DGA noms five for helmer's race

Woody Allen was nommed for the Sony Pictures Classics pic 'Midnight in Paris.'Martin Scorsese received a DGA nom for Paramount's 'Hugo.'Opting for veteran directors with a mix of comedies and dramas, the Directors Guild of America has nominated Woody Allen for "Midnight in Paris," David Fincher for "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," Michel Hazanavicius for "The Artist," Alexander Payne for "The Descendants" and Martin Scorsese for "Hugo" for its top feature film award.DGA president Taylor Hackford made the nominations announcement Monday. The guild will unveil the winner Jan. 28 at the Grand Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland at its 64th annual awards gala, which Kelsey Grammer will host.DGA film nom is the eighth for Scorsese, the fifth for Allen, the third for Fincher, the second for Payne and the first for Hazanavicius -- and the Hazanavicius bid also marks the first time that a silent film has been nommed for the DGA trophy.Scorsese won the DGA award and Oscar in 2006 for "The Departed," and Allen won both awards in 1977 for "Annie Hall"; both have received DGA lifetime achievement awards, with Allen feted in 1996 and Scorsese in 2003.Scorsese said: "I am honored to have been recognized by my peers for my work on 'Hugo.' It means a great deal to me to have the respect of my peers. The fact that our picture honors the work of Georges Melies, one of the inventors of cinema and an artistic forefather to us all, makes the nomination all the more meaningful."Scorsese won the DGA's TV drama award last year for "Boardwalk Empire."Fincher's nomination for "Dragon Tattoo" was by far the biggest surprise of the quintet. He received a nom last year for "The Social Network" and in 2008 for the "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and won the DGA commercial award in 2003.The DGA nominees matched four of the five tapped for the Golden Globes. The exception was Fincher; the fifth Globe nom went to George Clooney for "Ides of March."Other notable exclusions from the DGA list included Stephen Daldry for "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close," Bennett Miller for "Moneyball," Terrence Malick for "The Tree of Life," Steven Spielberg for "Tintin" and "War Horse" and Tate Taylor for "The Help.""Dragon Tattoo" has seen the most success at the box office among the five DGA nominees with $77 million domestically, followed by "Midnight in Paris" at $56 million, "Hugo" at $53 million, "The Descendants" at $43 million and "The Artist" at $7 million.The winner of the DGA Award has matched the Oscar winner in all but six years since 1948, including last year, when Tom Hooper took both trophies for "The King's Speech." The last divergence came in 2002, when Rob Marshall won the DGA Award for "Chicago" while Roman Polanski received the Academy Award for "The Pianist."The DGA nominations have matched the Oscar noms about 80% of the time. Last year the DGA tapped Hooper and Fincher along with Darren Aronofsky ("Black Swan"), Christopher Nolan ("Inception") and David O. Russell ("The Fighter") while the Oscar noms went to Aronofsky, Fincher, Hooper and Russell along with Joel and Ethan Coen for "True Grit."The directors branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has 369 members, or about 6% of the total membership of 5,783. Oscar noms will be announced Jan. 24. The DGA has about 14,500 members, including TV helmers, assistant directors, unit production managers and stage managers.Only once has a director won the DGA award and not been Oscar-nommed -- in 1995, when Ron Howard was honored by the guild for "Apollo 13" but was passed over by the Academy.The DGA will announce its TV nominations Tuesday and documentary noms on Thursday. And the nominees are:Woody Allen"Midnight in Paris"(Sony Pictures Classics)The Directorial Team: Unit Production Managers: Matthieu Rubin, Helen Robin First Assistant Director: Gil Kenny Second Assistant Director: Delphine BertrandDavid Fincher"The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"(Columbia Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures)The Directorial Team: Unit Production Manager: Daniel M. Stillman First Assistant Director: Bob Wagner Second Assistant Director: Allen Kupetsky Production Manager (Sweden Unit): Karolina Heimburg Second Assistant Directors (Sweden Unit): Hanna Nilsson, Pontus Klnge 2nd Second Assistant Director (Sweden Unit): Niklas Sjstrm 2nd Second Assistant Director (U.S. Unit): Maileen Williams Unit Production Manager (Zurich Unit): Christos Dervenis Unit Production Manager (U.K. Unit): Lara Baldwin Second Assistant Director (U.K. Unit): Paul TaylorMichel Hazanavicius"The Artist"(The Weinstein Company)The Directorial Team: Unit Production Manager: Antoine De Cazotte Production Manager (FR): Sgolne Fleury First Assistant Director (FR): James Canal First Assistant Director (US): David Cluck Second Assistant Director (US): Dave Paige Second Second Assistant Directors: Karla Strum, Ricky Robinson Alexander Payne"The Descendants"(Fox Searchlight Pictures)The Directorial Team: Unit Production Manager: George Parra First Assistant Director: Richard L. Fox Second Assistant Director: Scott August Second Second Assistant Director: Amy Wilkins BronsonMartin Scorsese"Hugo"(Paramount Pictures)The Directorial Team: Unit Production Managers: Charles Newirth, Georgia Kacandes, Angus More Gordon First Assistant Director: Chris Surgent Second Assistant Director: Richard Graysmark Second Assistant Directors: Tom Brewster, Fraser Fennell-Ball Production Managers (Paris Unit): Michael Sharp, Gilles Castera First Assistant Director (Paris Unit): Ali Cherkaoui Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

