'Reba' Showrunner Sues 20th Television for Profits (Exclusive)

"Reba" The creator and former showrunner of the longrunning sitcom Reba has sued production company 20th Century Fox Television claiming she has been cheated out of profits from the show. Allison Gibson, who presided over the hit Reba McEntire comedy during its first season on the WB, claims in a lawsuit filed Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court and obtained by THR that she is entitled to a specific share of the show's revenue and that 20th TV has improperly accounted to her. Reba aired from 2001-06 but Gibson claims she departed as preparations for the second season were underway. She alleges her profit participation of 10 percent of modified adjusted gross was improperly reduced by 20th through various tactics, including lowering it to 7.5 percent because she left the show as its second season was getting started and double-deducting other paricipations when calculating Gibson's share. Gibson claims that 20th paid her an advance against profits in 2008 but that in January 2010 additional payments became due. This isn't the first time Gibson has sued 20th. Her lawsuit over an audit period that ended in 2006 is currently on appeal. She claims she's owed at least $1.1 million in damages from the improper profit calculation. "Ms Gibson's complaint, like the one she filed previously, lacks merit and includes claims she previously lost on in court," a 20th TV rep tells THR in a statement. "We anticipate a similar outcome in this case." The suit, filed by Los Angeles attorney Richard Ross, alleges causes of action for breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and fraud. Email: Matthew.Belloni@thr.com Twitter: @THRMattBelloni Reba McEntire

The Dark Tower cuts $45m from its budget

It's been a good week for Stephen King fans. First Warner Bros. chooses Ben Affleck to adapt and direct The Stand and now it seems the movie version of The Dark Tower is back on track.The Dark Tower producer Brian Grazer (Tower Heist) is still busy pitching the project with director Ron Howard and writer Akiva Goldsman and some big changes have added a new lease of life."We found a way to cut $45m out of the budget without changing the scope and actually giving it a good ending," Grazer told The Playlist."In the $140m draft, the ending wasn't quite as satisfying. Now, we've got $45m, $50m out of the way and a really satisfying ending. It's gonna get made."Stephen King's epic multi-book story follows Roland Deschain, the last gunslinger in Mid-World, as he pursues the Man in Black on his journey to The Dark Tower.The plan is to shoot three films and follow that with twoseasons on TV. See, we told you it was epic.

Lily Collins Joins British Teacher Cast

EXCLUSIVE: Lily Collins continues to be cast opposite Julianne Moore, Greg Kinnear, Nathan Lane and Michael Angarano within the indie comedy The British Teacher, which Artina Films is creating. Additionally, Canada’s Media House Capital originates aboard as co-financier around the film, which marks the feature directorial debut of Craig Zisk (The Large C, Nurse Jackie, Weeds). Artina’s Naomi Despres, Robert Salerno and Matthew Chausse of Artina are creating alongside Ben LeClair Ron Curtis and Media House’s Aaron Gilbert are professional creating. The film starts shooting now in NY. It focuses on a beloved senior high school British teacher (Moore) whose repressed personal existence is as opposed to the passion she gives the class. After her former star pupil returns for their small town after failing like a playwright in NY, she convinces him to mount his unproduced play in the school, which produces more drama than she’s seen. Collins, who's starring in Relativity Media’s untitled Snow Whitened project opposite Jennifer Aniston and Armie Hammer, will have a well known high schooler who makes conflict using the teacher. She's repped by CAA and Sloane, Offer, Weber and Dern.

Netflix Stock Taking Beating As 3Q Subscriber Numbers Weak

Netflix shares are currently down more than 18% in after-hours trading after the company reported 3Q earnings that beat Wall Street estimates in revenue and earnings per share. But the problem for investors is that the number of fleeing subscribers was even higher during the quarter than even Netflix anticipated when it revised down its guidance for the period owning to its recent missteps that included a price hike the splicing and re-splicing of its streaming and mail services. Stay tuned for the full numbers, but it’s wild to see Netflix stock drop below $100 as we speak.

