Steve Buscemi: From Jersey Boardwalk To Vegas For Burt Wonderstone?

UPDATE: A trade report had Olivia Wilde in negotiations to play the female lead, but I’m told that while this may happen, it hasn’t yet. Judy Greer and Sarah Silverman also made strong impressions, and the filmmakers are waiting to see if Jessica Biel ends up reading for the role. New Line is smartly making the comedy for $30 million, and after Carell and Carrey, that doesn’t leave a fortune for supporting roles. Deadline reported that a short list of actresses were in the mix for the role. EARLIER, 12:22 PM: New Line wants Steve Buscemi to star opposite Steve Carell and Jim Carrey in the Don Scardino-directed comedy Burt Wonderstone. Buscemi has been offered the role of Anton, the longtime Las Vegas magic act partner of Wonderstone (Carell). Their split sends Wonderstone into a crisis and a collision with a rival magician (Carrey) out to steal his thunder. Buscemi hopes to fit Burt Wonderstone into his hiatus from Boardwalk Empire. If the talks work out, he would make the movie and move right into the third season of the superb HBO drama. He’s repped by WME and The Gotham Group.

Berlinale unspools Panahi film

"This Is Not a Film"BERLIN -- The Berlin Film Festival continues its support of Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, who is facing six years in prison after a Tehran appeals court upheld the sentence earlier this month. In a further show of solidarity with Panahi and other jailed filmmakers, the Berlinale is joining the German Film Academy and Berlin public radio station Radioeins to honor Panahi with a screening of his latest film, "This Is Not a Film," on Nov. 9 at the KulturBrauerei in Berlin as "a form of public protest and recognition for the courage of these Iranian filmmakers who continue their work despite constant danger." Co-directed by Mojtaba Mirtahmasb -- who was arrested in September -- the film shows a day in the life of Panahi as he waits for months under house arrest for the outcome of his appeal, eating breakfast, phoning his lawyer, chatting with the building's maintenance man and even enacting roles of a planned film that he has been prohibited from making. "'This Is Not a Film' is the defiance of a director who cannot desist from making films and presents the atrociousness of being banned from his profession without any self-pity whatsoever," the Berlinale said. "Convicting artists and banning them from their professions violates human rights, freedom of opinion and expression in the arts," added Berlinale director Dieter Kosslick. "We sharply condemn such infringements and want to demonstrate our solidarity with this screening." In September, Mirtahmasb and fellow Iranian filmmakers and actors Katayoon Shahabi, Hadi Afarideh, Naser Safarian, Shahnam Bazdar and Mohsen Shahrnazdar were also arrested as part of the Tehran government's draconian crackdown on critics of the Islamic regime. In December 2010 Panahi and fellow director Mohammad Rasoulof were charged with spreading "propaganda against the system," and sentenced to six years in prison and banned from making films and travelling for the next 20 years. At this year's Berlinale the fest expressed its support, calling attention to the plight of Panahi, and other Iranian filmmakers with a number of initiatives. It also invited Panahi to serve on the Berlinale's international jury -- something the director was unable to do due to his arrest. Moved by his plight, the German Film Academy has launched the project "Filmmakers in Prison" to support politically persecuted filmmakers. Contact Ed Meza at staff@variety.com

Relativity Responds To Experts Of Filming In China: We'd Never Knowingly Do Anything Whatsoever To Undermine Human Privileges

