ProSieben in deal for Warner films

Pan European broadcaster Professional-SiebenSat.1 Group has signed a multi-year license agreement with Warner Bros. Intl. Television Distribution for exclusive free TV privileges to approaching WB photos and library content because of its German webs.Pact covers "Superman: Guy of Steel," "The The almighty from the Rings" trilogy and also the first four photos within the "Harry Potter" franchise. WBITD will even supply ProSiebenSat.1 with new series. The offer also covers WB Germany productions proven in movie theaters from 2013 on. Contact Bobbie Whiteman at bobbie.whiteman@variety.com

Trank Considered For New Fantastic Four

Chronicle director is the frontrunner...If you're a relatively new director, how do you really know studio executives seem to like your film before anyone outside of the company, some test screening audiences and a few members of the press have seen it? Ignore any internal praise: the tone likely to change sharpish if the box office doesn't deliver. But a good sign is being shoved to the front of the queue to handle one of the big franchises, which is why Chronicle director Josh Trank should be feeling happy right now: Fox is considering him for its Fantastic Four reboot.Variety reports that Trank has been having meetings on the studio's planned move to bring a whole new cinematic version of Marvel's squabbling superhero family to the screen. And while nothing is set in stone yet, he's become the front-runner.Though Chronicle is a low-budget drama, it's not as big a leap as you might imagine, since it follows the misadventures of four friends who develop strange telekinetic powers after discovering something odd while on a trip. They initially love their newfound abilities, but things soon take a much darker turn. We'd put it in terms of "with great power comes great responsibility" but someone else already uses that...Fox, of course, pumped out two FF films in 2005 and 2007 with Tim Story at the helm and Chris Evans, Jessica Alba, Ioan Gruffudd and Michael Chiklis in the lead roles. But while they made money, they never quite reached the quality levels of, say, Iron Man or the first two X-Men outings. Plus, the company only holds on to the rights from Marvel provided it keeps making movies, so this has been in the works for a while.It all sounds like the job is Trank's to lose, though how Chronicle performs will also factor into it. The film arrives here on February 1.

Savannah Frazier...Got the Part

"The first bird will get the earthworm" may seem trite, but nonunion actor Savannah Frazier can verify the reality of this clich after her experience in an open demand "In the Fire," an hourlong oratorio dramatizing the tragic Triangular Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911.Frazier showed up at Gem Galleries in Manhattan around 4 a.m. on May 3 to register to audition for that nonunion national tour of "Fiddler on the top.Inch She appreciated reading through at the spine Stage that auditions for "In the Fire" were being held nearby at Ripley-Grier Galleries that mid-day, so she required benefit of the additional time before her "Fiddler" audition at 10 a.m. making hers the name around the sign-up sheet for "In the Fire."Frazier only agreed to be days from graduation in the two-year conservatory program at NY's American Musical and Dramatic Academy, where students are urged to audition each morning before attending classes later on that day. "I really like who audition," she states, "even when it is something which i know I am not quite suitable for. Maybe they are not likely to cast me, but I enjoy audition. It's seriously among my personal favorite things you can do.InchThe youthful actor was especially thinking about "In the Fire," due to its historic subject material and also the status of composer Elizabeth Swados. The show were built with a effective one-week run in April to commemorate the 100th anniversary from the event, however, many roles were being recast following the project was recognized towards the 2011 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Frazier impressed Swados enough to become cast as Alta, a personality with different 16-year-old dressmaker who labored and died within the factory."I had been excited to make use of the background music and employ Alta's voice to actually define her," Frazier states. "Hopefully I discovered the reality of her, because she would be a real person. Once I sang, [Swados] stated, 'That's the very first time I have heard my song sang the way in which I needed to listen to it sang.' Which was super exciting.""Savannah is extremely versatile, therefore we attempted her by helping cover their a number of different roles," states musical director Kris Kukul, who labored with stars in the callbacks. "She did well wonderful them, but ultimately not one other actor matched up Alta's feeling of ambition, functionality, and inner existence that can compare with Savannah."Kukul was searching for strong performers who could portray immigrants consequently-of-the-century NY City and reliable that Frazier will be a good match the relaxation from the cast. "Savannah had all individuals characteristics," he states. "She nailed it immediately."Has Back Stage assisted you receive cast previously year? We'd like to inform your story. Maintain the weekly column by contacting casting@backstage.com for NY or bswcasting@backstage.com for La with "I Acquired the Part" within the subject line.