Netflix ink U.K. indie deals

LONDON -- Momentum Pictures and Lionsgate U.K. is going to be one of the primary U.K. indie distribs to register with Netflix, which confirmed Monday that it'll expand its services to Blighty and Ireland early the coming year. Netflix's confirmation from the European expansion uses Daily Variety reported this news in This summer (Variety, This summer 15) that the organization was planning for a proceed to Europe following its announcement it was entering Latin America. Although particulars from the handles Momentum and Lionsgate haven't yet been revealed and confirmed by Netflix, the pacts will probably begin to see the two distribs inked in exclusive lengthy-term deals for that service, whereby game titles in the distribs is going to be on the service throughout the pay TV window. This news uses Netflix confirmed in August that it might be starting in The country within the first quarter of 2012. Netflix's arrival in Blighty and Ireland the coming year heralds the truth that digital landscape within the territory is altering in a fast pace. Rival VOD and subscription VOD service Lovefilm, that is possessed by Amazon . com, has inked lengthy-term exclusive handles eOne and Studiocanal, that will see game titles in the distribs (for example "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" from eOne and "Source Code" from Studiocanal) on the service. Lovefilm continues to be boosting its game to challenge BSkyB's monopoly from the U.K. pay TV market, with Netflix's arrival within the territory the coming year, these gamers are opening doorways for that indies. Many indie distribs in Blighty had typically found terms that BSkyB had agreed to be unfair because it has typically offered indies much more compact deals -- if any -- of computer agreed to the Hollywood majors. Lovefilm and Netflix's terms are thought to become a a lot more lucrative selection for the indies, and appear set to become a welcome relief on their behalf because the DVD market is constantly on the shrink. Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com

Apple Employees Celebrate Jobs Today

First family and friendsheld just a little private funeral for Jobs on October seventh. Then there's abigger private memorial serviceheld at Stanford College, withBono, Bill Clinton,and Bill Gatesamong the 100s who attended. Now come news reviews from the private employees-onlycelebration ofJobs’ existence being held today within the Cupertino headquarters. Itwas introduced inside an email to Apple staff from Boss Tim Cookwho written it’s”to take the time to can remember the incredible things Steve accomplished within the existence as well as the a number of ways he gained the planet a far greater place.”The event will probably be broadcast live inside Apple. Consequently, mostretail Apple Stores will probably be closed for a lot of several hours beginning at10 AMPT today.Employees across Asia and Australia will have a way to see a re-broadcast in the celebration.

P Passe Manley Signs Three-Year Start Searching Deal With Universal

Universal Pictures has inked a 3-year start searching deal with p Passe Manley, the shingle run by Suzanne p Passe and Phillip Madison Manley. P Passe is much better recognized for professional creating 1989's acclaimed small-series Lonesome Dove, but has more recently been used in the honours show area. Manley founded IPM, an entertainment, media and IP certification firm that's most broadly noted for concluding an international certification program for your estate of Martin Luther King, Junior. "Suzanne and Madison are trailblazing producers who've great respect in multiple divisions in the entertainment industry," mentioned the studio in the statement. "We are fortunate to make use of such respected partners and anticipate their approaching projects while using studio." The sale marks the fourth first-look signed by Universal in recent several days, while using others including Justin Lin, Chris Morgan and Vin Diesel. Related Subjects Universal Pictures

Real Steel Wins The United States Box Office Again

Footloose dances into secondThough it appeared as if a few days ago was shaping as much as function as the clash from the 1980s reboots in America, Hugh Jackman and the fighting 'bots ultimately won the bout just as real Steel obtained $16.3 million to be released the surface of the charts for any second week. The remake of Footloose needed to content itself with second place, generating $16.a million. And The One Thing showed up in third to some disappointing $8.7 million.That meant George Clooney's The Ides of March ended up lower to 4th with $7.5 million, while Dolphin Tale fell to fifth and $6.3 million.Sixth place visited Moneyball, which made $5.5 million. Cancer comedy 50/50 was seventh, generating $4.3 million and Courageous sank to eighth with $3.4 million.But regardless of how bad the teams behind Footloose and The One Thing may be feeling today, they are able to spare a concept for Steve Martin, Owen Wilson and Jack Black, who saw watching birds competition comedy The Large Year lay a large old stinking egg, coming in ninth place with $3.3 million. And lastly, in tenth place, The Lion King (three dimensional) ongoing to paw within the cash, adding $2.7 million.To consider cutting loose with statistics, mind on to Box Office Mojo.

