The Outlaw Josey Wales’ [The Playlist]

Jim Ladd, the muse for Tom Petty's 'The Last DJ,' Release From Radio Gig

Lay offs hit r / c industry very challenging to Wednesday as reviews emerged that Apparent Funnel was letting go hundreds of employees in up-and-coming small to mid-sized areas meant for "Premium Choice" content format-specific programming syndicated to stations around the regional and national basis (like On Air with Ryan Seacrest).our editor recommendsFormer Tribune Co. Boss Randy Michaels Billed With DUIHoward Stern Bids Goodbye to Radio Alma Mater WYSP With Half-Hour Mobile Call (Audio)Why Podcasts Are Comedy's Second Coming: Adam Carolla, Marc Maron and Greg Proops Weigh In (Q&A) Now comes word that Cumulus Media, new entrepreneurs of Citadel Broadcasting's popular La stations KABC (talk) and KLOS (classic rock) have let around 27 people go, incorporated within this: legendary disc jockey Jim Ladd, who's recognized since the last freeform jock working inside the U.S. known as the topic of Tom Petty's 2002 song "The Ultimate DJ," itself an indictment in the radio industry which was eventually banned by Apparent Funnel. STORY:Michele Norris Steps Lower From NPR Ladd began his radio career in 1969 at Extended Beach rock station KNAC. He spent greater than 14 years at KLOS, where his show broadcast from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays, consistently leading in ratings due to it is time slot. He released the sunday paper, Radio Waves, in 1992. "My disappointment is I didn't have a very farewell show," Ladd told the Oc Register."I used to be very stunned which i still am. I have experienced this before, but it is always distressing." His last song was Pink Floyd's "Shine You Crazy Gem." STORY:New Study Finds Top Hits Centered by Synths, Lyrics About 'Hooking Up' In 2003, Petty referred to this really is in the song "The Ultimate DJ," in the album of the title, telling journalist Jim DeRogatis it's "of a DJ who becomes so frustrated along with his failure to see what he wants he moves to Mexico and can get his freedom back." According to radio tipsheet RAMP(Radio and Music Pros), Jack Silver has walked in as PD for KABC and KLOS, with Uncle Joe Benson overpowering the mid-day slot and Gary Moore growing to evening time. Tom Petty as well as the Heartbreakers are likely to play two nights advantageous shows within the Performance Theater at Cal Condition Northridgefor L.A. public radio station KCSN's fall pledge drive. Give consideration to Ladd's 1974 interview with John Lennon below and study the lyrics toPetty's "The Ultimate DJ" following a jump... Related Subjects 1 2 next last

Hathaway As Catwoman Joins 'Les Miserables'

Remember when Hathaway As Catwoman required towards the Academy awards stage to great acclaim? No, the whole of her hosting gig wasn't successful, however when she sang "By MyselfInch opposite Hugh Jackman only at that year's show, she impressed everybody together with her Broadway-ready vocals and moves. Well, Anne is able to reunite together with her Oscar partner (Jackman, not Franco) as Deadline reviews the star has signed on as Fantine within an approaching giant screen adaptation of "L'ensemble des Miserables," with Jackman showing up as Jean Valjean. The film promises to become a star-studded affair Besides Hathaway and Jackman, Russell Crowe will star Inspector Javert. Names like Emma Watson, Hayden Panettiere, Geoffrey Hurry and Helena Bonham Carter happen to be thrown around for that roles of Eponine, Cossette and also the Thenardiers. Tom Hooper, fresh off his Oscar success for that Nobleman Speech, will direct. 2012 promises to become a banner year for Hathaway: as fans know perfectly, shes presently busy kicking butt in skin-tight leather gear as Selina Kyle in "The Dark Dark night Increases." Once filming on that summer time release systems, she'll switch gears and move onto focus on L'ensemble des Miserables, with a scheduled launched date of December 7, 2012. Theres without doubt Hathaway has got the musical capability to accomplish the role from the tragic Fantine. Shes made an appearance in several stage productions, including an acclaimed turn as Viola inside a 2009 Central Park staging of Shakespeare's "Twelfth Evening." Do you consider Hathaway As Catwoman can make a great Fantine in "L'ensemble des Miserables?" Inform us what you believe within the comments section as well as on Twitter!

