Are plans crashing down around Icon U.K.?

'Drive'LONDON -- Two years after Len Blavatnik's Access Industries bought Icon's U.K. distribution and foreign sales operations, with big plans to expand Icon around the world, all signs seem to indicate that Access's excitement with the film biz is cooling.The grand plans for Icon's global expansion have long been abandoned, while a strategic alliance announced a year ago with the Weinstein Co. has come to nothing.Now Blighty's film biz is abuzz with reports that Access is shopping Icon's U.K. library to potential buyers, following the distrib's recent weak performance.The possible sale of that library, which includes titles such as "Drive," "A Single Man" and "Precious," would leave Icon to simply focus on the foreign sales business. However, the company is also struggling to attract new projects for its international arm, with Access providing only limited support.Perhaps it's that the U.S.-based industrial group has bigger fish to fry. The company acquired Warner Music in May for $3.3 billion, and is now the favorite to snap up EMI's recorded music arm, which has been put on the block by Citigroup. Icon is a small concern by comparison, and Access seems unwilling to invest more cash or management time in growing the business.Access and Icon refuse to comment. But one insider confirms Access is open to offers for its U.K. distribution arm: "It's like one of those things you have that doesn't make a huge difference to you, and you want to sell but only if the price is right."Icon's U.K. arm looks set for its worst year at the box office since 2006. With a gross of 7.4 million ($11.8 million) so far, the company will be lucky to make half of its 2010 and 2009 box office takings, which sat at $26.3 million and $26.8 million, respectively.While Icon U.K.'s 2010 slate was peppered with some moderately successful releases, including "Edge of Darkness" ($5.9 million) and "A Single Man" ($5.1 million) there were a slew of misses as well, including Gurinder Chadha's "It's a Wonderful Afterlife" ($1.5 million) and "The Box," ($1.9 million).So far in 2011, only two pics have passed the 1 million ($1.5 million) mark: "Drive" ($4.1 million and counting) and "West Is West" ($4.3 million).Some rival distribs even say they were approached by Access as long as six months ago to assess the value of the U.K. library.Two years ago, under the direction of former PolyGram and UIP topper Stewart Till, the intention was to set up Icon as an international distribution network that could rival the likes of other major indies in the European market and further afield.The backing of Blavatnik, a Russian-American billionaire, coupled with Till's expertise signaled what seemed to be a big future for the company.Till kicked the tires of several distribs in Italy, Spain, France and Germany, but could not find suitable acquisitions at a realistic price. At the same time, a series of U.K. theatrical failings cooled the enthusiasm of Access for further expansion in the distribution business.A year ago, Access told Till to retreat back to Blighty and focus on fixing the U.K. operations and building up the foreign sales arm.However, this was not what Till, an advocate of the multiterritory distribution philosophy, wanted. So he moved from CEO to a part-time role as chairman, while Hugo Grumbar and Ian Dawson became joint managing directors, with Grumbar handling international sales and Dawson the U.K. operation.In January, Icon laid off 15% of its staff. In an effort to cut costs, certain pivotal roles were merged including head of home entertainment and head of marketing.Rumors were rife that Grumbar and Dawson were given a year to show results or the company would be shut down.Since then, Icon's international sales operation has handled pics such as "Coriolanus," which was sold to TWC in Berlin, Sundance hit "Project Nim" and the yet-to-be released Mel Gibson pic "How I Spent My Summer Vacation."At Cannes, Icon launched presales of the $20 million spoof "The Biggest Movie of All Time 3D," which was supposed to start shooting in November. It lined up a healthy $12 million in commitments from distribs, but with Access unwilling to cover the gap in a timely fashion, Icon was unable to close the financing on schedule, and the producers have been forced to postponed production while Icon continues its efforts to piece together the budget.Last year, before the American Film Market, Icon announced it was launching a new film financing alliance with the Weinstein Co. Under the deal, Icon and TWC would jointly identify projects in the $5 million-$20 million range, which Icon would bankroll and TWC would distribute in selected territories. Both companies announced that the fund could reach $100 million over its initial two-year period.One year later, however, and the relationship has borne no fruit. One insider suggests that after the splashy announcement, Icon never ended up signing the deal, after its execs realized that the terms were stacked against the company.Indeed, for the past year, Icon seems to have spent more time pulling out of deals than consummating them. Last week, Icon went into arbitration with River Road Entertainment, the producers of Terrence Malick's "The Tree of Life," after cancelling a plan in April to distribute the pic in Blighty.The U.K. distribution company's most significant acquisition this year has been the low-budget horror pic "You're Next," which Icon pre-bought for a low-six figure sum from HanWay Films at Cannes. The horror-thriller was one of the buzz titles at Toronto this year, selling to more than 30 territories; Lionsgate snapped up U.S. rights in a low seven-figure deal. But Icon's U.K. release will follow the U.S. release, which isn't skedded until next year."It's a crowded landscape here in the U.K.," says one source. "And Access don't seem to be giving Icon the backing and support they need to make themselves a formidable player. Perhaps it's a question of experience and infrastructure, but rumors are rife and people are hesitant to give them films because of that." Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com

