TrollHunter Director Seizes Carpe Demon

vredal pitches for slayer soccer momIt's not unusual for directors of breakout international hits to be lured to Hollywood, and TrollHunter director Andre Øvredal is the latest to join the club. He's just signed on for Carpe Demon: The Adventures Of A Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom, adapted from the book by Julie Kenner.First published in 2005, the novel is the first in a series (franchise!) about Kate Connor, a woman living a life of suburban domesticity and trying to put her secret past as a slayer of demons firmly behind her. Except that plan comes undone when underworld denizens start surfacing in her adopted hometown of San Diablo.In short, it's a kind of Buffy-as-grown-up affair: Whatever Happened To Buffy?, if you like. There are five instalments to date, with Carpe Demon being followed by California Demon, Demons Are Forever, Deja Demon and Demon Ex Machina.The screenplay is by Dan and Kevin Hagerman (Hotel Transylvania), but we're not yet hearing any start dates or potential cast. The rights to the book currently reside with Chris Columbus' 1492 production company, who are also planning the English-language TrollHunter remake. Coincidence? No.Øvredal has shown pretty conclusively with TrollHunter that he can juggle humour and horror successfully, so he seems like a reasonable fit for the material. Let's hope he isn't overpowered by the bigger budgets of the Hollywood machine.

Will Ferrell Explains the Origins of Casa de mi Padre, His Spanish Telenovela Comedy

Will Ferrell movies can usually be summed up as Will Ferrell as a and you get it. Will Ferrell as a reporter? Thats funny. Will Ferrell as a NASCAR driver? Also funny. But Will Ferrell as a Spanish soap opera action hero? Casa de mi Padre is a Spanish language film starring Ferrell as a ranchers son who goes to war with drug dealers to protect his brothers girl (Genesis Rodriguez). Where, exactly, did he come up with this idea? At the films press junket today, Ferrell said hed had this idea for five to seven years. The inspiration struck him, as such ideas do, during a 2:00 a.m. channel surfing session. Im probably like so many people, turning on the television going through the channels at two in the morning and landing on a telenovela going, What is this? Why are they so over the top? This is amazing, Ferrell said. Thats my exposure to them. Id always had this idea of thats such a heightened, funny world that it would be really funny to see myself in that world. I thought God, youve never seen an American comic in a foreign language film and have them commit to it in a way thats believable. I thought thats something if you could pull it off, that would be an original movie. The TV dramas that pop up on Univision or Telemundo in the states take the drama pretty seriously. You can tell Ferrell thinks its funny by all the intentional mistakes (continuity errors, visible boom mics, stuffed animatronic animals and mannequin stand-ins) intentionally placed in Casa de mi Padre, which is written by Andrew Steele and directed by Matt Piedmont, both alumni of Saturday Night Live and Funny or Die. It technically really isnt an homage to telenovelas, Ferrell said. Telenovela is kind of the broad description for it but its an homage to that, its an homage to the Mexican spaghetti western. Its an homage to bad moviemaking, continuity mistakes. Its an homage to overacting. Its an homage to stuffed wild animals. Once we started writing the script and talking about how we were going to shoot the movie, we saw this was a real opportunity to play around with a bunch of different elements. The script by Steele was written in English, then the dialogue translated into Spanish. Ferrell only speaks en espanol; only an American character delivers a few lines of English. Of course, now Ferrell only remembers the naughty words. Chingado is a good one, he said. I love that word. Chinga this, chinga that. Thats a good word, but thats commonly used. Chinga is the F word. Ferrell got over the language barrier on his first day of filming. For some reason the schedule worked out to where I literally had like a two page monologue in Spanish on the first day. Once I got the first couple takes under my belt, and I could see people watching behind the monitors going, His Spanish is okay. Its not that bad. Then I thought oh, okay. Im going to make my way through this. Had I kept up with the Spanish, Id be really good right now. But I didnt. I could make my way at a resort. At the Four Seasons in Mexico Id probably be okay. Fulfilling his dream of starring in a Spanish language melodrama, Ferrell was proud to use his box office clout to get an outrageous film made. This ranks up there as one of the things Ive gotten to do which you can only be so lucky to be in a position to take risks like this. Casa de mi Padre opens March 16. Watch the trailer here. Follow Fred Topel on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.

