'Die Hard 5' Casts 'Spartacus' Actor As Bruce Willis' Boy

Following a lengthy search, the boy of John McClane continues to be cast within the approaching film "A Great Day to Die Hard." Meanwhile, Edgar Wright and The Actor-brad Pitt synergy for any new movie, a brand new "The Lone Ranger" villain continues to be cast and something more joins Michael Bay's "Discomfort and Gain." It's Feb 23, and you are attentiveness for present day casting call. Bruce Willis' Boy Cast In "A Great Day To Die Hard" The boy of John McClane has finally been cast, and that he is somebody that knows a few things about fighting. "Spartacus: Bloodstream and Sand" star Jai Courtney will act as John "Jack" McClane, Junior, the estranged boy of Bruce Willis' character in "A Great Day to Die Hard." Works out he might be much more of the badass than his father. Edgar Wright And The Actor-brad Pitt To Synergy For "The Evening Stalker" Well this can be a match produced in nerd paradise. Deadline is confirming that Disney has drawn on Edgar Wright to direct their approaching "The Evening Stalker" remake. The Actor-brad Pitt is presently creating the project and it is likely to star. The collaboration continues to be some time off, though, because the movie does not possess a script yet. William Fichtner To Experience "The Lone Ranger" Villain Deadline can also be confirming that William Fichtner is arranged for any big part in "The Lone Ranger." He'll play villain Butch Cavendish, who Dwight Yoakam was formerly rumored to experience. Gore Verbinski directs "The Lone Ranger," that also stars Armie Hammer, The Actor-brad Pitt, Helena Bonham Carter, James Badge Dale and Tom Wilkinson. It's due in theaters on May 31, 2013. Anthony Mackie Might Be Set For Some "Discomfort And Gain" The cast of Michael Bay's "Discomfort and Gain" is constantly on the develop and badder. Anthony Mackie may be the latest actor to stay in foretells join the project, based on Variety. He'll join Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne Manley because the third lead within the low-budget drama, a "large-hearted bodybuilder" who calculates with Wahlberg's character. In Casting Call, the MTV Movies team gathers the day's greatest casting news while offering it your decision on the silver platter. If you are searching to determine what movie your preferred actor has reserved next, your search is over. Inform us what you believe within the comments section as well as on Twitter!

How 'Ringer' Struck a Chord For Ioan Gruffudd

Inside the CW drama, "Ringer," Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd stars as Andrew Martin, a self-made uniform who struggles to balance his work and family existence along with his wife and daughter. In solid existence, Gruffudd is content to own put lower roots in La along with his wife, British actor Alice Evans (who he met round the number of "102 Dalmatians"), in addition to their three-year-old daughter. Gruffudd, who's famous for playing figures like Hortatio Hornblower inside the "Hornblower" TV movie series, Mr. Fantastic in "The Truly Amazing Four" and "Fantastic Four 2," Tony Blair in "W," and Lancelot in "King Arthur," confesses any time traveling around the globe to shoot various films, it absolutely was very appealing to pay a job in the series that shot in La. "I loved the level of smoothness of Andrew which i loved the entire concept - all the tasty elements," according to him. "Also the fact it absolutely was Sarah Michelle Gellar's comeback to television, that was incredibly attractive." The now-official Angelino sitting lower with Back Stage to talk about acting, character, and why you ought to persevere. Back Stage: Simply how much did the designers of "Ringer" inform you of the arc from the character prior to deciding to shot the pilot? Ioan Gruffudd: They described Andrew Martin would substantially more interesting than he was round the page inside the pilot, but no specifics. Will still be incredibly exciting. I have my heart throughout my throat and my give my mouth once i see the scripts. It's surprising what's happening next. It's a real evidence of how strong the writing is around the program.Again Stage: Where would you like to see Andrew go? Gruffudd: The actor inside me want to look at this guy go to a very dark place, however think with lots of great villains we must love them, you understand? We must understand why they increased being the way they increased being. At this time, we're exploring a couple of from the dark areas of his psyche, forcing him to produce options pressurized, that's exciting. But ultimately, I'm one of the primary figures, and then we don't want him being hated. Back Stage: What made you have to be an actress? Gruffudd: Once I was nine, [casting people] found my junior school trying to find somebody to see the boy in the Welsh language drama on BBC2 in Wales which i acquired the part. I didn't define a few things i was doing, however understood that we loved it. I wasn't excellent, however ongoing to carry out a cleaning cleaning soap opera in Wales once i was 12. Therefore I fell deeply deeply in love with acting through physically carrying it out inside a top end in the very youthful age. It absolutely was part of my upbringing creating, really. I've been carrying it out for 20 5 years.Back again again Stage: Will you have a specific acting method? Gruffudd: Way is only there if you're fighting to destroy into or search for a personality. In television, especially, you don't frequently achieve punch above undesirable weight. You're essentially playing not not even close to what you're. I'd say a bit of Stanislavski relies throughout my method, but it's nothing I intentionally sit lower making formulations religiously for. Back Stage: Possibly you've stood a favorite role? Gruffudd: All that you should love. This is when we live this is when we exist as stars. Essentially required to choose, it's probably a toss up between "Amazing Sophistication," directed by Michael Apted and put together by Steven Dark evening, which required it's origin in the level of smoothness of William Wilberforce who removed the slave trade, together with a task referred to as "Peacekeepers" which was a couple-part drama Used related to director Peter Kosminsky for your BBC in the past. Matthew Macfadyen, Damian Lewis, and several other great stars were within it. Essentially, it absolutely was in regards to the conflict in Bosnia as well as the British troops that went in just like a peacekeeping pressure. Back Stage: Any words of understanding for stars that are just beginning out? Gruffudd: Persevere. When you're beginning out, you never know, you may conquer somebody then they'll remember you in seven years time. Me, I've met producers and company company directors and many years later they've referred to as me for just about any project that i'm appropriate for in individuals days. I realize you anxiously need to get all you're going up for, nevertheless it just is most likely not necessarily good for you. Function the most effective that can be done. It's from control. Rather than think you've learned everything. Your entire day you stop learning might be your day that we think you quit acting. New challenges make you stay going. That's what keeps me going. I truly figure all this out from watching myself, things i am trying to complete. Most most likely and be aware and don't think you understand everything.