'Devil' rules at weekend B.O.

'The Demon Inside'During the thing that was expected to become ho-hum begin to 2012 domestic box office, Vital Insurge's exorcism pic, "The Demon Inside," wound up enhancing overall B.O. in the large way, by getting a superb $34.5 million weekend gross, which causes it to be the most effective-ever Stateside debut to start a completely new year. "Demon" also stands since the third-finest The month of the month of january debut, behind 2008's "Cloverfield," which bowed to $40.millions of, as well as the "AlienInch re-problem, having its $35.9 million opening in 1997. (All of people photos launched mid- to late-The month of the month of january.)Aside from the records, "Demon" already can be a greatly lucrative venture for Componen. Such as the studio spent just $millions of to find the pic, put in a small marketing spend. "For those who have countless-dollar movie, the (marketing) process can be very fun and loose," mentioned Componen marketing and distribution mind Megan Colligan. "Plenty of that which you do is controlling offline an internet-based media, and you also could really realize that the web fanbase saved growing and growing." "Demon" aided lift overall filmgoing, since the weekend's B.O. was up around 28% inside the same frame a year ago. The weekend's holdover crop held much better than expected, especially Par's "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol," which fell just 30% with an thought three-day gross of $20.5 million. In third place, Warner Bros.' "An Online Detective: A Game Title Title of Shadows" also displayed considerable resiliency, lower just 33%, producing an thought $14.millions of. In your area, "Mission" has cumed $170.2 million "Sherlock," $157.4 million. Bizzers expected the weekend-to-weekend drops being much greater overall, compared to last weekend's stellar New Year's traffic. That didn't happen. Really, Sony's "The Woman While using Dragon Tattoo" saw one of the weekend's best holds, off just 24%, yielding a 3-day gross of $11.3 million - enough for fourth place - together with a domestic cume of $76.8 million. Focus Features' "Mess Tailor Soldier Spy," meanwhile, extended to 809 theaters, up roughly 750 versus. a week ago, and showed up inside the top with $5.8 million. Pic has cumed $10.4 million in your area. "The film certainly proven the capability to see with a broad audience," mentioned Jack Foley, prexy of theatrical distribution at Focus. Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com

Are More Real Housewives In The Works?

First Published: January 4, 2012 5:07 PM EST Credit: Access Hollywood Caption Bravo boss and What What Happens Live host Andy Cohen visits Access Hollywood Live on January 4, 2012LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Watch What Happens Live host and Bravo executive Andy Cohen is riding high on the success of The Real Housewives franchise but is the network planning to highlight the ladies of other cities? Andy stopped by Access Hollywood Live on Wednesday where he revealed that crop of current locations NY City, Beverly Hills, Atlanta, Orange County and New Jersey might be it, at least for the time being. I think were good right now, he told Billy Bush and Kit Hoover when asked if Bravo would expand the series. Washington D.C. and Miami versions of the series were previously axed by the network. In addition to Housewives success, Andy is expanding the networks late night talk show from two nights a week to five, beginning this Sunday on January 8. Its going to be challenging, but Im excited, Andy said of his late night show that features Bravo stars, pop culture icons and plenty of on-air shenanigans. For more with Andy, including how he and Bravo decided to carefully handle the recent death of Russell Armstrong on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, click here. Watch What Happens Live airs live Sunday through Thursday at 11 PM EST. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Is 'We Bought a Zoo' So Sappy It's Good? (And 24 Other Urgent Questions)