Adele breaks more records

Adele's "21" ongoing to interrupt records a week ago, because the title capped the 7 million sales plateau, set a SoundScan-era record for days at No. 1 and notched the greatest publish-Grammys sales rise in history.The Brit singer's Columbia album celebrated twelve months around the U.S. charts using its greatest sales week ever, moving 730,000 copies (up 207%), based on Nielsen SoundScan data for that week ended February. 19.Using its 21st nonconsecutive week at No. 1, "21" broke the prior mark of 20 days in the pinnacle set by Whitney Houston's soundtrack for "The Bodyguard" in 1992-93. It matches a pre-SoundScan run of 21 chart-topping days by M.C. Hammer's "Please Hammer Don't Hurt Them" in 1990.Gain for Adele's collection surpassed the 621,000-unit bump received by Norah Jones' "Leave Beside MeInch after her five-Grammy win in 2003.In 2 chart days because the February. 12 Grammys ceremony -- where Adele required home six honours, including album, record and song of the season -- "21" has offered 968,000 copies. It's moved 7.35 million copies within the U.S. up to now.Adele's 2008 debut "19" gains five slots about this week's chart, rising to No. 4 with 87,000 offered.Grieving fans pressed Houston's "Finest Hits" (Arista/The new sony Music) up four slots to No. 2. The late vocalist's collection acquired 174% a week ago, selling 175,000.Compilations complete the very best five: the Capitol-distributed "Now 41" collection held steady at No. 3 with 94,000 offered (lower 33%), while Universal's "2012 Grammy Nominees" package acquired three steps, taking No. 5 with 85,000 offered (up 66%),Last week's major entry, Van Halen's "Another Type of Truth" (Interscope), slid four positions to No. 6, losing 69% and selling 58,000.Relaxation from the top ten is completed by entertainers reaping helpful benefits from Grammycast exposure: Paul McCartney's "Kisses at the baseInch (No. 7, 58,000 offered, lower 22%), Bruno Mars' "Doo Wops and Hooligans" (No. 8, 37,000, up 133%), Lady Antebellum's "Own the Evening" (No. 9, 37,000, up 47%) and also the Civil Wars' "Barton Hollow" (No. 10, 36,000, up 178%). Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Listing Of 84th Annual Academy Award Nominations

