'Hummingbird' lands at Lionsgate

Lionsgate has acquired U.S. and U.K. distribution rights to IM Global's Jason Statham thriller "Hummingbird," which begins production Monday in London.IM Global announced during the American Film Market that it was fully financing the project, marking the directorial debut of "Easter Promises" screenwriter Steven Knight. Paul Webster is producing with Chris Menges on board as cinematographer.Statham stars as a veteran haunted by a tragic past who assumes the identity of an upper class Londoner. When his girlfriend is found dead, he can no longer hide from his past as he hunts down the perpetrators.Lionsgate's releasing "Safe," IM Global's actioner starring Statham, directed by Boaz Yakin and produced by Lawrence Bender, in the U.S. on April 27. Statham's also starred in Lionsgate's "The Bank Job," "Transporter 3" and the "Crank" films."Lionsgate has a terrific track record with Jason Statham films and I can't think of anyone better to be behind this film in two such important territories,"said IM Global topper Stuart Ford.Lionsgate's President and co-COO Steve Beeks spearheaded the distribution deal on behalf of the studio. "They have assembled an incredibly talented group of filmmakers around a taut story that promises to be a great vehicle for Jason Statham, with whom Lionsgate also has a wonderful relationship," he added.Indie financier/producer IM Global is in production on "Blood," starring Paul Bettany, Mark Strong and Brian Cox with Nick Murphy directing. Sam Mendes' Neal Street Prods. is producing alongside BBC Films; IM Global is co-financing with Quickfire Films and the BFI.IM Global's Automatik production joint venture with Alliance Films is in post-production on thriller "Welcome To The Sun," directed by Eran Creevy, starring James McAvoy, Mark Strong, Andrea Riseborough and Peter Mullan and exec produced by Ridley Scott. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

Watch new Avengers footage in German trailer

The Avengers, or Marvel Avengers Assemble as it'll be known to us UK-based folk, released a full-length trailer to much online fanfare last week.Those of you wishing that that footage featured just a little more of Robert Downey Jr's Iron Man will be pleased to know that he has a few more lines of dialogue in a new German trailer that's arrived online (but, be warned, it is dubbed in German).Watch the German trailer for The Avengers now, thanks to ComingSoon.net: Thanks are also due to ComingSoon.net for providing the translation of those scenes, which are very handy for those of us who flunked high-school Deutsch.Here's what's said during Stark's exchange with Captain America:Stark: "And following orders is obvious not my style."Cap: "And everyone knows that style is all you care about."Stark: "From all the people around here, who wears the most figure-hugging outfit?"And here's the transcription of Stark's closing banter with Bruce Banner (AKA, The Hulk):Stark: "I promise a stress-free environment. No suprises."Banner: "Ow!"Cap: "Hey!"Stark: "You really got it under control, don't you? What's your secret? Relaxing jazz, bongo drums?"Cap: "Is everything like a joke to you?"Stark: "If it's funny!"You'll be able to enjoy that exchange in English when Marvel Avengers Assemble opens in the UK on 27 April 2012.If that's got you hankering to watch the English-language Avengers Assemble trailer, check it out below...

Audible calls start date

Audible.com will launch its audio book series "The A-List Collection" on March 8. Each book will feature the spoken-word talent of Celebrities.Thesps lending their voices towards the first set include Hathaway As Catwoman for "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," Kate Winslet for "Therese Raquin," Samuel L. Jackson for "A Rage in Harlem" and Susan Sarandon for "The Person in the marriage.InchPublications is going to be on products including apple iphone and Android. New Audible people can pick a magazine free of charge having a 30-day trial membership. Current people can access the very first half an hour of every book free of charge.Clear Corporation. is really a subsidiary of Amazon . com.com."The A-List Collection" is going to be offered at world wide web.audible.com/alist. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