Reacting Sunday evening to critique of Relativity Media for filming moments in the approaching buddy-debauchery movie 21 and also over inside a province of China in which a blind activist continues to be held under brutal house arrest, the organization released this statement: “From its founding, Relativity Media is a consistent and open supporter of human privileges and that we would not knowingly do anything whatsoever to undermine this commitment. We uphold that commitment and that we are happy with our growing business associations in China, through our partnership with Sky Land, its proper alliance with Huaxia Film Distribution Company. Like a company, we feel deeply that growing trade and business ties with our alternatives in China and elsewhere can lead to positive final results.” Critique within the press from activists in China and via Twitter within the U.S. made an appearance to trap professionals at Relativity unawares, using the dust still settling from recent but unrelated industry fallout over bad publicity surrounding Hilary Swanks appearance at Chechnya tyrant Ramzan Kadyrovs birthday celebration. Reviews appeared earlier Sunday about human privileges activists protesting Relativitys decision to film the now already completed moments of 21 and also over within the Chinese town of Linyi. The town is tainted by its location in Shandong province where blind activist Chen Guangcheng remains under house arrest in the village of Dongshigu and apparently exposed to government thuggery. Relativitys announcement from the filming a week ago under its Chinese partnership came the interest of activists who're focusing on Chens account. Theyre particularly unhappy that in Relativitys pr release about 21 and also over Linyis top Communist Party official Zhang Shajun — whom activists connect directly using the harsh management of Chen — is cited mentioning to Relativity’s Ryan Kavanaugh like a close friend. Company co-leader Tucker Tooley describes Linyi being an amazing place. Nanjing-based activist He Peirong stated, I really hope Relativity Media will find out more about the actual Linyi, about Chen Guangcheng, and find out that what's presently happening in Dongshigu village is exactly what is actually amazing. Chens village is within virtual lockdown, based on reviews, and activists, foreign diplomats and reporters happen to be averted, threatened coupled with gemstones tossed their way. On Sunday several activists was attacked by males patrolling the village.

REVIEW: Rhys Ifans Brings Roland Emmerich's Mammoth Historical Thriller Anonymous Down to Earth

Sometimes directors with certain strengths try to stretch different muscles and you desperately wish they wouldn’t: Woody Allen getting all serious with Interiors comes to mind. But Roland Emmerich, taking a break from cavorting with woolly mammoths and blowing up the world, is onto something with Anonymous, an intricate — if not terribly convincing — historical thriller positing that a minor Elizabethan poet named Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, and not William Shakespeare, wrote all those plays and sonnets that the world loves so well. Anonymous isn’t so different from Emmerich’s other movies — pictures like 2012 and The Day After Tomorrow — in that it’s guided by a grand, ambitious vision. It’s also something of a mess, packing in a bit too much of everything when just a few judiciously chosen nuts and bolts would do. But it is, at the very least, a curiosity, one with some clever casting and a few very fine performances at its core. And I guess it could be true that the person we know as Shakespeare wasn’t really Shakespeare. Emmerich treats the possibility solemnly, welcoming us into his movie with a heavy-duty thespian intro by Derek Jacobi: He steps into a theater spotlight to deliver a semi-informative prologue in plummy tones. It turns out, as screenwriter John Orloff (A Mighty Heart) lays the whole thing out for us, that Edward (Rhys Ifans), unwelcome in the court of Elizabeth I (Vanessa Redgrave) for reasons that aren’t clear until the end, is churning out plays as fast as he can scribble them onto paper. Some of these things he writes just for kicks. (A whole play in iambic pentameter, anyone?) With others, he hopes to effect serious political change, exposing, for example, the machinations of the power-mad father-son duo of William and Robert Cecil (David Thewlis and Edward Hogg), who have entirely too much influence over the queen. Edward can’t send his plays out into the world under his own name, so he enlists the playwright Ben Jonson (Sebastian Armesto) to serve as his beard. But somehow, a lazy, bumbling actor named Will Shakespeare (Rafe Spall) ends up taking credit for them. Meanwhile, Emmerich keeps zapping us into the backstory, in which the young Edward (played by a winsome Jamie Campbell Bower) woos the young Elizabeth (played, in a genius stroke of casting, by Joely Richardson, Redgrave’s daughter). Their bedroom frolicking inspires some of Edward’s finest romantic wordplay. If you’re not confused yet, you will be once the curly-wigged Earl of Southampton (Xavier Samuel) and the ginger-haired Earl of Essex (Sam Reid) enter the picture to stir things up further. Emmerich is so excited about this exotic, fanciful story that he crams too much in, trading excess for clarity. But he does, at least, exercise his propensity for visual grandeur: Working on a relatively slim budget — this is a historical drama and not a pack-‘em-in blockbuster, after all — he has re-created a reasonably believable facsimile of Elizabethan London using computer-generated effects. Shot by Anna Foerster, with production design by Sebastian T. Krawinkel, the picture looks just right, striking the proper balance between grimy and glowing. It doesn’t hurt that the actors in Anonymous also look great, and three in particular rise to every challenge that’s brought to them. Richardson, with her tumble of pale curls, is a living, breathing version of John Millais’ Ophelia, but tougher. Redgrave plays her version of the character as if she has become more emotionally vulnerable, not less, with age — the older Elizabeth just works harder to submerge it beneath her imperious veneer. Redgrave brings an astonishing fragility to the role. Her canny, powerful Elizabeth may act like a tough old bird, but we can see that underneath she has the delicate bones of a goldfinch. As always, Redgrave is glorious to watch. But it’s Rhys Ifans, as the Earl of Oxford, who keeps the movie spinning. Ifans takes dorky, grandiose dialogue and turns it into something almost — well, Shakespearean. His character has spent his life writing incredible plays and sonnets, but he’s forced to hide his identity from the public. As Ifans plays him, he’s OK with all that — it’s the personal anguish he’s suffered that really matters, and Ifans carries that bruised nobility with him every second. His voice, sonorous and always just faintly sorrowful, reminds me of that of the late, great, Richard Harris. Although Harris was Irish and Ifans is Welsh, they’re linked in spirit, rapscallions who can really buckle down and surprise you with their depth and heart. I giggled at parts of Anonymous, especially when our earl’s angry, disapproving wife catches him at his desk and bellows, like Gale Sondergaard with PMS, “My God! You’re writing again!” But I never laughed at Ifans. When you look into those eyes, you could almost believe that this was the guy who wrote all those sonnets. [Portions of this review appeared earlier, in a different form, during Movieline’s coverage of the 2011 Toronto Film Festival.] Follow Stephanie Zacharek on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.