First Released: The month of january 24, 2012 9:44 AM EST Credit: Fox Searchlight Caption George Clooney and Shailene Woodley in Fox Searchlights The Descendants, 2011LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Complete listing of 84th Annual Academy Award nominations introduced Tuesday: 1. Best Picture: The Artist, 'The Descendants, 'Extremely Noisy & Incredibly Close, 'The Help, 'Hugo, 'Midnight in Paris, 'Moneyball, 'The Tree of Existence, 'War Equine. 2. Actor: Demian Bichir, A Much Better Existence George Clooney, The Descendants Jean Dujardin, The Artist Gary Oldman, Mess Tailor Soldier Spy Kaira Pitt, Moneyball. 3. Actress: Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs Viola Davis, The Assistance Rooney Mara, The Lady Using the Dragon Tattoo Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady Michelle Williams, My Week With Marilyn. 4. Supporting Actor: Kenneth Branagh, My Week With Marilyn Jonah Hill, Moneyball Nick Nolte, Warrior Christopher Plummer, Beginners Max von Sydow, Very Noisy & Incredibly Close. 5. Supporting Actress: Berenice Bejo, The Artist Jessica Chastain, The Assistance Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids Jesse McTeer, Albert Nobbs Octavia Spencer, The Assistance. 6. Pointing: Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist Alexander Payne, The Descendants Martin Scorsese, Hugo Woodsy Allen, Night time in Paris Terrence Malick, The Tree of Existence. 7. Language Film: Bullhead, Belgium Footnote, Israel In Darkness, Belgium Monsieur Lazhar, Canada A Separation, Iran. 8. Modified Script: Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, The Descendants John Logan, Hugo George Clooney, Grant Heslov and Love Willimon, The Ides of March Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin and Stan Chervin, Moneyball Bridget OConnor and Peter Straughan, Mess Tailor Soldier Spy. 9. Original Script: Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist Annie Mumolo and Kristen Wiig, Bridesmaids J.C. Chandor, Margin Call Woodsy Allen, Night time in Paris Asghar Farhadi, A Separation. 10. Animated Feature Film: The Cat in Paris Chico&Rita Kung Fu Panda 2 Puss in Boots Rango. 11. Art Direction: The Artist, 'Harry Potter and also the Deathly Hallows Part 2, 'Hugo, 'Midnight in Paris, 'War Equine. 12. Cinematography: The Artist, 'The Girl Using the Dragon Tattoo, 'Hugo, 'The Tree of Existence, 'War Equine. 13. Seem Mixing: The Lady Using the Dragon Tattoo, 'Hugo, 'Moneyball, 'Transformers: Dark from the Moon, 'War Equine. 14. Seem Editing: Drive, 'The Girl Using the Dragon Tattoo, 'Hugo, 'Transformers: Dark from the Moon, 'War Equine. 15. Original Score: The Adventures of Tintin, John Williams The Artist, Ludovic Bource Hugo, Howard Shoreline Mess Tailor Soldier Spy, Alberto Iglesias War Equine, John Williams. 16. Original Song: Guy or Muppet in the Muppets, Bret McKenzie Real in Rio from Rio, Sergio Mendes, Carlinhos Brown and Siedah Garrett. 17. Costume: Anonymous, 'The Artist, 'Hugo, 'Jane Eyre, 'W.E. 18. Documentary Feature: Hell and Again, 'If a Tree Falls: A Tale of the world Liberation Front, 'Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory, 'Pina, 'Undefeated. 19. Documentary (short subject): The Barber of Birmingham: Feet Soldier from the Civil Privileges Movement, 'God May be the Bigger Elvis, 'Incident in New Baghdad, 'Saving Face, 'The Tsunami and also the Cherry Blossom. 20. Film Editing: The Artist, 'The Descendants, 'The Girl Using the Dragon Tattoo, 'Hugo, 'Moneyball. 21. Makeup: Albert Nobbs, 'Harry Potter and also the Deathly Hallows Part 2, 'The Iron Lady. 22. Animated Video Clip: Dimanche/Sunday, 'The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, 'La Luna, 'A Morning Stroll, 'Wild Existence. 23. Live Action Video Clip: Pentecost, 'Raju, 'The Shoreline, 'Time Freak, 'Tuba Atlantic. 24. Visual Effects: Harry Potter and also the Deathly Hallows Part 2, 'Hugo, 'Real Steel, 'Rise from the Planet from the Apes, 'Transformers: Dark from the Moon. Copyright 2012 through the Connected Press. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Sucherman Consulting expands in L.A.

Stuart Sucherman's consulting and executive search firm has expanded its Los Angeles office and hired Angela Gardener, a seasoned exec and former senior VP for Talent Acquisitions at Fox Entertainment Group. ''This is an incredibly interesting time and the world is changing at a very rapid pace,'' Sucherman told Variety. ''The question is, do you have the right people in the right job?'' as the media biz grows more complex by the day and companies are constantly seek advice and execs who are creative and digitally savvy. Sucherman Consulting, a small eclectic shop with decades-long relationships with leading media and entertainment companies, also said chief operating officer Erik Sorenson, who joined in 2010, has become an equity partner. Gardener started late last year based in Los Angeles with Matthew Wagner, who heads the West Coast operation as well as SGC Industry Intelligence, a new business offshoot ''to bring thorough industry analyses to its clients using confidential, highly-placed contacts within the media and entertainment landscape,'' the company said. It now has five employees in Los Angeles and 15 in NY. Clients include divisions of NBC Universal, Walt Disney and Viacom, AOL and the NY Mets. It's placed executives at ABC, AandE, CNN, CNBC, Comedy Central, Endemol, Food Network, Fuse, Fox, Game Show Network, MTV, NBC, Nickelodeon, Showtime, Sundance, Telemundo, Tennis Channel, VH1, the NY Mets and the NY Jets. Sucherman was a colleague of broadcast legend Fred Friendly, and has worked for the Columbia School of Journalisml, WNET/ Thirteen NY, CBS News and as a lawyer for the FCC. Sorenson president of MSNBC from 1998 to 2004, was exec producer of ''CBS This Morning'' and ''The CBS Evening News with Dan Rather.'' He has won more than 20 Emmys and a Peabody. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