GoDigital nabs VOD rights to Latin Anywhere

GoDigital has guaranteed all on-demand rights for the The the spanish language language-language film library of Latin Anywhere, making nearly all its 1,000-plus game game titles on digital platforms the first time. Deal offers the upstart digital distributor all VOD, electronic sell-through and pay-per-view rights to greater than 600 films inside the U.S., or more to 200 films worldwide. "The Hispanic demographic within the united states . States grows four occasions faster in comparison to overall population and boasts over $1 trillion in buying energy," mentioned GoDigital Boss Logan Mulvey. "Everyone knows that getting this library of films will make certain that individuals stay up-to-date using the desires of domestic and worldwide audiences." Game game titles include comedies, action/adventure, drama and Mexican rodeo. GoDigital, which has an output arrangement with Lionsgate and direct handles several major digital distribs like iTunes, Netflix, Amazon . com . com, Hulu, Ps and Dish, remains strongly pursuing content deals lately, plus a digital distribution pact with Adopt Films lately as well as the acquisition of Might Entertainment taken. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

The CW orders more 'Top Model'

The CW has ordered a 19th cycle of unscripted stalwart "America's Next Top Model," the network announced late Tuesday. The Tyra Banks modeling showcase will be back for a college-edition version of the series set for the fall. The 18th cycle is set to unspool next week. It's typical of CW to decide on a new season this time of year given its production schedule, with casting expected to begin this week. No other series orders are expected for the network at this juncture. "Model" is produced by 10 by 10 Entertainment in association with Bankable Prods. The executive producers are Ken Mok ("Making The Band") and Laura Fuest. The series was created by Banks and developed by Mok and Kenya Barris. Contact Andrew Wallenstein at andrew.wallenstein@variety.com

Simpsons Fans Break Guinness World Record for Longest TV Viewing in Recognition of 500th Episode

The Simpsons Ultimate Fan Marathon, Jeremiah Franco and Carin Shreve Because The Simpsons prepares to air its 500th episode, fans assisted celebrate by smashing the Guinness World Record for that longest continuous television viewing. Jeremiah Franco from La, Cali, and Carin Shreve from Acampo, Cali, viewed 86 hrs and 37 minutes from the Simpsons to interrupt the record at an occasion located by Fox in La that started February. 8. Together with boasting privileges, the duo required home $10,500 each far more of Simpsons swag. Browse the relaxation of present day news Would you last a lot more than 80 hrs straight watching tv? Here's wishing they were given bathroom breaks! The Simpsons' 500th episode airs Sunday, February. 19 at 8/7c on Fox.

Coinstar sees profit spike in Q4

Redbox parent Coinstar, fresh off its announcement of the streaming partnership with Verizon, stated Monday that it is net gain increased last quarter to $31 million from $12 million the prior year. The organization that handles 35,000 DVD rental kiosks countrywide also stated it struck an offer to get assets of NCR, including that company's self-service DVD kiosks, DVD inventory, intellectual property, and certain related contracts. It'll pay NCR as much as $100 million, based on Coinstar's SEC filing. Coinstar revenue rose to $520 million from $391 million for that 4th quarter. For that twelve month 2011, it leaped 33% to $1.8 billion, and the organization stated it needs the figure to top $2.2 billion this season. "The effectiveness of our core companies supplies a firm foundation that allows us to pay attention to key growth initiatives this year, including our partnership with Verizon," stated Boss Paul Davis. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