Watch Fearless, Possibly Crazy Tom Cruise Scale World's Tallest Building for Mission Impossible 4

How hardcore is Tom Cruise? So hardcore that he actually scaled the tallest structure in the world — Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, which stands at just over a half-mile high — for a perilous, stomach-churning action sequence in the upcoming Brad Bird-directed Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. Video proof of the superstar’s stunt hardcore-ness ahead. The above featurette shows Mission Impossible star/executive producer Cruise swinging from the 2,723 ft. tower effortlessly as Brad Bird (The Incredibles, Ratatouille) captures the sequence in IMAX. Movieline had the privilege of watching the finished Burj Khalifa sequence last week and will post about what we saw tomorrow with the release of the film’s new trailer. IMF agent Ethan Hunt returns to theaters for Mission Impossible’s fourth installment this December 16. [via Yahoo!] Follow Julie Miller on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.

CBS sets Grammy noms special

Film Technology SummitNovember 7, 2011 The Annex Space @ Hollywood & Highland, Los Angeles, CA Future Of Film SummitNovember 8, 2011 The Annex Space @ Hollywood & Highland, Los Angeles, CA American Music Conference Presented By Variety and Dick Clark ProductionsNovember 18, 2011Nokia LA Live, Los Angeles, CA Entertainment Apps ConferenceDecember 1, 2011Sofitel Hotel, Los Angeles, CA Variety's Home Entertainment Hall of Fame AwardsDecember 5, 2011Beverly Hills Hotel, Los Angeles, CA Entertainment Security SummitDecember 8, 2011Hilton Los Angeles, Universal City, CA

Hathaway In Tune With L'ensemble des Miserables

She's kept in as FantineShe's experienced Hugh Jackman's sights for some time now, and her casting was stated dating back to August, but it is official: Hathaway As Catwoman has signed an offer to co-star as Fantine in Tom Hooper's new undertake L'ensemble des Miserables. In line with the musical version of Victor Hugo's novel, L'ensemble des Miserables will discover Jackman playing troubled hero Jean Valjean, a guy who finally sees freedom after 19 many years of jail time. Even while he attempts to rebuild his existence, he's constantly hunted by driven lawman Javert (Russell Crowe), who thinks he'll never change his criminal ways.Among the people Valjean meets on the way is Fantine, a youthful lady tossed from his factory after being discovered delivering money to her daughter. Taking pity around the ailing lady, Valjean concurs to boost her child, Cosette, an action that years later puts each of them within the center of the edgy uprising.Hathaway is going to be belting out showstopper I Imagined An Aspiration and usually getting trouble from it when King's Speech director Hooper begins the cameras turning early the coming year.

