Daily Variety articles from May 2003

Daily Variety archives from May 2003

'Life' is sweet for pop's daring diva.(weekly music sales, including Madonna's 'American Life')
May 1, 2003... Madonna parlayed a series of public and televised appearances into healthy album sales as her "American Life" debuted at the top spot in the album charts, pushing "American Idol" winner Kelly Clarkson down to third place in her sophomore week....

Prez zaps sweeps: net skeds turned upside down by Bush.(George W. Bush's address interrupts the television sweeps)
May 1, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- "The President Bush Show" has landed one of the best timeslots in all of television -- much to the chagrin of the broadcast networks. The White House announced Wednesday that Bush would speak to the nation tonight at 9 p.m.,...

Advertisers on the prowl.(a discussion of new marketing alternatives as a result of new technologies)
May 1, 2003... Media consolidation, a fragmented market and a host of new technologies don't seem to faze today's battle-tested advertisers. In fact, buffeted by a tough ad climate and a competitive market, advertisers are prepared to follow consumers...

Lone star jailbirds will warble for Dimension.(Dimension Films options rights to 'O Sister Where Art Thou')
May 1, 2003... Dimension Films has optioned rights to "O Sister Where Art Thou," a Texas Monthly article about a group of eight female Texas prison inmates who formed a singing act hoping it might gain them early release in the 1940s. The strategy worked...

Sony pacts with Pedro.(Sony Pictures Classics gains North American rights to Pedro Almodovar's upcoming 'Bad Education')
May 1, 2003... Continuing the distrib's most successful ongoing relationship with a foreign-language filmmaker, Sony Pictures Classics has secured North American rights to Pedro Almodovar's next feature, "Bad Education' which starts shooting in Spain this...

Cochran gets fitted at Fox.(20th Century Fox TV signs a two-year deal with Robert Cochran to continue running '24')
May 1, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- With critically worshipped drama hit "24" racing to the end of its successful sophomore season, co-creator and exec producer Robert Cochran has inked a new overall deal that will keep him planted at 20th Century Fox TV for another...

Army Archerd. (Just for Variety).
May 1, 2003... GOOD MORNING: When Jennifer Lopez isn't needed in front of the cameras with Robert Redford in Kamloops, Canada, for producer Alan Ladd's Miramax-Revolution "Unfinished Life," she wings to Vancouver, where fiance Ben Affleck is starring in "Pay...

Salome: The Reading. (Broadway: Charles Isherwood).(Theater Review)
May 1, 2003... (Ethel Barrymore Theater; 1,086 seats; $85 top) A Robert Fox, Daryl Roth and Amy Nederlander presentation of the play in one act by Oscar Wilde. Directed by Estelle Parsons. Set consultant, Peter Larkin; costumes, Jane Greenwood; lighting,...

Artisan carving off a stake.(Artisan plans to sell a minority stake in the company)
May 1, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Artisan's board has decided to conduct a brief auction to sell at least a minority stake in the New York-based film company within two months. Briefing books on the company will be distributed in about a week to two dozen or...

Artisan's package looking 'Compleat'.(Artisan Pictures plans the film 'Compleat Female Stage Beauty')(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Artisan Pictures has set Billy Crudup and Claire Danes to star in "Compleat Female Stage Beauty," with Richard Eyre ("Iris") directing. Crudup and Danes have been sweet on the project for months. It was developed by Tribeca Prods. partners...

Clear Channel gray: rough waters in radio biz mean little gain.(Clear Channel Communications)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Tough conditions in the radio and especially the live-entertainment sectors held Clear Channel Communications to a flat financial performance in the first quarter -- and the company warned that things are likely to remain choppy for some time....

'Anger' drives Sony to April B.O. win.('Anger Management' puts Sony in box-office lead)(Illustration)
May 1, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Sony dominated the April box office with a take of $141 million thanks to Revolution's laffer "Anger Management." March 31-April 29 frame chalked up $542 million, 1% below the April 2002 record of $549 million. "A percent...

