Michael Sucsy in talks to helm Beach Boys musical

Fox's 2000's untitled musical is set to the music of The Beach Boys.Michael Sucsy last directed Screen Gems' 'The Vow,' which has grossed over $100 million domestically."The Vow" helmer Michael Sucsy is in negotiations to direct Fox 2000's untitled musical scripted by Susannah Grant ("Erin Brockovich") that will be set to the music of The Beach Boys.Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, the team behind successful bigscreen musicals "Hairspray" and "Chicago," will produce with John Stamos.The original musical, which is based on a fictional story and characters created by Grant, will be driven by the music of The Beach Boys.Script was circulated to a handful of helmers several weeks ago, and Sucsy responded to the material. He recently sat down with Grant to discuss the project, which he has committed to direct. Studio acquired rights to use The Beach Boys' music in a bidding war with Universal back in October 2010.Meron and Zadan exec produced ABC's 2000 telepic "The Beach Boys: An American Family" with Stamos, who played with and remains close to the legendary band.Recent music-driven projects have a mixed track record at the box office, with Universal's ABBA-driven "Mamma Mia!" grossing $610 million worldwide, and Sony's Beatles-inspired "Across the Universe" earning only $29 million worldwide.Sucsy's feature helming debut "The Vow" has grossed over $100 million domestically for Screen Gems. He's currently developing "Rosaline" at Fox 2000, and previously directed HBO's award-winning telepic "Grey Gardens," which garnered him an Emmy win as well as nominations for co-writing and directing.Sucsy is repped by CAA and Anonymous Content. Contact Jeff Sneider at jeff.sneider@variety.com

Joel Kinnaman Offered Robocop

He may be not able to law enforcementWhile he burst to the worldwide scene playing a man taken up in crime in Daniel Espinosa's Snabba Cash, Joel Kinnaman remains trading plenty of his time becoming a police detective in the usa telly remake in the Killing. Everything police experience might yet prove helpful, as MGM has offered him charge inside the Robocop reboot.Elite Squad director Jose Padilha remains aboard to call the shots and he's been flipping using the usual go-to read searching to find the best star to fill Alex Murphy's metal helmet. There has been brief, unverified whispers floating around about Russell Crowe, and Michael Fassbender was mentioned to remain in the running.However Kinnaman, who last put their hands up in Espinosa's British language debut thriller Safe House alongside Ryan Reynolds and Denzel Washington, looks being the man for Murphy. While Padilha has been doing the script with Josh Zetumer, the latest word had Gran Torino's Nick Schenk taking a crack within the latest draft. If he's doing secure the part and start to preserve everyone trust, hopefully Kinnaman knows what he's looking for. A quick mobile call to original Robo Peter Weller might be in order so they can be fully alert to the burden in the part. Which we do not just mean fan anticipation...

Lythgoe, MY-Tupelo eye new dance format

MOSCOW -- MY-Tupelo Entertainment has acquired United States privileges to some popular Ukranian dance competition format from Star Media and can co-get the project with Nigel Lythgoe Prods. "Go Dance!" features massed troupes of youthful ballroom dancers -Up to 500 at any given time together for specifically choreographed programs -- facing off in Kiev's Maidan Square every week. In the finish from the 11-week contest, the winning troupe's city is known as the dance capital of the nation. Produced by Russian/Ukrainian Star Media Group and Studio Kvartal 95, the skein is within its second season. Viewer interest rates are spiked with a reality element towards the reveal that follows the lives from the ballroom dancers because they get ready for the brilliant programs which are broadcast live at the time from the dance-off. "We're very looking forward to this massive and exciting format that Nigel may bring to existence, like only he is able to,Inch MY-Tupelo prexy Michael Yudin stated. "We hope this to become the very first of numerous effective projects we all do with Star Media." Yudin, Star Media's worldwide sales consultant William Peck and Star Media mind of worldwide projects Maria Grechishnikova counseled me involved with closing its northern border American pact. "The offer is extremely significant for all of us,Inch Star Media Group mind Vlad Ryashin stated, "because Ukrainian method is rarely bought for that American market. We think that this truly worldwide show is going to be of great interest in lots of other nations." Star is at talks along with other potential purchasers in Asia and europe and was near to closing an offer in Russia, he added. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Scott Foley To Star In Goodwin Games, Powers Boothe Joins Nashville