TrickCandle pacts with Han Shi

TrickCandle Prods. has signed a $ten billion dollar deal with the Han Shi Quantity of China to create a slate of three to five films over the following three years.Bill Malloy, leader of TCP, made the announcement Wednesday. The movies will probably be produced by Malloy and you'll be shot in La.Han Shi Group, founded by Yuan Yuan Han and Lei Li, is part of the Dahan World Media Co.First film in TCP's slate is "Sprawl," put together by Domenic Migliore and directed by Dean Ronalds with "America's Next Top Model" champion Nicole Fox starring. Malloy and John Ronalds are starring with shooting beginning March. 25 in La.TCP may also be developing a yet-to-be-named thriller produced by Malloy with Tom Holland ("Fright Evening") pointing using their own script. Shooting will begin November. 28 in La.Malloy's creating credits include "Love N Dancing" and "The Alphabet Killer." Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

John Travolta's 'Gotti' Movie May Have Run Out of Money

It's hard to make a film when you don't have any money to pay your actors. 'Gotti: In the Shadow of My Father,' starring John Travolta, Al Pacino, Ben Foster and possibly Joe Pesci, has been put on hold because there is "no money to move forward." According to ShowBiz411, producer Marc Fiore has been unable to raise the necessary funds for the project. It looks like that meeting John Travolta had with John Gotti's wife didn't make much of a difference. [ShowBiz411 via Slashfilm] [Photo: REVOLUTIONPIX/bauergriffinonline.com] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Tom Six around the Human Centipede II and What's Available for His American-Set Trilogy Ender

