ABC's 'Beauty' adds LeBlanc

Karen LeBlanc ("Repel Gravity") continues to be cast in ABC drama pilot "Beauty & The Animal." LeBlanc joins a cast which features Chris Egan, Darius Campbell, F. Murray Abraham, Meegan Warner and Ruth Bradley. LeBlanc will have the p-facto mind of the digital rebel band striving to determine the emperor (Abraham) dethroned. Jon Steinberg authored the pilot and it is professional creating with Gary Fleder and Mary Janet Basile for ABC Galleries and Mojo Films. Yves Simoneau is pointing. LeBlanc is symbolized by Greene & Assoc. and handled by Gayle Abrams at OAZ. Contact Jon Weisman at jon.weisman@variety.com

Climan tops ANEW

Tokyo -- CAA and Universal Studios vet Sandy Climan has been appointed CEO of All Nippon Entertainment Works, a new venture from investment fund Innovation Network Corp. of Japan to adapt and develop Japanese content for the world market. Former Nikkatsu international exec Kenny Kurokawa has been named COO of ANEW, launched this month. With offices in Tokyo and L.A., the company plans to link with Hollywood studios and global partners to co-produce English-language pics and other content from Japanese properties. ANEW was unveiled in August, with INCJ committing $80 million to its subsid. The list of 14 corporate partners include film and TV producer Nikkatsu, Japan's five commercial networks, distribs Asmik Ace Entertainment and Toho-Towa, toon makers Production I.G. and Ishimori Prods., ad shops Dentsu and Yomiko, toy makers Tomy and Sega Toys and the Mitsubishi trading house. Climan said, "Japan has long been a cultural epicenter of the world's most creative storytelling. ANEW will partner with world-class filmmakers to bring these stories to a worldwide audience." After serving as Universal's head of worldwide business development from 1995 to 1999, Climan launched Entertainment Media Ventures. He headed start-up 3ality Digital from 2007. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

John Lee Hancock In Foretells Model Of Mary Poppins Pic Saving Mr. Banks

EXCLUSIVE: The Blind Side helmer John Lee Hancock is at early talks with Disney to direct Saving Mr. Banks, the Kelly Marcel-scripted saga of techniques Wally Disney fought against a 14-year courtship to help Australian author P.L. Travers to promote him rights to produce a film from Mary Poppins. Disney is near a deal to obtain the Black List script, which would be to establish with producer Alison Owen of Ruby Films. Disney seems an all-natural place for that script, taking into consideration the studio has many rights from making the 1964 classic film that starred Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke and David Tomlinson, the 2nd who carried out Mr. Banks inside the film. This is often a hot project — names like Tom Hanks to see Disney and Meryl Streep to see Travers come in the wind — and Disney’s intention is always to put it into production this year. A person's heart from the script arises from how close Travers felt to her story from the nanny with magical forces. Mary Poppins was highly personal, and reflected struggles within their existence and her relationship along with her father, who died when she was 7. Disney finally convinced her to permit him increase the risk for film, but she was prickly completely for the finish. While Mary Poppins was famous immediately, she hated the animated sequences inside the film a great deal they rejected to promote any kind of many other actively works to Disney. Hancock recently attached themselves to produce and direct The Partner at New Regency, using the John Grisham best-selling novel. He's repped by CAA.

Auditions Introduced for Workshop of latest Liberace Musical

Take out your sequins and warm-up people ivories. Auditions are actually scheduled for just about any workshop output of "Everything Glitters," a completely new musical about flamboyant pianist and artist Liberace that aims being as colorful and spectacular as his Las vegas shows.The musical will probably be directed and choreographed by Alexander deJong, a dancer which has came out on Broadway in revivals of "42nd Street" and "My Fair Lady." DeJong, who also written the score, co-written it with James Walsh. Casting director Stephanie Klapper ("Dividing the Estate") will probably be holding auditions in the finish of February and early March for just about any three-day workshop performance, that is presented in May in NY City."Everything Glitters" notifies the story from the Depression-era kid from Wisconsin who increased being most likely typically the most popular artists of his time, while fighting in the gloomy of his arena of glamour and glamour. Three stars may have Liberace at various methods in the existence, first just like a 10-year-old boy, a young guy, and finally within the 60s. Stars aren't required to go through the piano of those roles. Other figures from Liberace's personal existence and career can also be cast at these auditions.Equity principal auditions will probably be held on Monday, February 27, Wednesday, February 29, and Friday, March 2 in NY City. Equity chorus requires entertainers and ballroom ballroom dancers will occur on Monday, March 5. An empty demand union and nonunion artists remains added for Monday, March 12. For more information and audition particulars, begin to see the full casting notices on BackStage.com. (Subscription needed.)Walsh was concentrating on this musical the moment 2007, if the was referred to as "Everything Glitters: The Unauthorized Liberace Musical." Although some stage productions in regards to the legendary artist are actually attempted lately, none have handled to get at Broadway. Michael Douglas will star as Liberace inside an approaching film, directed by Steven Soderbergh.