Finally, the story of Chuck Norris Versus. Communism Might Be Told

Type of: "Hidden within the scrutinising eyes in the [Romanian] Secret Police, Irina Margareta Nistor named over 5,000 foreign films that became a member of the country unlawfully and were distributed round the subterranean community. Her husky and-pitched voice increased being the symbol of freedom and Chuck Norris, Van Damme and Bruce Lee increased being national heroes. Chuck Norris versus. Communism follows the story in the tapes, the collapse of communism in Romania as well as the development of the completely new capitalist era." And surprise! The filmmakers are crowdsourcing your financial allowance. Click through for your teaser and invest accordingly. [via news release, Chuck Norris v. Communism]

ABC orders drama quartet

ABC added four dramas to its pilot slate, including the latest from "Desperate Housewives" creator Marc Cherry. Cherry's "Devious Maids," one of three pickups from ABC Studios, is an adaptation of a Mexican format focused on four amibitious Beverly Hills maids. Sabrina Wind will also exec produce. Also coming from ABC Studios are "Zero Hour," which Lorenzo DiBonaventura and Dan McDermott will exec produce with writer Paul Scheuring ("Prison Break"), and "Penoza," penned by Melissa Rosenberg ("Twilight," "Dexter") with Endemol Studios, Alon Aranya and Howard Klein exec producing. 'Zero" tells the story of a natural skeptic who gets roped into a massive conspiracy, while "Penoza" adapts a Dutch format on the widow of an assassinated criminal who is dragged into his role at a crime syndicate. The one outsider pick for ABC on Tuesday was "Gotham," written and exec produced by Michael Green ("Kings") with his manager Erwin Stoff through 20th Century Fox Television. "Gotham" centers on a female cop who discovers a previously unseen magical world within NY City. Contact Jon Weisman at jon.weisman@variety.com

The Finder Exclusive: Meet Walter's Parents!

Annette O'Toole, Geoff Stults, John Ashton Looks like The Finder is about to find a little time for family.Annette O'Toole (Smallville) and John Ashton (Beverly Hills Cop) have been cast on the Fox drama as Elaine and Franklin Sherman, the mother and father of Geoff Stults' Walter Sherman, TVGuide.com has learned. They join Stults' real-life brother George, who will play Walter's older brother, Langston.Get more scoop on your favorite shows in our Winter TV previewAs we previously reported, Langston turns up at Walter's Ends of the Earth Bar at the behest of their father, who is dying of emphysema. Franklin's dying wish is to say goodbye to Elaine, who has been missing for years after she and her new husband joined a cult and disappeared. Will Walter be able to find his mother before his dad dies?Either way, we doubt this will be a happy family reunion. Despite Franklin's interest in Walter's special finding abilities now, he once had his son committed after he came back from Iraq a little "different." And Elaine, whom Langston lived with for several years after the divorce, is a recovering alcoholic. We hope there's a therapist handy when and if this group ends up in the same room together!Check out our list of TV's sexiest crime fighters!Besides most recently playing Martha Kent on Smallville, O'Toole also had notable roles on ABC's miniseries adaptation of Stephen King's It and Nash Bridges. Ashton, who played Sgt. John Taggart in two of the three Beverly Hills Cop films, headlined the short-lived 1989 NBC cop drama Hardball and had a recurring role on Dallas. More recently, he appeared on the big screen in Gone Baby Gone and on USA's Fairly Legal.The Finder airs on Thursdays at 9/8c on Fox. This episode is slated to air sometime in late March.