Nederlander filmmaker Tom Six cut an uplifting figure recently at Fantastic Fest, where he made an appearance — ever-smiling and clad mind to foot inside a pristine whitened suit, his outfit of preference — to world premiere his squirm-inducing body horror follow up, A Persons Centipede II (Full Sequence). The very next day Movieline spoke with Six concerning the film, by which he meets the task of 1-boosting themself within the escalation of extremes in gory, grotesque detail. Upon hearing that the audience member fainted the prior evening, Six professed his sympathy. He was sorry to listen to it, he stated having a grin. Well, not completely sorry. Personally, the ebullient Six is quite cheerful for any guy who stays all his time fantasizing up new methods to in the ante inside a genre that’s already seen the levels of “torture porn” appear and disappear. He’s already set to accomplish his Human Centipede trilogy, by which unfortunates to date in 2 nations and 2 films have found hard way what goes on when sick people choose to play god by stitching people together, finish to finish. His next and final Human Centipede target is America, that ought to be interesting Six states he loves the U . s . States — but younger crowd counts Borat and also the works of Lars von Trier among his favorite influencers. Continue reading and become familiar with Six, his artistic intentions using the Human Centipede trilogy, where he draws the road of excellent taste, why he doesn’t appear in your thoughts distributor edits to his director’s cut from the Human Centipede II, and much more. (Some spoilers follow.) So, your movie world opened last evening. Yes. I presume right now you’ve heard exactly what the audience reaction was like? I had been there, and that i got the very first responses in the audience. These were all numb, being released. Like, ‘Oh my God.’ Did you know a lady fainted for the finish from the film? Yeah! I heard. I had been sitting alongside her. That’s incredible, huh? I skipped your Q&A because I had been calling an ambulance on her. Not again! I been told by people who two more and more people were [disabled]. But individuals have had violent, physical responses for your work before. Just how much would you expect this type of extreme reaction — and will it make you happy to listen to when individuals will have them? Privately it is very pleasing to me — obviously, as lengthy as people don’t get really hurt. However when I had been causeing this to be film, whenever you create a film and write it and edit it, you're so busy using the material you forget how nasty it's. So for me personally, when individuals have responses as to the they view it’s very difficult that i can think, ‘Oh, it really is nasty.’ Because I’ve seen it a lot of occasions. You’re desensitized into it, then. I'm. I'm, certainly. The lady who fainted alongside me stated that the good thing about her ordeal was it reminded her she was human. Wow. That’s effective stuff! Nevertheless, what you put onscreen are extremely extreme, so viscerally stomach-churning… Yes, however i believe that’s the core of filmmaking. If one makes an excellent comedy and also you’re laughing your ass of and also you’re really hurt in the laughing — I really like that. If your film by any means does by using you, that you simply’re really fucked up or you've got a strong emotion, it works I believe. Since it’s terrible if you notice a movie and also you don’t care. True. But do you consider there’s this type of factor as going too much? No, not during my world. I personally don't like animal cruelty and so i would not so something with that in a of my films, but for me it’s film, it’s make-believe, it’s art. It’s stars arriving, and that we have plenty of fun around the set. How will it get carried away, then? From curiosity, that which was your approximate bodily fluid budget about this movie? Oh, they introduced in a lot of the stuff. My sister Ilona [Six] does all of the budgets and so i don’t worry about them. The set should have been… Oh, it had been chaos. But for the stars to lie in most the stuff, it had been terrible on their behalf! They went home covered in most types of things. I don’t understand how to describe this, exactly, however the moment when everybody within the centipede starts… let’s just say, the projectile scene. Yeah! Which was a awesome effect, right? Installed this little machine, just like a coming machine, between your legs from the stars also it [makes overflowing seem] splatters around the wall. It’s all fun, and also the stars think exactly the same factor. Everyone was laughing constantly. A Persons Centipede II follows the very first film because they build onto it within an overtly self-referential way. Was this always the approach you understood you’d get back when you initially created from the first film and possible sequels? Ok last one, certainly. I'd a lot of ideas after i was writing The Beginning and that i couldn’t place them all simply One, obviously, and so i wanted the crowd to get accustomed to this crazy idea first. That’s why it’s all mental. And That I understood the follow up needed to have all the feaures there. The bloodstream, shit, gore — everything. To ensure that’s why I tell the crowd that the beginning is My Little Pony in comparison to part two. Which’s pretty accurate. I must say, I didn’t believe lots of individuals is quoting you gave before I saw the film. I figured you had been just hyping up, however the follow up is really much more extreme. So how will you possibly go any more inside a third Human Centipede? I'm able to because every film differs. The Beginning is really quite different from Part Two, and that i’m sure people discover the mental horror maybe more disturbing than seeing it on screen. So with Part Three I use an entirely different direction again, and you will find some moments which i believe are worse than Part Two — however in an entire different way! Therefore it’s as much as the viewer whether it’s worse or whatever. [SPOILERS] Which scene would you really think about the worst, toughest to look at moment within the Human Centipede II? For me personally, the rape scene. Then you definitely get really uncomfortable. [Finish SPOILERS] That’s really the final scene the lady who had been sitting alongside me appreciated. And also the scene continues for a significant very long time, that is area of the reason it’s so unsettling — there’s little else on the watch's screen. There’s no getting away it. There’s little else. I understood it’d be so effective because on set, everyone was crying. My script girl… real tears. They couldn’t handle it. The seem guy needed to leave since it was too intense. However the stars who performed it, they loved to experience it. That’s the contradiction these were really pleased to play that scene, however they made others cry. And That I was jumping with pleasure, obviously, because I understood— It labored. Yes! It had been working. About your director’s cut being edited for several audiences, it appeared absurd for that U.K. to prohibit the film outright. [An 18-certification was granted now.] However in America your distributor, IFC, can also be editing lower the film to get rid of probably the most difficult parts. Yes. How's it going not bothered with that? Obviously I would like the crowd to determine my film. Like a filmmaker, you are making a movie in the manner you need to show it towards the audience, but you will find obviously political things happening with movie theaters, and folks are participating. Several things are not legal or whatever, I don’t learn about that. However I want my film to obtain available, by any means it may. Plus they’ll perform a director’s cut on DVD. Therefore the trade-off is ok along with you. Yeah, sure. Certainly. The ones possess the choice there’s a version with a few extreme things removed, and i believe it’s merely a couple of minutes they needed to remove. People can easily see the majority of it. But maybe it’s a positive thing that many people are missing [stated moments]. Perhaps you have experienced any fans from the Human Centipede as enthusiastic about it or else you around your Human Centipede II villain, Martin? Oh, you meet very colorful persons. I remember when i were built with a lady sew three Barbie dolls dolls together and she or he gave it in my experience — and she or he gave it in my experience without smiling. Serious. Then you definitely think, ‘Hmmm…’