Peacock vet switches channels with TiVo gig.(TiVo hires Morgan Guenther away from NBC)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- In an effort to help transform its digital video recording service into more of an entertainment platform, TiVo has recruited NBC executive Martin Yudkovitz as its newest prexy. Ankling the peacock as executive veep Yudkovitz...

'Late' news: Foley's back.(Jerry Foley returns to direct 'Late Night With David Letterman')
May 1, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Perhaps the staff of CBS' "Late Show With David Letterman" got hold of a few Dr. Phil self-help books. After a month of comings and goings on the show -- and reports of strife behind the scenes at the latenight talker -- things...

Meehan books to 'Bombay'.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Thomas Meehan is suddenly the most sought after co-book writer on Broadway. Having penned "The Producers" with Mel Brooks and "Hairspray" with Mark O'Donnell, Meehan is teaming with Meera Syal on a new book for "Bombay Dreams," due on...

Stewart wears red: company loses $4.5 mil amid ImClone probe. (Business).(Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia announces losses)
May 1, 2003... Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia lost $4.5 million last quarter as its eponymous founder and CEO said Wednesday an ongoing probe into her sale of ImClone stock continues to erode the mini-media empire's bottom line. The loss was steeper...

CTV, Bell ring in gains. (Business).(Globemedia, CTV Networks announce profits)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... MONTREAL -- Revenue and advertising were up in the first quarter for Bell Globemedia, one of Canada's leading media companies, mainly thanks to strong ratings at the CTV Network. CTV, which is owned by Bell Globemedia, is garnering better...

Lion names legal eagle. (Business).(Julie Spielberg becomes senior vice president of legal affairs at MGM)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Julie Spielberg, a veteran entertainment attorney and onetime legal veep at Universal, has been named senior VP legal affairs at MGM. Most recently, Spielberg was house counsel and general manager at the RW Ranch conference...

Antena 3 in Planeta orbit. (Business).(Planeta acquires a controlling stake in Antena 3 for about $400 million)
May 1, 2003... MADRID -- Spanish media group Planeta has snapped up a controlling stake in Antena 3 for about $400 million, valuing the terrestrial commercial web at $1.6 billion. The deal is sure to energize Spain's flagging film and TV sector. The...

Rupe in Italo loop with Telepiu deal. (Business).(News Corp. completes its acquisition of Telepiu from Vivendi Universal)
May 1, 2003... April has been kind to News Corp. chairman Rupert Murdoch. Fresh off his long-sought acquisition of U.S. satcaster DirecTV, Murdoch was granted an absolute monopoly in the Italian pay-TV market Wednesday as he formally closed the purchase of...

Showbiz Stocks.(entertainment industry stock prices)(Illustration)
May 1, 2003... SHOWBIZ STOCKS Wednesday, April 30, 2003 Find stock prices and news about any company at Variety.com/stocks YTD Name Tkr PE Last Chg %Chg AMC AEN -- ...

SARS scare delays annual Filmart confab. (World News).(Hong Kong postpones Filmart until 9/24/03 to 9/26/03 due to concerns about SARS)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) has postponed yet another key Hong Kong film event. Filmart, Hong Kong's film and television market, will unspool Sept. 24-26, not June 25-27 as planned. The change comes after...

Canuck refinancing: pressured gov't to restore cut TV funds. (World News).(Canada's government is restoring the funds it cut from the Canadian Television Fund)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... MONTREAL -- The Canuck government is set to bow to intense pressure from the TV biz and restore the C$25 million ($17 million) it cut from the Canadian Television Fund, which backs some of the country's most popular shows. Finance minister...

Croisette nets Cameron. (World News).(James Cameron will be at the Cannes Film Festival)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... PARIS -- James Cameron will be at the Cannes Film Festival for the screening of his officially selected out-of-competition Titanic docu "Ghosts of the Abyss," it was announced Wednesday. Pic's narrator Bill Paxton and film crew members will...

