Scotts to produce 'Japan in the Day' with Fuji TV

T. Scott R. ScottJapan daily will collect video from people yearly following a 9. earthquake and tsunami that left nearly 20,000 dead or missing. Tokyo, japan, japan -- Ridley and Tony Scott are joining with Japan's Fuji TV to produce a documentary discovering how folks Japan and worldwide spend March 11, exactly yearly following a earthquake and tsunami triggered reactor meltdowns within the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. Referred to as "Japan daily,In . the docu will contain footage brought by regular folk, focusing around the disaster focus Japan's northeast that left nearly 19,000 dead or missing. During the night time let us start for 20-four several hours on March 11, Ridley Scott and Tony Scott's Scott Free London and Fuji TV invite people to capture the occasions during the day and upload it to internet.youtube . com.orgOrJapanInADay/. Fuji will lend 200 cameras to people in the worst hit prefectures of Iwate, Fukushima and Miyagi.The most effective records, judged with the filmmakers, will probably be selected to complete a docu that will premiere in cinemas worldwide inside the fall. The docu is founded on Ridley Scott's similar project, "Existence daily,In . which was released in November. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

UK Police Chief Says Culture At Murdochs Sun Led To Illegal Payments

The new Sunday edition of Rupert Murdochs Sun newspaper sold 3.26 million copies when it debuted in the UK yesterday, according to the News Corp chiefs Twitter feed. Yet the most interesting new development involving the tabloid is a charge today that came from Sue Akers, the deputy police commissioner overseeing investigations into alleged illegal practices by journalists. Akers told the Leveson Inquiry into UK media ethics that there “appears to have been a culture at The Sun of illegal payments” to police officers as well as members of the military, the government and other public organizations. (The Sun is controlled by the News Corp-owned News International.) According to The Guardian, Akers suggested there was a network of corrupted officials that journalists at The Sun could call upon and that one official received more than $126,500(80,000) over several years. Following Akers testimony, Murdoch gave the following statement: “She said the evidence suggested such payments were authorised by senior staff at The Sun. As I’ve made very clear, we have vowed to do everything we can to get to the bottom of prior wrongdoings in order to set us on the right path for the future. That process is well under way. The practices Sue Akers described at the Leveson inquiry are ones of the past, and no longer exist at The Sun. We have already emerged a stronger company.” In related news, a News International email read at the inquiry suggests that Scotland Yard warned officials at Murdoch-owned papers as far back as 2006 that phone hacking had taken place at the News Of The World — but was limited to one reporter, royals editor Clive Goodman.The information came in an email seen by Andy Coulson, who at the time edited the tabloid, and Rebbekah Brooks, who then ran The Sun.Separately, it was disclosed that singer Charlotte Church will receive $950,000 (600,000) from News International following last week’s settlement of her phone-hacking suit against the company. It was disclosed that private detective Glenn Mulcaire, who worked for NOTW,had the U.S. phone numbers of her agent and publicist among his notes. The presence of those numbers could make it harder to contain further lawsuits to Britain.