AFTRA Sound Recording Agreement Ratified

AFTRA singers and other members have ratified the union's sound recording agreement with the major labels, the union announced Monday. The move, by a vote of almost 99 percent in favor, was expected.The agreement, which was reached Dec. 15, comes against a background of mixed success in other aspects of the music business. The American Federation of Musicians recently ratified a renewal of its own agreement with the labels, but only after working for several years under an expired contract. Meanwhile, the AFM has been unable to obtain an agreement with Lionsgate covering musicians' work for movies and television.Likewise unsuccessful has been AFTRA's campaign to obtain a contract with the labels covering dancers in music videos.The AFTRA agreement ratified today, called the Sound Recordings Code, runs from Jan. 1, 2012 through Dec. 31, 2014, and was negotiated with representatives from UMG, Sony, Warner, EMI and Disney labels. It increases base rates by 2 percent per year and employer health and retirement contributions on royalty income by 1 percent over the life of the contract.In addition, the agreement increases the maximum on special employer health insurance contributions from $5,000 to $6,500 per year. Those payments allow royalty artists on a label's current roster to receive health benefits even if their earnings fall below qualifying thresholds.According to the union, the agreement also improves and expands performers' base of participation in revenue from sale of digital downloads and establishes a structure of revenue-based payments for new areas of low budget licenses and licenses for non-traditional usages, such as re-use of recordings in novelty consumer products.The contract covers session singers, royalty artists, announcers, actors, comedians, narrators and sound effects artists who work on recordings in all new and traditional media and all music formats, as well as audiobooks, comedy albums and cast albums. The Code generates more than $140 million annually in AFTRA-covered earnings and benefits.The new agreement represents a renewal of the previous pact, which ended Dec. 31, 2011.The AFM's corresponding agreement the Sound Recording Labor Agreement was ratified by members on Jan. 13. The new three-year contract includes annual increases in scale wages (2 percent in the first year, then 1.5 percent and 1 percent), plus health and welfare increases and new revenue streams for the union itself and the pension fund.In what AFM president Ray Hair described as the first in his memory, the union consulted with AFTRA as it developed its contract proposals.The two unions have complementary jurisdiction in the recording field: AFTRA represents singers, whereas AFM represents musicians and certain others.In the film and television music field, AFM has been seeking an agreement with Lionsgate. They've twice picketed "Mad Men" shoots in downtown Los Angeles, to little effect.Hair blasted Lionsgate's refusal to negotiate, telling "The Hollywood Reporter" in a recent interview that the company "needs to treat musicians fairly" by adhering to minimums and paying pension, health and residuals. "They do it for everybody else in the room," he added.Marc Sazer, president of the Los Angeles based Recording Musicians Association, echoed those remarks, telling THR that the disparity was frustrating. "People are dependant on the healthcare that comes with union contracts," he added.Affiliated with the AFM, the RMA focuses on the interests of recording musicians who work in motion pictures and television, among other areas.Meanwhile AFTRA's own efforts to reach agreement with the labels on a contract covering dancers in music videos has also been an uphill slog. Several negotiating sessions have been held. Further talks are planned for February, but no dates have been set. The union cites healthcare, working conditions and wages as key issues.The union held a colorful performance and rally at Sony Music's Beverly Hills offices last month, where dancer Kevin Stea a veteran of film, television, and of work with Madonna, Michael Jackson and other acts told THR that a union contract was a matter of "basic rights and respect."Also Monday, AFTRA sent out ratification ballots for its Network Television Code, which covers daytime programming and a range of other dayparts and program types other than scripted primetime programming. Ballots are due back by Feb. 22. The Hollywood Reporter

Have the Exclusive Particulars round the Grey's Anatomy-Private Practice Crossover

Patrick Dempsey, Caterina Scorsone In the event you haven't yet heard, Grey's Anatomy and exercise do another crossover this season, and TVGuide.com gets the exclusive particulars on who's showing up where. Exclusive: Grey's Anatomy and exercise doing another crossover After we first reported, Private's Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone) will venture around Dallas Sophistication inside the first hour in the crossover throughout Grey's. She'll plead with older brother Derek (Patrick Dempsey) and sister-in-law Lexie (Chyler Leigh) towards saving the presence of Erica (A.J. Langer), who, it absolutely was revealed in Thursday's episode of non-public, is battling having a significant condition. Next, Derek and Lexie are scheduled to appear inside the Private hour in the crossover, in an unpredicted twist, they're not going to go to Seaside Wellness. Rather, they'll stay there, and Cooper (Paul Adelstein), Charlotte now now (Kadee Strickland) and Erica's boy Mason (Griffin Gluck) could make their approach to Dallas Sophistication, which will become Ground Zero inside the hurry to be able to save Erica. Grey's Anatomy Scoop: MerDer happiness, a Cristina-Owen explosion as well as the alt-reality The special crossover cases of Grey's Anatomy and exercise are slated to air Thursday, Feb. 16 beginning at 9/8c on ABC. Private Practice, which has regularly adopted Grey's, will go to Tuesday nights at 10/9c once executive producer Shonda Rhimes' third drama Scandal debuts on Thursday, April 5 at 10/9c.