Revelation of the Pyramids

For centuries, the Great Pyramids have fascinated Mankind; every year brings a batch of new theories, from the plausible to the absolutely bizarre. One lone seeker, after more than thirty-seven years of study and research, has at last managed first to understand and then to prove what lies behind this greatest of archaeological mysteries, a message of paramount importance for all mankind, through time and space. Its key and its heart are the Great Pyramids of Egypt. From China to Peru, from Egypt to Mexico, throughout the Middle East - through the world's oldest, most enigmatic and often most beautiful sites the director has spent six years of investigation, guided by his anonymous informant, verifying his discoveries one by one, and meeting the planet's most eminent scientific and technical specialists. The result will shake the history of mankind as it is taught to its very core, and revolutionize Egyptology entirely. A great odyssey along a breathtaking route rich in staggering imagery, an extraordinary scientific leap and finally a revelation as unexpected as it is spectacular. The message bequeathed to future generations by these mysterious builders.

Universal Dumps Another Big Project: 'Wicked Lovely' In Turnaround

Universal has put Wicked Lovely, the adaptation of a series of best-selling Harper Collins novels by Melissa Marr, into turnaound. Mary Harron (American Psycho) was attached to the project which was being produced by Vince Vaughn's Wild West Picture Show Productions. The movie follows the high-profile plug-pulling of the studio's Hasbro board game movie Ouija, which had McG attached to direct and Michael Bay's Platinum Dunes producing. But whlile the latter was due to budgetary concerns, Lovely is being set free due to the studio realizing the project doesn't suit their needs. It wasn't nearly as close to a green light as Ouija was. The book series is a Twilight-esque story set in the secret work of fearies and centers on a teenage girl who can see the hidden faery world. She confronts danger when not only do the faeries discover her ability, but also when one king decides she must be his bride. Caroline Thompson, whose credits include a slew of Tim Burton movies including Edward Scissorhands and Corpse Bride, wrote the script. The producers, who in addition to Vaughn include Valeri Vaughn and Peter Billingsley, will now attempt to find a new home for the project. Vince Vaughn Universal Pictures

Russell Armstrong Laid To Rest In LA

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- A memorial service was held for Russell Armstrong, the late estranged husband of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills castmember Taylor Armstrong, on Wednesday in Los Angeles. According to People, loved ones of the 47-year-old business man gathered at Forest Lawn in Los Angeles, including Taylors Real Housewives co-stars Lisa Vanderpump, Kim and Kyle Richards, Adrienne Maloof and new cast member Dana Wilkey, along with Real Housewives of Orange Countys Peggy Tanous. The service was not filmed, Us Weekly reported. A second service will also reportedly take place in Russells native Texas. As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, Russell was found dead last week after committing suicide. Russell had been featured alongside Taylor on the hit Bravo series and their relationship woes were documented on the show. Taylor filed for divorce from Russell last month. The couple tied the knot in 2005 and has one daughter, Kennedy, 5. Bravo plans to re-edit the show in the wake of Russells death. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Hanks, Baldwin endorse USAN slate

Tom Hanks and Alec Baldwin have endorsed the slate for the United Screen Actors Nationwide faction for New York reps for the Screen Actors Guild. USAN made the announcement Wednesday and noted that Melissa Leo, S. Epatha Merkerson, James McDaniel, Susie Essman, Priscilla Lopez, Frankie Faison, Tim DeKay, Suzanne Douglas and Stephen Lang have also endorsed the USAN slate.USAN is facing an unaccustomed challenge in New York from the One Strong Union slate led by Sam Robards on a promise of "integrity, transparency and inclusion." The USAN slate which strongly supports a merger with the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists includes incumbent New York president Mike Hodge and national board incumbents Mark Blum, Rebecca Damon and Traci Godfrey along with comedian Lewis Black and Ezra Knight. Other USAN candidates are Manny Alfaro, Dave Bachman, Marc Baron, Jay Potter, John Rothman and Kevin Scullin; all are currently on the New York division board and serve as national board alternates.Hanks said in a statement, "I support the people who have guided SAG during these last months of huge changes in our art and industry. USAN has been vital in leadership positions and has worked ceaselessly to bring SAG and AFTRA together to create one union to serve us all."The merger vote could take place by spring. For the combo to be approved, over 60% of members voting in both SAG and AFTRA will have to approve. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