EFM biz boom for German distribs

BERLIN -- German distribs filled on movies only at that year's European Film Market in Berlin, which saw busy business. Studiocanal Germany acquired Leslye Headland's Sundance screener "The Bachelorette," starring Kirsten Dunst, Regis Roinsard's "Populaire," with Romain Duris and Berenice Bejo ("The Artist"), and Caroline Link's German drama "Marokko," starring Ulrich Tukur. Within the run-as much as EFM, the organization also acquired Robert Zemeckis' "Flight," starring Denzel Washington. Studiocanal is building up its German activities having a three-pillar strategy which includes independent purchases, German films as well as in-house worldwide productions, for example Susanne Bier's "Serena," starring Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper. Studiocanal Germany can also be set to produce Terrence Malick's "Lawless" and "Dark night of Cups" in addition to Derek Cianfrance's "The Area Past the Pines," starring Cooper and Ryan Gosling. The distrib likewise nabbed Blu-ray/DVD privileges to Mark Cousins' 15-part TV series "The Storyline of Film: An Journey," which unspooled in the Berlinale. Prokino Filmverleih acquired Bier's "You Just Need Love," starring Pierce Brosnan and Trine Dyrholm Ken Loach's "The Angel's Share" and also the documentary "Diana Vreeland: The Attention Needs to Travel," concerning the influential fashion editor. Josh Boone's family drama "Authors," with Greg Kinnear and Jennifer Connelly, visited Wild Bunch Germany, that also bought Ashton Kutcher heist comedy "Chase Liberty" and Stefano Sollima's hit Italian police drama "A.C.A.B.: All Cops Are Bastards." Wild Bunch's releases include Angelina Jolie's Berlinale screener "Within the Land of Bloodstream and Honey." Capelight Pictures, that is delivering Berlinale opener "Farewell, My Full" in May, required Klaartje Quirijns' documentary and Berlinale Special screener "Anton Corbijn Thoroughly,Inch concerning the Nederlander digital photographer and filmmaker who offered about this year's Berlinale jury Jennifer Lynch's "Chained" Geoffrey Fletcher's "Purple & Daisy," starring Saoirse Ronan und Alexis Bledel Antoine Charreyron's animated actioner "The Prodigies" and Take advantage of Margolies' "She Would Like Me." MFA+ Film Distribution, that is delivering the Silver Bear-winning "A Royal Affair" in April, acquired Behn Zeitlin's Sundance champion "Monsters from the Southern Wild" in addition to Alice Schmid's Swiss doc and Berlinale Generation Kplus opener "The Kids in the Napf" in addition to Marion Huetter's poetry slam doc and Perspektive Deutsches Kino screener "Rhymers and Rivals." Contact Erectile dysfunction Meza at staff@variety.com

Antonio Banderas To Experience Pablo Picasso

33 Days informs story of Guernica muralThe last major portayal we are able to think about was an angry Anthony Hopkins (although more lately there is a short turn by Marcial Di Fonzo Bo in Night time In Paris), however it appears Pablo Picasso is going to get more dashing form in 33 Dias (33 Days), where he'll be performed by Antonio Banderas.In which the Hopkins film, James Ivory's Making it through Picasso, covered an extensive slice from the artist's existence focusing around the various women he was psychologically associated with, 33 Days' focus is going to be narrower. That one are only covering only the beginning and development of Picasso's masterpiece Guernica. The film's position would be that the painting drawn Picasso from an individual crisis, throughout time of his relationship using the French artist Dora Maar.Carried out the summer time of 1937, the 25ft painting represents a violent chaos of individuals and creatures, and is built to bring focus on the blitzkrieg bombing from the Basque town by Franco-supporting German forces throughout the The spanish language Civil War. It presently lives in the Museo Reina Sofia in Madrid, and it is generally one among the truly amazing works of art from the twentieth century.33 Days, that is allocated at 8 million pounds, is written and directed by Carlos Saura (The seventh Day, Goya In Bordeaux), with legendary cinematographer Vittorio Storraro (Apocalypse Now) in foretells join the project.The most popular thought of Picasso is the fact that he was short and bald, but when you appear at pictures of Picasso within the nineteen thirties, Banderas all of a sudden appears like quite canny casting. Additionally, there are the current Enthusiasts song, telling us that after Picasso walked lower the road, women couldn't resist his stare. That alone makes Banderas appear entirely appropriate."He's a personality which has went after me for any very long time," states Banderas. "I'm from Malaga, and that he was created four blocks where I had been born."Shooting around the French and The spanish language-language film begins within the summer time.

Sony Pictures Technologies ups pair

SingerStephensSony Pictures Technologies has upped a pair of its senior execs to new roles.Mitch Singer has been promoted to a newly created post as chief digital strategy officer. He will report to Chris Cookson, prexy of Sony Pictures Technologies. Singer, an important player in the creation of the UltraViolet cloud service, will focus on studio-wide strategies to address the digital revolution in the entertainment industry, including ways to prevent piracy. "With the explosion of new distribution models and the need to keep in mind the underlying value of the content we're trying to distribute, it's important to have somebody who looks at this from a strategic point of view," Cookson said.Singer had been chief technology officer for SPT, but his background is in intellectual property law, not technology. Replacing him as CTO is Spencer Stephens, a longtime technologist whose studio experience includes stints at Warner Bros. and Disney prior to joining Sony in 2009. He was most recently exec VP, technologies. Stephens is "working more on hard technology: prototyping, testing, developing and adapting technologies to solve the problems the studio faces in both the creation and distribution of its product," Cookson said. That frees Singer to work more on strategic issues. Sony Pictures Technologies focuses on developing and deploying technological solutions for creation, management and distribution of entertainment content. Contact David S. Cohen at david.cohen@variety.com

