Andy Serkis Does More Than CGI: A Collection of His Best Live Action Roles

Andy Serkis has carved out a unique niche in modern movies: He's become the go-to guy anytime someone needs a bit of soul injected into a CGI creature. He (and a lot of animators) made us believe in King Kong, as well as Caesar in 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes,' not to mention that stinker Gollum, whose famous schizophrenia scene in 'Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers' was not only a marvel of computer animation, but of acting. But Serkis has also had a long and colorful career as a "real" actor, like his silky gangster in the new film 'Brighton Rock' and a bumbling grave robber in the upcoming comedy 'Burke and Hare.' He's also planning a biopic about landmark photographer Eadweard Muybridge as well as 'Cloud Atlas' and a possible 'Animal Farm' film. We've rounded up clips that show his impressive range, including his uptight magazine editor in '13 Going on 30,' his tour de force lead performance in 'Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll' and an early turn as a murderous Charles Dickens character. 'Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll' (2010) For an actor who's made his mark in memorable supporting roles, it's a treat to see Serkis take center stage in this biopic about raucous British rocker Ian Dury. Our own Michael Hogan wrote about the film when it was at Tribeca last year, saying, "You can't take your eyes off of [Serkis]." 'Topsy-Turvy' (1999) Even if you saw this delightful film about Gilbert & Sullivan's launching of their operetta 'The Mikado,' you probably didn't recognize Serkis as the quirky choreographer who clashes with Gilbert (Jim Broadbent) on how English actresses should play bashful Japanese schoolgirls. That's Serkis doing those goatlike leaps (pipe in mouth) at the beginning of this clip. '24 Hour Party People' (2002) When we meet him as record producer Martin Hannett in this clip, he's perched on top of a cliff, "recording silence." He may be eccentric, but he's sharp enough to demand 50 quid an hour and a partnership in the company. In the studio, he asks Joy Division drummer Stephen Morris to play "faster, but slower." And when he hears a rattle, he orders him to dismantle the entire drum kit and reassemble it on the roof! Warning: Clip is NSFW. '13 Going on 30' (2004) As Jennifer Garner's stressed-out boss, Serkis is far too uptight to enjoy himself at a party, until she breaks out the 'Thriller' dance. He's mortified at first, but before you know it, he's zombie-stepping with the rest of them. 'The Prestige' (2006) Sporting a rare American accent, Serkis plays the assistant to Nikola Tesla (David Bowie), who dazzles magician Hugh Jackman with some real magic. 'Inkheart' (2008) Serkis has a lot of fun as the cartoonish, bald villain who's freed from the confines of a book and has no intention of going back there, not with all the riches from the real world at his disposal, not to mention lots of fun fairy tale creatures like flying monkeys from 'The Wizard of Oz.' 'Oliver Twist' (1999) Now here's a real villain: Charles Dickens' murderous Bill Sikes, whom Serkis portrayed in this British TV adaptation that also co-starred Keira Knightley, Isla Fisher, and Ron Weasley's mum, Julie Walters. In this scene, Sikes shows no mercy when he thinks his lover Nancy will betray him. 'King Kong' (2005) Sure, that big misunderstood beast gets all the attention, but chef Lumpy had his share of troubles too. Not least, getting eaten by giant worms! Poor Lumpy, we hardly knew ye. Andy Serkis portrait courtesy of Dan Steinberg/AP Photo

Die Verdammten der Kalahari

A small plane crashes in the sweltering deserts of South Africa hundreds of miles from civilization. As parallels are drawn between the group of humans and a nearby pack of savage baboons, one of the men's survivalist nature gets the better of him, as he decides his chances of survival would be better if the others were eliminated one-by-one.