FCC: Comcast should comply with Tennis ruling

The FCC's enforcement bureau says Comcast should be ordered to comply "immediately" with a ruling that the cable operator place Tennis Channel on equal footing in its lineup with channels in which it has a stake, including the Golf Channel and Versus. Last month, an administrative law judge ruled that Comcast had violated program carriage regulations when it refused to place Tennis Channel in a position similar to those of sports channels it owns. Tennis Channel argued that its placement cost it advertising revenue, and that it was placed in upper tiers even though its ratings consistently beat those of the Comcast-affiliated networks. After the ruling, Comcast argued that it did not have to comply until its appeals to the full FCC and to the Court of Appeals were exhausted. But in comments released Thursday, the FCC's enforcement bureau said that carriage laws "unambiguously" show that orders from administrative law judges are effective "upon release" of the ruling. Their comments are recommendations to the full commission. At the time of Administrative Law Judge Richard Sippel's ruling last month, Comcast said that it "has the contractual right to distribute Tennis Channel as it does currently, and Comcast firmly believes that the exercise of that right to minimize costs to consumers is not discrimination." After Comcast's merger with NBC Universal, it rebranded Versus as NBC Sports Network. Tennis Channel said in a statement that "the rules are clear that Comcast now has to give us the same carriage that it gives to its own Golf Channel and the NBC Sports Network." Contact Ted Johnson at ted.johnson@variety.com

Paul Giamatti joins Carlei's 'Romeo'

ROME -- Paul Giamatti has grew to become part of the cast of Carlo Carlei's adaptation of "Romeo and Juliet," set to start shooting in Italia this month.Giamatti may have Friar Lawrence, consultant to both Romeo and Juliet, together with a vital character inside the Shakespeare play.As formerly introduced, Hailee Steinfeld plays Juliet, while British thesp Douglas Booth is her Romeo. Erection dysfunction Westwick and Kodi Smit-McPhee play in the two lovers' cousins, Tybalt and Benvolio.Amber Ing. and Italy's Indiana Production are co-creating what's being suggested since the "Romeo and Juliet" for your "Twilight" generation. RAI Cinema will distribute in Italia.Pic marks the initial British-language feature film shepherded by Indiana, through which helmer Gabriele Muccino can be a partner.Shooting will exist in Mantua, the Northern Italian city that Romeo was banned inside the play, at Rome's Cinecitta Art galleries, where a lavish set continues to be built repairing the Mantua family crypt where the protags both die inside the famous finale.The script consists by Julian Fellowes ("Gosford Park," "Downton Abbey") who's also creating with Ileen Maisel and Lawrence Elman of Amber.David Tattersall, who shot the three "AlienInch prequels plus much more recently "Gulliver's Travels," is aboard as lenser.Costume designer is Carlo Poggioli ("The Raven").Pic will probably be qualified for Italy's generous tax credits for foreign productions, that provide around 25% from the pic's budget, designated at $6.5 million.Previous operates by Carlei, who's Italian but situated in Hollywood, include "Fluke," "The Ultimate Legion," and-profile Italo telepic "Il generale della Rovere." Contact Nick Vivarelli at nvivarelli@gmail.com