Global 3D biz looks blurry

The latest Transformers (above), Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean pics saw lower 3D shares in the U.S. than abroad. 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2''Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides'From "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" to this past weekend's "Conan the Barbarian" and "Fright Night," Hollywood has spent the summer debating the aesthetic gains of 3D. But in the more crucial barometer -- how much of a boost 3D upcharges bring to the bottom lines of studios and exhibs -- the summer has provided mixed messages. In 2010, 3D's contribution to a pic's overall B.O. ranged from about 50% to as high as 80%. This year, the domestic figure is down to roughly 45%. But pics are still seeing more formidable 3D returns overseas, with the format accounting for about 60%-70% of a film's international take, even in territories where the upcharge is a bigger percentage of ticket prices than domestically. To some degree, the divergence can be chalked up to a matter of preference -- some cultures just like 3D more than others for reasons that can't be quantified, and big-budget f/x spectacles continue to draw big auds overseas -- but there are also some subtle differences in local pricing models that provide insight to studios and exhibitors eager to see 3D pay off on its promise of enhanced B.O. takings. Some notable factors: Many international markets temper 3D upcharges with discount play periods. China has half-price Tuesdays. In Germany, "Cinema Day" brings a steep midweek price drop to matinees. And some territories even charge less for 3D pics that have shorter running times. In many countries, premium ticket prices for 3D are further mitigated because moviegoers are encouraged to buy their own reusable glasses. Domestically, studios have had to lower their expectations as to how much 3D can boost grosses. This summer, for instance, "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" saw 3D account for 46% of its U.S. grosses. "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" -- the first installment in the franchise to be released in 3D -- tallied 43% of its grosses in 3D. In Mexico, a higher-than-average 3D upcharge and high rate of family filmgoing have eroded the format's performance. Pics in 3D cost Mexican auds on average an extra $2.40 vs. 2D tickets, which cost around $3.52, according to an IHS Screen Digest report. The country's largest circuits, Cinepolis, Cinemex and Cinemark, charge between $2.20 and $2.77 more for 3D than 2D. Though Mexico has the lowest average ticket price for 3D films, recent 3D titles like "On Stranger Tides" and "Transformers" tallied some of their lowest 3D shares (42% and 55%, respectively) in the territory. But elsewhere abroad, the percentage of upcharge seems to have little effect on the format's popularity. In mainland China, 3D tickets cost between $12 and $18 compared to the country's average 2D ticket price of $9.39. But Chinese moviegoers rarely pay full fare: Besides half-price Tuesdays, online group purchases can cut 3D ticket prices in half, and some theaters discount purchases by certain credit-card holders. An aggressive 3D rollout has made China one of the biggest boosters of the format, as 3D accounted for the majority of B.O. for "Transformers," "On Stranger Tides" and "Harry Potter," with 82%, 64% and 70%, respectively, in the market. Established territories Japan and Germany continue to post topnotch results for 3D, and developing markets such as Brazil and Russia also turn out well for the format. Moviegoers in Brazil boosted first-quarter 2011 3D totals 58% over the same period in 2010, helped primarily by local 3D expansion. (Each new Brazilian plex has at least one 3D screen.) Going to a 3D show in the big theater is more of an event destination," said Paramount Intl. prexy Andrew Cripps, referring to 3D turnout in territories such as Japan and Russia. Indeed, total Japanese 3D box office in 2010 ranked second only to the U.S., with $471 million, according to the IHS report, while Russia rounded out the top five with $336.5 million from the format. This year's highest-grossing titles, "Harry Potter" and "Transformers," delivered some of their highest 3D results in Japan and Russia. Despite a much higher 3D premium by percentage for Russian moviegoers vs. 2D prices (at around 36%, according to St. Petersburg-based firm NevaFilm), 3D still rakes in considerable coin there. Japanese filmgoers pay an average 3D upcharge of $3.79, or 27% over the $15.68 average ticket price. And it can be much higher in some locales: In Tokyo's downtown Roppongi Hill theater, for instance, 3D tickets cost as much as $5.11 more than 2D. Some Japanese exhibs ease 3D ticket prices by charging less to those who bring their own glasses. Dolby controls most of the Japanese 3D market, and in March, the company started offering reusable 3D glasses for $12 per pair. In Europe, RealD sells its reusable glasses at concession stands or the ticket window for about E1, saving auds the repeated expense. Every country is in different stages with the glasses," said Par's Cripps. "(But) in most countries, the glasses are bought by the consumers." Elsewhere in Europe, both Germany and France generally charge more for 3D pics than in the States -- but are turning in higher 3D shares. In Germany, the average uptick for 3D vs. 2D runs around 43% ($3.85 more in 3D); French auds pay $3.10 more per 3D ticket for a 35% difference. At the high end in Gaul, 3D can run up to $30 per ticket (as it did for the "Harry Potter" premiere at Paris' Bercy stadium), while at Cinemaxx in Berlin, "Potter" in 3D cost almost $20. Neither extreme hurt the film's opening weekend: "Potter" debuted with 70% from 3D in Germany and 65% in France, which currently boasts Europe's highest 3D screen count at 1,606. What's more, German auds sometimes have the option to pay less for shorter, lower-profile 3D films. For example, at Cinemaxx on the opening Saturday, "Potter" tickets cost $19.40 in 3D, while "Green Lantern," with a 15-minute shorter run time, cost $17.95 during its comparable showing. According to Cripps, different pricing on 3D films with run times shorter than 2 1/2 hours may be a way to alleviate resistance to higher prices for family pics. In general, event movies are going to hold up better than family films," Cripps said, adding that most toons have incredibly long legs -- but not necessarily for their 3D runs. 3D isn't working everywhere overseas, however. Spain is seeing the format's biggest downslide (at least in Europe), crippled by a 22% unemployment rate and rampant piracy. The country's 3D premium at 37%, or $3.05 more than 2D, also is contributing to the format's decline. "Transformers" grossed 49% locally from 3D, while "Pirates of the Caribbean" earned 41% and "The Smurfs" earned 39%. (Clifford Coonan, James Young, Mark Schilling, Ed Meza, Nick Holdsworth, Marcelo Cajueiro and Elsa Keslassy contributed to this report.) Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com