Jonah Hill Overwhelmed By Moneyball Supporting Actor Nomination

First Published: January 24, 2012 2:46 PM EST Credit: Getty Images LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Caption Jonah Hill steps out at the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. on January 15, 2012A few years ago, Jonah Hill played everyones go-to sidekick in comedies like Get Him to the Greek and Superbad, but from Tuesday, he is forever known as an Oscar nominee. I feel like Im in a dream still, Jonah told Access Hollywood on Tuesday, just a short while after learning he had picked up a Best Supporting Actor nod for his work opposite Brad Pitt in Moneyball. I didnt sleep all night and then I watched it on TV and Ive just been on the phone ever since Im really, really overwhelmed, I cant believe that this is my life right now. Jonah made the successful leap from comedy to drama with baseball film and hes pleased that Oscar voters recognized his performance. To me, its really amazing, because I think theres very few actors you know, Tom Hanks, Robin Williams I mean two of the most legendary ones to successfully transition from comedy to drama, being able to do both, and you know the fact that it is my second drama, an excited Jonah said. And to get nominated for an Academy Award for it just gives me encouragement to keep making more dramas. Brad reached out to Jonah on Tuesday morning, congratulating his fellow nominee. He just said hes really proud and excited and I felt the same way, you know, Jonah recounted, referring to Brads Best Actor nomination. And I loved [The] Tree of Life, his other film that got him nominated for Best Picture. Excuse me, Jonah added, pausing. Im very overwhelmed. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

NBC orders 'Hannibal' to series

FullerNBC has ordered a drama concept based on Hannibal Lecter straight to series, proving the rapid decline of midseason series "The Firm" hasn't dulled the network's willingness to risk skipping the pilot stage. Gaumont Intl. Television has sold 13 episodes of "Hannibal," which will be executive produced by Bryan Fuller ("Pushing Daisies") and Martha DeLaurentiis, a producer behind the films about the cannibal killer. Skein features the classic characters from Thomas Harris' novel "Red Dragon," FBI agent Will Graham and his mentor Dr. Lecter, who are re-introduced at the beginning of their budding relationship. "Hannibal" will follow a similar business model as "Firm," which Entertainment One secured a 22-episode commitment from NBC, in part because eOne offered a significantly reduced license fee made possible by international financing deals. But the savings come at the expense of putting a series through its paces via the traditional pilot model -- a more expensive commitment for a much shorter term. "Firm," which ends its run on NBC this Saturday, proved a disappointment for the network, averaging a paltry 5.7 million total viewers and a 1.4/4 in the 18-49 demo. Fuller is already at work on another series reinvention of an existing franchise, "The Munsters." Now titled "Mockingbird Lane," the series was pulled out of consideration for the fall schedule last week by NBC, which wants to devote more time to developing it with an eye for potential midseason release in 2013. The network also ordered another drama pilot, "Notorious," from Universal Television and BermanBraun. Series is an opulent soap in which a female detective returns undercover to the wealthy family she grew up in - -as the maid's daughter--to solve the murder of the notorious heiress who was once her closest friend. Lloyd Braun, Gail Berman and Gene Stein are executive producers with Liz Heldens, who worked on NBC's "Friday Night Lights." Contact Andrew Wallenstein at andrew.wallenstein@variety.com

'Leafie' launches 108 Media

Toronto-based 108 Media is beginning within the Berlin market by acquiring British-language rights to Korean animated title "Leafie: A Hen To the Wild." Company will focus on worldwide sales and Canadian distribution of films, TV, gaming and mobile content. Funded by equity finance, 108 Media is headed by Abhishek Rastogi, former controlling director of Cinesavvy. "Leafie" follows an adventurous hen who escapes in the chicken farm, imaging of freedom. Pic, produced by Myung Films, totalled up 2.2 million admissions over the 2009 summer season and offered in 46 nations. 108 Media mentioned an British-lingo version will probably be released in U . s . States theaters later this year. "Our way of 108 Media can be a hybrid from the traditional sales model together with a transmedia company," Rastogi mentioned. "Rebranding 'Leafie' for Western audiences by getting an British-language version fits right because strategy. Our U . s . States theatrical release will showcase the stunning animation and heart-warming narrative in the film and let's explore options for mobile content, gaming, comicbooks and programs." The sale was talked about by Rastogi and Paul Yi, worldwide agent for Myung Films. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Now Rooney Mara Has Undesirable Effects