Deneuve scores Chaplin award

Film Society of Lincoln subsequently Center has drawn on Catherine Deneuve to get the org's 39th annual Chaplin Award. The kudo, which matches to notable creatives within the film industry, will recognition in france they actress' half a century of film operate in photos including "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg," "Repulsion," "The Hunger," "Indochine" and "Potiche." Gala award ceremony includes a roster of stars arranged for that tribute in addition to feature and interview clips. Charlie Chaplin was the inaugural person receiving the award in 1972. Laurel has more lately attended Martin Scorcese, Meryl Streep, Diane Keaton, Tom Hanks and Michael Douglas, with Sidney Poitier taking home the award this past year. The April gala is among the Film Society's greatest profile annual occasions, together with the NY Film Festival within the fall. Org is presently in a condition of transition, with longtime program director Richard Pena walking lower in the finish from the festival's 50th edition later this season. No new program director has yet been named. Chaplin gala is placed for April 2 at Lincoln subsequently Center's Alicy Tully Hall. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com

BAFTA selects Rising Star noms

LONDON -- The British Film and television Academy revealed the nominees due to its audience prize, the Orange Rising Star Award, on Wednesday, with Chris O'Dowd, Adam Deacon, Chris Hemsworth, Eddie Redmayne and Tom Hiddleston up for your accolade. The nominees, which have been selected with the British public (or particularly clients of cell phone company Orange), are actually whittled lower from all of the eight, which strangely enough saw the three female longlist nominees -- Jessica Chastain, Jennifer Lawrence and Felicity Manley -- slashed within the list. Nominations goal to recognize five worldwide thesps whose talent has "taken the imagination in the public." 5 nominees have possibly passed the "rising" stage from the career simply because they make an impact round the film biz formerly year. Irish thesp O'Dowd, who is known in Blighty for his role round the Tv series "The IT Crowd," broke to the global public eye this year along with his perf in "Bridesmaids." They can next be viewed in Judd Apatow's "This Can Be 40," with Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann. British actor Hiddleston was seen round the silver screen in Kenneth Branagh's "Thor," plus much more recently had roles in Woodsy Allen's "Evening amount of time in Paris," Steven Spielberg's "War Equine" and "The Dark Blue Sea." He just wrapped filming "The Avengers." Fellow brit Redmayne burst towards the film scene this year in "My Week With Marilyn," through which he stars alongside Michelle Williams and Judi Dench. Australian thesp Hemsworth showed up the title role in "Thor," and may reprise the role in "The Avengers" this year. He's also starring in Universal's "Snow White-colored as well as the Huntsman," with Kirsten Stewart, and may play F1 driver James Search in Ron Howard's "Hurry." Deacon is much better known inside the U.K. for his roles in Noel Clarke's "Kidulthood," "The adult yearsInch and "4,3,2,1," which year co-written, helmed and toplined in Brit urban comedy "Anuvahood." Previous individuals who win in the Rising Star Award include Tom Sturdy, James McAvoy, Avoi Eco-friendly and Shia LaBeouf. The champion will probably be introduced within the BAFTA Honours on Feb. 12. Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com

Netflix, Lovefilm enter U.K. cost war

LONDON -- Blighty's subscription VOD marketplace began to warm on Monday as Netflix launched its streaming-only package for five.99 ($9.25) inside the U.K. and $8.91 in Ireland, combined getting a 1-month trial offer for individuals clients to sweeten the sale. The launch, that's expected to become pricey and competitive one for your U.S.-based home theatre service, motivated an expense-cut from Amazon . com . com-possessed Lovefilm, which has centered the SVOD space in Blighty for any very long time. Lovefilm will offer you unlimited streaming only for $7.71 monthly. Both services are actually adding for their product offer inside the territory formerly six several days, very competing for content streaming deals. Since Netflix introduced it may be beginning in Blighty, Lovefilm has inked numerous pricey handles indie distribs, including eOne and Studiocanal, which will start to see the service offer game game titles from both distribs -- including "The Twilight Saga" and "Mess Tailor Soldier Spy," correspondingly -- exclusively through the pay TV window. Lovefilm, which already has two million clients, boasts numerous handles content companies such as the new the new sony Pictures, Warner Bros. and recently, ITV and BBC Worldwide. Netflix needs to date mentioned it'll offer clients in Blighty content from companies like the BBC, ITV, Funnel 4, Disney, MGM, Miramax, Vital and also the new the new sony Pictures. In addition, Netflix has inked exclusive distrib handles Momentum Pictures and Lionsgate U.K., although more understanding concerning the deals have not yet been revealed. The look of Netflix can be a welcome one for content companies, particularly independent film entrepreneurs, since the service and Lovefilm have both been offering indies more lucrative options than dealing with pay TV operator BSkyB, which has typically offered indies a lot more compact deals -- if any -- in comparison to Hollywood majors.Nevertheless it looks set to become constant fight for Netflix: In the finish of October, Netflix Boss Reed Hastings mentioned in the letter to traders the organization "expect the cost within our entry to the U.K. and Ireland will push us being unprofitable around the global basis that's, domestic profits will not be large enough to both cover worldwide possibilities and get global G&A (general and administrative costs), technology and development."Following the organization saw a substantial customer exodus inside the U.S. a year ago following its 60% cost hike, Hastings mentioned: "We are beginning 2012 in a great way: By supplying clients inside the U.K. and Ireland an amazing entertainment experience."When planning for your Netflix arrival, Lovefilm has plowed money in to a large-scale marketing campaign inside the territory, with glossy TV ads and billboard ads. "Clients reveal they love Lovefilm because of the worth, choice and innovation we offer in subscription film and tv entertainment," mentioned Lovefilm Boss Simon Calver. "We offer clients an unmatched choice of game game titles." Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com

ROLL CALL: Kaira Pitt & Jennifer Aniston Celebrate Jonah Slopes Birthday

First Launched: The month of the month of january 3, 2012 1:48 PM EST Credit: WireImage Caption Kaira Pitt and Jonah Hill are observed a Moneyball screening and Q&A in the new the new sony Pictures Art galleries in Culver City, Calif. on December 19, 2011LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Your Day-to-day Dispatch of Celebrity Shenanigans Jonahs Star-Studded Birthday: Starring in Moneyball features its own perks! For Jonah Slopes recent 28th special birthday, the celebs switched out, including his recent co-star Kaira Pitt along with Jennifer Aniston and Zooey Deschanel. They danced a little, an origin told Us Weekly. Angelina stood a vino or two in their hands. And Brangelina werent really the only ones experiencing the party. New Girl star Zooey was apparently spotted tearing within the oasis as well as the birthday boy was spotted dancing with a variety of women. Year Beach Bods!: Lots of stars hit the beach for your Year and so they werent shy about revealing somewhat skin! Jessica Alba was seen revealing her publish-pregnancy body in Cabo San Lucas, HERE! Mischa Barton was spotted experiencing the sun's sun rays in Miami, HERE! And Enrique Iglesias was spotted shirtless (and ripped) in St. Barts, HERE! More 2012 Action!: Which Dwts professional rang inside the Year while using Kardashians? Which blonde bombshell rang in 2012 in Vegas? And, uncover which two Hollywood hunks Sofia Vergara had on her behalf account arms on New Years Eve, HERE! Just Just In Case You Missed It!: 2012 daytime TV got away and off to an unusual begin Monday when Snoop Dogg co-situated Mondays The Price Is Suitable. See the rap star mixing it with host Came Carey, HERE. Plinkizzle anybody! -By Jesse Spero Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.