Bertolucci to fete Bellochio at Venice

MILAN -- Two best of Italian cinema will get together the following month as Bernardo Bertolucci honours director Marco Bellochio the Golden Lion for lifetime achievement in the Venice Film Festival.The Sept. 9 ceremony will open using the screening of "Marco Bellochio, Venezia 2011" a 12-minute homage by filmmaker Pietro Marcello, then a screening of "Nel nome del padre" (Within the Title from the Father) the 1971 film re-edited and remixed for that event."I'm honored and moved because Bernardo Bertolucci will award me the Lion," stated Bellocchio inside a statement. "Despite the fact that we now have adopted different pathways, there's always been mutual interest and esteem between us. And affection."Bertolucci won the Golden Lion for lifetime achievement in 2007, the entire year it had been produced to commemorate 75 many years of cinema. He received the Golden Palm for lifetime achievement in the Cannes Film Festival in May.Bellochio, 72, makes over 30 films because the sixties. Credits include "China is Near," "Victory March," "Demon within the Flesh," "Fit to become Untied," "My Mother's Smile," "The Conviction," "Damaged Dreams," "Your Eyes, the Mouth," "Hello, Evening" "Vincere" and "Sorelle Mai." He's in pre-production on "Lacrime" (Tears).Venice runs August. 31 to Sept 10. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Splendent repping Kurosawa remake rights

Splendent Media has signed a multiyear deal to represent worldwide rights (outside Japan) to 69 titles from filmmaker Akira Kurosawa, including 19 screenplays that were never produced.Deal does not include the four Kurosawa-based projects already in various stages of development elsewhere, including The Weinstein Co.'s "Seven Samurai," as well as "High and Low," "Drunken Angel," and "Ikiru."Available pics do include 26 directed by Kurosawa -- "Rashomon," "Ran," "Yojimbo," "Dreams," "Kagemusha" to name a few -- plus 24 he wrote but did not direct, and the 19 screenplays that never lensed.Sakiko Yamada, principal of Splendent Media, announced the deal Monday with Hideyoshi Kato, execution committee president of rightsholder Akira Kurosawa 100 Project."We are thrilled and deeply honored to have been entrusted to represent this spectacular treasure trove of films and screenplays, and to help contemporary filmmakers introduce a new generation of moviegoers to these unforgettable stories," Yamada said.Los Angeles-based Splendent Media will serve as a sales agent but will also consider producing some titles. Yamada, who formed Splendent in 2010, is as an executive producer on the Al Pacino-directed feature "Wilde Salome," which premieres at this year's Venice Film Festival."In recent years, countless American and European filmmakers have expressed intense interest in remaking Kurosawa's films," Kato said. "To help streamline this process, we are extremely pleased to have found in Ms. Yamada a representative who possesses a deep passion for Kurosawa's work as well as strong connections to both the Japanese and U.S. entertainment industries."A complete list of titles and synopses can be found at www.splendentmedia.com. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