Charlie Saxton Cast inside the Indie Drama 'The British Teacher' (Exclusive)

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Charlie Saxtonhas been cast inside the indie dramaThe British Teacher, joiningJulianne Moore,Nathan Lane,Greg KinnearandMichael Angarano. Craig Ziskis pointing a script byDanandStacy Charitonabout a respected British teacher (Moore) whose existence is thrown into turmoil each time a student (Angarano) returns to town after failing just like a playwright in NY City. Saxton may have Will, a snobby, preppy actor who is probably the teacher's students. Naomi Despres,Robert Salerno,Matthew E. ChausseandBen LeClairare creating the project from Artina Films, which producedWe Need to Discuss KevinandA Single Guy. Repped by CAA and Station 3 Entertainment, Saxton has came out inside the moviesTwelveandBandslamand round the Cinemax seriesHung. Greg Kinnear Julianne Moore Nathan Lane

Cabezas to helm 'Mr. Right'

The the spanish language language helmer Paco Cabezas ("Neon Flesh") is installed on direct "Mr. Right," produced by David Alpert and Lawrence Mattis' Circle of Confusion (AMC's "The Walking Dead," "Forces").Max Landis ("Chronicle," "Good Time Gang") has written the script.Cabezas' third feature, "'Right' is about a lady falling deeply deeply in love with a perfect guy whose only flaw is always that he kills people for living," Cabezas told Variety at Spain's Sitges Festival.Occur just a little U.S. town, the British-spoken movie "Right" could have a completely U.S. cast and crew. Feature is presently casting.Speaking at Spain's Sitges Festival, Cabezas referred to as "Mr. Right" "a romantic comedy with many different action and highly aesthetic, choreographed violence."The film author of David Pinillos' "Bon Appetit" and Javier Ruiz Caldera's "The the spanish language language Movie," Cabezas is among a building wave of gifted The the spanish language language helmers registered by U.S. companies alongside Gonzalo Lopez Gallego ("Apollo 18"), Luis Berdejo ("The Completely New Daughter") and brothers and sisters Alex and David Pastor ("The Ultimate Days").Produced by Spain's Morena Films, and provided by France's Rezo, Latino crime caper "Neon Flesh," Cabezas' latest feature, established Cabezas just like a talent to follow.Cabezas is repped by WME's Wealthy Prepare and David Karp. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Jobs Bio Could Set New Sales Records

Despite the fact that it doesn't hit book stores for 3 days, Jobs, the approved biography by former Time controlling editor Walter Isaacson, is poised being the best-selling book of 2011. Since Apple founder Jobs died on March. 5, presales from the book have skyrocketed. It's a triple No. 1 -- topping the iTunes books, Amazon . com, and Barnes & Noble bestseller lists. Within the first couple of hrs after Jobs' dying it leaped 42,000 percent on Amazon . com, going from 424 to No. 1.our editor recommendsSteve Jobs' Dying Prompts His Biography Release To Become Moved With a MonthSony Pictures in Discussions for Privileges to Jobs BiographySteve Jobs' Biography Sales Jump 42,000 Percent Upon Dying Jobs Dies at 56Related Subjects•Steve Jobs Writer Simon & Schuster seems poised to interrupt the its opening day sales record, set on This summer 12 whenever a Stolen Existence, it by Jaycee Dugard about her 18 years in captivity, offered 175,000 copies, including 100,000 e-books. Sales of Jobs may also exceed the sales of the greatest-selling non-fiction book of 2010. Decision Points, George W. Bush's memoir of his presidential years, offered 2.six million print copies and 307,000 digital copies this year. With Jobs No. 1 on Apple's digital book list, No. 2 on Amazon . com, with no. 9 on Barnes & Noble's Nook list, it will easily exceed digital sales of Decision Points. Apple's iTunes book shop also seems to become a beneficiary of Jobs dying. PHOTOS: Jobs: 10 Memorable Key events from the Apple Co-Founder's Career Apple's digital book shop has lagged behind its rivals. Amazon . com, for instance, provides a Kindle application for that iPad that enables customers to see their e-books across multiple products, cutting into the requirement for iTunes customers to consider the later-to-the-market iBooks format. However the strong sales of Jobs around the Apple book shop in accordance with the Kindle and Nook indicates that Apple is drawing new clients who decide to purchase Jobs' biography at their own company's book shop. In reaction towards the public interest, Simon & Schuster advanced the publication date from November. 21 to March. 24. The writer had already increased the date once before. On August. 15, nine days before Jobs introduced he was walking lower as Boss, the organization knocked the date from March 6, 2012 to November. 21. Additionally, it transformed the title in the awkward iSteve: It of Jobs up to the more straightforward Jobs: A Biography. PHOTOS: Recalling Jobs Beyond announcing the brand new publication date, Simon & Schuster didn't provide any extra particulars concerning the release, including how big the first print run or sales anticipation. Simon & Schuster is decided to avoid early copies from the book from seeping out. One posting insider known as the efforts to embargo copies of Jobs just before publication the smallest ever observed in posting. A business representative didn't react to a request to acquire more information. Isaacson's book agent Binky Urban also didn't react to a request a comment. PHOTOS: Hollywood's Notable Deaths Time magazine, which bought "first serial" privileges -- the exclusive to a pre-publication excerpt -- rushed to incorporate an excerpt in the March. 17 problem featuring Jobs around the cover. Time's sister publication, Fortune, will operate a publish-publication second serial excerpt. Other guides are apparently thinking about rarely-offered third serial privileges. Related Subjects George W. Rose bush Jobs