Trio Of True Blood stream Co-Executive Producers Sign Overall Handles Cinemax

EXCLUSIVE: Three True Blood stream veterans, co-executive producers Alexander Woo, Raelle Tucker and John Buckner, have signed separate 2-year overall handles Cinemax. Beneath the 2-year pacts, the three continues as co-executive producers round the vampire drama for your approaching fifth season. In addition, the deals demand UTA-repped Woo and Tucker and CAA-repped Buckner to develop new projects for your pay cable network. (Woo, Tucker and Buckner may also stay with True Blood stream once the series visits a sixth season.) All 3 are actually while using show, created and executive produced by Alan Ball, forever.

SAG, AFTRA tout merger progress

Intends to merge Hollywood's two greatest artist unions stick to track as reps from the Screen Stars Guild and also the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists continue focusing on The month of january for finishing your final proposal. SAG and AFTRA released some pot statement Wednesday, a next day of a five-day meeting came to the conclusion, saying the confab have been "remarkably productive." It had been the 3rd formal confab from the Group for just one Union, which received updates in the workgroups in Governance & Structure Finance & Dues Collective Negotiating Pension, Health & Retirement Procedures & Staff and Member Education & Outreach. Just like the 2 previous conferences in June and August, the unions revealed only general particulars concerning the substance of discusssions. Advocates have contended that the combined union could be more effective and take away jurisdictional overlaps. Competitors have contended the new union ought to be for stars only but SAG voters happen to be backing professional-merger candidates extremely in recent elections. If the proposal be accepted in The month of january through the national boards, people might be requested to election by next spring inside a contest that will require 60% of individuals voting in each union to approve. SAG presently has about 120,000 people while AFTRA has about 70,000 about 45,000 entertainers owned by both unions. "It was an incredibly productive meeting and that we made solid progress over the full spectrum of issues we must consider," stated SAG leader Ken Howard and AFTRA leader Roberta Reardon. "The people and staff of both unions still are a genuine team, and our efforts still prove our shared interests are far more than any variations we now have. "The entertainment and media industries are changing more rapidly than ever before, and the opportunity to bring our unions together is really a chance -Body we intend to make the most of. We are devoted to protecting the very best facets of SAG and AFTRA in the end develop a effective new union that'll be better still outfitted to defend myself against the emerging facts we are facing. One factor is for certain: We are much more powerful together than we're apart." Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Real Steel, Footloose Duke It For No. 1

First Released: October 16, 2011 12:24 PM EDT Credit: Vital Pictures Caption Movie Clip: The Cast Of Footloose Cowboy On The Party Area! La, Calif. -- The robot boxers of Real Steel and also the ballroom dancers of Footloose have been in a good fight for that box-office title. Based on studio estimations Sunday, the Hugh Jackman tale about machines within the boxing ring required in $16.3 million, which may allow it to be no. 1 movie for that second-straight weekend. But Real Steel arrived barely in front of the remake Footloose, which opened up with $16.a million. Footloose is really a new undertake the eighties film in regards to a youth challenging a cities dance prohibit. The films are close enough they could switch ratings once final amounts are launched Monday. Thehorror remake The One Thing opened up at No. 3 with $8.7 million. Steve Martin, Jack Black and Owen Wilsons bird-watching comedy The Large Year flopped having a $3.3 million opening. Copyright 2011 through the Connected Press. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