Soccer teams prep channel. (World News).(some Italian soccer clubs are launching a pay TV channel to air games not carried by Sky Italia)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... MILAN -- Confirming expectations that life in Italy will not be easy for Rupert Murdoch's new pay TV operator Sky Italia -- even though it has the monopoly -- some Italian soccer clubs plan to launch their own pay TV channel to beam the games...

Italy's Luce broadens reach. (World News).(Istituto Luce announces its film slate)
May 1, 2003... ROME -- Italo state film producer-distributor istituto Luce unveiled a ramped-up slate Tuesday. Prexy Andrea Piersanti and CEO Luciano Sovena, who joined IL's board in January, plan to pump out 20 works per year including co-productions...

U.K. leads rise in Euro tix sales. (Europe).(some 933 million cinema tickets were sold in the European Union in 2002)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Cinema admissions in the European Union rose by less than 1% in 2002, with strong growth in the U.K. offset by declines in Germany and Spain. Figures published by the European Audiovisual Observatory on Wednesday reveal that 933 million...

Thai History net set. (Thailand).(A and E Television Networks partners with United Broadcasting Corp. to launch History Channel in Thailand)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... A&E Television Networks has signed an agreement with United Broadcasting Corp. (UBC) to launch the History Channel in Thailand. Deal was sealed by A&E Networks senior VP Maria Komodikis and Attaphon na Bangxang, director of programming for the...

IDTV taps Ledafilms. (Latin America).
May 1, 2003... IDTV, the Dutch format subsid of the Chrysalis Group, has tapped Argentine-based distrib Ledafilms as its rep in Latin America. Ledafilms U.S. arm, Independent Intl. Television, will represent IDTV in the U.S. Hispanic marketplace. The...

Cabin Fever. (Film Review).(Movie Review)
May 1, 2003... A Lions Gate release of a Black Sky Entertainment presentation of a Deer Path Films, Down Home Entertainment and Tonic Films production. Produced by Lauren Moews, Eli Roth, Sam Froclich, Evan Astrowsky. Executive producer, Susan Jackson....

Bac Majestic on road to recovery.
May 1, 2003... PARIS -- Jean Labadie's Bac Majestic is over the worst of its financial crisis and has buried that hatchet with Miramax, Labadie said Tuesday at a presentation of the French film company's results. For 2002, Bac Majestic posted losses of...

Acad org aids film programs.(Academy Foundation provides funding for film schools)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The Academy Foundation, the cultural arm of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, has selected 43 U.S. colleges and community film programs as grant recipients for 2003-04. In all, AMPAS will dole out $405,000. The largest grant,...

AMPAS taps student finalists.(Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, New York)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has tapped eight student filmmakers from the New York region as finalists for the 30th annual Student Academy Awards competish. Gotham search is the first of the Acad's three regions to wrap;...

The Minus Five Down with Wilco.(Concert Review)
May 1, 2003... (Bowery Ballroom; 500 capacity; $20) Presented by Clear Channel Entertainment. Musicians: Scott McCaughey, Jeff Tweedy, Peter Buck, John Stirratt, Glcnn Kotche, Ken Stringfellow, Jim O'Rourke, Mikael Jorgenson. Reviewed April 29, 2003 ...

Digital delay for public TV.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... WASHINGTON -- Public TV stations are breathing a sigh of relief. The FCC handed them a break Tuesday, giving them an additional six months to start airing a portion of their programming in digital. Originally, stations were skedded to...

The Peter Sellers Story--As He Filmed It.(Movie Review)
May 1, 2003... (Docu - U.K.) A BBC presentation of an Arena production. Produced, directed by Anthony Wall, Peter Lydon. Camera (color, video), Peter Sellers, anonymous others; editors, Roy Deverell, Guy Crossman; music, Andy Sheppard; researcher, Jane...