Casting Call: The Actor-kaira Pitt To See Dr. Seuss

First Launched: October 7, 2011 12:27 PM EDT Credit: Getty Premium Caption The Actor-kaira Pitt / Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel)La, Calif. -- The Actor-kaira Pitt is walking into some very imaginative shoes! In line with the Hollywood Reporter, the actor will star in the live-action movie about beloved kids author Dr. Seuss, whose real title was Theodor Geisel. Depp will apparently produce the film, which In Treatment author Keith Bunin remains hired to produce. Universal Pictures is slated to distribute the biopic. The live-action movie could involve some animated elements. Geisel, whose books have offered greater than 200 million copies around the globe, was produced in 1904. We now have spent becoming an artist in advertising and math math comic strips, Geisel began writing his famous books by 1950. The author died in 1991 at 87. A huge screen adaptation of Dr. Seuss classic, The Lorax, with Zac Efron, Taylor Quick, Betty White-colored, Erection dysfunction Helms and Willow Cruz lending their voices, is slated striking theaters in March 2012. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Jordana Brewster on Fast Five, Ageing Onscreen and the chance of a Sixth Fast & Furious Film

The other day, Movieline spoke with with Fast five star Tyrese Gibson to obtain the male perspective on joining this kind of lucrative, testosterone-driven franchise. Seeking to get another take, we showed up at to Jordana Brewster, which has carried out the only real heroine in the vehicle heist series since the very first day. The Yale graduate eagerly spoken about her growing role in Fast Five (that's released on DVD and Blu-ray now), a potential sixth installment and her own meager knowledge of automobiles. It seems like even five movies in, Fast & Furious grows progressively popular within the box office. Perhaps you have have concept that it may be this kind of lasting franchise if you signed on? No! Once we signed on, I used to be in secondary school which i didn’t know much about vehicle culture. I didn’t have my license in those days, therefore i understood that individuals were developing a movie about cars however don’t think anybody understood that individuals were onto something stick out which will keep on growing. Justin [Lin] is really amazing because he keeps building about it if you do not go ahead and take fans without any consideration. They are fully aware he’s arrived at carry on growing which he is doing that for us to new places like Rio p Janeiro and adding figures like Dwayne Manley’s character. Our fans are perfect and therefore loyal. And not the fans nevertheless the experts also appear to experience a certain respect with this particular franchise. Possibly you've always felt professionals’ support too? I ended reading through through reviews like two or three movies in, therefore i don't pay a lot of concentrate on that. However when they did, that’s awesome. Has knowing about it of cars extended greatly since the first movie? Well, I still don’t drive a stick. I did so take one class, however am hopeless, I merely mentioned, “I’m not receiving this” and gave that up. I really deeply love driving and become grateful more. There’s no method that you should’t dwelling in La. I furthermore are suffering from an appreciation only for beautiful cars like the GT40 I drove in Fast Five. I used to be like, “Oh my gosh, I like the lines on that vehicle.” However someone like Paul knows what’s beginning the engine and the way you fix that vehicle whether or not this reduces. I’m much less savvy. Sometimes you may feel any pressure to operate a vehicle an amazing vehicle in solid existence? No, I'm speaking about, I drive a range Rover Sport that people love. My dream vehicle is a Maserati. That could be amazing. Fast Five was this kind of fun movie to check out. The thing that was most likely probably the most fun scene to shoot? The most popular scene unquestionably was the ft chase that individuals shot in Puerto Rico. Paul which i arrived at do a number of these stunts which was a great deal fun personally — not just becoming an actor because I obtained to kick ass and jump off roofs — but because my character, Mia, arrived at grow and be abroad while using boys. That was a thing that Justin which i'd discussed, plus it actually was crucial that you evolve. Did you must do some strong convincing to permit Justin do your individual stunts? No, Justin was like, “I’m prone to push your self on that certain.” It absolutely was just time on her behalf — and me — being abroad while using boys and safeguard her family. She'd a lot more at risk relating to this movie. How will you unwind from sitting on this type of action-heavy, testosterone-fueled set each day? I meditate, that we like. Just 20 minutes two occasions every day which really helps. It’s funny because if you watch the film it seems appreciate it’s constant adrenaline but there’s a great deal stopping and beginning on set that everyone is rather mellow. That’s inside your keep your sanity. [SPOILER ALERT] How perhaps you have react if you learned that Mia could be pregnant in this movie? I used to be excited, because story-wise, I believed it aided within the ante on her behalf plus it aided her and [Paul Master’s character] John become closer. How will you think this could affect the trajectory in the franchise? I don’t know. I’m excited to find out where they’ll go if there’s a sixth movie. Did you ever hear anything of a sixth movie yet? Nothing official, however might be up with this. It’s a great deal fun because you’re coping with your pals and you also’re coping with these people that there is a shorthand with. Simply how much feedback can you get from female fans? In my opinion I’ve become most likely probably the most feedback on that certain because Mia was more effective and abroad while using boys and mixed up in action. Because she will be a more effective female character, I did so get yourself a great response. I pay attention to them on Twitter in regards to the action sequences. Company, I recieve plenty of queries about Paul and exactly what it’s prefer to utilize him. [Laughs]