'Game Of Thrones' Season Two Finally Casts Ygritte

"Downton Abbey" star Rose Leslie likely knows something about the big role she just landed on "Game of Thrones." Entertainment Weekly has the news that Leslie will play Ygritte, the love interest of Jon Snow in the second season of HBO's hit fantasy drama. Leslie certainly fits the description of Ygritte in the books, though it's hard to picture the wildling without the heavy clothing and cloaks she wears to keep herself warm north of The Wall. Ygritte is one of the last major players left to be cast this season. Check out the rest of today's casting news after the jump! "Paradise Lost" Finds Its Adam Deadline has learned that "Rock of Ages" star Diego Boneta will play Adam in Alex Proyas's adaptation of "Paradise Lost." The movie already cast Camille Belle as Eve and Dominic Purcell as Jerahmeel, aka Moloch, as well as Bradley Cooper, Ben Walker, Casey Affleck, Callan McAuliffe and Djimon Hounsou. "Paradise Lost" begins shooting soon in Australia, and will be released in 2013. Tom Cruise For "We Are Mortals" The Hollywood Reporter has learned that discussions are on between Tom Cruise and Warner Bros. for the upcoming movie "We Are Mortals." Previously titled "All You Need Is Kill," the big-budget sci-fi war film is being directed by Doug Liman. Cruise is also slated to headline Joseph Kosinski's sci-fi epic "Horizons" for the studio. Vin Diesel Locked In For Two Years With Universal According to Variety, Vin Diesel has been locked into a two-year first look production contract with Universal after the success of "Fast Five." Universal already locked in writer Chris Morgan and director Justin Lin as well. This means Diesel and the rest will be set up for all future "Fast" movies at Universal, but also have the potential for other collaborations as well. "Great Expectations" Finds Its Pip Newcomer Jeremy Irvine has landed the role of Pip in Mike Newell's adaptation of "Great Expectations," The Hollywood Reporter has learned. Irvine was last seen in Steven Spielberg's adaptation of "War Horse." "Great Expectations" began shooting yesterday in the UK, an also stars Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes and Robbie Coltrane. Patricia Clarkson Heads To "The East" Variety has learned that Patricia Clarkson is the latest to come on board the eco-terrorist thriller "The East." She will play Brit Marling's boss in the film. "The East" also stars Ellen Page, Alexander Skarsgard and Toby Kebbell. Tell us your thoughts on today's Casting Call in the comments section below or on Twitter!

Roseanne Barr's Comeback Comedy 'Downwardly Mobile' Lands at NBC

In a bid for brand names and broad comedy, NBC snatched up Roseanne Barr's comeback sitcom, Downwardly Mobile. The multi-camera ensemble, which landed a script plus penalty commitment from the network, is set in a mobile home community with former Roseanne writer/executive producer Eric Gilliland on board as a co-creator, writer and executive producer. The Twentieth Century Fox TV-produced project, which also includes writer, executive producer and longtime boyfriend Johnny Argent and non-writing executive producerSteven Greener (Roseanne's Nuts),was waiting on a showrunner before being shopped to networks. Scoring Gilliland, who served as an executive producer and writer on Roseanne's long-running ABC comedy, was widely perceived as a coup. STORY: Roseanne Barr Preps Comedy Sitcom 'Downwardly Mobile' for 20th Television In addition to an established rapport, WME-repped Gilliland brings significant comedy experience as a writer or producer on such series as The Wonder Years, That 70's Show and ABC'sMr. Sunshine. Working to his advantage: the new effort will mine similar territory as Roseanne, about blue-collar family and friends living in tough economic times. While both the material (lower class living) and the format (multi-cam) are something of a departure for NBC, the desire to get back in business with one-time TV stars is a strategy several of the networks are embracing.Home Improvement'sTim Allenwill have his big TV return Tuesday with the premiere of his ABC sitcomLast Man Standing, while the same network is also circling a sitcom vehicle for formerCheersstarKirstie Alley.For its part, NBC attempted (unsuccessfully) to score some nostalgia points with a platform forMad About YoustarPaul Reiserlast spring. STORY: Roseanne to Return to TV in New Lifetime Reality Show If ultimately picked up to series,Mobile will be Barr's first sitcom sinceRoseanneended after nine seasons in 1997. Shortly after wrapping, the Emmy-winning actress dabbled in the talk show space withThe Roseanne Show, but then remained largely out of the public eye in the years that followed. She tip-toed back into the spotlight more recently withLifetime's short-lived docu-seriesRoseanne's Nuts, which followed the comedian as she ran a 40-acre macadamia nut farm in Hawaii. Email: Lacey.Rose@THR.com Twitter: @LaceyVRose Related Topics NBC Roseanne Barr TV Development