'Idol' down sharply in premiere

Fox's "American Idol" opened its 11th season Wednesday down significantly from last year, though its delivery among young adults still narrowly topped the combined delivery of ABC, CBS and NBC in the time period.Preliminary Nielsen estimates show "Idol" averaging a 7.2 rating/18 share in adults 18-49 and 21.6 million viewers overall -- down from the 9.8 demo score and 26.3 million viewers it premiered to a year ago and well off its bow if 2010 (11.8, 29.9 million). The roughly 25% decline vs. last year's premiere marks the largest dropoff to date from the opening of one "Idol" season to the next.Still, the only series telecast to fare better in both demos and total viewers this season was CBS' season premiere of the rebooted "Two and a Half Men" with Ashton Kutcher (10.7 demo rating, 28.7 million viewers overall).And "Idol" still towers over other music competition series. By comparison, NBC's "The Voice" premiered last April to a 5.1/13 in 18-49 and 11.8 million viewers overall, and Fox's "The X Factor" bowed four months ago with a 4.4/12 and 12.5 million viewers overall.The gap certainly closed between "Idol" and its competition on Wednesday, as the other major networks were all up from 8 to 10 p.m. on the night of last year's premiere. Whereas Fox led the combined ABC-CBS-NBC competition by about 55% last year, that was reduced to just 3% last night.ABC was runner-up for the night in demos, led by "Modern Family" (5.0 rating/12 share in adults 18-49, 11.8 million viewers overall), which was on the low end of its range but still up nearly 10% year to year. Also for the net, "The Middle" placed second to "Idol" kicking off the night (2.6/7 in 18-49, 8.2 million viewers overall) and matched its year-ago score, while "Suburgatory" at 8:30 p.m. (2.5/6 in 18-49, 7.0 million viewers overall) and "Happy Endings" at 9:30 p.m. (2.5/6 in 18-49, 7.0 million viewers overall) were both up vs. the comedies the net was airing in these timeslots a year ago. And closing the night, "Revenge" (2.5/6 in 18-49, 7.6 million viewers overall) also gave ABC time-period gains, placing a solid second in the 10 o'clock hour; perhaps gaining some overflow "Idol" viewers, "Revenge" topped its previous five episodes among adults 18-34 (2.1/6).CBS opened with an "NCIS" repeat (1.5/4 in 18-49, 9.1 million viewers overall) and then did a solid number at 9 p.m. with "Criminal Minds" (3.2/8 in 18-49, 12.8 million viewers overall), which was up 10% vs. its performance opposite "Idol's" premiere last season. "CSI" then capped things for CBS with a victory at 10 p.m. (2.8/7 in 18-49, 11.8 million viewers overall); the episode was promoted as the first of the final two episodes featuring original castmember Marg Helgenberger, and next week's hour is expected to perform even better.NBC hung in there with its new comedy block of "Whitney" (1.5/5 in 18-49, 4.3 million viewers overall) and "Are You There, Chelsea?" (1.8/4 in 18-49, 4.3 million viewers overall), which did slightly better than gameshow "Minute to Win It" in the 8 o'clock hour a year ago. Similarly, "Harry's Law" was a slight improvement at 9 (1.1/3 in 18-49, 6.4 million viewers overall), while vet "Law & Order: SVU" ran third at 10 (1.8/5 in 18-49, 6.4 million viewers overall) and was down vs. last year.At CW, "One Tree Hill" (0.7/2 in 18-49, 1.5 million viewers overall) was down from its season premiere of last week, and it was followed by new reality show "Remodeled" (0.3/1 in 18-49, 0.6 million viewers overall for a repeat of the previous night's episode).Preliminary 18-49 averages for the night: Fox, 7.2/18; ABC, 3.0/8; CBS, 2.5/6; NBC, 1.5/4; Univision, 1.3/3; CW, 0.5/1.In total viewers: Fox, 21.6 million; CBS, 11.2 million; ABC, 8.1 million; NBC, 5.7 million; Univision, 3.1 million; CW, 1.1 million. Contact Rick Kissell at rick.kissell@variety.com