'Woman In Black' Photo: Daniel Radcliffe Scares Easily

Just in case you skipped the memo, Daniel Radcliffe's latest movie "The Lady In Black" will probably be frightening, and also the latest photo launched for that flick implies that audiences aren't the only ones afraid. Previous photos have proven Radcliffe's character Arthur Kipps searching a little nervous while travelling outdoors and then protecting themself having a hatchet, but this latest image shows Kipps at his most defenseless. Laying on the floor and searching irritatingly off in to the distance, Kipps appears like he or she is in some supernatural trouble. Maybe it's something related to that children's toy laying on the floor alongside him? When the trailer is any judge, Kipps certainly offers quite a bit on his plate within this movie. When MTV swept up with Radcliffe captured to talk concerning the flick, he shared he was glad "The Lady In Black" is really a departure from "Harry Potter." Additionally, it was a little of the challenge for Radcliffe to create, he stated, because he isn't keen on horror movies. If he's already speaking about being scared because of it, we certainly don't stand an opportunity. "It will likely be terrifying, and also at the exam screening they'd, apparently everyone was jumping from their seats afraid, and so i think it is simply likely to be a very, great movie," he revealed. "I am searching forward fully trailer being released, most probably several weeks down the road because I believe when individuals begin to see increasingly more, I believe the excitement about this continues to construct.Inch "The Lady in Black" hits theaters Feb 3, 2012. Have you been searching toward "The Lady in Black"? Inform us within the comments section below or on Twitter!

Luke Wilson gets 'Straight A's'

WilsonEXCLUSIVE: Luke Wilson is set to join the cast of Nu Image/Millennium Films dramedy "Straight A's."Anna Paquin and Ryan Phillippe were already slotted to star in the pic, as Variety first reported Tuesday. James Cox is helming from Dave Cole's script. Riley Thomas Stewart ("The Beaver") will play Phillippe's son.Pic follows a man who's been in and out of rehab for 10 years (Phillippe) and is haunted by the ghost of his dead mother pressing him to return home to the family he turned his back on years ago. He trots back to Shreveport, only to be faced with his brother's wife, who's still pining for him, her first love. Wilson will play Paquin's husband and Phillippe's brother.Scoot McNairy, John Pierce, Holly Wiersma and Rene Besson are producing. Avi Lerner, Danny Dimbort, Trevor Short, Boaz Davidson, John Thompson, Jamie Adamic and Lati Grobman exec produce.The casting marks the second actor from the HBO family to join the pic.Wilson can be seen in the upcoming HBO skein "Enlightened" with Laura Dern, and Paquin currently stars in HBO's "True Blood."He is repped by CAA and Hirsch Wallerstein Hayum Matlof and Fishman. Contact Justin Kroll at justin.kroll@variety.com

Brad Pitt To Star In Regency's 'The Gray Man'

BREAKING: Brad Pitt will star in the New Regency action movie The Gray Man. James Gray was set in January to direct the film, an adaptation ofMark Greaney's thriller novel. I'd heard Pitt's name back then, but the studio and actors reps denied the Moneyball star was doing it at the time. The question has always been timing, because Pitt and partner Angelina Jolie don't work at the same time. They usually rotate. Jolie directed In the Land of Blood and Honey, and now Pitt is starring in World War Z. Jolie has been seriously eyeing the Disney film Maleficent, but that picture needs a director. If she took her turn, then the timing of The Gray Man gets thrown off. If Pitt makes two movies in a row, he'll finish World War Z in late fall and The Gray Man will begin production in January or February. That's how it's looking now, because I'm told that Pitt has been locked down for that first-quarter 2012 slot. Script for The Gray Man was written by Adam Cozad, who also scripted the Jack Ryan franchise reboot for Paramount with Chris Pine and director Jack Bender. Targeted by a powerful multinational corporation, a former CIA operative-turned-ultimate assassin must fight his way across Europe and past special forces teams from around the world in order to save the life of his handler and the handler's family. New Regency's Navid McIlhargey is steering the film and Shine Pictures' Stephen Garrett is producing. Pitt's Plan B partner Dede Gardner has also come aboard to produce.

