Russell Crowe Up For 'Noah,' 'RoboCop' Reboot?

Russell Crowe has been at the front of some of today's most intriguing casting rumors. A chain reaction of reports set off by a Deadline post places Crowe on the shortlist for two high-profile projects. Wednesday night (February 1), Deadline's Mike Fleming reported that he heard that Darren Aronofsky has his top choices picked for his biblical epic, "Noah." According to Fleming, Aronofsky wants Russell Crowe for the title role and Liam Neeson for a different character. The "Black Swan" director's first choice, Christian Bale, had to drop out due to a busy scheduling conflicts, and Crowe's credentials certainly qualify him as a suitable replacement. No deals have been signed for either actor, since the report only expressed Aronofsky's interest in the actors and not official moves to secure them. In the wake of Deadline's report, Variety's Jeff Sneider revealed over Twitter that Crowe "MIGHT" star in Jose Padilha's reboot of "RoboCop." Up until this point, the only major name even associated with the role of the cyborg in "RoboCop" had been Michael Fassbender, but his involvement only amounted to a passing mention from Padilha. Both of these casting rumors are less casting rumors than they are interesting rumors, and both only indicate that Crowe could conceivably star in the either film. Technically, he also "MIGHT" appear in the next "Alvin and the Chipmunks" movie. Mention should also be made of the purported role for Liam Neeson, who according to reports would play a supporting character in "Noah." /Film's Russ Fischer hypothesized that it's possible that Neeson's character could be the villain the film's cinematographer, Matty Libatique, teased. Would you like to see Russell Crowe as either Noah or RoboCop? Let us know what you think in the comments below and on Twitter!

First 'Skyfall' Photo: Difficulties Helps Make The Bond

by Marvin Van Buren Finally, the official picture of Difficulties as Mission Impossible in Skyfall having a gun, believe it or not! Following a early "Skyfall" leak of Bond sitting with a pool, this new (and official) shot features Agent 007 carrying a gun and most probably staying away from recognition of his opponents. If the photo does not enable you to get excited for that film well, we are searching at different photos! Since production started on Skyfall, there weren't many substantial updates around the film. Obviously there's been casting news of villains in addition to vague plot particulars, but very little else in recent days. Quite simply, this photo signifies an item of the lengthy process. Skyfall continues to be stuck in development hell for several years, and today, acclaimed director Mike Mendes (Jarhead and Route to Perdition") is finally getting his opportunity to prove his weight in super-spy gold behind your camera. True, many fans and experts didn't favor Quantum of Solace like a worthy accessory for the Mission Impossible world. But when any director can revive the real essence of the items a Mission Impossible movie is, its Mendes. "Skyfall" marks the 3rd time Difficulties has had around the legendary role of agent 007. The very first time is at the 2006 adaptation of Casino Royale, as well as in 2008 Craig came back for Quantum of Solace." Following a hiatus in the role along with a slew of other film projects, Craig is once more in action as Bond. It has been a lengthy wait, but we are sure it will be worthwhile once this course of action blockbuster hits screens in November 2012. Exactly what do you think about the very first official "Skyfall" photo? Tell us that which you think about this change at Mission Impossible within the comments section as well as on Twitter!

Octavia Spencer Brought To Tears Following Golden Globe Win

First Launched: The month of the month of january 16, 2012 11:19 AM EST Credit: Getty Images Caption The champion to find the best Performance by an Actress in the Supporting Role in the Film Octavia Spencer poses while using trophy within the 69th annual Golden Globe Honours within the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Slopes, The month of the month of january 15, 2012LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Octavia Spencer gave another acceptance speech at Sundays Golden Globes after winning Best Supporting Actress in the Film on her behalf role inside the Help, then when she left happens, her feelings needed over. I obtained backstage which i simply started crying, the actress revealed to get into Hollywoods Billy Rose rose bush after her large win. It's been very wonderful, the initial-time Globe champion ongoing. This really is really overwhelming. I cant even inform you. Im so overcome. Im still inside a condition of shock Its wonderful. Furthermore with a Golden Globe, the 41-year-old star Tweeted they showed up congratulatory kissed from George Clooney, Bradley Cooper, Michael Fassbender, Idris Elba, director Steven Speilberg in addition to produced a woman crush on fellow Globe nominee Charlie Theron. The actress told Billy they planned on praising along with her fellow The Help co-stars, but furthermore revealed she was searching toward sliding into something a little much more comfortable. I believed I'd party with the evening however i don't get it inside me. The most effective to go to home, clean my face, p-Spanx, she mentioned. I obtained to remove them. Im triple Spanxed tonight The most effective to pop them off! Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Ludlum's Sigma Protocol Back In Line