Overpowering from Blake LivelySteven Soderbergh's next project, pharmaceutical psycho-thriller Undesirable Effects, is altering out its leading lady. While whispers began to rumble the other day that Blake Lively was in the project because of worries with the financial team about her stability just like a box office draw, she's certainly now departed. In their place? The Woman While Using Dragon Tattoo's Rooney Mara. She'll undertake the role in the beautiful, troubled Emily Hawkins, a girl who turns to prescription medicines to handle anxiety and depression she will get knowing her husband (Channing Tatum) will probably be released from prison. She also tries to cope by beginning cheating along with her physician (Jude Law), which doesn't exactly help matters.Catherine Zeta-Manley grew to become part of the film the other day, and she'll play another physician. The script's by Contagion / The Informant!'s Scott Z Burns, and Soderbergh is positioned to begin shooting soon, especially since more youthful crowd must cram in Liberace biopic Behind The Candelabra for Cinemax before he heads off on his hiatus to fresh fresh paint, or race go-karts. Or something like that like this.Because nailing the Lisbeth Salander role in Fincher's undertake the chilled crime thriller, Mara is really a lady desired. She's been offered several roles, plus a lead in Kathryn Bigelow's Bin Laden thriller. Sadly, she required to turn that particular lower because it clashed with marketing duties for Tattoo. However she's coping with Soderbergh. Huzzah!