Benderspink options 'New West'

Benderspink is heading to "The New West," optioning Black Bull Media's graphic novel. The feature adaptation will be produced by Benderspink and Black Bull Media principal Gareb Shamus. Comicbook, published in 2005, was penned by Jimmy Palmiotti and illustrated by Phil Noto. Story centers on a bomb creating an electromagnetic pulse that causes all technology to stop working in Los Angeles. A disgraced former LAPD detective endures a near-future deserted hostile environment where the mayor has been kidnapped. Benderspink's producing Paramount's family actioner "Jitters," with Mike Mitchell onboard to direct, and is in production on "Burt Wonderstone," starring Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi and Jim Carrey. The "New West" deal was brokered by ICM and SMGSB's Allison Binder. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

Mega Buzz: A Bones Movie, Smash's Leading Lady and a New NCIS Relationship

Emily Deschanel, Katharine McPhee, Mark Harmon Every week, editors Adam Bryant and Natalie Abrams satisfy your need for TV scoop. Please send all questionsto mega_scoop@tvguide.com. Can't wait for Bones to come back in April! Got any scoop until then? - Gina ADAM: One of Brennan's books is being turned into a film, and wouldn't you like to know who Hollywood has chosen to play our blood-and-guts lovers? You will, when a murder on set brings Booth and Bones and their movie alter egos together. Booth's stand-in is an action star whose stunts aren't limited to filming. It seems his criminal history of drug use and assault are just attempts to make headlines on TMZ. The actress playing Brennan? Well, she's kind of a slut. No thanks, poetic license; we'll stick with the originals. So Ivy won the role of Marilyn Monroe on Smash. But Katharine McPhee is in all those commercials! Safe to say that's not permanent casting? - LucyNATALIE: You're definitely on to something there, Lucy. Whether or not she winds up in the role of Norma Jean, Karen is going to be sticking around for a while -- as a member of the show's chorus (ouch). Obstacle No. 1: How can she win over the super-savvy (and Ivy-loving) Broadway guys and gals with whom she now rehearses every day? For starters, don't go home to Iowa and sing "Redneck Woman," Karen. How will Gibbs be different now that he has reflected on his life in NCIS' 200th episode? - Henry ADAM: Executive producer Gary Glasberg says Gibbs has perhaps shed some of the guilt he carried over his wife's death, which may open him up to new relationships. As luck would have it, Jamie Lee Curtis' first episode is Feb. 21! Her character, psychiatrist Samantha Ryan, "knows how to get inside people's heads and she knows how to spar with Gibbs," Glasberg says. "She's willing to challenge him on a professional level, which will then carry over into other things." Other things? "You can't keep [characters] alone forever!" Glasberg teases. I hope Gibbs loves/needs Activia. I still can't believe Desperate Housewives is ending. Please give me some scoop to help me grieve. -Jennifer NATALIE: Let's connect some dots: Carlos is in rehab, so he's not working, which means the Solis family isn't making any money. Does this mean Gaby will have to get a job? It's looking increasingly likely that the former model-turned-housewife will have to join the workforce - which is great, because we all know how much Gaby loves putting her nose to the grindstone. What can you tell me about the end of Castle's two-parter? - Ellen ADAM: How about a cryptic hint from creator Andrew W. Marlowe? "Hang on to the end, because we have a couple of surprises in store," he says. "There's a revelation about Castle that should be interesting for fans." We hear it's connected to the mystery surrounding Castle's absent father - who may have had a behind-the-scenes role in his son's future successes. When is Alaric going to do something other than drink and flirt with Meredith on The Vampire Diaries? - SamNATALIE: To be fair, Alaric has lost both his wife and girlfriend to the blood-suckers, so we'll give him a pass on the nascent alcoholism. But we'll soon learn more about his vampire-hunting days, which may help us to figure out why Elena trusts him so blindly. "A lot more of his past will be revealed," Matt Davis says. "Things that he's been