Felicity alum Scott Foley has joined Becki Newton as one of the three leads in Goodwin Games, Fox’s single-camera comedy from the How I Met Your Mother trio of Carter Bays, Craig Thomas and Chris Harris. The 20th TV-produced project revolves around three siblings — two of them Newton and Foley — who reconnect after the death of their father when he leaves them his fortune — but only if they agree to his terms. The project reunites Foley with 20th TV after starring in the studio’s CBS military drama The Unit. The actor, repped by ICM and Brillstein Entertainment, most recently recurred on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy. Deadwood alum Powers Boothe has been cast in ABCs musically driven drama pilot Nashville written by Callie Khouri and directed by RJ Cutler. The ABC Studios-produced pilot is centered around the Nashville music scene and its rising and fading stars. Boothe, repped by Paradigm and Brillstein Entertainment, will play the patriarchal, powerful and controlling Lamar Hampton, who disapproves of his daughter Rayna’s stellar career as a country singer. He recently wrapped feature Straight A’s and the History mini Hatfields And McCoys.

Netflix ink pact with Weinsteins

Netflix as well as the Weinstein Company Tuesday introduced a completely new multi-year certification agreement, their first, to produce language, documentary and certain other movies from TWC exclusively designed for Netflix people inside the U.S. to check out instantly."The Artist" could make its pay TV debut exclusively on Netflix rather than on traditional premium cable.The pic, written and directed by Michel Hazanavicius and starring Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo, remains sweeping the honours season, like the Golden Globe to find the best Picture/Comedy or Musical and greatest Picture Honours within the Producers Guild of America, British Academy of Film and television, the London Experts Circle and NY Film Experts Circle.Also making its pay TV premiere on Netflix is "Undefeated," nominated for just about any 2012 Academy Award to find the best Documentary Feature. Pic follows players around the Memphis, Tenn. inner-city secondary school football team since it attempts to win its first playoff game inside the school's history.An assorted slate of TWC niche films look exclusively on Netflix within twelve several weeks from the theatrical release, including World War Ii drama "Sarah's Key," "Intouchables," "W.E.," "Coriolanus" and "Bully."The offer, the initial between TWC and Netflix, weren't revealed. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Exclusive Video: Prepare for "Fredsident's Day" with Fred: The Show

Elisabeth Shue and Eric Szmanda No Grissom with no Willows? Not a problem for CSI. The veteran drama was 1 of 2 shows Wednesday to determine a rankings bump, if this introduced Elisabeth Shue's Julie "Finn" Finlay, tugging in 11.a million audiences along with a 2.7 rating within the grown ups 18-to-49 demo (up 2 and 8 percent, correspondingly).Another show to savor an increase? Whitney, which reeled in 4.5 million eyeballs along with a 1.6 rating, up versus. last week's 4.07 million and 1.5.What have you think about Elisabeth Shue's CSI debut?Almost every other series continued to be flat or dropped to season or series lows, even Revenge, which broadcast its much-anticipated Fire & Ice Ball episode. The soapy drama tied a set lower in the demo having a 2.4.Meanwhile, the growing season premiere of Survivor: One World (10.7 million, 3.) published a franchise lower in the demo, lower 6 %, in comparison to the spring premiere last year.United states Idol won the evening, holding steady with 18.six million audiences along with a 6. rating.8 p.m.CBS: Survivor: One World 10.7 million audiences (3. demo rating)ABC: The Center 8.05 million (2.5) Suburgatory 6.9 million (2.4)Fox: The American Idol Show 18.six million (6.) [8-10 p.m.]NBC: Whitney 4.5 million (1.6) Are You Currently There, Chelsea? 3.49 million (1.4)CW: One Tree Hill 1.36 million (.7)9 p.m.CBS: Criminal Minds 11.9 million (3.)ABC: Modern Family 11.22 million (4.7) Happy Being 5.75 million (2.5)NBC: Rock Center with John Williams 3.05 million (.8)CW: Renovated .5 million (.2)10 p.m.CBS: CSI: Crime Scene Analysis 11.06 million (2.7)ABC: Revenge 7.six million (2.4)NBC: Law & Order: Special Sufferers Unit 5.85 million (1.7)

PGA sets date for 2013 kudos

The Producers Guild of America has set its 2013 honours show for Jan. 19 within the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The PGA's the initial Hollywood org to produce its honours date and locale for next season. The guild, which reps 5,000 producers, used the identical weekend and venue this year due to its 23rd annual honours show, when Thomas Langmann of "The Artist" won the Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Movies. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