On Friday, a story about a family purchasing a zoo arrives in theaters with the daring and bold title of 'We Bought a Zoo.' Matt Damon ('The Rainmaker') stars as Benjamin Mee, a father of two who buys the titular zoo. Is 'We Bought a Zoo' so sappy that it's good? Or will you drown in the sap and die? As a service, we answer every question that you could possibly have about 'We Bought a Zoo.' Q: How many times did you cry during 'We Bought a Zoo'? A: Wait, what? Cry? I certainly didn't "cry" during 'We Bought a Zoo.' Q: So you're saying that you did not, at any point, cry during 'We Bought a Zoo'? A: OK, look, "cry" is such a strong term... Q: Did moisture form in the general vicinity of your eyes at any point during 'We Bought a Zoo'? A: Twice. (Also, I'm only human.) Q: What is 'We Bought a Zoo' about? A: It's about a recent widower named Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon) who purchases a zoo. Q: Wait, Benjamin Mee purchases that 1970s PBS show? The one with the kids in the striped shirts? A: You're thinking of 'Zoom.' Q: Why does Benjamin Mee buy a zoo? A: After the death of his wife, Benjamin feels that a change is needed -- especially after the bizarre behavior of his son, Dylan (Colin Ford) -- and decides to move. The perfect home is found, but, alas, it also includes a zoo. Q: What kind of bizarre behavior? A: Dylan has just been expelled from his school for stealing and has a tendency to draw pictures of decapitated bodies. Q: Did Matt Damon's wife in 'We Bought a Zoo' died from Meningoencephalitis Virus One? A: No. The events that transpired during 'Contagion' have nothing to do with the plot of 'We Bought a Zoo.' Q: How does Benjamin Mee afford a zoo? Does he have a very high paying job? A: Actually, he just quit his job as a journalist. Q: Even without quitting your job, could you afford a zoo? A: I'm lucky to afford Zoo Animal Crackers at this point. Luckily for Benjamin Mee, he has a family inheritance. Q: Does Benjamin's family enjoy owning a zoo? A: Benjamin's daughter, Rosie (Maggie Elizabeth Jones), is immediately smitten with the zoo. Dylan, on the other hand, is less than thrilled and misses his friends. But Dylan does develop a crush on one of the zoo's employees, Lily (Elle Fanning). Q: Who wouldn't want to own a zoo? A: Me. Probably you. Q: OK, what idealistic movie character wouldn't want to own a zoo? A: The problem with this particular zoo is that it's not currently in operation and is hemorrhaging money. So, with Mee's purchase, he also has to invest even more of his own money and time into restoring the zoo -- and paying the salaries of the zoo's staff. Q: Does Kevin James, as Benjamin's zookeeper, keep the mood light -- even in times of financial despair? A: Kevin James is not in 'We Bought a Zoo.' You're thinking of 'Zookeeper.' Scarlett Johansson ('The Perfect Score') plays the zookeeper in 'We Bought a Zoo.' Q: If you had to hire either Kevin James or Scarlet Johansson as your zookeeper, whom would you choose? A: This is tough. Johansson's Kelly Foster seems better qualified, but James' Griffin Keyes is funnier when he falls down. I just don't know. Q: What was the biggest surprise in 'We Bought a Zoo'? A: It's great seeing Patrick Fugit in another Cameron Crowe movie, but, boy, did he get really tall since 'Almost Famous.' Q: Is 'We Bought a Zoo' a good movie? A: Under most definitions of the word "good," I'd have to say that, no, it's not particularly "good." But its relentless goody-goody earnestness will win you over. It's actually humanly impossible to resist. Q: Should I see 'We Bought a Zoo'? A: Sure, why not? Just make sure to bring a tissue to wipe all of the sap off of your face. Honestly, this is the Gallagher of sappy movies -- people in the front row should be required to shield themselves with plastic tarps. Q: If it's the Gallagher of sappy movies, should I also expect some racist and homophobic jokes? A: No, I was just making an outdated reference to the guy who used to smash watermelons with a hammer. Forget I mentioned that. Q: Is 'We Bought a Zoo' the most earnest movie coming out this weekend? A: Unbelievably, it's not. 'War Horse' takes that particular title. Q: What's the best thing about 'We Bought a Zoo'? A: The music. I mean, this is a Cameron Crowe movie, after all. Q: If there ever is a sequel to 'We Bought a Zoo,' what are three possibly titles? A: 'We Own a Zoo,' 'We Sold Our Zoo,' and 'We Bought a Zoo 2: Goat Protocol.' Q: What are the odds that you lose your job over the fact that you just wrote the words 'We Bought a Zoo 2: Goat Protocol'? A: Forty-five percent chance. Q: Is either J.B. Smoove or Ken Jeong in this movie? A: Yes. Q: If I'm at a cocktail party and I'm asked what my opinions of 'We Bought a Zoo' are, even though I haven't seen 'We Bought a Zoo', what should I say? A: "Yes, this is a sappy movie; there's no doubt about that. Look, Nigel*, I know this is a cynical world, but Matt Damon's performance left me wishing that, at least, every now and then, we can just all take a moment and enjoy the things in life that we do have. For a change." (*I took the liberty of assuming that you will be talking with a man named Nigel.) You can contact Mike Ryan directly on Twitter [Photo: Fox] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Discovery Sued By Woman Who Claims 'Weed Wars' Was Her Idea