ABC sends 'Girl' to Family.('All American Girl')
May 1, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- The American Broadcasting Co. dumped its "All American Girl," sending it packing to ABC Family Channel, where the reality skein's last two episodes have been offered a place to stay. The "Girl" seg originally scheduled to air...

NYC promo will preem at Tribeca.(Beyond the Skyline')(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The Mayor's Office of Film, Theater & Broadcasting has its own project to unspool during the upcoming Tribeca festival. Short "Beyond the Skyline" will bow during the fest to promote Gotham as a production location. Harvey Keitel, John...

'X2' marks the spot.
May 1, 2003... "X2" preem frenzy kicked off April 24 in London with a glitzy West End bow. More than 3,000 fans packed Leicester Square for a peek at their favorite mutants at the world premiere of the "X-Men" sequel. Stars Ian McKellen, Hugh Jackman,...

'Enchanted' evening for Broadway bow.
May 1, 2003... They've put their "Pretty in Pink" past behind them. Andrew McCarthy left "Enchanted April's" preem party at the Chelsea Piers Tuesday just as tstar Molly Ringwald made her entrance. Talking about missing a major photo op. Are the...

'Manic' indie cred at bow.
May 1, 2003... The "Manic" preem was not just another teen movie bash. Tyro helmer Jordan Melamed said the pic, which had none of the cheery gloss of studio releases, was shot Dogma-style to better "marry documentary and narrative." "We shot it down...

The WB ad-vances: Fox, CBS also seen as upfront winners.
May 2, 2003... Broadcasters and advertisers haven't yet entered the trading pit for the May upfront, but negotiations have begun in earnest. A flurry of new forecasts issued by media research wonks and investment banks on Thursday are giving good odds...

'West Wing' faces a regime change.(Aaron Sorkin, Thomas Schlamme leaving show)
May 2, 2003... HOLLYWOOD--There won't be a second term for Aaron Sorkin. After four years running NBC'S "The West Wing," the show's creator and exec producer has elected to leave the Warner Bros. TV-produced White House drama. Exec producer-helmer Thomas...

Disney vid flips its lid but Iraq war takes toll.(quarterly results)
May 2, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Hit movies and solid homevid buffered Disney a bit in the latest quarter from a battering delivered to ABC and theme parks by the war in Iraq. The Mouse House on Thursday posted a 12% slide in net income in its fiscal second...

'Harispray' in a kudo mode.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2003... "Hairspray" topped the annual Drama Desk awards nominations with a total of 14 citations. In addition to nods for five of its performers, including lead actors Harvey Fierstein and Marissa Jaret Winokur, it received nominations for best...

A 'Cheer' for revolution.(Revolution Studios picks up "Cheer Up" from Warner Brothers Pictures)(Brief Article)
May 2, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Revolution Studios has acquired the comedy "Cheer Up" in turnaround from Warner Bros. Pictures. Revolution hopes to put the film in production this fall. Tommy Lee Jones will star in the pic, which will be directed by...

Harvey in a giving mood.(Harvey Weinstein impropmtu question-and-answer session)(Interview)
May 2, 2003... A high-spirited Harvey Weinstein readily put down some of his early producing efforts and even donated remake rights to one early film he produced and directed, but vowed to direct again provided Martin Scorsese would stand by his side as an...

King of the spec scripts rises once again: Shane Black is going from giant paychecks to starting over. (Dish).
May 2, 2003... Shane Black is back. In his first deal since landing a record setting $4 million in 1994 for "The Long Kiss Goodnight' Black will make his directing debut at Warner Bros. on his noir drama script "You'll Never Die in This Town Again' re-teaming...

Gypsy. (Broadway).(performance at the Shubert Theater)(Theater Review)
May 2, 2003... (Shubert Theater; 1,447 seats; $100 top) A Robert Fox, Ron Kastner, Roger Marino, Michael watt, Harvey weinstein and WWLC presentation of a musical in two acts with book by Arthur Laurents, music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen...