Fashion Slam: Makeup Mondays Get Gorgeous Tips

First Released: The month of january 23, 2012 2:25 PM EST Credit: La, Calif. -- Caption Kate Beckinsale in the Golden Globes, The month of january 15, 2012Angelina Jolies red-colored lips designed a bold statement in the Globes a week ago, but shes only some of the beauty whose makeup we coveted. Listed here are the step-by-step guides for 3 gorgeous looks. KATE BECKINSALE WHO: Makeup Artist Molly Stern INSPIRATION: Kates Roberto Cavalli dress am ethereal and magical I needed to help keep your skin searching completely luminous and make a little of edge using the eyes. HOW-TO: SKIN Molly started by moisturizing Kates skin with Natura Bisses Solution Cream. She then primed with Shapely Veil Mineral Primer, which produces a perfect canvas for makeup, then an easy use of Shapely Illusion Tinted Moisturizer in it in Sand. Molly loved the sheer finish from the foundation, which permitted the British beautys gorgeous skin to stand out. Cheekbones Molly used the bronze tone in Shapely Illume Creme-to-Powder Bronzer Duo in Sunset to include warmth to Kates skin, and adopted using the blush tone put on the apples of her cheekbones. She then dusted NARS Miss Liberty at the top of her cheekbone to include an additional glow. EYES Molly used the bronze shade of Shapely Visionaire Eyeshadow Duo in Gypsy like a base, and hang it with NARS Galapagos Eyeshadow, smudged deep in to the lid. To have an extra pop of sunshine, she dabbed CHANELs Blazing Gold Ombr Essential within the inner lid. Her lashes are deep and jet-black because of Shapely Film Noir Full Spectrum Mascara, then Shapely Film Noir Lash Lacquer that was colored them over to have an extra kick of drama. LIPS Shapely Femme Rouge Velvet Crme lipstick in Fresco was adopted like a base on Kates lips, then Shapely Extreme Sheen Lipsticks in Think about it for a sparkling sheen. STACY KEIBLER WHO: Marina Gravani for NYX Cosmetics and KeSARI Beauty INSPIRATION: Marina accompanied Stacys stunning red-colored Valentino gown having a neutral, easy turn to reveal her natural splendor. HOW-TO: FACE Stacys skin was prepared the evening before using the KeSARI Pore Reducing Indian Clay Masque ($29.50/kesaribeauty.com). Your day from the show, just before using makeup, Marina applied KeSARI Dark Circle Brightening Cream ($37.90/kesaribeauty.com) towards the under-eye area to lessen swelling and impart a subtle glow. Next, Marina produced basics using NYX Cosmetics HD Studio Photogenic Primer and HD Studio Photogenic Foundation in Sand Beige. She then used the NYX Cosmetics Stay Matte Although Not Flat Powder Foundation in Soft Beige to achieve a matte finish. The NYX Cosmetics Highlight & Contour Powder ended up being put on define and highlight Stacys face. To create the Highlight & Contour Powder and keep a matte finish, Marina used the NYX Cosmetics Powder Blush in Dusty Rose within the apples of her cheekbones. EYES Marina applied the NYX Cosmetics HD Studio Photogenic Concealer Wand in Beige towards the under-eye area to even Stacys complexion. She then dotted the NYX Cosmetics Collection Noir Liquid Black Lining between Stacys lashes to ensure they are appear thicker. Marina applied a skinny type of the NYX Cosmetics Liquid Black Lining to Stacys top lid after which mixed the Liquid Black Lining using the NYX Cosmetics Powder Brown Lining for that lower lash. Marina then used the shimmery light beige eyeshadow in the NYX Cosmetics Butt Naked Eyes Palette on Stacys covers and also the brown eyeshadow in the palette within the crease. She finished the appearance with three jackets from the NYX Cosmetics Le Chick Flick waterproof mascara in the Boudoir Mascara Collection. LIPS Marina produced a nude lip to help keep Stacys look as easy as you possibly can. She used a neutral lip lining and adopted using the NYX Cosmetics Xtreme Lip Cream in Naturalthe perfect finish to Stacys gorgeous feminine look. FREIDA PINTO WHO: Makeup Artist Leslie Lopez INSPIRATION: I truly desired to funnel a youthful Sophia Loren making Freidas eyes the focus of her look. HOW-TO: FACE Leslie gave Freida a perfect face by beginning with LOral Paris True Match Super-Blendable Foundation in W6 (Sun Beige). Cheekbones She produced a sun-kissed look around the cheekbones with LOral Paris Miracle Smooth Souffl Blush in Cherubic. EYES For Freidas eyelids, she used LOral Paris Infallible Eyeshadow in Tanned Taupe, and Iced Latte around the brow bone to have an extra pop of shimmer. Leslie gave the appearance an additional layer of smokiness with LOral Paris Voluminous Smoldering Eye liner in black before curling her lashes and using a couple of jackets of LOral Paris Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara in Black. LIPS To help keep Freidas eyes the main focus, she stored her lips around the natural affiliate with LOral Paris Infallible Le Rouge in Residual Mocha, a soft mauve. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Diane Kruger arranged to experience The Seeker within the Host

Based on a study by Deadline, Diane Kruger is within discussions to become listed on the film adaptation of Stephenie Twilight Meyer's non-Twilight novel The Host.She'll take part in the Seeker, part of 'the souls' who've penetrated Earth and brought charge of the planet's inhabiting humans. She's none-too-happy that digital rebel human Melanie (Saoirse Ronan) is showing up against the influence of her designated parasitic 'soul'.Kruger joins Ronan, William Hurt and Max Irons within the movie, which is written and directed by Andrew Niccol (Gattaca - yay! Over Time - less...)Former model Kruger has so far struck a pleasant balance between European fare and Hollywood blockbusters. She plays Marie Antoinette in Farewell, My Full, that is scheduled to spread out the Berlin Film Festival in Feb.The Host will open on 29 March 2013.