Prashant Gupta / FX FX and Sons of Anarchy creator Kurt Sutter have prevailed in a lawsuit filed by an ex-Hell's Angel biker who claimed the idea for the hit drama series was stolen.our editor recommends'Glee,' 'Sons of Anarchy' Added to Amazon Prime Instant Video Streaming Service'Sons of Anarchy' Creator Kurt Sutter on Season 4's Bold Finale and Season 5 PlansFurious 'Sons of Anarchy' Creator Tells DirecTV Viewers 'You're Getting F---ed Over'; Reveals Banned Script Chuck Zito sued FX for $5 million in June 2010 claiming he had developed a show called Nomads (later The Wild Angels) and had agents at ICM set up a pitch meeting in 2004 with FX chief John Landgraf, during which Zito says he discussed ideas for a show about a motorcycle club. FX passed on the project but later developed Sutter's Sons, which ICM packaged and which recently concluded its 4th season as a big hit for the network. "FX was obligated to pay Zito the reasonable value of his ideas, hire him to work on the series and afford him screen credit as creator," the lawsuit alleged. "Defendants breached an implied-in-fact contract with defendant." VIDEO: 'Sons of Anarchy': Ron Perlman Says Season 4 Was a Challenge At the time, Sutter took to his twitter account to blast the lawsuit, saying: "HAVING THE F***ING IDEA IS NOT THE SHOW. THERE HAVE BEEN DOZENS OF OUTLAW MOTORCYCLE TV DRAMAS PITCHED IN THE LAST TEN YEARS. NONE OF THEM HAS MADE IT TO SERIES, EXCEPT SOA. BECAUSE THEY SUCKED." STORY: 'Sons of Anarchy' Creator Kurt Sutter on Season 4's Bold Finale and Season 5 Plans Today a Los Angeles Superior Court judge agreed, ruling on summary judgment that Sons was independently created and Zito doesn't have a case. The judge relied on declarations submitted by Sutter, Landgraf and talent agent Matt Solo (now with WME), among others, showing Sutter's development process and the fact that Sons was pitched to several networks, including HBO and AMC, before arriving at FX, which bought the project in a bidding war. The judge saw no reason for the case to continue past the summary judgment phase. We've reached out to Zito's attorneys for comment. FX is represented by Scott Edelman at LA's Gibson Dunn firm and Rick Stone at Jenner & Block. Email: Matthew.Belloni@thr.com Twitter: @THRMattBelloni PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery 'Sons of Anarchy' Red Carpet Premiere

Boardwalk Empires Shocking Finale Hits Season High, Luck So-So In Preview

Boardwalk Empires second season ended on a high note. The finale, featuring the shocking death of a major character (won’t reveal more for the sake of procrastinating DVR viewers), averaged a season high 3 million viewers at 9 PM on Sunday. Another 834,000 viewers caught the 11 PM replay for a combined audience of 3.8 million. Sandwiched between the two airings of Boardwalk Empire was a preview of HBOs new David Milch/Michael Mann series Luck, which premieres Jan. 29. The pilot episode of the horse-racing drama starring Dustin Hoffman averaged 1.1 million viewers, holding onto a third of the Boardwalk Empire finale audience.

Brad Garrett In Talks to Join Steve Carell in 'Burt Wonderstone' (Exclusive)

Getty ImagesMark Moses Mark Moses is going from Wisteria Lane to searching for who killed Rosie Larsen. The Desperate Housewives star has booked a major arc for Season 2 of AMC's The Killing, The Hollywood Reporter has learned exclusively. Moses will play Lt. Carlson, a new detective who joins the Seattle police department and the investigation into Rosie's death. He will appear in at least eight episodes of the nuanced drama. The drama's controversial first season ended with Linden (Mireille Enos) boarding a plane to California join her fiancé in California only to learn that her partner, Holder (Joel Kinnaman), fabricated evidence involving their prime suspect in the case. STORY: Season 2 of 'The Killing' Will Reveal Rosie Larsen's Killer, Says AMC Exec Moses is currently reprising his role as Paul Young on the final season of ABC's Desperate Housewives. The Killing role reunites Moses with AMC, where he played Herman "Duck" Phillips on the network's Mad Men from 2007-10. Repped by Innovative Artists and the Coronel Group, Moses' credits also include stints on Criminal Minds, Covert Affairs, Castle and Drop Dead Diva. The Killing returns in the spring. Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit Desperate Housewives The Killing