Tina's 'Topic' tuned out.(ratings data for Consumer News and Business Channel Partnership's "Topic A With Tina Brown" show)(Brief Article)
May 2, 2003... Tina Brown's buzz has simmered to a fizz, if ratings for her network debut "Topic A With Tina Brown" are any indication. On Wednesday, according to Nielsen, roughly 74,000 viewers clicked on to CNBC at 9 p.m. to view Brown, the former...

'Idol' tops as 'Wing,' 'Enterprise' see drops.(television ratings for May sweeps)
May 2, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- With three weeks to go to the finale, "American Idol" dominated its hour Wednesday and helped Fox catch NBC for the May sweep's demo lead after the opening week. Night also saw new ratings highs for the current edition of...

Warming to 'Burn': GreeneStreet, Kimmel to co-finance thriller.("Slow Burn" receives financing from GreeneStreet Films, Sidney Kimmel Entertainment)(Brief Article)
May 2, 2003... GreeneStreet Films and Sidney Kimmel Entertainment will co-finance Wayne Beach's "Slow Burn," a contemporary thriller to star Ray Liotta and LL Cool J and be co-produced by the backers with Bonnie Timmermann Prods. GreeneStreet founding...

Cowboy Pix lassos partner from Lot 47.(Greg Williams appointment at Cowboy Pictures)
May 2, 2003... Lot 47 CEO Greg Williams has come on board as a full partner in fellow Gotham-based specialty distribution boutique Cowboy Pictures, expanding the infrastructure of the latter company while retaining the former's releasing label. In...

Weiss int'l marketing maven for U TV.(Dan Weiss appointment at Universal)(Brief Article)
May 2, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Dan Weiss has been named exec VP of worldwide marketing for Universal's domestic and international TV divisions, a newly created post. Move is in keeping with a growing trend at the major studios to hire execs who can oversee...

Legit 'Men' get 'Tea' time.(Promenade theater replaces "Tea at Five" with "The Thing About Men")(Brief Article)
May 2, 2003... "The Thing About Men" replaces "Tea at Five" at the Promenade theater this summer. Starring Kate Mulgrew as Kate Hepburn, "Tea" puts in its last perf at the Upper West Side venue on July 13. "We're looking for another theater to move...

Tribeca to fete black pics.(Tribeca Film Festival)(Brief Article)
May 2, 2003... The 2nd Tribeca Film Festival has announced its slate of special events, screenings and guests to mark the 25th anniversary of the Black Filmmaker Foundation, including Harry Belafonte, Mos Def and Chris Rock. Warrington Hudlin, the...

Cheskin bids Travel Channel adieu.(Steve Cheskin resignation)(Brief Article)
May 2, 2003... Steve Cheskin, who devised the granddaddy of all cable-network stunts, Discovery Channel's high-rated annual "Shark Week," has resigned as executive VP and general manager of the Travel Channel. In an interview, Cheskin said that "I'd just...

USAI sitting pretty: Diller ponders Viv U stake amid stronger Q1. (Business).(USA Interactive chairman Barry Diller )
May 2, 2003... USA Interactive chairman Barry Diller said Thursday that his company's stake in Vivendi Universal Entertainment is the "only one lingering piece of the puzzle that needs final resolution" as USAI fires on all cylinders. The stock surged...

In Demand pins Japan PPV deal. (Business).(pay-per-view deal with Dream Stage Entertainment)(Brief Article)
May 2, 2003... Japan-based fighting circuit Pride FC grabbed a toehold in the U.S. market, announcing a pay-per-view distribution deal with In Demand and its first U.S. event. The moves are important steps for the 6-year-old circuit of...

Powell, Copps trade barbs over media ownership regs. (Business).
May 2, 2003... WASHINGTON -- Weary of charges that he is conducting a secretive rewrite of media ownership rules, FCC topper Michael Powell fired back Thursday, accusing Democratic commissioner Michael Copps of failing to make himself available for...

Deutsche Bank sells cabler. (Business).(Tele Columbus sold to BC Partners)(Brief Article)
May 2, 2003... BERLIN -- Germany's Deutsche Bank has sold its cable unit Tele Columbus to British investment group BC Partners for [euro]510 million ($570 million) as it continues to concentrate on its core business. Tele Columbus is one of Germany's...

Student pirates pay hefty fines to RIAA. (Business).(Recording Industry Association of America)
May 2, 2003... The Recording Industry Assn. of America has settled all four of its legal complaints against college students, whom it -accused of setting up and running free file-swapping services with thousands of copyrighted songs on their schools' own...

Showbiz stocks.(for Thursday, May 1)(Illustration)
May 2, 2003... Thursday, May 1, 2003 Find stock prices and news about any company at Variety.com/stocks YTD Name Tkr PE Last Chg %Chg AMC AEN - 9.43 -.15 ...

The Lizzie McGuire Movie. (Film).(Movie Review)
May 2, 2003... A Buena Vista release of a Walt Disney Pictures presentation of a Stan Rogow production. Produced by Rogow. Executive producers, David Roessel, Tern Minsky. Co-producer, Susan Estelle Jansen. Directed by Jim Fall. Screenplay, Susan Estelle...

Lucy. (Television Review).(Television Program Review)
May 2, 2003... (Telepic; CBS, Sun. May 4, 8 p.m.) Filmed in Auckland, New Zealand, by Storyline Entertainment in association with Sony Pictures Television. Executive producers, Craig Zadan, Neil Meron, Glenn Jordan; co-executive producer, Jacobus Rose;...

The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone. (Television Review).(Television Program Review)
May 2, 2003... (Telepic; Showtime, Sun. May 4, 8 p.m.) Filmed in Rome and Dublin by Showtime. Executive producer, Hilary Heath; producers, Morgan O'Sullivan, James Flynn; director, Robert Allan Ackerman; writer, Martin Sherman, based on the novel by...

U.K. media warning: professor tells Blighty to avoid U.S. dereg. (World News).
May 2, 2003... LONDON -- An academic in the U.S. has warned the U.K. government that pressing ahead with plans to liberalize broadcasting with U.S.-style deregulation would "lead to disaster." British-born Professor Michael Tracey, director of the U. of...

BVITV sells 'Alias' to 5. (World News).(Buena Vista International Television sells television series to Five)(Brief Article)
May 2, 2003... LONDON -- Buena Vista Intl. Television has sold "Alias," starring Jennifer Garner and Victor Garber, to U.K. commercial web Five. Seasons two and three will be broadcast on Five later this year and joins other U.S. series bought by director...

Canuck TV funds cut anew as pols bicker. (World News).(finance minister announces that Canada will not restore funding for Canadian Television Fund)
May 2, 2003... MONTREAL -- The Canuck TV industry reacted with anger and dismay Thursday after finance minister John Manley scuttled government plans to restore the C$25 million ($17 million) cut from the Canadian Television Fund. Actors union ACTRA said...

AAFP joins Teuton's Film 20. (World News).(Association of Austrian Film Producers)(Brief Article)
May 2, 2003... BERLIN -- Germany's independent producers body Film 20 added the Assn. of Austrian Film Producers (AAFP) to its ranks on Tuesday, boosting its aims to support indie filmmakers in German-lingo territories. The news, announced in Vienna,...

IN emotion bites on vampire pic. (World News: U.K.).(IN-motion Pictures to distribute "The Ill")(Brief Article)
May 2, 2003... Vet horror helmer George Romero's upcoming vampire thriller "The Ill," produced by Thierry Cagianut of Gotham's P-Kino Films, has been picked up by London-based sales outfit IN-motion Pictures for worldwide sale outside the U.K. and North...

Flextech taps Opie. (World News: U.K.).(Lisa Opie appointment)(Brief Article)
May 2, 2003... Lisa Opie has been appointed head of Telewest's content division Flextech, which part-owns pay TV channels including U.K. Gold and U.K. Style. Opie has been running the company ever since Jane Lighting left to become CEO of terrestrial...

Fuji TV gets kudos. (World News: Japan).(receives George Foster Peabody Award)(Brief Article)
May 2, 2003... Commercial web Fuji TV will receive the George Foster Peabody Award on May 19 in New York for its news program "The Hepatitis C Epidemic: A 15-Year Government Cover-up," making it the first Japanese network to win the honor. The program, a...

WNBC docu heralds Tribeca fest, NY biz.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2003... WNBC-TV New York, the official broadcast sponsor of the Tribeca Film Festival, has scheduled "The Making of a Festival," a one-hour special, for Saturday at 7 p.m. The special, hosted by one of WNBC's lead anchors, Sue Simmons, features...

Datebook.
May 2, 2003... Films From Along the Silk Road. The Film Society of Lincoln Center and Seagull Films celebrate opening of retrospective of pics from Central Asia. Walter Reade Theater. www.filmlinc.org From Distant Shores: 15 Years of the Hubert Bats Fund....

Weekend Box Office Preview.(Illustration)
May 2, 2003... WEEKEND BOX OFFICE PREVIEW Variety.com/filmopenings RELEASE DATES AND CHANGES As of May 1 Plc New Date Old Date FOX I, Robot July 16 '04 July 2 '04 LIONS GATE Civil...

Mutants mint the moolah: fox's 'X-Men' sequel nabs record $155 mil worldwide.
May 5, 2003... The summer of sequels opened with a blast, as "X2: X-Men United" not only clobbered its predecessor but rang up a scintillating $155.2 million worldwide. The estimated $85.9 million domestic haul for 20th Century Fox's "X2" is the first...

Nets prep flight plans with pilots on tarmac.
May 5, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- With one week left before the Big Six nets begin unveiling their new fall skeds, a clearer picture of which pilots have a shot of snagging a greenlight has started to emerge. Much can change between now and May 12, when NBC...

Anthony to 'Alexander'.(Anthony Hopkins might snag a part in "Alexander" )(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... Anthony Hopkins is negotiating to star alongside Colin Farrell in Intermedia's "Alexander." Hopkins, reteaming with, his "Nixon" director Oliver Stone, will play the role of Ptolemy, the last surviving general in the army of Mace donian...

Mouse walks with zombies.(Walt Disney developing "Thrilla" film)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Disney is developing zombie horror pic "Thrilla" with director Hype Williams ("Belly"). Set in Jamaica, where a group of twentysomethings unwittingly awaken a gaggle of zombies and must fight for their lives, script comes from...

Puppet spy comes alive.(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... HOOLYWOOD -- Disney is readying a nine-year-old boy as the world's newest secret agent, fast-tracking "Joe 90" -- a live action feature film based on husband-and-wife team Gerry and Sylvia Anderson's cult British TV puppet skein. Don...

Topliners will goose 'Bruce'.("Marie and Bruce" starts shooting)
May 5, 2003... Julianne Moore and Matthew Broderick begin shooting today on "Marie and. Bruce," an adaptation of Wallace Shawn's play about a marital breakdown. Holedigger Films has come on board as producer of the Tom Cairns-helmed pic. Holedigger...

Roth's Revolution keeps revving up: upstart indie competes with the majors in terms of scope and starpower. (The Back Lot).(Revolution Studios continues to grow)(Company Profile)
May 5, 2003... IT'S TOO EARLY to issue a report card on Revolution Studios after a mere 2 1/2 years, but three things happened to Joe Roth and his company in the past week that bear notice. In these pinched times, Revolution nonetheless regenerated its...

Helmers cut health benefits.(Directors Guild of America changes healthcare benefits)
May 5, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Soaring health care costs continue to clobber Hollywood's work force with the Directors Guild of America unveiling tightened benefits and eligibility requirements. "One of the most significant challenges facing the nation...