Analyst: Steve Jobs' CEO Departure Will Have 'No Impact' on Apple

NEW YORK - Steve Jobs' resignation as Apple CEO will have no immediate impact on the tech giant, Hudson Square Research analyst Daniel Ernst said in a first reaction.our editor recommendsSteve Jobs Resigns as Apple CEOSteve Jobs Resigns as Apple CEO: What Hollywood Is Saying Apple CEO Steve Jobs to Take Another Medical Leave of Absence "It is certainly sad news, but its been in the cards for some time," he told The Hollywood Reporter. "Jobs did what a good CEO should do - build a great team around him, and I strongly believe the company is so firmly on the path of innovation and growth that Jobs' departure will have no impact on the business." Asked about an after-market decline in Apple's stock, Ernst said: "The Apple story is not about a given day or even a whole quarter. Apple is a long-term story of product innovation, share gains and operating execution. If the stock is down, it's an opportunity to buy." Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com Twitter: @georgszalai Related Topics Steve Jobs Apple

'Kitchen' cooks up Fox victory

A complete-night's serving of ''Hell's Kitchen'' lifted Fox to victory one of the tv stations Monday, a evening which ESPN was likely to compete using its ''Monday Evening Football'' preseason contest. Based on preliminary national estimations from Nielsen, ''Hell's Kitchen'' averaged a couple.6 rating/7 be part of grown ups 18-49 and 6.a million audiences overall from eight to ten p.m., lower a little from last week's hourlong episode. Still, it had been the very best-ranked broadcast program about the evening, as Fox brought its rivals in 18-49 all half-hrs. ABC went second as ''Bachelor Pad'' (2.1/6 in 18-49, 6.six million audiences overall) and ''Castle'' (1./3 in 18-49, 5.six million audiences overall) were consistent with a week ago, although their earnings might be modified downward within the excellent because of a preemption for Bears football about the Alphabet station in Chicago. NBC began gradually having a repeat of ''America's Got Talent'' (1./3 in 18-49, 4. million audiences overall) before obtaining steam using the season finale of ''American Ninja Warrior'' (1.7/4 in 18-49, 4. million audiences overall), which easily capped the demo lots of repeat dramas airing opposite it on ABC and CBS. ''Warrior,'' which airs on NBC's sister cable network G4, gave NBC its best showing within the Monday 9-11 p.m. block since This summer 4 if this broadcast its annual ''Macy's 4th of This summer Fireworks'' special. CBS hung inside of course with repeats of standard Monday programs ''How I Met Your Mother'' (1.1/4 in 18-49, 3.7 million audiences overall at 8 p.m. and 1.3/4 in 18-49, 3.9 million audiences overall at 8:30), ''Two . 5 Men'' (1.4/4 in 18-49, 5.3 million audiences overall), ''Mike and Molly'' (1.3/3 in 18-49, 5.3 million audiences overall) and ''Hawaii Five-0'' (1.2/3 in 18-49, 4.9 million audiences overall). Rankings will not be accessible until this mid-day for ESPN's ''Monday Evening Football'' game between your New You are able to Titans and Chicago Bears, that was likely to win the evening in male demos while challenging Fox for that primetime 18-49 lead. Preliminary 18-49 earnings for that evening: Fox, 2.6/7 ABC, 1.8/5 Univision, 1.5/4 NBC, 1.4/4 CBS, 1.3/3 CW, .2/1. As a whole audiences: Fox, 6.a million ABC, 5.9 million CBS, 4.7 million NBC, 4. million Univision, 3.six million CW, .5 million. Contact Ron Kissell at ron.kissell@variety.com

New You are able to Mayor Touts Record 23 Primetime Television Shows Filming in The Big Apple