AFI Fest announces auteur photos, Swanberg focus

A spotlight on mumblecore forefather Joe Swanberg and game titles for that New Auteurs and Youthful People in america sections happen to be introduced through the AFI Fest. Fest, which runs November. 3-10 in Hollywood, will award the brand new Auteurs Experts Prize the very first time. One of the primary and 2nd-time filmmakers competing for that prize are Cristian Jimenez with Cannes screener "Bonsai," Julia Loktev with "The Loneliest Planet," and Markus Schleinzer with "Michael." Game titles within the Youthful People in america section for emerging U.S. filmmakers include "The Colour Wheel," "Eco-friendly," "Wuss" and "The Dish and also the Spoon," docu "Dragonslayer" and experimental pic "Spark to be.Inch The spotlight on Joe Swanberg will screen his Full Moon trilogy, including "Silver Bullets," "Art History" and also the world premiere of "The Zone." Contact Pat Saperstein at pat.saperstein@variety.com

Ali Landry Gives Birth with a Boy

Ali Landry Ali Landry and her husband, filmmaker Alejandro Monteverde, will be the parents from the boy, People reviews.See the relaxation in the day's news on TVGuide.comThe 8-pound baby was produced Saturday in La, and so they named him Marcelo Alejandro, the actress' repetition told playboy.Examine out photos of Ali LandryThe 38-year-old model, best known to as acrobatic Doritos girl, and Monteverde are actually parents to Estela, 4. The happy couple tied the knot in April 2006. Landry was formerly married to Mario Lopez.Ali Landry pregnant with baby No. 2When she introduced having a baby, Landry - who'll show on TV Guide Network's approaching Hollywood Moms' Club -- mentioned she'd be "really nervous" if she'd a boy.

Farhadi: A Persian poet in pictures

Iranian helmer Asghar Farhadi is Variety's Middle East Filmmaker from the YearWithout any doubt, this really is helmer-scribe Asghar Farhadi's year. In Feb, his fifth feature "A Separation," grew to become the very first Iranian film to nab Berlin's Golden Bear. A obvious favorite from the Berlinale jury, the pic also stated acting kudos for that men and women ensemble cast, which incorporated Farhadi's teen daughter Sarina. Meanwhile, in Tehran, the drama collected an archive seven awards in the Fajr Film Festival.Even though Iranian game titles acclaimed at foreign fests haven't been popular within the domestic market or perhaps in arthouse distribution offshore, "Separation" dollars the popularity. Since spring, the film went from strength to strength, approaching millions of admissions in France and turning out to be a significant hit in your own home, selling distribution privileges in each and every territory and accumulating exclusive honors. Forthcoming Stateside via The new sony Classics, it's the Islamic Republic's candidate for that foreign-language film Oscar.Farhadi, who's to get Variety's Middle East Filmmaker of the season award at Abu Dhabi, is the best choice, states Variety worldwide director Alberto Lopez. " 'A Separation' is really a shining proof of transcending edges and also the energy of cinema. Asghar Farhadi has produced a universal and memorable story that remains lengthy within the memory."In telling the storyline of the secular middle-class family at the time of upheaval that ends up incompatible having a poor religious family, the 39-year-old Farhadi stands out an easy around the difficulties and contradictions of contempo Iranian society while integrating issues of gender, class, justice, personal recognition and wounded pride. Like Alfred Hitchcock, he uses situational suspense to ratchet up tension from scene to scene as new particulars emerge that alter the tale's moral perspective and change viewers' sympathies.More to the point, in anatomizing his faceoff between modern values and traditional practices Farhadi never passes judgment on some of his figures rather, he enables the intricate twists and turns from the plot to call their positions into question.He notes, "Should you give an response to your audiences, your film only will finish within the cinema. However when you pose questions, your film really starts after people watch it it continues within the viewer."Farhadi also performed with ambiguity rather than imposing solutions in the earlier works, specifically in "About Elly" (2009). Individuals acquainted with his previous films will even recognize how their styles are cleverly combined and reworked in "Separation": the appearance at Islamic justice and forgiveness from "Beautiful City" (2004), the fraught middle-class marriage from "Fireworks Wednesday" (2006) and also the difference in social mores over the class divide from "About Elly."Farhadi is among the rare filmmakers in a position to reasonably illustrate the urban middle minimizing classes and elicit dramatic tension using their discordances. He depends on in-depth character development, precise casting, extensive rehearsals and intelligent thesping to attain credible figures whose actions will always be understandable and whose scripted dialogue results in just as real-speak.Since his feature debut "Dancing within the Dust" (2003), Farhadi has progressively collected a powerful team of specialists around him, but "A Separation" marks his first collaboration with lenser Mahmud Kalari, Iran's finest cinematographer. Together, they create the film as wealthy formally because it is on almost every other level. Using interior space is especially amazing, using the central visual motif of open and closed doorways integral towards the plot. Seem, too, becomes crucial as Farhadi plays throughout using what is heard and never seen.Farhadi's psychologically complex and significantly engrossing films are much more accessible compared to highly symbolic works of his compatriots. They're also more significant compared to sentimental, children-on-a-mission tales from Iran that found Western arthouse favor within the late the nineteen nineties.At any given time by which harsh censorship has derailed the careers of a lot of Iranian artists, one only hope that Farhadi's obvious-eyed take a look at their own culture will still be treasured in your own home in addition to abroad.He's aware from the thin line he treads. After his Berlin win, he was requested to share with you the problem in Iran. His reply: "I'm able to either say what you would like me to express and also the result is I recieve into trouble and should not make films any longer. Or I'm able to say around I am permitted to and continue making films. I favor making films. I am not really a hero, I am a filmmaker."FEST TRAVELER: ABU DHABIAbu Dhabi blends talents Circle Conference victim of their own success A Persian poet in pictures Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Is Leonardo DiCaprio's 'Satori' The Next 'Bourne' Franchise?