New poster for Jason Statham's Safe

It seems remarkable to think that just 15 years ago, Jason Statham was best known as Bacon from Guy Richie's knockabout crime caper Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels. These days he's a bona fide action star, and the new poster for upcoming thriller Safe, takes that fact and runs with it.The poster shows Statham at his most imposing, staring down the camera while brandishing a ruddy massive gun. No wonder that little girl is cowering behind him. It's clearly the safest place to be.The film sees Statham play a former cop turned cage fighter, who happens to witness the attempted abduction of a little girl on the NY subway. What's more, the gangsters making a grab for her are the very same ones who killed his wife...It soon emerges that the girl is privy to a complicated code that the Russian Mafia, the Triads and a corrupt branch of the NYPD are all willing to kill to get their hands on. Can the Stath keep her safe from all these wrong'uns? What do you think?Directed by Remember The Titans helmer Boaz Yakin, Safe will come roaring into UK cinemas on 11 May 2012. Get yourself to the local multiplex and reserve your tickets now. Don't make Statham ask you twice...

Kleiman jumps to Frank PR

Kleinman Gotham praisery Frank PR has attracted on Lauren Kleinman since the firm's new director of national publicity.Kleiman involves Frank from FilmDistrict, where she labored inside the NY office as director of publicity and promotions, controlling campaigns for features including "Drive," "The Rum Diary" and "Inside the Land of Blood stream and Honey." She'd initially been hired at FilmDistrict as manager of area publicity and promotions, concentrating on photos including "Insidious" and "Soul Surfer."Right before that gig, Kleiman will be a publicist at Allied Integrated Marketing, where she done regional marketing pushes with art galleries including Disney, Universal and also the new the new sony. Headed by New Line vets Clare Anne Darragh and Lina Plath, Frank PR's client roster includes "Paradise Lost 3," "Goon" and "Cabin inside the Forest" additionally to AMPAS, the Cooking Funnel as well as the Hamptons Intl. Film Festival. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com

No 'Grey' areas for Carnahan

Director Joe Carnahan employed his "A-Team" star Quinton "Rampage" Jackson to transmit out a menacing wolf-like howl because the lights went lower Jan. 11 in the Regal Movie theaters for that world preem of Open Road's "The Gray." In the Palm restaurant afterparty, Carnahan recognized his headliner, Liam Neeson. "Whenever your star is not squawking or worrying, it sets a hell of the example for that others. I was on the 40-day schedule, therefore we did not possess the luxury of involving outbursts or asshole behavior or a few of the things connected having a quote-unquote title actor." Carnahan elaborated on Hollywood's growing thought of his career. "After my last movie, I began thinking to myself, is the fact that how I am being perceived? Because this type of schmuck who 'A-Team?' I believe what 'The Grey' has trained me, within the classic Woodsy Allen sense, is autonomy and control are actually everything. We did this for $25 million, which appears to become the sweet place. I have had my large studio experience and was very grateful for your." n Contact Shaun Sneider at shaun.sneider@variety.com

Sinead OConnor Splits From Husband, Again

First Released: The month of january 13, 2012 11:33 AM EST Credit: Getty Premium La, Calif. -- Caption Sinead OConnor steps out in the amfAR Inspiration Gala at Chateau Marmont in La on October 27, 2011Sinead OConnor has split from husband all over again! After announcing she was splitting from Berry Herridge after just 18 times of marriage earlier this year after which repairing following a beautiful evening of affection making, the Irish singer has cancelled her marriage for again. The behavior of 1 particular paper led to serious harm to my hubby and myself personally and therefore made the wedding untenable, the 45-year-old singer authored on her behalf website on Friday. To ensure that it's now over and that i hope the media will kindly leave poor people guy alone to begin his existence. The media attention seems to possess destroyed any future associations for that he Nothing Compares 2 U singer. I'll no more connect myself romantically with anybody when i couldn't bear to determine this stuff done again to a person I really like, she ongoing. Sinead then continues to express shes drawing inspiration in one of Renee Zellwegers most memorable figures. Im destined to be me. And when anybody does not like that they'll seek therapy. Because I'm wonderful. Exactly like me. As Bridget Johnson would say. And That I shall remain me, she added. As formerly reported on AccessHollywood.com, the pair tied the knot in Vegas recently at the back of a pink Cadillac in the same chapel where stars including Britney Warrior spears and Elvis once marry. It was the performers 4th marriage. She divorced longtime friend and collaborator Steve Cooney in April after being together just for eight several weeks. Sinead, that has four children from previous associations, get married music producer John Reynolds in 1989 and journalist Nicholas Sommerlad in 2001. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

MTV Movie Brawl 2012: Elite Eight Begins!

