Pathe U.K. pacts with Damian Johnson

Pathe U.K. has inked an initial-look cope with Brit producer Damian Jones' DJ Films following their collaboration on Meryl Streep starrer "The Iron Lady." Jones' credits include approaching period drama "Belle," sports pic "Fast Women" (now in publish), "A Brief History Boys," "Sex and Drugs and Rock 'n roll,Inch "Thanks for visiting Sarajevo" and "Kidulthood." Johnson stated, "I'm thrilled to deepen my relationship with Pathe, getting already had positive results together with films varying from 'Adulthood' to 'The Iron Lady.' With my approaching slate, I anticipate ongoing that success." Pathe U.K. controlling director Cameron McCracken stated Johnson "includes a remarkably consistent history in realizing wise commercial film ideas." The very first-look deal is Pathe U.K.'s third: Additionally, it has pacts with Christian Colson's Cloud Eight Films, that it made "Slumdog Uniform" and "127 Hrs," and Matt Wilkinson's Stigma Films, that Pathe is creating a slate of genre game titles. Contact Erectile dysfunction Meza at staff@variety.com

How 'Ringer' Struck a Chord For Ioan Gruffudd

Within 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 together with his wife and daughter. In tangible existence, Gruffudd is satisfied to possess put lower roots in La together with his wife, British actor Alice Evans (who he met around the group of "102 Dalmatians"), as well as their three-year-old daughter. Gruffudd, who is renowned for playing figures like Hortatio Hornblower within the "Hornblower" TV movie series, Mr. Fantastic in "The Great Four" and "Fantastic Four 2," Tony Blair in "W," and Lancelot in "King Arthur," confesses that whenever traveling all over the world to shoot various films, it had been very attractive to pay a role inside a series that shot in La. "I loved the smoothness of Andrew and that i loved the whole concept - all of the scrumptious elements," he states. "Also the truth that it had been Sarah Michelle Gellar's comeback to television, which was incredibly attractive." The now-official Angelino sitting lower with Back Stage to go over acting, character, and why you need to persevere. Back Stage: Just how much did the designers of "Ringer" let you know about the arc of the character before you decide to shot the pilot? Ioan Gruffudd: They explained Andrew Martin would considerably more interesting than he was around the page within the pilot, but no specifics. It's still incredibly exciting. I've my heart during my throat and my give my mouth after i browse the scripts. It's surprising what is happening next. It is a real proof of how strong the writing is on the program.Back again Stage: Where do you want to see Andrew go? Gruffudd: The actor within me would like to check this out guy visit a very dark place, however i think with many great villains we have to love them, you realize? We have to realise why they grew to become how they grew to become. Right now, we are exploring a few of the dark facets of his psyche, forcing him to create choices pressurized, that is exciting. But ultimately, I am among the primary figures, therefore we do not want him to become hated. Back Stage: What made you need to be an actress? Gruffudd: After I was nine, [casting people] found my junior school searching for somebody to experience the boy inside a Welsh language drama on BBC2 in Wales and that i got the part. I did not fully realize things i was doing, however i understood which i loved it. I wasn't excellent, however I continued to perform a cleaning soap opera in Wales after i was 12. And So I fell deeply in love with acting through physically doing the work in a high end from the very youthful age. It had been a part of my upbringing making up, really. I have been doing the work for twenty five years.Back again Stage: Have you got a specific acting method? Gruffudd: Technique is only there if you are battling to interrupt into or look for a character. In television, especially, you do not frequently reach punch above unwanted weight. You are basically playing not far from what you are. I'd say a little of Stanislavski relies during my method, but it is nothing I purposely sit lower and make preparations religiously for. Back Stage: Perhaps you have were built with a favorite role? Gruffudd: All you need to love. This is where we live this is where we exist as stars. Basically needed to choose, it's most likely a toss up between "Amazing Sophistication," directed by Michael Apted and compiled by Steven Dark night, which took it's origin from the smoothness of William Wilberforce who eliminated the slave trade, along with a project known as "Peacekeepers" that was a 2-part drama Used to do with director Peter Kosminsky for that BBC years back. Matthew Macfadyen, Damian Lewis, plus some other great stars were inside it. Basically, it had been concerning the conflict in Bosnia and also the British troops that went in like a peacekeeping pressure. Back Stage: Any words of knowledge for stars who're just beginning out? Gruffudd: Persevere. When you are beginning out, who knows, you might win over somebody after which they'll remember you in seven years time. Me, I have met producers and company directors and several years later they have known as me for any project that I am suitable for in those days. I understand you frantically would like to get all you decide to go up for, however it just is probably not always best for you. Simply do the very best that you can do. It is away from control. And never think you've learned everything. Your day you stop learning may be the day which i think you quit acting. New challenges help you stay going. That is what keeps me going. I really learn so much from watching myself, what I am attempting to do. Most probably and become aware and do not think you realize everything.

David Kelly Dies

The Waking Ned actor was 82Irish actor David Kelly has died in hospital after a short illness. The Dubliner, who was best known for his roles in Waking Ned and as Grandpa Joe Bucket in Tim Burton's Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, was 82.Kelly's first break on the screen came with two small role but noteworthy roles: the vicar presiding over Great Aunt Nelly's funeral in The Italian Job and inept builder O'Reilly in Fawlty Towers. He went on to combine work on the stage with stalwart TV turns in Ballykissangel, On The Buses and Emmerdale Farm. Samuel Beckett's one-man play Krapp's Last Tape, in which Kelly played the title role to great acclaim, was a high-water mark for his career in theatre.Kelly also scored notable sucesses on the big screen. As elderly chancerMichael O'Sullivan inKirk Jones' knockabout comedy Waking Ned, he landed a SAG award nod and generated talk of an Oscar nomination. It was a part that cleared a space for him on Hollywood's casting couches and led to a role as Charlie Bucket's benevolent grandpa, Joe, in Burton's trippy adaptation of Roald Dahl's novel.As Kelly himself joked, Charlie And The Chocolate Factory was a part tailor made for a professionalseptuagenarian."I remember on my 70th birthday," he told The Irish Times in 2005, "some journalist writing: 'David Kelly is 70 today. But what I want to know is how come he's been 70 for the past 40 years.' And it's perfectly true. It's a very strange thing." He went on to discount the possibility of retiring. "Oh God, no. I will continue hanging on to the script until they prise it from my cold, dead hands."Kelly is survived by his wifeLaurie and two children.

Ty Burrell joins 'Jackie Brown' prequel

Burrell"Modern Family" star Ty Burrell will expend his first publish-Emmy hiatus co-starring in author-director Serta Schechter's Elmore Leonard adaptation "Switch."Crime drama, that will function as a prequel to Quentin Tarantino's "Jackie Brown," stars John Hawkes and Yasiin Bey ("Dexter") as more youthful versions of Robert P Niro and Samuel L. Jackson's particular figures Louis Gara and Ordell Robbie, who also come in Leonard's novel "Rum Punch."Set fifteen years prior to the occasions in "Jackie Brown," story follows career crooks Ordell and Louis because they synergy to kidnap Mickey Dawson, the wife of the corrupt Detroit property developer. Once the husband will not spend the money for ransom for his wife's return, the ex-cons have to reconceive their plan, and also the angry housewife uses the duo to obtain her revenge.Burrell will have Marshall Taylor, a married country club member who provides hiding for a crush on Mickey and stays the majority of the film inside a moral dilemma after seeing her kidnapping.The Gotham Group's Ellen Goldsmith-Vein and Lee Stollman will produce "Switch" with Michael Siegel and Leonard, while Jim Garavente will professional produce. Production is skedded to begin in May.While Burrell is possibly most widely known for his comedy focus on ABC's "Modern Family," which lately gained the star his first Emmy, his feature career features a diverse selection of roles. Additionally to blockbusters for example "The Incredible Hulk" and "National Treasure: Book of Secrets," Burrell has made an appearance in challenging dramatic fare for example Steven Shainberg's Diane Arbus pic "Fur" and Doug Liman's "Fair Game." Thesp will next be observed in the comedies "Goat's" and "Butter."Burrell is repped by ICM and attorney Frank Stewart. Contact Shaun Sneider at shaun.sneider@variety.com

Exclusive: Bridesmaids' Ben Falcone Heads to Happy Being

Ben Falcone Bridesmaids' Ben Falcone will guest-star within an approaching episode of Happy Being, TVGuide.com has learned solely. The actual-existence husband of Oscar nominee Melissa McCarthy, who described John the environment marshal within the hit comedy, will have Darren, Max and Dave's lonely, yet angry landlord. His episode is slated to air at the end of March or early April. Browse the relaxation of present day news Falcone next seems on Up Through The Night. His credits include NBC's Joey and also the approaching feature comedy What to anticipate When You are Expecting, where he'll play Elizabeth Banks' husband. Happy Being airs Wednesdays at 9:30/8:30c on ABC.

Rumour: Harrison Ford in talks for completely new Edge Runner movie?

What is this great story includes a hefty rumour warning attached, but with different study by Twitch, Harrison Ford is at early predicts star in Ridley Scott's new Edge Runner movie.The report doesn't title any sources or offer any verifiable evidence, but this is exactly what they have to say:"Twitch finds that Harrison Ford has became a member of into early predicts join the completely new Edge Runner. Even though this is still very first stages that is quite simple that things won't exercise the apparent implication is always that that which you want at is not a reboot but an instantaneous follow-up for the original."It's tough to visualize Ford returning for the Edge Runner world, even if Scott reaches the helm. Which quote does appear awfully non-committal.Nonetheless, it's tough to consider something which could easily get hardcore sci-fi fans more excited in comparison to reunion from the pair, so you will notice that this story has spread round like the internet like digital wild-fire.That is in line with Scott's previous assertion the film is "liable to become follow-up."If Ford was involved, are you able to expect him to reprise his role in the straightforward follow-up set-up? Or you think Deckard's replicant status will probably be confirmed getting an electronic cameo different color leaves as Arnie's in Terminator Salvation?Expect Mister Ridley being avalanched with queries about the completely new Edge Runner film because he gears up for marketing duties on Alien-sister Prometheus.Prometheus opens on 1 June 2012.[brightcove]1431135008001[/brightcove]