Friday B.O. goes 'Grey'

'The Grey'Yesterday's bow for "The Gray" was not drab as the road opener made $6.5 million in the domestic B.O.Pic may be the second release in the fledgling distribbery after "Killer Elite," which cumed $25 million locally this past year. "Gray" will probably make between $16 million and $18 million through Sunday.Each of the frame's other two openers combined with online coupon retailers hoping a b -.To. boost, and Lionsgate's "One your money can buyInch got exactly that. Despite modest midweek interest, sales increased by Groupon participation knocked the Katherine Heigl-starrer to second place with $4.a million Friday and full weekend estimations within the mid-teens.It's tough to say, however, the amount of that gold coin Lionsgate will really receive. One insider recommended "Money's" $6 coupon rate, which matches wholly towards the exhibitor, has been put into weekend estimations at full-cost ticket costs, unnaturally blowing up the film's reported gross.Summit, on the other hand, offered tickets through Livingsocial and gained $2.5 million for fifth place yesterday. The small-major, lately acquired by Lionsgate that is disbursing an immediate competitor this frame, is anticipating around $7.5 million for that weekend.Holdovers composed the relaxation from the large gamers. The new sony/Screen Gems' "Underworld Awakening" gained $3.4 million for third, then Fox's "Red-colored Tails" with $2.8 million yesterday. Photos have cumed $36 million and $26 million Stateside, correspondingly. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Captain America 2 To Shoot This Year?

Nick Fury film planned afterwardsNeal McDonough played Cap's bowler-hatted, majestically-mustachioed comrade-in-arms Dum Dum Dugan in last year's Captain America:The First Avenger... and it looks like he'll play him again in the sequel, set to go into production later this year.Confirming what TomHiddleston already told us a couple of weeks ago - i.e. that Thor 2 is set to shoot first this year - McDonough mentioned a few more details to IMDB.com during a chat about his TVshow, Justified."Yeah, they're planning (to go into production for) Captain America 2 for the end of this year, because Marvel does one film at a time. So they're going to do Thor 2 and as soon as Thor 2 has wrapped, they'll do Cap 2."So that's good news. But the even better news is that Nick Fury's potentially '70s-set feature film, provisionally titled, um, Nick Fury, is set to start up after Cap 2 has wrapped."Hopefully right after that, we'll jump into Nick Fury because that's the one I'm looking forward to more than anything... it'll be me and Sam Jackson. In the real Marvel universe, Dum Dum Dugan is Nick Fury's right hand man."But as we say, the '70s setting is not confirmed, with McDonough still hoping that's how things will pan out."I just pray that they have a 1970s setting, because I want to see Sam Jackson with lambchops kicking people's asses for Marvel universe. It would just be awesome. And to work with Sam would be a treat."It's an incredible thought - though as this is just an off-hand remark from an actor being interviewed about another topic entirely, we're going to take this one with a punch of salt.After all, without official say-so from Marvel HQ, it's hard to believe that a movie two films down the line is set in stone, but we can dream, we can but dream...It does make you wonder though - how will the timelines work?How will actors look old enough and young enough? How will Cap go back in time? All with be revealed - okay, a little bit more will be revealed - come 27 April 2012, when The Avengers hits cinemas.

