Jordan joins 'Newsies'

Jeremy Jordan is placed to star within the Broadway change in "Newsies," reprising the role he produced within the tuner's well-received regional preem. Casting was broadly expected, considering that the commitment that will have stored him from showing up around the Primary Stem within the part -- his gig among the title figures in "Bonnie and Clyde" -- evaporated when that short-resided musical sputtered out 12 ,. 31. Jordan's perf in "Newsies" was broadly recognized by experts within the musical's world preem at New Jersey's Paper Mill Playhouse this past year. If "Bonnie and Clyde" had survived with the spring, "Newsies" would has progressed to the Rialto with a brand new thesp within the role. In "Newsies" Jordan will have a newsboy who leads several ragamuffins inside a strike against a newspaper magnate. Presently the actor can also be around the bigscreen in gospel feature "Pleased Noise." In line with the 1992 Disney pic, the legit version of "Newsies" has music by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman and book by Harvey Fierstein. Shaun Calhoun, who also directed "Bonnie and Clyde," helms. "Newsies" starts previews March 15 in front of a March 29 opening in the Nederlander Theater. Show is presently penciled set for a restricted run around 100 perfs, but appears poised to increase should B.O. warrant. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com

War Equine Premieres London

Spielberg and co ride into townWe're going to rein inside the equine gags relating to this, nevertheless it was with mounting excitement that individuals welcomed the London premiere of War Equine yesterday - a royal premiere, surprisingly, with Steven Spielberg in attendence. Wait, no, we're being told it had been the presence of Prince William and theDuchess of Cambridge that handled to obtain a royal affair.The Odeon Leicester Square carried out host for the world's most broadly used royalty, thousands of fans as well as the stars in the film - everyone from Tom Hiddleston, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jeremy Irvine and Emily Watson to, er, the equine star in the film. Knowing with the screaming, everyone was equine hoarse once the film got started.Equine Uk PremiereWar Equine is going this Friday The month of the month of january 13 at cinemas up minimizing the country. For further round the film, arrive and are available along at 5pm today for just about any live webchat with star Tom Hiddleston.

Warren Buffett, crooner

BuffettBeijing-- This is often a truly wealthy approach to see around in the Dragon.Billionaire philanthropist Warren Buffett keeps growing his repertoire beyond canny stock-picking to sing and play guitar round the "Chinese Lunar Year Gala" on pubcaster CCTV's website.The 81-year-old investment guru, known to as "Oracle of Omaha," has recorded his performance, that is broadcast on Jan. 23, the condition Xinhua news agency mentioned. The song title wasn't revealed. The Berkshire Hathaway prexy has showbiz form, getting fitted as Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose a year ago to sing by having an advert for Geico Insurance, through which he's shares."Each year we invite Chinese and worldwide stars to complete and send greetings," mentioned Luo Yan from Extended Legacy Intl. Communications, a company with each other holding the large event with China Network Television. "Buffett is a.InchThe gala will probably be broadcast on CNTV.cn, in addition to feature Hong Kong multihypenate Jackie Chan. A condensed version in the show will air on Closed-circuit television.Buffett, along with Microsoft founder Bill Gates, remains active in encouraging China's growing military of super-wealthy to find yourself in giving their huge wealth to charitable organization, while he does. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

'Artist' helmer goes on 'Search'

Rome-- French helmer Michel Hazanavicius ("The Artist") has announced that his next project will be a drama inspired by the 1948 Fred Zinnemann film "The Search," but set in contempo war-torn Chechnya."The Search" is about a displaced mother's tireless search for her son, a young Auschwitz survivor, in the aftermath of WW2."In the original film, the story revolved around a young boy who survived a concentration camp," said Hazanavicius, speaking at the Capri, Hollywood fest in Italy, where he was feted."In my film, the focus will be on the special relationship between a woman and a young boy as well."Hazanavicius has attached his wife and "The Artist" co-star Berenice Bejo as the femme lead who works for an NGO in present-day Chechnya, a region in tatters after years of fighting for independence from Russia."The Artist" producer Thomas Langmann will produce the pic, which is in early development.Announcing the project at the informal pre-awards shindig on the isle of Capri, Hazanavicius said the pic will be in color with dialogue, "totally different from 'The Artist,' " which was silent and in black and white."The Artist" is nominated for six Golden Globes, including director and already tops many critics' list.After "The Artist," Hazanavicius shot a segment of omnibus sex comedy "Les Infidels," scheduled for release next month in Gaul via Mars Distribution.Bejo will next shoot Gallic helmer Nicolas Bary's adaptation of Daniel Pennac's book, "The Scapegoat" (Au bonheur des ogres), also starring Emir Kusturica. Contact Nick Vivarelli at nvivarelli@gmail.com