'Gangster Squad' Is 'Funky' And 'Cool,' States Star Anthony Mackie

There is something regarding the subject of gangsters that never will get old. Specially the Hollywood variety, as portrayed in films like "The Departed," "Get Shorty," "Snatch," "Donnie Brasco," HBO's "The Sopranos," not to mention "The Godfather." They are all so awesome, clever, watchable. It's that legendary allure which had us excited for Ruben Fleischer's next flick, "Gangster Squad," as soon as it had been introduced. The film is dependant on the L.A. Times' seven-part series, "Tales In The Gangster Squad," by author Paul Lieberman, which revolved round the LAPD's fight against infamous mobster Mickey Cohen. Heavy-hitter Sean Penn will have Cohen, and Josh Brolin and Ryan Gosling will have a couple of the cops who attempt to bring him lower, and try to pleasant Emma Stone is incorporated in the mix like a sassy "siren" caught inside a love triangular with Gosling's character and among the gangsters. Another familiar face within the cast is Anthony Mackie, who could not inform us much about his role within the film, but guaranteed we will not be disappointed. We requested Mackie for his ideas on Gosling's large year, in addition to what might engage in between your two stars onscreen. "Ryan is a friend for any very long time, since 'Half Nelson,' Im glad hes finally ready where hes getting his just due while he is actually probably the most gifted stars of his generation," Mackie told us in the "Real Steel" premiere. "'Gangster Squad' is simply a couple of great men. Ruben is a superb director and also the story is type of funky and it is part of LA history that many people have no idea. Its likely to be a awesome movie." Isn't it time to determine "Gangster Squad?" Inform us within the comments or on Twitter!