Erspamer firing latest trouble at OWN

The dismissal of longtime The famous host the famous host oprah Winfrey confidant and OWN professional V . p . Lisa Erspamer means the cabler continues to have not found its mojo and corporate owner Discovery might be losing persistence. Erspamer, who had previously been by Winfrey's side for 18 years but did not have network experience, was fired because OWN has fell greatly missing anticipation if the was launched this past year. Although thought fans of "The The famous host the famous host oprah Winfrey Show" would instantly follow her brand to own, that basically is not the problem. In May 2011, the professional shuffle began when Boss Christina Norman was release and transformed by Peter Liguori. Erspamer's niche was along with her associations with stars, nurtured while she was on "The famous host the famous host oprah." She turned up an entire year just before the network debut and was instrumental to obtain reality skeins "The Judds" and "Why Not? With Shania Twain" round the air. Yet, connected with pension transfer series on OWN, the 2 not successful to ignite. Parent company Discovery has ponied up $300 million up to now, with little return on its investment, as well as the Maryland-based conglom may be making personnel options with elevated authority than previously. Altering Erspamer by having an interim basis is Discovery vet Rita Mullin, who's senior V . p . of content way of Discovery Fit & Health insurance continues because role. She also carried out most in many TLC hits, including "Jon and Kate Plus 8," and there's hope that they'll steady the ship at OWN just before the web finds an enduring alternative. Presently within the organization just like a consultant is former network chief Suzanne Daniels, who went the WB and Lifetime. It's unclear whether Daniels may wish to consider coping with greater responsibilities at OWN. Winfrey, who designated many of the duty if the found beginning OWN, has become more hands-on in recent several days which is coping with presidents Erik Logan and Sheri Salata to discover a winning combination of programs. One of the handful of vibrant spots remains "Oprah's Next Chapter," that's away and off to an effective start with an average 924,000 audiences tuning in each and every week. And there's also docuseries "Thank you for going to Sweetie Pie's," in regards to the goings-on inside a St. Louis restaurant. Missing the aim, however, might be as well as greater profile "The Rosie Show," with Rosie O'Donnell. The talkshow is calculating only 200,000 per episode. This Year's week "Rachael Ray" vet Shane Farley was hired to switch Page Hurwitz as professional producer. Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com

Italia halts free TV frequency licenses

Rome-- Italia, inside a move that reps a blow for Mediaset, the television empire of former premier Silvio Berlusconi, has frozen intends to license new digital TV wavelengths free of charge.The lately installed Italo government, headed by technocrat Mario Monti, on Friday made the decision to suspend "for 3 monthsInch a so-known as "beauty contest" tender to award new DTT wavelengths, which in fact had formerly made the decision through the Berlusconi government.That tender, to which wavelengths were designated free of charge, only to tv stations dedicated to massive opportunities, had belong to attack by experts declaring it preferred incumbents, including Mediaset.Mediaset, that is Italy's top commercial broadcaster, inside a statament blasted your decision, protecting the "beauty contest" as "absolutely legitimate" and vowed to do something to help keep that old rules. But Industry minister Corrado Passera indicated Friday the government, pressurized to boost cash, has become prone to scrap it. "The wonder contest was selected within an economical and social context not the same as the present one," he stated. "At any given time once the government is asking sacrifices from the people - and also, since TV wavelengths really are a scarce and precious resource - we're taking a while to locate solutions which are more coherent using the growth, equity and austerity plan of the government." In September, Italy's previous government stated 10 companies, including Rupert Murdoch's Sky Italia, had requested one frequency band within the contest. But Sky Italia drawn out recently, stating a convoluted procedure that preferred existing gamers. Italo merchant bank Mediobanca has believed when the federal government decides to auction the DTT licenses it might raise as much as $2 billion. Contact Nick Vivarelli at nvivarelli@gmail.com

Virgin America flies to 'Philadelphia'

Virgin AmericaAfter previously pairing up with HBO's "Entourage" to launch a new route to Las Vegas, Virgin America has booked FX's "It's Sunny in Philadelphia" to promote its new flight to Philly.The San Francisco-based airline started selling tickets to Philadelphia Intl Airport Tuesday after introducing its next route on its Facebook page with the help of "Sunny's" mysterious "Greenman," who appeared in a video on the social network.The airline and FX are giving away a chance to win roundtrip flights and what they're calling "the ultimate 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' fan pack" consisting of the first six seasons of the show on DVD, a Paddy's Pub T-shirt, the series' official board game and a guide to the characters' favorite haunts.The promo should help hype "Sunny's" eighth season that kicks off this fall the way Virgin also promoted DreamWorks' "Real Steel" last fall, through a tie-in and promotional partnership with Disney, which distributed the film through its Touchstone banner.The carrier likes to tout its entertainment options, with its Red in-flight entertainment system offering 35 films, live TV, videogames, musicvids, and a 3,000 song library. Virgin Produced also uses the airline to promote its slate of pics, including "Immortals."Virgin America will fly three daily non-stop flights from Los Angeles Intl Airport to Philadelphia starting April 4, and two from San Francisco Intl Airport on April 10.The airline, which recently started flying to Palm Springs, Chicago and Mexico's Puerto Vallarta and Cancun, is launching Philadelphia as 50% of travelers flying from Philadelphia to L.A. use connecting flights (it's 45% to San Francisco). Contact Marc Graser at marc.graser@variety.com