The Biz: Campaigning for Sunday Ratings

George Stephanopoulos, Christianne Amanpour With 24-hour utilization of video journalism on cable, your smartphone or iPad, nobody must hang about until Sunday morning to uncover just what the presidential candidates have to say, right? Don't tell that for the news divisions at CBS and ABC. Are both likely to boost the stakes on the planet of Sunday inside-the-Beltway talk shows simply because they try to stay the key TV platform in the presidential campaign season. Beginning The month of the month of january 8, George Stephanopoulos will return to the moderator's chair at ABC's Now, while possessing his duties at Hello America. In April, Face the nation, half-hour program since it opened up on CBS in 1954, will expand to have an hour to aid more conversation and research in to the White-colored House race. Bob Schieffer, the program's moderator throughout the final 2 decades, welcomes the chance to compete mind-to-mind using this Week as well as the perennial leader, NBC's Fulfill the Press with David Gregory, for just about any full hour. "I appear like I've been going to home plate after a little League softball softball bat while everyone else features a large-league model," states Schieffer. For ABC, repairing Stephanopoulos is certainly an acknowledgement of techniques the Sunday habit is tough to change. Christiane Amanpour, most likely probably the most respected worldwide correspondent in television, was hired with this particular Week this season with assurances they could provide an even more global focus. But also for decades, the bread and butter of Sunday-morning programs remains American politics. During 2011, yearly of enormous worldwide tales, audiences fled from Amanpour's Now, which fell with a distant third inside the ratings while Fulfill the Press and Face the nation are actually fighting it for first. The return of Stephanopoulos is seen being an argument by ABC News it's dedicated to getting the program to the roots. "George can be a fine interviewer and he'll probably get some good of people audiences back," states Schieffer. "I am hoping we acquired enough because they was away." Some Washington affiliates believe the venerable programs forget about "drive the conversation" as they say, and suggest Morning Joe has converted into a frequent venue for politicos and opinion leaders within a couple of days. Because the MSNBC coffee klatch might be the show as soon as, the Sunday programs still own political news at the outset of a completely new week. While you network news executive notes, "Google Fulfill the Press on Sunday mid-day and discover what you'll receive.In . The Sunday shows offer decades of tradition and prestige which will make them a pressure being thought with. The press convenience of candidates is measured because when frequently they appear round the programs (which include Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace and CNN's Condition in the Union with Chocolate Crowley). Another aspect in their favor: They are still lucrative due to being relatively reasonable for create. States Schieffer, "We must turn the lights on and ask for the questions." Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Demi Moore, Adam Brody Join Porn Biopic 'Lovelace'

Demi Moore toplines the new additions to the cast of the Amanda Seyfried-led Linda Lovelace biopic "Lovelace" as female rights activist Gloria Steinem. Meanwhile, Elton John knows which famous pop star he wants to play him in a biopic and a new rumor says Arnold Schwarzenegger might be an angel in his upcoming film. It's January 3, and you're tuning into today's Casting Call! Demi Moore, Adam Brody And Eric Roberts Join "Lovelace" The cast is all coming together for "Lovelace." The Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman-directed biopic of the life of "Deep Throat" porn star Linda Lovelace has its major cast lined up, and now is making the finishing touches on its secondary characters. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Demi Moore will play feminist Gloria Steinem in the upcoming flick, while Adam Brody will play Lovelace's "Deep Throat" costar Harry Reems and Eric Roberts will play lie detector expert Nat Laurendi. They'll join Amanda Seyfried as Lovelace, Peter Sarsgaard as her husband Chuck Traynor, Hank Azaria as "Deep Throat" director Jerry Diamano and James Franco as Hugh Hefner, as well as Sharon Stone, Chris Noth, Juno Temple, Wes Bentley and more. Elton John Wants Justin Timberlake For His Biopic Golden Globe nominee Elton John has been working on a biopic depicting his life, and apparently he has some big news about the upcoming film on the horizon. The "Hello, Hello" singer spoke with The Los Angeles Times recently and said that he and his people have a director lined up for the project who they'll announce soon. And while they don't have a star yet, John said Justin Timberlake is "no. 1 on my wish list" because he was "superb" playing him before in David LaChapelle's video of "Rocket Man." Apparently the biopic will be more in the manner of "Moulin Rouge" instead of a traditional biography film, and will start with John going into rehab in 1990 and end when he comes out. Ralph Fiennes Teases "Skyfall" Role It took so long getting a confirmation that Ralph Fiennes had a role in Sam Mendes' upcoming James Bond movie, "Skyfall," that we've given up hope that we'd find out the character he's playing any time soon. Fortunately Fiennes gave a nugget of a clue to UK newspaper Daily Record that gives us a general idea of his character. The self-proclaimed life-long Bond fan said he is "allowed to say that I'm a government agent," but that's it. Well, something is better than nothing. He'll join Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Naomie Harris and more in the upcoming action film. Is Arnold Schwarzenegger An Angel? Put this one on the "we'll believe it when we get official confirmation" table. A new report from TheArnoldFans says that Arnold Schwarzenegger is going to be playing an angel in his upcoming film "Black Sands." The site doesn't attribute the quote where Schwarzenegger allegedly confirms this, but the news -- if it is true -- would change what we know about the movie. Originally it was reported to be like "High Plains Drifter" meets "Man on Fire," but the new report calls "Black Sands" "a cross between 'Constantine' and 'Commando'." /Film says the supernatural element could be part of a rewrite on "Black Sands," or just newly-reported old info. Tell us your thoughts on today's Casting Call in the comments section below or on Twitter.