Extended-gestating 'Lincoln' driven by performances

Day-LewisSpielbergKennedySteven Spielberg remains nursing his idea for just about any movie about Abraham Lincoln subsequently subsequently for this type of very long time it predated American historian Doris Kearns Goodwin's book on Lincoln subsequently subsequently and also the presidential Cabinet, "Team of Rivals."It -- acclaimed due to its intelligent and fresh stance on Union techniques for ending the Civil War, with Lincoln subsequently subsequently controlling and finessing several prickly and ambitious White-colored House co-employees and allies -- provided Spielberg getting a particular narrative spine while focusing, which meant ongoing changes to script versions put together by John Logan and Paul Webb.Tony Kushner, who had formerly labored with Spielberg on "Munich," became a member of the project and, with Goodwin's book just like a key though not exclusive reason for film, written the best script version.Producer Kathleen Kennedy has mentioned "Lincoln subsequently subsequently" -- searching for December release -- can be a performance-driven film, which explains why the cast is striking even by Spielberg's standards. Daniel Day-Lewis plays Lincoln subsequently subsequently inside the final four several days of his existence and presidency, involved with passing the thirteenth Amendment for the Metabolism to solidify the Emancipation Proclamation.Supporting Lewis are Sally Area as Mary Todd Lincoln subsequently subsequently Tommy Lee Manley as congressional anti-slavery firebrand Thaddeus Stevens Bruce McGill as Secretary of War Edwin Stanton David Strathairn as Secretary of Condition William Seward Jared Harris since the Union's best commanding general, Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant John Hawkes as Col. Robert Latham and Ernest Gordon-Levitt as Robert Todd Lincoln subsequently subsequently, Lincoln's earliest boy.The film's dramatic focus, Spielberg states, is about the be employed in the Lincoln subsequently subsequently White-colored House, the efforts by Lincoln subsequently subsequently to help occasions, as well as the obstacles in the manner.An incredible part of Spielberg's "Lincoln subsequently subsequently" is when it's a movie bookend of sorts with a great biopic by among Spielberg's key influences, John Ford, and also the sublime 1939 "Youthful Mr. Lincoln subsequently subsequently," starring a quietly stunning Henry Fonda. Ford's depiction of Lincoln subsequently subsequently is among a potentially great mind in formation, still a rustic lawyer and definately not the visionary leader. Spielberg's Lincoln subsequently subsequently, getting offered a war-filled first term and in the beginning into his second, is controlling fighting against the battlefront (apparently unseen inside the movie) as well as the fierce one inch Washington, devoted to finally abolishing slavery permanently.PGA AWARDSSpielberg: Empire in the stunner Extended-gestating 'Lincoln' driven by performances Guild draws line on producer credit Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Chris Evans May Join Snow Piercer

Bong Joon-ho wants him to get coldWhile he's most closely identified with Captain America at the moment, Chris Evans is making sure he uses the fire it has lit under his career to push it in interesting directions. He's now in negotiations to star in Host director Bong Joon-ho's Snow Piercer. Though it sounds like he'd be playing another superhero (one with a slightly odd-sounding power - "Iam the Snow Piercer!""What you do in your personal time is your own issue, mate"), it's actually an indie set in a frigid world of ice and snow, and focused on a train full of travellers who are struggling to survive both the conditions and each other.There's no word on what exactly Evans will be playing if he locks in a deal, but if he does sign on, he'll report to the Prague set in March to start shooting.Bong Joon-ho, who last made crime thriller Mother, has written Snow Piercer with another leading light of Korean Cinema, Oldboy director Park Chan-Wook.Evans will next crop up in a little film called The Avengers (due April 27) and is at work now on The Iceman, the story of killer Richard Kuklinski (Michael Shannon) who kept his mob assassin side hidden from his family.

Discovery, NHK, Bang plan doc on Japan disaster

Tokyo, japan -- Discovery Systems Asia-Off-shore, pubcaster NHK and television production house Bang Singapore are joining up on the documentary about Japan's recovery in the March 11 disaster, featuring Ken Watanabe. Charge helmer from the doc is going to be NHK's Yasushi Koyama, using a core Japanese production team, while executives in the worldwide partners will co-produce. The doc will bow in the World Economic Forum in Davos, which runs Jan. 25-29, where Watanabe is skedded to talk. Watanabe, who starred in "Beginning," "Batman Starts" and "The Final Samurai," has had an energetic role within the publish-disaster recovery effort, starting the kizuna311 and Unite for Japan websites to boost fund for sufferers as well as their towns. Within the doc he'll function as moderator and reporter, going to areas within the northern Tohoku region devastated through the March 11 earthquake, tsunami and Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactor meltdown, and speaking to local people about how exactly they're refreshing local industries and planning for future years. "I am excited that people have experienced the chance with this collaboration at this kind of important time for Japan," Koyama stated. "Along with Ken Watanabe, we'll do our utmost to speak Japan's ongoing recovery around the world.Inch Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Tom Hanks' Web Series to Stream on Yahoo