By Sterling Wong Is Leonardo DiCaprio the next big action star? The critically acclaimed actor has been known recently for more Oscar-baity fare like the upcoming J. Edgar, but it looks like the stars trying to shake things up. Hes signed up to work with Quentin Tarantino as the villain in Django Unchained, and now DiCaprio is set to kick some butt as the star of Satori, a film adaptation of Don Winslows bestselling novel. Set in the Cold War era of the 1950s, DiCaprio will play Nicholai Hel, a Westerner who grew up in Japan and becomes an expert in martial arts and Go, a Japanese chess game, reports Deadline. Hel is recruited by the CIA to assassinate a Soviet ambassador to China, but he is betrayed and has to run for his life as various intelligence agencies chase after him. Theres no memory loss involved, but were definitely seeing some distinct similarities between DiCaprios Hel and Matt Damons Jason Bourne, what with the CIA betrayal and Hel and Bournes hyper-intelligence. Like Bourne, "Satori" will have an international feel to it: besides having a history in Japan, the film will also see DiCaprios character making his way across Vietnam as hes chased by antagonists from America, China, Russia and France, among others. Indeed, if "Satori" turns out to be a hit, it's said that Warner Bros. hopes to develop it into a successful franchise much like the "Bourne" series. "Satori" will not be the first film adaptation of a Don Winslow property. The author has another book, Savages, in the big screen works. Directed by Oliver Stone, this movie features an ensemble cast that includes John Travolta, Salma Hayek, Blake Lively, Benicio Del Toro and Emile Hirsch. With a scheduled release date of September 28, 2012, Savages looks likely to hit theaters much earlier than Satori. Outside of "Satori," DiCaprio is currently busy filming Baz Luhrmanns The Great Gatsby and after that is completed, he will move on to Django Unchained, which is expected to keep him busy until spring 2012. So, it looks like action fans will have to be patient, and in the meantime, we can get our "Bourne" fix with the Jeremy Renner reboot, The Bourne Legacy, which will be released next year. What do you think of Leonardo DiCaprio as an action star? Tell us in the comments or on Twitter!

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