Jobs Appreciated By Disney, Pixar Executives

Following a dying of Jobs on Wednesday, March. 5, Hollywood is discussing reminiscences from the beloved Apple Boss.our editor recommendsSteve Jobs: 10 Memorable Key events from the Apple Co-Founder's CareerRemembering Jobs (Video)What's Steve Jobs' Hollywood Legacy?Jobs Dies at 56Steve Jobs' Dying: Hollywood Honors the Visionary PHOTOS: 9 Greatest Compensated Entertainment CEOs The mastermind behind Apple's apple iphone, iPad, ipod device, iMac and iTunes, were built with a lengthy have a problem with failing health after fighting a unique type of pancreatic cancer, as well as in 2009 obtaining a liver transplant. "Jobs would be a great friend in addition to a reliable consultant. His legacy will extend far past the items he produced or even the companies he built. It will likely be the huge numbers of people he inspired, the lives he transformed, and also the culture he defined," stated Disney Leader and Boss, Robert Iger, inside a statement. "Steve was this kind of 'original,' having a completely creative, imaginative mind that defined a period. Despite all he accomplished, it feels as though he only agreed to be getting began. " PHOTOS: Hollywood's Notable Deaths "Together with his passing the earth has lost an uncommon original, Disney has lost an associate in our family, and that i have forfeit an excellent friend," the statement ongoing. "Our ideas and hopes are together with his wife Laurene and the children throughout this hard time.Inch Inside a joint statement, Pixar's John Lasseter and Erectile dysfunction Catmull stated: "Jobs was an remarkable visionary, our very dear friend and also the guiding light from the Pixar family. He saw the potential for what Pixar might be prior to the relaxation people, and beyond what anybody ever imagined." "Steve required an opportunity upon us and supported our crazy imagine making cartoon films the main one factor he always stated ended up being to simply 'make it great.' He's why Pixar switched view we did and the strength, integrity and passion for existence makes all of us better people," the statement ongoing. "He'll forever take part in Pixar's DNA. Our hearts go to his wife Laurene as well as their children throughout this incredibly hard time.Inch STORY: What's Jobs' Hollywood Legacy? Jobs known as Pixar "probably the most effective and reliable brand in animation." When Iger bought Pixar in The month of january 2006 for around $7.4 billion, Jobs was handed a 7.4 % stake in Disney along with a chair on its board of company directors. Before Jobs became a member of Disney, he was benefiting from the conglomerate's close connection to Pixar to enhance the potential for iTunes, which started supporting video in 2005. Together with music videos, a few of the earliest content available were Television shows from Disney's ABC and Disney Funnel systems like Desperate Average women, Lost, That's So Raven and also the Suite Existence of Zack & Cody. Related Subjects Bob Iger Jobs Pixar

Miramax CEO on UltraViolet: We Have No Choice

our editor recommendsUltraviolet Launches Licensing Program Leading to Digital Locker in the CloudConsortium of Studios, Manufacturers Throws Weight Behind UltraViolet Management SystemCould Steve Jobs' Resignation Impact UltraViolet?Related Topics•MIPCOM Failure to attract consumers' interest in the cloud-based digital locker could spell doom for the home entertainment industry and movie production going forward, said Miramax CEO Mike Lang. In a Q&A session (ironically with sellthrough opponent Ted Sarandos, CCO of Netflix) at MIPCOM in Cannes, France, Lang said consumer access to digital content has been confusing, with studios pushing sellthrough and rental, despite the fact that the separate business models compete with one another. Studios such as Warner Home Video and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, among others, this fall are rolling out initial home entertainment sellthrough titles (on disc and electronically) capable of being stored virtually in the UltraViolet cloud-based digital locker and playable on myriad compatible devices. "As an industry, we really have to believe it," Lang said. "We really don't have choice. If the home entertainment business as we know today, in terms of the transaction business, goes away, that's not good for anyone in this room." Lang said failure to reinvigorate the sellthrough model could adversely affect studios' ability to finance movies going forward. Sales of DVD/Blu-ray Disc/electronic sellthrough movies have historically affected whether a title was profitable or not. The CEO said he has found the digital transaction model to be poorly executed. "It's very difficult for the consumer to know that when they buy something that it works on any device," Lang said. "It's either tied into an Apple ecosystem or best of luck trying to make it work." He said the ease of streaming on myriad devices such as a Blu-ray player and video game console is what has made Netflix so popular. "Clearly, if we can create a digital locker experience that is as easy for the consumer and interoperable, then at least [it would be] an opportunity," Lang said. He said there needs to be discussion among studios regarding pricing of packaged media, including the fact that DVD prices currently are too high at retail, especially for library product. Lang also said studios should not advocate the transactional VOD rental model. "If you really want that film, you should buy it and not rent," he said. "It doesn't make any sense to rent it for 24 hours." The CEO said Miramax is working through the issues - issues he said that are complicated and difficult. "I don't know how many people use photo sharing software, but that is 90 percent cloud-based," Lang said. "Ninety-five percent of the software industry in the world is now through cloud-based transactions. I'm hopeful that the movie business gets there." He said studios need to partner with technology companies and retailers to see what they think will work and then develop a cohesive plan going forward. "Hopefully that will create a purchase-transaction market," Lang said. Related Topics MIPCOM

Watch Online Transformers 3 Dark Of The Moon