Following a initial play-in, wild card and Sweet 16 models, only eight movies remain in the MTV Movie Brawl 2012. Stunning upsets ("Lady in Black" over "Snow White-colored as well as the Huntsman"!) minimizing-to-the-wire finishes ("Cosmopolis" beat "Bel Ami" by three votes!) centered the Sweet 16, which we expect the final results in the Elite Eight being much like dramatic. Voting reopens today, with polls closing at 11:59 PM EST on Monday, The month of the month of january 16. Yes it's true, you've five full days to push your chosen movie to the next leg in the competition. However when you thought your choice-making was difficult before, you haven't seen anything yet. Only eight films remain in the brawl with this all... as well as the choice could be YOU.

Topper out at Maya

A shakeup is under way at L.A.-based Maya Entertainment, the multiplatform content distribution company aimed at the Spanish-language market Stateside.Chairman-CEO Moctesuma Esparza has been ousted while co-chairman Jeff Valdez has been appointed prexy and will take over day-to-day operations. Valdez, along with senior VP of operations Sergio Aguero, will focus on repositioning the cash-strapped company for the digital arena. Esparza remains a member of the board. Valdez is founder of English-language Latino network SiTV, now known as nuvoTV. Launched in February 2008 and touted as the only all-Latino vertically integrated company, Maya has fallen victim to the vagaries of a weak domestic theatrical and homevideo market. "We'll be refocusing our efforts on the digital marketplace and downsizing our home entertainment division," said Valdez. "We will continue to produce films and release some theatrically on a case-by-case basis."Exec also plans to bolster Maya's growing international sales efforts. A slate of underperforming titles has not helped Maya's bottom line. One of its latest theatrical releases, helmer Gabriela Tagliavini "Without Men," starring Eva Longoria and Christian Slater, fizzled at the box office after its June 29 release.Company's exhibition arm, Maya Cinemas, initially announced the construction of 100 screens but has only managed to erect 30 in its Salinas and Bakersfield megaplexes. Esparza will likely continue to oversee Maya Cinemas.It was hoped that Maya's vertical integration would help it avoid the fate of past Latino distribs -- including Televisa Cine, Latin Universe, Arenas Entertainment -- that faltered in their attempts to break into the elusive U.S. Latino market.All eyes are now on Lionsgate-Televisa joint venture Pantelion, which has a Will Ferrell Spanish-language comedy, "La Casa de mi padre," set to bow in March. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Joe Manuel Gallegos Jr. ...Got the Part

When Santa Fe, N.M., native Joe Manuel Gallegos Jr. moved to L.A. at the beginning of 2011 to work as an actor and a dancer, one of his priorities was to sign up for an electronic subscription to Back Stage. Shortly after, he saw a casting notice for a fitness DVD. "It was a dance gig and was right up my alley," he says. He attended the open call with approximately 150 other dancers and was one of the six dancers selected.The audition consisted of a dance portion in which he was taught a Latinhip-hop fusion-style dance and then was asked to perform demonstrations of some basic fitness moves. Gallegos has experience with most dance stylesincluding jazz, ballet, tap, hip-hop, modern, partner dancing, and Irish dancing, so he was well-prepared. He also had experience teaching dance, so the demonstration aspect of the audition came naturally, as well.Rachel Tonick, coordinating producer on the DVD, says Gallegos was the first pick for the males. He had a great presence as soon as he walked in, she says. "Joe is a very polished dancer and very polite. We could tell he would be professional and easy to work with." She says he was exactly what she and director Cal Pozo had in mind when they started casting.Pozo planned to shoot the whole DVD in one day, so it was important to have the routines perfected ahead of time. "We had three intense days, very long days of learning three major numbers that were taught in the instructional videos, and then some cool-down exercises," says Gallegos. They then shot the project in one day. Gallegos says he would love to work with Pozo again if the timing works out, and Tonick says they would love to work with Gallegos again.Gallegos arrived in L.A. with a solid base, since he had been working in the film industry in New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah and was a member of SAG. "I fell in very quickly and adjusted," he says. Since he started work on the DVD so quickly after moving to L.A., Gallegos thought it was great to hear stories and get insight from the dancers in the cast who had been working in L.A. for a while. Gallegos says his dance training helps with the stunt work he has been doing for a couple of years. Though he loves dancing, he is focusing on acting and has worked on a commercial and a pilot since the DVD. He notes that now that he's past portraying teenagers, he frequently gets cast as police officers, EMTs, or clean-cut professionals.For more information on "Billy Blanks Jr.'s Fat-Burning Hip Hop Mix," visit www.meettheblanks.com/billy-blanks-jr-fat-burning-hip-hop-mix-dvd/.Joe Manuel Gallegos Jr. is represented by Jamie Ferrar Agency and Jody Black at A&M Talent House.Has Back Stage helped you get cast in the past year? We'd love to tell your story. Be in the weekly column by emailing casting@backstage.com for NY or bswcasting@backstage.com for Los Angeles with "I Got the Part" in the subject line.