NEW You are able to - Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Monday once more stressed the significance of entertainment productions to New You are able to City, highlighting an archive 23 primetime Television shows filming within the city's five boroughs now.Giving his daily press briefing in the group of ABC fall season show "Pan Am" at Steiner Galleries in Brooklyn, Bloomberg stated the entertainment industry supports 4,000 local companies and adds $5 billion towards the local economy. From the 23 primetime projects filming now, a minimum of eight are shows acquired using this year's 20 aircraft pilots shot within the The Big Apple. The mayor outlined the city can also be the house to 140 news programs, talk shows and reality series, while 200 films were shot here this past year."Throughout a time period of financial distress, more Television shows are shooting within our city than in the past,Inch Bloomberg stated, based on a duplicate of his prepared remarks. "These shows are supplying an excellent boost to the local economy and creating jobs at any given time whenever we actually need them. Actually, new development in our production and entertainment industries is among the reasons we are creating jobs in a faster clip compared to relaxation of the united states.InchStating federal and condition labor statistics, the mayor stated that because the recession started, "the U.S. has lost 5.6 percent of their private sector jobs. New You are able to City, however, has lost only .3 %.Inch Bloomberg and Katherine Oliver, commissioner from the New You are able to City Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, were became a member of by executive director from the Condition Office for Film & Television Development Pat Kaufman, Brooklyn borough leader Marty Markowitz, other political figures, Steiner Galleries chairman Douglas Steiner and "Pan Am" executive producers Nancy Hult Ganis and Thomas Schlamme, in addition to show crew people."1000's of recent Yorkers are working hard building sets, making costumes and scouting locations for that record 23 new and coming back Television shows that film here," stated Bloomberg, based on an argument. "A show like 'Pan Am' utilizes 400 people behind the curtain and creates activity for the local economy at places like lumberyards, fabric stores and coffee houses. We are trying to strengthen and broaden New You are able to City's economy and make jobs and our thriving entertainment market is an excellent illustration of individuals efforts having to pay off."This season, New You are able to City-based shows gained an archive 110 Primetime Emmy nominations, he also outlined."This fall, our televisions screens will once more contain a number of implies that are created the following within the The Big Apple," stated Oliver. "You want all of the new and coming back shows best wishes throughout this approaching season and also at the Primetime Emmys."Steiner thanked the Bloomberg administration because of its support from the entertainment industry."This onslaught of film and tv production here's a result of the mayor along with other chosen authorities cooperating to create New You are able to City competitive and hassle-free," he stated.Steiner Galleries, in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, is at the time of the expansion which will "double what's already the biggest soundstage and production facility about the New England," Bloomberg stated. "The Navy Yard has added 2,200 jobs since 2001, and because of the Steiner expansion along with other developments, it'll add over 2,000 more within the next 2 yrs.Inch The Hollywood Reporter

CAA-Partnered Private Equity Firm, Owner of 'American Idol' CKx Consider EMI Bids

NEW YORK - David Bonderman's private equity firm TPG Capital, which recently bought a 35 percent stake in Hollywood agency CAA, and Apollo Global Management, which earlier this year acquired American Idol owner CKx, are among those performing due diligence for a potential bid for music major EMI, the New York Post reported on Wednesday. Private equity-backed music publishing venture BMG Rights is also taking a look, the paper said. Len Blavatnik's Access Industries, which completed its acquisition of Warner Music Group last month, is widely seen as a lead suitor given that it can reach cost synergies between the two major labels. EMI acts include Coldplay and the Gorillaz. Lender Citigroup, which repossessed EMI from private equity firm Terra Firma when the latter ran into financial problems, is meeting with suitors who are conducting due diligence, the Post said. It highlighted though that the debt financing that private equity groups will look at for a deal is coming at a higher cost amid a weaker economic outlook. EMI has told suitors that it is willing to sell itself off in pieces, which would make financing of smaller deals easier, the Post said. Related Topics Warner Music Group EMI

Walton Goggins on for G.I. Joe 2

Walton Goggins, most recently seen in Predators and Cowboys & Aliens, has signed with Paramount for a part in G.I. Joe 2.Variety reports that Goggins' character in G.I. Joe 2: Retaliation will be Warden Nigel James.He's most famous for his role as Detective Shane Vendrell in The Shield, but since it closed production in 2008, Goggins has had several supporting big screen roles and will also play Wells A. Hutchins in the upcoming Lincoln (starring Daniel Day Lewis and Joseph Gordon-Levitt).Others who have recently joined G.I. 2's impressively diverse cast list include Dwayne Johnson and Wu Tang's RZA. Bruce Willis is also set to play the Joe of the title.G.I. Joe 2 is directed by Jon Chu (Justin Bieber: Never Say Never) and written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick (Zombieland). It's scheduled to be released at some point during summer 2012.