The Flying Machine

A Polish Film Institute, Ministry of Culture and National Heritage for the Republic of Poland and Distribution Workshop presentation of a Breakthru Films/Bona Film Group/Tianjin North Film Group/Storm Studios production, in association with Telewizja Polska, CanalPlus Poland, Media Skok, Zoo, Nine Eye Stone, SMB Investment, Hugh Welchman, Accel Animation and the Norwegian Film Institute. (International sales: Distribution Workshop, Hong Kong.) Produced by Hugh Welchman. Executive producers, Simon Olswang, Jeffrey Chan, Al F. Barry. Directed by Martin Clapp, Geoff Lindsey, Dorota Kobiela. Screenplay, Lindsey.With: Heather Graham, Lang Lang, Kizzy Mee, Jamie Munns. (English dialogue)A discordant marriage of juvenile live-action and sophisticated stop-motion animation, "The Flying Machine" is a vibrant celebration of Frederic Chopin, whose music saturates the proceedings, bookended by some tedious shenanigans involving actress Heather Graham and Chinese classical-music superstar Lang Lang. Hunger for children's programming may give this Polish/Chinese co-production a boost, but the animation segment, as accomplished and moving as it is, can't rescue the rest of the film from a script written in the key of B-wildered. Produced by some of the same creatives responsible for the Oscar-winning short "Peter and the Wolf," "The Flying Machine" mixes media immediately: Our three principals -- workaholic single mom Georgie (Graham), her piano-loving daughter Jane (Kizzy Mee) and son Fred (Jamie Munns) -- are shown motoring through an obviously computerized London. They're on their way to a concert by Lang Lang, who sits at the piano as the hall darkens, something called "The Magic Piano" begins, and the viewer is off on a bittersweet but enchanted journey. The animation created by helmers Martin Clapp, Geoff Lindsey and Dorota Kobiela is of the melancholy Eastern European, decidedly non-Disney variety: When a man loses his home, he drops his daughter, Anna, off at the home of her cousin, a young boy who dresses like a vampire. Together the two cousins go on a trip aboard the magic piano of the title, which Anna discovers in an alleyway, generating a stark contrast between the "real life" of the stop-motion story and the fantasy of the journey. The music is gorgeous and the figures themselves -- expressionless, except for the eyes -- add to the somber but intoxicating tone of the piece. The spell is broken, however, once "The Flying Machine" returns to the concert hall and the heavy-handed moralizing and dubious acting begin. Lang Lang, badly dubbed in English and doing nothing for his hipster image, comes across as something of a nag, "helping" Georgie come to grips with the idea that there's more to life than real estate deals, and that her neglected children need some attention. Graham, like her co-stars, is not given nearly enough to do, and is reduced at one point to interpretive dance. If there were a way to break "The Magic Piano" out of "The Flying Machine," the resulting short would be a minor classic of stop-motion children's storytelling. Sandwiched into the film's mawkish live-action segments, it's more of a lost opportunity. Production values are superb during the animation portion of the film, and transparently computerized elsewhere. And though Lang Lang may be a grossly overrated pianist, the music is still Chopin.Camera (color, DCP), Krzysztof Ptak; editor, Daniel Greenway; music, Frederic Chopin; production designer, Marek Skrobecki; sound, Bernard O'Reilly. Reviewed at Toronto Film Festival (TIFF Kids), Sept. 9, 2011. Running time: 76 MIN. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com