Taylor Swift, Amanda Seyfried Offered 'Les Miserables' Roles?

Sorry, Lea Michele, Scarlett Johansson and Evan Rachel Wood: it looks like Tom Hooper fell under Taylor Swift's spell. The Oscar-winning director has reportedly offered the role of Eponine in 'Les Miserables' to the pop songstress. Perhaps he was enchanted to meet her. It's only an offer -- reported by the film site Twitch -- so take this with a grain of salt, but: Swift would play the star-crossed French ingenue who falls in love with Marius (Eddie Redmayne) in the musical adaptation, should all presumed negotiations work out. It's a small-ish part, but Eponine does get to belt out the immortal song "On My Own." Imagine this below, Taytay-fied. But, wait: there's more 'Les Miserables' casting almost-news! Twitch also reports that Amanda Seyfried has been offered the role of Cosette, the daughter of Fantine (Anne Hathaway), who plays a large part in the musical's time-jumped second act. Based on previous rumor, it seems that Hooper wants his actors and actresses to sing onset, without vocal doubles, meaning a good voice is a plus for cast members. Swift is obviously a singer, but Seyfried has experience as well ('Mamma Mia,' y'all!), as do fellow cast members Hathaway, Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe. 'Les Miserables' -- perhaps with these two lithe actresses -- will hit theaters on Dec. 7. [via Twitch] [Photo: DAVID KRIEGER/bauergriffinonline] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Let's Rank the 10 Finest Screen Performances of 2011

If you’re both a movie fan and a consummate statistician, it’s easy to love and appreciate the Oscars for shoehorning the majority of film history into a manageable grading rubric. I’m an Oscar apologist myself, and I still have one bone to pick with the Academy — and all award-spewing organizations: the unnecessary reliance on gender-based categories. Is it not more thrilling to pit all actors against each other? Is there such an objective difference between Jeff Bridges and Sandra Bullock? Meryl Streep and Robert Downey Jr.? “Actor” is a gender-neutral term, and I think we’d all better off — and better entertained — without the meaningless siphoning. Thus, I’m stacking up the best performances of 2011 without categorical regard for gender or role size. It’s a winner-take-all affair, and this winner definitely wants it all. Here’s my top 10: 10. Albert Brooks, Drive Albert Brooks is Drive’s Oscar-friendliest component, and that’s for one reason: eerie, sustained dastardliness. As the Driver’s shady foe, Brooks’s lovable, aw-shucksy expression hardens into a papier-mache fright. Perhaps he benefits generously from his decision to counteract the lovable schmos he offered in Lost in America and Broadcast News, but his rancor is too real and evil to dismiss. While Ryan Gosling’s stoicism helps substantiate Drive’s reputation as an evocative mood piece, Brooks’s performance steers — or careens — the movie into horrifying reality. 9. Keira Knightley, A Dangerous Method Knightley’s performance in the part-fascinating, part-boring A Dangerous Method embodies the acting trope “big choices,” but it’s still a triumph: As Carl Jung’s histrionic patient Sabina Spielrein, she’s a quivering, questioning, repressed and entirely believable intellectual. Even when she’s jutting her jaw in spastic episodes like an unhinged Ruth Buzzi, her humanity is apparent and her insight is breathtaking. For playing such an uncomfortable character, I missed her whenever she wasn’t onscreen. 8. Jeremy Irons, Margin Call Irons’s very presence summons actorly gusto, so it’s easy to write off his commanding performance (or any of his performances) as a mere extension of his Shakespearean bravado. But Irons is no ham as CEO John Tuld in the bracing ensemble drama Margin Call; he’s the perfect picture of bureaucratic spinelessness. If you’re wondering what happened to the ungodly chill he once emanated as Claus von Bulow, look for it in his delivery of Margin Call’s spookiest insight into Wall Street politics: “If you’re first out the door, that’s not called panicking.” 7. Ralph Fiennes, Coriolanus Stephanie Zacharek is on to something when she denounces the relatively ho-hum proceedings of Coriolanus’s original text, but let’s remember to commemorate Ralph Fiennes’s directorial debut for its greatest asset: crackling performances. As the titular veteran who wears his moral conflict like an Egyptian death mask, Fiennes’s rage transcends mugging, warps into agony, and projects thunderous depth. Thunderous, I say! He’s so thoroughly and bleakly numbed to the strife and fanfare he abandons in wartorn “Rome” that his grisly comeuppance in the movie’s final moments feels like something of a relief. You see, Fiennes’s performance is an internal bloodbath long before we’re confronted with a viciously Technicolor one — and if there’s any justice, he’ll be rewarded with the Best Actor nomination that he was snubbed for after Quiz Show. 6. Shailene Woodley, The Descendants The most revered teenage performances seem to share the same dichotomies: childlike overreaction and burgeoning maturity, self-assurance and bubbling insecurity, sensibility and selfishness. Woodley is no iconoclast in these departments, but she gives Alexander Payne’s drippy, but poignant The Descendants its handfuls of urgency and momentum. While I’d hate to whittle her fabulous — and subtle — work down to one scene, the most memorable sequence I’ve seen all year is Woodley’s underwater breakdown in her family’s pool. It’s a heartbreaking and startling shot, but moreover, it’s an expression of unadulterated fear that confronts the viewer and challenges him to disbelieve her.