CBS sees Q4 profit hike, Netflix pact

Ted Danson in "CSI" CBS is within foretells provide an original series for Netflix because it grows its content business, moving beyond selling the streaming service its old series.CBS chief professional Leslie Moonves did not provide particulars from the new show. However the Eye's readiness to create content for Netflix is proof that Moonves does not see Netflix like a rival to CBS. "Unless of course they're doing 22 hrs per week of premium content, we do not take a look at them like a competitor," he stated.Streaming certification pacts with Netflix along with other shops plumped up CBS profits last quarter even while revenue dipped simply on lower political advertising. But which will change fast because the primaries warm up, he guaranteed throughout a business call Wednesday to discuss earnings. CBS is "searching forward to numerous nastiness on sides" to fill its coffers, Moonves stated. "They are speaking concerning the number $2 billion. In most cases, we obtain 9%-10%. That's usually the ballpark," he stated. Which was the figure spent for local broadcast spots within the political 2008 cycle. Moonves sees it flowing nicely to radio in addition to TV.CBS Corp. profit rose 30% last quarter to $370 million. Executives guaranteed that existing output contracts with Netflix, Amazon . com and Hulu Plus and brand new ones would keep your gold coin flowing every year.Income slid to $3.78 billion within the 4th quarter from $3.9 billion on tough evaluations from the prior year, which incorporated second-cycle distribution purchase of "CSI."The entertainment division -- composed of CBS, CBS Television Galleries, CBS Galleries Intl., CBS Television Distribution, CBS Films, and CBS Interactive -- saw revenue ease 1% to $1.9 billion. Advertising revenue was flat.But operating earnings rose to 31% to $275 million on streaming deals, retransmission pacts minimizing costs.Executives stated scatter costs are up in mid-teens from last year's upfront and major groups are rebounding brought by automotive. CBS has seemed probably the most upbeat among large media companies to date around the condition from the ad market following a dour 4th quarter. "Due to our rankings we're commanding the majority of the scatter market," Moonves stated.Local broadcast, including TV and r / c, saw revenue fall by $100 million to $721 million. Operating earnings was lower 18% to $242 million.Cable network revenue rose 10% to $1.62 billion. Modified operating earnings nosed up 3% to $169 million. They are heady occasions for Showtime, which passed 21 million customers and merely won two Golden Globes including best television drama series for "Homeland." At Simon & Schuster, revenue reduced 1% to $229 but sales of digital content increased 83%. Digital sales are are less expensive and therefore are more lucrative, which brought to some 50% increase in operating earnings to $27 million. Outside revenue firmed 1% to $514 million. Operating earnings increased 80% to $76 million on more lucrative contracts. Briefly remarks in the opening from the call, CBS chairman Sumner Redstone known as Moonves "a genius" four or five occasions. "Thanks Sumner, greatly, for your excessively kind introduction," Moonves stated. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

'Brake' Exclusive Clip: Honk If You're Trapped In A Plexiglass Coffin

Did "Buried" not have enough movement for you? Was "24" too all over the place? In this Goldilocks scenario, "Brake" might be just right. In the upcoming thriller, Stephen Dorff plays Jeremy, a recent secret service recruit who wakes up locked in a Plexiglass box in the back of a car. Without any clue as to why he's stuck in the box, Jeremy desperately tries to escape as a timer in front of him continues to count down. We have an exclusive clip from "Brake," so check it out above. During the course of the film, which plays out in real time, Jeremy must unravel the mystery from the inside of the box. Each clue reveals another layer to the puzzle, and unlike "Buried," the box moves throughout the movie and new threats enter each time the timer hits zero. Where the "24" comparisons come in is when Jeremy finds out that there have been explosions all over Washington D.C. He holds a secret that the terrorists need in order to complete their plans. Jeremy knows the location of a secret rotating bunker called "Roulette." In order to save his own life, he'll have to sacrifice the leader of the free world or fight his way out. "Brake" will be available on SundanceNOW, Cable VOD, Amazon Streaming, iTunes and XBox Zune starting on Friday (February 17), ahead of its limited theatrical release on March 23. What did you think of the exclusive clip from "Brake"? Let us know in the comments below and on Twitter!

Amazon . com . com eyes laffers, kids content

Amazon . com . com may be following its rivals inside the subscription VOD category into original programming. Job posts round the online retail giant's own website reveal Amazon . com . com is seeking professionals in a position to developing halfhour comedies and kids programming. The posts first found light on tech blog GigaOm. The business did not respond to inquiry seeking comment. Just the other day, Amazon . com . com declined to comment inside an interview with Variety whether it had any fascination with creating original programming due to its SVOD product, Amazon . com . com Prime Instant Videos. The posts don't specify the programming creation is especially for Prime or its online shop for just about any la carte transactions, Amazon . com . com Instant Video. The job is indicated to become beneath the auspices of Amazon . com . com Art galleries, a division that came notice a year ago for optioning movie scripts. Amazon's search for a comedy professional identifies, "An ideal candidate knows the comedy genre, has development and production experience and desires to use authors and artists to develop original series for your web too for traditional distribution channels." Job responsibilities connected while using position include assessing pilot plans and with authors and artists to develop series ideas. While Amazon . com . com Prime has subsisted so far on licensed catalog programming from a variety of art galleries and systems, rivals including Netflix and Hulu have moved beyond library fare to developing their unique original series as a means of distinguishing their services. Contact Andrew Wallenstein at andrew.wallenstein@variety.com