Lovely Guy

A Karuna Pictures production. (Worldwide sales: Karuna Pictures, Jakarta.) Produced by Indra Tamorron Musu, Teddy Soeriaatmadja. Executive producer, Millan Rushan. Directed, put together by Teddy Soeriaatmadja.With: Donny Damara, Raihaanun, Yayu aw unru, Ari Syarif, Lani Sonda. (Indonesian dialogue)A transvestite sex worker is faced with the Muslim-elevated teenage daughter he abandoned in "Lovely Guy," an absorbing meller by prolific Indonesian helmer Teddy Soeriaatmadja ("Ruma Maida"). Set throughout the time of the eventful evening, this perfectly-completed study from the essential requirement for parent-child associations remarkably mixes tough speak with tender emotion. World preemed at Busan, pic should notch up plenty of fest mileage before its local release next season. Arriving Jakarta outfitted with only with a domain scrawled around the scrap of paper, 19-year-old country girl Cahaya (Raihaanun) finds out hard method that Saiful (Donny Damara), the dad she's not seen in 15 years, has become "Ipuy," a red-colored-colored-miniskirt-wearing streetwalker in Jakarta's Taman Lawang transgender red-colored-colored-light district. Angrily neglecting the woman at first, Saiful progressively discloses and unveils harsh details about his marriage and utter inadequate shame about his profession. Sideline nuances of Cahaya's pregnancy together with a sizable debt Saiful owes a close heavy (Yayu aw unru) feel somewhat added on, nevertheless the central dramatic thread is convincing, compelling and rewarding. Technical package is decent around the poor.Camera (color, HD), Ical Tanjung editor, W. Ichwandiardono music, Bobby Surjadi art director, Richard Sibuea costume designer, Ve Verdinand. Examined at Busan Film Festival (A Window on Asian Cinema), March. 7, 2011. Running time: 72 MIN. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Wally Disney Stretches Robert Iger's Contract Through June 2016

NY - The Wally Disney Co. has extended Robert Iger's employment contract through June 2016, the entertainment conglomerate mentioned Friday, trading moving a long-term succession process. Beneath the new agreement, effective March. 1, Iger, 60, will convince add the role of chairman following current chairman John Pepper Junior.'s retirement within the board at Disney's 2012 annual investor meeting in March. For the time being, Iger will remain leader and Boss, Disney mentioned. Iger, who was simply named leader and Boss on Sept. 30, 2005, will retain the positions of chairman and Boss through March 31, 2015, after which it a completely new Boss will probably be named. Iger will offer the title of executive chairman until his term finishes, the business mentioned. Anything requires his retirement within the finish in the term. Iger's previous employment contract was set to operate on Jan. 31, 2013. "The Disney board needed action at this time around around to secure the benefit of Iger's leadership through 2016, offer a powerful, seamless succession and management transition together with a continuity in the company's corporate way to create extended-term value for traders," Disney mentioned in the statement. Wall Street experts say theme parks unit mind Tom Staggs and CFO Jay Rasulo, who formerly swapped jobs to supply them connection with new roles, are likely internal candidates for your Boss role once it discloses, additionally they mention other strong professionals as you can candidates. "I expect Jay Rasulo or Tom Staggs being named the next Boss - or leader first," mentioned Burns Tabak analyst David Joyce, who layed out Disney's deep management bench. "Anne Sweeney or George Bodenheimer, who presently co-run the tv characteristics, might be moved into the parks or CFO role then." Meanwhile, Iger's annual salary will rise from $2 million to $2.5 million under his new contract. He is not receiving any up-front equity award concerning the the completely new contract agreement, and also the annual bonus - whose target increases by $2 million to $12 million - is dependent round the company's performance, including operating profit, return on invested capital, earnings per share and after-tax-free earnings. His annual extended-term equity incentive award of options and restricted stock models will probably be "entirely based on their future financial performance," Disney mentioned. Disney layed out that Iger "has introduced the business to record operating results while positioning Disney money for hard times inside the global, dynamic multi-media industry." It added that Disney's total investor return since his elevation for the leader and Boss roles is five occasions greater in comparison towards the broad-based S&P 500 stock index. "One of the most legendary brands and prominent companies in the world, The Wally Disney Company requires a leader while using proven driving rights creative and financial success in the dynamic world," Pepper mentioned in the statement. Mentioned Iger: "I'm dedicated to growing extended-term value for traders and am confident we'll keep doing so using the effective execution within our core proper points of interest: the roll-from high quality, high quality content and encounters, using technology, and creating rise in numerous and exciting worldwide areas." Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com Twitter: @georgszalai Related Subjects

Towne Writing The Battle Of Britain

For GK FilmsWhen not putting new, controversial words in Darth Vader's voice box, George Lucas has been spending time getting his World War II aerial drama Red Tails airborne. But he's not the only one interested in the period and the sky: Graham King's GK Films is now planning an ambitious, fresh look at one of the UK's most famous fighting periods with Bonnie & Clyde/Mission: Impossible's Robert Towne writing The Battle of Britain.King's reasoning is personal, since his father lived through the time and regaled the producer with his memories of when the Royal Air Force took on the Luftwaffe and ultimately helped stop a Nazi invasion of the country."My father lived in London and watched this spectacular dog fight over the city, so bringing this story of endurance and triumph to the big screen means a great deal to me," King said in a statement picked up by Deadline. "I am also extremely excited to be joining forces with the iconic Robert Towne who is a master of mixing complex characters and tremendously compelling plots. Robert has a passion for history and a shared love of this particular story."They'll need to produce something impressive, as the Battle has already been well chronicled across both film and TV, most notably with the 1969 Guy Hamilton effort Battle of Britain. Still, planes!Pluck!Derring do and a band of underdogs facing overwhelming odds!There's never a bad time for that.

Werner Herzog Is Cruise 'One Shot' Enemy

In what's probably most likely probably the most surprising casting news shortly, it appears that famous documentarian Werner Herzog remains cast inside the approaching Tom Cruise vehicle, "One Shot," good Lee Child novel of the title. Herzog may have The Zec, a classic prisoner of war as well as the mind in the conspiracy behind the killings Cruise will investigate, reviews Variety. Since the casting of Tom Cruise as Child's legendary character, Jack Reacher, inside the adaptation of "One Shot," many individuals have requested the casting choice as well as the integrity in the film generally. Lee describes Reacher just like a hulking presence, far within the much shorter Cruise. For just about any movie that's faced hardly anything else besides negative press, news of Herzog joining the cast should inject necessary existence into the hype machine. People who comprehend the German auteur be familiar with kind of strangeness Herzog can offer. Legendary for that documentaries he narrates themselves—like the fantastic "Grizzly Guy"—Herzog along with his oddly beautiful German accent (consider a combination between Schwarzenegger and Morgan Freeman indeed, it inspired Hugo Weaving's "Captain America" voice!) is regarded as the inspired choice to play a movie villain in a long time. If individuals will not fill the theater to find out a shorter Jack Reacher, a great baddie could certainly convey more people interested. Herzog joins a cast that already includes Robert Duvall, Rosamund Pike and Richard Jenkins. That is all welcome news, but also for my money, I'd pay to find out Tom Cruise face offered by just the disembodied voice of Werner Herzog. Reveal everything you consider the Herzog news inside the comments section and also on Twitter!