Fox Intl. Channels to bow sports net in Brazil

Fox Intl. Channels will spike its presence in Brazil with the launch of a Portuguese-language Fox Sports in February. It will be entering a relatively underserved pay TV marketplace where ESPN, local net Sport TV and Fox-owned Speed are the only sports cable channels on offer. FIC has also bought out HM Capital Partner's majority stake in Fox Pan American Sports, the leading Spanish-language sports programming service in Latin America of which it previously owned a third. This will likely be renamed Fox Sports Latin America. FIC is in talks with Brazilian MSOs to carry both Fox Sports and/or Speed on their grids. It expects to build on the distribution of Speed Channel Brazil, which reaches 4 million homes on all key feevee and telco platforms. Fox Sports will be the only cable network in Brazil to carry live games of Copa Santander Libertadores and Copa Bridgestone Sudamericana, the biggest inter club soccer tournaments in Latin America. "We'll be offering 2,500 hours of regional productions in Brazil of which 2,000 hours are soccer games. The rest of Fox Sports Brazil programming will include original news and talkshows as well as two exclusive live games of the Barclays Premier League each week," said Hernan Lopez, prexy and CEO. Meanwhile, the company has upped Carlos Martinez to prexy FIC Latin America and Emiliano Saccone to prez, entertainment, FIC Latin America. Both were formerly exec VPs. Saccone has tapped Eduardo Zebini as VP, managing editor Fox Sports in Brazil. He was most recently g.m. of TV with the World Cup Brazil 2014 Committee. Zebini will be based in Rio de Janeiro. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Anastasia Griffith To Co-Star In BBC Americas Drama Series Copper

EXCLUSIVE: Anastasia Griffith, who recurs on ABC’s Once Upon A Time, has landed the female lead in BBC America’s first scripted series, drama Copper. The 10-episode series, from Tom Fontana and Barry Levinson, is produced by Canadian-based Cineflix Studios. Co-created by Tom Fontana and Will Rokos, Copper centers on an Irish cop operating in the immigrant communities of 19th century NY, a role that has not been cast yet. British actress Griffith, repped by Paradigm, Untitled and UK’s Ken McReddie Assoc., will play his wife. Fontana, Rokos, Barry Levinson and Cineflix’s Christina Wayne are executive producing the series, which is slated to begin production at the end of January. Griffith, who plays a woman locked into a love triangle with Snow White and Prince Charming on Once Upon A Time, also has been recurring on USA’s Royal Pains. She previously co-starred on NBC’s Trauma and FX’s Damages.