Can 'Bridesmaids' Earn a Best Picture Nomination?

It has been rumbling like the after-effects of some bad Brazilian barbecue for the last two weeks: a continued push and groundswell of support for 'Bridesmaids' to earn a Best Picture nomination at the 84th annual Academy Awards. Does the Paul Feig-directed comedy -- one of the few original films here in 2011 that connected with both audiences and critics alike -- have enough gas (sorry) in the tank to make it into the rarified air of Oscar nominees? It might! Over at GoldDerby.com, nine of the 29 Oscar experts (including, ahem, me) have placed 'Bridesmaids' on their top-ten list of potential nominees. That doesn't mean anything in the grand scheme of things -- and since there can be anywhere from five to ten nominees this year for Best Picture, the odds are good 'Bridesmaids' won't make the final cut -- but it does showcase a growing movement for the Kristen Wiig-led comedy. Reasons for the 'Bridesmaids' surge? Well, that SAG nomination for Best Ensemble didn't hurt. Neither does the the cast of beloved actresses, an industry-respected producer and one of the few performances everyone is still talking about in some regard: Melissa McCarthy. There could be another reason for the 'Bridesmaids' push, too. 'Bridesmaids' has the box-office clout to be the 'Inception' Exception, and -- unlike 'Harry Potter' -- has something extra: relevance in the current cultural landscape. In a year which will be remembered for funny women (from 'Bridesmaids' to 'Bad Teacher' to nearly every show on the NBC Thursday night comedy block), perhaps some Oscar voters will want to embrace the zeitgeist with both arms. Of course, that's also the biggest issue for 'Bridesmaids': comedy is generally a genre that the Academy has almost willfully overlooked. "I definitely think there is some sort of bias there," 'Bridesmaids' producer Judd Apatow told Variety. "Most people think a really intense devastating sad movie about a tragic subject is more difficult to make than 'Blazing Saddles.' And the truth is, it's just as hard to make 'Blazing Saddles.' My days would be much shorter if I didn't have to add jokes." Which is probably why a guy like Stephen Daldry has never made a comedy. For more on the Oscars, head over to GoldDerby.com [Photo: Universal] The Best 11 Movie Quotes From 2011 11. <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/midnight-in-paris/10036438/main"> 'Midnight in Paris' </a>10. <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/tower-heist/52240/main">'Tower Heist'</a>9. <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/attack-the-block/10056611/main">'Attack the Block' </a>8. <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-hangover-2/38948/main">'The Hanogver Part 2' </a>7. <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/5050/1417783/main">'50/50' </a>6. 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II'5. <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/hobo-with-a-shotgun/10038378/main">'Hobo With a Shotgun' </a>4. <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/horrible-bosses/10038375/main">'Horrible Bosses' </a>3. <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/crazy-stupid-love/10052074/main">'Crazy, Stupid, Love.' </a>2. <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-muppets/1390395/main">'The Muppets' </a>1. <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/bridesmaids/10035125/main">'Bridesmaids' </a> See All Moviefone Galleries » Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook