Asa Butterfield Signs for 'Ender's Game'; Harrison Ford Among Other Names Being Discussed

What was an offer has become a deal: 'Hugo' star Asa Butterfield has officially signed on to star in the big-screen adaptation of 'Ender's Game' for Summit Entertainment. Wrote the youngster on Twitter about the news, "Oh yes. I'm really doing it. F*** YEAAA!!!" Due March 15, 2013 -- roughly one year after 'The Hunger Games' -- 'Ender's Game' focuses on a young gamer who gets recruited by the government to fight off an alien race because of his gifted natural abilities of strategy. Gavin Hood ('X-Men Origins: Wolverine') will direct 'Game,' which is based on Orson Scott Card's beloved 1985 book. In addition to Butterfield, some other names could be coming aboard soon. Like maybe Harrison Ford. The least influential star is reportedly being discussed to play Colonel Hyrum Graff, "the Commander of Training for the International Fleet, an elite boys' military academy." Viggo Mortensen was sought for the role, but no deal could be reached. When Butterfield was asked about 'Ender's Game' during his 'Hugo' press obligations, he lit up like a candle. "It's very exciting," he told Moviefone. "I love the book. I've been doing a lot of serious films, it'll be good to do something relaxing and great fun, which 'Ender's Game' is." [via Variety] [Photo: Getty] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Ratings: Victorias Secret, Rudolph Specials Win Big for CBS

Victoria's Secret Fashion Show The annual parade of sexy women in sexy Victoria's Secret lingerie won the final hour of Tuesday's prime time for CBS. Hard to believe! It also posted its largest demo rating ever in the nine years that it's aired. On a more wholesome note, Rudolph with his nose so bright and his venerable TV special (with Burl Ives' narration) led off a night that the network easily won in both viewership and 18-to-49-year-olds. But it was a rerun of NCIS - the current season's No. 1 show after 10 weeks - that snared the night's most viewers. Ten weeks into the 2011-12 TV season (based on Nielsen stats through Sunday), CBS is averaging 12.86 million viewers a week, followed by ABC with 9.99 million, Fox with 9.39 million and NBC with 7.30 million. The CW is averaging 2.08 million. In the coveted demo, CBS and Fox are in a dead heat with a 3.4 rating. Next is ABC (2.8). NBC is fourth (2.6), then comes The CW (0.9). Check out the rest of the day's news on TVGuide.com 8 p.m.CBS: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 12.67 million viewers (4.0 demo rating)ABC: Last Man Standing 10.23 million (2.4); Man Up! 6.59 million (1.7)Fox: Glee 7.84 million (3.2)NBC: The Biggest Loser 7.07 million (2.4) {8-10 p.m.}CW: 90210 1.57 million (0.0) 9 p.m.CBS: NCIS [rerun] 13.35 million viewers (2.9 demo rating)ABC: The Middle [rerun] 4.83 million (1.4); The Middle [rerun] 4.51 million (1.3) CW: Ringer 1.57 million (0.6) 10 p.m.CBS: Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 10.30 million viewers (4.6 demo rating)ABC: Body of Proof 9.40 million (1.8)NBC: Parenthood 5.74 million (2.2)

'Boots' gets a salsa kickoff

Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek dance at London preem. Salma Hayek and Antonio Banderas showed London their dance moves on Thursday, at the U.K. opening meow of Paramount's "Puss in Boots."The feline duo prowled the ginger carpet alongside helmer Chris Miller and producer Latifa Ouaou outside Leicester Square's Empire.Multi-tasking helmer and voice of three of the pic's characters, Miller joked that he was trying to perfect a personality disorder by directing himself. "I've had one for years," he quipped.In a fight between Hayek's on-screen Kitty Softpaws and Gotham City's Catwoman, who would triumph? Hayek was confident, "Kitty Softpaws. She can jump higher. I love Halle Berry, but I'd kick her butt!"The competitive mood continued with a dance-off between Banderas and Hayek. With dancing rhythm, the actress wasn't prepared to back her own litter tray, proclaiming, "Unless it's salsa, Antonio."She went on to demonstrate a few steps before finally continuing her dance into the theater. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Robert Kennedy's Murder in L.A.: Defense Presents Proof of Multiple Photographers

Getty Images Director Simon West, presently shooting The Expendables 2, is within discussions to board Dust and Glory, a vehicle racing movie being individually created by Top Cat Media and Blue Star Entertainment.our editor recommendsStuntman Hurt in 'Expendables 2' Accident in Stable Condition PHOTOS: Lights, Camera, Accident! 20 Hollywood Stunts Gone Wrong With different novel by Evan Eco-friendly, the romance adventure project is placed throughout the 1950s' Redex tests, which covered a lot more than 10,000 miles of a few of the most difficult racing terrain around australia, otherwise the planet. Referred to like a mix between Mad Max and Jewel from the Earth, the Robert Lewis Galinsky-written script follows the competition between a united states hotshot as well as an Australian legend Galinsky is creating with Elizabeth Howatt-Jackman and David Parker through the trio's Top Kat. Blue Star Entertainment's Jason Shuman and William Sherak will also be creating. Jib Polhemus of Simon West Productions will join Geoffrey Edelsten as executive producers. The producers are thinking of getting a summer time begin in Australia and aspire to go to cast before year's finish. STORY: Arnold Schwarzenegger Shares Photos In the 'Expendables 2' Set West, repped by CAA and attorney Craig Tyerman, counts movies for example Disadvantage Air, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, and also the recent Jason Statham-starrer The Auto technician as his credits. He's also focusing on Thunder Run, a CG/hybrid Iraqi War movie which has Gerard Butler, Mike Worthington, and Matthew McConaughey attached. Email: Borys.Package@thr.com Twitter: @Borys_Package PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery Lights, Camera, Accident! 20 Hollywood Stunts Gone Wrong The Expendables

Why Bachmann Wanted Would Are a fantastic TV Pundit

This informative article came out inside the 12 ,. 2 problem in the Hollywood Reporter magazine.our editor recommendsJimmy Fallon Apologizes to Bachmann Wanted for 'Late Night' Song IntroGOP Presidential Debate on CNN: What Hollywood Is SayingMitt Romney Is First GOP Presidential Hopeful to Book Hollywood Fundraiser event (Exclusive)Related Subjects•Politics As Sarah Palin proven following a 2008 election, failure round the campaign trail doesn't mean you have to disappear within the public eye. Really, she shown the choice, parlaying her not effective work on the Republican ticket right into a hollywood -- and extremely lucrative -- career just like a pundit, with earnings thought at greater than $millions of yearly just from her gig on Fox News. So which in the current crop of Republican candidates -- numerous whom could generate $500,000 to $700,000 yearly round the top finish just like a pundit -- is regarded as the vulnerable to pull a Palin? PHOTOS: 10 Artists Dems and Republicans Prefer to Hate THR questioned agents and cable news affiliates, lots of whom believe Texas Gov. Ron Perry gets the makings from the great TV pundit once his term at the office is finished. "The look, the Southern base, the religion -- he's well suited for Fox News," states Nick Kahn, a broadcasting agent at ICM. But CNN analyst Paul Begala, who made the leap from Bill Clinton consultant to pundit almost 2 decades ago, disagrees. Perry is "certainly inside the top dumbest people I've met throughout my existence," according to him, watching that TV personas must think quickly also keep in mind their cues, a painful spot for Perry inside the wake of his recent debate fumble. "There's just no expect him just like a pundit." PHOTOS: Stars Who've Carried out People in politics Begala thinks Minnesota congresswoman Bachmann Wanted gets the goods being the next Palin. The traits that hurt Bachmann just like a candidate -- a speaking style that doesn't bother to "apparent the holster prior to deciding to pull the trigger," according to him -- might help her on tv. "An opportunity to offer something intriguing, notable and provocative around the moment's notice is unquestionably a talent," argues Begala. Many experts dismiss the probability of former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman ("more in your house on PBS" states Begala) and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney to discover TV success. One insider signifies Romney is "too mainstream" for Fox News, and can create a enjoyable fit for CNN in addition to MSNBC once the network is searching to incorporate a conservative towards the liberal-leaning selection. PHOTOS: Best Movie and TV Presidents The wild card seems being Herman Cain. The sexual harassment accusations in the former pizza executive might be "an authentic problem," states one executive, though CNN hired Eliot Spitzer inside the wake of his call-girl scandal. Still one agent thinks Cain's folksy humor might play well on Fox, saying, "He's unpredictable, too as with TV that's an optimistic factor." PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery Bachmann Wanted: The Politics of favor Related Subjects Politics Bachmann Wanted Ron Perry Herman Cain

California's Prop. 8 Moves Closer to a Showdown in U.S. Supreme Court

The California Supreme Court ruled Thursday that supporters of Proposition 8, the anti-marriage equality measure, are legally entitled to defend the ballot measure in court because the governor and state attorney general declined to do so.our editor recommendsAFM 2011: Rob Reiner Planning Film on Proposition 8 Legal CaseStars singing out against Proposition 8Dustin Lance Black Debuts Prop. 8 Play in NYStar-Studded Cast Debuts Dustin Lance Black's Prop. 8 Play Related Topics•Politics The ballot initiative has become one of Hollywood's top causes with industry members giving talent and money in the battle to overturn it, including Rob Reiner, David Geffen, Steve Bing, Morgan Freeman and Ellen Barkin. The American Foundation for Equal Rights, led by board president and Hollywood political consultant Chad Griffin, is the sponsor of the federal court challenge to the proposition. The state court's decision sends the case back to the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which now must decide whether Prop. 8 violates the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution. Since the issue already has been briefed and argued to the court, a ruling should come relatively soon. Whether the appellate justices decide for or against the initiative, their ruling is expected to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. STORY: Rob Reiner Planning Film on Proposition 8 Legal Case "Our plaintiffs are thrilled to be back into federal court, back on the fast track and headed to a place where these loving couples...can have the freedom to marry," said Chad Griffin, the board president of the American Foundation for Equal Rights. If the high court accepts the appeal, which most legal observers expect it to do, a variety of outcomes are possible. Even if the justices sustain the constitutionality of Prop 8, a narrowly drawn decision probably would leave the states free to decide on the legality of marriage equality on a state-by-state basis. The 2008 anti-marriage equality measure has worked a tortured course through the electoral and legal process. It was drafted to overturn an earlier ruling by the California Supreme Court, acknowledging that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry. STORY: Dustin Lance Black Debuts Prop. 8 Play in NY After its passage, pro-marriage equality opponents of Prop. 8 sued in federal court, alleging that the state measure violated the federal Constitutional rights of gays and lesbians. U.S. Judge Vaughn Walker agreed and, in 2010, overturned the initiative. When the governor and state attorney general declined to appeal his ruling, the measure's backers took up the cause and asked the Ninth Circuit to strike down Walker's decision. Before handing down a decision on the trial court's ruling, however, the Ninth Circuit asked the state's high court to decide whether the proposition's supporters had legal standing to defend the measure. With that question resolved, the appellate court now is free to move forward, and the consensus among legal analysts is that they're likely to sustain Walker's ruling overturning Prop. 8. The California Supreme Court's unanimous opinion was written by Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye. "The inability of the official proponents of an initiative measure to appeal a trial court judgment invalidating the measure, when the public officials who ordinarily would file such an appeal decline to do so," she wrote, "would significantly undermine the initiative power. "It has been nothing short of shameful to see Governor Jerry Brown, his predecessor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Kamala Harris abdicate their constitutional responsibility to defend Proposition 8 in Court," said Brian Brown, NOM's president. "Although today's ruling from the California Supreme Court confirms that the proponents of Prop. 8 have the right to defend their initiative when the state officials refuse to fulfill their sworn duty, it is gratifying to know that the over 7 million Californians who supported the initiative will have a vigorous defense of their decision in our federal courts." Related Topics Dustin Lance Black Morgan Freeman Rob Reiner David Geffen Politics

'Muppets' Interviewed By Six-Year-Old Child

It's hard to out-cute Kermit the Frog, but young Toshi McWeeny managed to do it during a junket interview for "The Muppets." Toshi's dad is Drew McWeeny of HitFix, and he set up his son with the chance of a lifetime, interviewing the legendary Kermit and Miss Piggy. Toshi definitely handled himself like a pro, not letting the stars get the better of him. Both Kermit and Piggy agreed that the interview was the best of the day and told Toshi he had done an excellent job. According to his dad, he had come up with all of the questions by himself and really took the assignment seriously. It shows! Watch the video below for what will probably be the most adorable thing you see all day.

Keck's Exclusives: Kelsey Grammer's 30 Rock Return

Kelsey Grammer Early the coming year, Kelsey Grammer will again play themself on NBC's 30 Rock and get involved with a plan orchestrated by Jenna and Kenneth, getting back the "Close Friends Gang," as named through the trio themselves in Grammer's first episode. "This time around the scam is a lot bigger," Kelsey explained in a TV Academy event for his Starz series, Boss. "It's the very first time ever I pull a man's pants off." The victim: TGS producer Pete (Scott Adsit). 30 Rock can also be cooking up a 1-hour episode which will expensive to a 6-year-old Jenna lip-synching inside a talent show. Her song choice? Marvin Gaye's "Let us Have It On." So wrong! Sign up for TV Guide Magazine now!

Michele Bachmann's Campaign Manager Calls CBS News Producer a 'Piece of S---' Among 'Media Bias' Accusations

Bachmann Wanted and her campaign manager are accusing CBS News of "media prejudice" following a CBS News producer erroneously sent an e-mail to her speaker recommending the Republican presidential candidate would get less questions than her competitors throughout Saturday evening's debate.our editor recommendsRepublican Debate on CBS: Candidates Spar Over Foreign PolicyMitt Romney, Bachmann Wanted to Boycott Univision Debate Because of Extortion Allegations'Butter': Jennifer Garner Campaigns like a Bachmann Wanted Clone (Video) Jackie Mason States Bachmann Wanted Should Drop Her Presidential Election BidMichele Bachmann's Military Jacket Will get Wayne Newton's Election (Poll)Related Subjects•Politics Prior to the debate, a CBS worker sent a note to CBS News producer John Dickerson and Bachmann speaker Alice Stewart associated with Bachmann's participation inside a publish-debate webcast, based on CNN. Dickerson was told within the message that Stewart have been replicated. PHOTOS: Best Presidents in Film and tv But Dickerson either overlooked that time or didn't remember to get rid of Stewart from his reply. He accompanied with this particular message towards the worker: "OK, let's ensure that it stays loose, though, since she's not getting many questions and she or he's nearly from the charts hoping that people could possibly get another person." Throughout the controversy, backed by CBS and National Journal, the Minnesota congresswoman actually wasn't requested as numerous questions because the front-runners. "It's only sincere to permit the candidates to have the ability to speak and never deliberately in advance come to a decision to limit candidates' chance to speak with the United states citizens,Inch she stated after it had been over. "Clearly, this was a illustration of media prejudice." PHOTOS: Stars Who've Performed Political figures Bachmann's campaign manager, Keith Nahigian, was a bit more blunt in the reaction. Based on CNN, he "stormed with the spin room" in the Sc debate, saying: "John Dickerson ought to be fired. He's a bit of shit. He's a fraud and that he ought to be fired." Because of its part, CBS News stated the e-mail was "a candid exchange about a realistic look at the conditions -- Bachmann remains at 4% within the polls." Dickerson echoed that sentiment to CNN: "Bachmann reaches 4 % within the polls and it has been for some time. Other candidates aren't. I sent an e-mail according to that." PHOTOS:Bachmann Wanted and also the Politics of favor Meanwhile, debate moderator and CBS Evening News host Scott Pelley stated he wasn't conscious of the e-mail concerning the chain, but he and the co-host, National Journal's Major Garrett, attempted to become fair within the time they gave to every candidate. Related Subjects Scott Pelley CBS News Politics Bachmann Wanted

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island Trailer: One of These Things Is Not Like the Other

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson joking about the Titanic. Luiz Guzman flying a helicopter while wearing a mini guitar. Future Hunger Games star Josh Hutcherson and Vanessa Hudgens riding a giant flying bumblebee. Michael Caine. If you chose “Michael Caine” as the thing that does not make sense in the trailer for Brad Peyton’s 3-D Journey to the Center of the Earth sequel, you would be correct. Ahead though, to over-sized vomiting insects, over-serious line readings and Oscar winner Michael Caine! For those of you who didn’t see 2008’s Journey to the Center of the Earth, Hutcherson starred as a 13-year-old who spends a week searching for his missing father with his volcanologist uncle (Brendan Fraser) — a mission that takes them to the, you guessed it, center of the Earth. This time around though, Hutcherson’s character Sean is on a different mission — to track down his missing grandfather (Caine) with the help of his new stepfather (Dwayne Johnson), a cute love interest (Vanessa Hudgens) and Luis Guzman — a mission that takes him to, you guessed it again, a mysterious island. Two words, Sean’s family: microchip implants! Journey 2 arrives in theaters February 10. VERDICT: To paraphrase Luis Guzman’s character, if Journey 2: The Mysterious Island is heaven, I’ll wait outside. [via Yahoo!]

News Corp. Scandal Jumps to 'The Sun' Following Corruption Arrest

Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation has another publication under investigation following the Friday arrest of a journalist employed by British tabloid, The Sun. All previous arrests in Scotland Yard's investigation into the company's phone-hacking and possible payoffs to police had been limited to employees of the now-defunct News of the World. PHOTOS: News of the World's Top 10 Scandals Police declined to reveal the name of the man, only saying he's an employee at News International, but The NY Times reports the company has confirmed him to be senior editor Jamie Pyatt. Pyatt has been at The Sun for more than 20 years, never working at News of the World during his tenure. His most notable accomplishment at the daily was breaking the story of Prince Harry attending a 2006 costume party dressed as a Nazi. Police arrested him outside of London "in connection with allegations of corruption," when he was then taken in for questioning. In addition to accusations it's been party to the more than $200,000 in News Corp. bribes for police tips, The Sun is now under scrutiny for possible involvement in phone hacking. STORY: Rupert Murdoch Ally Les Hinton Resigns as CEO of News Corp.'s Dow Jones Unit Amid Phone Hacking Scandal A plaintiff who sued News Corp. this year for phone hacking, claimed that the information illegally obtained by The News of the World was passed to The Sun "from time to time." News Corp. has already set aside $30 million to pay phone-hacking victims, the number of which seems to be growing. Police stated just this week that as many as 5,795 people might have been victims of The News of the World's phone hacking, despite giving a figure of 3,870 in the summer. Previous arrests in the case include former News of the World editor Andy Coulson and former News International CEO Rebekah Brooks. No formal charges have been brought to either of them. Related Topics Rupert Murdoch News Corp.

The 'Safe House' Trailer: Denzel Washington is a Bad House Guest

.post-content img {display:none;} Quick warning: if you want to be totally spoiler-free heading into the February action film 'Safe House,' you probably want to avoid the trailer. Not that what's spoiled is so surprising -- think 'Man on Fire' mixed with 'Training Day' and the Jason Bourne movies -- but it does seem to give away a few of the film's twists. That likely won't matter, though, if the action is as balls-out as it seems. The plot: Denzel Washington plays a dangerous rogue CIA agent transfered to a safe house that Ryan Reynolds is watching in South Africa. Explosions, explosions, explosions. Double crosses. Triple crosses. Badass Denzel! Pretty slick trailer, which is expected since director Daniel Espinosa was responsible for the cult Swedish film 'Snabba Cash.' 'Safe House' hits theaters on Feb. 12, 2012. Watch the trailer in HD over at Apple. Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook RELATED