The Glades' Kiele Sanchez: It is time for Jim and Callie to Begin Again

Kiele Sanchez, The Glades Was Jim and Callie's beer date about the Glades a week ago the beginning of a brand new beginning?"Yes, certainly," Kiele Sanchez, who plays Callie, informs TVGuide.com. "I believe it is time to allow them to begin again. These were misconnecting and miscommunicating what it's they wanted. They were not on a single page whatsoever, however they're and i believe the thing is this week."May Be The Glades in your Watchlist? Add it as well as your other faves now and not miss an episodeSurprisingly, Callie - who continues to have yet to file for for divorce from Ray (Clayne Crawford) - appears to become the main one who's probably the most prepared to hit the totally reset button with Jim (Matt Passmore) on Sunday's episode (10/9c, A&E) once they hit the swamp after getting a vet's areas of the body inside a dead boar. As continues to be the situation the majority of the season, they begin bickering all over again regarding their status. But this fight finishes very in a different way after Callie suggests Jim may be the passion for her existence, as observed in this exclusive clip: "It's funny because Clifton [Collins, the creator] and that i shuttle about this. Whenever we spoken about this previously, he was like, 'Well, Jim's kinda just like a rebound.' I am like, 'What?!'" Sanchez states. "After I read such things as [her saying he or she is the passion for her existence], I am like, "Yes, I won!" I believe she's honest with what she states. It had been very hard on her to trust and believe and act about the feelings she was feeling - like this may be the individual for me personally.InchJust how did she finally achieve this time? With Jim's ex-girlfriend, Mike (Natalia Cigliuti), in Chicago, the 3rd wheel has run out of the image - Ray finding yourself in Witness Protection, notwithstanding. "His old girlfriend arrived to town! For me personally, I had been like, 'That's not awesome!'" Sanchez states. "It had been hurtful, however i think Callie needed to understand that she was dragging her ft for whatever reason with Ray, so she'd a submit making space for Mike to return and fill that for Jim. Rather than just being upset or hurt, she's seeing her part inside it now and it is prepared to begin again."Such as the think she'll be serving Ray with divorce papers at this time. Though Sanchez sympathizes with fans' eagerness within the dithering, the actress knows Callie's hesitation in smashing the news to her boy, Shaun (Uriah Shelton), whom she thinks just sights Jim like a friend from the family.Take a look at photos in the Glades"There's lots of guilt I believe moms for the reason that situation feel. In being careful of myself, am I truly being careful of my loved ones if this appears like my loved ones really wants to be together and I am the only person saying it will not work? Despite the fact that she's justified for the reason that Ray wasn't an excellent husband and father," Sanchez states. "And Shaun loves his father. He does not even put two and 2 together that there might be something romantic between his mother and Jim! ... I believe lots of boys for the reason that situation obtain a little Oedipal. They get protective from the mother. I'm not sure what is going to happen when he realizes."Sanchez, 33, is every bit at nighttime if this involves Jim and Callie's lengthy-term future. The show shot two different being for that season finale, which airs in 2 days. Inside it, Callie needs to come to a decision that may see whether she and Jim stay together or otherwise.InchThe option is within getting into the following chapter of her existence - is the fact that with Jim or perhaps is that inside a different direction?" Sanchez states. "I certainly have my preference - I am wishing for that happy ending - but it is Clifton's world and we are just residing in it! I wager I'm able to most likely discover before [it airs], however i most likely will watch and discover like everybody else."Watch another clip from Sunday's episode:

Marvel looks to create Physician Strange next Iron Guy

Marvel has began focusing on intends to make neurosurgeon-switched-super-wizard Physician Strange to their next large movie franchise.Thomas Donnell and Joshua Oppenheimer (Conan the Barbarian) have handed inside a script, and Marvel are extremely excited in what they have read they have already began shortlisting company directors.Following a flurry of effective films launched by Marvel in recent several weeks, most famously Captain America, most be questioning this make an effort to enhance among their more obscure figures.For individuals who've never heard about Physician Strange (he's just the large dad from the Marvel World) here's an array of his many, many talents..."Physician Strange may use miracle to attain almost any effect he desires, for example telepathy, energy blasts, teleportation, easy astral projection, the roll-out of materials, creating planet-wide protective shields, rebuilding themself from bodily destruction, or resurrecting the dead."Strange is capable of doing preventing and curing time on the planetary scale, sealing black holes, rebuilding galaxies, absorbing energy enough to subconsciously destroy any surrounding galaxies, growing to how big and merging with universal concepts, and assisted to funnel the mass from the entire Marvel World."So he's basically a super hero Swiss military knife then...