Ben Hartman may be the new Jason Bourne (?)Last we heard, Robert Ludlum's typically doorstop-y thriller The Sigma Protocol was around the steps for success for movie development at Universal. The truth is, which was in the summer time of 2008 maybe there have been leaves at risk. Today though, comes this news that, because the Bourne franchise prepares to come back using the Bourne Legacy,The Sigma Protocol has additionally resurfaced, with veteran Irwin Winkler writing and creating.Released in 2001, The Sigma Protocol was Ludlum's final novel, and it is about Ben Hartman, a youthful investment banker on vacation in Europe,who finds out that the secret organization (composed of top corporate CEOs and nazi war crooks) has lengthy been manipulating the global economy. Seeing a killing will get him involved within the conspiracy, which sees him marked for dying and away from home having a female FBI agent."This is an regular guy who will get swept up in worldwide intrigue, and who teams with this particular operative who's declared a rogue through the CIA," states Winkler. "Unlike Bourne, who's an experienced assassin, it is really an innocent guy driving Europe who will get in way over his mind. And contains all of the great Ludlum intrigue."The final version from the script was by Iron Guy authors Art Marcum and Matt Holloway, however it sounds as though Winkler is going to be beginning on your own with this version. He's co-writing with Jose Ruisanchez, who began in visual effects but appears to possess moved into creating through a while as Winkler's assistant. He does not appear to possess every other writing credits.Plot-smart, this looks to possess a few of the key points of individuals travelogue 60s caper movies like Charade and also to Catch A Crook (that is up for any remake). Recent tries to revive that genre, however (Dark night And Day, The Tourist), worked out badly, so we are interested to determine where Sigma Protocol may be heading.Like a producer, Winkler was behind achievements like Rocky, The Gambler and Goodfellas, which have lately resurfaced in certain form (Rocky like a musical, Gambler like a remake and Goodfellas like a TV series). "It's nice to determine this activity on past films, also it's nice to possess some fresh action," he states.

Digital revenues: Bigger bit of cake

Ultimate pay-offAs Hollywood meets most abundant in important tech and hardware gamers at CES in Vegas, executives have one factor in your mind: how you can monetize digital distribution.Obvious Scope Partners provided the amounts within the chart, which represent some of the total film "ultimate." That final amount will be in comparison to some film's total expenses to find out a forecasted profit.With every new platform that comes out, individuals digital dollars carry on growing and may play a far more natural part in identifying which projects get created.Filmmakers frequently depend on full film ultimates to create a movie in a reasonable cost and secure bank financing."The best can be used by galleries and independents to handle their very own income and forecasted capital needs," stated Clark Hallren, controlling partner at Obvious Scope, an entertainment advisory and capital raising firm. "(It's) also utilized by banks like a grounds for lending to production and distribution companies."About eight week's following a film's release, marketers and outdoors firms can estimate the best amount of cash it'll earn throughout its first cycle (about ten years). For digital, which means including estimations for pay-per-view, VOD, electronic sell-through and rental fees. Contact Rachel Abrams at Rachel.Abrams@variety.com

Law & Order: SVU Video: Fisher Stevens Channels Arrogant Director for Guest Role

Fisher Stevens The entertainment business is known for big personalities and bigger egos, so when Fisher Stevens was cast to play a theater director on Law & Order: SVU, he knew exactly who to use for inspiration. "There's a director that I've never worked with but I've tried to work with, and I don't really like him or his personality at all. I'm not even going to say his name. but in my mind, that's who I'm seeing," Stevens says. "His arrogance and narcissism are rampant, although he's talented." Exclusive: Miranda Lambert making acting debut on Law & Order: SVU In the episode airing Wednesday at 10/9c, Stevens plays Ted Scott, who's involved in an Special Victims Unit investigation when an actress' sexual assault is mistaken for a performance by a theater audience. "He's a very lonely man. You'd never know it because he's always surrounded by beautiful woman," Stevens says. "He preys on his students a bit. His ego is a bit out of whack." Watch the full interview with Stevens:

MTV Movie Brawl 2012 Bracket Open For Voting!

The MTV Movie Brawl 2012 is formally on! Following a initial play-in and wild card models, 16 films are actually selected to compete in many mind-to-mind single elimination matches inside our March Madness-style bracket. Ultimately, only one of these brilliant movies might be crowned the can't-miss movie of year, as well as the choice is entirely your choice. After first-round voting closed on Sunday mid-day, the MTV Movies selection team locked itself in the room with numerous food, a small volume of oxygen, then one all-important goal: seed this bracket. Compared to that finish, we considered numerous criteria to select each film's ranking. We noted first-round voting totals, overall buzz, potential box-office performance together with a slew of other benchmarks. The choices were tough. Some arguments were heated. But ultimately we walked away getting a 16-team bracket we're proud to supply up for your inaugural MTV Movie Brawl. But hey, differ around? Show us we first first got it wrong by voting for that favorite can't-miss flick of year. Ultimately, You are in control! Just click the bracket above and start BRAWLING!!! Watch our MTV Movie Brawl 2012 analysis!