Spielberg talks Tintin follow up and Jurassic Park 4

Steven Spielberg is doing lots of press lately to be able to plug equine war movie War Equine, and it has given an update around the approaching Tintin follow up along with the status of Jurassic Park 4.We'll cope with Tintin first, with Spielberg verifying he and Healing For Peter Jackson will swap roles for that follow up, using the Kiwi taking up the director's chair and Spielberg handling production responsibilities."I am not likely to say which tales happen to be selected for Peter Jackson's follow up because Peter and that i agreed that people were not likely to allow that to information out yet," states Spielberg. "The script has become being written. It's several book, but it is not three books, to ensure that means it's two books. It's 2 . 5 books that we are mixing using the Secret from the Unicorn.""Peter will begin focusing on the film this season,Inch continues the director. "When he's done shooting The Hobbit, he'll begin his performance capture use the stars later in 2012, which I am very looking forward to. Not to mention, I am wishing I'll have the ability to direct the 3rd one. I'd like to do the 3rd one because I'd a lot fun on the first.InchFor Jurassic Park 4, the Beard was less forthcoming, although he did make sure he won't be pointing the following instalment within the franchise. "I'd rather not discuss Jurassic Park 4 yet," he stated. "It's too soon. But I will tell you that I am not pointing it. I am creating it though."

Robert Downey Jr. Expresses Interest In Tim Burton's 'Pinocchio'

Only two days after Tim Burton announced that he would like Robert Downey Jr. to be the puppeteer Geppetto in his upcoming live-action "Pinocchio" film, the "Iron Man" and "The Avengers" star has confirmed that he would be interested in the role. In other parts of the internet, Television Without Pity's annual "Movies Without Pity" awards show is starting up, Rob Marshall has started talking "Pirates of the Caribbean 5" and Daniel Radcliffe's promo reel for this week's "Saturday Night Live" has us cracking up. It's January 11, and you're here for today's daily news round-up. Robert Downey Jr. Game For "Pinocchio"? It was pretty big news earlier this week when Tim Burton said he was considering directing a live-action version of "Pinocchio" and that he would want Robert Downey Jr. for the role of Geppetto, so it's no surprise that Downey Jr. heard about it. Omelete caught up with the "Iron Man" actor at the Brazilian premiere of "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows," where he said he was definitely intrigued by the role. "I want to talk to him about it, yeah!" Downey Jr. said. "C'mon, it's Tim Burton." Second Annual "Movies Without Pity Awards" Gear Up Based on the way you've all been busy voting in the MTV Movie Brawl 2012, we figure you all appreciate a good fan-voted awards show. Television Without Pity is starting their second annual "Movies Without Pity Awards" this week, and voting will run through February 12. With categories like "Best Cast In the Worst Movie" and "Least Convincing Screen Couple," how can we resist tossing our vote into the pot? Rob Marshall To Tackle "Into The Woods" Rob Marshall's latest cinematic outing, "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides," might have been a big-budget action movie, but the director made a name for himself helming big screen musical adaptations. His next project is going to be an adaptation of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's classic "Into the Woods," which will follow in the footsteps of previous Marshall Broadway adaptations "Chicago" and "Nine." The Hollywood Reporter has learned that Lapine is already working on writing a script for this new film, which Marshall expects to have new songs from Sondheim. ...He's Also Thinking About "Pirates 5" Even though he's gearing up to work on "Into the Woods," Marshall is also thinking about his other Disney commitment: the fifth "Pirates of the Caribbean" film. "Terry [Rossio] is writing it and hes working incredibly hard and he did a draft and rethought it all and started working on it again," Marshall told THR. "I know Johnny feels the same way: He needs to see a script, but he would be happy -- if its the right script -- to put that hat and sword back on." A New International Poster Debuts For "John Carter" Andromeda High has posted the newest international poster for "John Carter." The film's promotion is no longer trying to shirk from the fact that this is going to be a CGI-heavy production with lots and lots of aliens, and we're totally okay with that. Better that than audiences going in thinking the movie is about mostly humanoids like the first trailer seemed to suggest. Daniel Radcliffe's "Saturday Night Live" Promos Premiere Sure, these aren't as funny as Daniel Radcliffe punching Josh Horowitz in the face (here's a GIF to prove our point) but we could listen to him saying, "Chill broseph, I like Mountain Dew and big butts!" in an American accent all day long. Tell us your thoughts on today's Dailies in the comments section below or on Twitter!

Exclusive Project Runway All Stars Start Searching: New Host, No Immunity

Austin Scarlett Can Austin Scarlett finally sew up victory on Project Runway? Or possibly could it be Mondo Guerra's use decide to use the victory catwalk? On Thursday at 9/8c on Lifetime, Project Runway returns getting a unique All Stars edition that returns 13 designers. Having a completely new host, supermodel Angela Lindvall, idol idol judges - design icon Isaac Mizrahi and Marchesa co-founder Georgina Chapman - and Marie Claire Editor-in-Chief Joanna Coles as mentor, Project Runway will not look different but feel different too. Project Runway's Anya: I didn't think I'd win Look at this exclusive start searching at Project Runway All Stars in which the designers meet Lindvall the first time, she reduces most likely probably the most lucrative honours in Project Runway history, Scarlett sports a very Rhett Butler-esque mustache ... and, uh-oh, it's introduced that you will find no immunity! A rundown in the returning all-stars:Kenley Collins - Season 5Michael Costello - Season 8Gordana Gehlhausen - Season 6Mondo Guerra - Season 8Mila Hermanovski - Season 7Kara Janx - Season 2Elisa Jimenez - Season 4April Johnston - Season 8Rami Kashou - Season 4Austin Scarlett - Season 1Jerell Scott - Season 5Sweet P/Kathleen Vaughn - Season 4Anthony Williams - Season 7 Project Runway All Stars premieres on Thursday at 9/8c on Lifetime.

Berlin Panorama selects Schloendorff's 'Sea'

BERLIN -- Volker Schloendorff's World War Ii drama "Calm at Sea" and Tony Gatlif's "Indignados," in regards to the protest movement that spread across Europe a year ago, are the films unspooling inside the Berlin Film Festival's Panorama sidebar this year.InchRelaxed at Sea" can be a fact-based drama in regards to the German occupation of France, like the story of Guy Moquet, the youthful French communist hero carried out with the Nazis who remains synonymous with french Resistance, additionally to people of acclaimed German authors Ernst Juenger and Heinrich Boell, all of whom offered in France while using German military.Highlighting another kind of occupation, "Indignados" examines a Europe in revolt using the eyes from the illegal female immigrant, who encounters the Occupy movement as well as the dissatisfaction from the youthful generation of European society. The pic will open Panorama Special.Fest planners on Tuesday revealed the initial 20 films that will screen incorporated within the Panorama sidebar, which includes the main Program and Dokumente sections furthermore to Special. The whole selection includes some 50 game game titles.Also opening Special is Polish director Malgoska Szumowska's drama "Elles," starring Juliette Binoche.Ira Sachs' U.S. gay drama "Keep the Lights On," starring Thure Lindhardt ("Flame and Citron") and Zachary Booth and Sheldon Larry's U.S.-Canadian feature "Allow it to relaxation around the groundInch also unspool.Other options include Pen-Ek Ratanaruang's Thai thriller "Headshot" Julian Roman Poelsler's Austrian-German title "The Wall," starring Martina Gedeck ("The Lives of Others") Faouzi Bensaidi's French drama "Dying available" Kirsten Sheridan's Irish pic "Toy house" and "10+10," researching the market of works from Taiwan from 10 established company company directors, including Hou Hsiao-Hsien.Another features selected for Panorama are:"From Seoul to Varanasi," Kyuhwan Jeon (Columbia)"Lost in Paradise," Vu Ngoc Dang (Vietnam)"Kuma," Umut Dag (Austria)"L'age atomique," Helena Klotz (France)"My Way," Kang Je-kyu (Columbia)"Mother Is Coming initially from,Inch Cheryl Dunye (Germany)"The Parade," Srdjan Dragojevic (Serbia, Croatia, Macedonia, Slovenia)"The Woman Who Blown Off Her Tears," Teona Strugar Mitevska (Macedonia, Germany, Slovenia, Belgium)"Wilaya," Pedro Perez Rosado (The nation)"Xingu," Cao Hamburger (South usa) Contact Erection dysfunction Meza at staff@variety.com