5 Terrible Moments from Five of the Fall's Best Films

We’re on the verge of a star-studded Oscar season, but before we dig into the potentially embarrassing J. Edgar, the probably overblown War Horse, or the already-cloying Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, let’s take a second look at five great films from fall and remember that they weren’t so flawless either. In fact, these films all possessed one ridiculous moment that completely took me out of the otherwise believable drama. Did you have the same problems with Moneyball, Martha Marcy May Marlene, and Drive? Click through for our rundown. Moneyball Moneyball’s critical success seemed like a statistical impossibility (guh-her!), but it’s a smartly scripted meditation on Oakland Athletics manager Billy Beane’s intuition, his successful 2002 recalibration of the team, and the almost mystically unwatchable sport of baseball. It’s successful, that is, until the movie’s conversational realism goes south when we’re introduced to Beane’s wide-eyed preteen daughter. At first she seems like a loyal, if unassuming girl, but in the most cringe-inducing minute of fall cinema, she reveals herself to be a brilliant singer-songwriter who strums a guitar and trills damning lyrics about her father’s character. When do we hear her full, perfectly composed ditty about being a loser, you ask? Why, over the closing credits after her father’s team loses! It’s a little convenient. Especially since Billy Beane has no such singer-songwriter daughter, and the song she chirps is Australian artist Lenka’s post-2002 tune “The Show.” Martha Marcy May Marlene Martha Marcy May Marlene’s glimpses into its fractured heroine’s cult past are disturbing and engrossing, but it runs into trouble when chronicling Martha’s new life squatting with her chilly sister Lucy (Sarah Paulson) and her arrogant husband Ted (Hugh Dancy) at their vacation home. The worst of it occurs when Martha, whose grasp of social norms is clearly shot to hell — she tries sleeping in bed with Lucy and Ted while they’re having sex; she swims nude in the middle of the day as neighbors abound — endures a PTSD-grade conniption during the night. As she harrumphs up the stairs in a maniacal, nocturnal fit, she kicks away Ted, who tries to restrain her. Ted’s reaction? Not to realize that Martha Marcy is exhibiting the most textbook trauma since Sybil, but to yell, “She’s crazy!” and dismiss her animalistic terrors as selfish bitchiness. Come on. I don’t care how many pontoon boats Ted owns; there’s no way he’s too rich to realize Martha’s been through a dehumanizing hell. Drive Drive is undeniably the starkest, most stylish thriller of fall. It is also undeniably pretentious. I’m ambivalent about whether College’s soundtrack contribution “A Real Hero,” which reiterates the inanely literal lyrics, “He’s a real hero and a real human being,” needs to played twice during the film, but I’m very decided that there’s no need for an inhumanely long, lingering gaze between The Driver (Ryan Gosling) and Irene (Carey Mulligan) at her apartment. The Driver is supposed to represent stoic, charitable heroism, but scenes like this squelch his pure intentions and recast him as a reticent homewrecker. He should want to help the beleaguered Irene, not bed her. Later in the film when he steals a kiss from Irene in a surreal elevator scene, the dissolution of The Driver’s saintly intentions is clear. He’s just a horndog with a decent coat and strong facestomping legs after all. 50/50 Bryce Dallas Howard’s role as Rachael in the cute, inoffensive 50/50 is mysteriously one of the most poorly treated female characters of the season. As the cancer-stricken Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s artsy girlfriend, she should be likable until Seth Rogen’s character Kyle spots her making out with an arthouse hipster. Instead, the movie is mean to Rachael right as it begins; early in the film, we’re treated to viewings of her artwork, which she assigns contrived, sophomoric titles like “Existence” and “Defiance” (the actual names are escaping me, but you get the point) — and we’re supposed to laugh at her moronic ideas. Meanwhile, her boyfriend is spending weeks working on a similarly contrived NPR segment about volcanoes for half the movie, so I can’t decide whose artistic instincts are worse. Nevertheless, Levitt is treated like a lovable everyman and she’s treated like a disposable, idiotic bitch as soon as the movie starts. The Ides of March Sure, The Ides of March skimps on deep intrigue and settles for surface-level political thrills, but it’s chockablock with great performances. One of my favorites was Marisa Tomei, who plays a roving, no-nonsense NY Times reporter whose scoops compromise the candidates’ campaigns. However, I could’ve done without learning that her name was “Ida,” and that she represents — wait for it! — the Ides of March. I haven’t experienced such a pang of punny pain since (500) Days of Summer when a girl named Autumn replaced Summer in the movie’s final moments. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, we need to have a firm discussion about your movie paramours.