'Sparkle' to remain with August. release date

Jordin Sparks stars alongside Whitney Houston in Sparkle. The dying of Whitney Houston came similar to the pop star was planning her return to the bigscreen in Sony's musical-drama "Sparkle," dated for August. 17. Houston plays mother of three brothers and sisters who, after creating a singing group, suffer from the outcomes of fame and drugs. A re-pedaling in the 1976 film, "Sparkle" features an ensemble cast including Jordin Sparks, Mike Epps and Derek Luke. Pic is directed by Salim Akil in the script by Mara Brock Akil, the pair behind the hit Wager sitcom "The Sport.Inch She also recorded several amounts for your soundtrack, featuring original music by R. Kelly. The brand new the new sony is not prone to change its release request the pic. The studio wouldn't discuss the issue beyond a disagreement launched Saturday: "Like every people who understood and loved her, we are shocked and saddened and the world population has lost an incomparable talent. At this time around our ideas are along with her daughter, her family and her pals." Houston, who last came out in theaters with 1996's "The Preacher's Wife," offered becoming an professional producer on "Sparkle." Presently in publish-production, the film marks only the fourth theatrical credit for Houston. Furthermore to "Preacher's Wife," the singer toplined "Waiting to Exhale" in 1995, after making her bigscreen debut in 1992's B.O. hit "The Bodyguard," which made $122 million in your area. Conventional most African-American specific fare, "Sparkle's" theatrical run likely will probably be specific mainly at U.S. audiences. But according to Rentrak, the pic presently is dated to bow in a few major overseas areas later this year. The brand new the new sony first dated "Sparkle" due to its Stateside August release in December 2011. Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com

Tracy Lilienfield and Rob Meshel Form New Casting Office

Casting company company directors Tracy Lilienfield and Rob Meshel have produced a brand new partnership, Back Stage has confirmed.Both Lilienfield and Meshel are longtime TV casting company company directors with multiple credits for his or her names.Numerous Lilienfield's more recent credits are the CBS comedies "$#*! My Dad States" and "The Completely New Adventures of Old Christine" and also the best spinner's comedy "My Boys." She also cast NBC's extended-running sitcom "Will & Sophistication."Meshel, formerly became a member of with Robin Lippin, cast the CW dramas "Existence Unforeseen," which went for just two seasons, and "The Attractive Existence," which went for just two episodes. He's also cast several telefilms.Meshel and Lilienfield are presently casting the CW drama pilot "Dakota." By Pete Keeley February 10, 2012 "My Boys" PHOTO CREDIT The very best spinner's Casting company company directors Tracy Lilienfield and Rob Meshel have produced a completely new partnership, Back Stage has confirmed.Both Lilienfield and Meshel are longtime TV casting company company directors with multiple credits for his or her names.Numerous Lilienfield's more recent credits are the CBS comedies "$#*! My Dad States" and "The Completely New Adventures of Old Christine" and also the best spinner's comedy "My Boys." She also cast NBC's extended-running sitcom "Will & Sophistication."Meshel, formerly became a member of with Robin Lippin, cast the CW dramas "Existence Unforeseen," which went for just two seasons, and "The Attractive Existence," which went for just two episodes. He's also cast several telefilms.Meshel and Lilienfield are presently casting the CW drama pilot "Dakota."

Rachel Tenner To Cast 'Walter Mitty' Remake

Ben Stiller's remake of 1947's "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" will be cast by Rachel Tenner, Back Stage confirmed. Tenner, an L.A.-based casting director, has set up shop in NY to handle the project. "Mitty" tells the story of a timid photo-magazine editor who constantly fantasizes about a more interesting life, only to find himself in the center of a real adventure when he goes in search of a missing negative. Shirley MacLaine and Kristen Wiig are also attached to the project, which is scheduled to start shooting in NY in April. Tenner's recent credits include the Coen brothers' "A Serious Man," Oren Moverman's "Rampart," and the Adam Sandler/Andy Samberg comedy "I Hate You Dad," which is awaiting release.