Time Warner makes fresh Endemol bid

ROME -Time Warner has restored its interest for Endemol getting a $1.3 billion all-cash offer, since the with debt Nederlander content giant gets into final countdown phase to attain an agreement with loan providers. In the statement, Endemol confirmed it's received "an altered offer from TW," and contains "passed it to the loan providers.Inch "We remain dedicated to our discussions with loan providers that have became a member of the best stages. We are sure that a solution that puts the business around the firm financial footing money for hard times is becoming imminent," the statement added. TW has recommended a thrilling-cash, non-binding offer, instead of the mixture of money and debt that composed their previous offer for a similar amount. But according to sources, this new TW offer is not likely to acquire a much more traction with Endemol than their first offer. "The primary focus for Endemol remains on capital restructuring," mentioned someone with close understanding in the situation. They noted that Endemol is outperforming budget the first time in five years, so has appear prospects becoming an independent entity, and is not prone to initiate a putting in a bid process. Nonetheless, loan providers may rather pick the Time Warner cash offer. Mediaset, the Italo broadcasting giant controlled by Silvio Berlusconi, which already has one-third of Endemol and contains developed a rival offer for just about any majority stake, did not have immediate discuss Monday. In 2007, a consortium made up of Mediaset, Goldman Sachs Capital Partners and Cyrte, a good investment company through which Endemol co-founder John p Mol can be a minority investor, paid out some $3.5 billion for Telefonica's controlling stake in Endemol in the three-way split. Nonetheless they largely used utilized financial financial loans that now weigh heavily round the Nederlander unscripted TV giant most broadly noted for "Government,Inch whose other formats include "Deal or No Deal" and "Extreme Transformation: Home Edition." Endemol is hooked by some $3.7 billion with debt to creditors, including private equity finance finance funds Apollo Management, Centerbridge and Providence Equity Partners. The extended deadline with this particular capital restructuring looks like it's tomorrow, 12 ,. 13. Mediaset and Italian equity fund Clessidra have apparently presented to inject $268 million in Endemol to enhance their current 33% stake to 51%, with loan providers having the relaxation from the minority interests. Mediaset has apparently informed Endemol the outcomes from the restructure may modify the companies' relationship, telling Endemol it designed to negotiate all existing contracts, too. Contact Nick Vivarelli at nvivarelli@gmail.com

What Herman Cain's Presidential Campaign Suspension Means for Hollywood Conservatives (Analysis)

Disney Channel is at it again.our editor recommendsDisney Channel Sets Premiere Date for 'Frenemies' TelepicDisney Channel Renews 'A.N.T. Farm'Disney Channel Renews 'Phineas and Ferb' for Fourth SeasonDisney Channel Slate Includes 'Zombies,' 'Super 8' Comedy The premiere of holiday television movie Good Luck Charlie: It's Christmas, inspired by the cable network series Good Luck Charlie, hit ratings gold Friday evening. The Christmas movie delivered nearly 7 million total viewers (6.9 million to be more exact) at 8 p.m. Good Luck Charlie: It's Christmas averaged 3.3 million among kids 6-11, 2.4 million among tweens and 1.4 million among adults 18-49. The movie is now the top live-action cable film of the year among total viewers. To compare, Lemonade Mouth -- which aired in April and also starred Bridgit Mendler -- averaged more than 1 million less viewers with 5.7 million viewers to its premiere. The telepic's strong ratings performance boosted the launch of music comedy Austin & Ally at 9:30 p.m. The half-hour series drew 5.7 million viewers, with 2.7 million falling in the kids 6-11 demographic and 2.1 million in tweens. Next week will be a big test for Austin & Ally as it will premiere in its regular Sunday time slot at 8 p.m. Versus Friday's broadcast offerings, which were not tailored to kids or teens, the Disney Channel outdrew nearly every program during the 8-10 p.m. period in viewership -- the exceptions being CBS' A Gifted Man and CSI: NY. Good Luck Charlie: It's Christmas centered on the Duncan family who get separated during a trip to Grandma's house and going against the clock to reunite in time for Christmas. Austin & Ally follows Austin, an extroverted singer, and Ally, a brilliant but shy songwriter and their best friends. PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery Disney Generation's New Rising Stars TV Ratings Disney Channel

Michael Fassbender: 'Shame' Made Me Go a 'Little Bit Loopy' (VIDEO)

Michael Fassbender is about one inch away from becoming a household name. The German-born Irish actor has enjoyed a breakthrough 2011, with roles in everything from 'Jane Eyre' to 'X-Men: First Class,' where he starred as Erik Lehnsherr -- better known as Magneto. His role in the critically acclaimed new drama 'Shame,' however, might be his biggest challenge yet. Fresh on the heels of his performance as Carl Jung in the David Cronenberg-directed 'A Dangerous Method,' Fassbender stars in the NC-17 drama as Brandon, a Manhattan-based sex addict struggling under the weight of his desires. Quiet and methodical, Fassbender nails the role (pardon the pun) and will likely be among the five Best Actor nominees this year. Moviefone caught up with him earlier this year at the Toronto International Film Festival to -- what else -- talk about 'Shame,' sex and full-frontal nudity. Michael Fassbender: Journey Through the Ages That Michael Fassbender sure is the master of period pieces. From Spartan times to the swingin' '60s, Fassbender proves he can tackle any era. '300''Jane Eyre'A Dangerous Method'Band of Brothers''Inglourious Basterds''X-Men: First Class'Shame See All Moviefone Galleries » Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook