Dish Network joins Hulu putting in a bid fray

Satcaster Dish Network is probably the firms that will go into the first-round of putting in a bid for streaming service Hulu, based on sources. Some reviews have dedicated to the foursome of Google, Amazon . com, Yahoo and DirecTV, the Englewood, Colo.-based Dish is about the candidate of individuals expected to invest in Hulu by Hulu's proprietors. That Dish has an interest in Hulu is not entirely surprising considering the fact that the satellite service apparently examined the venture's financials a minimum of last month. But the organization has since faded in the area of forecasted suitors despite being greatly in the overall game. A spokesperson for Dish rejected comment. Hulu's proprietors expect to carry on to area offers with the finish of the week, with reviews of the hard stop on August. 24 overstating that which was always a loose deadline. Others this is not on the candidate can always make offers for the organization possessed by News Corp., Wally Disney Co., NBCUniversal and Providence Equity Partners. Should Dish have the ability to snap up Hulu, it might mark the continuation of the amazing multibillion-dollar investing spree in the last 12 several weeks which has incorporated Blockbuster, DBSD The United States and TerreStar Systems. With Hulu likely to fetch around $2 billion, a Dish purchase would represent an remarkable outlay although not one sporadic using the company's goals. Since walking in as Boss for founder Charlie Ergen captured, Frederick Clayton has signaled his intent to supply some competition to Netflix by utilizing Blockbuster like a vehicle to get in to the streaming-content business. Clayton has additionally indicated he could still make more purchases. Getting Hulu and Blockbuster in one place would considerably improve Dish's prospects in dealing with Netflix, though with 25 million customers, the Los Gatos, Calif.-based company has a good enough lead to not sweat too abundantly. Coincidentally or otherwise, Dish may be the only distributor that News Corp.'s Fox has registered that enables customer to obtain authenticated use of primetime series on Fox.com and Hulu the next day of their original airdate. By August. 15, non-Dish subs need to wait eight days after airdate to see Fox programs online. Speculation regarding DirecTV had the satellite service pursuing Hulu simply to counter Dish's intent to get involved with streaming via Blockbuster. A speaker for Hulu rejected to comment. Contact Andrew Wallenstein at andrew.wallenstein@variety.com

Mike OMalley Added To R.I.P.D. Cast

EXCLUSIVE: Mike O’Malley, who is a series regular on Glee and a writer on Showtime’s Shameless, has just been cast in Universal’s supernatural comedy R.I.P.D., which stars Jeff Bridges and Ryan Reynolds in a movie based on the Peter Lenkov comic that centers on a police force made up of undead cops. The Robert Schwentke-directed film has been slated for a June 28, 2013 release. O’Malley, who begins shooting his scenes next week, will play Elliot, a kind of ghost. He isrepped by CAA and Principato Young.

Early Edition: Skinny Jonah Hill Joins the 'Neighborhood,' Clive Barker Angry Over New 'Hellraiser,' More

Shake, rattle and roll, East Coasters. Wake up and welcome to the world of temblors. Hollywood, of course, is used to earthquakes ... earthquakes of all kinds, from those that roll the ground to those created by our stars, producers, directors and writers. But as for Tuesday night's news, well, there wasn't much that was earthshaking. Jonah Hill lost some weight and nabbed a role in 'Neighborhood Watch,' Dimension Films' latest 'Hellraiser' sequel has Clive Barker really pissed off, Edward Zwick will investigate China's 'Great Wall' and 'Scary Movie 5' is moving closer to getting made. Read on. A recently slimmed-down Jonah Hill (he lost 30 pounds for '21 Jump Street') is in talks to join Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn and Rosemarie DeWitt in the Akiva Schaffer-directed 'Neighborhood Watch.' The sci-fi comedy centers around a suburban "neighborhood watch" group -- actually a front for dads to get away from their families for male-bonding -- that gets in over its head when it uncovers a plot to destroy the world. Hill would play Vaughn's sidekick. 'Neighborhood Watch' is being prepped for a 2013 release. [The Hollywood Reporter] Some people shouldn't be allowed to have movie cameras. Case in point, the filmmakers who created 'Hellraiser: Revelations,' a found footage sequel produced by Dimension Films. The film is the latest in the Clive Barker Hellraiser series, but the author had nothing to do with it (it's credited as being "Inspired by Clive Barker's Horror Classic"). In fact, Barker Tweeted: "Hello, my friends. I want to put on record that the flic out there using the word Hellraiser is no fuckin' child of mine. I have nothing to do with the fuckin' thing. If they claim its from the mind of Clive Barker, it's a lie. It's not even from my butt-hole." Based on the trailer below, we may have the leading candidate for worst film of the year. Check it out and let us know what you think. [The Playlist] Edward Zwick ('Love and Other Drugs,' 'Blood Diamond,' 'Defiance') has signed on to direct 'The Great Wall,' the first film from newly formed Legendary East. The company, Hong Kong-based and Chinese-managed, was created by Legendary Entertainment to develop globally-appealing films. 'The Great Wall,' which will reveal the legend behind the building of China's magnificent structure, is based on a story by Legendary Entertainment's chairman and CEO Thomas Tull and 'World War Z' author Max Brooks. [TheWrap] The long-over-due 'Scary Movie 5' may be closer to fruition than ever before. Dimension Films is anxious to get started on the fourth sequel and has hired scribes John Aboud, Michael Colton and Stephen Leff to write the screenplay, according to Bloody Disgusting. And the studio wants to bring back some of the series' familiar faces: offers have been sent (but with no replies) to Anthony Anderson, Regina Hall and Kevin Hart. And even though there's no director attached, no completed screenplay or a solid cast, Dimension has set an April 20, 2012 release date. [CinemaBlend] Warner Bros. has set release dates for the Todd Phillips-produced high school movie 'Project X' and Walter Hill's action film 'Bullet to the Head.' 'Project X' -- about a high school party that spirals out of control -- has been moved from Nov. 23 to March 2. 'Bullet to the Head,' which stars Sylvester Stallone as a New Orleans hitman who teams up with a New York cop to track down the killers of their respective partners, is set for April 13. [THR] But wait, there's more: Tom Wilkinson in talks to join the historical family drama 'Little Boy.' [Full story] Donnie Yen is offered a role in 'The Expendables 2.' [Full story] Hillary Duff has been dropped from 'Bonnie and Clyde.' [Full story] Djimon Honsou has been cast as The Angel of Death in 'Paradise Lost.' [Full story] Take a look at Shepard Fairey's teaser posters for Luc Besson's upcoming doc 'The Lady,' which is about Aung San Suu Kyi, the Burmese opposition leader who spent 15 years under house arrest because of her relentless nonviolent campaign. [Full story] New details have been revealed for 'Oz: The Great and Powerful.' [Full story] Get a first look at Kevin Smith's 'The Bionic Man' comic book. [Full story] Check out the first photos of the zombies in 'World War Z.' [Full story]

Hanks, Baldwin endorse USAN slate

Tom Hanks and Alec Baldwin have endorsed the slate for that U . s . Screen Stars Countrywide faction for brand new You are able to reps for that Screen Stars Guild. USAN made the announcement Wednesday and noted that Melissa Leo, S. Epatha Merkerson, James McDaniel, Susie Essman, Priscilla Lopez, Frankie Faison, Tim DeKay, Suzanne Douglas and Stephen Lang also have endorsed the USAN slate.USAN is facing an unaccustomed challenge in New You are able to in the One Strong Union slate brought by Mike Robards on the commitment of "integrity, transparency and inclusion." The USAN slate which strongly supports a merger using the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists includes incumbent New You are able to leader Mike Hodge and national board incumbents Mark Blum, Rebecca Damon and Traci Godfrey together with comedian Lewis Black and Ezra Dark night. Other USAN candidates are Manny Alfaro, Dork Bachman, Marc Baron, Jay Potter, John Rothman and Kevin Scullin each one is presently about the New You are able to division board and function as national board alternates.Hanks stated inside a statement, "I support those who have led SAG throughout these last several weeks of enormous alterations in our art and industry. USAN continues to be vital in leadership positions and it has labored continually to create SAG and AFTRA together to produce one union for everyone all of us.InchThe merger election could occur by spring. For that combo to become approved, over 60% of people voting both in SAG and AFTRA will need to approve. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Cody Horn Cast as Female Lead in Steven Soderbergh's 'Magic Mike'

Cody Horn has joined the cast of Magic Mike, the male stripper drama based on the experiences of Channing Tatum, who also stars in theSteven Soderbergh-directed film.our editor recommendsAlex Pettyfer to Star in Steven Soderbergh's Stripper Film 'Magic Mike''True Blood's' Joe Manganiello in Talks for Stripper Movie, 'Magic Mike''White Collar' Star Joins Steven Soderbergh's 'Magic Mike'Mogul Daughters Land Film RolesJake Gyllenhaal Indie Drama Casts Cody Horn The actress, recently cast in the Jake Gyllenhaal-starring dramaEnd of Watch, will play the sister of an up-and-coming male dancer played by Alex Pettyfer, whose character is based on Tatum. (He stripped for nearly a year when he was 18 to make ends meet.) Tatum, who is also producing, will appear as the film's titular character -- a mentor to the dancer played by Pettyfer and the love interest of Horn's character. Mike will also featureMatthew McConaughey, Joe Manganiello and Riley Keough. Also producing are Nick Wechsler, Gregory Jacobs and Reid Carolin, who is writing the script.The project is slated to begin production in September in Los Angeles. Horn, thedaughter of former Warner Bros. Entertainment president and COO Alan Horn, recently had a three-episode arc on NBC's The Office and also had a recurring role on FX's Rescue Me. Horn's casting in the project was first reported by The Playlist.She is represented by Paradigm and Untitled Entertainment. Email: Daniel.Miller@THR.com Twitter: @DanielNMiller Related Topics Alan Horn Steven Soderbergh

Stephen Collins, Dee Wallace to look about the Office

Stephen Collins Prepared to see who introduced the Nard Dog into our planet?seventh Paradise patriarch Stephen Collins and Dee Wallace (E.T.) will guest-star about the Office as Andy's parents, Entertainment Weekly reviews.Add Work for your Watchlist prior to the year starts and not miss a chapterInchPerforming 'The Office' now,Inch Collins tweeted Tuesday. "Absurdly fun & gifted group, including @Rainnwilson who I labored w/in the first job in '89 around the block.InchCollins most lately starred on No Regular Family and recurred on Private Practice. Wallace guest-starred on Detroit 1-8-7 and Law & Order: LA this past year.Work returns Thursday, Sept. 22 at 9/8c on NBC. Collins and Wallace's episode will air in October.

It's a Girl for KISS' Paul Stanley

Paul Stanley and Erin Stanley KISS guitarist Paul Stanley and his wife, Erin, welcomed a baby girl Tuesday, Us Weekly reports. Emily Grace Stanley joins older sister, 2-year-old Sarah, and older brother, 4-year-old Colin. Stanley, 59, also has a 17-year-old son, Evan Shane, from a previous relationship. Watch music videos from KISS "Erin and I are once again blessed with the addition of Emily Grace to our family," Stanley, 59, told Us Weekly in a statement. "I'm not sure she can sing, but her first screams let me know she's definitely Daddy's girl." Stanley recently wrapped a North American tour with KISS.

Meet the Characters of David Fincher's Girl with the Dragon Tattoo in 18 New Images

If you’ve seen Niels Arden Oplev’s 2009 Swedish adaptation of Stieg Larsson’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, you already have faces attached to the cast of characters in the bestselling trilogy-starter. So Sony’s smart to roll out 18 character profiles introducing you to the new Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara, managing to look simultaneously different and similar to Noomi Rapace), Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig in scruffy journalist-wear) and their fellow players in David Fincher’s December English-language remake. Here’s a sampling of the new Dragon Tattoo ‘getting to know you’ character profiles currently on display at the film’s official website, which features a look at 18 characters, their motivations at the start of the saga, and the in-character faces of the new cast portraying them. The film also stars Robin Wright, Stellan Skarsgrd, Christopher Plummer, Joely Richardson, Goran Visnjic, and Embeth Davitz, but I’ve included below a shot of Elodie Yung as Lisbeth Salander’s girlfriend, Miriam Wu — one of the side characters in the book and original film that most intrigued me, as one of very few people actually accepted into Lisbeth’s small inner circle. Yung, the French actress who swung knives from her hair in District 13: Ultimatum, also stars in Jon M. Chu’s upcoming G.I. Joe sequel. Get more character profiles (and a taste of what could be, as CinemaBlend’s Katey Rich points out, Trent Reznor’s Dragon Tattoo score) at the official website. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo hits theaters December 21. [Official website via The Daily Blam]

Stephen Colbert Hijacks Mlb Twitter Account

Stephen Colbert After beating Mlb at its Beat the Streak challenge, Stephen Colbert was granted the authority to dominate the Major league baseball Twitter take into account 24 hrs. However the Colbert Report host did not always stay with talking about America's pastime. He tweeted the score of the fantasy baseball game between your "Shape Shifting Faeries" and also the "Enchanted Dragons," and told fans it had been "Toss Your Trash About The Area Day." To become fair, one tweet involved pitching stats, however the link sent tweeters to Colbert's Super Pac website. Browse the relaxation of present day news In keeping with his word, Colbert handed the secrets towards the Twitter account to the Major league baseball on Friday evening, which motivated a brand new challenge: "It is a tweet-off," the Major league baseball account tweeted. "That do you want tweeting in the @Major league baseball account? #Colbert or #Major league baseball?"

VIDEO: Jason Bateman Tries to Improve Teen Wolf Too For Jimmy Fallon

Jason Bateman may be critically beloved at this point in his career — The Change-Up notwithstanding — but that doesn’t mean he was always universally acclaimed. One only has to look back to his first big-screen credit to see how things used to be: Teen Wolf Too, a reviled and unnecessary ’80s sequel that is only remembered because it was Bateman’s first movie. On last night’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Bateman got to revisit Teen Wolf Too with eyes toward making things right. “And then the teeth. And then this!” Click ahead for the video. Scene. [via Vulture]

Comcast 2Q Earnings Fall Short Of Estimates On Strong Revenue Growth

Comcast generated 2Q net income of $1.02B, up 15.6% vs the same period last year, on revenues of $14.3B, up 50.5%. But earnings, at 37 cents a share, missed the 41 cent target among analysts who follow the company. They expected revenues to come in at $13.8B. The cable operation had 22.5M pay TV customers at the end of June, down 3% vs last year. But Comcast picked up broadband and phone subscribers bringing its total customer base to 49.1M, a 2.8% increase. Revenues at NBCUniversal rose 17.1% to $5.2B. Within that group, cable networks improved 12.6% to $2.2B andbroadcast TV was up 18.5% to $1.7B. The filmed entertainment operation benefited from Fast Five and Bridesmaids and was up 21% to $1.3B. And theme parks were helped by "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" as revenues rose 22.5% to $147M.