struggling with will be purged and come into clarity for him." What's going to happen on How I Met Your Mother now that Ted told Robin he loves her? - Alex ADAM: I don't think it's going to go very well. Why else would Barney be setting Ted up on a series of "palate-cleansing" dates? Each girl Ted goes out with couldn't be more different from Robin - one is a hippie and another is a blinged-out hip-hop chick. But in Ted's mind, they're all just painful reminders of Robin - literally. Got any scoop on Private Practice's Charlotte and Cooper? - Jameson NATALIE: Erica's illness will begin to strain Charlotte and Cooper's relationship. "The amount of time that Cooper is dedicating to Mason is time that he's not dedicating to his marriage," Paul Adelstein tells us. "That takes its toll. Even though it's done for the right reasons, the relationship is still being neglected. As understanding as Charlotte is about that, it's still a disconnection and there are ramifications from that." Any Suburgatory spoilers? - Beth ADAM: Who wants to meet Tessa's mom? She's long wondered about the daughter she left behind, and she's finally ready to attempt to repair the relationship. The bad news: Although she's tried to become a better, stronger person, she's still a neurotic mess. I'm so glad Juliet wasn't really raped by Mr. Carpenter on Ringer! Will the trio actually get away with their plan? - Lana NATALIE: Who said it's just a trio? Just remember, with that many schemers splitting that much money, expect some people to get so greedy they'll do just about anything to get the others' shares. I love A Gifted Man. What's coming up for Anton now that he's been shot? - Lisa ADAM: Can a gunshot cause jealousy? Because Anton's feelings about Dr. Zeke and Christina's fledgling relationship will take a wild turn in coming episodes. "You'll see another triangle develop, and the wonderful, kind Anton might change a bit," executive producer Neal Baer teases. "He has a neurological condition from the shooting that changes his whole demeanor." Evil Anton? We're in! What's coming up on Spartacus? - Derek NATALIE: Is Lucretia out of mourning already? The widowed domina will be getting very cozy with a new man - a Roman, not a slave this time - during a decadent party held at the former House of Batiatus. Could this be one of the love interests Lucy Lawless teased? Natalie's Mega Rave: Lost alum Emilie de Ravin was a great casting choice to play Belle on Once Upon a Time, especially since we learned that Belle in Storybrooke has been locked up in a mental ward. Anyone else crossing their fingers for a squirrel baby cameo? Adam's Mini Rant: Hey Grammys, next time you reunite The Beach Boys, please leave Maroon 5 out of it. As Adele would say, fanks a lot. Crave scoop on your favorite TV shows?E-mail Adam and Natalie at mega_scoop@tvguide.comor drop us a line atTwitter.com/TVGuide (Additional reporting by Denise Martin, Hanh Nguyen, Robyn Ross and Kate Stanhope)

NBC Apologizes for M.I.A.'s "Spontaneous" Middle Finger Gesture Throughout Super Bowl Halftime Show

M.I.A. It was not a "wardrobe malfunction," but Super Bowl XLVI's halftime show handled to stir debate. M.I.A., who required part within the halftime show headlined by Madonna, switched off numerous audiences in the blink-and-you-missed-it moment through the performance of Madonna's new single "Produce All Your Luvin.'" Follow the link to find out an image. "We apologize for your inappropriate gesture that broadcast throughout halftime," NBC mentioned in the statement. "It absolutely was a spontaneous gesture our delay system caught late." Super Bowl halftime show: Did Madonna get all your luvin'? The Nfl also launched an apology, but placed blame on NBC. "There's failing in NBC's delay system," the league mentioned in the statement. "The obscene gesture inside the performance was completely inappropriate, very disappointing, which we apologize towards the fans." M.I.A.'s "spontaneous gesture" will definitely help help remind lots of Jesse Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction" in 2004, which brought to new time delays in live TV together with an archive $550,000 fine the FCC levied against CBS (the fine was finally thrown out in the courtroom just last November). Perhaps you have see M.I.A.'s gesture on tv? Have you been upset?