NY (AP) Tom Hanks' long gestating Web series is coming to Yahoo."Electric City," an animated futuristic series Hanks has been developing for years, will premiere on Yahoo this spring. The series includes 20 episodes, each three- or four-minutes long.Yahoo, along with Hanks and production partners Playtone and Reliance Entertainment, are set to formally announce plans for the series Tuesday at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.For Hanks, the release of "Electric City" caps the actor's efforts to find the right avenue for the project. He first tried to make the series using puppets. He earlier announced it would be released in early 2011.The series is set in a seemingly peaceful city situated in a post-apocalyptic world. Many of its themes are socially conscious topics relevant to today, including energy consumption."It was always our intent to have this project live and breathe online, and we felt Yahoo would be the perfect home," said Gary Goetzman, co-founder of Playtone, Hanks' production company.For Yahoo, "Electric City" is its first entry into scripted original programming. Yahoo has been beefing up its online video with reality series and wrap-up news shows, many of which rank among the most-viewed series online."Electric City" will be distributed online and through tablet devices with the usual interactivity and social media connections, but also a few new features. Most notably, it will be available in several languages, including Spanish and French. Along with producing, Hanks will voice a character."On the surface, the Electric City is utopia and under the surface, Electric City is secrets and heavy-handed state control," says Erin McPherson, vice president and head of original programming at Yahoo. "What we found really compelling is that this is perfect for a highly digital audience, a lean-forward audience who likes to utilize the medium of the Internet."In October, Yahoo launched a slate of programming targeted at women. It's planning another batch of programming for February that will focus on comedy, including partnerships with Bill Maher and the Funny or Die website."Electric City" is likely to presage further scripted ventures for Yahoo."There are a number of other opportunities we're looking at, and I think we're uniquely poised to build these sort of tent-pole event programs," says McPherson. "I would expect that you'll see us doing more of it."Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. By Jake Coyle January 9, 2012 PHOTO CREDIT Jason Merritt/Getty Images NY (AP) Tom Hanks' long gestating Web series is coming to Yahoo."Electric City," an animated futuristic series Hanks has been developing for years, will premiere on Yahoo this spring. The series includes 20 episodes, each three- or four-minutes long.Yahoo, along with Hanks and production partners Playtone and Reliance Entertainment, are set to formally announce plans for the series Tuesday at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.For Hanks, the release of "Electric City" caps the actor's efforts to find the right avenue for the project. He first tried to make the series using puppets. He earlier announced it would be released in early 2011.The series is set in a seemingly peaceful city situated in a post-apocalyptic world. Many of its themes are socially conscious topics relevant to today, including energy consumption."It was always our intent to have this project live and breathe online, and we felt Yahoo would be the perfect home," said Gary Goetzman, co-founder of Playtone, Hanks' production company.For Yahoo, "Electric City" is its first entry into scripted original programming. Yahoo has been beefing up its online video with reality series and wrap-up news shows, many of which rank among the most-viewed series online."Electric City" will be distributed online and through tablet devices with the usual interactivity and social media connections, but also a few new features. Most notably, it will be available in several languages, including Spanish and French. Along with producing, Hanks will voice a character."On the surface, the Electric City is utopia and under the surface, Electric City is secrets and heavy-handed state control," says Erin McPherson, vice president and head of original programming at Yahoo. "What we found really compelling is that this is perfect for a highly digital audience, a lean-forward audience who likes to utilize the medium of the Internet."In October, Yahoo launched a slate of programming targeted at women. It's planning another batch of programming for February that will focus on comedy, including partnerships with Bill Maher and the Funny or Die website."Electric City" is likely to presage further scripted ventures for Yahoo."There are a number of other opportunities we're looking at, and I think we're uniquely poised to build these sort of tent-pole event programs," says McPherson. "I would expect that you'll see us doing more of it."Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Box Office: Mission: Impossible Stays On The Top, Exceeds Predecessor

Jason Bourne 4 Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol rang within the year atop this area office, surpassing the gross for Mission: Impossible III, based on Box Office Mojo. The film, which stars Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner and Paula Patton, gained an believed $31.3 million in the third week of release, getting its total to $134.a million after just 17 days. The 3rd Mission: Impossible required in a maximum of $134.03 million in 2006. Jason Bourne tops holiday weekend box office A Virtual Detective: A Game Title of Shadows began 2012 in second place, getting within an additional $22.a million. Alvin and also the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked adopted at No. 3 with $18.3 million. War Equine galloped into 4th place with $16.9 million. At No. 5, The Lady using the Dragon Tattoo gained $16.8 million. We Purchased a Zoo arrived at sixth place, with $14.3 million. The Adventures of Tintin arrived at No. 7, drawing $12 million. Rounding the top ten: New Year's Eve (No. 8, $6.7 million), The Pitch-dark Hour (No. 9, $4.3 million) and also the Descendants (No. 10, $3.six million).